He was just a Rank one nobody, unable to offend too many people. By pushing all these problems onto Fang Yuan, he had already begun his move. Even a small fry has his own way of surviving, and Fang Yuan clearly understood Jiang Ya's intentions.
However, the difference in cultivation and eras meant that Fang Yuan lived a completely different life.
After using the red steel Relic Gu, he would reach Rank two peak stage, close to Rank three. This marked his first major step forward, and with this strength, his life and future would change.
In the past (first life), he had to keep a low profile, but now he needed to be overbearing.
Only by being overbearing could he reap the greatest benefits.
As for Jiang Ya, he still held some value. Despite his petty actions, as long as they didn't interfere with Fang Yuan's gains, he could tolerate them.
Even revealing a few insignificant trump cards wasn't a big deal.
During peaceful times, the higher-ups might have time to stir up trouble, but with the wolf tide now upon them, who had the energy to worry about such trivial matters?
As someone directly involved in the fight and the aftermath between Qing Shu and Bai Ning Bing, Fang Yuan had to undergo the clan's investigation.
It wasn't a thorough investigation; the escalating severity of the wolf tide had captured nearly all the attention of the clan's higher-ups. Fang Yuan's Earth Communication Ear Grass and Stealth Scales Gu remained hidden, but even if they were discovered, he could simply blame it on the caravan.
In any case, communication had already been cut off due to the wolf tide, and the caravan wouldn't be coming. Under these circumstances, the clan couldn't verify anything with the caravan and had no choice but to postpone the investigation.
Of course, if the Four Flavors Liquor worm and Spring Autumn Cicada were exposed, it would be an entirely different situation.
Either of them could create a massive uproar in the village if discovered.
The Four Flavors Liquor worm represented an entirely new fusion recipe, one of immense significance. Fang Yuan wouldn't be able to explain it away by blaming the caravan and would face a thorough investigation by the clan.
And the Spring Autumn Cicada? If it was revealed, the wolf tide would quickly take a backseat. After all, this was a Rank six Gu! Even the clan head, Gu Yue Bo, would immediately throw aside any formalities. The concepts of kinship and the clan head position would be forgotten, and there was no doubt it would be forcibly taken.
July was the height of a scorching summer, with the air thick and heavy, carrying the metallic scent of blood.
The wolf tide was worsening, and the battles were becoming fiercer.
Many had come to realize that this wolf tide was one of the largest ever seen in history.
The bold lightning wolf packs had now taken a backseat, while the frenzied thousand beast king lightning wolf packs had started to roam near the village.
Humanity's living space had been drastically reduced.
Even the Gu Yue clan headquarters were not spared, let alone the village at the foot of the mountain.
Nine out of ten homes were abandoned, with a few fortunate villagers taking refuge in the clan through various connections. But the majority had no choice but to leave their homes and embark on a difficult journey to escape the wolf tide.
Their destination was another mountain village. However, the fierce beasts, wild Gu, and the lightning wolves that filled the mountains left them with almost no hope.
This was a hopeless journey.
The Gu Yue clan had no choice but to abandon these mortals; they would all perish before even reaching the halfway point—either from the fierce beasts or attacks by insects.
Whether mortals or Gu Masters, everyone was struggling for survival. Even the elders, who usually held high status, had no choice but to put on armor and head to the battlefield.
Even retired Gu Masters were called back into service. When the wolf tide subsides, those who survive will not even make up one-tenth of the original number.
The harshness of nature was on full display, as it was truly the survival of the fittest, and no amount of comforting words could change that.
After Jiang Ya left, Fang Yuan went back inside and sat cross-legged on the bed; his eyes were closed as he looked at his aperture.
"Now, with all the interference gone, it's time to use the red steel Relic Gu." Fang Yuan activated the Relic Gu.
Once again, experiencing the exact same sensation as before, Fang Yuan immediately saw his aperture slowly but surely transform into crystal membrane aperture walls, where the light was ethereal and radiated with a pure brilliance.
Fang Yuan had now reached the Rank Two Peak Stage.
Right now, based on cultivation level, Fang Yuan was one of the top Rank two Gu Masters in the Gu Yue clan. Meanwhile, in the entire Qing Mao Mountain, Fang Yuan could be considered in the top five among all Gu Masters.
Chi Shan and Mo Yan, originally at Rank two upper stage, had recently advanced to the peak stage.
This boost in their cultivation served to lift the morale of the clansmen, who had been disheartened after Qing Shu's sacrifice.
As Fang Yuan progressed, so did others.
Chi Shan and Mo Yan had been stuck at the upper stage for a long time, continuously pressured by Qing Shu, who had reached the peak stage.
The overwhelming fear and urgency brought on by the wolf tide awakened a deep hunger for power in the Gu Masters, pushing them to unlock their potential and advance in cultivation.
"But if we count fighting strength, I am the number one among the Rank two Gu Masters of the whole Qing Mao Mountain. And when combined with my deep experience, I can even battle Rank three Gu Masters to a certain degree," Fang Yuan calculated.
His low profile and patience had brought him significant rewards.
With just C-grade aptitude, he had reached this stage, and the entire clan would be shocked if they knew. Even Fang Zheng, with his A-grade aptitude, was only at Rank two middle stage.
Naturally, even if he advanced to the peak stage, Fang Yuan wouldn't be able to defeat Rank three Gu Masters.
Bai Ning Bing was able to surpass levels and kill a Rank three Gu Master because of his Northern Dark Ice Soul physique. Gu Yue Qing Shu had also achieved this because of the powerful and special Rank three Gu, the Wood Charm Gu.
In reality, Fang Yuan possessed an even stronger trump card than they did — the Spring Autumn Cicada.
However, this Rank six Gu was unique, and Fang Yuan had forced himself not to use it. The Spring Autumn Cicada hadn't fully recovered, and if used prematurely, its ability to rebirth would be uncertain.
The red steel Relic Gu was only effective for Rank two Gu Masters, making it useless to keep.
Half a month later.
Lightning wolves attack like tidal waves, causing the Gu Masters to retreat in a hurry.
"Xiong Yuan Zhen, you must hang in there! Gu Yue village is not too far away." Xiong Jiao Man stared at the clansmen on the ground, her eyes turning red as she shouted.
"Leader big sis, I can't take it anymore. I have something in my heart I want to tell you…" Xiong Yuan Zhen was at his dying breath, his injuries were severe and his face was full of death.
"Okay, speak!" Xiong Jiao Man sobbed. She knew in her heart that although this Xiong Yuan Zhen was normally quiet, he was secretly in love with her. At this moment, she knew what he wanted to say.
But when Xiong Yuan Zhen opened his mouth, he did not manage to confess and say "I love you."
He had passed away, succumbed to blood loss and injuries too grave to heal.
His body was riddled with wounds, all inflicted by the lightning wolves. The most lethal injury was to his chest, a deep gash running from his right shoulder to his belly button — dealt by an audacious lightning wolf.
"Big sis, the situation is bad, another bold lightning wolf group came!" The recon Gu Master shouted, his voice filled with panic.
Xiong Jiao Man's cries stopped as she gently placed Xiong Yuan Zhen's body down. She was the group leader, and her members still needed her!
The dead were gone, but those still alive had to face the harshness of this world.
"These goddamn wolves, is there an end to them!" Xiong Jian Man cursed fiecely. Her body figure was hot and she had a nice pretty face, so when she said these swear words there was a unique flavor about her.
Hearing her words, the others calmed down inwardly.
As Xiong Jiao Man cursed, she kept a close watch.
The results of the investigation left her somewhat troubled. She could handle a group of bold lightning wolves, fight her way through two, but against four groups, the wisest choice was to retreat to the valley behind and use the Signal Gu, hoping for reinforcements.
"Retreat to the valley," Xiong Jiao Man shouted as she activated both her giant bears to protect them.
The two giant bears were well-raised by her—one brown, one black, both with smooth fur but covered in injuries.
When Xiong Jiao Man and the others retreated to the valley, only the brown bear survived; the black one was overwhelmed by the lightning wolves after killing dozens, drained of energy.
A Gu worm shot out from the bear's corpse and returned to Xiong Jiao Man's hand.
It was the Bear Enslavement Gu, which allowed control over regular bears.
As a Rank two Gu, it couldn't control a bear king, but if it could, the power would be immense. A bear king commands a hundred subordinates, giving the Gu Master control over an entire beast group.
"Now we wait for reinforcements, hopefully they can get here soon!" Xiong Jiao Man panted as she sighed.
They had retreated to the valley, reducing the area to defend and easing the pressure from the wolf packs. However, this also trapped them, and the ongoing bloodshed would attract more wolves.
The crisis wasn't over.
At this point, from the cliff above their heads, a voice was heard.
Everyone looked up and saw a young man.
"It's him…"
"Gu Yue Fang Yuan!"
The seven Xiong clan Gu Masters were first invigorated, but then showed a complicated expression.