Gu Xianer becomes utterly astonished upon stepping into the mysterious Gu room. The four walls are lined with countless square holes embedded within larger square holes, each varying in size—some as large as an earthenware cooking pot, others no smaller than a fist. Within these holes rest containers of all kinds: grey stone basins, verdant jade dishes, intricate grass cages, and earthen stoves, each housing a different variety of Gu worms.
The room hums with life. Some Gu worms remain eerily silent, while others emit a cacophony of sounds—chirping, clucking, rustling—that blend together into a chaotic yet mesmerizing symphony. It is said that the first Gu a Gu Master refines will become their vital Gu, intertwining their fates forever. If this Gu dies, the Gu Master suffers a devastating blow.
Gu Xianer gazes around wide-eyed, her excitement palpable. She points at one particularly noisy worm and exclaims, "Look, Brother! This one is making such a strange sound!" Fang Yuan smiles faintly, momentarily forgetting his despair as he becomes absorbed in her childlike wonder. Her endless questions draw him further away from his pain, grounding him in her boundless enthusiasm.
After a few moments, Gu Xianer stops before another Gu worm and gasps. "Brother, look! It has so many long legs!" Fang Yuan peers closer, reading the description beside it. A soft smile tugs at his lips as he carefully removes the container. "Xianer, you've chosen well for me. This is a movement-type Gu worm—I'll take it."
Fang Yuan then scans the room thoughtfully, searching for something suitable for Gu Xianer. His eyes land on a small, delicate-looking worm nestled in a jade dish. Picking it up, he hands it to her gently. "This is perfect for you—it's a healing-type Gu worm. You'll excel with it."
As they leave the room, the next person in line rushes in, his excitement palpable. Fang Zheng approaches them, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. "Let's go home quickly," he says. "We need to refine our Gu worms."
As they walk, Fang Zheng's mind churns with dark ambition. "For now, I'll refine this Moonlight Gu. My ultimate goal is to become a Venerable in the blood path." He glances at Fang Yuan and Gu Xianer, his gaze predatory. "The Gu I truly desire is far too risky to refine at this stage. Once I grow powerful enough, I'll refine it. Ha ha ha. My vital Gu will be the Blood Derivation Gu. But first, I'll refine this Gu and secretly claim the Flower Wine Monk's inheritance. Everything is falling into place."
For a Gu Master, primeval stones are more than just currency—they are essential for cultivation. By extracting primeval essence from the stones, a Gu Master can replenish their primeval sea, speeding up their cultivation. This is especially crucial for those with lower talent grades, as it helps bridge the gap.
But for Fang Yuan, the challenge is monumental. With no natural primeval essence of his own, he must rely entirely on primeval stones—an impractical and costly solution. The odds are stacked against him, but despite the hopelessness of his situation, Fang Yuan's determination burns fiercely. He resolves to work hard, no matter how impossible the path ahead seems.
That evening, the light in the living room is dim. Aunt and Uncle sit high in their chairs, their faces shrouded in shadow cast by the flickering candlelight. Their expressions are difficult to discern, hidden behind the gloom.
Before them stand Fang Yuan, Fang Zheng, and Gu Xianer. Uncle clears his throat and speaks, his voice steady but tinged with authority. "In the blink of an eye, you three have turned fifteen and become Gu Masters, acquiring your first Gu. Fang Zheng and Gu Xianer have awakened high talents, so we are proud of you. I will give each of you twenty primeval stones. Use them to start refining your Gu worms. Refining a Gu worm isn't easy—it requires immense effort and relies heavily on these stones."
He signals to the servants standing nearby, who step forward with three bags filled with primeval stones. Each bag is handed to its respective recipient.
Fang Yuan peers into his bag and bows slightly, his tone respectful but subdued. "Thank you, Aunt and Uncle. This will be very helpful."
Gu Xianer, ever the curious child, begins playing with the stones, turning them over in her hands with fascination. Fang Zheng, however, doesn't even bother opening his bag, dismissing it with an air of indifference.
Seeing their reactions, Aunt and Uncle exchange a glance, their frustration barely concealed beneath strained smiles. They had envisioned gratitude overflowing from the trio, imagining them bowing with joy and excitement at receiving such a generous gift. Instead, their lukewarm responses leave the couple seething. Still, they force themselves to maintain a gentle demeanor.
"Go to your rooms and begin the refining process," Uncle says, his voice smooth but laced with suppressed irritation.
Later, when they are alone, Uncle's face darkens with anger. "I gave each of them twenty primeval stones instead of five, yet look at their reaction. Do you think they'll easily submit their inheritances to us?"
Aunt sighs heavily, her frustration evident. "Your prediction was correct. If we ask them to officially acknowledge us as their parents now, they might agree initially. But once they see the inheritances left by their real parents, they'll reject us without hesitation. And the official acknowledgment process is already troublesome enough."
Uncle leans forward, his gaze piercing. "That's why I told you to act gentle. We need to make them feel so indebted to us that they can't even imagine rejecting us. Do you understand?"