As Fang Yuan left the mortal's shack, a notification popped up in his mind.
Mission successful!
Reward: Rank 1 Deer Enslavement Gu (x 1)
He had a puzzled expression as he read this.
For one, while this system was probing and using him, Fang Yuan was also testing its limits. While he was benefitting from this system, he was on guard against it as well. Any knowledge he could gain regarding how it functioned would be invaluable in case he had to undermine it later. It had prevented him from extorting his classmates, but had not stopped him from asking for a fee for refining gu for them, so long as it wasn't a part of the daily quest.
It had also not penalized him for killing the mortal boy. Was it because Fang Yuan had to? Or because it was in self-defense of that mortal girl?
This was not Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable's way of doing things, if indeed this 'system' was his creation. He had reformed many a demonic cultivator by placing them in situations where they could neither attack nor retreat.
Fang Yuan, however, had no such methods of stopping him. Was that factored into its decision, or not?
Putting all such things aside, what was it with this trash reward? Not that it was a loss to him, but it wasn't all that useful either other than being sold.
'System, I've been asking for increases to my aptitude, not this nonsense,' Fang Yuan thought. 'If you continue denying me like a girlfriend who keeps saying 'no' each night giving the excuse that she has a headache, I'm going to look elsewhere to get ahead!'
The system did not respond to Fang Yuan's threat of basically 'start putting out system, or we're going to have some problem.'
With no answer, the next step was to sell the Deer Enslavement Gu. It was not useful to him, not even for that purpose given that deer were not inclined to eat meat, let alone human meat.
Don't sell it! It's a surprise tool that will help us later!
The system seemed to have something in mind for the Deer Enslavement Gu, so Fang Yuan gave up on his idea of selling it.
As he gazed at the last remaining traces of the merchant caravan, which would be leaving tomorrow, he couldn't help but think how pointless this latest mission was.
He did not remember the name Fan Ru from his previous life, nor the name of her grandfather. meaning the two were insignificant people in the grand scheme of things.
As a matter of fact, even if they had accomplished something, their lives would soon be forfeit in the upcoming beast tide, which would not only destroy the surrounding villages, but much of Gu Yue village itself as well.
So whether or not Fang Yuan 'saved' her grandfather or not, they would eventually die regardless.
They called him a 'hero' for what he had done, but it was ultimately meaningless. A reputation of a hero would fade with time as well, once there was no one left to remember your deeds. The Gu World had countless geniuses, but whether they were heroes or villains, no matter how famous, they were ultimately worm chow in the end.
The only thing in this world that carried meaning, the only thing that was worth pursuing - was eternal life!
Later on...
"Fang Yuan, I hope you will continue working hard for the sake of the class and your classmates," the academy elder said.
The merchant caravan had gone on its way. Although Fang Yuan had further schemes that he wanted to carry out, it was too early for them. He would need to wait until he was stronger- in other words, until next year, to put them into motion. By that time, he should've also been able to accumulate more stones and be at a right rank to use better gu worms.
As expected, his classmates had done little but wander around and taste the occasional delicacy when it came to the merchant caravan. Most of those who had actual money were busy cultivating, like Mo Bei and Chi Chen. News of Fang Yuan winning the Mudskin Toad had spread throughout the village, but there was no talk of the incident with him beheading a mortal villager. As it was, it was not a major matter and news likely didn't even spread to the Gu Masters, let alone these students.
Fang Yuan was the only one who had gotten to Rank 1 Middle Stage by now, though as per his memories, the others would soon follow.
While he had been appointed as class president before, this was the 'official' ceremony which the academy elder hadn't prepared for given he hadn't thought that anyone would've reached that level before the merchant caravan came around.
It was a quick ceremony, and to distinguish Fang Yuan's status from the rest of his classmates, a small medal was pinned to this chest. It was a small golden replica of the clan's signature gu worm, a Moonlight Gu, with a purple ribbon attached to it. The vice-presidents would get something similar, but made of silver, and with white ribbons. These small modifications to their uniforms were to further distinguish these people from the rest of the class.
Envious glances were thrown his way though he paid them no heed.
In all honesty, this position of class president was more of a burden to him than a benefit, though that did not mean that he wouldn't strive to extract as many benefits as possible from it.
"I will continue to work hard and make you proud," Fang Yuan said dutifully, cupping his hands.
The academy elder nodded, and his gaze went over to Fang Zheng, Chi Chen, and Mo Bei. Hopefully this small show would motivate them to work harder.
"Everyone's clapping and praising big brother again," Fang Zheng thought despondently. Was he to always remain in his shadow?
Chi Chen and Mo Bei glanced at each other- both of them thought of the other as the only 'real' competition they had. Even if they couldn't get the meat, they could at least drink the soup!
Fang Yuan's thoughts drifted to the mysterious second gu worm that he had won from the rocks. It was Rank 3, and it seemed to have become healthier somehow over the past few days, a new sheen had developed in its black feathers which shone with a luster that they had lacked before.
It appeared that it was quickly recovering from its fossilization, but the question still remained as to what it was. And why did it look like it had been freshly fed?
It seemed to feed on something that was not physical. There were gu worms like that- the Spring Autumn Cicada fed on the river of time itself. There were gu worms that fed on the qi in the air, or on energy from the environment. Some gu worms fed off of mental energy or the like. Others just needed primeval essence.
This gu worm fell into this category, it seemed. Whatever food it required, it was easily available. This meant he would have no issues feeding it.
As for what it did, Fang Yuan had no other option currently to find out other than to use it. Though of course, he would not do something so stupid. What if detonated the user on use? What if it was a single-use gu worm?
There were Information Path gu worms that could help him elucidate what the gu worm was, but he did not have access to them at the moment.
As it was, he had left it back in the dormitory as he didn't want to reveal it.