The sky was not yet bright, and the sun had not yet risen. The eastern sky was just beginning to whiten. The blackness in the sky was gradually fading, and the fragrance of the night still lingered in the air.
In the almost deserted street, a burst of brisk footsteps could be heard.
The early mornings in the mountains were always somewhat damp and cold, but Gu Yue Fang Zheng did not feel the slightest chill. His heart was filled with surging passion.
Two blushes rose on his cheeks, and he was walking briskly towards the academy.
"I have practiced hard these days, spent two primeval stones, and did not sleep all night last night, finally succeeding in refining the Moonlight Gu. I am an A grade aptitude, and I work so hard. No one will be faster than me, no one! Father and mother, I said I would not let you down."
Thinking of how happy and gratified his uncle and aunt looked when he had just told them this good news, Fang Zheng felt a wave of heartfelt joy and pride.
"Just wait, those clansmen who once looked down on me, and older brother. Starting from today, I will make you see Gu Yue Fang Zheng in a whole new light!"
The more Fang Zheng thought about it, the more excited he became. He could not help but clench his fists, and his footsteps quickened a bit more.
He arrived at the gate of the academy.
The two guards guarding the academy looked at him strangely and asked, "Hmm, Gu Yue Fang Yuan, why are you back again?"
"What, older brother was just here?" Hearing this, a trace of surprise and doubt flashed across Fang Zheng's face.
"Never mind that for now!" He simply could not have expected that Fang Yuan would take first place. He shook his head step, and with a trace of pride in his tone, cupped his hands and said, "You two big brothers, I am not Gu Yue Fang Yuan, I am Gu Yue Fang Zheng. I have already successfully refined my vital Gu, and this time I am here to claim the first place reward."
"You are Gu Yue Fang Zheng? You two brothers look too much alike, no wonder the academy elder even mistook you." The guard on the left widened his eyes and cried out.
The guard on the right shook his head and said, "You came a step too late. Just in the middle of last night, your older brother Gu Yue Fang Yuan already met with the academy elder and claimed the first place reward."
"My older brother!" Fang Zheng's eyes instantly widened, and he lost his voice, "Wait, you said he got first place?"
How is this possible! Doesn't older brother only have C grade aptitude?
Got first place, are you joking?!
"It is true. How could we joke about this kind of thing?" Seeing that Fang Zheng did not believe it, the guard was a bit displeased.
"This matter has already been confirmed by the academy elder. The notice will be released shortly and made public. What, didn't your brother tell you about this?" The other guard immediately added.
Fang Zheng was dumbfounded, standing blankly at the door.
The facts were too far from what he had expected, and he could not even understand what exactly had happened.
In Fang Zheng's heart, there were a few imagined strong rivals. The two most threatening ones were Gu Yue Mo Bei and Gu Yue Chi Cheng.
These two were B grade aptitudes, and behind them were the two largest branch factions in the clan. Their respective grandfathers were holding-power elders with ample financial resources.
If these two had taken first place one step ahead of him, Fang Zheng was mentally prepared. Although he would be disappointed, he could still accept it.
But now, the one who took first place was neither Gu Yue Mo Bei nor Gu Yue Chi Cheng, nor even any of the imagined rivals in his heart.
Instead, it was Gu Yue Fang Yuan, his older brother!
That person with C grade aptitude!
That person who became decadent and degenerate after the Awakening Ceremony!
That person who slept soundly in class all day!
That person who got dead drunk and stayed out all night!
That person who bullied Shen Cui, slapped him twice in the face, and even took all the primeval stones on his body!
That person who had always suppressed him in the past, coiling in his heart like a shadow!
"How could this happen? This is impossible!" For a time, Fang Zheng roared in his heart. "I work so hard, while he drinks and gets dead drunk all day, but in the end, it was him who got first place. Is there still any justice left? Why? Why?!"
The sun rose from the east, birds chirped, and the abundant feeling of spring swept across Qingmao Mountain.
Bathing in the warm sunlight, Gu Yue Fang Zheng slowly lowered his head, clenched his jaw, and looked at his own lonely shadow on the ground.
The surging feeling in his heart was like a deflated ball, with very little left. Replacing it were complex emotions such as doubt, resentment, incomprehension, unwillingness, and fear.
…
Time flowed, and the sun climbed higher and higher.
A new notice was posted on the announcement wall of the academy. There were only two names on the notice, in the order of Fang Yuan, Fang Zheng.
As this notice appeared, the news gradually spread out.
Those youths who, after receiving the Gu insect, wholeheartedly stayed at home to refine the Gu, were all in an uproar upon hearing this news.
"How could this happen!"
"If Fang Zheng was first, I would still believe it, but Fang Yuan, doesn't he have C grade aptitude?"
"Are there any mistakes? The A grade aptitude Fang Zheng actually lost to the C grade aptitude Fang Yuan. Is this a fantasy?"
Mo branch faction.
In the small courtyard, greenery was abundant, and the fragrance of tea drifted around.
One of the holding-power elders of the Gu Yue clan, Gu Yue Mo Chen, sat at the desk, looking at the spring scenery outside the window, drinking tea leisurelyly: "Has Mo Bei not continued to refine the Gu?"
The butler standing beside him hurriedly answered: "Ever since hearing the news about Fang Yuan this morning, young master Mo Bei seems to have suffered a heavy blow and has no mood to continue refining the Moonlight Gu. Speaking of which, it is truly a pity. Young master Mo Bei was just a little bit away from success. Actually, if Fang Zheng had achieved first place, it would have been fine, but it just had to be that C grade aptitude Fang Yuan. So it is no wonder young master Mo Bei lost interest."
"Hmph! Do not make excuses for him." Gu Yue Mo Chen snorted coldly, his expression stern, and his tone like iron. "A Gu Master's cultivation is arduous at every step. What does this little setback count for? That Fang Yuan is merely a C grade. The reason he could get first place must surely be because of luck. The Moonlight Gu he chose had a weak will, allowing him to get there first. If Mo Bei cannot see through this and cannot even withstand this bit of setback, then how will he control our Mo family branch faction in the future, and how will he contend with the Chi family branch faction? No one is allowed to persuade him. Let him think it over properly by himself!"
"Yes, master." The butler did not dare to retort.
Almost at the same time, Chi branch faction.
"Sigh, Gu Yue Fang Yuan…" Elder Gu Yue Chi Lian heaved a long sigh, frowned and thought for a moment, then waved to his sides: "Someone, call young master Chi Cheng in."
In a short while, Gu Yue Chi Cheng, carrying a face full of disappointment, walked into the room and performed a kneeling bow: "Grandson pays respects to grandfather."
"It seems you already know the news." Gu Yue Chi Lian stared at this sole biological grandson of his, his tone gentle, speaking slowly. "I called you here to prevent you from being affected by this matter. This refining of the vital Gu depends firstly on aptitude, and secondly on the Gu insect."
"Fang Yuan's aptitude is only C grade, yet he was able to take first place this time. This shows that the Gu insect he chose had a much weaker will compared to the Moonlight Gu in your hands. This is entirely luck. Therefore, grandson, you must not feel discouraged or disappointed. This amounts to nothing. He only has C grade aptitude. Although it is the same as you, the resource supply he has is not as abundant as yours, and his path of advancement will be much more difficult than yours. Believe grandfather, you will be able to surpass him very soon."
"So, put down this insignificant trifling matter. Fang Yuan will not be your strong rival, nor is he worthy of being called your strong rival. Your true powerful enemy is the A grade aptitude Fang Zheng, and Mo Bei of the Mo family. Do you understand clearly?"
"Yes, thank you for your guidance, grandfather. Grandson understands. Grandson will go down now and continue refining the Gu!" The disappointment on Gu Yue Chi Cheng's face vanished, replaced by a soaring fighting spirit.
"Mm." Elder Gu Yue Chi Lian nodded in satisfaction, revealing a benevolent and amiable smile. "Good grandson. Although your true aptitude is also only C grade, rest assured that grandfather fully supports you. Later, grandfather will make a move and use the aura of a Rank 3 Gu insect to suppress the Moonlight Gu's will for you, helping you refine this Gu!"