Drawing near to evening, the remaining sun at the horizon was like blood.
The afterglow shone into the academy. Over fifty students were sitting properly. On the stage, the academy elder was reading out names one by one, distributing the allowance.
This was the primeval stone allowance distributed by the academy every seven days, considered a financial aid to these youths. After all, with their strength, independently feeding Gu insects still bore a great economic pressure.
"Gu Yue Fang Yuan," the elder read.
Fang Yuan rose from the window seat in the last row, walked onto the stage, and received two money pouches.
In one pouch was the clan allowance of three primeval stones. In the other pouch was the reward of ten primeval stones.
"Work hard properly." The elder took a deep look at Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan taking first place twice in a row had already made the originally disappointed elder pay some slight attention to him.
Fang Yuan nodded, tucked the money pouches into his chest, and returned to his seat.
"Damn it, to actually have him snatch first place again…" Gu Yue Mo Chen stared tightly at Fang Yuan, feeling very resentful in his heart.
"Those two moonblades consecutively hitting the puppet's neck, was this him having dog-shit luck again, or was it true strength?" Gu Yue Chi Cheng squinted his eyes. From the end of the assessment until now, this doubt had been hovering in his heart.
Not just him, the gazes of many students intentionally or unintentionally glanced towards Fang Yuan.
This question tormented them. Although they lost, they were very unwilling in their hearts and truly wanted to ask for the exact truth.
As it was about to end, the academy elder announced a matter: "You have been in the academy for a period of time, and are now familiar with the usage of your vital Gu. In the upcoming days, I will teach you how to continuously nourish your aperture and raise a Gu Master's cultivation realm. The higher a Gu Master's realm, the more condensed the primeval essence. A Rank 1 Gu Master has green copper primeval essence, a Rank 2 Gu Master has red iron primeval essence, and a Rank 3 Gu Master has silver primeval essence. One portion of red iron primeval essence can compare to ten portions of green copper primeval essence. Similarly, one portion of silver primeval essence can compare to ten portions of red iron primeval essence!"
"You must remember, Gu insects are merely the tools we use, while cultivation is the foundation of us Gu Masters. Only with a higher cultivation can one drive more powerful Gu insects. Over the next three months, whoever can be the first to advance to Rank 1 middle stage will receive a reward of thirty primeval stones, and simultaneously possess the priority right to select a second Gu insect. Three months later, we will set up one class head and two vice class heads based on the results. The class head will enjoy a subsidy of ten primeval stones, and the vice class heads' primeval stone allowance will increase to five pieces! Alright, that will be all for today, everyone is dismissed."
The elder's words brought a buzz of noise to the academy.
"Going to set up a class head and vice class heads!" Someone clenched their fists excitedly.
"The class head gets ten primeval stones every seven days, and vice class heads also get five pieces? If I can be the first to advance to Rank 1 middle stage, I will definitely be able to become the class head." Someone had light flashing in their eyes.
"Primeval stones are not the main point. The crux is that positions like class head and vice class head represent glory, and one's status will also override others. When ordinary students see the class head, they must bow and greet them." Gu Yue Mo Bei, Chi Cheng, and the others did not lack primeval stones, but attached great importance to this glory.
"Becoming the class head, that's right, the first to advance to Rank 1 middle stage! Letting older brother have to bow, salute, and actively greet me when he sees me in the future. Wait, where is older brother?" Gu Yue Fang Zheng subconsciously looked back, but Fang Yuan's seat was already completely empty.
The students successively walked out of the academy.
"Where is Gu Yue Fang Yuan?" Gu Yue Mo Bei wanted to find Fang Yuan and ask him clearly face to face. But Fang Yuan had already left one step ahead.
"Hmph, ran quite fast. Is he scared? It seems for today's assessment, he had dog-shit luck once again." Gu Yue Chi Cheng sneered.
"Forget it, it's just a reward of ten primeval stones. There's no need to care about this kind of thing. The urgent matter at hand is still to advance to the middle stage and seize the position of class head." Gu Yue Mo Bei squinted his eyes and looked at Gu Yue Chi Cheng and Gu Yue Fang Zheng beside him.
These two were his true opponents. As for Fang Yuan, a mere C grade aptitude, he would not do.
"The previous two times, Fang Yuan was allowed to luckily get first place. However, this cultivation assessment only focuses on cultivation aptitude. Being higher in aptitude provides a very huge advantage." Gu Yue Chi Cheng felt suppressed in his heart. His true aptitude was only C grade; it was only because of cheating that it resulted in the illusion of B grade.
"The position of one class head and two vice class heads already has them rubbing their fists and wiping their palms. Truly a passionate and naive age." Fang Yuan leaned against the front gate of the academy, sneering in his heart.
The so-called glory was merely a value-system tool for those in high positions to mobilize the enthusiasm of their subordinates. Tracing it to its roots, it was just a layer of illusory halo, of what damn use was it!
Five hundred years of life experience had long allowed Fang Yuan to understand the secrets within.
"Whether it is a clan, a sect, or a demonic cult, whether it is this world or Earth, any organization is like this. Establishing high and low positions, clarifying the laws of advancement, letting the people in the organization continuously climb up from low positions. Because pursuing profit is human nature, and positions of power often cause people to generate the illusion that they are superior to others, that their existence is more valuable than ordinary people."
"The two words 'power and position' are like the carrot dangled in front of a donkey. People's desires are stimulated by it, and one by one, individuals continuously maneuver for it. After climbing to one positional layer, there is yet a higher layer. Little do they know that in the process of maneuvering, their labor is squeezed, and the value they generate is exploited by those in high positions."
"All organizations, as long as there is a subordinate relationship, serve those in high positions. The so-called class head and vice class heads are just the smallest carrot, luring others to sink into the clan's system. And to prevent the subordinates from seeing through this truth, those in high positions often unify values, clarify concepts like glory and merit, establish high and low positions of power, asymmetrical benefits, or use religion to rule people's hearts."
"This is the truth. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people in the world do not understand it, foolishly exerting their utmost effort and risking their lives for others. And for all organizations in the world, tracing to their most fundamental essence, there is only one, and that is—the redistribution of resources; the higher the tier, the more resources enjoyed."
In his previous life, Fang Yuan founded the Blood Wing Demonic Sect in the Central Continent, with sect members numbering in the tens of thousands. He also established positions such as demonic soldier, demonic general, demonic commander, and so on, giving corresponding benefits, causing countless people to flock to them like ducks and be driven by Fang Yuan. Such an experience allowed him to thoroughly understand the principles within to the depths of his heart.
"Therefore, any organization is nothing more than just superficial appearances. The true fundamental is only one word—resources. Without food resources, one will starve to death. Without drink resources, one will die of thirst. Without cultivation resources, one will be weak and eventually be bullied to death by others."
"And primeval stones are the primary resource for a Gu Master's cultivation!" Fang Yuan's eyes were as deep as quiet pools. Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, outlining a smirk.
He exited the academy early. Currently standing at the main gate of the academy, he saw the first batch of students walk out, gradually approaching him.
"It's Fang Yuan."
"What is he doing blocking the center of the main gate?"
"Hmph, every time I see him with this dead-drag appearance, I feel very displeased."
"Don't mind him, he's probably waiting for someone."
The youths did not pay it any mind and were just about to walk over, but were blocked by Fang Yuan taking a step across: "Robbery. Each person hands over one primeval stone, only then can you leave."