Chapter-four: Gu Yue Qing Shu
Ning Chen's consciousness delved into the empty cavity within his lower abdomen, where his focus naturally gravitated.
The cavity appeared as an oval structure, encased by a thin, delicate membrane of light. Inside, an emerald-green sea of true essence occupied half the space. This was Ning Chen's empty cavity, reflecting his third-grade qualification with a 50% capacity.
The school elder observed that every name on the list had completed their awakening. His expression revealed faint understanding mixed with disappointment as he announced:
"Next, I will take you to the clan library's Gu Room to choose your first Gu worm. The first person to refine their Gu worm can come to me to receive 20 Primeval stones."
As the saying goes, *"There must be a brave man under a heavy reward."*
The young participants, who had been weighed down moments earlier by discouragement and frustration, now perked up at the mention of such a grand prize. Their spirits reignited, they brimmed with energy and resolve.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. A simple 20 Primeval stones are enough to rekindle their enthusiasm," Ning Chen thought with a slight sigh. *The art of managing subordinates never changes—whether in this world or any other. Those in power always know how to bait the lower classes with rewards.*
The earlier disappointment from their qualifications had dampened everyone's spirits. Yet this low morale did not bode well for either the village's future or their personal development.
The elder's well-timed offer served to reinvigorate the group's ambition. Even for those who doubted their chances of being first, the promise of such a generous initial reward fueled hopes for even greater rewards later.
For many of the youths present, the desire to become Gu Masters stemmed not from personal ambition but from the need to support their families. The income of a Gu Master far exceeded that of ordinary villagers, though it was closely tied to one's strength.
For descendants of the prestigious Mo Vein and Chi Vein branches, such as Gu Yue Chi shan and Gu Yue Mo yan, 20 Primeval stones held little personal value. However, their family pride and personal dignity left them no choice but to compete fiercely for the reward.
Following the elder's lead, the group departed the awakening site. This time, they took a different path that wound toward another forbidden area of the village—the clan library.
The Gu Room wasn't far from the underground chamber they had left, and within minutes, they arrived.
The Gu Room resembled a rare treasure shop nestled within the village. It housed Gu worms, materials for nurturing them, and specialized Gu worm food.
Today, however, obtaining a Gu worm came free of charge.
As the doors opened, the young participants dispersed eagerly, each hunting for their ideal Gu worm.
*"Gu is the true essence of heaven and earth, and humans are the spirits of all things."* The power of Gu worms was mysterious and diverse. Choosing one that suited individual talents would play a critical role in shaping future cultivation.
Unlike the others, Ning Chen remained seated quietly, an air of detachment about him.
Observing his peers, he noticed that most had paired off, whispering excitedly about the various Gu worms' abilities.
The room's stone walls were lined with countless stone boxes, each containing a single Gu worm. Beneath each box was a description detailing the worm's properties. At the center of the room stood a transparent glass display case.
Walking slowly toward the display, Ning Chen reached out to touch the cold stone wall. His black eyes gleamed as he quickly scanned the introductions:
- *Rank-One, Pink Pig Gu: Enhances fat production in the body, even for those who are skin and bones.*
- *Rank-One, Longhorn Beetle Gu: Grants the strength of a bull for five seconds.*
- *Rank-One, Dragon Ball Cricket Gu: Allows the user to escape ten steps upon activation.*
The sheer variety was overwhelming. Yet Ning Chen had already decided on the Gu worm he wanted.
He approached the glass display case, his gaze fixed on a crescent-shaped Gu worm.
Its pale white body shimmered faintly with light blue undertones, resembling a crescent moon. This was the pride of Gu Yue Village: the *Moonlight Gu*, a first-turn Gu worm.
Despite being a first-turn Gu worm, the Moonlight Gu possessed significant power. Its cultivation method and food supply were thoroughly developed by the Gu Yue clan, giving it unparalleled strategic value—comparable to even fifth-turn Gu worms.
What made the Moonlight Gu truly special was its potential. It was part of a comprehensive upgrade route, a crucial asset to the Gu Yue clan's long-term strategy.
Ning Chen carefully removed the Moonlight Gu from the display case. As his fingertips brushed against its cool surface, the chatter around him began to die down. It was clear that most of the participants had selected their Gu worms.
The elder of the school smiled as he addressed the group:
"You may now use your time as you see fit. Report to the school tomorrow morning. Dismissed!"
The room erupted into motion as the youths pushed and shoved their way to the exit, forming small groups as they left.
Ning Chen, however, chose to leave alone. Quietly weaving through the crowd, he overheard snippets of conversation:
"What are you going to do next?"
"I'm going to get a Wooden Puppet Gu from my brother to help practice the Moonlight Gu."
"Wow, your brother is so generous."
"Of course! What about you?"
"I'm planning to refine the Moonlight Gu first."
As Ning Chen exited the clan's forbidden area, the bright sunlight greeted him warmly. He began the walk back to his home, his mind focused on refining his first Gu worm. After all, one only became a true Gu Master once they possessed a refined Gu worm.
But before he could get far, a figure appeared in his path.
The young man before him was dressed in green. With sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, his handsome face carried an air of modesty and politeness. His elegant demeanor and warm smile exuded an almost regal charm.
"Hey fellow Classmate, is something the matter?" Ning Chen asked, his heart sinking. Though he sensed trouble, he maintained a composed expression.
The young man was none other than Gu Yue Qing Shu.
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious," Qing Shu replied smoothly, his smile unwavering. "I just came to greet my future classmates. I hope you'll look after me in the future."
His tone was amicable, but his intentions were difficult to discern.
As Ning Chen's thoughts raced to decipher Qing Shu's motives, the young man offered a slight nod and walked away.
Ning Chen's heart grew heavy. *Gu Yue Qing Shu is no simple character. Even though I acted like a nobody throughout the awakening ceremony, he still singled me out. If he truly just wanted to greet his classmates, why approach me in such a calculated way? He truly lives up to his reputation as a match for Bai Ning bing.*
After a brief moment of reflection, Ning Chen shook off the encounter and resumed his journey home.
At the same time, above the bustling market,
Ye Ling'er walked cautiously along the crowded streets, savoring the rare taste of daylight.
It was her first time leaving the bamboo house and stepping out onto the streets beyond—and it might also be her last.
As she looked around at the bustling crowd, a sense of bewilderment washed over her, leaving her feeling lost and unsure.
She stood silently in the middle of the throng, a peculiar sadness welling up inside her, as though an invisible barrier separated her from everyone else.
*"I finally made it out... but what do I do now?"* she wondered. Suddenly, her eyes lit up as a thought struck her. *"Ah, right! Brother Ye Han asked me to buy something. Hmm~ maybe I should get him a small gift as well to thank him for all his help recently!"*
With that, Ye Ling'er began walking toward the blacksmith shop, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Her heart, previously weighed down with uncertainty, now blossomed like spring in full bloom, rippling with warmth and gratitude.