The night sky was veiled in darkness, with thick clouds obscuring most of the stars. As the village slumbered, the lights in each household gradually illuminated the surroundings.
Gu Yue Fang Zheng was guided into a meticulously prepared room. "Young master Fang Zheng, the master himself had this room specially arranged for you," the head stewardess spoke with a hospitable tone, bowing respectfully with a flattering smile adorning her face.
Fang Zheng cast his gaze around the room, his eyes filled with excitement. It was considerably larger than his previous quarters. In the center stood a spacious bed, while by the window, there was a rosewood desk adorned with a delicate set of ink and paper. The walls were adorned with exquisite ornaments, and beneath his feet lay not an ordinary floor but a soft, handcrafted carpet.
Throughout his life, Fang Zheng had never stayed in such a lavish room. He nodded repeatedly and expressed his satisfaction, "This is wonderful, truly exceptional. Thank you, Head Stewardess."
The head stewardess was highly esteemed by Aunt and Uncle, entrusted with the management of all the servants in the mansion. She was a capable housekeeper who lived up to her reputation. Moreover, the girl Shen Cui, who served Fang Yuan, was her daughter.
She chuckled warmly, "Young master,I am not deserving of your gratitude, it is my duty to serve the young master. Please feel free to enjoy your meals and rest well. Should you require anything, simply ring the bell by your bedside, and someone will promptly attend to your needs. The master has already given us instructions to handle all other chores, so during these days, young master, focus solely on your cultivation. Leave all other matters to us."
Fang Zheng felt a surge of gratitude within him. Though he remained silent, he made a firm decision in his heart. "This time, I must secure the top spot and not disappoint Aunt and Uncle."
Fang Zheng entered the bathroom connected to his bedroom, feeling the weariness of the day weighing upon him. All he longed for was a soothing hot bath. However, upon discovering that the wooden bathtub was empty, he promptly rang the bell, summoning a servant to his aid.
The servant arrived promptly, responding to Fang Zheng's call. "You summoned me, young master?"
"Yes, please fetch a tub of warm water," Fang Zheng requested, his fatigue evident in his voice.
"Please wait a few moments; I will fetch it for you as quickly as possible," the servant replied, quickly departing to fulfill the task.
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After a short while, the servant returned, carrying a tub filled with warm water. Fang Zheng thanked the servant and was left alone to indulge in his bath. As he immersed himself in the comforting warmth, he allowed his muscles to relax, the tension of the day slowly dissipating. It had been an exhausting day, starting with the awakening ceremony followed by meetings with the clan elders and the clan head.
Emerging from the bath, Fang Zheng dried himself with a soft towel and wrapped his body in a loose robe. As Fang Zheng extinguished the candle with a gentle breath, darkness enveloped his room. He proceeded to walk towards the bed and settled himself upon it, pulling a smooth silk blanket over his form. His mind couldn't help but dwell on his A-grade talent, envisioning a future where he could transcend the shadows cast by his brother and stand on equal footing or even surpass him. Additionally, thoughts of capturing Shen Cui's attention stirred within him, a desire to make her fall in love with him and divert her affection from his brother. Lost in these musings, he drifted into a contented slumber, a faint smile gracing his lips.
The sky grew increasingly overcast, with dark clouds looming ominously overhead, casting a veil of shadow upon the surroundings. Night descended, enveloping the world in its deepening darkness. The once-illuminated firmament succumbed to the dominance of the clouds, obscuring the majority of stars, while a handful persisted, their feeble light twinkling faintly in the vast expanse above.
Fang Yuan navigated the corridors of Fang Mansion, his footsteps echoing through the grand halls. Purposefully, he made his way toward his personal chamber. As he opened the door and stepped inside, darkness greeted him, with only a soft glow from the moon's gentle rays passing through the window, casting a subtle illumination across the room.
Approaching the meticulously crafted wooden table, Fang Yuan ignited the incense of rosewood, filling the chamber with its mellow fragrance. Moving to the bed, he sat cross-legged at its center, ready to assess his gains for the day. Counting the primordial stones in his possession, he tallied a total of 52. The refinement process had cost him 6 stones, while he had acquired a pouch of 15 primeval stones from the flower monk and received an additional 6 from his uncle and aunt. Content with his assessment, he directed his consciousness inward, focusing on the center of his primordial sea where the Spring Autumn Cicada lay dormant.
The cicada, once a prized possession, now emanated a strong and deathly chill. Its body lacked the luster and shine it once had, appearing rough and dim like dead wood. The wings, once vibrant green, now bore the color of withering autumn leaves, slightly rolled up at the tips, hinting at incompleteness.
Originally, the gu should have been a rank six, but at the moment of regression, it was upgrade to rank nine. However, due to the subsequent regression, it settled at a rank seven, a slight degradation from its former status.
Within the depths of his aperture, the White Boar Gu and Liquor Worm Gu wisely stationed themselves on the outer edges, maintaining a respectful distance from the awe-inspiring presence of the majestic immortal gu. Meanwhile, the diligent liquor worm gu tirelessly generated condensed drops of primal essence, infusing the aperture with middle grade essence . As Fang Yuan observed, he could discern the gradual repair of the cracks that marred the aperture's walls, their healing facilitated by the nourishing essence of the primal sea.
The White Boar Gu, true to its name, derived sustenance from consuming boar meat, while the Liquor Worm Gu had a unique requirement for jade bamboo wine, a daily expenditure that demanded a primeval stone. Fang Yuan expressed his gratitude for the self-sustaining nature of his rank seven immortal gu, which drew strength from the boundless river of time. Without this inherent capability, he would undoubtedly find himself on the brink of financial ruin in an instant. When the assimilation of the wild boar's formidable power completed, he would then embark on the continuation of the flower wine monk's profound legacy.
Gently cradling a primordial stone in his hand, Fang Yuan initiated the absorption process, feeling the presence of the liquor worm gu as it commenced the condensation of the essence within. Engrossed in his cultivation, he persevered until the midnight hour, tirelessly converting a notable portion of his essence, precisely twenty percent, into a refined middle grade essence.
Exhausted from his arduous efforts, Fang Yuan retreated to his bed, tenderly covering himself with a soft blanket. As weariness enveloped him, he succumbed to the embrace of sleep, allowing his body and mind to find respite and rejuvenation in the tranquil hours of the night.