The moon cast its gentle light upon Gu Yue Village, enveloping it in an ethereal glow. As the late hour of the night unfolded, an air of tranquility settled over Fang Mansion. However, amidst this serene atmosphere, an unexpected disturbance emerged from the top floor, on the west side of the mansion—a piercing voice shattered the silence.

"Big Brother, what have you done to Shen Cui?" Fang Zheng demanded, his voice infused with a sharp edge of concern. "Her dress was torn on the upper side, and a deep, dark purple handprint marred her delicate neck. Tremors wracked her body, and when I attempted to offer solace, her anguish overflowed, tears streaming down her cheeks."

Fang Yuan glanced up at his younger brother, his face devoid of any emotion. Fang Zheng furrowed his brow, locking his gaze onto his older brother, awaiting a response.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, thick with anticipation.

However, Fang Yuan merely glanced at Fang Zheng for a brief moment before redirecting his gaze to the vibrant nocturnal life outside the window.

Fang Zheng became immediately flustered, sensing the unmistakable contempt his elder brother held towards him. Overwhelmed by shame and frustration, he slammed stomped his foot on the floor , releasing a loud roar. "Gu Yue Fang Yuan, how could you do this to her! Shen Cui, as a devoted servant, has served you for countless years. I have witnessed her kindness and care towards you. Yes, I acknowledge your A-grade talent, but it does not grant you the right to treat others as you please simply because of your position in the clan. This is unjust to her!"

He had barely finished speaking when Fang Yuan swiftly approached him, raising his hand in a sudden motion.

The sound of a resounding slap echoed through the room.

With a forceful snap, Fang Yuan delivered a solid blow that sent Fang Zheng hurtling through the air, crashing into the wall behind him.

Fang Zheng, his emotions in disarray, leaned against the wall, seeking support as he slowly regained his footing. The weight of his brother's actions lingered heavily, leaving him shaken and vulnerable.

"Useless bastard, what manner of insolence is this? How dare you employ such a disrespectful tone when addressing your elder brother? Shen Cui is merely a servant girl! Are you so easily swayed by the presence of such a lowly girl that you forget I am your older brother?" Fang Yuan reprimanded, his voice carrying a restrained authority.

Fang Zheng's response finally surfaced, the searing pain on his face cascading through his nervous system in relentless waves. His eyes widened in disbelief, his breathing becoming labored as he uttered, "Brother , you really hit me. In the entirety of my life ,you have never once raised a hand against me!"

Before Fang Zheng could finish speaking, Fang Yuan, disregarding his words, abruptly swung the back of his hand, delivering another forceful smack upon Fang Zheng's face.

Caught off guard, Fang Zheng instinctively brought both hands to his cheeks, his expression frozen in a state of shock and disbelief.

"You naive fool, have you forgotten everything? Throughout our lives, do you remember how I took care of you? When our parents passed away, we faced hardships together. During New Year celebrations, when our aunt and uncle only gave us one new robe, did I wear it? No, I gave it to you to wear. When you were small you loved to eat sweet porridge, I slept with a half-filled stomach so you could have another bowl. When you were bullied by others, who fought for you? Not to mention countless other sacrifices I made that I don't even consider worth mentioning. And now, because of a mere maid, you dare to speak to me like this, questioning my actions?"

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Fang Zheng's face flushed crimson, his lips trembling with a mixture of shame, annoyance, surprise, and anger. However, he found himself incapable of offering a rebuttal, for every word Fang Yuan spoke held an undeniable truth.

Fang Yuan's voice dripped with contempt as he sneered, "Whatever. So, you're willing to discard our own biological parents and embrace someone else as your family. What does that make me in your eyes? Just a worthless big brother?"

"Big brother," Fang Zheng exclaimed, his voice laced with surprise and a desperate desire to reason. "You can't mean that. You understand that I have always yearned for the love and warmth of a family since I was a child. I..."

Fang Yuan interrupted him with a mocking laugh. "The warmth of a family? Ha...ha...ha. Were you invisible to them before the awakening ceremony? It is only now, when they feel a sense of loneliness, that they suddenly want to adopt us."

"Brother! How can you speak in such a cruel manner?" Fang Zheng protested, his voice trembling with a mixture of shock and pain.

Fang Yuan swiftly dismissed his brother's words, his hand cutting through the air with a dismissive gesture. "Enough! From this moment onward, you cease to be my little brother, and I no longer acknowledge the title of your older brother."

"Big brother!" Fang Zheng was surprised, opening his mouth to say more.

In that moment, Fang Yuan interjected, "Don't you have feelings for Shen Cui? Rest assured, I have not done anything to her. She's still a virgin, untouched and pure. Pay me a amount of thirty six primeval stones and I'll release her from my servitude, from today onwards she can be your personal maid."

"Big brother, why are you..." Fang Zheng's voice trailed off, his innermost thoughts involuntarily laid bare, abruptly and without warning. The revelation struck him like a bolt of lightning, causing a surge of panic to course through his veins, leaving him feeling disoriented and ill-prepared.

Yet, amidst the whirlwind of emotions, a flicker of relief glimmered in his heart. The very thing he had dreaded the most had mercifully failed to materialize.

From a young age, Fang Zheng had nurtured deep affection for Shen Cui, yearning to claim her as his own. However, plagued by feelings of inferiority, he had hesitated to approach her. But now, with his newfound A-grade talent awakening, he stood as a peerless prodigy alongside his older brother. He was determined to win Shen Cui's heart, even if it meant challenging his elder sibling.

Hence, when he beheld Shen Cui in such a distressed state, a surge of anger surged forth from his heart. Without hesitation, he burst into his brother's chamber, demanding an explanation for the situation at hand.

Observing Fang Zheng's silence, Fang Yuan furrowed his brow and spoke firmly, "Love is an ordinary sentiment, so it is essential to be honest with oneself. There is no benefit in concealing your feelings. However, if you are not willing to proceed with the exchange, then I shall respect your decision."

Fang Zheng found himself overwhelmed with anxiety in that moment. "I'm willing to make the exchange! Why wouldn't I be? But I don't have enough primeval stones on me anymore to fulfill the quantity of 36," he confessed, his face flushing with embarrassment.

In a display of understanding, Fang Yuan accepted the money pouch from his younger brother, noting that it contained 36 pieces. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed that one of the stones was only half the size of a regular primeval stone. It became evident to him that Fang Zheng had absorbed the primeval essence from that particular stone to hasten his own cultivation. The reduction in size and weight was a clear indication of the essence absorbed.

Although it amounted to just five and a half pieces, Fang Yuan discerned that these were all the primeval stones Fang Zheng currently possessed. With no savings of his own, Fang Zheng had acquired these 36 primeval stones—30 from the clan head and the remaining six from Aunt and Uncle, which had been gifted to him not long ago.

"I'll take these. You may leave now," Fang Yuan's demeanor turned cold as he stowed the bag away.

"Big brother..." Fang Zheng attempted to speak further.

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with deliberate slowness and nonchalance. "Before I change my mind, it would be best for you to disappear from my sight."

Fang Zheng felt his heart constrict. Gritting his teeth, he eventually turned and departed, unable to say anything more.

With a playful flick of his hand, Fang Yuan sent the pouch sailing through the air, deftly snatching it as it descended. Nestled within its confines lay a formidable fortune of 36 primeval stones, seamlessly merging with his personal collection of 44 stones to form a formidable total of 80 precious primeval stones. Empowered by this substantial wealth, Fang Yuan found his purpose sharpened and resolute to acquire the essential gu materials for refinement of new gu. He only need to buy jade bamboo wine for the Liquor worm. While, the sustenance required for his remaining gu could be skillfully foraged from the rich abundance of the forest, ensuring a prudent and resourceful approach to their nourishment.

Fang Yuan made his way to the futon and assumed a meditative posture. With focused intent, he directed his consciousness into his aperture, diligently examining the condition of its walls. To his satisfaction, he discovered that the walls had undergone significant repair, reaching an impressive 95 percent restoration. Furthermore, an impressive 96 percent of the primeval essence had been successfully converted to the middle stage. Despite the potential to achieve a breakthrough to the middle stage on the fifth day, Fang Yuan exercised caution due to the presence of cracks in the aperture wall. Tomorrow, when the entire wall had fully recovered, he would seize the opportunity to make his breakthrough.