The hidden cave inside Qing Mao Mountain was bathed in a dim, red glow, casting an eerie illumination. The stone walls, damp and adorned with moss, juxtaposed the unusually dry air within. Amidst the walls, a few withering vines clung tenaciously, their interlaced tendrils weaving a pattern across half of the wall surface. Some of these vines even bore a handful of withered flowers.

Fang Yuan gazed upon these familiar remnants of petals and leaves, recognizing them immediately. "These are the Wine Sack Flower Gu and Rice Pouch Grass Gu," he mused, recalling their withered stems and vines.

Gu took on various shapes and forms, each unique. Some resembled mineral rocks, like the crystalline Moonlight Gu in its blue form. Others took the form of worms, such as the silkworm-like Liquor worm. There were also those that resembled flowers and grass, like the Wine Sack Flower Gu and Rice Pouch Grass Gu Fang Yuan beheld.

These two Gu were both Rank one natural Gu. They only required the infusion of primeval essence to grow. Once matured, the flowers would secrete nectar-like wine, while the grass pouches would yield fragrant rice.

Fang Yuan's gaze followed the vines, confirming his suspicions as he discovered a cluster of withered roots tightly entwined in a spherical clump. Resting atop this mass of lifeless roots, the Liquor worm slumbered peacefully, easily within Fang Yuan's grasp.

Approaching the scene, Fang Yuan delicately cradled the Liquor worm in his arms. Then, he knelt down and meticulously unraveled the dead vines, unveiling a pile of skeletal remains bundled within.

A cold smile formed on Fang Yuan's lips as he extended his hand, exerting strength to separate the dead vines and roots. Even the remains of the Flower Wine Monk were not spared; previously intact, they now lay fragmented. Unperturbed, Fang Yuan kicked aside a hindering leg bone and resumed his search amidst the remains.

Eventually, his efforts bore fruit as he uncovered a bag containing a mere fifteen primeval stones.

Satisfied with his findings, Fang Yuan gracefully rose to his feet, sweeping away the dust that clung to his robes. His attention then turned to a wall adorned with an intricately engraved moving image, skillfully crafted with the aid of a photo audio Gu. This vivid depiction unraveled a deeply shameful chapter in the annals of the Gu Yue Clan's history, recounting the treacherous machinations of the fourth-generation clan head against the Flower Wine Monk. Despite suffering defeat in battle, the clan head resorted to a cowardly sneak attack that ultimately led to his own demise—a deplorable event that forever tarnished the clan's reputation. In a desperate attempt to salvage their honor, the surviving clan elders shamelessly manipulated the truth, distorting the roles of the fourth-generation clan head and the Flower Wine Monk.

Within this twisted narrative, the Flower Wine Monk was portrayed as the vanquished combatant, resorting to a dishonorable sneak attack before meeting a tragic end. On the other hand, the fourth-generation leader was transformed into a revered and infallible hero, his actions deemed righteous and beyond reproach. The extent of this deception left a deep sense of dismay, underscoring the vulnerability of historical accounts.

"Well, whatever the case may be, it has nothing to do with me. Let us retrieve the White Boar Gu and depart from this forsaken cave," Fang Yuan declared, taking a step towards the massive rock obstructing the cave path. The ground beneath his feet was smooth, with curved tops, while the walls on either side emanated a reddish hue, courtesy of the red soil.

Notably, the ground near the giant rock exhibited a slightly darker shade. In the dimly lit environment, this color variation was subtle and not easily discernible.

Kneeling down, Fang Yuan carefully touched the ground, noticing a moist sensation beneath his fingertips.

As he sifted the soil with his fingers, he realized that this particular patch of earth was different. It felt soft and loose, lacking the lumpiness characteristic of the dry red soil.

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With a determined resolve, Fang Yuan began digging into the soil. Given its loose composition, minimal effort was required on his part.

After excavating approximately an inch deeper, a peculiar fragrance wafted into Fang Yuan's nostrils. Continuing his excavation, the distinct aroma of the Earth Treasury Flower Gu became more pronounced.

Suddenly, a faint dark gold light emitted from the area beneath the soil. Fang Yuan's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he adjusted his hand movements, delicately removing the surrounding soil to expand the hole.

After a while, a dark gold-colored flower bud, concealed beneath the ground, revealed itself before Fang Yuan. The bud, buried two inches deep, resembled a stone mill in size, its surface exuding an air of mystery and elegance with its delicate dark gold hue.

Gingerly picking up the Earth Treasury Flower Gu, Fang Yuan resisted the urge to immediately unveil its petals. Instead, he rested on the ground, wiping the soil from his hands. Then, with utmost care, he extended his hand and gently pried open the dark gold-colored petals.

The Earth Treasury Flower Gu resembled a harmonious blend of a lotus and kale. Its petals, tightly interwoven with numerous thick layers, felt smooth to the touch, reminiscent of silk. As Fang Yuan unveiled each petal, it was akin to peeling away layers of thick silk fabric.

Once separated from its main body, the colossal dark gold-colored petals swiftly dispersed, resembling snowflakes melting into the air.

Unveiling around fifty to sixty petals, the bud had shrunk by half, revealing the flower core.

The core's petals appeared smaller and thinner, their texture growing even smoother and finer. They no longer possessed the silk-like quality, instead resembling thin sheets of paper. Nestled within the uncovered petals, at the center, lay a pool of golden liquid, cradling the slumbering White Boar Gu. Fang Yuan moved his finger, and the petals obediently parted, allowing him to retrieve the dormant Gu worm.

The White Boar Gu resembled a cute ladybug, no larger than a thumbnail. Its body boasted a milky white hue, resembling a circular shape when viewed from the back. The head occupied a small portion, while the majority of its body consisted of a large, plump stomach adorned with a shiny exoskeleton. Its six tiny limbs, also cream-colored, remained tucked under its stomach.

Fang Yuan found a dry patch of ground and settled himself, assuming a cross-legged position. With a focused mind, he directed his consciousness into his aperture, a delicate membrane of light crisscrossed with cracks that provided support and prevented its collapse. Within the aperture lay the Primeval Sea, nourished by primeval essence, and Fang Yuan could observe the walls gradually repairing themselves.

The seawaters of the Primeval Sea appeared smooth as a mirror, displaying a captivating greenish-blue hue. Yet, despite their serene appearance, the water held a dense quality that emitted a shimmering copper luster. Only Gu Masters of Rank one possessed the ability to generate this green coppery primeval essence, commonly referred to as the green copper sea. At the heart of the Primeval Sea resided Fang Yuan's weakened Vital Gu.

Gently cradling the miniature figure of the White Boar Gu in his hand, Fang Yuan infused it with a subtle aura of a rank seven Gu. This aura induced a calmness in the White Boar Gu, rendering it docile and amenable to refinement. Effortlessly, Fang Yuan refined the White Boar Gu, transforming it into a stream of light that entered his aperture, and he could sense the immediate surge in his strength.

However, this refinement process had depleted his primeval essence. To replenish it, he reached for a primeval stone and began absorbing its essence, gradually restoring his essence.

Next, he carefully removed the Liquor worm from the jade bamboo wine jar, where it still slumbered peacefully. The Liquor worm's body was slightly larger than that of the Moonlight Gu, appearing soft and white like a silkworm.

When bathed in light, its body emitted a faint, shimmering glow akin to the mellow luster of a pearl. Two tiny eyes resembling black sesame seeds adorned its plump white head, lending it an endearing and innocent charm.

As Fang Yuan held it in his hand, he noticed its weight was relatively light, akin to half a chicken's egg. Upon closer inspection, he detected a subtle fragrance emanating from its body, a distinct aroma that belonged to the Liquor worm itself, not the green bamboo wine. This fragrance, delicate and elusive, seemed to hover on the brink of existence. Fang Yuan's keen nose detected the captivating scent, drawing it in.

The fragrance of the Liquor worm flowed directly into his aperture, permeating the green copper Primeval Sea. Under the pressure of his Vital Gu, it offered no resistance and was easily refined. As it entered the aperture, it began producing concentrated primeval essence, elevating Fang Yuan's premevial essence to the level of a mid-level Gu Master. Simultaneously, the White Boar Gu permanently enhanced his physical strength to that of a wild boar.

Inspecting his aperture, Fang Yuan noticed that the White Boar Gu and Liquor worm Gu had moved to the periphery of the aperture, positioned as far away as possible from his Vital Gu.