"Tell me the truth," Fang Yuan continued. "The reason why you are still at Rank 2 peak stage and not at Rank 3 is not because you are unable to reach that stage due to the elders, correct? They wished to suppress you because they could make better use of you."
Qing Shu fiddled with what he was eating. Well, what Fang Yuan was saying was not technically incorrect; however, it was also not the whole truth. "Fang Yuan, in any organization, those at the bottom need to pay their dues before they can advance further. It is true that the elders demanded certain things of me, but then again, I have just barely graduated from the academy. What they asked for was not excessive, and if I can serve the clan better by being at Rank 2 peak stage rather than becoming a Rank 3 elder, I do not see what is the problem in holding off my cultivation for a while."
"As expected of Senior Brother," Fang Yuan said. "There's a saying which is often parroted around teachers: that they, like candles, burn themselves so they can illuminate the path for others. However, if you wish to truly contribute to the clan right now, it needs more strength than it has ever needed before. I want you to become Rank 3 before we set out for the strike force."
Fang Yuan's mission was to keep Qing Shu safe, and he had failed in it last time around. However, he had succeeded in saving Qing Shu this time because he had acted faster than he did before. However, even if he forbade him, he was sure that Qing Shu would find his way onto the battlefield, and Qing Shu's chances of survival were much higher if he were at Rank 3.
The mission required Qing Shu to survive past the Lightning Lycan King's assault, not just to survive that encounter with Bai Ning Bing.
"Tell me one thing, Senior Brother Qing Shu," Fang Yuan continued. "There's another reason why you don't want to advance to Rank 3, isn't there?"
Qing Shu did not answer him, so Fang Yuan continued.
"The real reason why you don't want to become an elder," Fang Yuan said, "is because you dislike the internal politics among them. Isn't it? As long as you're only at Rank 2, you don't need to bother yourself much with them and only listen to what the clan head says. However, once you are an elder, they will look at you differently. You'll be forced to choose a faction, more likely than not, the Clan Head's faction along with me. You'll be embroiled in their schemes, and you feel like that will take away from your ability to work in the village like you want. "
"It isn't just that," Qing Shu said. "All of my friends, my companions... they are still at Rank 2. If I were to go further along this path, I will be leaving them behind. In a way, I will be even more isolated than I am now."
Qing Shu sighed. "I'm sure that you can understand, Fang Yuan. Being a genius is rather lonely."
"I can," Fang Yuan said. "However..."
"...you can only be with them if they are still alive. I think you can appreciate the magnitude of the situation. The clan is on the verge of possibly being annihilated, if not, at the very least, many people will die. Neither Mo Bei nor Chi Sheng would've declined this kind of offer."
"I understand what you're saying," Qing Shu said. "However, even if I would like to, to break through to Rank 3 so quickly is..."
Fang Yuan pulled out a bag from the Tulsita Grass Gu. "This bag contains 3,000 Primal Stones," Fang Yuan said.
He had a good estimate of what Qing Shu's aptitude was like and how much he would need to break through.
"Feel free to use it," Fang Yuan said, handing it to Qing Shu. Fang Yuan giving someone else a bag of primeval stones was a strange sight indeed. However, for what was at stake, given the fact that Yellow Gold Relic Gu oftentimes could not even be bought in mortal marketplaces, this was a small price. As it was, Fang Yuan no longer lacked primeval stones. He had either been able to easily borrow some and people had simply given him more Primal Stones after he had reached Rank 4.
"Fang Yuan, I can't possibly..." Qing Shu began to protest.
"It's fine, if you want, you can consider it a loan," Fang Yuan said. "You can pay me back later on, but no more excuses from now on. Use these primeval stones and advance to Rank 3. If you truly want to help the clan, this is the best way forward. And once you get to Rank 3, join me in my attempt to kill the Lightning Lycan King."
Qing Shu looked down at his meal.
He could withdraw himself and entered closed-door cultivation for a few days, and would be tired at the end. People were going to die as he wouldn't be around to finish some tasks.
However, what Fang Yuan was saying, looking at the bigger picture, was correct. Far more people would die if the Lightning Lycan King continued to exist and was able to rally more wolves to its side. To kill it before it could get to them would not be easy, but if they succeeded, the wolf tide would be far less frightening.
"All right, Fang Yuan," Qing Shu said, sighing. "It looks like you won." He took the primeval stones. "I will repay these back to you at some point."
"Next time when we meet, I hope that you'll be Elder Qing Shu," Fang Yuan said.
"And soon enough, I hope," Qing Shu said. "I will address you as Clan Head Fang Yuan."
With their dinner finished, Fang Yuan made his way back home.
The next day, while Qing Shu was in closed-door cultivation, Fang Yuan had taken another visit to the underground cavern to withdraw not only some gu worms but also some refinement materials.
Since he still had his Cultivation Blessing, he needed to raise the Moonlight Chainmail Gu on his own to the Moonlight Plate Armor Gu.
"Finally..." Fang Yuan said as he succeeded on his third attempt after two day's worth of time. This refinement coupled with what he had lent out to Qing Shu had put a dent in his finances, but it couldn't be helped.
A good defensive option was needed for the upcoming fight. He would need it to face the Lightning Lycan King.
As for Charity Gu, though he had tried to delay it- it had ended up refining itself to Rank 5 regardless. That made it more difficult to use.
However, Integration Gu was already showing effects even now. Collecting the wills and experiences of the members of the Gu Yue clan, Fang Yuan could feel it almost filled to the brim right now.
The only question was what he would do with all of this accumulated experience.
Secret mission complete!
'Charity Begins At Home'
Help Qing Shu advance to Rank 3!
Reward: The recipes for Rank 6 to Rank 9 Charity Gu!