Elder Fan Shuo handed over a Gu worm that resembled a white silkworm and emitted a gentle aura. Although it was called a worm, it was more like a cocoon. This was a Bookworm Gu; Bookworm Gu were rare on the market and were on equal footing with White Boar Gu and Liquor Worm Gu.
This Gu worm was lent by Elder Fan Shuo, allowing Fang Tian to browse its contents. The Bookworm Gu contained vast amounts of information and many names of Gu worms, along with their specific descriptions, effects, and the prices listed beside them.
"Most Gu worms belong to the poison path and the earth path, then the wind and wood paths."
"Heh, you're still a little ignorant, young one. The most common paths in our Southern Border are the earth path and the poison path respectively, followed by the elemental paths such as the wind path, fire path, wood path, metal path, and so on."
This was somewhat new information to Fang Tian. He knew that the earth path was the dominant path in Southern Border due to the abundance of earth qi here, which led to the production of countless refinement materials belonging to the earth path. As for the poison path, he had not realized that it was also among the dominant paths in Southern Border.
Fang Tian continued browsing and discovered several Gu worms that suited him, all belonging to the wood path, some of which were even better than what he currently had. His goal was not merely to gather a large number of Gu worms belonging to the wood path. Rather, these Gu worms had to achieve a coordinated effect with one another, with each strengthening the others, or at the very least making their combined effects ideal.
"But these Gu worms are too expensive. I'm only preparing to break through to rank three by purchasing these Gu worms, yet I've already spent most of my wealth… Why are rank three Gu worms so expensive?!"
"Are you done, young Fang? As you know, there aren't many customers who come here, but I still prefer that we finish quickly."
"Ah yes, Elder, I want to buy rank three Palm Canopy Gu and Willow Arrow Gu…"
Fang Tian listed several names of Gu worms, most of them rank three and one rank two, while there were also a few rank one Gu worms. The rank three Gu worms were Palm Canopy Gu for defense and Willow Arrow Gu for offense. He also found a Gu worm that he greatly desired; although there were a few restrictions on its use, it still achieved a great effect with other wood path Gu worms, and together with Wood Root Gu, their special effect would become formidable.
"Wood Charm Gu, what an expensive Gu… eighteen thousand primeval stones for a rank three Gu worm, but it's worth the price."
Lastly, there was a Gu worm of the wood path that also shared traits with the strength path in terms of altering the user's bodily structure. Fang Tian had previously possessed rank two Green Jade Bone Gu and had intended to use it to strengthen his framework so that he could use strength path Gu worms like Horse Strength Gu and the like. However, he sold it and found a better replacement that did not conflict with his original path and fit the strength path well.
Fang Tian obtained Iron Bamboo Bones Gu. In addition, there was a rank two movement-type Gu worm, several rank one strength path Gu worms, and some Gu worms that numbed pain. Elder Fan Shuo shook out his sleeves in regret at Fang Tian and treated him like a fool while muttering things such as,
"A foolish young man buying rank three Gu worms while still at rank two, should I advise him?… No, forget it. It's his own path, and so what if he buys them? I'm still making a profit!"
"Elder Fan Shuo, is this Bookworm Gu for sale?"
Bookworm Gu were rare and valuable because they could store an infinite amount of information, helping Gu Masters record their inheritances, Gu worm recipes, or extremely important information without the risk of leakage.
Fang Tian left the shop after spending fifty thousand primeval stones in just a few minutes. However, a very joyful expression was now on his face, and he had completed his second objective. It could be said that he felt greatly relieved, though he still had other objectives to accomplish.
"But now I have to go and rent a residence in the heart of the city. Although the rent there is somewhat expensive, someone like me can easily afford these expenses. Not to mention that with only what Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus produces, it alone can take care of my food and lodging."
By the standards of a rank two Gu Master, Fang Tian was wealthy, but he still had to bear the burden of feeding his Gu worms. Now that he had sold most of his Gu refinement materials and only kept those used to feed his own Gu worms, the Silver Merchant Pocket Gu was half empty. This was not necessarily a good thing. Now that the burden of feeding rank three Gu worms had increased his expenses, he had to look for ways to make money.
Naturally, there were several ways, such as working as an assassin or as a guard for a wealthy merchant and the like. However, working as an assassin was unsafe despite the huge profits, while the job of guarding a wealthy merchant was relatively safe, yet the income was too little for someone like Fang Tian.
Fang Tian stopped thinking about this matter and focused on the present. He had to move toward the heart of the city, where good residences and high-quality services were located. Fang Tian had lived in many caves in the past months, as well as valleys and forests, so he was not very demanding regarding housing standards, yet he was still someone who enjoyed comfort after having lived in hardship throughout the previous months.
In the heart of the city, the scene was completely different from the outskirts or anything Fang Tian had seen before. Massive palaces resembling Chinese imperial palaces spread across the land as residences for Gu Masters, while there were also several large gardens, with a lake in the middle and a grand, refined pavilion for living.
Fang Tian did not hesitate and headed toward one of the gardens, gesturing to a Gu Master standing guard in front of it. The contract was discussed quickly, and Fang Tian spent twenty primeval stones to rent the garden for a month. The Gu Master did not leave; instead, he gestured to Fang Tian.
"Young sir, several human servants will be sent to serve you. Would you like adult women, young girls, or do you prefer beautiful boys?"
Fang Tian had long been accustomed to the brutality and hypocrisy of this world, where boys and girls were used like toys in the hands of those in power. Even so, the brutality of the world had not changed his inclinations.
"Send several adult women. I don't care whether they are beautiful or of ordinary looks. I will take care of their wages myself."
The Gu Master nodded and left this time, leaving Fang Tian to enter his garden. Green grass spread about, while short trees rose up, and on their branches bloomed white flowers that emitted a beautiful fragrance. A splendid lake lay there, surrounded by large black rocks, and above it was built a pavilion of white bricks.
This sight made Fang Tian extremely happy; this place was simply perfect for him. He had obtained personal space, even though he knew that the heart of the city was under constant surveillance, but his actions did not need to be eye-catching to the point that Gu Masters of the Wu clan would one day jump over the wall of his garden.