Everything unfolded just as Fang Yuan had planned.
The academy elder then instructed a healing Gu Master to treat the two guards.
Although their lives were saved, their injuries were severe—leaving them nearly crippled and ultimately dismissed from the academy.
Fang Yuan faced no punishment. In fact, he was openly praised.
This outcome instilled fear in the other students.
But the incident didn't end there. As time passed, word of it spread throughout the clan.
Fang Yuan's achievement—being the first to reach the middle stage despite having only C-grade talent—became a hot topic.
During meals and tea breaks, it became the focus of everyone's gossip.
After the initial shock, people began speculating about the secret behind Fang Yuan's rapid progress.
"Actually, with a C-grade talent, surpassing A-grade and B-grade to advance first into middle stage is not something that strange."
"True, there are many methods in this world that can achieve such a thing."
"Take the Relic Gu for example. Once this Gu is used, the aperture walls would be enhanced and it will assist the cultivation to rise by a small realm, being the easiest method of breaking through."
The crowd's discussion quickly shifted to various theories and possible explanations.
Ideas like the use of Liquor worms and external primeval essence were naturally brought up by many.
Had Fang Yuan expose the Liquor worm early on, there wouldn't have been such a stir.
His secrecy only fueled widespread curiosity.
Though the village seemed calm on the surface, tension was building beneath.
Many eyes were now on the academy elder, expecting answers.
If he couldn't explain how one of his own students advanced so quickly, it would reflect poorly on his competence.
Therefore, he was forced to provide an explanation.
Days went by.
The second student to reach the middle stage was Gu Yue Mo Bei.
Shortly after, just three hours later, Gu Yue Fang Zheng advanced as well.
He had been held back by a lack of primeval stones and, perhaps more importantly, by the mental blow dealt by Fang Yuan.
The third was Gu Yue Chi Chen.
Even though he received primeval essence from Gu Yue Chi Lian, the method wasn't very effective and could only be used every three days, with high risk.
Still, with C-grade talent, taking third place was an accomplishment.
On the fifth day, the academy elder distributed another round of subsidies.
"Gu Yue Fang Yuan." He stood at the front, calling out Fang Yuan's name first.
Fang Yuan rose to his feet and walked over with a calm, unreadable expression.
All eyes from the other students followed him, showing a mix of envy, jealousy, scrutiny, and hatred—each gaze carrying a different emotion.
"Today, the elder is not only handing out resources, he is also appointing the chairman and vice chairman positions!"
"As expected, the first to be called up was Fang Yuan."
"He is the first to advance, the title of chairman belongs to him."
"It is hard to imagine that this would be the result. Before this, I thought it would be Fang Zheng who would come first."
"He was the first to advance to middle stage, it is so peculiar, there has to be a huge secret, but he refuses to tell us!"
"Hehe, if it was me I wouldn't tell anyone either. Keep quiet and prosper."
As the students conversed, Fang Yuan arrived in front of the academy elder.
"Gu Yue Fang Yuan, you are the first Gu Master to reach Rank one middle stage in this class, so this is your reward." Saying so, he handed him a white and blue money bag.
Fang Yuan received the money bag and opened it in public, peeking inside.
"Be rest assured, there's a total of thirty primeval stones inside, the academy would not shortchange you." The academy elder smiled.
To be honest, the academy elder had never imagined that Fang Yuan would be the first student to reach the middle stage.
But Fang Yuan didn't trust others easily, not even the elder. He carefully counted the primeval stones himself—exactly thirty, not a single one missing—before tucking the pouch into his chest pocket.
Seeing this, the academy elder assumed Fang Yuan was financially strained and smiled even more warmly.
"I guessed so, he is after all a C-grade talent. Rushing to the middle stage, his primeval stone expenditure had to be huge. He has no funding from anyone as well, thus he has to be tight on primeval stones. As long as he has a need for primeval stones, we'll not be afraid of him leaving the control of the clan. Once he enters the clan's system, he would not be able to keep that secret, so even if we can't investigate it, one day, he will tell us." Towards this, the academy elder was full of confidence.
The truth is, after that day, he had secretly ordered people to investigate Fang Yuan.
Almost every day, new progress was made.
However, they clearly failed to discover that Fang Yuan had several hundred primeval stones and was actually quite wealthy.
The academy elder continued and said, "Fang Yuan, you are the first to step into Rank one middle stage, and according to the academy rules, you not only will receive thirty primeval stones as reward, but you will also gain priority in choosing your second Gu soon after. Right now, I shall appoint you as class chairman!"
"Fang Yuan was appointed as chairman after all!" Upon hearing this, a few students sighed.
"Damn it." Gu Yue Mo Bei gritted his teeth, feeling indignant.
"Hmph!" Gu Yue Chi Chen crossed his limbs, staring at the scene coldly.
The one that was affected the most was Fang Yuan's brother, Gu Yue Fang Zheng.
His face was pale, and his expression looked uncertain, a dark cloud looming over his head. "Ordinary students, upon seeing the chairman and vice chairmen, have to bow and pay respects. With my results, I will definitely be a vice chairman. But from now on when I see big brother, I'll have to pay my respects to him."
"Hold on."
But at this moment, Fang Yuan spoke.
He smiled faintly to the academy elder and said slowly, "Esteemed elder, your student here is not gifted and does not have high wisdom, hence being unable to properly take on the role of chairman. This role, should be given to talented people."
"What? You mean you do not want to be chairman? As the chairman, you'll get ten primeval stones every time. Are you sure you want to reject it?" The academy elder frowned deeply as he spoke. For the last tens of years of teaching, he had not seen anyone reject this position!
The academy elder had carefully considered making Fang Yuan the class chairman, seeing it as beneficial.
By taking the role, Fang Yuan would be bound by the clan's system—enjoying benefits but also expected to fulfill duties, such as ceasing his extortion of classmates.
This was similar to how the elder had once been forced to praise Fang Yuan despite being humiliated.
Within the system, personal feelings had to be set aside in favor of rules and responsibilities.
The elder's motive wasn't purely about fairness—it was to ease the pressure on other students and promote balance.
If Fang Yuan stopped extorting, others like Fang Zheng, Mo Bei, and Chi Chen might catch up, fueling healthy competition.
To the elder, sacrificing a minor role like chairman was worth it if it helped the clan's promising youths thrive.
But despite this strategic plan, things didn't go as expected.
Fang Yuan rejected the position!
He actually rejected it!!
This role, small as it may be, represented honor and came with a reward of ten primeval stones each time.
No student had ever turned it down before.
Yet Fang Yuan did.
Fang Yuan looked at the stunned elder, and asked him back, "Did the academy rules state that the first has to be chairman? The position of chairman, is it irrefusable?"
The academy elder replied with a cold expression, "Of course there are no such heartless rules."
Fang Yuan laughed, "Thank you elder for your understanding."
Saying so, he cupped his fists and walked back to his seat.
The students who saw this scene with their own eyes all flew into a commotion.
At once, the academy was lively!
"Fang Yuan actually rejected it? Are you kidding me?!"
"Is he sick in the head?"
"Not sure why he's acting crazy, but hehe, he's gonna regret this later."
"Fang Yuan gave up on being chairman, this means I am the chairman?!" Happiness came too quickly, and the second place Mo Bei could not react in time.
Chi Chen showed a look of disbelief, he was unable to comprehend that someone actually gave up the spot of chairman, he has to be beyond stupid!
"Big brother…" Fang Zheng stared with huge eyes as he looked at Fang Yuan disappointedly.
According to his results, Fang Zheng was assured to be vice chairman.
When Fang Yuan declined the chairman role, Fang Zheng felt the position lost all value.
This time, the academy elder's expression turned truly grim.
Previously, his anger at Fang Yuan skipping class had been for show.
Now, his frustration was genuine.
Fang Yuan's refusal was more than just declining a title—it was a rejection of the clan's authority.
In all his years running the academy, the elder had never encountered a student who could resist such an enticing offer.
He had hoped to trap Fang Yuan within the system, but with that plan foiled, he was left powerless.
The distribution of subsidies came to an end.
Mo Bei took the role of class chairman by ranking second, while Fang Zheng and Chi Chen were appointed vice chairmen.
The chairman received ten primeval stones, and each vice chairman got five.
Some students from less wealthy backgrounds were so envious at the sight of those primeval stones that they nearly drooled.