A Treasure Brass Toad was leading the caravan. It was two and half meters tall, its entire body orange-yellow in color. On its back was the Rank four Gu Master, Jia Fu.
After returning to the clan, Jia Fu made bold moves that further intensified the rivalry between them.
Eager to prove themselves, the Jia brothers set out before the last snow of the year had melted, taking the caravans to trade far and wide.
Clan leader Gu Yue Bo personally received Jia Fu.
The two Rank four Gu Masters stood as the heads of their respective factions.
"Brother Gu Yue, I trust you have been well?" Jia Fu was full of smiles and warmth, but his face had a long scar now.
"Hahaha, brother Jia Fu, you are quite early this year." Gu Yue Bo looked at the scar on Jia Fu's face. His heart jolted but he didn't ask about it.
"The early bird gets the worm. This time, I have brought many precious goods and I believe the noble Gu Yue clan will have lots of needs." Jia Fu had made a big effort this time to fight for better achievements.
"Yes, this is good news." Gu Yue Bo's eyes flashed. Continuing on, "It just so happens that the day after tomorrow is our clan's Awakening Ceremony, and I would like to invite brother Jia to attend it."
"Haha, it is my honor to be able to witness the prosperity of Gu Yue clan," Jia Fu immediately cupped his hands and sincerely replied.
Inviting others to watch the clan's awakening ceremony was treating them as honoured guests. Jia Fu could feel Gu Yue clan's sincerity from this invitation.
"In fact, there is also another matter." Jia Fu hesitated.
"You have come from afar, so if you have any requests, please say it. Our clan will definitely do our best to fulfil it." Gu Yue Bo said.
Jia Fu sighed, "Ah, it is regarding Jia Jin Sheng's matter. I have especially brought over a few investigation experts from the clan, and I hope that in the course of our investigation, you can allow us some convenience."
Gu Yue Bo immediately showed a look of understanding.
Jia Jin Sheng's death had clearly put Jia Fu in a difficult and passive position in the struggle for family assets.
It was rumored that after returning to the clan, Jia Fu had publicly clashed with Jia Gui, and things escalated into a fierce conflict.
The scar on his face was likely a remnant from that fight.
No wonder he had rushed over as soon as spring began—he was clearly under a great deal of pressure.
Meanwhile, Fang Yuan strolled among the tents and roadside stalls.
This year's caravan was larger than any before.
There weren't just more tents—there was even a Gu house present.
Gu houses were normally exclusive to large-scale caravans.
Such caravans typically had two or three Gu houses.
Jia Fu's caravan was mid-sized at best, yet it still featured one.
The Gu house took the form of a massive tree.
Standing eighteen meters tall, it looked like it reached the sky, its roots and branches twisting like coiling dragons or snakes.
The base of the trunk had a diameter of ten meters, tapering only slightly as it rose.
The bark was not solid—it housed three inner chambers.
Windows were embedded in the trunk, allowing sunlight and fresh air to flow into the inner layers.
The trunk had few branches or leaves, except at the top, where the canopy was dense and lush.
When the spring wind blew, the leaves rustled softly.
This was a standard Gu house.
It was a Rank three plant-type Gu called the "Three Star Cave."
It could sprout instantly when infused with primeval essence.
Its three internal chambers were arranged in separate layers and offered far stronger defense than any ordinary tent.
In a sea of tents, this towering tree stood out like a crane among chickens.
Two wide doors were set at its base, serving as the entrance.
Fang Yuan followed the crowd into the tree.
Inside, the three layers had been converted into a market layout.
Wooden counters lined the space, displaying various Gu worms.
These counters were not separate furniture pieces—they were part of the tree itself.
The Three Star Cave Tree Gu could be shaped by the Gu Master's intent, growing leaves, branches, and even structural designs as desired.
Benches and stools were provided for resting customers.
A Rank three support-type Gu Master was stationed somewhere within the tree, managing the environment and watching over everything.
If anyone tried to steal a Gu worm, that Gu Master could seal the doors instantly and trap the thief inside.
Dozens of branches would sprout in an instant, launching a coordinated attack.
At the same time, security Gu Masters would also spring into action.
The treehouse was far more secure than tents, so the items sold here were of much higher value.
Fang Yuan had only just stepped into the first layer when he spotted a counter at the center displaying a single Liquor worm.
Several Gu Masters surrounded it, examining it closely, some expressing admiration.
He looked around and saw that the other counters also held rare Gu worms.
There were Jade Skin Gu, Whirlwind Gu, Scar Stone Gu, and others.
All of them were compatible with the Moonlight Gu and could be fused into higher-rank Gu worms.
Jia Fu might not know the exact fusion recipes, but his years of experience in business told him what Gu worms the Gu Yue clan was most likely to buy.
"Liquor worm…" Fang Yuan lightly muttered, walking to the side of the center reception desk.
He only needed this Liquor worm, along with the sweet, spicy, sour, and bitter—four types of wine—to refine the Four Flavours Liquor worm. As for the wines, Fang Yuan already had all of them. Even the rare bitter wine was in his possession, as he had secretly brewed it last year.
This is life after all, hard work does not mean results, nor success. But if one does not work hard, they are destined to fail.
The Demonic path was the same, the demonic cultivators are good at clearing obstacles in their way, bravely advancing in their paths. To most people in the world, they were seen as extremists and adventurous.
He looked at the price on the counter.
'Liquor worm — Five hundred primeval stones.'
The standard price for a Liquor worm was five hundred and eighty primeval stones.
Yet here, it was listed at a price eighty stones lower than market value.
However, if Fang Yuan truly believed he could obtain it for just five hundred stones, his years of life experience would be meaningless.
The low price was merely bait—meant to lure buyers by stirring up desire and greed.
This treehouse clearly belonged to Jia Fu.
"Grandma, this Liquor worm is only five hundred primeval stones!" A young girl walked in, screaming in shock.
The young girl's eyes were glowing, shaking her grandmother's hand, "Grandma, tomorrow is the awakening ceremony. Didn't you promise to give me a present? Why don't you give this Liquor worm to me."
The young girl's grandma had a white waist belt, and the belt had a square silver piece with the number "3" on it.
Once a Gu Master reached Rank three, they were automatically promoted to the position of clan elder.
However, not all elders were equal. Some held real authority and political influence, while others were assigned to manage minor departments with little value.
But this particular Rank three elder wasn't one of those powerless figures.
"Gu Yue Yao Ji…" Fang Yuan recognised her immediately, this was the medicine hall's clan elder. The medicine hall is the clan's support faction, it can be said to be the most lucrative department. Gu Yue Yao Ji had very great influence due to her seniority, even towards the clan leader, she could do away with paying respects and reply while sitting. She was the number one healing Gu Master in the clan and had saved many lives of the clan elders, thus having very strong network in the clan.
"Alright, alright. If my obedient granddaughter wants it, grandma will buy for you." The old woman's face was full of wrinkles. She was a hunchback and had a walking cane in one hand, helplessly sighing and saying with a benevolent face.
"Grandma is the best, I knew grandma dotes on me the most," The young girl happily grabbed Gu Yue Yao Ji, joyfully planting her lips on her grandma's cheek.
"Then grandma, let's call the shop assistant and buy this Liquor worm immediately!"
Gu Yue Yao Ji shook her head, "My lovely granddaughter, the Gu worm here isn't bought like that. Let granny teach you, you see that stack of paper and pen over at the counter?"
The young girl nodded, "I see it."
Gu Yue Yao Ji said, "Go get a piece of paper and use the pen to write down the price of the Liquor worm. After that, stuff it into the hole. If among all the bidders, your price is the highest, this Liquor worm will belong to you."
"So that's it, very interesting." The young girl took a bamboo paper and held the pen, but hesitated when writing down.
Her lovely eyebrows frowned as she thought hard for a moment, then finally pouting her lips, she said, "Grandma, what price would be appropriate? If I set it too low, other people will get the Liquor worm, but if I set it too high, I would be making a loss."
Gu Yue Yao Ji laughed, teasing her, "How can it be so easy to buy the Liquor worm? Let's see your luck…"
"Grandma!" The young girl said coquettishly, hogging Gu Yue Yao Ji's limp and shaking arm.
"Alright, alright, stop swinging, my body is going to collapse." The old woman sighed, "Grandma will fill it for you."
The young girl quickly jumped, saying, "I knew grandma is the best!"