Meanwhile, Fang Yuan had already exited the treehouse and arrived at the wine tavern.
The second Liquor worm was already in his possession, now he just needs the time to refine it.
In the afternoon, he went to the treehouse again.
There were new Gu worms in many counters on the first floor.
The central counter – where the Liquor worm had been displayed – was now occupied by a Cleansing Water Gu.
The Cleansing Water Gu resembled the leech on Earth, except it was much cuter than the leech; its whole body had a light-blue luster like that of the glimmering water.
"Chi Lian will definitely buy this Gu worm for Chi Cheng. Hmm, let me think…..his quote should be between six hundred thirty to six hundred forty."
"If I quote six hundred fifty, it should get me this Cleansing Water Gu. Just by adding ten primeval stones, this Cleansing Water Gu is bound to fall in my hands! As for the Liquor worm I bought this morning, my quote should have been about twenty primeval stones higher than Gu Yue Yao Ji's." Fang Yuan coldly smiled inwardly.
He had this self-confidence.
With his previous life's experience, when he just put ten more primeval stones, he had an eighty percent guarantee of getting the goods. When he bought the Liquor worm, the reason why he had put ten more primeval stones was because of his cautious nature.
Fang Yuan didn't make a quote, he didn't need the Cleansing Water Gu. And if he obtained it, then it would be investigated by Chi Lian. Of course, the main reason Fang Yuan did not bid was because he needed to hold onto the remaining money to see if there were any good Gu worms in the coming days.
After this, he repeatedly went to the treehouse for three days.
On the third day, in the first floor of the treehouse, he discovered something to be happy about — a Black Boar Gu!
The Black and White Boar Gu were strength-enhancing Gu worms that boosted a Gu Master's physical power. Fang Yuan had already used the White Boar Gu, gaining the strength equivalent to a boar. Using a second White Boar Gu wouldn't improve his strength any further. However, the Black Boar Gu was different—it could stack with the White Boar Gu's effect and provide an additional boost.
Hence, at noon, there was one more Gu worm in his possession.
After that, there was nothing.
It was the seventh day.
In the second floor of the treehouse, Fang Yuan discovered a red steel Relic Gu.
It could instantly raise a Rank two Gu Master's primeval essence by a small realm!
Its price was marked at three thousand primeval stones, attracting many Rank two Gu Masters to bid over it, dropping papers in the counters; it was a very lively scene.
"If I obtain this red steel Relic Gu, I could push my cultivation to middle stage instantly. With the middle stage scarlet primeval essence, I would be able to use the Moonglow Gu and White Jade Gu many more times." Fang Yuan knew he has to obtain this Relic Gu.
Cultivation was the foundation of a Gu Master, an increase in cultivation meant an increase in fighting power. In terms of its effects, it was far better than getting the scouting and movement Gu worms.
Moreover, these two types of Gu worms in the treehouse were all ordinary to Fang Yuan, with none catching his eyes.
"This red steel Relic Gu's final price will definitely cross five thousand primeval stones and could even reach eight thousand. After all, everyone knows about the wolf tide, so raising one's cultivation by a small realm will be a lot of help. My primeval stones won't be enough if I want to get this Relic Gu!" Fang Yuan instantly realized that an obstacle had appeared in front of him.
Even though he inherited his parents' assets, to Fang Yuan, the time he had to accumulate wealth was still too little.
He had already fully utilized his time to grow the vitality leaves, and even then, it was still not enough.
"Now is time for me to find Uncle." Fang Yuan already had a buyer in mind it was none other than his uncle Gu Yue Dong Tu.
Uncle and Aunt were both cunning and miserly. These decades of operating the tavern, bamboo buildings and selling the vitality leaves, they must have a huge stash of primeval stones.
Moreover, these assets were originally operated by them. All and all, it can save a lot of observation time.
The key issue was that they urgently relied on this family asset to keep things running.
No matter how much wealth they possessed, without a steady income, it was like a river running dry at its source—their supply of primeval stones would only keep shrinking, and that would make anyone uneasy.
In short, Uncle and Aunt were the ideal people to trade with.
Thinking of this, Fang Yuan hesitated no longer, leaving the treehouse and walking towards Gu Yue Dong Tu's estate.
The one who opened the door was Shen Cui, his former servant.
"Ah, it- it's you!" Seeing Fang Yuan, she was very shocked.
She quickly realized she had misspoken, and her face turned pale with fear. Fang Yuan was already a Rank two Gu Master, while she was just an ordinary mortal—the gap between them was vast, like the distance between heaven and earth.
What terrified her even more was Fang Yuan's infamous ruthlessness. He had once killed a servant from the Mo family, chopped up the body, and sent the pieces back to them.
"This servant pays her respects to young master Fang Yuan, welcome home, young master." Shen Cui shivered from her fear and her knees went soft, kneeling on the ground.
"Home?" Fang Yuan took a step into the courtyard. Seeing the familiar settings, his face showed a hint of mockery; there was no sense of belonging or attachment.
A year later, he returned to the place once more.
It felt much emptier than he remembered.
Just as Fang Zheng had mentioned, several family servants had either been sold off or dismissed.
Fang Yuan's unexpected arrival startled both Uncle and Aunt.
Mother Shen, the housekeeper, rushed over immediately.
She knelt, bowed, and respectfully invited him into the living room, personally serving him tea.
Seated on a chair, Fang Yuan scanned the room.
Much of the furniture was gone, and the decorations had become noticeably simpler and more modest.
However, this didn't necessarily mean Uncle and Aunt were completely without savings.
A man's riches often invite trouble by stirring others' greed.
After Fang Yuan inherited the family assets, many clansmen grew envious and began coveting his fortune.
Uncle and Aunt were no different.
Their large savings were both a source of security and a cause for concern.
Keeping a low profile was, in their eyes, the wisest way to live.
Just then, footsteps echoed through the hall.
As they approached, Aunt soon appeared at the doorway.
"Fang Yuan, you actually still dared to come back here!" Seeing Fang Yuan, the rage in her heart appeared out of nowhere, screaming shrilly, "You traitorous scoundrel, how did we raise you. And to think you treat us like this, do you have a conscience, has your conscience been eaten by a dog!"
"You still have the cheeks to come here, and have the cheeks to drink tea here? Are you here to see our sorry states, now that you've seen it, are you happy?!"
She pointed a trembling finger at Fang Yuan, the other hand planted on her waist, screaming like a street shrew.
If not for the striking Rank two Gu Master attire he wore—which reminded her of the gulf between them—she might have lunged at him on the spot.
Fang Yuan remained indifferent, unmoved by her accusations or her outstretched finger.
After a year apart, Aunt's face—though twisted with anger and hate—couldn't conceal how worn-down she'd become.
She now wore a plain hemp robe.
The jewelry once decorating her hair had mostly vanished.
With no makeup, her face appeared sharp and narrow, resembling that of a monkey.
Reclaiming the family assets had clearly taken a serious toll on her daily life.
To her furious bantering, Fang Yuan paid no heed to them, he held up his cup and drank some tea before saying slowly, "My trip here today is to sell the tavern and bamboo buildings, does Uncle and Aunt have any interest?"
"Pah, you traitorous wolf, what good can you have, wanting to sell the tavern and bamboo…" Aunt's tone stalled as she finally reacted, her face showing disbelief, "What, you want to sell the tavern and bamboo buildings?"
Fang Yuan put down his teacup, leaning back on the chair, closing his eyes to rest, "Better to get Uncle here to discuss with me."
Aunt gritted her teeth, not believing it, her eyes like erupting flames as she stared angrily at Fang Yuan, saying, "I know, you're trying to toy with me, that's why you said that! Once I agree, I will get harshly mocked and ridiculed. You think I'm a fool, and would be played by you?"
Fang Yuan sighed in his heart, before saying one sentence to change his aunt's attitude."Say any more bullshit and I'm leaving. I believe others would be interested in these assets. By then, I would have sold it to other people, so don't you both regret it."
Aunt paused for a moment, "Do you really want to sell these assets?"
"I am only waiting for five minutes." Fang Yuan opened a slit of his eyes to talk, before shutting them again.
Not long after, uncle Gu Yue Dong Tu appeared in front of Fang Yuan, but Aunt did not accompany him.
Fang Yuan looked at him.
Uncle was already aging extensively, his originally well-maintained face had shrunk, and there was much more white hair on his head now.
He had been worrying these few days.
"Fang Yuan, I shall not beat about the bush. I don't understand something, why do you need to sell the wine tavern and bamboo buildings? If you keep them, you will have a steady source of income." Uncle could not believe it, but his tone was much more acceptable than aunt's.
"Because I want to buy a red steel Relic Gu." Fang Yuan said honestly, there was no need to hide such things.
"So that's it." Uncle's gaze shone, "Then, you are selling the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass too?"
"That is impossible." Fang Yuan shook his head without any hesitation, "I am only selling the wine tavern, the bamboo buildings, the land and the eight servants."
Nine Leaf Vitality Grass was the most valuable thing in the asset, Fang Yuan needed its healing ability as well as selling them to earn primeval stones. It could sustain his cultivation and also feed the Gu worms.
Seeing Fang Yuan's determined attitude, Gu Yue Dong Tu's heart was very disappointed. At the same time, he felt helpless.
The two had a secret talk for two hours, then they signed an extremely secure transfer agreement.
Gu Yue Dong Tu regained the tavern, bamboo buildings, family servants and land, while Fang Yuan led three family servants who were holding a box full of primeval stones each, towards the treehouse.
They each got what they wanted.
Hearing the news, Aunt rushed over. Seeing Gu Yue Dong Tu's contracts and deeds in his hands, she stared with round eyes and showed overwhelming joy, "Hubby, that lad got stupid from cultivating, he actually sold away such a profitable business! So stupid, wanting the eggs and not keeping the hen that lays eggs."
"Will you die if you stop talking, shut up." Gu Yue Dong Tu sounded very irritated.
"Husband…" Aunt pouted, "I'm just happy about it."
"Do not get complacent! With this tavern and the bamboo buildings, we have to be even more cautious now and keep a low profile. A huge tree attracts the wind. Although Fang Zheng is our adopted son, we cannot misuse this relationship. After all, Fang Zheng has not fully developed himself yet, who knows what the future entails?" Gu Yue Dong Tu sighed deeply.
"Got it, husband!" Aunt listened while staring at the stack of deeds, laughing uncontrollably.
Gu Yue Dong Tu's face was solemn throughout.
The transaction went well, and he now had income. The primeval stones he spent would be replenished with two or three years of operation. But he was not happy at all.
His mind was full of Fang Yuan's silhouette.
For a Relic Gu, Fang Yuan unhesitantly sold the assets, this was akin to giving up the comfortable life ahead.
Gu Yue Dong Tu placed himself in Fang Yuan's shoes and thought, would I be able to do this?
I can't.
Even if he did not like Fang Yuan, filled with hatred and disgust, at this moment he could not help but exclaim in his heart, "Able to give up and abandon his future comforts just like that, what great resolve he has!"