Chapter 21: Wolf Strength Gu
The caravan market remained lively.
After leaving the Three Star Cave Gu house, Fang Ming did not immediately return to the village. The rows of stalls stretched across the open ground, filled with Gu food, beast materials, weapons, maps, herbs, ores, and strange items from outside Qing Mao Mountain. Compared to Gu Yue Village's limited stores, the caravan had far more variety.
Inside the village, many transactions left traces. A Gu Master buying or selling something unusual could easily draw attention, especially someone like Fang Ming, who had already entered the sight of several factions.
The caravan was different.
Many Gu Masters here were merchants by nature. They gathered together for trade, safety, and profit. Jia Fu was the highest-level Gu Master in the caravan, so he had influence over large matters such as routes and general order, but he did not control every individual merchant's business.
Most caravan Gu Masters cared about profit.
As long as there was profit to be made, they did not care much about where goods came from.
This was what Fang Ming needed.
After circling through the market once, Fang Ming entered a more secluded trading tent.
The Gu Master inside was middle-aged, with narrow eyes and a calm expression. When Fang Ming entered, he looked up and smiled faintly.
"Selling or buying?"
"Selling."
Fang Ming sat down and took out a Gu worm.
The merchant's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Liquor Worm?"
Fang Ming nodded.
The merchant picked it up carefully and inspected it for a while.
Liquor Worm was only Rank 1, but it had always been valuable. For low-rank Gu Masters, it could refine primeval essence and assist cultivation. Even if demand inside Gu Yue Village was limited, the caravan could bring it elsewhere and still sell it for a good price.
"600 primeval stones," the merchant said.
Fang Ming did not immediately answer.
The merchant smiled. "The price is fair. Liquor Worm is good, but it is still Rank 1."
Fang Ming looked at him for a moment, then nodded.
"600."
The transaction was completed quickly.
After that came White Boar Strength Gu.
The merchant inspected it and gave a price of 550 primeval stones.
Fang Ming accepted.
Then came Jade Skin Gu.
400 primeval stones.
The merchant accepted all 3 Gu without asking unnecessary questions. He only checked their condition, confirmed their rank, and counted the stones.
This was how business should be.
After leaving the tent, Fang Ming went to an ordinary Gu counter and openly bought another Jade Skin Gu.
510 primeval stones.
Several Gu Yue Gu Masters nearby saw the transaction. That was enough.
From now on, if Fang Ming used Jade Skin Gu during missions, he had a proper explanation.
Jade Skin Gu was only Rank 1 and was not rare. There was no need for an auction. As long as one had enough primeval stones, it could be bought directly.
After finishing this matter, Fang Ming returned to the Three Star Cave treehouse.
The treehouse had 3 floors.
The 1st floor displayed Rank 1 Gu, the 2nd floor displayed Rank 2 Gu, and the 3rd floor displayed Rank 3 Gu.
The higher the floor, the fewer the Gu and the higher the price. Their display time was also different. Rank 1 Gu would usually be displayed for half a day after receiving a bid, Rank 2 Gu would be displayed for 1 day, and Rank 3 Gu would be displayed for 2 days.
Because of this, the Gu on display changed regularly.
Fang Ming first checked the 1st floor.
Some of the Gu he saw earlier had already been sold or replaced. The current counters displayed Green Vine Gu, Stone Needle Gu, Clear Ear Gu, and several other Rank 1 Gu. Fang Ming looked through them briefly, but none were worth his attention.
After that, he went to the 2nd floor.
The Rank 2 Gu here were more valuable. Fang Ming saw Iron Shell Gu, Water Arrow Gu, Wind Step Gu, and a few others. Some were useful, but not useful enough.
His copy chance had already refreshed.
But Fang Ming did not use it.
His target was clear.
Red Steel Relic Gu.
If the original flow remained close enough, that Gu should appear later during the caravan's stay. Compared to ordinary attack, defense, or movement Gu, a Relic Gu that could raise cultivation by 1 small realm was far more valuable to him.
If another Rank 2 Gu appeared and truly interested him, Fang Ming had a backup plan. He could sell Blazing Eyes Gu, Step on Wind Gu, or even both, depending on the price and value of the target.
But that was only a backup.
For now, nothing on display was worth changing his plan.
Fang Ming continued to the 3rd floor.
There were far fewer people here.
Rank 3 Gu were not something ordinary Rank 2 Gu Masters could easily touch. Even if they came up to look, most only watched from a distance.
Fang Ming's gaze quickly stopped on the central display.
A White Silver Relic Gu.
Its starting price was clearly written.
30,000 primeval stones.
Fang Ming looked at it for a while.
This was a consumable Gu that could instantly raise a Rank 3 Gu Master's cultivation by 1 small realm. For any Rank 3 Gu Master, its value was obvious.
Not far away, an old woman was explaining the Gu to a young girl.
Fang Ming recognized the old woman.
Gu Yue Yao Ji.
The young girl beside her should be her granddaughter, Gu Yue Yao Le.
Fang Ming did not move closer, but with his hearing, he still caught part of their conversation.
"The final price should reach at least 50,000 primeval stones," Yao Ji said.
The young girl seemed shocked by the price.
Fang Ming looked back at the White Silver Relic Gu.
It was indeed a good Gu.
If he reached Rank 3 and the caravan still had it next year, he would want to copy it.
Unfortunately, most opportunities did not wait until people were ready.
Right now, Fang Ming was only Rank 2. He could not copy it, nor did he have enough money to buy it. More importantly, this was a consumable Gu. Whoever bought it would most likely use it soon.
This opportunity had appeared too early.
Fang Ming shook his head slightly and left the 3rd floor.
Over the next few days, Fang Ming repeatedly visited the Three Star Cave treehouse.
Day after day, the counters changed.
The Rank 1 Gu changed the fastest. Most were bought, replaced, or removed before he looked at them a second time. The Rank 2 Gu stayed longer, but even there, the displays were not fixed. As for the Rank 3 Gu, they attracted attention from elders and wealthy Gu Masters, but they were too far from Fang Ming's current reach.
Fang Ming did not hurry.
He looked, compared, remembered, and left.
Several Rank 2 Gu did catch his eye briefly, but none were enough for him to abandon Red Steel Relic Gu. Blazing Eyes Gu and Step on Wind Gu could be sold if necessary, but selling them for an ordinary Gu would not be worth it.
On the 5th day, Fang Ming finally stopped in front of one Rank 2 Gu.
Wolf Strength Gu.
The Gu was sealed inside a container. From the outside, one could faintly see a wolf-shaped shadow moving within.
Fang Ming read the introduction carefully.
This Gu was similar to White Boar Strength Gu, but its effect was stronger. After consuming enough wolves, it could gradually give the Gu Master wolf-like strength and speed.
Strength and speed.
These 2 points alone were enough.
The wolf chase from before was still fresh in Fang Ming's memory. Lightning wolves were fast, patient, and difficult to shake off. If not for his early reaction, terrain knowledge, and luck, the result might have been completely different.
White Boar Strength Gu had given him a good foundation, but it was still only Rank 1. Its improvement was limited.
Wolf Strength Gu was different.
It was Rank 2.
The increase it could bring would be far above White Boar Strength Gu. More importantly, it did not only strengthen the body, but also improved speed. This suited Fang Ming's current needs very well.
The difficulty was also clear.
Hunting wolves was not like hunting boars.
Boars were strong, but their behavior was simple. Wolves were faster, more cunning, and moved in groups. A Rank 2 Wolf Strength Gu would also need to consume a large number of wolves before its full effect appeared.
But on Qing Mao Mountain, wolves were not lacking.
Even during normal times, wolves could be found in the mountains. Next year, the wolf tide would be much larger. If Fang Ming obtained this Gu now, feeding it would not be impossible.
Fang Ming looked away from the counter.
This Gu was worth buying.
But not worth using his copy chance.
Red Steel Relic Gu was still the only Gu worth copying.
After a short silence, Fang Ming returned to the private trading tent from before.
The middle-aged merchant saw him come back and smiled.
"Young friend, do you still have something to sell?"
Fang Ming placed another Gu on the table.
After inspecting it, the merchant's expression changed slightly.
"Rank 2 investigative Gu."
"Blazing Eyes Gu," Fang Ming said.
The merchant looked at him, then at the Gu worm.
"This Gu detects warm-blooded creatures?"
Fang Ming nodded.
The merchant considered for a moment. "2,100 primeval stones."
Fang Ming did not bargain for long.
He needed funds quickly, and the price was acceptable.
After the transaction was completed, Fang Ming left with the primeval stones.
The auction for Wolf Strength Gu began later that day.
Compared to the ordinary stalls, the auction area was much quieter. Gu Masters entered one after another, each receiving a method to place bids privately. This auction did not openly reveal who bid what price. Only the result would be announced when the bidding ended.
When Wolf Strength Gu was brought out, several Gu Masters showed interest.
The auctioneer briefly introduced its effect.
Rank 2 strength-path Gu.
Fed with wolves.
After sufficient feeding, it could increase the Gu Master's strength and speed.
Some Gu Masters became interested, while others lost interest after hearing the feeding requirement. A Gu that required hunting wolves was not easy to raise. Normal Gu Masters preferred safer and more stable choices. Even if the effect was good, the process of feeding it carried danger.
Fang Ming's gaze moved across the crowd and soon stopped on 1 person.
A Shi faction elder stood not far from Wolf Strength Gu.
His expression was calm, but his position was too deliberate.
He did not need to say anything. Just standing there was enough to make many Gu Yue clansmen hesitate.
If a clansman bought this Gu and later used it, the elder would eventually know. Offending an elder over a Gu was not something most Rank 2 Gu Masters wanted to do.
Fang Ming understood.
The Shi faction elder likely wanted this Gu for a lower price. By standing there, he could discourage many people from bidding and reduce competition.
Unfortunately, this had nothing to do with Fang Ming.
The auction was anonymous.
The elder could stand there as long as he wanted, but he could not see Fang Ming's bid.
Wolf Strength Gu was good, but its feeding requirement limited its value. The Shi faction elder wanted it, yet he probably would not bid too high if he believed most people had already been discouraged.
After considering for a short while, Fang Ming placed his bid.
2,500 primeval stones.
This was higher than the comfortable price for this Gu.
But Fang Ming did not hesitate.
A Gu that suited the coming situation was worth paying extra for.
After some time, the result was announced.
Wolf Strength Gu had been sold.
Final price: 2,500 primeval stones.
Fang Ming's expression did not change.
Nearby, the Shi faction elder's face darkened slightly.
He did not know who had won the bid, but he clearly had not obtained the Gu.
The auction continued, but Fang Ming no longer paid much attention.
After receiving Wolf Strength Gu, Fang Ming stored it away quietly and left the auction area.
His primeval stones had decreased sharply, but the result was acceptable.
Liquor Worm had sold for 600 primeval stones.
White Boar Strength Gu had sold for 550 primeval stones.
The original Jade Skin Gu had sold for 400 primeval stones.
Blazing Eyes Gu had sold for 2,100 primeval stones.
Together, these gave him 3,650 primeval stones.
The new Jade Skin Gu cost 510 primeval stones.
Wolf Strength Gu cost 2,500 primeval stones.
Before leaving the caravan market, Fang Ming also bought Gu food and over 100 primeval stones worth of materials for the future refinement of White Jade Skin Gu.
Primeval stones came and went quickly.
After this round of transactions, Fang Ming had gained Wolf Strength Gu and replaced Jade Skin Gu, but Liquor Worm, White Boar Strength Gu, and Blazing Eyes Gu were gone.
It was a trade.
Liquor Worm had helped him early, but now its value was no longer as high as before.
White Boar Strength Gu had given him a foundation, and now Wolf Strength Gu would continue from there.
Blazing Eyes Gu was useful, but it had been copied from his teammate. Keeping it hidden limited its value, and using it openly would be troublesome. Selling it now exchanged a hidden asset for something better suited to his current situation.
As for Jade Skin Gu, the old one had been sold, and the new one had been bought openly.
Clean and simple.
When Fang Ming left the caravan market, the sky had already begun to darken.
The noise behind him gradually faded.
Inside his aperture, Wolf Strength Gu rested quietly.
Fang Ming walked toward Gu Yue Village.
On Qing Mao Mountain, wolves were never lacking.
Next year, there would only be more.
Current Fang Ming Gu StatusPublic / explainable
Moonglow Gu — Rank 2
Jade Skin Gu — Rank 1, rebought openly from the caravan
Hidden
Step on Wind Gu — Rank 2
Wolf Strength Gu — Rank 2, bought anonymously through auction
Heavenly Essence Treasure Seed Lotus — Rank 1
Bookworm Gu — Rank 1
Sold / no longer held
Liquor Worm — sold for 600 primeval stones
Blazing Eyes Gu — sold for 2,100 primeval stones
White Boar Strength Gu — sold for 550 primeval stones
Original hidden Jade Skin Gu — sold for 400 primeval stones
New purchases / expenses
Wolf Strength Gu — bought for 2,500 primeval stones
New Jade Skin Gu — bought openly for 510 primeval stones
Gu food and White Jade Skin Gu refinement materials — over 100 primeval stones