"*Bzzz* Wrong answer! Your total score is 11 out of 60! How shocking! My best inheritance is placed in the hands of a useless outsider. Did your world not have simple mathematics? Chemistry? Physics? Astrology? And the Relativity Theory of Black Hole?!"
Thieving Heaven is known to be one of the sneakiest gu masters in history. But Fei Cai knew that Ben Jie Sun aka Ben Jason was simply a hurting man who wished to return to his world. Still, the moment Fei Cai found that Thieving Heaven's computer gu had another function— Quiz— he applied for it instantly. The mocks already recorded into the computer gu worm failed to affect Fei Cai as he continued to praised and admire Thieving Heaven in his heart.
"Thieving Heaven has quoted in his journal to innovate and improve on recipes. According to him, this form of cultivation of mind brings benefits to the realm and mortal qi later. For that purpose, he left a hidden function in Computer gu worm. Quiz. The recording has explained that there are a total of three quizzes designed to enhance my knowledge and practice of gu materials, refinement. In the later two levels, there will be more subjects to be covered but that is not all. Completing one level will provide me with, according to Thieving Heaven, mastery in one path."
Closing his eyes as the screen of the quiz slowly dissipated, Fei Cai began to go through the questions he could still remember and finally wrote them down so that he could study the effects of these materials. "But one thing is for sure. Thieving Heaven doesn't want the inheritor of this gu worm to only develop in a single path. I still do not understand the ambition of the dead Venerable but all of his pointers and words suggest that the inheritor— me— needs to expand my knowledge and methods horizontally. Covering anything and everything... but... this also contradicts against the very nature of cultivation."
After a day of refining, Fei Cai's situation had grown vastly better. With eleven successful refinings, Fei Cai now had a total of 971 merit points. Lo's hunt hadn't gone well so he could only earn a pay of 7 primeval stones. In fact, Fei Cai understood that there were some bottom lines so he didn't make Lo submit these resources into the Merit Board since Fei Qing had made it clear that this board and resources were only for Fei Tribe members. Slightly refreshed by the sudden discovery of quiz function, Fei Cai couldn't help but smile genuinely for once.
"From the moment I have arrived, my thoughts are constantly clouded with hubris. Arriving from a scientific world, I couldn't help but think that natural paths such a fire or water are easy due to learning a few properties. These properties help, extremely so. But this is merely the tip of the iceberg. Out of the sixty questions, 58 of them should have been correct if followed logically but in the end, I stood corrected to 11 of them. Logic is necessary, but not to be tied down with," Fei Cai mumbled to himself. No matter how much he claimed to keep a clear mind, only through such a failure and slap in the face can he achieve his statements.
"I have also been rushing to try and acquire various gu worms, leaving me with nothing but chumps. With the acquisition of the merit board, I can finally change that and focus on, at least one, or two paths. Get better and experienced with them before spreading my thoughts onto other paths." Thinking till here, Fei Cai recalled the list of gu worms in Merit Board once again. Of course, he could only remember the most impressionable one but for the umpteenth time, aside from his next step in refining Sneak Attack Gu, Fei Cai found himself attracted to Ice and Snow path gu worms.
He realizes that in the coming years, the temperature of the entire Northern Plain would drop at a chilling degree, causing a rise in the appearance of snow and Ice path materials and gu worms. Not only that, to survive the tribulation, one must win wars and acquire the throne of the Imperial Court or survive the icy tribulation that will cover the lands. In such a scenario, it is not only wise but effective to cultivate Ice path.
"It is a decision for a later time. Lo has only come in contact to a gu worm today, his use in the refinement process would require more expertise from his side... as for Fei Sau and Fei Mang..."
Fei Cai pushed his primeval essence into rank 2 shrewd gu worm. Once again, his thoughts collided tangibly, causing Fei Cai to feel a little exhausted but the clash of multiple thoughts raised from informed decisions once again turned Fei Cai's heart towards the rivalry of Fei Sau and Fei Nai. He finally understood the opportunity he needed and missed severely.
A mortal named Fei Jun. After the loss of his elder sister due to mysterious reasons, Fei Sau took upon himself to take care of a young tribeswoman who had lost her parents around the same time. Next year, Fei Jun would go through her aperture openings ceremony and for that, Fei Sau had purchased two relic gu alongside support gu worms. Clearly, the youth doted on her but in Fei Cai's heart, he didn't take the gu masters in his mind as human but subjects. Wisdom path is far more mysterious than Fei Cai would have estimated and for that, he needed to gain experience in using the gu worms. He had now decided to lay plans for his benefit whenever he can. Whether they get ruined or erupt in success, Fei Cai cared not. To him, the process of planning and learning from his mistake was far more important.
After an exhaustive session of thinking, Fei Cai slept eagerly and only woke up early in the morning. He had a few hours before going towards the refinement team and so, for the first time, he decided to 'pass' through a slave farm. The slaves in northern plains can be cultivated in short numbers. It was much like a pig farm from Fei Cai's world. A large structure was constructed with mating, birthing, and living quarters separated but he merely passed through it. The last thing Fei Cai wanted right now was to get associated with the theft of a child's corpse but out of the three slave farms, Fei Cai chose this structure with a special intention.
As he continued to walk, he soon entered the depths of mortal camp that turned to the rather inconspicuous shop of an old gu master who had his personal gu worms on sale. All this time, Lo continued to follow Fei Cai with a blank expression.
In a few breaths, however, Fei Cai found himself witnessing the act of a sweet dark-haired girl in slightly dirty clothes getting ganged up by young boys. Just like the girl, the boys wore rags but unlike a pro, they only poked the girl to make fun of her. From a young age, the value of the female gender is taught to be low and that form of education had a direct impact on the lives of young gu masters.
"Stop hurting me! Brother Sau will give you all harsh spankings! I'll tell him!" Alas, the threat of a gu master didn't seem to work on the set of boys. At least, not with one present in their immediate contact.
"Ha! We know all about you! Father said that Fei Sau is a hero of the tribe! How can he care for a dirty girl like you? You clearly did something to him!" One of them shouted and raised his hand to pull on the little girl's hair when a slender arm caught his hand and yanked him away roughly. "Scram, you lot," Fei Cai shouted as Lo took out his 'malevolent' violet-colored gu worm for show, frightening the group of kids, including the little girl.
"Uh, uh, Lord Gu Master, I didn't do anything to Brother Sau! He just cares for me deeply!" The little girl instantly started bawling her eyes out when Fei Cai smiled and slowly touched the top of the girl's head. His hand patted her head comfortingly and rubbed until her sobs softened. In the meantime, Fei Cai remained silent and when the girl's large and wide eyes looked at Fei Cai innocently, a hint of fear still present in her gaze, Fei Cai smiled and stated softly.
"Don't be afraid, little girl. I believe you."
That's all the girl needed to hear before calming down slightly. Soon, she introduced herself slowly.
"Lord Gu Master, I am Fei Jun. Brother Sau told me that if any Lord Gu Master ever talks to me, I have to report it to him."
"Haha," Fei Cai laughed pleasantly, his voice clearer and warmer than earlier 'thugs'. "Tell your brother Sau that my name is Fei Cai. Anyway, can you point me to Fei Long's shop? It is supposed to be here."
"Ah!" Fei Jun exclaimed and blinked before pointing at a particular camp, "That's where he lives!"
Nodding, Fei Cai rubbed her head once again before leaving.
---
After buying a gu material from the shop and separating from Lo, Fei Cai began to walk towards the inner valley with deep thought.
'There are various types of planning. A person can plan and develop a tribe or cause a war. From my past experience as a shop owner, I understand selling techniques and how to make things grow but causing war, that I do not understand yet. The cause of war is a grudge or an unprecedented benefit. If I wish to sow more discord within Fei Sau and Fei Nai then I will have to involve their loved ones. Fei Nai value Fei Mang and Fei Sau value Fei Jun. This can be used. But... I still feel like I'm missing something. There is a benefit for me in the form that I may gain an opportunity to steal relic gu worms from Fei Sau and learn many things from my first conspiracy. But...'
As Fei Cai continued to mull, his gaze once again fell on Fei Yang and he was completely shocked. He realized that the feeling of incompletion didn't come from his plan with Fei Sau and Fei Nai. But from Fei Yang. 'The way to learn more about the wisdom path is to use and create chess pieces. I have been avoiding this Fei Yang out of personal consideration but did I ever truly think of her weak? No. It is because her cultivation is rank 3. But what is a gu master without gu worms? Ordinary human. Fei Yang, maybe, for the first time in her cultivation life, is as weak as she is currently, and instead of finding a use for her, I have been festering my weakness!'
Taking a deep breath, Fei Cai took his supplies from Fei Bo and made his way towards the refinement spot. He didn't instantly make contact with Fei Yang. The safest space to start was still their new gu home.
"Time to refine gu worms once again," Fei Cai regained his vigor and began to earn for the day.