The month of May bridged the fresh days of spring with the warmth of summer.
Flower scents filled the air, the vast mountains stood evergreen, and sunlight began to grow bolder. Under a clear sky, clouds drifted like cotton, scattered against the blue.
On Qing Mao Mountain, the bamboo forest stretched straight like spears pointing to the heavens. Wild grass grew thick, and colorful flowers dotted the landscape. A soft breeze rustled the grasses, sending up the thick, earthy scent of pollen and greenery to greet any passersby.
Halfway up the mountain, terraced fields lay in layered steps. New wheat shoots painted them green like a soft, rolling sea. Farmers worked steadily, some clearing irrigation canals, others standing in the fields with trousers rolled up, planting sprouts.
These were, of course, outsiders, mortals who lived outside the clan, as Gu Yue clansmen considered such labor beneath them.
A distant jingling broke through the quiet — the sound of camel bells carried on the breeze.
Farmers paused, looking down the mountainside as a caravan crested the road like a colorful, winding worm.
"The merchant caravan's here!" someone called.
"It's already May, about time," another agreed.
Children dropped their play, running to greet the caravan with wide eyes.
Southern Border's landscape was rugged, with Qing Mao Mountain just one of countless peaks. Each mountain housed villages connected by kinship and family ties, yet isolated by the thick forests and rocky cliffs, home to dangerous animals and mysterious Gu worms. Only a Rank three Gu Master or stronger could safely cross these mountains alone.
In such a remote area, trade relied on large caravans. Merchants organized in groups with enough strength and resources to navigate these treacherous paths. Every year, a caravan like this one would brave the journey to Qing Mao Mountain, bringing essential goods and news from afar.
The arrival of the caravan brought a stir to the otherwise peaceful Qing Mao Mountain, like pouring boiling water into a calm bowl.
"Usually they're here by April, but it's already May," murmured the innkeeper, who relied on the caravan's arrival to turn a profit. He sighed in relief; now he could finally sell his green bamboo wine stockpiled over the year. The tavern would also see a boost in business.
The caravan made its way into Gu Yue Village, led by an enormous Treasure Brass Toad. The toad stood two and a half meters tall, its orange-yellow body dotted with warty lumps, like bronze nails on an old gate. Thick ropes secured bundles of goods across its broad back, giving it the look of a giant, hopping pack animal.
Atop the toad sat a round-faced, pockmarked man with a belly that shook with each bounce. His eyes crinkled into slits as he cupped his hands in greeting to the villagers. This was Jia Fu of the Jia clan, a Rank four Gu Master and the caravan leader.
The Treasure Brass Toad hopped, carrying Jia Fu at a level where he could peer into the second-story windows of the bamboo houses, towering over the crowd as it landed back on the road.
After the toad came a massive black worm with multi-colored, glass-like eyes. Fifteen meters long, it looked like a silkworm, except its body was clad in thick, black, porcelain-like armor. More goods were tied onto it, with Gu Masters, young and old, sitting in between the bundles. Around it walked strong, rugged mortals, including some carrying sturdy black beetles on their backs.
Brightly-feathered ostriches, hairy mountain spiders, and winged snakes with feathered wings followed in smaller numbers, but the toads dominated, each one slightly smaller than the Treasure Brass Toad and carrying supplies or people.
The villagers, especially children, watched with wide eyes and excited cheers. Windows opened on all sides as the mountain folk looked out, some curious, others shyly waving to the caravan.
"Brother Jia, you've had a hard journey to arrive so late," called out Gu Yue Bo, the clan head, who had come to greet Jia Fu himself. A man of Jia Fu's rank deserved respect, and sending a mere elder would have seemed dismissive.
Jia Fu bowed politely, sighing. "The road was unkind this year, Brother Gu Yue. We ran into a pack of Secluded Blood Bats and lost some good men. Then, on Jue Bi Mountain, a heavy fog slowed us down further. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
The two men exchanged formalities, each mindful of their shared interests — the village needed the caravan's trade, while the merchants depended on the village's business.
"Enough that you've arrived," Gu Yue Bo replied warmly. "We've prepared food and wine for you. Let us host a welcoming feast."
"Too kind, too kind," Jia Fu replied, bowing with genuine gratitude.
The caravan had arrived at dawn, and by dusk, the Gu Yue Village was alive with the colorful tents and stalls the merchants had set up. Red, blue, yellow, and green tents filled the village square, packed tightly with no space wasted. Street vendors crowded the spaces in between, selling every kind of good.
Nightfall did little to slow the crowd; villagers, Gu Masters, and mortals all moved about, the air filled with laughter and shouts. It felt like a festival.
Qin wandered through the crowd alone, though he barely cared to hide his thoughts. Chi Chen was busy cultivating, or rather, being cultivated by his grandfather, and Qin, naturally, had little concern about it.
People milled around the stalls, merchants calling out over the din.
"Top-notch Blue Sea Cloud tea bricks! Drinking this tea feels like soaring through clouds! Only five primeval stones per piece!"
"Brute Force Longhorn Beetle Gu! With it, you'll have the strength of a bull! Don't miss out!"
"Fresh Intimate Grass here! Quality as good as newly picked! Two primeval stones per catty — a real bargain!"
Qin's steps paused as he caught sight of the grass vendor, then drifted over, eyeing the herbs. On a cart pulled by a tall ostrich lay a mound of Intimate Grass, each blade a meter long, narrow as a fingernail, tipped with a tiny red heart-shaped bud. The grass was a favored food for Gu worms, as it paired well with other foods and helped supplement a worm's diet.
He thought of his Moonlight Gu, which typically required two flower petals per meal. With this grass, he could cut it to just one petal.
"Food path, huh?" he murmured, barely slowing as he slipped past the stall.
It had been two weeks since Fang Yuan's ruthless act of killing a Mo Family servant for disrespecting him. Qin knew that said mortal was simply following the orders of Mo Bei's older sister, but he paid it little mind.
Alas he'd been marking the days.
In public, he played the part of a bull-headed simpleton as always. With Chi Lian, his "master" he let a controlled madness simmer beneath his calm. It might have been disconcerting if he wasn't already proving to be a worthwhile investment.
In his mind, he could still see Chi Lian's flabbergasted expression as he showed him his rank 1 middle stage primeval essence.
With his recent breakthrough and an increased weekly allowance of 150 primeval stones, it was finally time to set his plans in motion.
Calculating inwardly, Qin scanned the stalls and headed deeper into the busy marketplace.
The Intimate Grass stalls were hives of activity, Gu Masters and students waving stones as they clamored to buy. Qin's gaze moved past them, toward the smaller stalls where lonely vendors stood watching the crowd with frowns of varying sizes.
He made his way over, donning his most cordial smile, as one would put on a finely tailored shirt.
"Excuse me, good sir, how much for a Longhorn Gu?" His voice was smooth, his expression kind.
The merchant's eyes met Qin's, a flicker of appraisal in his gaze. "For you? Two hundred primeval stones." He leaned forward, his voice lowering, as if sharing a secret. "Best price for a Gu with strength like this."
Qin's smile widened ever so slightly.