The further Qin walked, the more lively and bustling the streets became. Small street vendors gradually disappeared, replaced by large tents that grew in both number and size.
These tents varied in color and shape — red, blue, green, yellow, cylindrical and rectangular. Some had two door pillars standing proudly at their entrances, while others hung large red lanterns that swayed in the evening breeze. Inside, some tents were brightly lit, while others remained dim and shadowy, adding a layer of mystery.
These were gambling dens.
Inside the tents, a row of counters ran along one side, and atop them lay pieces of amber or fossilized rocks. Some were small enough to fit in a hand, while others were as large as a person, set directly on the ground due to their size. Unlike the bustling noise outside, silence reigned here. Gu Masters of all kinds stood before the counters, some scrutinizing the rocks on display, others lifting stones to feel their weight and texture, and a few quietly discussing prices with shop clerks. Whatever they whispered about, each kept their voices low, respectful of the silence.
This was a rock gambling den.
In the Gu world, there were countless types of Gu worms, each with unique shapes, sizes, and abilities. Every Gu worm required specific food to survive, and without it, it would perish. But nature was both cruel and generous; it had granted these creatures one small chance at survival: self-sealing hibernation.
For instance, if a Moonlight Gu lacked the petals of a Moon Orchid to feed on, it might enter a deep, self-imposed slumber. Its blue glow would fade, and its transparent, crystalline body would solidify, eventually growing a crust of rock over time until it looked no different from an ordinary stone. But this transformation was rare — more often, a Gu worm simply starved to death. Only a select few would, under the right conditions, undergo this self-sealing process.
Occasionally, a lucky Gu Master would stumble upon one of these sealed rocks, awakening the Gu worm within and gaining a stroke of fortune. Stories of such finds circulated widely, inspiring awe and envy. For some, these discoveries had been life-changing, lifting them from obscurity. Rumors, both real and exaggerated, fueled the dreams of many.
It was from these tales that rock gambling had emerged. These stones all appeared the same on the outside; only by breaking them open could one discover whether a dormant Gu worm lay hidden within.
As if testing his luck, Qin wandered into one of these tents and let his eyes roam over the stones. He selected one with an outwardly interested expression, his fingers tracing its rough surface. He knew, of course, which stones held Gu worms — he could see the faint threads of fate woven more tightly around them.
With a quiet sigh, he handed over ten primeval stones to the clerk and watched with exaggerated anticipation as the rock was broken open… revealing nothing. With a disgruntled mutter, he "dejectedly" turned away, letting his disappointment show.
On the surface, he looked like a young fool who'd lost his luck, muttering about wasted stones, but inside, he was laughing. Pretending ignorance kept him under the radar; finding too many Gu worms would risk drawing the attention of Fang Yuan. This wouldn't have been much of a problem if said attention didn't carry with it the gazes of the Venerables plotting in the shadows.
Qin knew better than to court disaster for a moment's gain. A few rank 2 and 3 gu were mere specks of dust in his eyes, for now at least.
Without lingering, he slipped out of the tent, leaving the gambling behind as he made his way toward the Chi family compound. His face still wore the soured expression of a failed gambler, adding a convincing layer to his disguise.
In reality, his wealth was quietly growing; he had already amassed more than many Rank 2 Gu Masters, despite having spent hundreds of primeval stones to accelerate his cultivation.
The starry sky stretched above as he passed through the village square, its lights glowing warmly against the night. The compound was quiet by now, and he crossed it with ease, unnoticed by the other servants, who were far too busy to care about him.
Back in his modest room, he settled down on the floor in a lotus position, opening a small bag in his hands. Inside were two Longhorn Beetle Gu, bought for a fair price after a bit of negotiation — two Gu for 200 primeval stones.
Most Rank 1 Gu Masters wouldn't need two Longhorn Beetles, as the strength of two bulls could strain the human body without special reinforcement. Only by fortifying bones and tendons could one bear that kind of power, and Gu with such abilities were few and rare.
But Qin had...different plans.
He held the Longhorn Beetles in his hand, observing their gleaming black carapaces. Their bodies were compact, each about the size of his thumb, with a hard, segmented shell. Their legs tucked closely against their sides, as if poised to spring to life.
Then, without hesitation, he tossed both gu into his mouth and swallowed them in one bite!