During a brief break between lessons, Liu Chen took advantage of the crowded classroom. Moving like a phantom, he skillfully "swiped" the Red Iron treasure boxes from the bodies of Gu Yue Mo Yan and Gu Yue Chi Shan. He didn't stop there; even the Silver treasure box floating beside Gu Yue Qing Shu was effortlessly claimed by his hand. Having finished his work, Liu Chen returned to his seat with a satisfied heart, waiting calmly for the next lecture to begin.
When the day's lessons finally ended, Liu Chen did not return to the dormitory with the others. Instead, he began to wander aimlessly through the Gu Yue Village. He knew that with his unique ability, he could find "Special Treasure Boxes" hidden in various corners rewards that could offer significant gains for his future.
That afternoon, he scoured every alley and building in the Village, eventually discovering five more Bronze treasure boxes. This discovery reinforced his confidence. He had already looted the boxes from the elders and the Clan Leader; now, he was systematically stripping the village of its hidden "luck."
As he walked, his gaze occasionally drifted toward the other youths, particularly Gu Yue Fang Zheng and his brother Gu Yue Fang Yuan. He was surprised to find that not even a humble Wooden treasure box appeared on either of them. Liu Chen could only conclude that the "plot" had not yet officially been triggered, or perhaps the boxes would only manifest once the brothers became true Gu Masters.
This realization became a point of deep expectation for him. The value of a treasure box appearing on the legendary Fang Yuan would undoubtedly be extraordinary, far surpassing anything he had seen so far. For now, he could only wait patiently for the right moment.
Furthermore, now that he possessed the Nameless Sword Path True Inheritance, Liu Chen was no longer desperately eager for every random reward. His current cultivation level was simply too low; even if he obtained powerful Gu worms, he would be unable to use them effectively, and they might even bring him a fatal disaster. It was better to focus on raising his own cultivation level first.
Having visited every corner of the village, Liu Chen made a sudden decision. Without hesitation, he decided to leave the Village and explore Qing Mao Mountain. He wasn't looking for more boxes this time, but rather attempting to locate the Flower Wine Monk's inheritance ground.
Liu Chen knew that the inheritance was hidden near the boundary of the clan's territory, behind a specific waterfall. Among its treasures was the Liquor Worm, a rare Gu that could refine primeval essence and effectively double a Gu Master's cultivation speed. If he could find it early, he would fundamentally disrupt Fang Yuan's original path and secure a massive advantage for himself.
However, Qing Mao Mountain was vast and treacherous. The information he remembered about the inheritance was frustratingly vague: it was located somewhere near the boundary of the Gu Yue clan's territory, hidden behind a specific waterfall.
Liu Chen spent the entire day searching the rugged cliffs and dense forests, but as the sun began to dip below the horizon, he had found no trace of the hidden cave. With a sigh of frustration, he realized that finding a needle in a haystack would require more than just luck. For now, he had no choice but to return to the academy dormitory, planning to search a different direction the following day.
Back in the safety of his dormitory, Liu Chen turned his attention to his mental inventory. He took a deep breath and reached out to open the first of the five Bronze treasure boxes.
As the lid creaked open, a faint light flickered.
"Reward obtained: [Grass Puppet Gu]. A Rank 1 Wood Path Gu worm. It can manifest a grass puppet to assist the master. Its food is ordinary green grass."
Liu Chen examined the tiny insect. While a Rank 1 Gu was common, he knew its utility. However, he also realized that if every box yielded a Gu, the resources needed to feed them would soon become a burden.
He opened the second Bronze box. A soft white glow revealed a single Moon Orchid. He found a small pot and planted it, knowing it would be a useful material for future refinements.
Continuing his streak, he opened the remaining boxes in quick succession.
"Reward obtained: Randomly obtained 1-99 Primeval Stones."
Liu Chen added the stones to his growing hoard. For a Gu Master, these were the most practical resources, essential for both cultivation and survival.
"Reward obtained:. A specialized liquor of the Gu Yue clan, possessing a refreshing bamboo aroma."
He held the bottle, a plan forming in his mind. This liquor wasn't just for drinking; it could likely serve as a lure to help him find the Liquor Worm during his search for the inheritance.
Finally, from the last box, he obtained a jar of Tiger-Striped Honey.
Five Bronze boxes opened. One Rank 1 Gu, one rare plant, a handful of stones, a bottle of liquor, and a jar of honey. It was a solid haul that left Liu Chen feeling much more prepared for the challenges of Qing Mao Mountain.