"Fang Yuan, hand over the Spring-Autumn Cicada obediently, and I'll give you a quick death!"

"Old Devil Fang, don't even think about resisting. Today, the righteous sects have united to crush your lair. We've already set up an inescapable net here. This time, you're doomed!"

"Fang Yuan, you damned demon, you killed millions to refine the Spring-Autumn Cicada. You've committed heinous crimes, unforgivable and beyond redemption!"

"Devil, three hundred years ago, you humiliated me, took away my innocence, slaughtered my entire family, and exterminated my clan. From that moment, I wished to eat your flesh and drink your blood! Today, I'll make you wish you were dead!"

***

Fang Yuan stood in a tattered green robe, his hair disheveled, his body drenched in blood, surveying his surroundings.

The mountain wind made his blood-stained robe flutter like a battle flag, rustling ominously.

Bright red blood gushed from hundreds of wounds on his body. Just standing there for a moment, a large pool of blood had already formed at his feet.

Surrounded by enemies, there was no way out.

The situation was clear; death was certain today.

Fang Yuan saw through the situation clearly, yet even with death looming, his expression remained unchanged, calm and indifferent.

His gaze was deep, like an ancient well, as unfathomable as ever.

The righteous heroes besieging him were either esteemed leaders of their sects or renowned young talents. They surrounded Fang Yuan tightly, some roaring, some sneering, some squinting with wary eyes, and some clutching their wounds, looking at him in fear.

They didn't make a move, all wary of Fang Yuan's desperate counterattack.

Thus, they stood in tense confrontation for three hours. As the sun set, the afterglow of the setting sun ignited the clouds at the mountain's edge, brilliant as fire.

Fang Yuan, who had been still as a statue, slowly turned around.

The crowd of heroes immediately stirred, taking a step back in unison.

By now, the gray-white mountain stones beneath Fang Yuan's feet had been stained dark red with blood. His face, pale from blood loss, was suddenly illuminated by the sunset, adding a touch of radiance.

Looking at the green mountains and setting sun, Fang Yuan chuckled softly, "Green mountains and setting sun, autumn moon and spring breeze. Truly, morning hair turns to snow by evening, success and failure vanish in a blink."

As he spoke, scenes from his past life on Earth suddenly surfaced before his eyes.

He was originally a student from China on Earth, who by chance crossed over to this world. After three hundred years of wandering, over two hundred years of dominance, five hundred years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Many memories buried deep in his heart came alive at this moment, vividly replaying before his eyes.

"In the end, I failed." Fang Yuan sighed inwardly, feeling a bit sentimental but without regret.

He had foreseen this outcome long ago. When he made his choice, he was mentally prepared.

The so-called demonic path is about not cultivating good karma, killing and setting fires. It's condemned by heaven and earth, opposed by the world, yet one must indulge and roam freely.

"If the newly refined Spring-Autumn Cicada works, I'll still choose to be a demon in the next life!" Thinking this, Fang Yuan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Old Devil, what are you laughing at?"

"Everyone be careful, the demon is about to make a final counterattack!"

"Quickly hand over the Spring-Autumn Cicada!!"

The crowd pressed forward, and at this moment, with a loud boom, Fang Yuan resolutely self-destructed.

***

The spring rain drizzled, silently nourishing Green Reed Mountain.

Night had fallen, a cool breeze blowing the fine rain.

Green Reed Mountain was not dark; from the mountain's peak to its foot, many faint lights twinkled, like a brilliant ribbon.

These lights came from numerous stilted towers, not quite ten thousand households, but numbering in the thousands.

It was the Gu Yue Village nestled on Green Reed Mountain, adding a rich human presence to the vast, quiet mountains.

At the center of Gu Yue Village stood a grand and magnificent building. At this moment, a sacrificial ceremony was being held, making it even more brightly lit and splendid.

"Ancestors, bless us. May many talented youths emerge in this Aperture Opening Ceremony, bringing new blood and hope to the family!" Clan Leader Gu Yue, middle-aged with graying temples, dressed in a solemn white sacrificial robe, knelt on the brown-yellow floor, his back straight, hands clasped, eyes closed in sincere prayer.

He faced a high, black-lacquered altar, which had three tiers, enshrining the ancestral tablets. On either side of the tablets were red copper incense burners, smoke curling up.

Behind him knelt over a dozen people, also in wide white sacrificial robes, all elders and decision-makers of the family, holding various powers.

After praying, Clan Leader Gu Yue first bent down, spreading his hands flat, palms tightly against the floor, kowtowing. His forehead touched the brown floor, making a soft thumping sound.

The elders behind him, each with a solemn expression, silently followed suit.

For a moment, the ancestral hall was filled with the soft sound of foreheads hitting the floor.

As the ceremony concluded, everyone slowly stood up from the floor and quietly exited the solemn ancestral hall.

In the corridor, the elders silently breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere relaxed.

Discussions gradually arose.

"Time flies so fast, in the blink of an eye, a year has passed."

"The last Aperture Opening Ceremony feels like it happened just yesterday, still vivid in my mind."

"Tomorrow is the annual Aperture Opening Ceremony. I wonder what kind of new blood will emerge in the family this year?"

"Sigh, I hope a youth with Grade A Aptitude appears. Our Gu Yue Clan hasn't seen such a genius in three years."

"Indeed, the Bai Village and Xiong Village have had geniuses emerge in recent years. Especially Bai Ningbing from the Bai family, his talent is truly terrifying."

When someone mentioned Bai Ningbing, a layer of worry appeared on the faces of the elders.

This youth's aptitude was extremely outstanding, reaching Rank Three Gu Master in just two years. Among the younger generation, he was unparalleled. Even the older generation felt the pressure from this rising star.

Given time, he would surely become a pillar of the Bai Village, at least a formidable force in his own right. No one doubted this.

"However, among the youths participating in this year's Aperture Opening Ceremony, there is hope."

"Indeed, a genius youth has emerged from the Fang lineage. He could speak at three months, walk at four months. By five, he could compose poetry, exceptionally intelligent and talented. Unfortunately, his parents died early, and he's now raised by his uncle and aunt-in-law."

"Yes, he is precocious and has great ambitions. In recent years, his works like 'Toasting Wine,' 'Ode to Plum,' and 'River City' have been heard of, truly a genius!"

Clan Leader Gu Yue was the last to exit the ancestral hall, slowly closing the door, hearing the elders' discussions in the corridor.

He immediately knew they were discussing a youth named Gu Yue Fang Yuan.

As the leader of the clan, he naturally paid attention to outstanding and prominent juniors. Gu Yue Fang Yuan was the most exceptional and dazzling among them.

Experience showed that those with extraordinary talents from a young age, like photographic memory or adult-like strength, often had excellent cultivation aptitude.

"If this youth tests as Grade A Aptitude and is well nurtured, he might even rival Bai Ningbing. Even if he has Grade B Aptitude, he will surely become a pillar of the Gu Yue Clan, a banner for the clan. However, given his precocity, the likelihood of Grade B is low; it's highly likely he's Grade A." With this thought, Clan Leader Gu Yue's lips curled into a slight smile.

Immediately, he coughed and said to the elders, "Everyone, it's late. Please rest well tonight to prepare for tomorrow's Aperture Opening Ceremony."

The elders were slightly taken aback by his words. Their glances at each other held a hint of caution.

The clan leader's words were subtle, but everyone understood the implication.

Every year, to vie for these talented juniors, the elders would argue fiercely, even coming to blows.

It's indeed time to rest and gather strength for tomorrow's competition.

Especially for Gu Yue Fang Yuan, with a high possibility of Grade A Aptitude. Moreover, with his parents deceased, he's one of the last of the Fang lineage. If he could be brought into their own lineage and nurtured well, it could ensure their branch's prosperity for a century!

"However, let me say this upfront. Compete fairly, no underhanded tactics that harm the clan's unity. Please remember this, elders!" The clan leader sternly advised.

"We wouldn't dare."

"Certainly, we'll remember."

"Then, we'll take our leave. Clan Leader, please stay."

The elders, full of thoughts, dispersed one by one.

Soon, the long corridor became quiet. The spring rain and slanting wind blew through the windows. The clan leader took a gentle step, walking to the window.

Immediately, his mouth was filled with the fresh, moist mountain air, refreshing and invigorating.

This was the third floor of the pavilion. The clan leader looked out, taking in most of Gu Yue Village at a glance.

At this late hour, most households in the village still had lights on, quite different from usual.

Tomorrow was the Aperture Opening Ceremony, concerning everyone's interests. An atmosphere of excitement and tension enveloped the clan members, naturally causing many to sleep restlessly.

"This is the hope for the clan's future." The clan leader sighed, his eyes reflecting the scattered lights.

***

At the same time, a pair of bright eyes quietly watched these flickering lights in the deep night, filled with complex emotions.

Explore the extended edition on pawread.com.

"Gu Yue Village, this is five hundred years ago? The Spring-Autumn Cicada really worked..." Fang Yuan's gaze was deep, standing by the window, letting the wind and rain hit him.

The Spring-Autumn Cicada's function is to reverse time. Ranked seventh among the Ten Legendary Gu, it was naturally extraordinary.

In simple terms, it meant rebirth.

"Using the Spring-Autumn Cicada, I've been reborn, returning to five hundred years ago!" Fang Yuan extended his hand, his gaze fixed on his young, somewhat pale palm, then slowly clenched it, feeling the reality with force.

The sound of the rain hitting the window frame was faint in his ears. He slowly closed his eyes, only opening them after a while, sighing, "Five hundred years of experience, it feels like a dream."

But he knew clearly, this was no dream.

[Proofreader's Note]

Gu Yue: It means Ancient Moon in direct translation. The clan kinda has an affinity with moon things. The 'Gu' used in here is a different chinese character from the mystical Gu insects.

---

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan

Proofreader: Howard Wong