Earning money is both difficult and easy

After Chi Yan explained that the Wild Boar King was already wounded, his teammates eventually accepted the fact that Chi Yan managed to kill off this thousand beast king by himself. Though even if the Wild Boar King was already hurt, they still couldn't help but be amazed by Chi Yan's luck and strength.

With the help of Chi Shan's team, the Wild Boar King was quickly dissected and skinned, all of its materials collected. Because Chi Yan had directly penetrated the boar king's brain, killing it on the spot, its fur was in quite good condition and would also bring him nice profit.

Meanwhile any wild beast that approached them were all killed by the team, whereas the few crippled lightning wolf packs were also easily dealt with.

Following that, Chi Shan's team began to roam the area along with the other team, culling the small beast horde that began to gather around the village.

In the afternoon the number of crippled lightning wolf packs increased sharply in the entire area around the clan. At that time the clan mobilized the Rank 3 elders to deal with the situation and the situation momentarily stabilized/

Unfortunately with time the intensity of the small beast horde continued to intensify again.

Eventually more powerful wild beasts appeared, as well as more and more crippled lightning wolves.

That day Chi Shan's team fought until late night while taking breaks to replenish their primeval essence, and then continued fighting throughout the night.

The beast horde wasn't fully culled until the second day.

There were many casualties among the Gu Yue clan's Gu Masters after this beast tide. There were losses in the past small beast tides too, but they were definitely not as grave as this. 

But for a team like Chi Shan's group it was a great opportunity. They had the strength at the top of the Rank 2 Gu Master teams and with Chi Yan's contribution as the attacker, they made decent profits by hunting a few hundred beast kings and various rare wild beasts.

Unfortunately what the group earned couldn't compare to the easy gains Chi Yan had from the wounded Wild Boar King, it was pennies in comparison, but the amount still added to Chi Yan's savings while he also gained much experience.

In the following days many rumors about the strength of Chi Shan's group and mainly Chi Yan began to spread across the village. Apart from the matter with the lightning wolf pack crushing the mortal hamlet and Bai Bing Yi's group's attack, many Gu Masters saw Chi Yan's performance during the small beast horde while he was fighting along with Chi Shan's team.

Although Chi Yan didn't have any special achievements yet, he began to become slightly famous among the Rank 2 Gu Masters.

After the small beast tide ended, Chi Shan's group was on a break once again, this time for ten days.

During the small beast horde Chi Yan encountered Fang Zheng and Mo Bei with their groups - with Mo Yan and Qing Shu - but he hadn't seen Fang Yuan.

In the novel Fang Yuan would have already advanced to Rank 2 and used the Wild Boar King to wipe out the Sickly Snake's group, becoming a lone force.

But in this world the events naturally processed differently. Not only did Fang Yuan not join Sickly Snake's group and didn't encounter the Wild Boar King, but Chi Yan expected that Fang Yuan's cultivation progress was also significantly slower due to sparring with him so often.

Chi Yan didn't know what Fang Yuan was doing, but he believed that it should take Fang Yuan at least several more days to break through to Rank 2, maybe up to two weeks even, being slower than in the novel; only then would he apply for his parents' Inheritance asset-splitting mission, and later wish to refine White Jade Gu.

Chi Yan didn't worry about Fang Yuan for the time being, but only thought of how he could earn more primeval stones during these short two to three weeks before the next caravan.

He had already counted all of his gains and losses, and potential gains from the Gu worms and Gu Materials he planned to sell.

In the end, Chi Yan estimated that he would have around sixteen thousand primeval stones, maybe less.

This included all of the primeval stones he gained from his Academy subsidy, the cultivation assessments, the mid and year-end exams, his own previous savings and subsidy, the Elders' gifts, the loot from Wild Boar King, the loot from the two Bai clan Gu Masters and so on.

It also included all of the primeval stones Chi Yan himself spent on Fang Yuan's coaching and other personal expenses that Gu Yue Chi Lian didn't cover for him.

Sixteen thousand primeval stones. Chi Yan planned to make many purchases when the merchant caravan arrived, so he knew that it was far from enough.

He wanted to buy some Relic Gu, many fire type Gu worms, fire type Gu refinement materials and Gu food, many storage Gu worms, any interesting Rank 2 or maybe Rank 3 Gu, a soul extraction Gu etc.

Relic Gu were especially important for Chi Yan.

At this moment Chi Yan was still at Rank 2 middle stage and he felt that he might need at least a few weeks or around two months to reach Rank 2 upper stage.

Getting a Red relic could allow Chi Yan to skip at least three to four months of hard cultivation or even more if used later on, so he certainly wanted to get at least one. He judged that just a single Red Steel Relic Gu would be perfect - it would help him to reach Rank 3 much quicker without making it too suspicious.

Next Chi Yan also wanted to get at least one Silver Relic Gu.

Rank 3 Gu Masters normally require years to advance a single small stage in cultivation, so even if Chi Yan's progress would be twice or three times as fast at Rank 3 initial stage compared to ordinary Gu Masters thanks to his Extreme Aptitude, he doubted that in just a short year he would be able to reach all the way to Rank 3 peak stage from Rank 3 initial stage without the help of relic Gu.

In the end Chi Yan wanted to get at least one Silver Relic Gu and one Red Steel Relic Gu.

Unfortunately, just for these two Relic Gu he would need fifty eight thousand primeval stones.

On the third day after the beast horde began, Chi Yan went out of the village to search for a way to earn more primeval stones.

'I need much more money and I need it quickly. I need at least fifty or even better one hundred thousand primeval stones more. For now I can attempt this mission, maybe my luck would be good…' Chi Yan thought inwardly as he walked through the Gu Yue village by himself.

Once Chi Yan arrived at the village gate and waited for a while, a muscular large man came up to him.

"Chi Yan, you're already here, good. Well, let's go," saying so, Chi Shan started leading the way out of the village.

Chi Yan followed right behind and set out into the wilderness with Chi Shan.

Right now even though the team was on break, Chi Yan still inquired about being able to check out the clan missions in the Internal Affairs Hall to see if there was something that could offer him a nice profit.

Unfortunately, just like Chi Yan expected, the clan missions didn't offer any worthwhile rewards, especially those that he could safely complete by himself.

However, among the medium-difficulty missions he found one that was about collecting honey wine from a medium-sized beehive that was discovered during the small beast horde. The reward was not high, but the beehive had the potential of housing a Gu worm, so Chi Yan chose it, counting on his luck and also taking this chance to survive the surroundings.

Chi Yan could complete the honey wine collecting mission by himself, but Chi Shan was adamant that he would not allow him to go out on a team mission alone. Thus after accepting this mission, Chi Shan accompanied him without asking for compensation.

Thanks to Chi Shan's experience and Chi Yan's scouting Gu, the two of them quickly found the beehive that was the goal of their mission, and the honeywine was also quickly collected.

Unfortunately, there were no wild Gu worms in that beehive and no opportunities along the way.

Shortly after, Chi Yan and Chi Shan returned to the Gu Yue village in the afternoon and turned in five liangs of honey wine in the Internal Affairs Hall.

In the end Chi Yan got twenty primeval stones for this mission. An ordinary Rank 2 Gu Master would be overjoyed, but for him it was a waste of time.

"Chi Yan, I know that you're very excited about training hard and completing clan missions, but you also need to rest. The last few days were very tiring for our group. I would advise you to stay at home and rest," Chi Shan advised as he looked at Chi Yan with a doting expression.

The muscular man couldn't help but see himself in Chi Yan at this time. When he was young he also worked very hard and was willing to prove himself to the clan, also being thirsty for battles. Because of Chi Yan's strength and attitude, he thought really well of him, even beginning to view him as his little brother.

Chi Yan replied to Chi Shan, "I rested last night and now I'm fine. Right now I want to earn a lot of primeval stones before the next merchant caravan. Team leader, do you have any ideas how I could earn a lot of primeval stones quickly? Faster than the pennies I can earn from the clan missions."

Chi Shan frowned. "Apart from the small beast horde that just happened, I don't think there are any other good opportunities to earn primeval stones at this time. A safe method would be to go out and skin the corpses of the ordinary wild beasts that were left behind after the beast horde, but the efficiency is low. You should simply rest for now."

Chi Yan sighed. It was as Chi Shan said. He managed to loot the thousand beast king Wild Boar King and the two Bai clan's Gu Masters, but these kinds of opportunities don't happen often.

But what Chi Shan said gave Chi Yan an idea.

"I see… Well, I'm sorry for wasting your time today, team leader." Chi Chieng cupped his fists with pursed lips.

"That's fine. Don't go out on your own again, Chi Yan," Chi Shan said and soon left.

Chi Yan left the Internal Affairs Hall as well, thinking of ways to earn primeval stones, 'I need an amount of primeval stones that would be a fortune even for the clan elders in power, and I need it quickly. Regular methods will not work.'

Unless it was about selling Gu worms or property, it was too difficult to earn a significant amount of primeval stones in just two or three weeks.

The only alternative that Chi Yan could possibly think of was to kill and robb first, and then sell Gu worms. It was also a possibility.

Soon after Chi Shan left, Chi Yan walked toward the gates of the village again to scout the surroundings, ignoring Chi Shan's warning.

It was just an ordinary winter afternoon.

The winter was bleak along with biting wind. The sky seemed to be pervaded with deep grief.

"Chi Yan, today is the group memorial assembly. Gu Yue Jin Zhu is dead, did you know?" Mo Bei, along with a group of youths, approach Chi Yan on the way.

Although Mo Bei hated Chi Yan very much for the humiliation he caused him, especially during the year-end exam, today he seemed to be in a very solemn and forgiving mood.

Other than Mo Bei, there was also Fang Zheng and others, and Chi Yan's girls were also there.

"Chi Yan, Jin Zhu studied with us for a year, come with us," Fang Zheng said.

Chi Yan raised his eyebrows. To think that he would encounter this bunch along the way.

He had already talked with his girlfriend and knew that Gu Yue Jin Zhu also died during the small beast horde in this world, and he already presented his stance.

Gu Yue Jin Zhu was indeed a pretty and hard working girl. Back in the novel she was evenly matched with Mo Bei and only lost because of inferior cultivation resources. It was apparent that with some support she had the potential to be an elite Gu Master like Mo Yan.

Because of Jin Zhu's hard working attitude and pretty appearance, Chi Yan had even thoughts of flirting and hooking up with her. However, he ended up with Kong Lian and the duo, and he eventually forgot about her.

Chi Yan felt some pity, but what had her death had to do with him? He knew that almost everyone on this mountain was destined to die anyway.

"Ah, yes, I know she died. It's a shame, but whether I came to the assembly or not, would it bring her back? Only with strength can we make a difference. You guys go, I'm busy with training." Chi Yan let out a sigh and brushed past the group, only sending a short look to his girlfriends.

"This guy!" Many among the group were stunned.

"Chi Yan really is cold…"

"He's just like Fang Yuan."

"But he's also right," Shen Guang spoke up. "Chi Yan is cold, but he isn't a bad guy. Don't compare him to Fang Yuan."

Upon hearing the discussions in the distance, Chi Yan felt like laughing. He indeed could not compare to Fang Yuan and very likely never would.

But he wasn't entirely a good guy either.

As Chi Yan walked farther, the discussions behind him gradually couldn't be heard anymore. He thought, 'I have great killing potential and Shadow Follower Gu. With my Gu set it wouldn't be impossible for me to assault and assassinate various Gu Master groups as long as I had sufficient primeval essence. I can also safely retreat from most of them.'

'But for me to hunt close to Xiong or Bai village, it is still too risky. My cultivation is only at Rank 2 middle stage; perhaps if I was at upper stage or peak stage, I could attempt it. Thus the best way would be to assassinate the Gu Yue clan's Gu Masters when they have missions far from the village. At this moment many weak Gu Master teams are scavenging the corpses of the ordinary beasts left over from the small beast horde. All I need is to hunt them at the peripheries…'

'Eeeh, but then how would I manage to feed these Gu worms and keep them alive until the caravan comes to sell them secretly? Each Gu Yue clan Gu Master death would also be carefully investigated, and I lack sufficient methods to cover my traces and my strength is also slightly lacking. Furthermore, the clan also knows that I have the Shadow Follower Gu and everyone knows I use fire type Gu…'

Chi Yan scouted the surroundings where the small beast horde battle happened for some time, but in the end returned back home in the evening. The risk of killing his own clansmen was simply too big, it was too troublesome. It wasn't a suitable method for him at this time.

"Grandfather, our family owns Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu, right?" Chi Yan asked Gu Yue Chi Lian back in the Chi mansion.

"We do own one, why do you ask?" Chi Lian said.

"Ah, I was thinking of producing some Vitality Leaves for my teammates, selling them for a lower price," Chi Yan said, trying something

Gu Yue Chi Lian frowned. "You want to get Vitality Leaves for Chi Shan's group? Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu is one of our family's most important assets and we do own one, but the Vitality Leaves are all sold to the clan and are strictly controlled by the clan."

Chi Yan also frowned, thinking, 'From what I know there's an understanding between the various factions and the Medicine faction - the Chi faction produces Vitality Leaves, but they are all sold to the clan. Fang Yuan or Dong Tu possessing the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu and selling Vitality Leaves could be considered an exception, interfering in the clan's higher-ups' economics, hence it was not surprising that Gu Yue Yao Ji was so adamant about snatching Fang Yuan's Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu in the novel during the wolf tide.'

Chi Yan sighed inwardly, 'It's natural that Chi Lian wouldn't simply lend the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu to me to use freely, ahh. Well, I at least had to try.' 

Chi Yan sighed and said honestly, "The truth is that I wanted the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu, so that I can sell Vitality Leaves to various Gu Master teams for fifty primeval stones, five primeval stones cheaper than the clan's price. I just wanted to save up some of my own money before the next merchant caravan and also build some connections."

Gu Yue Chi Lian hummed noncommittally, seeming to be in thought. He thought for a long time, before finally saying, "It really wouldn't be good if someone from our Chi faction broke the tacit agreement and began to freely sell Vitality Leaves. Some of the clan Elders, especially Gu Yue Yao Ji, might have problems with it, but what you said intrigued me, grandson. If it was just for money, then it's one thing, but selling Vitality Leaves to various Gu Master teams is really an excellent way to build your connections and build up your reputation!"

Chi Lian's eyes shone as he nodded his head. He chuckled as he stroked his beard and then continued, "Since we plan to temporarily leave the clan in two years, what's the big deal with annoying Gu Yue Yao Ji by privately selling Vitality Leaves? Hahaha, the other Elders would even interpret it that it's mainly so you can build up your network! It would be a great chance for our Chi faction to acquire more primeval stones before the next caravan."

Chi Yan's words gave Chi Lian this idea. Breaking the understanding wouldn't be good… But they can use the excuse that it's for Chi Yan to build his personal influence, so it would be more acceptable. Regardless, they needed to gather as many resources as possible before the trip to the Central Continent, so it was a good chance to earn additional primeval stones!

So what if they had to slightly bend the rules?

Chi Lian continued, "I agree with your idea, I can lend you the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu. The best way would be for you to gradually sell some Vitality Leaves for the next two months before the next merchant caravan. Then our family would stock up on Vitality Leaves and have you personally sell them again once the wolf tide begins."

To Chi Yan's positive surprise, Chi Lian then called back the family's Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu from the Gu Masters who were in charge of producing Vitality Leaves, getting it to use it himself.

To not unnecessarily delay Chi Yan's training, Gu Yue Chi Lian began to use the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu himself. For Gu Yue Chi Lian, using the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu didn't consume much of his Rank 3 primeval essence.

Chi Lian produced eighteen Vitality Leaves each day and then handed most of them to Chi Yan.

Eighteen Vitality Leaves times fifty primeval stones translated to nine hundred primeval stones of potential profit each day!

The business potential of selling Vitality Leaves was great even to the point of being ridiculous, but Chi Yan understood that it couldn't really be counted this way.

Firstly there was a limit on the demand of the Vitality Leaves - the Gu Master only needed so many of them during normal times.

Most importantly, the Vitality Leaves are normally all sold to the clan from all factions in a balanced amount and the clan limits the number of Vitality Leaves sold for primeval stones, selling most of them to those with connections while forcing the ordinary Gu masters to use Merit Points to exchange for them during the wolf tide. It was the control of resources by those with power.

Someone trying to monopolize this business with his own Vitality Leaves would be an anomaly, risking the various higher-ups' protest. Probably even Gu Yue Dong Tu didn't dare to sell Vitality Leaves at a large scale, only selling a couple of them from time to time to not incur the clan's wrath.

Once someone's appetite gets too big, they would be suppressed by the higher-ups or have their Nine Leaf Vitality Grass Gu snatched - normal people wouldn't dare to sell their own Vitality Leaves en masse…

But once an opportunity appeared to buy Vitality Leaves cheaper than the clan's normal price, the clan's Gu Masters would naturally all want to stock up on these cheap Vitality Leaves!

There were a few thousand Gu Masters in the clan in total. Even if the demand for Vitality was limited, it was difficult for Chi Yan alone to satisfy the entire clan's demand in a short period of time.

And so, Chi Yan began to privately sell Vitality Leaves in high quantities, having received Gu Yue Chi Lian's blessing in that matter.

Just during the first week Chi Yan earned over five thousand primeval stones. It was surely better than any other ordinary money-making method!

First, Chi Yan sold ten Vitality Leaves to his own teammates, earning five hundred primeval stones.

Next he visited Gu Yue Qing Shu and also sold twelve Vitality Leaves to his team, which Qing Shu was very grateful for. That earned him another six hundred primeval stones.

Following that Chi Yan began to sell a lot of Vitality Leaves to various Chi family's elders, selling around twenty to each of them. He saw that the Elders were all positively surprised by this opportunity, likely wishing to pass these Vitality Leaves to their relatives or to use these Vitality Leaves for their own political gains.

In the end, the Vitality Leaves were controlled by the few elders in power, mainly Gu Yue Yao Ji, and not all elders had a lot of political influence to buy them freely.

Many Gu Masters wanted these cheap Vitality Leaves. At least until the time of the merchant caravan in around three weeks, Chi Yan didn't care about the higher-ups' opinions and was determined to keep selling his Vitality Leaves.

These days Chi Yan stayed at home, training and cultivating, while from time to time going out to visit various people with the Vitality Leaves deal.

When close to a week passed something unexpected happened - Fang Yuan visited Chi Yan himself. Fang Yuan's cultivation was already at Rank 2 and he wanted to borrow Chi Yan's Clearing Heat Gu.

It appeared that Dong Tu had pulled some strings to make things difficult for Fang Yuan and he couldn't complete the asset-splitting mission without the Clearing Heat Gu.