How could my brother get the first place?

The sky was just starting to lighten in the east, with the sun yet to rise. The blackness of night was slowly fading, and the air still held the fragrance of the night. On the nearly empty streets, a set of brisk footsteps could be heard.

In the chilly dampness of the mountain morning, Gu Yue Fang Zheng felt no cold at all; his heart was filled with overwhelming excitement. His cheeks were flushed as he hurried towards the academy.

"I've been practicing diligently these past few days, spending two primeval stones, and didn't sleep at all last night. Finally, I successfully refined the Moonlight Gu. With my A-grade aptitude and my hard work, no one could be faster than me, no one! I promised my parents I wouldn't let them down."

Thinking about the joy and pride on his uncle and aunt's faces when he shared the good news with them earlier, Fang Zheng felt a deep sense of happiness and pride.

"Wait and see, those clansmen who once looked down on me, and my brother. From today onwards, you will all look at me, Gu Yue Fang Zheng, in a new light!"

The more Fang Zheng thought about it, the more excited he became. He clenched his fists tightly and walked even faster.

He arrived at the academy gate.

The two guards at the academy gate saw him and asked curiously, "Hmm, Gu Yue Fang Yuan, why are you back again?"

"What, my brother was just here?" Fang Zheng was surprised and puzzled by this.

"Never mind that!" He couldn't imagine that Fang Yuan had taken first place. Shaking his head, he proudly said, "Brothers, I am not Gu Yue Fang Yuan, I am Gu Yue Fang Zheng. I have successfully refined my life Gu and am here to claim the first place reward."

"You are Gu Yue Fang Zheng? You two brothers look so alike; no wonder the elder got it wrong." The guard on the left exclaimed, wide-eyed.

The guard on the right shook his head, "You're a step too late. Just last night, your brother Gu Yue Fang Yuan met with the elder and claimed the first place reward."

"My brother!" Fang Zheng's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, you said he got first place?"

How could this be? Isn't my brother only C-grade aptitude?

He got first place? This must be a joke!

"It's true. Why would we joke about such a thing?" The guard, seeing Fang Zheng's disbelief, was somewhat annoyed.

"This matter has already been confirmed by the elder. The list will be posted shortly. What, your brother didn't tell you?" The other guard added.

Fang Zheng stood dumbfounded at the gate.

The reality was so far from what he had expected that he couldn't understand what had happened.

Among his imagined rivals were a few strong contenders, the most threatening being Gu Yue Mo Bei and Gu Yue Chi Cheng.

These two were B-grade aptitudes, backed by the largest two family branches, each with a grandfather who was a powerful elder, giving them ample resources.

If one of these two had beaten him to first place, Fang Zheng would have been prepared for it. Though he would be disappointed, he could accept it.

But now, the one who took first place was not Gu Yue Mo Bei or Gu Yue Chi Cheng, nor any of his imagined rivals.

It was Gu Yue Fang Yuan, his brother!

The one with C-grade aptitude!

The one who had been disheartened and fallen into decay after the opening ceremony!

The one who slept through classes!

The one who drank heavily and stayed out all night!

The one who bullied Shen Cui, slapped him twice, and took all his primeval stones!

The one who had always overshadowed him, like a shadow lurking in his heart!

"How can this be? This is impossible!" Fang Zheng roared in his heart, "I've worked so hard, but he gets drunk every day, yet he takes first place. Where's the justice in that? Why? Why?!"

The sun rose in the east, birds chirped, and the vibrant spring embraced Qing Mao Mountain.

Gu Yue Fang Zheng stood in the warm sunlight, slowly lowering his head, clenching his teeth, staring at his lonely shadow on the ground.

The passion in his heart deflated like a punctured balloon, leaving almost nothing behind. Instead, he was filled with confusion, resentment, incomprehension, unwillingness, and fear.

Time passed, and the sun climbed higher in the sky.

A new list was posted on the academy's announcement board, bearing only two names: Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng.

As the list appeared, the news spread.

The young people who had been holed up at home refining their Gu were shocked when they heard the news.

"How can this be?!"

"I'd believe it if Fang Zheng was first, but Fang Yuan, isn't he C-grade aptitude?"

"This has to be a mistake! How could A-grade aptitude Fang Zheng lose to C-grade aptitude Fang Yuan? This is unbelievable!"

The Mo Family Branch.

The small courtyard was lush and green, filled with the fragrance of tea. One of the ruling elders of the Gu Yue clan, Gu Yue Mo Chen, sat at his desk, sipping tea leisurely while looking at the spring scenery outside the window. "Has Mo Bei not continued refining his Gu?"

The butler standing beside him quickly responded, "Since hearing about Fang Yuan this morning, Young Master Mo Bei seems to be deeply affected and has no mood to continue refining the Moonlight Gu. It's really a pity because Young Master Mo Bei was just a step away from success. If it had been Fang Zheng who took first place, it would have been understandable, but it was that C-grade Fang Yuan. So, it's no wonder Young Master Mo Bei lost interest."

"Hmph! Don't make excuses for him." Gu Yue Mo Chen snorted coldly, his expression stern and his tone like iron. "The path of a Gu Master is filled with hardships. What is this small setback? Fang Yuan is just a C-grade. The fact that he took first place must be due to luck. The Moonlight Gu he chose must have had a weak will, allowing him to get ahead. If Mo Bei cannot see through this and can't endure such a minor setback, how can he ever hope to lead our Mo family branch or compete with the Chi family branch? No one is to console him; let him think it through on his own!"

"Yes, master." The butler dared not argue.

Almost simultaneously, at the Chi Family Branch.

"Sigh, Gu Yue Fang Yuan..." Elder Gu Yue Chi Lian let out a long sigh, furrowing his brow in thought. He waved to his attendants, "Summon Young Master Chi Cheng."

In no time, Gu Yue Chi Cheng, wearing a look of dejection, entered the room and knelt down, "Grandson pays respect to grandfather."

"It seems you have already heard the news." Gu Yue Chi Lian gazed at his only grandson, speaking softly and slowly. "I called you here to prevent this from affecting you. Refining your life Gu depends on both aptitude and the Gu worm itself."

"Fang Yuan's aptitude is only C-grade, yet he took first place, which means the Gu worm he chose must have had a much weaker will than your Moonlight Gu. It was pure luck. So, do not be disheartened or discouraged. It means nothing. Although his aptitude is the same as yours, he does not have the resources you do, and his path to advancement will be much more difficult. Trust me, you will soon surpass him."

"So, let go of this trivial matter. Fang Yuan is not and never will be your true rival. Your real opponents are A-grade Fang Zheng and Mo Family's Mo Bei. Do you understand?"

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, grandfather. I understand. I will go back and continue refining my Gu!" The dejection on Gu Yue Chi Cheng's face disappeared, replaced by a renewed fighting spirit.

"Good." Elder Gu Yue Chi Lian nodded in satisfaction, a kindly smile spreading across his face. "Good grandson, although your true aptitude is also C-grade, rest assured that you have my full support. Soon, I will use the aura of a Rank Three Gu to suppress the will of your Moonlight Gu and help you refine it!"