Chapter 1123

That night Chen Chi tells the others there is no rush. Chen Li Zhi worries that delay could push Hei Cheng toward Zheng Tuo instead. Chen Chi counters with his arithmetic: nine Gu Immortals besides Hei Cheng live here, and their four are nearly half of that total, so one more vote wins him the inheritance. Even if he turned to the other immortals he would find trouble there, since Zheng Tuo and those two are more ambitious. ^{ch. 1123}

Chen Wan Yun proposes refusing him outright: if the true inheritance stays on Immortal Succession Mountain, one of their descendants will one day climb up and obtain it rather than an outsider. Chen Le objects that Hei Cheng is from the main tribe, not an outsider. Chen Wan Yun retorts that the main tribe enjoys freedom outside while their branch has been trapped here for generations. Chen Le falls silent, stung. ^{ch. 1123}

Chen Chi rejects the idea: he considered it long ago. Ascending the mountain is extremely difficult for mortals, so a lucky heir could take decades or centuries to arrive. Hei tribe holds far more Gu Immortals who will keep coming regardless, and the four of them could never hold them off. ^{ch. 1123}

None of these immortals know of treasure yellow heaven. Fang Yuan lies freely, leading them all in circles. Chen Le adds that Hei Cheng described defeating those Hei tribe Gu Immortals as a tough fight, and that he remains injured from it even now. ^{ch. 1123}

Chen Chi judges Hei Cheng, already rank seven with the upper extreme heavenly eagle, to have great prospects, and reasons helping him now buys gratitude for their return. But he insists on reward: Hei Cheng must give up some benefit, or he will not value their help. Chen Chi sighs that his lifespan is almost up and he only wants his descendants to live better, and Chen Li Zhi takes the cue to press lifespan Gu as one condition. In front of the others Chen Chi waves off the lifespan Gu demand and says instead he wants Chen Le’s own wish fulfilled, joined to the man she loves. Chen Le protests, flushed, that he is teasing her again. ^{ch. 1123}

Fang Yuan, meanwhile, stands under the grotto-heaven’s night sky, where day is long and night short. These days he draws information from the unguarded Chen Le, sharpening his plan for the true inheritance. After two days he judges the time ripe, cold light flashing in his eyes. ^{ch. 1123}

At noon Fang Yuan calls on Chen Chi unannounced. The whole complex is one huge mortal Gu House, so Chen Chi has watched his every move and is unsurprised he has lost patience. Chen Chi, a rule path Gu Immortal, still plays the invalid. Fang Yuan offers a signature killer move of his tribe as thanks; the core stays with the tribe, but he knows it well enough for Chen Chi to use another core on his injuries. Chen Chi refuses it twice as too valuable, until Fang Yuan admits the final test troubles him greatly and asks his advice. ^{ch. 1123}

Chen Chi understands at once: Fang Yuan wants to trade benefits for support. He hints through idle talk, comparing the test to tending a fire that must be large at times and small at others, then waves it off as nonsense from a rule path cultivator too interested in refinement. Fang Yuan offers concrete terms: once he wins, he will free every criminal immortal and open the main tribe’s refinement texts to them. Chen Chi says his nephew Chen Li Zhi envies Fang Yuan’s upper extreme heavenly eagle, and Fang Yuan promises an iron crown eagle, famous in Northern Plains, to each of them instead. ^{ch. 1123}

Chen Chi recalls that Old Ancestor Hei Fan once suppressed Qiao tribe to seize their eagle-raising secret, and worries what welcome his branch will find on returning as criminals. Fang Yuan assures him their return only strengthens the tribe, and promises to pardon their old crime once he holds the inheritance, since guarding the grotto-heaven now outweighs it. He hints that whoever supports him first gains most on return. ^{ch. 1123}

Chen Chi presses further, saying Chen Le secretly loves him. He calls it a pity and says he can only hope she forgets the superior immortal. After a calculated pause, Fang Yuan claims he loves her too and is willing to marry her. Chen Chi ignores the odd hesitation, then overplays his grief, sighing that his lifespan is running out and he will not see the wedding. Fang Yuan understands this as a demand for lifespan Gu, and judges privately that Chen Chi is selling Chen Le for his own gain. Chen Chi reveals that the grotto-heaven itself produces lifespan Gu, likely held within the true inheritance, and first asks for three hundred years’ worth. Fang Yuan offers only one hundred in fury; Chen Chi counters at one hundred and fifty; Fang Yuan grudgingly agrees. ^{ch. 1123}

Chen Chi, smiling more deeply now, asks to see Fang Yuan’s Immortal Gu collection, really angling for one more as a final price before the four commit their support. Fang Yuan is stunned, then flies into a rage and paces with heavy steps, as though the floor itself were an enemy. He finally produces a rank seven sword path Immortal Gu, claiming it does not suit him. As Chen Chi asks its name, watching it change hands, Fang Yuan suddenly withdraws it and draws another Gu instead. The withdrawn sword path Gu activates at once. The sword path killer move Dark Assassination kills Chen Chi where he sits. ^{ch. 1123}