Chapter 1652

Fang Yuan, posing as Chu Ying, a transformation path Gu Immortal, collects many transformation path materials when the immortals redistribute the island’s resources. Since transformation path projects all paths, he uses it as cover to take time path ones. Zeng Luo Zi asks why Chu Ying never used a time path transformation in the illusion. Fang Yuan answers that he is only greedy and would rather not compete with the group over materials that sell well in treasure yellow heaven. Miao Ming Shen splits the gains equally. ^{ch. 1652}

Half a day later they gather before the rank eight Immortal Gu House Merit Obelisk. Tong Hua reads from its information that Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable arranged the island’s resources so that Gu Immortals who decline missions still gain some reward. The island cannot be broken through by force and the obelisk cannot be unraveled, so Miao Ming Shen names two options: wait three hundred days, after which they will likely be sent out, or complete the missions. Though one voice warns that the obelisk’s acknowledgment is like a life tablet Gu, only stricter, and may be a trap, none of the eight gives up. They place their palms on the obelisk. ^{ch. 1652}

The obelisk lists their names, with Chu Ying written for Fang Yuan, and he sighs with relief. He had judged the house beyond his deduction and too risky to destroy. Made by Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable, it stood a high chance of exposing his true name and forcing him to kill everyone around. Thankfully that does not happen. He resolves not to attack the others before he understands the situation. ^{ch. 1652}

The obelisk lists only ten vague missions. The first is to exterminate the water monsters around sea eagle city, with no information on their level or the city’s location. Zeng Luo Zi says his information path methods are useless against the house, so any choice is luck, and takes the first mission, which looks best. Miao Ming Shen says he will go last, since the simple missions might not be as easy as they seem. Tong Hua takes the second and Tu Tou Tuo another hard one, leaving one seemingly hard mission and otherwise very ordinary ones. ^{ch. 1652}

Three rank sevens remain, Miao Ming Shen, Fang Yuan and Gui Qi Ye, and Miao Ming Shen tells Chu Ying to choose. Gui Qi Ye interrupts to claim the remaining hard mission, which he says he wanted from the start. Miao Ming Shen looks at him in shock and criticism. Fang Yuan lets him have it and takes the seventh mission, collecting Earth Trench black oil from the deep sea. Miao Ming Shen tries to stop him, but Fang Yuan insists, saying everyone came in thanks to Miao Ming Shen, and Miao Ming Shen helplessly accepts. Gui Qi Ye’s gaze turns kinder, since he took the mission for Miao Ming Shen. ^{ch. 1652}

A pillar of light carries each immortal away. Fang Yuan finds himself on an unknown island. Even a rank eight was moved with no effort, so he thinks the obelisk is the core of the whole grotto-heaven. He shares Miao Ming Shen’s guess about the missions and had yielded to probe him, not out of courtesy. Left behind with Miao Ming Shen, Gui Qi Ye begs forgiveness and is told he simply underestimated Chu Ying, the first to die in the illusion. Asked whether Chu Ying hides strength, Miao Ming Shen says he detected nothing and thinks it unlikely, but that they should unite. ^{ch. 1652}