Chapter 1864

The seventh layer feels even more huge to Not Immortal and Secret Schemer, who must think over every step while enduring the conflict of countless dao marks. Fang Yuan moves like an ordinary Gu Immortal and sympathizes, since without the sovereign immortal body he would also have to pick a dao mark path that narrows as he goes. His chosen path is cut by dao marks of other paths, so he pretends to struggle through that section before regaining a relaxed face. The acting costs him more energy than the dao marks do. The two eccentrics, left far behind, judge that his strength is still above their estimate. ^{ch. 1864}

Not Immortal spits blood and Secret Schemer’s face turns yellowish purple, and they stop at their limits while Fang Yuan keeps moving ahead. They sigh that Fang Yuan is truly a monster. Not Immortal asks whether Fang Yuan can reach the eighth layer, and Secret Schemer denies it, then calls the chance low. Secret Schemer reckons at least tens of thousands of steps remain, and they have not covered even ten percent. He even feels only a venerable could leave the seventh layer. They agree to tell Fang Yuan, once they return, of clues that several venerables came here, which might spur him to stay and break through with them. ^{ch. 1864}

Fang Yuan pauses where he once saw Secret Schemer and finds the dao marks completely different from the metal path and earth path marks he remembers, since seventh layer dao marks transform. He then crosses Secret Schemer’s furthest record, and Secret Schemer, head of the three and their furthest explorer, feels loss, envy and anger at himself. Not Immortal, worst performer of the three, is about to comfort him when the demonic sounds start. The sounds’ timing is messed up and can no longer be grasped, so the two panic and retreat, Secret Schemer shouting for Fang Yuan to follow. Fang Yuan judges they are not trying to harm him. ^{ch. 1864}

Retreating without choosing paths, they spew blood. Once the sounds truly resonate, a tsunami of dao marks will break immortal killer moves, and even Duke Long, if present, could not escape death. The seventh layer becomes a forbidden land that only a venerable might contend with. Not Immortal collapses unconscious, and Secret Schemer carries him out to the sixth layer. ^{ch. 1864}

Looking back before leaving the seventh layer, Secret Schemer is stunned to see Fang Yuan has gone deeper instead. Fang Yuan says it was too late for him to retreat, that a life saving secret technique gives him a slim chance, and that he hopes they meet again. Secret Schemer wants to call him dead meat but cannot speak it. He says they will definitely meet again, encouraging Fang Yuan to persevere while foretelling that he himself will be trapped sooner or later and they will meet in death. ^{ch. 1864}

Fang Yuan judges Secret Schemer friendly and loyal, for in the previous life Secret Schemer left the cave to protect Not Immortal and Pang Shan when they were pulled into the five regions’ chaotic war. Though only rank seven, Secret Schemer became a huge problem for Central Continent and Heavenly Court through his deep wisdom path attainment. The three share no blood, yet their friendship is extremely deep, surpassing that of many righteous path Gu Immortals. Fang Yuan’s sovereign immortal body has non-conflicting dao marks, so no tsunami affects him. With the two eccentrics gone, he is more relaxed and walks forward with ease. He judges the dao mark waves the most extraordinary scene in the world, beyond any in his memories, and thinks he will definitely record it in any inheritance he leaves. ^{ch. 1864}