The stele in the stone pavilion bore an inscription: whether a descendant of the main clan was guided here by the Heavenly Spirit, or a mortal among the Sinners fought through all the trials and reached the summit of Successor Immortal Mountain, anyone who wished to inherit Hei Fan's true inheritance would need to pass one final test.
But the nature of this final test was not recorded on the stele — it merely instructed the newcomer to consult the Heavenly Spirit.
Though the Heavenly Spirit was simple and dim-witted, it faithfully remembered Hei Fan's instructions.
And so, Fang Yuan took the initiative to ask.
Before long, the gathered immortals heard a gentle tremor from the Yellow Bell Heavenly Spirit, followed by a resonant, lingering chime.
As the sound of the bell still hung in the air, new words gradually materialized on the stele beneath the existing text.
When the immortals saw them, they all cried out in astonishment.
"It says here that Hei Fan's Cave Heaven itself is one of the contents of the true inheritance! Whoever inherits the true inheritance becomes the master of Hei Fan's Cave Heaven!"
"But the final test for inheriting Hei Fan's true inheritance is actually this?"
"No wonder Patriarch Hei Fan set down this rule — once a successor to the true inheritance appears, we are all to respectfully welcome and bow before them!"
"The Patriarch was magnanimous and thoughtful. Though we are Sinners, he never forgot us. He still kept us, his descendants, in his heart."
The immortals buzzed with discussion, their admiration for Patriarch Hei Fan swelling. Some among them even felt their eyes grow red, on the verge of tears.
Fang Yuan studied the new line of text, but his brow furrowed and his expression darkened.
This content made it perfectly clear what the final test actually was.
"As long as I pass the final test, I'll obtain Hei Fan's true inheritance. But what kind of test is this? The final test requires me to gain the approval of more than half the Gu Immortals in Hei Fan's Cave Heaven?! And it stipulates that I must do so within three years of Cave Heaven time!"
Fang Yuan silently shook his head.
Patriarch Hei Fan's final test had caught him completely off guard.
It was clearly designed to favor the Gu Immortals already residing in Hei Fan's Cave Heaven.
As an outsider, winning the support of these people would be extraordinarily difficult.
But Fang Yuan quickly caught on, and he grasped Patriarch Hei Fan's true intent.
Patriarch Hei Fan had set this rule to encourage newcomers to bring the Cave Heaven's Gu Immortals under their banner. After all, Gu Immortals were extremely difficult to cultivate. Winning their allegiance would greatly benefit the strengthening of the Hei family.
So this test was not merely a measure of the successor's personal strength — it also evaluated whether they possessed the diplomatic skill and leadership talent to unite others.
Hei Fan, relying on his true inheritance, was selecting a leader for the Hei family, not just a powerful Gu Immortal.
"You old fox. You're already dead and yet you still think this far ahead. What a meddler!" Fang Yuan grumbled inwardly. Outwardly, however, he raised his head and let out a long, heartfelt sigh, declaring with deep emotion, "Patriarch Hei Fan devoted himself entirely to the Hei family. The depth of his concern moves this descendant beyond words!"
"Yes, indeed!" The immortals resonated strongly with Fang Yuan's words.
These Gu Immortals had been full of anxious uncertainty — after all, now that Fang Yuan had inherited Hei Fan's true inheritance, none of them, as descendants of the Sinners, knew what their fate would be.
But with Patriarch Hei Fan's arrangement, he had been thinking of them.
Fang Yuan gradually let the expression of moved gratitude fade. He turned around, stood before the stele, and faced the immortals of the Cave Heaven, asking directly, "Then may I ask how I might earn the support of those gathered here?"
Just as Fang Yuan had expected, his question was met with silence.
Things were different now.
Before, the immortals had been somewhat wary of Fang Yuan. But now that he needed the approval of more than half the Gu Immortals in the Cave Heaven, the balance of power had completely reversed.
The immortals exchanged glances, none of them speaking.
But the looks they cast toward Fang Yuan had changed.
Before, they had been cautious, projecting goodwill and concealing any hostility. Now their gazes were distant, guarded, filled with calculation.
Fang Yuan was in no hurry. He stood where he was, waiting leisurely for their response.
After another stretch of silence, Chen Chi — the most senior Gu Immortals among them — finally could not hold back. He gave a cough and said, "Today's events have unfolded far too quickly for anyone to take in. *Sigh* — perhaps it's my old age, but grappling with such a difficult matter leaves this old man's head spinning. I simply can't process it all at once. Surely the esteemed immortal has traveled a great distance to reach this place and must be exhausted? Why not rest first, gather your strength, and then we can discuss matters at leisure. There's no rush, after all."
"Cunning old fox," Fang Yuan sneered inwardly.
But Chen Chi's words won the enthusiastic support of the other immortals, their murmurs of agreement coming one after another.
The two factions that had previously stood clearly apart now merged almost entirely, united in presenting a front against Fang Yuan, the outsider.
But Fang Yuan had anticipated this reaction as well. His expression was displeased, but he nodded with apparent reluctance. "Elder Chen Chi's words have some merit."
Chen Chi revealed a victor's smile, though he quickly suppressed it. "Though my humble dwelling is but a poor place, I have at least some tea prepared. Perhaps the esteemed immortal would honor me with his presence? It would be this old man's privilege."
Chen Chi extended a warm invitation, yet gave no clear answer to what Fang Yuan had said before.
Fang Yuan forced a thin smile and nodded. "Then I shall impose upon you."
When Chen Chi said "humble dwelling," it was, of course, a self-deprecating understatement.
His residence was far from modest — it was splendid.
A cluster of palace buildings sat atop a mountain peak.
The mountain appeared to have been artificially raised; its summit was flat, covered with layers upon layers of palaces, their golden bricks and green tiles gleaming, their carved railings and painted beams ornate beyond measure.