The island was small, but it contained no shortage of cultivation resources.
This density and quantity of reserves were clearly the result of deliberate cultivation.
After the eight Gu Immortals, including Fang Yuan, had swept through and harvested the resources, they proceeded to divide them. Since Fang Yuan was playing the role of Chu Ying, a Transformation Path Gu Immortal, he obtained a considerable share of Transformation Path immortal materials.
But because Transformation Path mirrors all paths, these materials came in a vast variety, covering an enormous range. For instance, the soul cores of soul beasts were nominally Soul Path immortal materials, but if a Transformation Path Gu Immortal were to specifically transform into a soul beast, then the soul cores could also be considered resources for Transformation Path cultivation.
Using Transformation Path as cover, Fang Yuan specifically selected many Time Path immortal materials from among the haul.
Zeng Luozi spoke with a casual air: "Does Fellow Immortal Chu Ying have Time Path transformations? We didn't see you use any during the illusory realm outside."
Fang Yuan smiled: "I'm simply being opportunistic. Surely you all know of that devil Fang Yuan. These Time Path immortal materials can be exchanged for quite a few good things in the Treasure Yellow Heaven. After all, if I were to compete with all of you, it would only sour our relationships."
"Haha! Fellow Immortal Chu Ying has the right idea—how did I not think of that?" Tu Toutuo laughed heartily.
A sharp gleam flashed through Zeng Luozi's eyes, and he said nothing more.
After the fright of the illusory realm, the Gu Immortals' spirits had considerably lifted, for these harvests were indeed quite generous.
In particular, Miao Mingshen had not shown favoritism and had divided everything equally, making the atmosphere within the group quite harmonious.
Half a day later, the immortals gathered once again before the Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu House, the Merit Obelisk.
"According to the records on the Merit Obelisk, these resources were all arranged by Immortal Venerable Le Tu back in the day, specifically so that Gu Immortals unwilling to accept the tasks would not have come in vain. Immortal Venerable Le Tu truly has a generous heart!" Tong Hua sighed with emotion.
Gui Qiye pondered: "Now that all of us have made our moves and probed one by one, this small island truly cannot be broken through by force."
"And this Merit Obelisk is also something we cannot decipher," Feng Jiang added.
The group fell into silence.
How could Immortal Venerable Le Tu's arrangements be so easily broken? All of these Gu Immortals, apart from Fang Yuan, were only at the Seventh Transformation. Although some among them were elite powerhouses within that realm, when facing the methods of an Immortal Venerable, it was still far from enough.
"I wonder if Fellow Immortal Miao Mingshen has any penetrating insights?" Tong Hua asked.
Miao Mingshen shook his head slightly: "I know nothing more about Le Tu's True Inheritance than any of you. In my view, since we cannot forcibly break through Immortal Venerable Le Tu's arrangements, there are clearly only two paths before us. The first is to refuse the obelisk's tasks and remain on this small island for the full three hundred days—once the time is up, we should be teleported out. The second is to follow the instructions on the stele."
The immortals exchanged glances.
Without question, the resources on the island had already been completely divided. Who wanted to sit here foolishly for three hundred days?
Every one of them had tasted the benefits and had grown even more interested in Le Tu's True Inheritance.
In their minds, the cultivation resources on the island were merely an appetizer before the main course, which only further demonstrated the value of Le Tu's True Inheritance.
"But to accept the tasks, one must gain the Merit Obelisk's acknowledgment. This process is somewhat similar to the Life Plaque Gu or Soul Lantern Gu used by the great families, though with far more powerful constraints. If this is a trap..."
"Things in this world always come with both profit and risk. Did we not come here to explore Le Tu's True Inheritance precisely to take risks? I have already decided to accept the task."
"Since this was arranged by Immortal Venerable Le Tu, it should be safe. The True Inheritance is right before our eyes—if we hesitate now, we may well regret it in the future."
...
After a round of discussion, not a single one of the eight Gu Immortals present backed down.
Following what the stele described, the eight immortals took turns stepping forward, pressing their palms flat against the Merit Obelisk.
A flash of brilliant light, and the names of the eight immortals were revealed by entirely new inscriptions on the stele, forming a ranked list on the previously blank section.
Fang Yuan's name was prominently among them, though it displayed the characters "Chu Ying."
This made Fang Yuan secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
He had probed this Merit Obelisk and discovered that it was primarily based on Earth Path and Sound Path—something he could not decipher. Of course, were he to forcibly destroy it, it would likely be possible given his combat strength. But doing so would carry far too great a risk. It was better to continue the disguise and explore together with these people.
The world of Gu Immortals contained endless methods. This Merit Obelisk was an Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu House and a work of Immortal Venerable Le Tu—there was every possibility it could reveal the true names of Gu Immortals. Fortunately, it did not possess that capability; otherwise, with Fang Yuan's identity exposed, he would likely have been forced to slaughter those around him.
After all, his identity was far too sensitive. There was no guarantee these people didn't have some strange means, and even without them posing a direct threat, drawing the attention of Heavenly Court would be extremely undesirable.
"Until I understand the situation better, I should not act against these people lightly. After all, this is Le Tu's True Inheritance, and its principle is to show mercy where mercy can be shown—it is about benevolence and tolerance. If I kill indiscriminately, some unpleasant situation may arise."
With all eight immortals now listed on the Merit Obelisk, they began to study the tasks.
The tasks inscribed on the stele numbered only ten.
Each one was stated concisely, requiring the Gu Immortals to deliberate and interpret its meaning.
For instance, the first task—eliminate the sea monsters surrounding Sea Eagle City.
Sea monsters were similar to soul beasts in that they were Dao Beasts, taking on all manner of bizarre forms. After death, the vast majority of their bodies would dissipate, leaving behind only water cores and soul cores. These were immortal materials, rich in Water Path and Soul Path Dao Marks.
What level of sea monsters they were—whether ordinary beasts or ancient beasts—was not specified.
Sea Eagle City? Which Sea Eagle City, and where? Also not indicated.
Eliminating sea monsters could at least be interpreted to some degree, but the remaining tasks were quite peculiar.