Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable's will took a seat. With a wave of his hand, food and drinks appeared on the table. Being a will, he would not need to eat himself, but he had likely accomplished this either by communicating with this place's land spirit or through gu worms. Wills did not produce any essence of their own, lacking natural bodies, but they could be left with immortal essence from the user and gu worms.
Fang Yuan took a seat, glancing down at the tea that had been served before him. It looked more like a chocolate sundae than anything, with specks of green sprinkles that seemed to resemble small islands of grass.
"That is my Earth Mousee Tea," Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable said. "Feel free to drink Fang Yuan, I haven't poisoned anything."
"That's what someone who had poisoned them would say."
Paradise Earth chuckled. "You and I both know what my nature is Fang Yuan- I have no intention of harming you while you are here. As a matter of fact, if you were an Earth Parth Gu Immortal I had a different kind of tea that could give you some dao marks by drinking it. Alas, there is something else that we have in store for you."
Fang Yuan took a seat and a sip of the tea. It was without a doubt, delicious- Food Path methods had been used in its manufacture, and it had likely taken quite some time to make. He could say it was the best tea that he'd had in all of his life, but he was not here for the food. Even if the materials used to make this tea might be worth more than the entirety of Qing Mao mountain. "So, I take it that you are behind the system that has been communicating with me?" Fang Yuan asked, getting directly to the meat of the matter.
Paradise Earth shook his head. "To say that I am the originator of that system would be a grave exaggeration, Fang Yuan. Much as a house is built not just by the architect, but by teams of construction workers, plumbers, and the like- I played a large part in the system's creation, yes, but I can't take all of the credit."
"Then where did the system come from?"
"...you're not ready to know that yet..." Paradise Earth said after a pause.
"Not ready?"
"Don't worry, all will be clear eventually," Paradise Earth said. "But right now, your strength and abilities are not up to the point where you can make use of that knowledge even were I to give it to you. Instead, I'm here to help you with some things that will help you reach that realm."
Fang Yuan frowned. "Old man- don't think I'll be led around the nose like some donkey!"
"Calm your heart down, Fang Yuan," Paradise Earth said. "I have more than enough things to keep you interested for now. For one, I take it that despite what I have asked you to do- your inner nature has not changed whatsoever?"
Fang Yuan: ...
"Given that, it makes this next part a bit harder than it normally would be," Paradise Earth said. "However, it is still possible. I take it that you already know about the Ten Extreme Physiques very well- but what if I were to tell you that there was another physique, one that was only slightly inferior to them but without the drawbacks?"
Fang Yuan's interest was piqued. "And what is that?"
"It is called the Righteous Virtue Physique," Paradise Earth said. "Anyone can obtain it- so long as they use the Accumulate Virtue Gu and preform enough virtuous deeds. Though, this method doesn't seem to suit someone like you."
"Why not? I have done many virtuous acts."
"Out of simple desire to do good with no expectation of a reward in return?"
"..."
"That is what I thought," Paradise Earth said. "I had hoped that you could change- but can you truly wish to help people selflessly? Even if you can, I'm afraid we don't have the time for you to change so. There is, however, an alternative way to obtain the Righteous Virtue Physique."
Paradise Earth handed Fang Yuan an information type gu worm, and as Fang Yuan used it, the method of refining the Righteous Virtue Physique entered his mind.
It was a less successful method, but this success rate could be improved upon with the assistance of some gu worms and the help of one of the Ten Extreme Physiques. Is that why the system wanted him to marry Bai Ning Bing?
Disregarding that, it was still possible to obtain it without their help. The key ingredients were that the Gu Master in question had to be at Rank 5, and possess one of the gu that represented the seven virtues: Charity, Hope, Faith, Justice, Diligence, Prudence, and Moderation. Not only did they have to be Rank 5, but the Gu Master had to refine them by at least one stage themselves. Then, one hundred Human Path Dao Marks had to be used in the refinement as well.
Many of the ingredients were already there with Fang Yuan- as a matter of fact, he had a feeling that he had one of the seven gu required for the refinement.
"Once you obtain the Righteous Virtue Physique," Paradise Earth said, "then and only then do I want you to ascend to the rank of immortal as once you reach Rank 6 the same recipe will not work. It will greatly improve your prospects, Fang Yuan, once you become an immortal, I will open up the rest of this inheritance up for you."
"Is this really all that you're giving me?" Fang Yuan sneered. "Paradise Earth, don't you think you're being too stingy and poor? Does a mighty Venerable only leave these things for their inheritors?"
Paradise Earth smiled. "If you wish for more Fang Yuan, become Rank 6 and come back here. I will give this Blessed Land to you then, and on top of which, I will also give you partial ownership of one of my Paradise Grotto-Heavens."
"Partial ownership? You're not even handing me over the whole thing?"
"That paradise I made is a... how shall you say... a republic. One in which there is not the rule of simply the strong, but rule by the will of the people, after a fashion," Paradise Earth said. "Though, I can assure you that you will not be unsatisfied by what is handed to you. And who said this all that is being left to you? After you speak with me, you need to speak with Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable. He and I have cooperated for this task, and he too has some gifts for you."
Fang Yuan was less certain about this. While Paradise Earth had a reputation of not hurting anyone, not even the worst of demons, Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable was different. He was also a Venerable who had served as a member of the Heavenly Court- meaning that he would be at extreme odds with most of Fang Yuan's actions.
"You may relax, within this Blessed Land, no one can harm each other," Paradise Earth said. "It is one of my methods. Now, I think you've overstayed your allotted time with me, perhaps we can chat sometime later Fang Yuan over another cup of tea. For now, you need to see Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable, it would be rude of me to keep one of my colleagues waiting."
"Wait you haven't even answered-" Fang Yuan was about to protest, but Paradise Earth waved his hand and the scenery around Fang Yuan immediately shifted.