Gu Han sat alone on the Cloud Bed of the Main Hall, savoring a piece of Snow Lotus Crisp as its sweet and cool flavor melted in her mouth.
She closed her eyes, and Empress Qingxuan's words regarding The Mid-State Pact echoed in her mind.
Borrowing longevity from the Heavenly Dao... Heaven-Defying fate alteration... Heavenly Dao backlash... each of these terms weighed heavily on her heart.
"System,"
Gu Han called out silently in her heart,
"Given my current cultivation and the Donghuang Bell, what are my chances of winning if I fight Emperor Longteng?"
[Based on the Host's current comprehensive combat power, if you engage in a direct confrontation with Emperor Longteng, the winning probability is: 35%.]
Gu Han's heart sank upon hearing the System's words.
35%?
This probability was much lower than she had expected.
She possessed two quasi-immortal artifacts, and the Chaos Scripture was a supreme method.
Although Emperor Longteng was an established Ascension to Immortality, she was also in the Late Stage of the Ascension to Immortality Realm; the gap shouldn't be so vast.
"System, why is there such a big difference?"
[Ding! Retrieving and analyzing data...]
[Core reason: Emperor Longteng is the 'Son of Destiny' of the Canglan Continent, possessing immense Luck.]
[In the Canglan Continent, his affinity with the Laws of heaven and earth is extremely high, allowing him to mobilize a portion of the world's Origin power to bolster himself.]
[His Lifebound Treasure, the dragon soul sword, has undergone a transformation due to the nourishment of his destiny's Luck, and its power is not inferior to the Donghuang Bell.]
[Although the Host is strong, facing him head-on in the Canglan Continent will result in your Magic Treasures and Cultivation Techniques being suppressed.]
[If the battle location is outside of the Canglan Continent, the Host's winning probability will increase to 55%.]
Gu Han's fingertips tightened slightly.
Son of Destiny... Origin power boost... being suppressed... less than forty percent chance of winning... and this was even with her owning two quasi-immortal artifacts and cultivating the Chaos Scripture.
The title of Son of Destiny was indeed not just for show.
"Then what if I look for a compromise?"
A light flashed in Gu Han's eyes.
"Since Longteng's ultimate goal is to extend Holy Master Yaoguang's life, are there any other methods?"
[Ding! The Host's line of thinking is excellent!]
[System is deducing a plan... Deducing...]
[Deduction complete! Relevant information found!]
[Based on the 'void node' previously mentioned by Empress Qingxuan and her experience traveling to the 'Xuanhuang Continent', the System has deduced a feasible plan.]
[Core idea: Emperor Longteng's goal is to extend Holy Master Yaoguang's life, which carries immense risk.]
[The Host could suggest using the 'void node' to send the two of them to the 'Xuanhuang Continent'.]
[In the Xuanhuang Continent, Holy Master Yaoguang might be able to find items to extend her life.]
[This plan can resolve the crisis, fulfill Emperor Longteng's wish, and avoid a direct conflict.]
Hearing the System's suggestion, Gu Han's eyes lit up.
This idea... was indeed a different approach!
Instead of a head-on confrontation or refusal, she would provide a seemingly more tempting "alternative."
Shifting the problem from "how to alter fate against the heavens in the Canglan Continent" to "how to safely travel to a more Advanced world to seek Opportunities."
For Emperor Longteng, as long as he could save Holy Master Yaoguang, going to a broader world might be even more attractive.
She would also avoid the risk of being dragged into the mess.
The difficulty lay in how to convince Longteng and Yaoguang of the plan's feasibility, and... whether Qingxuan was willing to share her greatest secret.
"System, in your judgment, how likely is it that Emperor Longteng will accept this plan?"
[Considering Emperor Longteng's obsession with Holy Master Yaoguang, the probability of acceptance is: 65%.]
Gu Han felt reassured.
With over a sixty percent chance, it was worth a try!
She immediately began to work out the details in her mind.
First, she needed to communicate well with Qingxuan to confirm the situation of the void node and whether she was willing to help.
Second, she needed sufficient reasons to make Emperor Longteng believe that going to another continent was more reliable than trying to alter fate in the Canglan Continent.
Finally, she had to consider the attitudes of the other Ascension to Immortalitys.
"It seems I need to have a good talk with Qingxuan first."
Gu Han looked toward the West Courtyard Guest House, her gaze becoming determined.
This time, it wasn't about romance or ambiguous testing.
It was serious business concerning the layout of this world and the fate of many Ascension to Immortalitys.
She calmed her mind, and with a slight stir of her Divine Sense, a gentle transmission flew toward the West Courtyard.
Not long after, Empress Qingxuan arrived at the Main Hall.
Seeing Gu Han's solemn expression, so unlike her usual self, the lazy smile in her eyes receded a bit.
"Little sister is looking for me again so soon; is it for the matter of the Mid-State?"
"Exactly."
Gu Han didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point:
"You mentioned before that you once traveled to the Xuanhuang Continent through a void node."
"Does that node still exist now?"
Empress Qingxuan's gaze narrowed slightly as she looked deeply at Gu Han.
"Why does little sister ask? Could it be..."
Her mind raced, and she instantly thought of something, a knowing curve appearing at the corner of her lips.
"Is little sister thinking of using that node to send Longteng and Yaoguang away?"
Gu Han nodded and admitted frankly:
"Instead of performing a Heaven-Defying act in this world and inviting unknown backlash, it's better to show them a more promising path."
"The Dao of the Xuanhuang Continent is complete, and its resources far exceed those of the Canglan Continent; perhaps there really is a glimmer of hope for Holy Master Yaoguang."
Empress Qingxuan fell silent for a moment, her fingertips lightly tapping the table as if weighing the options.
"That node does indeed still exist."
She spoke slowly, her voice less lazy and more solemn.
"It is located deep within a certain Boundary Sea."
"I only managed to pass through it back then due to a stroke of Luck and the fact that my cultivation had reached the Ascension to Immortality Realm."
"But that node is extremely unstable..."
"Furthermore, that node might not necessarily lead to the Xuanhuang Continent; it could also transport one to other continents."
She looked at Gu Han with a serious gaze.
"Little sister's idea is very bold. But there are two problems."
"First, would Longteng be willing to risk traveling through a void node with Yaoguang to an unknown world?"
"Second,"
She paused, her voice lowering:
"To completely stabilize that passage, the energy required is as vast as the sea, and it would need at least four Ascension to Immortalitys to continuously cast spells."
"This means we have to convince half of the people to open it."
Gu Han listened quietly, and after she finished, she said slowly:
"With Emperor Longteng's feelings for Holy Master Yaoguang, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, he will try."
"What we need is to make him believe that the glimmer of hope on another continent is greater and safer than in the Canglan Continent."
"As for opening the passage..."
A look of decisiveness flashed in Gu Han's eyes.
"When the time comes, I will go all out."
"If we can convince the others, combining the power of several Ascension to Immortalitys is not impossible."
"The key lies in how to make Longteng believe and... whether the others are willing to help."
Empress Qingxuan saw the unquestionable determination in Gu Han's eyes, and her heart stirred slightly.
"This little girl usually looks cold and easygoing, but once she makes up her mind, she has such boldness and responsibility."
To resolve a crisis that could sweep across the entire continent, she was willing to put herself at the center of the storm and propose such a risky plan.
"Since little sister has made a decision,"
Empress Qingxuan smiled gently, a hint of indulgence and support in her eyes.
"I will naturally support you."
"I can provide the specific coordinates of that node in detail."
"As for convincing Longteng and the others..."
Her eyes flickered with a hint of craftiness.
"Perhaps we can use a different approach."
"A different approach?"
Gu Han asked.
"Does little sister know what Longteng's ostensible reason for holding The Mid-State Pact is?"
Empress Qingxuan asked in return.
"To jointly explore the mysteries of the immortal path," Gu Han replied.
"Correct."
Empress Qingxuan nodded.
"Then we shall start with the 'mysteries of the immortal path'."
"When I was in the Xuanhuang Continent, I heard some ancient secrets about the'severed path of Ascension,' and the descriptions were quite similar to the situation in the Canglan Continent."
"At the gathering, we can throw out these secrets to guide everyone to think: Is the immortal path in the Canglan Continent severed because this world's Origin is deficient? Or because the Dao is incomplete?"
"Then, we can take the Opportunity to propose the view that 'the Dao is complete on other continents, and there may be a chance for the immortal path'."
"Finally, we reveal the existence of the void node."
She looked at Gu Han, her eyes sparkling with wisdom.
"To save Yaoguang, Longteng will inevitably be tempted."
"And for other Ascension to Immortalitys, if they still desire a higher Realm, they might also support it."
"By then, opening the passage will no longer be just Longteng's business, but a collective need for everyone."
"We only need to maintain control and ensure the passage is first used to send Longteng and Yaoguang away."
Gu Han finished listening, a look of approval in her eyes.
Qingxuan truly deserved her reputation as an existence who had lived for tens of thousands of years and ruled a domain.
This scheme not only achieved the goal but also cleverly tied personal demands to collective interests, reducing resistance.
"Good, let's do it that way."
Gu Han made the decision.
"We still need to carefully work out the specific details."
"Especially your experiences in the Xuanhuang Continent; they need to be shocking enough to make people think deeply."
"Don't worry, I brought back an Emperor Weapon from the Xuanhuang Continent."
Empress Qingxuan smiled confidently.
"It's enough to make those fellows unable to sit still."
The two discussed for a long time until the moon was high in the sky.
When Empress Qingxuan left the Main Hall, her face carried a long-absent look of anticipation.
Gu Han sat alone in the hall, repeatedly deducing the entire plan in her mind several times to ensure there were no major loopholes.
"Next, I just have to wait for The Mid-State Pact."
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