Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Within the Jade Pool Immortal Palace, a scene full of vitality unfolded.
The opening of the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda had completely ignited the Disciples' passion for cultivation.
The terrifying time dilation of twenty to thirty times within the pagoda allowed many Disciples' cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds.
After ten days of secluded meditation on the third floor, Liu Ruyan successfully broke through to the Late Golden Core Stage.
Gu Luoli's Dual Pupils cultivation also improved steadily, vaguely touching the threshold of the Nascent Soul Stage.
Ye Ling'er sat in meditation on the second floor for half a month, relying on her enlightenment of the Dao Heart within the illusion and the mysteries of the Supreme Yin Manual.
She finally broke through the Bottleneck in one go, condensed the Supreme Yin Golden Core, and officially entered the Golden Core Stage!
Ah Yao's cultivation speed was equally impressive.
The mysteries of the Primordial Immortal Scripture, combined with the assistance of the lotus pedestal and her own terrifying speed of absorbing Spiritual Qi...
Under this twenty-fold time dilation, her cultivation had firmly reached the threshold of condensing a Golden Core.
She only awaited an opportunity to fully step into the Golden Core Stage.
Other Disciples like Li Zhiwei, Murong Xue, and Xiao Ya also made significant progress in their cultivation.
The entire Jade Pool Immortal Palace presented a scene of flourishing prosperity and youthful vigor.
Inside the Main Hall.
Gu Han's aura became increasingly harmonious and restrained.
Over the past half month, she had spent most of her time organizing herself and deducing her plans.
After that deep conversation with Qingxuan, she already had a clear plan regarding The Mid-State Pact.
"It's about time."
With a slight thought, she sent a voice transmission flying toward Yunwu Peak and Xueyue Peak.
A moment later, the figures of Yun Yun and Li Hanyi appeared within the Main Hall.
"Palace Master."
The two bowed in greeting.
Gu Han nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the two:
"I shall depart for the Mid-State to fulfill the appointment with the Long Teng Emperor."
"All matters of the Immortal Palace shall be left to the two of you to handle with full authority."
"The Myriad Phenomena Pagoda is operating stably, and the Disciples' cultivation has entered the right track; you only need to follow the established procedures."
"The Lingxu Grotto-Heaven will be opened periodically as a supplement for training."
"As for other things..."
She paused, and with a flick of her finger, a specially made message Jade Slip floated before Yun Yun:
"If there are any important matters, you can send a message to me through this Jade Slip."
Yun Yun took it solemnly, exchanged a glance with Li Hanyi, and they responded in unison:
"Rest assured, Palace Master. We will guard the Immortal Palace well and await your triumphant return!"
Gu Han gave a few more detailed instructions before letting the two withdraw.
Silence returned to the hall.
Gu Han stood up, walked to the window, and looked toward the West Courtyard and the East Courtyard.
For the trip to the Mid-State, both Qingxuan and Ling Shuang would be going.
Over the past half month, Qingxuan had visited several more times to refine the details of the plan with her, ensuring nothing would go wrong.
Ling Shuang had become much more silent, but every time they met, the determination and concern in her eyes became clearer.
"It's time to move."
Gu Han murmured to herself, turning toward the hall doors.
She first went to the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda and communicated with the pagoda spirit, "Xiao Wan."
Then she went to Danxia Peak to check on Yun Miaoyi, who was performing Alchemy.
Finally, she came to the side of the Yaochi.
On the island in the center of the lake, the Enlightenment Tea Tree swayed gently in the breeze, emitting a hazy dao rhyme.
Ah Yao was sitting under the tree, holding a thick book, her little face serious as she muttered to herself.
Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli were softly discussing something nearby, while Ye Ling'er was closing her eyes to adjust her breathing not far away.
Sensing Gu Han's aura, the four of them turned to look at the same time.
"Master Mama!"
Ah Yao was the first to jump up, pouncing over like a cheerful little bird.
Gu Han caught her and rubbed her little head:
"Ah Yao, what are you reading?"
"It's the Encyclopedia of Formations given by Elder Die Wu!"
Ah Yao held up the book like a treasure, her large eyes sparkling.
"Ah Yao thinks Formations are so interesting! In the future, I want to be like Elder Die Wu and set up many, many powerful Formations."
Gu Han's eyes were filled with tenderness:
"Good, our Ah Yao has great ambitions."
She looked up at Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, and Ye Ling'er as they approached.
The cultivation of the three was clearly much stronger than it had been half a month ago.
"Master."
Liu Ruyan spoke gently, her eyes filled with reluctance and concern.
"Are you... leaving?"
Gu Han nodded slightly:
"Yes, that's right!"
Her gaze swept over the four Disciples, her tone gentle:
"While your teacher is away, you must Cultivate diligently and not slack off."
"The Immortal Palace has the Vice Palace Master and the Grand Elder presiding. If you encounter difficulties in your cultivation, you can consult them."
"Yes, Master!"
The four responded in unison.
Ye Ling'er took a step forward and looked at Gu Han, her voice soft but incredibly firm:
"Master... you must come back soon."
Seeing the undisguised worry and attachment in her eyes, Gu Han felt a warmth in her heart and reached out to gently pat her shoulder:
"I will."
"Sister Gu, is everything settled?"
Empress Qingxuan's lazy, smiling voice sounded behind her.
Gu Han turned around to see that Qingxuan had changed into a purple martial outfit suitable for travel today, her black hair tied high, appearing less lazy and luxurious and more valiant and agile.
Beside her, Empress Ling Shuang was also in a blue martial outfit, her expression cold, but her gaze remained fixed on Gu Han.
"It seems you are both ready."
The corners of Gu Han's lips curled up slightly.
"Naturally."
Qingxuan chuckled, walked to Gu Han's side, and naturally took her arm.
"The journey to the Mid-State is long; traveling with Sister Gu will allow us to look out for each other."
Seeing this, Ling Shuang's brow furrowed imperceptibly, and she silently walked to Gu Han's other side.
The three spoke no more and passed through the mountain-protecting Formation of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace together.
Outside, preparations had long been made.
Empress Qingxuan's xuan huang chariot and Empress Ling Shuang's ice jiao carriage floated side by side in the air.
Nine xuan birds and Ice-Winged Flood Dragons waited quietly, with twenty Azure Dragon Guard and ten Female Generals standing solemnly on either side.
"Let's go."
Gu Han looked back at the mist-shrouded Immortal Palace, and with a movement, she appeared before the xuan huang chariot.
Qingxuan and Ling Shuang followed closely behind.
The three boarded the xuan huang chariot together.
This was Qingxuan's suggestion, under the pretext of "it's easier to discuss details on the way."
The interior of the chariot was spacious and elegantly decorated.
Gu Han found a soft couch to sit on; Qingxuan naturally sat by her side, while Ling Shuang sat opposite, her gaze constantly drifting toward Gu Han.
"Depart."
Empress Qingxuan spoke indifferently.
The nine xuan birds cried out in unison, their wings unfurling as they pulled the luxurious chariot, galloping toward the Mid-Region.
The chariot moved at extreme speed, yet it was exceptionally stable.
Outside the window, the sea of clouds churned, and mountains and rivers receded.
Inside the chariot, Qingxuan took out a Jade Slip, and with a flash of light from her fingertip, she displayed detailed intelligence on the Long Teng Imperial Dynasty of the Mid-State, as well as the recent movements of several Ascension to Immortalitys, for Gu Han to see.
"The Long Teng Imperial Dynasty is located at the core of the Mid-State, governing a territory of hundreds of millions of miles; the Spiritual Qi within is the densest in the Five Regions."
Qingxuan's voice was lazy but organized:
"The Long Teng Emperor himself resides in the 'Dragon Soaring Hall,' while Holy Master Yaoguang lives in seclusion in a 'Secret Realm' deep within the dynasty."
"The location for this gathering is set at the 'Dao Seeking Platform' in front of the Dragon Soaring Hall."
"At that time, besides the three of us, Long Teng, Yaoguang, Old Man Tian Ji, Buddha Lord Wufa, Demon Lord Wu Tian, Venerable White Cloud, and the Desolate God will all be present."
She paused and looked at Gu Han:
"Sister's plan hinges on 'tossing a brick to attract jade'."
"I will first use stories from the Xuanhuang Continent to pique everyone's interest, then naturally bring up the theories of 'void nodes' and 'incomplete Great Dao'."
"At that time, you will need to supplement appropriately and demonstrate your 'understanding' and 'confidence' regarding that node."
Gu Han nodded slightly:
"I understand."
She looked at Qingxuan, a hint of inquiry in her eyes:
"Are you sure that 'Emperor's Weapon' from the Xuanhuang Continent is enough to tempt everyone?"
"Sister, just watch."
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