Inside the Main Hall, Gu Han withdrew her Divine Sense from the direction of the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda, a look of gratification appearing in her eyes.
She was very satisfied that the Disciples were able to pass the Heart-Nature assessment so quickly and enter a state of Cultivation promptly.
With the opening of the second and third floors of the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda, along with the supervision of the pagoda spirit, "Xiao Wan."
In the coming period, the Disciples' cultivation levels would surely experience explosive growth.
This relieved her of some worries regarding her upcoming trip for The Mid-State Pact.
Just then, a familiar voice, carrying a lazy smile, came from outside the hall:
"Sister Gu, can Big Sister come in?"
Hearing this voice, Gu Han's brows furrowed slightly; the brief "clash" from when she first emerged from seclusion was still fresh in her mind.
She knew that some things, after all, could not be avoided.
"Come in."
The hall doors opened silently.
Empress Qingxuan walked in slowly; today she had changed into a slightly more formal long purple dress.
Her black hair was tied up with a green jade hairpin, making her look less lazy and casual and more dignified and elegant.
However, those smiling eyes, when looking at Gu Han, still carried an undisguised heat and inquiry.
"Sister, you have been in seclusion for a month and your cultivation has improved; it's truly worth celebrating."
Qingxuan sat down opposite Gu Han, her gaze sweeping over her increasingly restrained and harmonious aura, her tone sincere.
"You flatter me."
Gu Han's expression was calm as she poured a cup of tea for her,
"Have you come to see me for a reason?"
Qingxuan picked up the teacup, her fingertips gently stroking the warm surface of the cup, her eyes shimmering:
"Firstly, it's naturally because I care about you, Sister. Secondly..."
She paused, set down the teacup, and looked at Gu Han with a more serious expression:
"Regarding The Mid-State Pact, when do you plan to set out, Sister?"
Gu Han thought for a moment and said:
"Once the affairs within the palace are properly arranged and the Disciples' Cultivate is on the right track, I will set out."
She pondered briefly,
"Probably, it will take about half a month."
"Half a month..."
Empress Qingxuan's lips curled up slightly when she heard Gu Han say she needed another half month, her fingertips gently tracing the rim of the cup.
"Half a month... that's fine too."
The smile in her eyes deepened as she shifted the topic:
"Then does Sister know that for this Mid-State Pact, besides the three of us—you, me, and Ling Shuang—the other seven Ascension to Immortalitys of the continent will all be present?"
Gu Han nodded slightly, her tone calm:
"Emperor Longteng already mentioned it to me that day."
"But he might not have told you everything."
Empress Qingxuan leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering:
"The several Ascension to Immortalitys of the Canglan Continent seem united on the surface, but in reality, they each have their own Alliances."
"In the Central Region, Emperor Longteng, Holy Master Yaoguang, and Old Man Tian Ji form their own group."
"The Buddha Lord of the Western Region seems incompatible with the Demon Lord, but in truth, the relationship between those two is better than anyone's."
"And our Eastern Region's Venerable White Cloud is best friends with the Desolate God of the Northern Region."
"As for Ling Shuang..."
She paused, a hint of playfulness flashing in her eyes:
"Tens of thousands of years ago, she was the Saintess of that Yaoguang Holy Land; if you really count it, she and Longteng can be considered fellow Disciples."
Hearing her words, a massive wave rose in Gu Han's heart, but her face remained impassive,
"And what about you?"
"Me?"
Empress Qingxuan chuckled, her fingertips unconsciously hooking a strand of Gu Han's hair:
"Big Sister here fought her way out step by step with pure strength; I've always been a loner and have never had a deep friendship with anyone."
"However..."
Her eyes shimmered as they fell on Gu Han's face:
"Now, I finally have someone I want to get close to."
Gu Han, not knowing what she was thinking of, felt her ears grow hot and quickly looked away:
"Let's talk business."
Empress Qingxuan smiled faintly, her tone regaining some seriousness:
"On the surface, Longteng's goal this time is to explore the immortal path together, but in reality, he wants to use everyone's power to extend Holy Master Yaoguang's Lifespan and seek the Dao."
"An Ascension to Immortality's Lifespan is one hundred thousand years; this was the pact made between the first person in the Immortal Ascension Realm of this world and the Heavenly Dao after the immortal path was severed."
"But now someone is trying to break this pact and perform an act of defying heaven to change fate; do you think the Heavenly Dao will allow it?"
Empress Qingxuan's voice was very soft, yet it was like a clap of thunder exploding in Gu Han's ears.
She suddenly looked up at Qingxuan:
"A pact? The Heavenly Dao won't allow it?"
"Correct."
Qingxuan nodded, her expression unusually solemn,
"Longteng and Holy Master Yaoguang have a very deep relationship; all these years, he has been searching for a way to extend her Lifespan."
"The so-called 'Mystery of the immortal path' is just bait; the real goal is to gather the Ascension to Immortalitys of the Five Regions and forcibly 'borrow' Lifespan from the Heavenly Dao."
Gu Han was shocked.
Although she knew Emperor Longteng might have other motives, she didn't expect the scheme to be so grand and so... dangerous.
"'Borrowing' life from the Heavenly Dao?"
Gu Han's brows were tightly knit,
"Such an act will likely trigger a backlash from the Heavenly Dao."
"It's more than just a backlash."
Qingxuan sneered,
"Big Sister saw similar fragmented records in an ancient ruin on the Xuanhuang Continent."
For an act that defies fate like this, the participants will, at best, suffer a massive drop in cultivation and damage to their dao foundation, and at worst, perish on the spot."
"Even if it succeeds, the Heavenly Dao will surely bring down a terrifying tribulation, and at that time, everyone present will be implicated."
She looked at Gu Han, a hint of warning in her eyes:
"Longteng might inform you of the risks in advance, but he will certainly try his best to downplay them, or even promise other benefits."
"He loves Yaoguang too much; for her, he can sacrifice everything, including... the safety of others."
The hall fell into a brief silence.
Gu Han worked hard to digest this shocking information.
This was no longer just a rivalry between Cultivators, but something involving the Laws of heaven and earth, even the most fundamental order of this world!
No wonder Emperor Longteng was so solemn, no wonder he needed to gather all the Ascension to Immortalitys of the Five Regions!
"Why are you telling me all this?"
Gu Han asked this question again, her gaze meeting Qingxuan's directly,
"You and Emperor Longteng don't seem to have any grudges."
"In fact, you both belong to the Canglan Continent and are, in a way, allies."
Qingxuan met her gaze; those eyes that always held a lazy smile were now crystal clear, carrying an almost candid seriousness.
"Because I don't want you to be in danger."
Her voice was soft, yet every word was clear,
"Longteng's devotion to Holy Master Yaoguang is touching, and his persistence is admirable."
But for his own selfish reasons, he wants to drag all his fellow Cultivators into danger, potentially even causing unpredictable turmoil."
"This kind of behavior... Big Sister doesn't approve."
She paused and continued:
"Big Sister doesn't want you to be in danger, and even less do I want you to be kept in the dark."
She reached out, her fingertips gently brushing over the back of Gu Han's hand resting on the cloud table.
This time, she didn't have that provocative air like usual.
The movement was very light, even carrying a hint of cautious treasuring.
"Big Sister has lived for nearly fifty thousand years and has seen too many schemes and conflicts of interest."
"Longteng's plans, the thoughts of the others—Big Sister can see through them to some extent."
"But towards you..."
She paused, a light flickering in her eyes:
"Big Sister can't see through you, nor do I want to use those schemes against you."
"So, Big Sister chose to tell you everything I know."
She looked at Gu Han, her gaze serious and gentle:
"Big Sister only hopes that you will be safe."
It was as if something had gently bumped against Gu Han's heart.
Qingxuan's current gaze and words were too sincere, so sincere that she could no longer respond with her usual guardedness.
She could feel that the faint ripples from the Profound Heart Bracelet reflected the other's equally unsettled state of mind.
This concern was real.
This frankness was also real.
"Qingxuan, thank you."
Gu Han was silent for a moment before speaking softly.
She didn't pull her hand away, letting Qingxuan's fingertips remain on the back of her hand, bringing a cool sensation.
"I will prepare in advance."
A smile spread in Empress Qingxuan's eyes, a smile that was bright and warm.
She applied a bit of pressure with her fingertips, pressing gently on the back of Gu Han's hand, before withdrawing.
"Good... then Big Sister can rest easy."
She stood up, her purple skirt falling like water.
"Sister has just emerged from seclusion and still needs time to consolidate; Big Sister won't disturb you further."
She walked towards the hall doors, her steps light.
Just before the door, she suddenly stopped and turned around.
Moonlight poured in from outside the hall doors, outlining her exquisite silhouette.
"By the way,"
Empress Qingxuan's lips curled up slightly, a hint of cunning and mischief flashing in her eyes:
"Those words just now can be considered a 'gift' from Big Sister to you."
"As for the return gift..."
She deliberately drew out her words, her gaze shimmering as it fell on Gu Han's slightly pursed lips.
Gu Han's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously tensed her body.
Again?
However, Qingxuan didn't approach as she had before.
She just stood there and blinked gently at Gu Han.
Then, before Gu Han could react.
She raised her hand and, with her fingertips in the air, lightly touched her own lips.
Then she turned towards Gu Han and made a blowing motion.
An air "kiss."
The movement was smooth and natural, carrying her unique lazy charm.
"I'll put it on your tab; I'll collect it from you slowly after we return from the Mid-State."
Empress Qingxuan chuckled and didn't stay any longer, her figure already disappearing outside the hall doors.
Leaving behind only a faint fragrance and those smiling words echoing in the hall.
Gu Han sat alone on the Cloud Bed, staring at the empty hall doors, not moving for a long time.
On the back of her hand, the cool sensation from Qingxuan's fingertips seemed to linger.
In her mind was that air kiss from just now, and the cunning, bright light in her eyes.
Along with those words about The Mid-State Pact and defying heaven to change fate... "This woman..."
Gu Han whispered to herself, her voice carrying a hint of helplessness she hadn't even noticed, as well as a trace of warmth.
She raised her hand, her fingertips unconsciously brushing over her own lips.
Qingxuan's gesture just now clearly hadn't touched her.
But recalling it now actually made her heart flutter.
"She really is... too good at this."
Gu Han shook her head, trying to suppress that strange feeling in her heart.
Just as Gu Han's thoughts were racing—
"Tap."
Another soft sound came from the direction of the hall doors.
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