Volume 1, Chapter 186 – If I Can’t Beat You, I’ll Send You Away

Gu Han sat alone on the cloud couch in the great hall, savoring a Snow Lotus Pastry as its delicately sweet, cool flavor melted on her tongue.

She closed her eyes, Empress Qingxuan’s words about the Central Province gathering echoing through her mind.

Borrowing lifespan from the Heavenly Dao… defying heaven to alter fate… backlash from the Heavenly Dao…

Each phrase weighed heavily on her heart.

“System,”

Gu Han called silently,

“with my current cultivation and the Donghuang Bell, what are my chances of winning against Sovereign Longteng?”

[Based on the Host’s current overall combat strength, the probability of victory in a direct confrontation with Sovereign Longteng is 35%.]

Gu Han’s heart plummeted at the System’s answer.

Thirty-five percent?

That was far lower than she had expected.

She possessed two quasi-immortal artifacts, and the Chaos Scripture was a supreme cultivation technique.

Sovereign Longteng might be a veteran Immortal Ascension expert, but they were both at late-stage Immortal Ascension. How could the gap between them be so vast?

“System, why is there such a huge difference?”

[Ding! Retrieving in-depth analysis…]

[Primary reason: Sovereign Longteng is a “favored son of destiny” on Canglan Continent and possesses tremendous Dao fortune from this world.]

[On Canglan Continent, he has an extraordinarily strong affinity with the laws of heaven and earth, allowing him to draw upon a portion of the world’s origin to empower himself.]

[Nourished by his destined fortune, his bonded artifact, the Dragon Soul Sword, has undergone a transformation. Its power is no weaker than that of the Donghuang Bell.]

[Although the Host is powerful, in a direct confrontation with him on Canglan Continent, both the Host’s artifacts and cultivation techniques would be suppressed.]

[If the battle were to take place outside Canglan Continent, the Host’s probability of victory would increase to 55%.]

Gu Han’s fingers tightened slightly.

A favored son of destiny… empowered by the world’s origin… while she would be suppressed…

Less than a forty percent chance of victory…

And that was with two quasi-immortal artifacts and the Chaos Scripture.

A favored son of destiny was no empty title.

“What if I find a compromise?”

A gleam flashed in Gu Han’s eyes.

“Since Longteng’s ultimate goal is to extend Sacred Lord Yaoguang’s life, is there another way?”

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[Ding! The Host’s approach is excellent!]

[The System is deducing possible solutions… Deduction in progress…]

[Deduction complete! Relevant information found!]

[Based on the “void node” previously mentioned by Empress Qingxuan and her experience traveling across the “Xuanhuang Continent,” the System has deduced a viable solution.]

[Core concept: Sovereign Longteng’s goal is to extend Sacred Lord Yaoguang’s life, while the risk of backlash from the Heavenly Dao in this world is immense.]

[The Host could propose using the “void node” to send the two of them to the “Xuanhuang Continent.”]

[On the Xuanhuang Continent, Sacred Lord Yaoguang may be able to find something capable of extending her life.]

[This solution could resolve the crisis, fulfill Sovereign Longteng’s wish, and avoid a direct confrontation.]

Gu Han’s eyes lit up at the System’s suggestion.

This approach… truly opened up an entirely new path!

Rather than confront or reject him outright, she could offer a seemingly more enticing “alternative.”

The question would shift from “how to defy heaven and alter fate on Canglan Continent” to “how to safely reach a higher-level world in search of an opportunity.”

As long as Sovereign Longteng could save Sacred Lord Yaoguang, the prospect of venturing into a broader world might be even more appealing to him.

It would also spare Gu Han the risk of being dragged into the matter.

The difficulty lay in convincing Longteng and Yaoguang that the plan was viable, and…

Whether Qingxuan would be willing to share her greatest secret.

“System, in your assessment, how likely is Sovereign Longteng to accept this proposal?”

[Factoring in Sovereign Longteng’s devotion to Sacred Lord Yaoguang, the probability of acceptance is 65%.]

Gu Han’s heart steadied.

With better than sixty percent odds, it was worth a try!

She immediately began working through the details in her mind.

First, she needed to have a serious discussion with Qingxuan to confirm the condition of the void node and whether Qingxuan was willing to help.

Second, she needed a sufficiently compelling reason to convince Sovereign Longteng that traveling to another continent offered better prospects than attempting to defy heaven and alter fate on Canglan Continent.

Finally, she also had to consider the attitudes of the other Immortal Ascension experts.

“It seems I need to have a serious talk with Qingxuan first.”

Gu Han looked toward the Western Courtyard guest quarters, determination settling into her gaze.

This time, it would not be about romance or flirtatious probing.

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This was a serious matter that could affect the balance of power in this world and the fates of many Immortal Ascension experts.

She composed herself and stirred her divine sense, sending a gentle voice transmission toward the Western Courtyard.

Before long, Empress Qingxuan arrived in the great hall.

At the sight of Gu Han’s solemn expression, so unlike her usual demeanor, some of the languid amusement faded from her eyes.

“You’ve called for me again so soon, Little Sister. Is this about the matter in Central Province?”

“It is.”

Gu Han did not beat around the bush, going straight to the point:

“You said before that you once traveled to the Xuanhuang Continent through a void node.”

“Does that node still exist?”

Empress Qingxuan’s gaze sharpened slightly as she studied Gu Han.

“Why do you ask, Little Sister? Could it be…”

Her thoughts raced. In an instant, she realized what Gu Han had in mind, and a knowing smile curved her lips.

“Are you thinking of using that node to send Longteng and Yaoguang away?”

Gu Han nodded, readily admitting it:

“Rather than letting them defy heaven in this world and risk an unpredictable backlash, we could show them a more promising path.”

“The Great Dao is complete on the Xuanhuang Continent, and its resources far surpass those of Canglan Continent. Sacred Lord Yaoguang might truly find a chance of survival there.”

Empress Qingxuan fell silent for a moment, lightly tapping her fingertips against the table as if weighing the idea.

“That node does still exist.”

When she finally spoke, there was less languor and more gravity in her voice.

“It lies deep within a sea between worlds.”

“I only managed to pass through it back then because I happened upon the right opportunity and had already reached Immortal Ascension.”

“But the node is extremely unstable…”

“And it may not necessarily lead to the Xuanhuang Continent. It could transport them to another continent instead.”

She looked at Gu Han, her expression serious.

“Your idea is bold, Little Sister. But there are two problems.”

“First, will Longteng be willing to risk taking Yaoguang through a void node to an unknown world?”

“Second,”

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she paused and lowered her voice,

“fully stabilizing that passage would require an ocean of energy, as well as at least four Immortal Ascension experts continuously channeling their power.”

“That means we must convince half of them before we can open it.”

Gu Han listened in silence. Only after Empress Qingxuan had finished did she slowly reply:

“Given Sovereign Longteng’s feelings for Sacred Lord Yaoguang, he will try anything that offers even the slightest hope.”

“What we need is to convince him that another continent offers a greater and safer hope than Canglan Continent.”

“As for opening the passage…”

Resolve flashed in Gu Han’s eyes.

“When the time comes, I will use my full strength.”

“If we can persuade several other Immortal Ascension experts to contribute their power as well, it won’t be impossible.”

“The key is convincing Longteng, and determining whether the others will be willing to help.”

Empress Qingxuan looked into Gu Han’s unwavering eyes, and something stirred faintly in her heart.

This little one usually seemed aloof yet easygoing, but once she made up her mind, she showed astonishing courage and resolve.

To avert a crisis that might engulf the entire continent, she was willing to place herself at the center of the storm and propose such a perilous plan.

“Since you’ve made your decision, Little Sister,”

Empress Qingxuan said with a soft smile, indulgence and support flickering in her eyes,

“then of course I’ll support you.”

“I can give you the exact coordinates of that node.”

“As for persuading Longteng and the others…”

Her eyes gleamed with cunning.

“Perhaps we can take a different approach.”

“A different approach?”

Gu Han asked.

“Do you know the official reason Longteng gave for convening this Central Province gathering?”

Empress Qingxuan asked in return.

“To jointly explore the mystery of the path to immortality,” Gu Han answered.

“Exactly.”

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Empress Qingxuan nodded.

“Then we’ll begin with the ‘mystery of the path to immortality.’”

“While I was on the Xuanhuang Continent, I heard certain ancient secrets concerning the ‘severing of the path to ascension.’ What they described was remarkably similar to the situation on Canglan Continent.”

“At the gathering, we can reveal those secrets and lead everyone to consider a question: was the path to immortality severed on Canglan Continent because this world’s origin is incomplete? Or because its Great Dao is deficient?”

“Then we can naturally introduce the idea that ‘other continents possess a complete Great Dao and may offer an opportunity to find the path to immortality.’”

“Finally, we reveal the existence of the void node.”

She looked at Gu Han, wisdom gleaming in her eyes.

“Longteng will inevitably be tempted if it offers a chance to save Yaoguang.”

“And among the other Immortal Ascension experts, those who still yearn to reach a higher realm may well lend their support.”

“Opening the passage would then cease to be Longteng’s personal concern and become something they all desire.”

“We need only retain control of the situation and ensure the passage is first used to send Longteng and Yaoguang away.”

Gu Han listened quietly to the end, approval entering her eyes.

Qingxuan had lived for tens of thousands of years and ruled an entire region. Her reputation was well deserved.

This scheme would achieve their objective while deftly tying one person’s desires to everyone’s common interests, thereby reducing resistance.

“Good. That’s what we’ll do.”

Gu Han made the decision.

“We’ll still need to think through the details carefully.”

“In particular, what you reveal about your experiences on the Xuanhuang Continent must be shocking enough to make them think.”

“Don’t worry. I brought an Imperial Armament back from the Xuanhuang Continent.”

Empress Qingxuan smiled confidently.

“That will be more than enough to make those fellows sit up and take notice.”

The two continued their discussion for a long time, until the moon hung high in the night sky.

When Empress Qingxuan left the great hall, her face held an anticipation she had not felt in a very long time.

Gu Han remained alone in the hall, running through the entire plan several times in her mind until she was certain there were no major oversights.

“Now all that remains is to wait for the Central Province gathering.”