Volume 1, Chapter 193 – Gu Han’s Plan

“Fellow Daoist Desolate God, you have admirable courage!”

Venerable Baiyun rose slowly to his feet soon afterward.

He remained as refined and otherworldly as ever in his flowing scholar’s robes, but the easygoing look in his eyes was gone, replaced by firm resolve.

He cupped his hands toward the others, his clear voice carrying the lightness of someone who had made his decision:

“I, Baiyun, have cultivated for seventy thousand years. I daresay I have already glimpsed the limits of this world along the path of Confucian cultivation.”

“On the Xuanhuang Continent Fellow Daoist Qingxuan spoke of, the Great Dao is complete. Perhaps the path to immortality we have sought for so long truly does exist there.”

“Rather than attempt to defy heaven in this world, I would prefer to take the gamble and see that other world for myself.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Qingxuan before finally settling on Sovereign Longteng. His tone was sincere.

“I, Baiyun, am willing to go.”

Two Immortal Ascension experts, one bold and uninhibited, the other mild-mannered yet decisive, had now openly declared their positions one after the other!

This undoubtedly lent tremendous weight to Empress Qingxuan’s proposal!

Light flickered rapidly in Sovereign Longteng’s eyes, and his breathing quickened almost imperceptibly.

His hand rested on the armrest, his grip so tight that his knuckles had turned slightly white.

Just then, a voice came from another direction.

“Amitabha…”

Buddha Lord Wufa, who had kept his eyes closed as he fingered his prayer beads, slowly opened them.

Complex emotions now swirled within those compassionate, serene eyes, as though the countless faces of all living beings were arising and fading within them.

“If there truly is a world where the Great Dao is more complete, it may bring immeasurable benefits to the cultivation of our Buddhist sects.”

“However… the road ahead is uncertain, and whether fortune or disaster awaits us is impossible to predict. Far too much is at stake.”

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He paused and looked toward Demon Lord Wutian beside him. Their gazes met for a moment, as though they had exchanged a silent message.

Then Buddha Lord Wufa spoke again:

“This old monk must discuss the matter with Fellow Daoist Wutian before reaching a decision.”

Baleful energy churned in Demon Lord Wutian’s bloodred eyes, and his lips curved into a cold smile.

“That’s right.”

Their position was obvious. Neither of them wished to be the vanguard blazing the trail.

At last, everyone’s gaze converged on Old Man Tianji.

Old Man Tianji calmly acknowledged their attention.

His expression remained placid. His gaze first fell upon the faintly visible Red Emperor Heaven-Scorching Lotus hovering above Qingxuan’s palm and lingered there for several breaths.

It then swept slowly over Sovereign Longteng and Sacred Lord Yaoguang before finally settling on Gu Han’s face, where it remained a little longer.

“The path Fellow Daoist Qingxuan speaks of is indeed one filled with uncertainty. Its dangers are impossible to fathom, but it also offers a slim chance of transcendence.”

He paused, his voice betraying neither pleasure nor displeasure.

“However, I still have ample lifespan remaining and some attachments to this world, so I will not go for the time being.”

At that moment, the gazes of everyone in the hall silently converged before ultimately settling on two figures.

The first was Empress Lingshuang.

She remained seated upright upon her jade throne, her icy-blue court dress setting off her aloof features. She resembled an ancient glacier that would never melt.

Yet her eyes, always as piercing as frost, had now turned toward Gu Han, who sat beside Qingxuan.

There were no words and no hints, but everyone present instantly understood the meaning in her gaze.

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Her choice depended on Gu Han’s.

Immediately afterward, every gaze was drawn to Gu Han as though pulled by a magnet.

This was the newly risen Empress of the Southern Region, with silver hair like snow, a moon-white court dress, and an aloof, transcendent air.

She had spoken little since entering the great hall, yet had remained calm and composed throughout.

Now, faced with everyone’s attention, her expression remained unchanged. She merely lowered her eyes slightly, seemingly deep in thought.

Empress Qingxuan turned her head to study Gu Han’s serene profile, the languid smile at the corners of her lips fading somewhat.

A little more seriousness entered her eyes, along with a barely perceptible hint of inquiry.

She seemed to be searching for something in the slightest changes in Gu Han’s expression.

The air in the hall seemed to congeal under the weight of that silent wait.

“Hum…”

At that subtle, tense moment, Gu Han slowly raised her eyes and calmly met everyone’s gaze.

She did not answer at once. Instead, she first looked toward Sovereign Longteng and Sacred Lord Yaoguang on the raised platform and inclined her head slightly.

“ Sovereign Longteng cares deeply for all living beings and wishes to reopen the path to immortality. I deeply admire such conviction and aspiration.”

“Fellow Daoist Qingxuan has found another path and painted a picture of a different world, one where opportunity and danger coexist. That, too, is deeply alluring.”

Her voice was clear and calm, every word measured and unhurried.

She had begun by objectively acknowledging both proposals without revealing any obvious preference.

But everyone held their breath, knowing this was merely a prelude.

Gu Han turned her gaze toward Qingxuan, seemingly glancing in passing at the Red Emperor Heaven-Scorching Lotus glowing softly above Qingxuan’s palm, then continued:

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“A void node leading to the Xuanhuang Continent, where the Great Dao is complete and opportunities abound, is indeed one possible path forward.”

Then Gu Han changed tack. A nearly imperceptible trace of apology and helplessness entered her voice as she slowly shook her head.

“But I’m afraid… I cannot go for the time being.”

Cannot go for the time being?

Those words fell like stones into a still lake, instantly sending ripples through everyone’s hearts.

Sovereign Longteng’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and the scrutiny in his eyes deepened.

The smile faded from Empress Qingxuan’s lips. She tilted her head slightly and looked at Gu Han, a question in her eyes.

A subtle ripple passed through Empress Lingshuang’s icy-blue eyes. Was it surprise, or perhaps relief?

The Desolate God scratched his head and asked in his booming voice:

“What do you mean, Fellow Daoist Gu? Could it be that you don’t trust Qingxuan’s words? Or are you afraid?”

“Be patient, Fellow Daoist Desolate God.”

Gu Han did not take offense at his blunt question. She merely explained calmly:

“I have no doubts about what Fellow Daoist Qingxuan has said. The Red Emperor Heaven-Scorching Lotus is proof enough.”

“It’s simply…”

She lifted her eyes, her gaze seeming to pierce the lofty dome of Soaring Dragon Hall and travel toward the distant south. A faint trace of concern entered her voice.

“The sect I established in the Southern Region is barely more than a year old, and its foundations are still shallow.”

“My disciples’ cultivation remains limited, and countless affairs still require my attention.”

“I still have many unresolved attachments in this world and many responsibilities I have yet to fulfill.”

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She paused, withdrawing her distant gaze and looking back at everyone. Her eyes were candid and resolute.

“The road ahead may be vast, but I do not wish to leave rashly before I have properly settled everything behind me.”

Her explanation was perfectly reasonable and left no room for criticism.

As the Palace Master of a newly established sect, it was only right that she take responsibility for her disciples.

“I see.”

Venerable Baiyun nodded slightly, understanding showing on his face.

“Fellow Daoist Gu’s concern for her sect and disciples shows both benevolence and prudence. I, Baiyun, admire you for it.”

Buddha Lord Wufa also softly recited a Buddhist invocation, a hint of approval flashing through his eyes.

Empress Qingxuan quietly watched Gu Han. The scrutiny in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a complex emotion and the faintest trace of helplessness.

She understood the deeper meaning behind Gu Han’s words.

Gu Han would not allow herself to be swept along by either side at a time like this.

Neither Sovereign Longteng’s grand plan to “mend the heavens” nor the temptation Qingxuan had offered could induce Gu Han to make a hasty choice before she was ready.

Gu Han had her own pace, her own considerations, and responsibilities she could not cast aside.

That independence and clearheadedness earned Qingxuan’s admiration, yet also left her feeling faintly disgruntled.

She admired Gu Han’s sense of responsibility.

What disgruntled her was… this little one truly would not be so easy to “lure away.”