Silence returned to the Main Hall.
Ah Yao seemed a bit sleepy, her small head leaning against Gu Han's side.
Gu Han gently pulled her into her arms, rhythmically patting her back.
Yun Yun stood to the side, reporting on some daily administrative arrangements of the Immortal Palace and the plans for the Disciples following the Secret Realm trip.
Li Hanyi stood quietly for a moment, her cool gaze falling on Gu Han. Once Yun Yun's report paused, she spoke softly,
"Palace Master, there is one more matter."
Gu Han looked up: "What is it?"
"Outside the Secret Realm, on the Heavenly Dome Plain..."
Li Hanyi paused briefly, as if weighing her words,
"After you left, Palace Master, during their private discussions, they mentioned a title."
"A title?"
Gu Han's brow twitched slightly.
"They call you—the 'Yaochi Empress'."
Li Hanyi enunciated each word clearly as she spoke the four characters.
As her voice fell, the Main Hall seemed to freeze for an instant.
Even the originally sleeping Ah Yao dizzily lifted her small head, blinking her large eyes as she followed along unclearly:
"Yaochi... Empress? Is Master Mommy going to be an Empress?"
Yun Yun was also slightly stunned, and then a look of contemplation appeared in her eyes.
The moment Gu Han heard those words, her hand's movements paused slightly.
Empress?
Yaochi Empress?
What a joke!
Her original intention in establishing the Jade Pool Immortal Palace was merely to complete System tasks and find a place to settle down and Cultivate in peace.
Taking in Disciples and expanding her influence was, on one hand, for 'mastery dao value' and System rewards, and on the other hand, because she felt that since she was doing it, she should do it well.
As for dominating a region, ruling the South, or even being crowned with the title of 'Empress'... this was completely outside her plans and definitely not what she sought.
She had always disliked being high-profile, and had no intention of putting herself at the center of the storm as the focus of everyone's attention.
While her Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm cultivation was near the peak in this world, she knew well that there was always a higher heaven.
The 'Ten Directions World' mentioned by the System and the Xuanhuang Continent mentioned by Empress Qing Xuan made her clearly realize that the Canglan Continent might only be a starting point.
Her gaze had long been cast toward the more distant sea of stars and the unknown.
Moreover, this title... why did it feel a bit embarrassing!
"This is simply nonsense."
Gu Han furrowed her brows tightly, her tone carrying clear resistance.
"Palace Master,"
Yun Yun spoke up at the right time, her voice warm and carrying a rational analysis,
"Although this title came suddenly, it is not entirely without reason."
"The South has not seen a new Immortal Ascension in twenty thousand years. You appeared out of nowhere, Palace Master, established the Jade Pool Immortal Palace, and saved the Disciples of various sects during this Secret Realm crisis."
"In the eyes of others, calling you 'Empress' is both a sign of awe and implicitly represents the respect the South's Cultivators have for you."
Li Hanyi nodded slightly and added softly:
"When strength reaches this level, a title follows naturally."
"Even if you do not like it, Palace Master, I'm afraid this name has already spread along with today's events and will be hard to stop."
Gu Han fell silent.
The 'Yaochi Empress'... this title was certainly prominent, but it also meant more eyes, more expectations, and even... more trouble.
She could already see that in the future, countless forces would try to guess her intentions, and Immortal Ascension powerhouses from other regions would come to visit.
However, things had reached this point; trying to forcibly suppress it might instead make her seem pretentious.
"Forget it."
Gu Han sighed and waved her hand:
"Since they are willing to call me that, let them be!"
"But,"
She changed her tone, her gaze sweeping over Yun Yun and Li Hanyi with a hint of a warning,
"You must restrain the Disciples in the palace; they must not use this to show off, and they must not become arrogant."
"Yes, Palace Master."
Yun Yun and Li Hanyi responded in unison.
They both understood the meaning behind Gu Han's words:
Don't promote it, but don't deny it either; let nature take its course.
The focus would still remain on the development of the Immortal Palace itself.
This was undoubtedly the most stable way to handle it.
"If there is nothing else, you may go about your business."
Gu Han waved them off.
"Yes."
Yun Yun and Li Hanyi bowed again and exited the Main Hall together.
The vast Main Hall was now left with only Gu Han and Ah Yao, who was already fast asleep in her arms.
Gu Han leaned against the Cloud Bed, looking at the simulated starry sky on the ceiling, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the top of Ah Yao's head.
Yaochi Empress... fine!
As long as it doesn't interfere with her teaching her Disciples, refining Magic Treasures, and her future plans to explore other worlds, it's fine.
"System."
Gu Han called out in her mind.
[Ding! Host, I'm here! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the 'Yaochi Empress' skin! Achievement points +666!]
The System's electronic voice was always so lively.
"Don't be cheeky."
Gu Han interrupted its teasing and asked directly:
"Besides me, how many other Immortal Ascensions are there in the Canglan Continent?"
[Ding! The Host is finally interested in the top-tier power of this world!]
[Searching database... integrating information...]
[Canglan Continent, currently known existing Immortal Ascension Realm powerhouses, including the Host, total ten.]
[This number is limited by the carrying capacity of this world's Origin and has reached its upper limit. Unless an Immortal Ascension Realm expert falls or leaves this world, no new ones will appear.]
"Ten?"
Gu Han's eyes narrowed slightly.
This number was much smaller than she had expected.
After all, the Canglan Continent was vast and boundless, with trillions of living beings and a long history of cultivation civilization.
"Who are they? Which region are they in?"
[East Region: Empress Qing Xuan (Mid-stage Ascension Realm), Venerable White Cloud (Early Stage Immortal Ascension Realm).]
[West Region: Buddha Lord Wufa (Mid-stage Ascension Realm), Demon Lord Wu Tian (Early Stage Immortal Ascension Realm).]
[North Region: Empress Ling Shuang (Early Stage Immortal Ascension Realm), Desolate God (Mid-stage Ascension Realm).]
[South Region: Host (Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm), Star River Sword Venerable (Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm, has left this world).]
[Central Province: Old Man Tian Ji (Mid-stage Ascension Realm), Emperor Longteng (Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm), Holy Master Yaoguang (Early Stage Immortal Ascension Realm).]
As the System reported each name, Gu Han's heart stirred slightly.
She already knew about Empress Qing Xuan and Venerable White Cloud.
The West Region actually had two, one Buddha and one Demon; they likely balanced each other out.
Empress Ling Shuang and the Desolate God of the North Region also didn't sound like they were in the same camp.
As the oldest and most core area of the Canglan Continent, the Central Province indeed had the deepest foundation, with three Immortal Ascension Realm experts presiding over it!
As for the South... besides herself, that departed "Star River Sword Venerable" was actually also a Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm expert.
"Ten Immortal Ascensions, residing in the Five Regions, checking and balancing each other; it is quite a balance."
Gu Han murmured to herself, then caught a key piece of information,
"System, you said 'this number is limited by the rules of the Heavenly Dao and the carrying capacity of the Origin, and has reached its upper limit'?"
"In other words, before my Breakthrough, the Canglan Continent only had nine Immortal Ascensions?"
[Correct!]
The System's electronic voice carried a hint of mystery.
[The original slot had always been occupied by the Star River Sword Venerable. Although he left twenty thousand years ago, his soul imprint had not dissipated, so the slot was not empty.]
[Until one year ago, the last trace of the Star River Sword Venerable's soul imprint left in this world dissipated for unknown reasons.]
[Almost at the same time, you, Host, successfully broke through to the Immortal Ascension Realm!]
[Therefore, at the level of rules, you, Host, filled the count of 'ten Immortal Ascensions'!]
Gu Han's pupils constricted.
One year ago?
When she broke through to the Immortal Ascension Realm?
The dissipation of the Star River Sword Venerable's imprint?
This was too much of a coincidence!
Could her Breakthrough be related to that Star River Sword Venerable who left twenty thousand years ago?
[Friendly Reminder: Regardless of the reason, the Host is now one of the ten Immortal Ascensions recognized by this world's Heavenly Dao, enjoying corresponding authority and 'attention'.]
"Attention?"
Gu Han keenly caught this word.
[Correct! The ten Immortal Ascensions are like ten pillars supporting the heavens, their Luck interconnected and yet mutually restraining.]
[Any change in one, especially the appearance of a newcomer, will attract the attention of the other nine.]
[Except for Empress Qing Xuan, the other nine may not necessarily want to see a 'newcomer' appear.]
[Especially since you, Host, are still so 'young' and have never shown your face on the continent before...]
The System's analysis gave Gu Han a jolt.
She had previously only thought about developing quietly, teaching her Disciples, and exploring the outside world.
She had overlooked that the level of 'Immortal Ascension Realm' itself was an extremely closed and sensitive small circle.
"In other words, I might have already been 'noticed' by the other Immortal Ascensions?"
Gu Han's voice turned cold.
[Most likely, Host.]
[However, the Host does not need to worry too much. Unless there is a great feud, Immortal Ascensions will not easily engage in a life-and-death struggle.]
[Since you took action outside the Secret Realm and the title of 'Yaochi Empress' has spread, this System can no longer help you hide, Host. You will soon enter their field of vision.]
Gu Han was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled.
"If they notice, they notice. This seat has two quasi-immortal artifacts in hand; why should I fear them?"
"If they treat me with courtesy, I shall naturally return it."
"If they harbor ill intentions..."
Gu Han's gaze turned cold,
"Why should this seat have any fear!"
"By the way,"
Gu Han suddenly remembered something,
"You said the Canglan Continent can only have ten Immortal Ascensions."
"Then what if my Disciples want to break through to the Immortal Ascension Realm in the future?"
[First, the Host or your Disciples leave the Canglan Continent and go to other worlds to break through. For example, in the Xuanhuang Continent, the Great Emperor Realm is equivalent to this world's Immortal Ascension Realm.]
[Second, among the current ten Immortal Ascensions of the Canglan Continent, someone falls, vacating a slot.]
Gu Han nodded.
The first path, exploring other worlds, was already her plan.
The second path... although she was unwilling to actively initiate slaughter, if someone provoked her, she wouldn't mind letting the slots "flow" a bit.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"