Back in the Fallen Immortal Realm, that beast of wisdom, Di Sanmo, had once told Lu Ya: "Even what you witness with your own eyes is often not the truth of the matter."
By the same logic, the conclusions Li Fan had deduced might not be absolute truth either.
Like blind men feeling an elephant, what one perceived might not be the full picture.
Yet it remained a part of the truth.
Within his sea of consciousness, the crystal of the Dao Transformation Stone cast an azure glow, instantly recording the myriad thoughts racing through his mind.
Next, Li Fan had to consider how to handle this green-robed woman.
Shortly after she finished speaking, Li Fan shook his head and replied, "The might of the Immortal Ruins is beyond ordinary imagination.
"When dealing with an entity that can warp even space and time, the consequences it brings are truly difficult to foresee.
"You claim that once you sever the Immortal Severing Passage, you will break free of your shackles and attain complete freedom.
"Yet that is merely theory. What will actually happen—who dares guarantee it?"
Li Fan spoke slowly, quietly observing the green-robed woman's expression as he did.
"After all, those regions that previously broke away from the Xuanhuang Realm have all vanished without a trace, and contact can no longer be established with them.
"Whether they are truly carefree and unfettered, or whether they have already perished within the Immortal Ruins—who knows?
"Otherwise, on what basis could our Myriad Realms Association have recruited so many members?
"Even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance of failure, for an entire civilization, the risk is far too great."
Li Fan spoke in a slightly derisive tone.
The green-robed woman's smile gradually faded. She stared at Li Fan, seemingly trying to read something from his face.
Yet Li Fan stood unflinching, revealing not the slightest flaw.
Only then did the woman say, "What you say is true. That is precisely why I returned to the Xuanhuang Realm this time.
"At present, within the Empire, the existence of the Immortal Ruins remains a top secret known only to very few. But walls have ears. Once the conservatives learn of this matter, the resistance facing any attempt to execute the plan to leave the Xuanhuang Realm will be far greater.
"When that time comes, I fear that even with the imperial family's prestige accumulated over a millennium, it will not suffice to carry out this plan peacefully."
Li Fan took up the thread and asked, "So, you have come to seek aid?"
The woman nodded. "The Imperial Daughter's resolve to carry out the departure plan remains unchanged. Even if risks indeed exist, we consider it worthwhile.
"However, those hideous nobles in the Empire might not necessarily think the same.
"To prevent internal strife, the Empire must accelerate the pace of the plan."
She paused, then continued, "Along with obtaining a Dao Integration cultivation technique as quickly as possible, we also require resources to speed up the rearing of Realm-Rifting Whales..."
With that, she handed over a jade slip.
Sweeping it with his divine sense, Li Fan found a long catalog of supplies inside.
Searching through his memories, Li Fan discovered that although the unit prices of these supplies were mostly inexpensive, the shortfall in quantity was staggering.
The total expenditure was likely not something his five million-plus contribution points could shoulder.
He raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "If you join the Myriad Realms Association, the organization will naturally provide appropriate aid for the things you mentioned.
"However, since you are dead set on fleeing, our Association is hardly a charity."
The green-robed woman replied, "Just as you said, Envoy, breaking away from the Xuanhuang Realm carries the risk of ruin.
"While the Empire's resolve remains unshaken, that does not stop us from hedging our bets."
Li Fan's eyes flickered. "You mean..."
"Indeed. The Empire will draw upon a portion of its forces to join the Myriad Realms Association.
"As another spark of civilization, they will remain in the Xuanhuang Realm. If misfortune truly befalls the Empire in the future, they can serve as an offshoot to carry on the Empire's legacy." The woman's gaze burned brightly as she spoke with complete candor.
Hearing this, Li Fan could not help but sneer. "Are you not overestimating yourselves? To avoid alerting insiders within the Empire, the forces you detach will certainly not be large. Relying on them alone to trade for the items on this list falls far short of what is needed."
The green-robed woman said calmly, "Envoy, you may have misunderstood. Since they are to serve as the spark of civilization to continue the Empire, all the technologies the Empire currently possesses will naturally be preserved with them. Upon joining the Association, these technologies can naturally be shared with the organization.
"If nothing else, the value of the Beast God Armor alone is, in my view, already worth more than half the supplies on that list."
Li Fan had not expected her to possess such audacity, willing to stake all the technologies they held as bargaining chips.
Even if their claim of 'all technologies' might be somewhat compromised, what he had witnessed in Li Chenfeng's mind was already enough to tempt him.
True, these might not aid Li Fan's cultivation realm.
Yet this power system, so distinct from that of the present Xuanhuang Realm, could vastly enhance Li Fan's reserves.
As the saying went, one could never master too many skills; perhaps in some future cycle of reincarnation, this power to control exotic beasts would prove useful.
Without hesitating for long, Li Fan made his decision in merely a moment.
He would swindle the Empire's technology entirely into his grasp.
Putting on a show of genuine intrigue, Li Fan pondered for a moment before speaking. "This matter is of great consequence; it is beyond my authority to decide.
"Allow me to return and report before giving you an answer."
Li Fan's response was well within the green-robed woman's expectations.
"Delay breeds trouble. I hope the Envoy will act as swiftly as possible."
Li Fan cupped his hands and departed in haste.
Only the group from the Empire remained in the secret chamber.
"Saint Teacher, are we truly going to use the core technologies the Empire developed over so many years as bargaining chips?" Li Chenfeng asked, somewhat unwilling to accept it.
The green-robed woman did not answer immediately. Instead, she furrowed her brows and looked up toward the ceiling.
Only after laying down a succession of restrictions did she look at Li Chenfeng and reprimand him, "Have you forgotten what I taught you?
"Survival is the foremost priority of a civilization's development.
"Only by staying alive do technology and culture hold any meaning.
"If the civilization itself perishes, what use are they, no matter how glorious they were?"
Li Chenfeng still looked indignant. "But..."
The woman held up a hand to cut him off. "This matter was deliberated with the Imperial Daughter and has been settled. No further words!"
Seeing this, Li Chenfeng had no choice but to bow his head helplessly in agreement.
"The man just now—I could not see through him. And he was merely an envoy. It seems this Myriad Realms Association truly has some depth to it," the green-robed woman murmured after gazing in the direction Li Fan had left.
Li Chenfeng was startled. "Saint Teacher, with your cultivation, even you could not see through his depth? Just what cultivation does that man possess?"
The woman also appeared perplexed. "On the surface, his cultivation realm may not seem very high, yet I could constantly sense faint wisps of a dangerous presence emanating from him."
Chapter 441