Chapter 192: Strength Above All
Hua Changxi truly hadn’t expected that the other end of the Artifact Saint Palace’s teleportation array would be the Eastern Depot’s office yamen in South City.
Her shock was too obvious, and Tong Yao saw it, clearing his throat lightly, “With the Fusang Divine Wood appearing, all factions are paying attention to the artifact refining workshop. I could only bring fellow Daoist here through this passage.”
Hua Changxi’s heart stirred upon hearing this, “Did you set up many teleportation arrays?”
Tong Yao nodded, “Of course, even a cunning rabbit has three burrows. The Five Great Sacred Lands and various factions want a piece of it, and the Royal Family’s investigations are all-pervasive. We naturally have to be extremely careful.”
The place where they exited the teleportation array was inan abandoned courtyard within the backyard of the Eastern Depot’s yamen. As Tong Yao spoke, he led Hua Changxi over the wall and into a dark alley. After passing through the alley, the two arrived on a street bustling with people.
Hua Changxi didn’t ask further about the Eastern Depot, her mind occupied with the matter of teleportation arrays.
She had long wanted to set up teleportation arrays but had been delaying it due to her lack of technical knowledge in this area. Now that she had finally met someone she could discuss it with, she naturally wanted to inquire more.
“Fellow Daoist Tong, besides artifact refining, you also know array formations?”
Tong Yao shook his head, “Array formations are a very intricate craft. I’m usually busy researching artifact refining and don’t have time to study them.” He paused, looking at Hua Changxi, “Fellow Daoist Hua, are you thinking of setting up teleportation arrays?”
Hua Changxi nodded in affirmation, “Yes.”
Tong Yao: “I don’t know array formations, and the disciples of the Artifact Saint Palace are skilled in artifact refining. However, I can introduce someone who is skilled in array formations to fellow Daoist Hua.”
Hua Changxi smiled, “Then I thank you in advance, fellow Daoist Tong.”
The Eastern Depot’s office yamen was not far from the artifact refining workshop. After walking for a short while, the two saw the street ahead, which was under strict guard. Behind the street was the artifact refining workshop, which had been the subject of much discussion recently.
Looking at the artifact refining workshop surrounded by imperial troops, Tong Yao’s expression was grim, and Hua Changxi’s brows were also furrowed.
It was none other than seeing her father and her eldest brother.
Hua Da Lang was now part of the Demon Suppressing Army, so Hua Changxi could understand his presence outside the artifact refining workshop. However, her father, Hua Minghe, was just a constable from the Six Doors. Why was he also here guarding the street?
Hua Changxi shifted her attention from her father and brother to the other troops surrounding the street. Soon, her eyes flickered, “The Imperial Court indeed has deep foundations, as most of the cultivators sent to maintain order are in the Qi Sea Realm.”
It was understandable that the Demon Suppressing Army, which specialized in handling matters related to Spiritual Energy Revival, had abundant cultivation resources and strong strength. But among the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards, cultivators in the Qi Sea Realm accounted for seventy to eighty percent, and there were even about a dozen Core Formation cultivators.
Tong Yao’s expression was somewhat complex, “The strength of the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards wasn’t this great before. Over a month ago, the Fusang Divine Wood appeared, and Spiritual Energy surged. Many Fire Spiritual Root cultivators near the artifact refining workshop seized the opportunity to break through their realms.”
Hua Changxi hadn’t expected this to be the reason, “Then, in this case, the Royal Family is likely even more determined to obtain the Five Great Sacred Lands.”
Tong Yao nodded, “It’s not just the Royal Family; other noble families won’t let go either.” He said with a look of helplessness, “With so many people watching, the disciples of the Artifact Saint Palace can only be extremely careful in their daily lives and try to hide themselves well.”
Hua Changxi, upon hearing this, disagreed somewhat with this approach, “But constantly hiding like this is not conducive to the development of a Sacred Land, is it?”
Tong Yao gave a wry smile, “There’s no other way. The Royal Family and some cultivation noble families have too strong foundations. If the Artifact Saint Palace dares to show itself, these factions will definitely interfere. At that time, who will be in charge of the Artifact Saint Palace, and who can say for sure?”
“Aren’t you from the Medical Affairs Department, fellow Daoist Hua? The Medical Affairs Department is now controlled by the Royal Family, and most alchemists have chosen to align themselves with the Royal Family and noble families. Even if a successor to the Dan Sheng Hall appears in the future, how many people do you think will listen to him?”
Hua Changxi instinctively retorted, “The Medical Affairs Department is the Medical Affairs Department, and the Dan Sheng Hall is the Dan Sheng Hall.”
Tong Yao glanced at her, “The Dan Sheng Hall has the responsibility of guarding the formation eye and teaching medical skills and pill arts. These all require people. If all the people are controlled by the Royal Family, even if the successor of the Dan Sheng Hall is legitimate, they will be sidelined.”
These words made Hua Changxi once again think of her cooperation with Elder You Four in developing the Fire Spirit Mine at the Three Forked Medicine Valley.
Even the Fire Spirit Mine she had voluntarily given up, under the guise of letting Hua Liulang practice, could not change the fact that she couldn’t control Elder You Four and the others, unless she went on a killing spree.
She was precisely being sidelined!
“You have a point.”
Tong Yao sighed, “Eldest Senior Brother often says that managing people is the most difficult thing. Power struggles and benefit distribution are all tests of one’s ability.”
Hua Changxi’s shortcomings in this area were obvious, and she was inwardly unwilling to deal with such matters. She nodded in agreement, “You’re absolutely right. Managing people is so troublesome; it’s better to focus on cultivation and improving one’s skills.”
Tong Yao looked at Hua Changxi, “But if you don’t hold power, you will always be subject to others. Ultimately, people cannot survive alone in this world.”
Hua Changxi disagreed with this statement, “If I am invincible, who can do anything to me?”
Tong Yao was stunned by these words, and was shocked to realize that this female cultivator before him, whose strength far surpassed his own, seemed, perhaps, a little too… pure?
Hua Changxi saw Tong Yao’s strange expression, “What, am I wrong?”
Tong Yao shook his head, “It’s not that you’re wrong. I just feel… fellow Daoist Hua is not someone who advocates for violence.”
Hua Changxi: “Of course I’m not.”
Tong Yao looked perplexed, “Then why do you think violence can solve everything?”
Hua Changxi was taken aback for a moment, then after a pause, “I’m not saying violence can solve everything. I mean, if my strength is sufficient, no one can harm me, and no one can stop me from doing what I want to do.”
Tong Yao: “That’s a ‘strength above all’ mindset.”
Hua Changxi retorted, “What’s wrong with strength above all?”
Tong Yao was silent for a long while, “It’s not that it’s wrong. I mean, do you have anyone you care about, fellow Daoist Hua? If someone you care about stops you from doing something, what would you do?”
Hua Changxi was stumped. After a long pause, she said, “The people I care about must care about me. Since they care about me, how could they stop me from doing what I want to do? Fellow Daoist Tong’s words truly make no sense.”
Seeing her turn his words back on him, Tong Yao was momentarily speechless, “…People are different, and there will definitely be disagreements.” He paused, “Actually, I used to think similarly to fellow Daoist Hua. But after experiencing some things, I realized that pursuing absolute strength above all else is a form of self-torture. In this way, you can neither find yourself nor see others.”
Hua Changxi did not agree with this at all, “That’s your feeling. In pursuing strength, I feel a great sense of accomplishment.”
After all, they had only met once. Tong Yao didn’t want to pry too deeply and quickly changed the subject with a light cough, “Are you familiar with the Capital City, fellow Daoist Hua? Do you have a place to stay?”
Hua Changxi didn’t dwell on the previous topic, “Yes.”
Tong Yao handed her a communication talisman, “I need to go back and look after Xia Yang and Xia Xue. If you need anything in the future, fellow Daoist Hua, contact me with this communication talisman. Regarding setting up the array and lighting the white jade lotus petals, I will contact my friends after I return. I will inform you as soon as I get a response.”
Hua Changxi nodded and thanked him, “Thank you very much, fellow Daoist Tong.”
Watching Tong Yao disappear into the crowd, Hua Changxi withdrew her gaze, thinking about their recent conversation, and chuckled wryly, “The differences between people are truly vast. To think that someone would feel that pursuing strength above all else is wrong?”
