Chapter 215: Lone Ranger
Gu Jin Fan’s eyelids twitched violently when he saw Xia Zhen had actually ended his confrontation with Hua Changxi first.
Not only her, but the cultivators from the Guardian Family’s side also noticed. Although most people thought Xia Zhen didn’t want to bother with Hua Changxi, some still sensed something different.
Dongfang Hao’s gaze towards Hua Changxi was much more serious than before. He finally understood why the information he investigated said that this person didn’t have good relationships with those around her; she was too opinionated, and once someone offended her, she would strike back with full force.
To get along with someone like her, one needed not only matching strength but also a strong state of mind. The weak could not take advantage of her.
Dongfang Hao looked at Meng Qingyao, “She is indeed a formidable opponent.”
Hearing this, Meng Qingyao’s eyes flickered incessantly, feeling a bit anxious yet also eager to try.
Looking at Hua Changxi in the center of the hall, Huo Yunxiao’s admiration was evident on his face. He gave her a thumbs-up, “Hall Master Hua, you are truly to my taste. I’ve decided to be your friend.”
Hua Changxi glanced at him but didn’t speak. She felt a spiritual energy fluctuation from high in the sky behind her. Turning her head, she saw the Heavenly Department Minister Wei Zhenjie and a white-robed Daoist with an ethereal demeanor, holding a whisk, rapidly flying towards them on flying swords.
Huo Yunxiao followed her gaze, and the next moment, his face lit up with joy. He shouted to Wen Lanzhou, the Hall Master of Number Four Hall, “Lanzhou, our Masters have arrived.”
Only then did everyone look up at the sky and see Minister Wei and Master Zhang arriving together.
Xia Zhen and the cultivators from the Guardian Family’s side felt a bit disappointed that the two arrived so quickly. They had originally hoped they would be a little later, so their side could worship the Divine Wood first.
“Master!”
“Master!”
Wei Zhenjie and Master Zhang landed at the edge of the plaza, still some distance from the offering table. Huo Yunxiao and Wen Lanzhou hurried forward to greet them.
After meeting, Huo Yunxiao and Wen Lanzhou quickly recounted the events that had transpired since the Guardian Family arrived at the Medical Affairs Department to Wei Zhenjie and Master Zhang.
“A female cultivator brought by the Guardian of the Dao, named Meng Qingyao, ignited the Pill Fire of Second Street.”
“Among the seven Hall Masters who received wooden tokens, only Mu Qingying, Yuan Tianchou, and Shen Qianfan ignited the Third Grade Incense and obtained the Divine Wood Secret Realm.”
“Department Head Gu and Gu Jin Fan both wanted to ignite the First-grade Incense, but both failed.”
“Zhu Qinghuan’s situation is a bit strange. She received a wooden token but didn’t even ignite the Third Grade Incense. It’s unclear what’s going on.”
“Hua Changxi ignited the First-grade Incense, but judging by her expression, she didn’t seem very happy. I carefully examined her complexion, and she wasn’t faking it.”
Among the numerous pieces of information, Wei Zhenjie focused on two points: first, Meng Qingyao igniting the Pill Fire of Second Street, and second, Hua Changxi igniting the First-grade Incense.
After filling in all the information gaps, the four of them walked towards Xia Zhen and Gu Xing and the others.
On the way, Wei Zhenjie chatted with Master Zhang as they walked, “I originally thought the Guardian of the Dao wouldn’t show up for a few more years, but I didn’t expect them to arrive so soon.”
Master Zhang said, “It’s likely because of the sudden appearance of the Fusang Divine Wood a while ago that the Guardian of the Dao sensed something, forcing them to emerge earlier.”
Wei Zhenjie nodded, “With the Guardian of the Dao appearing, the Capital City will likely become more lively in the future.”
Master Zhang corrected him, “Not the Capital City, but the Central Continent.”
The Capital City was positioned according to the Great Jin Dynasty, while the Central Continent was the center of the Four Spirit Realm.
Wei Zhenjie smiled, looking at the group of young cultivators brought by Xia Zhen, and sighed, “The Guardian of the Dao is indeed powerful, finding so many exceptionally talented prodigies.”
Master Zhang nodded in agreement, “With the addition of these people, the reappearance of the Sacred Lands will be rapidly advanced.”
Wei Zhenjie chuckled, “That’s not necessarily true. It might even hinder the reappearance of the Sacred Lands. Sometimes, having too many prodigies isn’t a good thing.”
Master Zhang was silent for a moment, “In ancient times, the Five Great Sacred Lands were the most yearned-for cultivation sacred lands for all cultivators in the Four Spirit Realm. Now that the Sacred Lands are about to reappear, it’s expected that everyone will flock here.”
“Many hands make light work. Even if there are obstacles, it’s better than being rigid and stagnant.”
“The Capital City is still the Royal Family’s domain. With these people entering the fray, the waters can be stirred. As for who can ultimately remain, it will naturally depend on their own abilities.”
Wei Zhenjie smiled, “Master speaks wisely.”
Hua Changxi stood at the back of the crowd, looking at the arriving Heavenly Department Minister and Master Zhang. She really wanted to use the Four Diagnostic Methods to probe their depths, but remembering the scene where she was almost caught by Xia Zhen earlier, she abandoned the idea.
Wei Zhenjie and Master Zhang both sensed a burning gaze upon them. Looking up, they saw a red-clothed female cultivator, about fifteen or sixteen years old.
Ostentatious!
Dazzling!
This was the unified impression the two had of Hua Changxi.
“Master, that person is Hua Changxi.”
Huo Yunxiao noticed their gazes and quickly introduced them.
Wei Zhenjie smiled, “She is indeed quite bold.” Few people dared to stare at him so brazenly.
Master Zhang showed a look of surprise, looking at his disciple Wen Lanzhou, “She is…”
Wen Lanzhou nodded, “Hua Changxi is Junior Sister Changxin’s twin sister.”
Master Zhang, who usually maintained a detached demeanor of seeing through all worldly affairs, showed rare emotion today, looking both shocked and confused, “What is Hua Changxi’s aptitude?”
Wen Lanzhou replied, “Single Fire Spiritual Root. Her specific aptitude is not yet clear, but judging by the various signs she has displayed, her aptitude is definitely not low.”
Master Zhang was puzzled, “If that’s the case, why did Junior Brother Qingyun only bring back Changxin back then?”
This was a question Wei Zhenjie also wanted to know, “Yes, why?”
Huo Yunxiao interjected, “Perhaps it’s because Hua Changxi’s personality was very unlikable when she was young. Daoist Qingyun found her troublesome and didn’t bring her back to Taisu Palace.”
Master Zhang directly denied this reason, “That’s impossible. Junior Brother Qingyun wouldn’t bicker with a young girl.”
As they spoke, the four of them had arrived in front of everyone.
“My apologies, we are late. We kept Senior Gu and Senior Xia waiting.”
Wei Zhenjie clasped his fists and walked towards Gu Xing and Xia Zhen. Master Zhang had also regained his composure and followed closely behind.
Huo Yunxiao and Wen Lanzhou did not follow, standing directly beside Hua Changxi.
Hua Changxi looked at the two of them, “Why was Master Zhang looking at me like that just now? It felt like he knew me.”
Huo Yunxiao looked at her and smiled, “You are truly sharp.” She was the first to notice the arrival of his Master and Master Zhang at the Medical Affairs Department, even before Senior Xia from the Guardian Family.
Wen Lanzhou, however, looked at her strangely, “You don’t know?”
Hua Changxi was somewhat bewildered, “Know what?”
Wen Lanzhou was speechless, “My Master comes from Taisu Palace.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi’s eyes widened in surprise and joy, “So you and my Shi Niang are from the same sect.”
Now, even Huo Yunxiao was a bit speechless, “My Hall Master Hua, you don’t know these things?”
Hua Changxi was silent for a moment, “I don’t like socializing much…”
Huo Yunxiao directly complained, “You’re exaggerating too much. Are you completely oblivious to the outside world? You should at least have a general understanding of the situation in the Capital City, if not a complete grasp.”
“How can you be a cultivator like this?”
“Are you a lone wolf?”
“If so, you should be collecting information from all sides even more. Otherwise, how will you obtain cultivation resources?”
Since she began cultivating, Hua Changxi had indeed figured things out on her own. She knew she was lacking in this aspect, but she didn’t want to reveal her shortcomings in front of outsiders, so she ignored Huo Yunxiao and looked directly at Wen Lanzhou.
“Hall Master Wen, is my Shi Niang doing well at Taisu Palace? When is she coming home?”
Wen Lanzhou replied, “Hall Master Hua, please rest assured. Junior Sister Changxin is a direct disciple of the Sect Leader, and with the care of her Senior Brothers and Sisters, she is naturally well at Taisu Palace.”
“Currently, Junior Sister Changxin is out on experience with the other disciples of the sect. It’s unclear when she will return.”
Hua Changxi’s face fell upon hearing this, “I haven’t seen Shi Niang for many years. Where are they training?”
Wen Lanzhou replied, “This… I’m afraid I cannot tell Hall Master Hua. Please rest assured, with so many fellow disciples, Junior Sister Changxin will surely be fine.”
Hearing him say this, Hua Changxi didn’t press further. Coincidentally, Wei Zhenjie, Master Zhang, Xia Zhen, and Gu Xing had finished their pleasantries, and the two were about to begin worshipping the Divine Wood.
