Chapter 219: Big Picture Thinking
Xia Zhen did not voice any objection to Hua Changxi’s suggestion for handling the remaining three sticks of pill incense.
One must always leave a sliver of hope, not block off all paths; this was also the principle the Guardian of the Dao had always upheld.
However, his mood was complex at this moment; he hadn’t expected Hua Changxi, so young, to have already grasped this point.
Xia Zhen looked at Meng Qingyao and the others he had brought. If he were to say they were inferior to Hua Changxi, he certainly wouldn’t agree, yet only Hua Changxi dared to step forward and express her views on how to handle the pill incense.
Did Meng Qingyao and the others lack such foresight?
Not necessarily.
They were simply accustomed to a position of obedience and following orders, never considering whether the future of the Sacred Land had anything to do with ordinary cultivators.
But Hua Changxi’s perspective was far beyond theirs; opening the three secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of pill incense to all cultivators was a display of strategic vision.
What kind of person considers the bigger picture?
A power holder!
The suppressed apprehension in Xia Zhen’s heart surged again, growing stronger and stronger.
It wasn’t just Xia Zhen whose mood was complex; Gu Xing’s mood was also very complicated. He truly hadn’t expected Hua Changxi to ask him to secure the remaining three sticks of pill incense for ordinary cultivators.
From the long-term development of the Sacred Land, opening the three secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of pill incense to all cultivators who favored Dan Dao and Medical Skills would undoubtedly be most beneficial to the Sacred Land.
He had thought Hua Changxi wanted to occupy more secret realms, but her intention was to consider the Sacred Land the most.
Gu Xing looked at Hua Changxi, his eyes filled with self-reproach, and at the same time realized that he had underestimated and had too one-sided an understanding of this girl.
Wei Zhenjie’s gaze towards Hua Changxi also held a bit more seriousness.
What kind of place was the Dan Sheng Hall?
It was the Sacred Land of Dan Dao and Medical Skills in the Four Spirit Realm, a pilgrimage site yearned for by all healers and alchemists, bearing the heavy responsibility of spreading Medical Skills and Dan Dao.
He hadn’t expected that among so many people present, the one who truly considered that the Dan Sheng Hall was for all cultivators of the Four Spirit Realm was this young woman.
Now, he somewhat understood why she was the first to discover the Qihuang Hall’s secret realm.
This was someone who genuinely wanted to spread Dan Dao and Medical Skills!
Gu Xing truly considered the development of the Sacred Land with all his heart, and Xia Zhen, as the Guardian of the Dao, although having selfish desires, also hoped for a better Sacred Land, so neither of them opposed Hua Changxi’s proposal.
They had originally thought Prince Shou would not agree, but unexpectedly, he also did not object.
In Prince Shou’s view, the Capital City was the imperial family’s stronghold, and if the secret realms were open to everyone, the imperial family would naturally have the advantage of proximity.
Since he couldn’t get his hands on the remaining three sticks of pill incense, it was better this way.
Seeing that Gu Xing and Prince Shou both agreed to Hua Changxi’s proposal, and noticing the crowd of onlookers outside the plaza, Xia Zhen quickly looked at Meng Qingyao: “Qingyao, you and little friend Hua are both people who lit a first-grade incense. What are your thoughts on the remaining three sticks of pill incense?”
Meng Qingyao, suddenly questioned, was a bit taken aback but quickly regained her composure.
After her Fire-Wood Spirit Body was detected at the age of eight, she had apprenticed under the Great Elder of the Xia Family. She knew the principles of the Guardian of the Dao and instantly understood what Martial Uncle Xia Zhen wanted her to say.
“Martial Uncle Xia, Qingyao also believes that the secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of pill incense should be opened to all cultivators. The Dan Sheng Hall is a Sacred Land for all who favor Medical Skills and Dan Dao, and it should leave a sliver of opportunity for them.”
Xia Zhen nodded with satisfaction and looked at Gu Xing: “I also find Qingyao and little friend Hua’s proposal very fair. What do you think, fellow Daoist Gu?”
Gu Xing frowned slightly when he saw Xia Zhen having Meng Qingyao share Hua Changxi’s proposal, but then quickly relaxed.
That girl Hua Changxi was clearly not interested in power; perhaps it would be good for her to be tempered by power.
Gu Xing did not correct Xia Zhen: “I also think this is very good.”
Xia Zhen smiled again at Prince Shou: “What do you think, Prince Shou?”
Prince Shou snorted, appearing angry: “The two seniors have already discussed it, why ask this prince.”
Xia Zhen paid him no mind and directly said: “Since Your Highness also agrees, then we will proceed according to Qingyao and little friend Hua’s proposal. The secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of pill incense will be opened to all cultivators.”
Wei Zhenjie smiled and took over the conversation, asking the crucial question: “Senior Xia, how should the remaining three sticks of pill incense be lit? And who will be in charge of the secret realms bestowed by the Divine Wood afterward?”
Xia Zhen thought for a moment: “Qingyao and little friend Hua can light a first-grade incense, so they can naturally light a third-grade incense as well. They will each light one stick of third-grade incense. As for this first-grade incense…”
Before he could finish speaking, Gu Xing interrupted: “Since the proposal was made by girl Hua, let her light it.”
Xia Zhen really wanted Meng Qingyao to gain prestige through this matter, but under the watchful eyes of everyone, he couldn’t find a good reason to refute Gu Xing and could only say with difficulty: “It’s not that I look down on little friend Hua, but there are requirements for lighting a first-grade incense.”
“Qingyao lit the Pill Fire of the Second Street in Ninth Street. I believe she has a greater chance of lighting this remaining first-grade incense. Let Qingyao try first.”
Hua Changxi did not want to be passively arranged by others. Before this, she had already figured out that unlocking Qihuang Hall and lighting the wooden token could increase cultivation speed; lighting the incense lamps in Ninth Street could also increase cultivation speed.
Now, lighting the incense lamp and receiving the Divine Wood Blessing might also increase cultivation speed. She would not give up such a benefit.
Especially, Xia Zhen’s dismissive words made Hua Changxi very indignant, so she spoke herself: “Whether I can light it or not, I’ll know if I try.” After speaking, she stepped forward and grabbed the first-grade incense, and before Xia Zhen could stop her, she directly inserted it into the Divine Wood Cauldron.
Sparks flew, and green smoke curled upwards, and the rich incense of pills once again wafted through the air above the Medical Affairs Department.
Hua Changxi looked at the green smoke. This time, she didn’t feel the profound and mysterious sensation she had when lighting the first-grade incense before, which disappointed her. She could only smile and shrug at Xia Zhen: “The first-grade incense isn’t as difficult to light as Senior Xia said.”
Xia Zhen felt very stifled upon hearing this, but this was not the time to dwell on it. The first-grade incense had been lit, and the Divine Wood Leaf was already condensing. The urgent matter was to arrange for someone to manage the secret realm.
“This secret realm will be…”
Hua Changxi interrupted Xia Zhen: “This secret realm, along with the secret realms corresponding to the remaining two sticks of third-grade incense, should be managed by Senior Gu.”
Seeing Xia Zhen frown, wanting to object, Hua Changxi preempted him: “Senior Xia, only Senior Gu is wholeheartedly considering the Dan Sheng Hall. If the public secret realms are handed over to him for management, it will be convincing.”
This statement was immediately supported by Prince Shou: “This prince also believes it is better for Senior Gu to manage the three secret realms. If the secret realms are given to others, this prince will be the first to disagree.”
Wei Zhenjie also echoed: “It is indeed fairer for Senior Gu to manage the public secret realms.”
Master Zhang also nodded in agreement, and the people from the Medical Affairs Department successively expressed their approval.
The cultivators from the Guardian Family’s side looked somewhat displeased.
As the Guardian Family of the Central Continent, the Xia Family, Xia Zhen naturally wanted the Xia Family to manage the public secret realms. Seeing that everyone supported Gu Xing, their expressions became displeased, and they looked even less favorably upon Hua Changxi, who had proposed this.
Dongfang Hao suddenly spoke: “We have no objections to Senior Gu managing the public secret realms. However, with three secret realms, Senior Gu might be too busy to handle them alone. Perhaps Senior Xia could assist?”
Seeing that his side finally had someone step up to fight for their interests, Xia Zhen’s expression slowly improved. Ignoring everyone else, he smiled at Gu Xing: “What do you think, fellow Daoist Gu?”
Gu Xing glanced at Hua Changxi, who had proposed he take over the three secret realms and then had turned to watch the pill incense smoke, feeling a bit helpless.
Although he was just a gatekeeper, he was one with the Sacred Land. If the Sacred Land prospered, he could prosper.
With various forces pouring in, there would undoubtedly be constant disputes in the future. Under such circumstances, he also needed some leverage to restrain all parties and cultivate confidants.
Gu Xing naturally agreed to take over the three secret realms: “Alright, the three public secret realms will be managed by this old man, and fellow Daoist Xia will assist.”
Seeing him so blunt and not even showing a hint of modesty, Xia Zhen felt uncomfortable again, but the matter had come to this, and he couldn’t say anything else.
“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven!”
Hua Changxi saw that this first-grade incense had only condensed a Divine Wood Leaf with seven stripes. Her previous pride in surpassing Meng Qingyao vanished.
She was able to obtain the Eighth Rank secret realm not because of herself, but because of the Shen Nong Cauldron.
Such opportunities obtained not through oneself but through external means ultimately left her feeling somewhat uncertain.
However, Hua Changxi quickly rallied. The Shen Nong Cauldron was also one of her opportunities. She didn’t need to doubt herself because of it, but in the future, she couldn’t be complacent because of it.
“Senior Gu, come and receive the Divine Wood Leaf.”
