Chapter 220: The Dan Sheng Hall’s First Resource Allocation
After Gu Xing received the Seven-Veined Divine Wood Leaf, Hua Changxi and Meng Qingyao each picked up a Third Grade Incense. Perhaps both harbored a hidden competitive spirit, and they inserted the Incense of Pills into the Divine Wood Cauldron almost simultaneously.
Xia Zhen didn’t even have time to stop them. Seeing both Incenses of Pills ignite at the same time, he finally breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
At this moment, his heart suddenly jolted. He suddenly realized that in his heart, he actually felt that Meng Qingyao, meticulously cultivated by the Xia Family, might not be a match for Hua Changxi.
This thought made Xia Zhen’s eyelids twitch wildly, and his mood remained unsettled for a long time.
The Third Grade Incense quickly burned out, and two Seven-Veined Divine Wood Leaves floated in mid-air. Meng Qingyao merely turned to look at Xia Zhen, while Hua Changxi directly waved to Gu Xing, “Senior Gu, quickly come and take the Divine Wood Leaves.”
Seeing Hua Changxi’s matter-of-fact demeanor, Gu Xing didn’t pretend to be modest. He stepped forward before Xia Zhen and directly, as if it were his due, collected both Divine Wood Leaves.
Xia Zhen, snapping back to reality, stared at the scene with wide eyes.
In his expectation, for two low-grade Secret Realms, he and Gu Xing should have each managed one.
Now that Gu Xing held all three Secret Realms in his hands, even if he could participate in the management of the Secret Realms in the future, it would only be in a supporting role.
Gu Xing looked at Xia Zhen, “Fellow Daoist Xia, once I’ve decided how to manage the three Public Secret Realms, I will discuss the specific management details with you.”
Xia Zhen felt extremely aggrieved at this moment. As a Guardian of the Dao, he should have been the primary decision-maker in the Medical Affairs Department, but now, he could only condescend to be under Gu Xing.
Despite his inner resentment, Xia Zhen managed to control his emotions.
He knew that although he was a Guardian of the Dao, Gu Xing, as the Gatekeeper of the Dan Sheng Hall, had a more legitimate claim to manage the Public Secret Realms.
“Alright, for the sake of the Dan Sheng Hall’s early reappearance in the world, I will certainly assist Fellow Daoist Gu in managing the three Public Secret Realms well.”
Seeing that Gu Xing was the highest authority for the three Public Secret Realms, Wei Zhenjie and Master Zhang exchanged smiles. Even Prince Shou, seeing that the Guardian Family had not gained any advantage, looked considerably more pleased.
As for the others present, from the Medical Affairs Department, since the people from the Guardian Family had come to contend for the Hall Master position with them from the start, they were naturally happy to see Xia Zhen in a difficult situation.
The cultivators from the Guardian Family, however, all felt wronged and indignant for Xia Zhen. In their view, the Guardian of the Dao had made great contributions to the Four Spirit Realm and should have received everyone’s support and acclaim.
Dongfang Hao didn’t have many objections. Hua Changxi was actually not wrong; it was indeed the fairest and most just for Gu Xing to manage the three Public Secret Realms.
However,
while others’ attention was focused on the three Public Secret Realms, Dongfang Hao’s primary focus was on Hua Changxi herself.
In terms of actively asserting herself, Qing Yao was indeed far inferior to Hua Changxi.
That’s understandable. Qing Yao was a favored junior of the Xia Family, and the Meng Family was also an established Cultivation Noble Family. Having never lacked Cultivation Resources since childhood, she certainly couldn’t compete with Hua Changxi, who came from a humble background.
Meng Yuchuan also had significant opinions about Hua Changxi, saying coldly, “Qing Yao is too polite, while that Hua Changxi, upon seeing good things, acts like a ravenous dog seeing food, completely ignorant of propriety and humility. Qing Yao is bound to suffer when dealing with her.”
Hearing this, Dongfang Hao’s brow furrowed.
Dongfang Xu strongly disagreed, “Brother Meng, your words are too harsh.”
Meng Yuchuan, recalling the temperaments of the Dongfang brothers, softened his tone, “I was too extreme. I’m just too worried about Qing Yao. One truly cannot be too humble when dealing with cultivators from low backgrounds like Hua Changxi; they are all very difficult to get along with.”
Dongfang Xu disagreed, “Whether someone is easy to get along with has nothing to do with their background, right?”
Meng Yuchuan chuckled, “Brother Xu, you’ve still had too little Experience. People from humble backgrounds are very possessive and calculative about everything. Why do you think Hua Changxi has a poor relationship with her family? Isn’t it because they are always calculating and scheming?”
Dongfang Xu felt that Meng Yuchuan, not being a Hua Family member, didn’t understand the internal situation of the Hua Family and shouldn’t make judgments so casually. However, he couldn’t find a reason to refute him, so he stopped arguing.
Seeing that Dongfang Xu and Dongfang Hao didn’t respond, Meng Yuchuan didn’t say anything further.
All eighteen incense sticks were lit. The confrontation and competition that arose from the sudden appearance of the Guardian of the Dao in the Medical Affairs Department had concluded.
However, the impact it caused was just beginning.
The eighteen Secret Realms bestowed by the Divine Wood could be considered the first distribution of Resources for the Dan Sheng Hall.
Those who obtained a Secret Realm, by controlling the Secret Realm Resources, had ascended to the position of the first group of influential figures in the Holy Land.
As long as they could protect this position and manage their Secret Realms well, they would become Holy Land elders when the Dan Sheng Hall reappeared in the future.
Among those present, except for a few individuals, the vast majority were from Noble backgrounds and were not unfamiliar with the workings of power. Those who obtained Secret Realms were looking for followers; those who didn’t were also scouting for Secret Realm Masters, intending to share in the Secret Realm Resources.
The first to be targeted were naturally Hua Changxi and Meng Qingyao, who had obtained high-grade Secret Realms.
Meng Qingyao, backed by the Xia Family and the Meng Family, would not be easily taken advantage of. However, Hua Changxi was different; without a backing or connections, and with a humble background and limited knowledge, she was the best target for “division.”
Even Xia Zhen and Wei Zhenjie were contemplating how to win over Hua Changxi.
Xia Zhen spoke first, smiling at those who had obtained Secret Realms, “Esteemed friends, for the early reappearance of the Holy Land, I will remain in the Medical Affairs Department to assist everyone. Regarding the management of the Divine Wood Secret Realms, I believe it is necessary for all Secret Realm Masters to gather and discuss the matter. What do you all think?”
In his view, gathering all the Secret Realm Masters together would not only allow him to monitor their movements and thoughts but also, through discussion, to legitimately interfere with the development direction of the Dan Sheng Hall.
Among those who obtained Secret Realms, from the Medical Affairs Department were Hua Changxi, Mu Qingying, Yuan Tianchou, Shen Qianfan, Master Zhang, and people from the four major collateral royal families; from the Guardian Family side were members of the five major Guardian Families and Meng Qingyao.
These individuals, with the exception of Hua Changxi and Shen Qianfan, all had their own social circles and understood the importance and necessity of building connections.
Their current thought was that since they were all now part of the Holy Land, they would surely be working together when the Dan Sheng Hall reappeared. They would see each other often, so it was very necessary to get acquainted and understand each other in advance.
Therefore, Mu Qingying and the others remained silent, not objecting.
Just as Xia Zhen thought everyone would agree, Hua Changxi, who disliked being constrained, spoke up, “Senior Xia, since the Divine Wood bestowed the Secret Realm upon me, how I manage it is my business. There’s no need for discussion.”
Xia Zhen truly felt Hua Changxi was like a fly in the ointment. Didn’t this girl know what obedience was? He took a deep breath, “Little Friend Hua, your words are mistaken. The development of a Secret Realm is not just your affair; it concerns the reappearance of the Dan Sheng Hall.”
Hua Changxi detested people who spoke of righteousness and responsibility while harboring selfish desires in their hearts. She directly interrupted, “Senior Xia, you are a Guardian of the Dao, not the Holy Land Master. The reappearance of the Dan Sheng Hall cannot be discussed and decided by a few Secret Realm Masters gathering together.”
After speaking, she glanced at the sky, which was already getting late.
“It’s Lunar New Year’s Eve today. Aren’t you going home to reunite with your families? It’s getting late, and I need to go home. I won’t chat with you all any longer. Goodbye.”
Watching Hua Changxi stride away, everyone was stunned. They had never seen anyone so self-willed.
Prince Shou, looking at Xia Zhen, who was about to explode with anger, felt like laughing out loud. He said to Chu Junhao beside him, “This Hua Changxi truly shows no respect to anyone.”
Chu Junhao’s mouth twitched. He also hadn’t expected Hua Changxi to be so “do as one pleases.” He chuckled, “Perhaps people with true natures are all like this.”
Master Zhang was also not calm at this moment, “Hua Changxi and Changxin look exactly alike, but their personalities are truly…”
Wen Lanzhou chimed in, “Truly two completely opposite people. Junior Sister Changxin is the most considerate and thoughtful person.” As for Hua Changxi, she completely disregarded the well-being of others.
Master Zhang thought of the Hua Family’s situation, “A personality like Hua Changxi’s might be because no one has guided her.”
Wen Lanzhou nodded in agreement, “If Hua Changxi continues to be so reckless, she will definitely suffer greatly. Today, she has thoroughly offended Senior Xia.”
Huo Yunxiao interjected, “Hua Changxi’s actions are indeed somewhat reckless, but I find myself somewhat envious. Few people can live as freely as she does.”
“Freely?”
Jie Xian of Xiangguo Temple heard this and chuckled, shaking his head, “Hall Master Hua cannot even achieve the most basic self-restraint, so how can she be called free?”
