Chapter 230: The First Circle
The appearance of the Guardian Families at the Medical Affairs Department on Lunar New Year’s Eve, though only two or three days ago, had already caused a tsunami-like storm in the cultivator circles, and this storm showed signs of intensifying.
“With the appearance of the Guardians at the Medical Affairs Department, it’s bound to attract a lot of attention. Coupled with the Divine Wood Secret Realm, it won’t be long before the Medical Affairs Department becomes the center of attention.”
“Not just the Medical Affairs Department, the other Four Great Sacred Lands won’t escape either.”
“The Guardian Families have appeared at the Dan Sheng Hall, and they won’t be absent from other Sacred Lands.”
Hua Changxi watched Tong Yao, Jing Le, and Yan Zhenzhen, who all wore worried expressions when discussing the Guardian Families, her gaze flickering.
Tong Yao is the successor of the Artifact Saint Palace, Jing Le is the successor of the Talisman Saint Pavilion, so Yan Zhenzhen is most likely the successor of the Formation Saint Sect.
Good heavens, she had befriended three successors of Sacred Lands at once.
Hua Changxi thought of herself again, did she count as a successor of the Dan Sheng Hall?
Probably not.
She had indeed never received the inheritance from the Dan Sheng Hall; the Dan Dao Medical Skills she displayed were all taught by the Shen Nong Cauldron.
Although the Shen Nong Cauldron might have some connection to the Dan Sheng Hall, the Shen Nong Cauldron was something she brought with her from her transmigration, not something the Dan Sheng Hall specifically passed down to her.
Hua Changxi used to think of herself as a successor of the Dan Sheng Hall, but now, she no longer had that thought.
Her position concerning the Dan Sheng Hall was clear: she was a lecturer for the Dan Sheng Hall, spreading Dan Dao Medical Skills.
Things like guarding Formation Eyes and shouldering the mission of revitalizing the Sacred Land, she wanted no part of.
Her shoulders were too frail to bear such immense pressure.
“Cough, cough~”
Hua Changxi broke the silence of the three, Tong Yao, Jing Le, and Yan Zhenzhen, with a cough.
Tong Yao then remembered and said to Yan Zhenzhen, “Fellow Daoist Yan, Fellow Daoist Hua is looking for you to discuss cooperation.”
Yan Zhenzhen knew Hua Changxi was looking for her to set up a Teleportation Array, so she said, “Jing Le has told me that you saved us at Kunmen Pass in the Nine Netherworlds. If you want to set up a Teleportation Array, I can do it for you free of charge.”
Hua Changxi: “How can I accept that? I need to set up several Teleportation Arrays.”
Yan Zhenzhen’s expression faltered slightly, and she reminded her, “Fellow Daoist Hua, the formation stones needed to set up a Teleportation Array are not ordinary stones. If you wish to purchase them, it will cost a considerable amount of Spirit Stones.”
Hua Changxi: “I have already prepared the formation stones needed to set up the Teleportation Arrays.”
With that, Yan Zhenzhen found it difficult to say more, “How many Teleportation Arrays do you intend to set up?”
Hua Changxi: “For now, I plan to set up four Teleportation Arrays.”
One for Lingguang Hall, one for Five Finger Mountain, one for the Shennong Apothecary Shop in Feng’an Ward, and one for Hall Thirteen of the Medical Affairs Department.
Hearing that Hua Changxi intended to set up four Teleportation Arrays, Tong Yao and the other two had their eyes flicker.
From the number of Teleportation Arrays set up, one could actually infer certain things.
Fellow Daoist Hua has at least four places to stay!
Hua Changxi looked at Yan Zhenzhen, “Fellow Daoist Yan, I also understand some methods for installing and setting up formation platforms. You just need to help me engrave the formation patterns and the Runes on the formation stones.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhenzhen quickly glanced at Jing Le and Tong Yao, knowing that Hua Changxi did not trust them.
Yan Zhenzhen didn’t mind, as they had only just met, “Alright.”
Hua Changxi added, “In addition to the four Teleportation Arrays mentioned earlier, I also need to set up a Teleportation Array for entering and exiting the Secret Realm, and another Teleportation Array to go from the first level of the Secret Realm to the second level.”
Yan Zhenzhen looked surprised, “From the first level to the second level of the Secret Realm? Does the Divine Wood Secret Realm you obtained have multiple levels, Fellow Daoist Hua?”
Hua Changxi simply nodded, not elaborating further. Then, she looked at Tong Yao again.
“The two Teleportation Arrays for the Secret Realm will also require corresponding entry and exit Tokens.”
“Fellow Daoist Tong, I need one hundred thousand Identity Tokens that match the Teleportation Arrays. Can you help me refine them?”
One hundred thousand Identity Tokens!
Tong Yao, Jing Le, and Yan Zhenzhen’s eyelids twitched. Just how large was the Divine Wood Secret Realm that Fellow Daoist Hua obtained, to require the crafting of so many Identity Tokens?!
Hua Changxi continued, “Fellow Daoist Tong, I heard there is a type of Spiritual Artifact called a mother-child artifact. I hope you can craft the Identity Tokens you make for me according to the principle of mother-child artifacts.”
“The entry and exit situations of all child Identity Tokens can be immediately summarized on the mother token, which will facilitate my management of the medicine farmers.”
Tong Yao fell silent for a moment. While crafting mother-child artifacts was not difficult, the quantity Hua Changxi required was too large.
“Fellow Daoist Hua, is there anything else you need?”
Hua Changxi nodded, “Besides the entry and exit tokens, I also need Fellow Daoist Tong to help me craft an Oath Tablet to be placed at the entrance and exit of the Secret Realm.”
Tong Yao’s eyes widened, “You want to craft an Oath Tablet too?”
Hua Changxi nodded, “This is a condition for entering and exiting the Secret Realm. They must swear allegiance to the Dan Sheng Hall, and during their time working in the Secret Realm, the interests of the Dan Sheng Hall must be paramount, and they must not betray the Sacred Land.”
Yan Zhenzhen exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t this a bit too harsh?”
Hua Changxi looked over, “For everyone who enters the Secret Realm to work, I will teach them how to identify Spiritual Medicine, cultivate Spiritual Medicine, prepare Spiritual Medicine, and refine Elixirs.”
“I will even provide a portion of the Spiritual Medicine needed to refine Elixirs.”
“I have spent time and effort cultivating them, and the Divine Wood Secret Realm provides Cultivation Resources. What’s wrong with asking them to swear an oath?”
She paused.
“You know the current situation of the Medical Affairs Department. The Royal Family and Noble Families are planting their people everywhere. I can’t be working for others, can I?”
Hua Changxi believed she couldn’t dedicate herself to the Dan Sheng Hall, but since she had taken charge of the Divine Wood Secret Realm, she could at least cultivate more Spiritual Medicine Masters, Preparers, and Alchemists for the Dan Sheng Hall.
Yan Zhenzhen fell silent.
Tong Yao and Jing Le exchanged glances. Allegiance to the Dan Sheng Hall, not to Fellow Daoist Hua.
At this moment, the two gained a deeper understanding of Hua Changxi’s character.
Tong Yao smiled, “Fellow Daoist Hua speaks with reason. I will personally refine the Oath Tablet.”
Jing Le also added, “It’s quite a coincidence, but I recently gained control over the drawing of the ‘True’ character Rune, which can assist Fellow Daoist Tong.”
Tong Yao’s face lit up with joy, “That’s excellent! With the ‘True’ character Rune, those with insincere hearts will have nowhere to hide before the Oath Tablet.” He then looked at Hua Changxi.
“Besides the Oath Tablet and Identity Tokens, are there any other items Fellow Daoist Hua wishes to have refined?”
Hua Changxi nodded, “Yes, I also need a batch of Spiritual Medicine Bottles, Magic Robes, Storage Bags, Spiritual Hoes, and other items. However, these are not urgent for now. Let’s get the Oath Tablet and Identity Tokens made first, and then we can discuss other things.”
Tong Yao smiled, “Fellow Daoist Hua has introduced me to a big business. Don’t worry, I will instruct the disciples of the Artifact Saint Palace to expedite the crafting of the items you need as soon as I return.”
Hua Changxi smiled, “Then thank you, Fellow Daoist Tong. However, for our long-term cooperation in the future, it would be best if we could exchange our respective Price Lists. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Tong?”
Tong Yao nodded, “I will organize a Price List for Spiritual Artifacts as soon as possible after I return.”
Hua Changxi: “Then it’s settled. I will also provide Fellow Daoist Tong with a Price List for Pills as soon as possible. In the future, I will provide Pills, and you will provide Spiritual Artifacts; we will exchange what we have.”
“Hey, hey, hey~”
Yan Zhenzhen spoke up, “Don’t just focus on yourselves, you two. Look at me and Jing Le too. We can also exchange what we have.”
Hua Changxi immediately smiled, “Of course, I won’t forget Fellow Daoist Yan and Master Jing Le. Formation Disks, Spirit Talismans, these are all indispensable Cultivation Resources for cultivators.”
Yan Zhenzhen smiled, “Alright then. Jing Le and I will also provide a Price List for Arrays and Spirit Talismans. Then, we will exchange what we have together.” She said with a happy expression.
“Hmph, my senior brothers all have their own small circles for exchanging information and resources. I wanted to join them, but they were unwilling to bring me along. Now, it’s great, I have my own circle too.”
Hearing about circles, Hua Changxi also smiled and looked at Tong Yao and Jing Le.
Both of them could be considered trustworthy individuals. As for Yan Zhenzhen, since she could befriend them, her character likely wasn’t bad either.
Circle
Before, she had been trying to enter the cultivators’ circles. She never expected that the first circle she managed to infiltrate would be like this.
It truly was a case of “unintentional planting yields shade.”
