Chapter 232: The Era’s Pusher
After Hua Changxi left Feng’an Ward, she first met with Tong Yao and gave him three copies of the prepared elixir wholesale price list, asking him to forward two of them to Jing Le and Yan Zhenzhen, and then went straight back to the Medical Affairs Department.
After Tong Yao looked at the elixir price list, his eyes flickered slightly, and then he directly sent a message to Jing Le and Yan Zhenzhen.
Soon, the three met at the agreed-upon restaurant.
Yan Zhenzhen and Jing Le were both surprised after seeing the elixir prices.
It was nothing else, Hua Changxi’s elixir prices were too far below the market price.
Yan Zhenzhen: “Fellow Daoist Hua is giving us such low prices, will she lose money?”
Tong Yao smiled: “It’s not to the point of losing money, but it’s true that she won’t make much profit.”
Jing Le nodded: “Fellow Daoist Hua’s sincerity is so great, we shouldn’t take advantage of her.”
After hearing this, Yan Zhenzhen put away the price list she had prepared for formation disks, formation chess, and other items: “I need to go back and revise my price list.”
Jing Le stated that he also needed to revise his spirit talisman price list.
Seeing that both of them voluntarily proposed to revise their price lists, Tong Yao’s heart immediately relaxed.
The price lists they formulated were all based on market prices, and the market prices were inflated!
Currently, most of the cultivation resources circulating in the market are from the powerful and influential, and the selling price is much higher than the cost price.
With high prices, fewer cultivators can afford to buy them with the corresponding spirit stones, and in the long run, this is very detrimental to expanding the market for pills, talismans, artifacts, and formations.
This point is contrary to the responsibility of the Four Great Sacred Lands to promote the Pill Dao, Artifact Dao, Talisman Dao, and Formation Dao.
In the past, when he cooperated with others for transactions, although he would appropriately reduce prices, he would never go too far below the market price.
Firstly, the cooperating parties would not reduce prices as much as Fellow Daoist Hua.
Secondly, the items the cooperating parties wanted were not as large as those of Fellow Daoist Hua, making it impossible to achieve low profit and high sales. He had to consider the development of the Artifact Saint Palace and support the disciples of the Artifact Saint Palace, so reality did not allow him to set prices too low.
Now, cooperating with Fellow Daoist Hua, in the exchange of buying and selling, the price of pills is not high, so the price of spirit artifacts he sells does not need to be too high.
The same applies to the transactions of spirit talismans and formation disks held by Fellow Daoist Jing Le and Yan Zhenzhen.
Although they might not make much profit, as long as the cost is covered, he is happy.
It was nothing else; the Four Great Sacred Lands, as the benchmark for the hundred arts of cultivation, also bore the responsibility of maintaining market order.
Now that the Spiritual Energy Revival has fully entered the public’s view, the market for buying and selling cultivation resources is very chaotic. Someone needs to step forward to set market standards and regulate market behavior, which will then be conducive to the positive development of the Four Spirit Realm.
This was also the reason why Tong Yao immediately called Jing Le and Yan Zhenzhen over as soon as he received Hua Changxi’s elixir price list.
Limited by real-world pressures, the Five Great Sacred Lands are still in a dormant phase, but as successors of the Sacred Lands, they cannot do nothing.
In Tong Yao’s opinion, Hua Changxi seeking their cooperation was a good opportunity to regulate the market.
The four of them represented the Four Great Sacred Lands respectively. With the Four Great Sacred Lands joining forces, one day, they would be able to standardize the market for buying and selling cultivation resources and truly contribute to the development and prosperity of the Four Spirit Realm.
After confirming that they would revise their price lists, the three of them, Tong Yao, Jing Le, and Yan Zhenzhen, talked about other things.
Yan Zhenzhen: “I heard that the Dan Sheng Hall is going to open three Public Secret Realms, and all cultivators who want to learn medical skills and the Pill Dao can enter and exit.”
Tong Yao nodded: “By now, cultivators in the Capital City probably know about this. These days, the area outside the Medical Affairs Department is full of cultivators inquiring about the Secret Realm.”
Yan Zhenzhen: “I also heard that the opening of the Public Secret Realms was proposed by Meng Qingyao of the Meng Family, and Fellow Daoist Hua strongly supported it. Because of this, many cultivators who sought medical help but had no way to get it are sincerely grateful to them.”
He paused.
“I’m not surprised that Fellow Daoist Hua did this. After all, the Hua Family is not of high standing, and Fellow Daoist Hua must know how difficult it is for ordinary cultivators to obtain a lineage and resources.”
“But for Meng Qingyao to also think of ordinary cultivators and speak up for them, that surprises me.”
Tong Yao nodded in agreement: “Not all children of the powerful and influential only care about themselves.”
Jing Le looked at the two of them: “The news you heard has been misled.”
“Hmm?”
Tong Yao and Yan Zhenzhen both looked over.
Di Xiu Temple and Xiangguo Temple have a close relationship. During the Divine Wood Secret Realm competition on Lunar New Year’s Eve, Xiangguo Temple had people present, so Jing Le knew the real situation that day.
“The Public Secret Realms were proposed by Fellow Daoist Hua. Although there were various parties involved in the final decision, if no one had proposed it, this matter would definitely not have happened.”
“The current rumors attribute the credit for the Public Secret Realms entirely to Meng Qingyao. Firstly, some people do not want Fellow Daoist Hua to gain prominence, and secondly, the Xia Family and the Meng Family are pushing this.”
“The Xia Family, along with other Guardian Families, and reclusive cultivation noble families like the Meng Family, have made a high-profile appearance to secure a place in the future great competition.”
“To establish roots and stand firm among the complex and intertwined forces, the fastest way is to put forward one person and let them gain fame.”
“Meng Qingyao is the person put forward by the Guardian Families led by the Xia Family!”
After learning the truth, Yan Zhenzhen frowned and sneered: “I didn’t expect Guardian Families to step on others to get ahead and play such insidious tricks!”
Jing Le was silent for a moment: “Guardians of the Dao are also human!”
Tong Yao sighed: “I hope Fellow Daoist Hua will not be affected.”
“So many cultivators in the Capital City!”
On her way back to the Medical Affairs Department, Hua Changxi saw many cultivators on the street.
In the past, when she wanted to make friends with cultivators, she couldn’t meet any; now, she found cultivators everywhere.
The closer she got to the Medical Affairs Department, the more cultivators there were, as if all the cultivators in the Capital City had suddenly appeared.
When Hua Changxi arrived at the Medical Affairs Department, she didn’t go in immediately but stood at the intersection, watching countless cultivators coming and going.
Most of these cultivators wore uniforms, making it easy to tell which faction they belonged to.
People from the Xia, Bai, Wu, Zhu, and Long, the five great Guardian Families, were the most numerous among the cultivators entering and exiting the Medical Affairs Department.
After them were people from the Meng Family, the four great princes of different surnames of the east, south, west, and north, and then the disciples of Taisu Palace.
Most of the other cultivators without faction insignia were lingering and observing around the Medical Affairs Department.
Seeing this scene, Hua Changxi’s brows furrowed.
It was clear that the Secret Realm Masters who obtained the Divine Wood Secret Realm managed the Secret Realm by mobilizing their own family members.
“Hey, our great Hall Master Hua is looking at some handsome young man, so engrossed?”
Huo Yunxiao appeared in Hua Changxi’s line of sight with a playful grin.
Hua Changxi glanced at him sideways: “None of your business.” After speaking, she walked directly into the Medical Affairs Department.
Huo Yunxiao was not annoyed and followed with a smile: “You’re so fiery, could it be that you’re envious of other Secret Realm Masters?”
Hua Changxi stopped: “I envy other Secret Realm Masters? What is there to envy about them?”
Huo Yunxiao clicked his tongue twice: “Great Hall Master Hua, your tone is truly unmatched.”
“Most other Secret Realm Masters come from large clans with deep foundations. Not to mention anything else, they can get the Divine Wood Secret Realm on track within one or two months with the number of cultivators they can mobilize.”
“And you, you’re all alone. Have you thought about how you’re going to manage the Secret Realm?”
Seeing that he was talking about this, Hua Changxi let out a scoff and turned to leave.
This reaction was somewhat unexpected for Huo Yunxiao, who chased after her again: “What are you laughing at?”
Hua Changxi ignored him until she reached the plaza and saw many people moving things in and out of Ninth Street, then she stopped.
“What are they doing?”
Huo Yunxiao saw this and smiled: “Isn’t it obvious? They’re moving.” Knowing that Hua Changxi was not well-informed, he further explained.
“The Xia Family brought so many people, they have to have a place to settle them, right?”
“And those hall masters who were forced to give up their Qihuang Halls, we can’t just let them leave the Medical Affairs Department, we have to find new places for them.”
“Prince Shou and the Department Head discussed it and decided to clear out Ninth Street.”
“Ninth Street, the courtyards to the left of Pilgrimage Road, will be used to house the people brought by the Xia Family; the apothecary shops to the right of Pilgrimage Road, where the former hall masters of Qihuang Hall each got a courtyard.”
Hua Changxi listened to Huo Yunxiao’s words and looked at Ninth Street where people were moving in and out, her eyes flickering.
It seemed that everyone now knew that Ninth Street was the most prestigious existence among the nine streets.
Otherwise, why not let First Street and Second Street make way.
After all, First Street and Second Street had ignited the Pill Fire, which was more conducive to the cultivation of alchemists.
“So where were the people from Ninth Street arranged to go?”
Huo Yunxiao was stunned by the question, then smiled: “Those with connections have their own destinations, and those without. The people cultivated by the Medical Affairs Department have real skills and are not worried about not having food.”
Hua Changxi frowned: “Before it was the Labor Department, now it’s Ninth Street, where will it be next?”
Huo Yunxiao heard this, looked at Hua Changxi, and a hint of gloom flashed in his eyes, but he quickly put on a smile: “This is not something for small figures like us to consider.”
Hua Changxi didn’t say anything more and walked towards Number Thirteen Qihuang Hall. Seeing Huo Yunxiao following her, she thought for a moment and asked, “Which hall masters were replaced?”
Huo Yunxiao: “Those without a Wooden Token and who did not obtain the Divine Wood Secret Realm have all been replaced.”
“Oh, and Zhu Qinghuan voluntarily gave up Number Twelve Qihuang Hall.”
Hua Changxi looked surprised: “Are you sure Zhu Qinghuan gave it up voluntarily?”
Huo Yunxiao smiled and said nothing.
Number Twelve Qihuang Hall, which now belongs to the Wu Family as the hall master, whether there were any private transactions involved, he did not know.
“Actually, it’s a good thing for Zhu Qinghuan to voluntarily give up the position of hall master.”
After all, Zhu Qinghuan couldn’t even ignite the third-grade Incense of Pills. If she was too presumptuous, someone saying she wasn’t recognized by the Divine Wood would make it impossible for her to stay in the Medical Affairs Department.
“Zhu Qinghuan is actually quite smart. Given her voluntary withdrawal, the higher-ups, for the sake of appearances, also arranged a courtyard for her in Ninth Street.”
As they spoke, the two arrived at Number Thirteen Qihuang Hall and happened to see a group of Wu family members carrying various items and moving into the adjacent Number Fourteen Qihuang Hall.
Hua Changxi looked at the Wu family members’ conspicuous family attire and frowned: “Huo Yunxiao, these people are all recruited by the Secret Realm Masters to manage the Secret Realms, but they are so brazenly wearing their family attire. Do you think these people know that they are now part of the Dan Sheng Hall?”
Huo Yunxiao was stunned for a moment, then smiled and asked: “What do you think?”
Hua Changxi’s expression was indifferent: “Serving two masters, using the resources of the Sacred Lands to strengthen their family’s power. The Guardian Families are truly good at ‘carrying forward the past and forging ahead into the future’.”
