Chapter 236: The Era’s Pusher
Inside the Spiritual Realm Pavilion’s meeting hall, the various Secret Realm Masters arrived one after another.
At first, everyone hadn’t noticed a missing chair. It wasn’t until all the seats were filled that someone keenly noticed Hua Changxi’s absence.
However, no one stepped forward to inquire about it.
At this moment, everyone seemed to have tacitly accepted Hua Changxi’s non-attendance.
No, to be precise, it was more like they had tacitly agreed to exclude Hua Changxi from the Spiritual Realm Pavilion.
After Gu Xing took his seat, Xia Zhen closely observed his expression.
As the gatekeeper of the Dan Sheng Hall, and currently controlling three Public Secret Realms, Gu Xing’s influence and appeal were not to be underestimated.
He did not want to confront Gu Xing unless absolutely necessary.
Fortunately, Gu Xing showed no intention of asking about Hua Changxi’s absence.
Xia Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the information they had gathered was correct; Gu Xing did not place any particular importance on any single one of the nine individuals who had received a Wooden Token.
Even though Hua Changxi, like Qing Yao, had obtained a high-grade Secret Realm, Gu Xing did not seem to value Hua Changxi as much as expected.
Indeed, the Divine Wood Blessing was just the beginning, just the starting point.
Whether those who obtained a Divine Wood Secret Realm, due to their talent or luck, could promote the revival of the Dan Sheng Hall and contribute to the Sacred Land remained unknown.
Hua Changxi obtaining a high-grade Secret Realm might indeed make her outstanding in some aspects, but in terms of talent, opportunities, and luck, which of the Secret Realm Masters present was truly inferior to Hua Changxi?
Gu Xing indeed had no reason to rashly support anyone at this juncture!
In the meeting hall, Gu Xing and Xia Zhen held the highest status and seniority. The other Secret Realm Masters were all looking at their expressions.
Seeing that both of them had ignored Hua Changxi’s absence, they naturally wouldn’t speak up.
Only Mu Qingying, whose background was somewhat similar to Hua Changxi’s, felt a sense of sympathy and regret for her absence.
In her opinion, Hua Changxi was being ostracized simply because she didn’t understand the rules of power games, much like herself when she first joined the Medical Affairs Department.
The Minister said that the four Great Sacred Lands of Pills, Artifacts, Talismans, and Formations, as the benchmarks of the Four Spirit Realm’s arts, could ascend to the Nine Heavens Palace in ancient times and discuss important matters of the Realm with the Emperors of the four directions. They were top powers that played a decisive and driving role in many affairs of the Four Spirit Realm, directly influencing its development.
In the Central Continent, the power and prestige of the Sacred Lands far surpassed that of the current Great Jin Dynasty; they were above all dynasties, kingdoms, and Sect powers.
To achieve something in such a colossal entity that wielded power in all directions, mere talent and luck were far from enough.
All the Secret Realm Masters were outstanding. What did it take to stand out?
It relied on the calculations of human hearts and the playing of power games!
Someone like Hua Changxi, who acted as she pleased and whose emotions were completely visible, would definitely be the first to be eliminated.
As it turned out, there was no longer a place for her in the Spiritual Realm Pavilion.
Background was a fatal flaw!
Hua Changxi had never been exposed to these things and had no one to guide her, so naturally, she didn’t understand them. Just like herself, it was only after becoming a disciple of Department Head Gu that she gradually understood some of the workings of power.
Mu Qingying sighed inwardly, hoping that Hua Changxi could understand this point soon and stop acting so as she pleased and offending people everywhere.
“Alright, everyone is here.”
“The main reason for gathering everyone today is to discuss the election of the Spiritual Realm Pavilion Master!”
Xia Zhen announced the theme of the meeting and then let the Secret Realm Masters discuss among themselves.
Meng Qingyao, Xia Ziyang, Bai Zhixin, Wu Lingyue, Zhu Jinglan, and Long Chenyi, all came from either reclusive Cultivation Noble Families or Guardian Families, and had come with Xia Zhen to the Medical Affairs Department, naturally forming one faction.
Meanwhile, Master Zhang, Mu Qingying, Yuan Tianchou, and Shen Qianfan from the Medical Affairs Department, along with people from the four great vassal king families of the southeast, northwest, and north, also considered themselves a faction.
Gu Xing frowned as he watched the Secret Realm Masters forming factions.
The Spiritual Realm Pavilion, upon its establishment, was already in a state of tug-of-war. How could this be conducive to the revival and development of the Dan Sheng Hall?
Xia Zhen was happy to see this situation. Competition breeds motivation and can better urge oneself forward.
In his opinion, while Meng Qingyao and the others were intelligent, they lacked experience. This was a good opportunity for them to perfect themselves and compensate for their shortcomings through competition with Mu Qingying and the others.
When electing a Pavilion Master, one naturally chooses someone they are familiar with.
Xia Ziyang spoke first, “Fellow Daoist Long’s Pill Arts are exquisite and his abilities are outstanding. I believe the position of Pavilion Master should be held by him.”
Meng Qingyao and the others expressed their agreement.
Mu Qingying and the others were somewhat surprised by this.
They had expected Xia Ziyang and the others to nominate Meng Qingyao as Pavilion Master, as she was one of the two who obtained a high-grade Secret Realm.
Master Zhang, as the highest-ranking person from the Medical Affairs Department, guessed the reason behind Xia Ziyang and the others’ nomination.
Among the five great Guardian Families, the Xia, Bai, Wu, and Zhu families had lit Second-grade Incense, and the Divine Wood Secret Realms they obtained were at least Fourth Rank.
Only the Long family, because Xia Zhen had agreed to let the people from the Medical Affairs Department worship the Divine Wood first during his confrontation with Prince Shou, could only light Third-grade Incense and obtain a low-grade Secret Realm.
To put it bluntly, Xia Ziyang and the others nominating Long Chenyi as Pavilion Master was a form of compensation for the Long family.
Master Zhang couldn’t help but glance at Gu Xing. Seeing Gu Xing’s furrowed brow, he smiled and said, “I believe the Secret Realm Master should be Senior Gu.”
Upon hearing this, Xia Zhen also smiled at Gu Xing, “Fellow Daoist Gu is indeed the most qualified. However, Fellow Daoist Gu is in charge of three Public Secret Realms; do you have the energy to manage the Spiritual Realm Pavilion as well?”
Gu Xing did not respond immediately. After a long silence, he finally spoke, “The position of Spiritual Realm Pavilion Master should be held by a young person.”
He then looked around at the Secret Realm Masters present.
“You have received the recognition of the Divine Wood and bear the heavy responsibility of reviving the Dan Sheng Hall. I hope you do not forget this.”
Xia Zhen smiled, “Fellow Daoist Gu, please rest assured. Ziyang and the others will not forget their mission.”
Gu Xing nodded and added, “This old man believes that young people should gain more experience. Therefore, the position of Pavilion Master should not be held by one person.”
“How about this: the Pavilion Master will be changed annually. After all the Secret Realm Masters have taken their turn, we will then elect the most capable one. This would be fair. Fellow Daoist Xia, what do you think?”
Upon hearing this, Xia Zhen fell silent.
Gu Xing seemed to be asking for his opinion, but his tone was exceptionally firm. He knew that Gu Xing had seen through their compensation for the Long family and was expressing his dissatisfaction.
Xia Zhen could not completely disregard Gu Xing’s opinion, so he could only look at Long Chenyi helplessly and nod in agreement, “Senior Gu’s considerations are indeed thorough.”
Gu Xing grunted, “The order of serving as Pavilion Master will be decided by drawing lots.” Without waiting for Xia Zhen to say anything, he flipped his wrist and produced fifteen wooden slips.
“You will step forward and draw one by one.”
Xia Ziyang and the others looked at Xia Zhen. Seeing Xia Zhen nod, they then rose and walked towards Gu Xing to begin drawing lots.
Fourteen Secret Realm Masters each drew a wooden slip, and finally, one slip remained in Gu Xing’s hand.
“I will keep this one for Hua Changxi; it is number fifteen.”
Xia Zhen was very displeased with this. However, Meng Qingyao drew number one, and Hua Changxi was placed last, with fourteen years in between.
In fourteen years, many things could change. Who knew what Hua Changxi would be like then.
With this thought, Xia Zhen abandoned the idea of opposing Gu Xing.
