Chapter 263: Emulation
The fact that Hua Changxi brought over a hundred people to join the Dan Yuan Secret Realm caused the Divine Wood of the Dan Sheng Hall to manifest. Although the Divine Wood disappeared quickly, it still caused many people to lose their composure.
First, the Altar of Alchemy appeared, and now a Dan Yuan Peak has emerged.
The Medical Affairs Department, which is increasingly taking on the form of a Sacred Land, is undoubtedly telling everyone that everything Hua Changxi has done can promote the revival of the Sacred Land.
Looking at the towering Dan Yuan Peak, the Power and Wealth Faction, led by the Royal Family, and the Guardian Faction, led by the Xia Family, were all utterly silent.
What shocked them the most was that the Divine Wood had sentience!
They clearly saw the interaction between Hua Changxi and the Divine Wood, and when the Divine Wood finally retreated, it had indeed bestowed something upon Hua Changxi.
In response, Prince Shou, Xia Zhen, and others wore very serious expressions.
If the Divine Wood has sentience, then gaining its recognition is extremely important!
More and more people gathered in the plaza. Although Prince Shou, Xia Zhen, and others wanted to explore Dan Yuan Peak, they knew it was not the best time.
They had just opposed Hua Changxi, and Hua Changxi was the type to do as she pleased and not give anyone face. If Hua Changxi were to forbid them from ascending Dan Yuan Peak out of anger, and with so many people watching, they would be utterly humiliated.
Without lingering, Prince Shou, Xia Zhen, and the others left the plaza with grim expressions.
The appearance of Dan Yuan Peak ignited a fervor in the hearts of the other Secret Realm Masters.
Without Meng Qingyao needing to summon them, the Secret Realm Masters voluntarily gathered in the Spiritual Realm Pavilion.
Wei Xiao, the ninth young master of Prince Nanding, asked urgently, “Hua Changxi obtained Dan Yuan Peak by recruiting apprentices, so can we too?”
Yan Qianying, the third young master of Prince Dong’an, replied, “We should be able to, but the prerequisite is that we must also recruit apprentices for the Dan Sheng Hall like Hua Changxi, and cultivate them using the resources from our respective Secret Realms.”
Yue Heng, the fifth young master of Prince Xiping, picked up the conversation and asked the question that was on everyone’s mind: “Does Hua Changxi have sole control over that Dan Yuan Peak?”
Feng Che, the second young master of Prince Beizhen, stated, “The Divine Wood bestowed the character ‘Yuan’ upon Hua Changxi. If I’m not mistaken, Hua Changxi is the Peak Master of Dan Yuan Peak.”
“The only ones who could possibly seize Dan Yuan Peak from Hua Changxi are the future Holy Land Masters.”
As descendants of the four great enfeoffed kings of different surnames in the southeast and northwest, Yan Qianying and the other three were particularly sensitive and concerned about occupying and seizing ‘territory.’
It wasn’t just them; the other Secret Realm Masters present were also concerned.
If they could each possess a peak like Hua Changxi, they would have their own exclusive territory.
Although most of them came from Noble Families, they also yearned to have their own territory rather than relying solely on their families.
Yan Qianying looked at Meng Qingyao and asked, “Pavilion Master, do you think we should emulate Hua Changxi?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent.
Not long ago, they had all been waiting to see Hua Changxi make a fool of herself. Now, they were being asked to emulate her actions, which made many of them feel awkward and embarrassed.
Furthermore, they had all received significant cultivation from their families, and the resources within the Secret Realms should rightfully be shared with their families.
If they were to emulate Hua Changxi, most of the resources from the Secret Realms would have to be used to cultivate apprentices and disciples, which would undoubtedly lead to a substantial reduction in the resources available to their families.
Meng Qingyao, also a scion of a Noble Family, understood the entanglement of her own and her family’s interests: “The Secret Realms are yours. Whether you emulate Hua Changxi is your own decision.”
Xia Ziyang saw things clearly. If they could obtain a peak like Hua Changxi, it would undoubtedly be a great thing. Even if there was an initial loss of resources, it would better support their clansmen once the Sacred Land fully manifested in the future.
Knowing that everyone was somewhat hesitant to save face, he smiled and said, “The Spiritual Realm Pavilion is a collective. All members should work together and contribute to the revival of the Sacred Land.”
“Hua Changxi is also a member of the Spiritual Realm Pavilion. Her actions are beneficial to the revival of the Sacred Land, so we should naturally emulate her. We are all striving for the faster revival of the Sacred Land.”
As soon as he said this, the embarrassment in others’ hearts dissipated considerably, and they began to echo and respond.
Mu Qingying watched this scene unfold, feeling somewhat displeased.
Previously, they had deliberately excluded Hua Changxi from meetings, acting as if she wasn’t a member of the Spiritual Realm Pavilion. Now, they were calling her a member and speaking favorably of her, truly having it both ways.
Yuan Tianchou, seeing her reaction, smiled and said, “Although Xia Ziyang’s words are grand, it is indeed beneficial for the Sacred Land’s revival if all Secret Realm Masters emulate Hua Changxi.”
Mu Qingying nodded, “I know.”
“I just feel it’s quite ironic that everyone opposed Hua Changxi establishing the Oath Tablet and recruiting apprentices before, and now that they see the benefits, they are all emulating her.”
Yuan Tianchou was more philosophical, “That’s just how things are in the world; you get used to it.”
Seeing everyone chatting enthusiastically, Meng Qingyao also felt a sense of unease. Noticing Xia Zhen standing outside the courtyard, she immediately told everyone to disperse.
Everyone got up. The Secret Realm Masters from the Guardian Family remained standing, while those from the Medical Affairs Department, like Yan Qianying and the others, left.
Yan Qianying and the others were accustomed to the Guardian Faction members occasionally discussing matters privately in the Spiritual Realm Pavilion, so they quickly departed.
As soon as they left, Xia Zhen entered.
Meng Qingyao, Xia Ziyang, and the others quickly stood up and said, “Sixteenth Elder.”
Xia Zhen looked at the younger generation before him and said sternly, “We need to take the initiative to do something.”
Otherwise, Hua Changxi’s prestige will continue to grow, and in the long run, she will definitely overshadow Meng Qingyao.
Meng Qingyao was the person chosen by the Xia Family after much deliberation to take over the Dan Sheng Hall. This was crucial for the Xia Family’s future development and absolutely could not be compromised.
Xia Zhen continued, “I heard your conversation just now. Since you want to emulate Hua Changxi, then act quickly.”
“You all saw the Divine Wood manifest today. The reason the Divine Wood recognized Hua Changxi is because her actions were fundamentally for the Sacred Land.”
“If you wish to gain the Divine Wood’s recognition, you must control your inner selfish desires in your future actions.”
Xia Ziyang and the others quickly pledged, “We respectfully obey the Elder’s teachings.”
Meng Qingyao suddenly asked, “Sixteenth Elder, could Hua Changxi be the successor of the Dan Sheng Hall?”
Xia Zhen paused, then shook his head, “Probably not.”
If Hua Changxi were the successor of the Dan Sheng Hall, Gu Xing’s attitude would not have been so ambiguous.
Xia Zhen noticed Meng Qingyao’s somewhat dejected expression, knowing she had been disheartened by Hua Changxi, but he did not offer comfort.
Qing Yao and Zi Yang, among others, had always had things too easy. Now, they needed to undergo some tempering.
On Dan Yuan Peak, the first batch of people who ascended had already taken the Heart Demon Oath.
More than a dozen retired Demon Suppressing Army soldiers did not pass the recognition of the Oath Tablet.
Under the golden radiance of the Oath Tablet, due to their insincere hearts, their Essence Blood could not be integrated into their Identity Tokens.
Hua Changxi looked at these more than ten people and said, “Cultivators should act according to their hearts. Since you have other thoughts in your hearts, then follow your desires and don’t force yourselves too much.”
Hearing Hua Changxi say this, these people lowered their heads.
“It’s getting late, I’ll take you down the mountain.”
Hua Changxi rode a Spirit Cloud, bringing the people who did not receive the Oath Tablet’s recognition, along with Eunuch Yu and the others who had received Identity Tokens, to the plaza.
Many people were still gathered in the plaza. Seeing Hua Changxi and her group descend on the clouds, they all parted to make way.
Hua Changxi nodded to everyone as a gesture of thanks, then quickly led Eunuch Yu and the others back to Number Thirteen Qihuang Hall.
“It’s getting late, the recruitment of apprentices will continue tomorrow.”
“Eunuch Yu, tomorrow you will lead the apprentices recruited today up Dan Yuan Peak. You won’t enter the Secret Realm yet. Dan Yuan Peak is desolate, so you must lead the people to first clear a path up the mountain.”
“The Spiritual Energy on Dan Yuan Peak is abundant. Previously, I had planned to have you build small dwellings in the Secret Realm, but now that we have Dan Yuan Peak, all apprentices can open up Cave Dwellings on the peak, and cultivate five mu of Spirit Fields. They can decide what to plant in the Spirit Fields themselves.”
Upon hearing this, those who had become apprentices of the Dan Yuan Secret Realm, and those who were about to join, were overjoyed.
