Chapter 283: The Training Ground
Hua Changxi went to the Personnel Department and saw that the number of people signing up was indeed endless. She then asked Pharmacist Xu to select 50 people from the old apprentices to expand the Personnel Department.
Before this, the Law Enforcement Hall, Mission Hall, and Logistics Department had all added personnel. Knowing that the Personnel Department was also going to add people, the old apprentices were very enthusiastic about signing up.
Hua Changxi was on Dan Yuan Peak, either in the Secret Realm or in the Lecturer’s Hall.
After parting ways with Pharmacist Xu, she went directly to the Lecturer’s Hall and saw Hua Sanlang there.
“Third Brother?”
When Hua Sanlang saw Hua Changxi, there was no joy of siblings. Instead, his expression was slightly uncomfortable.
After arriving at Dan Yuan Peak, he truly felt the huge gap between him and his sister.
Besides the disparity in status, what Hua Sanlang found most unacceptable was that Jiu Niang treated him, her own elder brother, the same as other apprentices, without giving him any extra care.
Because of this, he had been subjected to much discussion from his clan members.
Hua Changxi walked closer to Hua Sanlang: “I’ve been busy during this time and haven’t had a chance to catch up with you. Are you getting used to it after arriving at Dan Yuan Peak?”
Hua Sanlang’s expression softened slightly, and he nodded: “Harvesting spiritual medicine, preparing spiritual medicine, and planting spiritual medicine are things I’m used to. I can manage the medicine fields in the Secret Realm and the spirit fields outside the cave dwelling.”
Hua Changxi smiled: “That’s good. Third Brother, you have great talent in medical skills and the Pill Dao. Now that you are on Dan Yuan Peak, you must solidify your foundation. Only with a solid foundation can you go further in medical skills and the Pill Dao. I also hope that in the future, Third Brother can become a high-grade alchemist.”
Hua Sanlang forced a smile. He didn’t like Jiu Niang’s lecturing tone. Wasn’t he the elder brother? However, thinking about the purpose of his visit, he still nodded and agreed: “I understand.”
Hua Changxi looked at him: “Third Brother, you’ve been on Dan Yuan Peak for about five months now? This is the first time you’ve actively sought me out.”
Hua Sanlang thought to himself, he was unfamiliar with Dan Yuan Peak. Shouldn’t his sister, the Peak Master, be the one to seek him out?
Seeing his silence, Hua Changxi felt a bit weary. Compared to Sixth Brother, who said what he thought, her Third Brother’s personality was a bit awkward. “Third Brother, did you come to find me for something?”
Seeing Hua Changxi proactively bringing up the matter, Hua Sanlang didn’t beat around the bush: “I can manage the medicine fields in the Secret Realm and the spirit fields outside the cave dwelling very well, and I have a lot of free time. Therefore, I want to find something else to do.”
Hua Changxi looked surprised: “Third Brother, you still have free time? I thought that after managing the medicine fields every day, you wouldn’t have enough time for cultivation.”
She felt that her own cultivation time was insufficient and, by extension, assumed other cultivators also didn’t have enough time.
Hua Sanlang paused: “Master Fang from the Earl’s Mansion said that constant arduous cultivation is not the right way. One needs more experience to prevent the state of mind from falling behind.”
Hua Changxi agreed with this statement and nodded: “That’s true. However, for cultivators, strength is fundamental. You must ensure enough time for cultivation.”
Hua Sanlang thought Hua Changxi was going to refuse him and said anxiously: “I have enough cultivation time. I just want to find something to do. Firstly, it can help me train myself, and secondly, it can broaden my horizons.”
“As the number of apprentices on Dan Yuan Peak grows, you also need people to help manage the affairs of the peak and the Secret Realm.”
Hua Changxi looked at him and was silent for a moment: “Third Brother, if you’re not afraid of delaying your cultivation, then come to the Lecturer’s Hall and be a lecturer.”
This arrangement was entirely made by Hua Changxi considering Hua Sanlang’s situation. Being a lecturer would allow him to see and interact with different people, and also consolidate his knowledge of medical skills and the Pill Dao while lecturing.
Hua Changxi believed this would allow Hua Sanlang to better solidify his foundation, which would be more beneficial for his future.
Unfortunately, Hua Sanlang did not appreciate it: “Jiu Niang, in your eyes, am I only capable of being a rote-learning tutor in the Lecturer’s Hall?”
Hua Changxi heard Hua Sanlang’s reluctance and dissatisfaction, and after a moment of silence, asked: “Then what do you want to do, Third Brother?”
Hua Sanlang paused, then looked directly at Hua Changxi: “I want to work in the Mission Hall.”
Hua Changxi did not respond immediately. After a moment of silence, she spoke: “Third Brother, because of our relationship, there will definitely be all sorts of people who want to approach you on Dan Yuan Peak. Do you understand this?”
Hua Sanlang frowned: “I understand what you mean, but I can’t just do nothing because I’m your brother. Can’t I have my own pursuits?”
Hua Changxi: “Everyone can have their own pursuits, but the premise is that they must rely on themselves.”
Hua Sanlang’s face darkened: “Jiu Niang, I just came to ask you for a job. If you don’t agree, you don’t agree. Do you need to lecture me like this? And I’m your Third Brother.”
Hua Changxi looked at him: “Precisely because you are my Third Brother, you are able to stand here and say these things to me now.”
Hua Sanlang was choked, and very angry: “So, you are unwilling to let me go to the Mission Hall?”
Hua Changxi: “Why do you insist on going to the Mission Hall? The rules of Dan Yuan Peak are the same for everyone.”
“The Mission Hall is responsible for task allocation. Because you are my Third Brother, there will definitely be many people watching you. If you make a mistake, tell me, should I punish you?”
Hua Sanlang fell silent.
Hua Changxi: “I just saw Fourth Brother and Seventh Niang bringing a group of Hua clan members to sign up at the Personnel Department. You want to go to the Mission Hall, are you perhaps trying to look after them?”
Hua Sanlang looked at Hua Changxi: “Jiu Niang, they are our clan members. What’s wrong with looking after them a little?”
“Look at how Qingyao Peak and Xuanhuang Peak do things. Why are you so noble, insisting on treating your own people the same as outsiders?”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi didn’t want to say more: “Third Brother, I also have my own pursuits and things I want to accomplish. You are my family. I don’t expect you to support me, but don’t drag me down.”
“I will not allow others to break the rules I have set. If you want to find something to do, you can come to the Lecturer’s Hall. The Mission Hall is not suitable for you.”
Arranging for Hua Sanlang to go to the Mission Hall, the probability of him making mistakes was too high. Even if he didn’t, people with ulterior motives might lure him into making mistakes.
“Remember, the rules of Dan Yuan Peak apply equally to everyone; also, Dan Yuan Peak has assessments. If you fail the assessment, you will also be asked to leave.”
After speaking, Hua Changxi turned and left.
Watching Hua Changxi leave, Hua Sanlang’s chest heaved. He did not expect his own sister to be so heartless towards him, not even giving him a position as a Mission Hall Steward.
Meanwhile, Hua Changxi, with a furrowed brow, arrived at the Logistics Department and found Yu Fu.
“Quite a few Hua clan members came to sign up this time. You and Zhou Shou should keep a closer eye on them. If anyone approaches my Third Brother and the others, you should also be vigilant.”
Yu Fu quickly replied: “Master, rest assured, we will keep a close watch on everything on Dan Yuan Peak.”
Regarding how to treat the Hua family and Hua clan members, he and Zhou Shou had already discussed it. If they violated any rules, they would report it truthfully.
“By the way, Master, there are a few people with rather special identities among those who came to sign up today.”
Hua Changxi looked over: “Special identities?”
Yu Fu nodded: “Seventh Prince Chu Junhao and the former Hall Master of Number Twelve Qihuang Hall, Zhu Qinghuan, have both come to sign up.”
Hua Changxi was also surprised: “These two are here to sign up as apprentices?”
Chu Junhao was a royal scion, with too many entanglements behind him. His joining the Dan Yuan Secret Realm to be an apprentice clearly had ulterior motives.
As for Zhu Qinghuan, the fact that she was able to obtain the Qihuang Token indicated her talent in Dan Dao and Medical Skills. However, she obtained the Qihuang Token but did not receive the Secret Realm bestowed by the Divine Wood, which must also have some peculiarity.
“Keep a close eye on these two. If there’s anything unusual, report it to me immediately.”
At Sihai Restaurant, in the private room where Hua Changxi and Tong Yao often met, Tong Yao, Yan Zhenzhen, and Jing Le arrived one after another.
Yan Zhenzhen: “I originally thought that Fellow Daoist Hua would be slower than us in deploying the display spiritual artifact without assistance, but I didn’t expect her to be even faster.”
“Fellow Daoist Hua’s cultivation is even more profound than we imagined.”
Tong Yao sighed: “Fellow Daoist Hua’s actions actually rely too much on strength. She thinks that because her strength is high, she can handle everything independently.”
Yan Zhenzhen looked over: “That doesn’t make sense. Is it wrong to rely on strength to get things done?”
Tong Yao shook his head: “In this world, not everything can be smoothed over by strength alone.”
Jing Le nodded, showing agreement: “Benefactor Hua relies on her powerful strength and solves problems with it every time. Over time, this will form a habitual way of thinking.”
Tong Yao: “Fortunately, the situation in the Medical Affairs Department is complex, with the lingering prestige of imperial power and the rise of the Sacred Land. In this intricate situation, strength alone cannot solve everything.”
“Fellow Daoist Hua, being in the midst of it, should realize her own limitations.”
Yan Zhenzhen: “I heard that many noble families have sent people to join the Dan Yuan Secret Realm, and even the Seventh Prince has joined the fray. To balance so many forces, I think Fellow Daoist Hua is already having a headache.”
Jing Le looked at Tong Yao and Yan Zhenzhen: “You and I have both had much experience through our sects. Benefactor Hua has had less experience. The appearance of Dan Yuan Peak is likely her training ground.”
Yan Zhenzhen nodded: “The Divine Wood bestowing the Secret Realm was meant for experience, so it’s fitting that Fellow Daoist Hua is using Dan Yuan Peak to practice.”
