Chapter 213: Eighth Grade Divine Tree Secret Realm

Hua Changxi was not too surprised that Gu Jinfan had failed to ignite the incense; although Gu Jinfan was suspected to be a reincarnator who knew the future development of the Dan Saint Hall, she had not actually done anything specific to benefit the Dan Saint Hall, so it was perfectly normal that she did not receive the Divine Tree's blessing.

Gu Jinfan also wanted to worship the Divine Tree again, but as soon as she showed such an expression, Xia Zhen waved her away impatiently, and she could only retreat to her original position in a daze.

Next were Shen Qianfan from Hall No. 11 and Zhu Qinghuan from Hall No. 12.

Shen Qianfan was well aware of his own ability, and without any hesitation, he directly chose the third-grade incense. After worshiping the Divine Tree, he successfully obtained a Divine Tree leaf.

When Zhu Qinghuan chose the incense, although she hesitated a little, she ultimately picked the third-grade incense. Originally, she thought she would also get a Divine Tree leaf like those before her, but a strange thing happened: she couldn't even ignite the third-grade incense.

"What's going on?"

Zhu Qinghuan stood in front of the offering table, panicked and unsure what to do. The others watching this scene were also confused.

Xia Zhen looked at Zhu Qinghuan inquisitively. He was somewhat puzzled. Normally, being able to obtain a wooden token meant receiving the recognition of the sacred land. For someone recognized by the sacred land, the Divine Tree would at least bestow some blessing. This female cultivator should at least have received a lowest-grade secret realm.

Gu Xing also furrowed his brow, scrutinizing the bewildered Zhu Qinghuan. Not understanding what was happening, he could only wave his hand to let Zhu Qinghuan step back.

Zhu Qinghuan retreated dejectedly to her original position, her face full of doubt and confusion.

Huo Yunxiao muttered to Hua Changxi, "Could it be that the wooden token wasn't obtained by Zhu Qinghuan but given to her by someone else?"

Hua Changxi thought that shouldn't be the case. If so, Old Gu would surely know, but looking at Old Gu's appearance, he was clearly also confused.

"Alright, stop thinking. It's your turn." Huo Yunxiao urged Hua Changxi.

Hua Changxi glanced at him sideways and strode towards the offering table.

Arriving at the offering table, Hua Changxi's gaze directly fell on the first-grade and second-grade incense. She had ignited the Danyan Fire of the First Street, unlocked nine Qihuang Halls, and opened No. 1 Qihuang Hall. She definitely had contributions to the Dan Saint Hall.

However, she wasn't too sure how much contributions she had.

Igniting the second-grade incense should be possible, but since there was the better first-grade incense, she definitely wanted the better one.

Should she take a gamble?

Hua Changxi quickly glanced at Xia Zhen. This person brought out three grades of incense; they certainly weren't just for decoration. He probably thought that among the people he brought, there was someone who could ignite the first-grade incense.

She guessed that the person who could ignite the first-grade incense should be Meng Qingyao.

Meng Qingyao had ignited the Danyan Fire of the Second Street, so Xia Zhen thought she could ignite the first-grade incense. Then Hua Changxi felt that even though the Second Street was above the First Street, she had also unlocked the Qihuang Hall, so in terms of contributions, she was on par with Meng Qingyao.

Thinking this, Hua Changxi's hand reached out towards the first-grade incense.

Seeing yet another person who overestimated their ability pick up the first-grade incense, Xia Zhen was speechless inside. With a mocking laugh, he shook his head, looked at Gu Xing, and indeed saw his face tense up. He opened his mouth to console: "Young people always have to suffer a fall before they know their own measure."

Hearing this, Gu Xing was startled, looked at Xia Zhen, and said nothing.

Hua Changxi also looked at Xia Zhen. She was very dissatisfied with the contempt in his tone towards her, but considering so many people were watching, she decided not to argue with him. However, after holding it in, she felt really stifled inside, so she spoke up.

"Senior, choosing what incense is my freedom. Even if in the end I get nothing, I'll accept it."

"As a member of the Guardian family and an elder, if you don't encourage the younger generation, that's fine, but how can you instead dampen people's spirits?"

"The reason young people are young is that they dare to think, dare to act, dare to fight, and dare to venture. Of course, this is the passionate spirit that the elderly lack, so it's understandable if you don't understand."

This was the first time Xia Zhen had been contradicted and refuted publicly by a junior, and for a moment he didn't react.

The others were also in shock.

The people from the Medical Bureau had sneers on their lips. The Xia family had come aggressively with the young disciples of several major hidden families to compete with them for the Qihuang Hall. Because of their status as Guardians, they directly overpowered them, and even Prince Shou had to choose to retreat.

For this, Prince Shou and the others felt very aggrieved. Now seeing Hua Changxi step up to slap Xia Zhen's face, they felt secretly pleased.

Prince Shou whispered to Chu Junhao, "I rather like this temper of Hua Changxi. Of course, the premise is that she has to be on our side." If Hua Changxi's fiery temper were aimed at himself, the scene would be rather ugly.

Chu Junhao replied with a smile, "Hua Changxi has a hot temper, but it's mostly directed at matters, not people. She wasn't deliberately going against you, Uncle."

Prince Shou heard that his nephew was speaking up for Hua Changxi and shook his head in disapproval: "She is the kind of person who lacks reverence. Such people... are not easy to tame."

Chu Junhao smiled: "Then don't tame her."

Prince Shou glanced at Chu Junhao sideways and didn't say much. The scene just now of Hua Changxi rebuking Xia Zhen made him realize that if Hua Changxi were used well, she would be a good blade.

On the other side, the cultivators from the Guardian family were furious, resenting Hua Changxi's disrespect towards Xia Zhen.

"This Hua Changxi really lacks upbringing. Which noble family would fancy a young lady like her?"

"Let alone noble families, even in ordinary families, a temperament like hers is extremely unpleasant."

Meng Qingyao, listening to the whispers around her, was somewhat stunned. Gazing at Hua Changxi, who firmly defended her even in front of Xia Zhen, she suddenly recalled the elder's instructions to her.

"A strong person does not need to be liked."

"Qingyao, remember, you are now a cultivator. The worldly expectations for a woman no longer apply to you. Like a man, you must rightfully and brilliantly seize everything you desire."

Meng Yuchuan had been joining the others in mocking Hua Changxi, but when he noticed his sister’s expression, he immediately asked with concern, "Qingyao, what’s wrong?"

Meng Qingyao glanced at her brother, then at the Dongfang brothers who were also looking at her with concern, and murmured, "I have a feeling that this Hua Changxi might be my greatest rival."

Meng Yuchuan was taken aback, then chuckled, "Not to that extent. Someone who just courts attention isn’t qualified to be compared to my sister."

Dongfang Hao chimed in, "Hua Changxi talked back to Senior Xia. It looks bold, but it’s actually foolish. Turning someone with no conflict of interest into an enemy—her path won’t go far. She’s truly nothing to worry about."

After hearing this, Meng Qingyao’s thoughts became conflicted. On one hand, she admired Hua Changxi for daring to defend her in front of Senior Xia; on the other, she felt Dongfang Hao was right.

Both sides of cultivators were whispering about Hua Changxi’s actions. Gu Xing looked at the unconcerned Hua Changxi with utter helplessness.

This girl was too unrestrained. Showing joy and anger so openly would never make her a good leader. She really needed to stumble a few times before learning that dealing with people required hiding one’s edge.

On Xia Zhen’s side, he had just recovered from the shock of being publicly contradicted. Just as he wanted to regain face, Hua Changxi was already standing before the Divine Wood Tripod, performing her kowtow.

"Divine Wood above, disciple Hua Changxi kowtows in reverence. Now that spiritual energy has revived, the immortal path is treacherous. My cultivation path is obstructed by countless obstacles, and alchemy ingredients are scarce and hard to find. I beg the Divine Wood to show mercy and grant a high-grade secret realm, helping this disciple scale the heights of alchemy..."

After three kneels and nine bows, Hua Changxi rose and respectfully inserted the first-grade incense stick into the Divine Wood Tripod.

As the incense entered the tripod, accompanied by a soft "sizzle," specks of fire instantly spread along the tip of the stick.

Then, wisps of green smoke quietly emerged from the edge of the flame, curling upward with a rich fragrance of herbs, quickly permeating the square.

Hua Changxi was closest to the smoke. The moment she smelled it, she entered a mysterious state. She clearly felt her vision lose focus rapidly, but soon, a towering giant tree appeared before her eyes.

Beyond the giant tree, a single straight plume of smoke rose higher and higher, passing through layer after layer of branches and leaves.

"Upward, keep upward!"

The layers of branches on the giant tree were so distinct that in an instant, Hua Changxi thought of the secret realm’s grade. She immediately understood: the higher the green smoke rose, the higher the grade of the secret realm obtained.

Unfortunately, when the green smoke passed the seventh layer of branches, it began to falter, wavering as if about to dissipate.

Hua Changxi didn’t know the highest grade of the Divine Wood secret realm, and how long the incense fragrance could burn was beyond her control. Just as she was ready to accept a seventh-grade secret realm, the Shennong Cauldron in her mind gave a tremor.

In an instant, the incense smoke, which was about to scatter, shot upward again, quickly crossing the eighth layer of branches and heading straight for the ninth.

But an accident occurred again. When the incense smoke reached the ninth layer, it was still thick but simply could not break through it.

"Come on, go up~"

Hua Changxi screamed in her heart, so engrossed that her face turned red.

"Dong~"

In her mind, the Shennong Cauldron trembled again, this time directly shaking the incense smoke into dissipation.

Hua Changxi was so furious she snapped her eyes open. She clearly felt that if the incense smoke had just tried a little harder, it could have broken through the ninth layer. But the Shennong Cauldron had shaken it away.

Before she could even feel frustrated, she met a pair of wide, stunned eyes.

When she saw Xia Zhen staring straight at the Divine Wood leaf in front of her, Hua Changxi unhesitatingly caught it. As soon as the leaf touched her hand, it quickly vanished into her body, floating in her dantian.