[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin":3,"chapter-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-218":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The First Iron Rice Bowl of Great Jin",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},151904,261,"Chapter 218: A Thread of Hope","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-218",218,"\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's sudden words directly dragged Gu Xing into the power struggle between Xia Zhen and Prince Shou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, everyone's gaze fell on Gu Xing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie was happy to watch the conflict between the Guardian Clans and the royal family; he didn't care which side ended up on top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since he discovered that the Guardian Clans, just like the royal family, used their advantages to seize遗迹 and secret realms everywhere, he knew that the Guardian Clans didn't act purely for the development of the Four Spirit Realm either—they had their own selfish desires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, his reverence for the Guardians faded, and he simply regarded them as an ancient cultivation clan force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Xia Zhen and Prince Shou face off, he even hoped the two sides would start fighting, so that others could take advantage of the chaos to seize something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie was already considering whether to speak up and intensify the conflict between Xia Zhen and Prince Shou, but who would have thought that a third party would suddenly intervene and disrupt the rhythm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Changxi throw a meaningful glance at Gu Xing, Wei Zhenjie's face showed a hint of interest; at this moment, his curiosity about this young lady Hua Changxi reached its peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, it has always been the rulers who set the rules and those below who obey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The royal family was undoubtedly the highest authority in the Great Jin, while the Guardian Clans held the banner of guarding the heritage; both sides could be said to be the highest rule-makers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone else present, including him, the Minister of the Heavenly Department, and the four princely houses of the East, South, West, and North, all had to step back before these two forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was very curious: where did Hua Changxi get the confidence to dare challenge the authority of Xia Zhen and Prince Shou, and meddle in the distribution of the alchemy incense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, what was her purpose in doing this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was also very curious: Gu Xing had always treated everyone with the same indifferent disregard, yet Hua Changxi dared to speak to him—could it be that they had a close relationship? And why did Gu Xing treat her differently?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie's gaze constantly shifted between Gu Xing and Hua Changxi, filled with investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing was also surprised that Hua Changxi would ask him a question at this time and place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for how to handle the remaining three pillars of alchemy incense, he really had no opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his view, whether it was Prince Shou's side or the Guardians' side, as long as the chosen person could ignite the alchemy incense and receive the Divine Tree's blessing, he didn't care whose person they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing understood clearly that as long as one was human, they would have selfish desires, plan for themselves, and form factions to expand and consolidate their power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he didn't like factional struggles, he also knew that places like the Alchemy Saint Hall, a sacred land that everyone yearned to enter, were inevitable breeding grounds for such things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Medical Bureau had been under the court's administration for centuries, severely infiltrated by the royal family, nobles, and aristocratic clans, with complex and intricate factions. He could not eradicate these factions, nor was that his duty; he only wanted the Alchemy Saint Hall to reappear in the world as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the infiltration of the Alchemy Saint Hall, that was for the future master of the sacred land to worry about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at Hua Changxi, who was signaling him with her eyes, and didn't feel like responding to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the few interactions they had, he knew that this girl was not a person who pursued power; in fact, she even somewhat rejected power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, contrary to her usual behavior, she had gotten him involved in the conflict between the Guardians and the royal family. This had nothing to do with power struggles, but it reminded Gu Xing of the time she took ten wooden plaques from the old courtyard in the square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be that after obtaining the Divine Tree leaves, Hua Changxi had learned about the many benefits of the Divine Tree Secret Realm, and now her greed had been aroused again. She wanted to collect secret realms just like she had collected the wooden plaques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Xia Zhen and Prince Shou were also looking at him, Gu Xing directly brushed it off: \"I'm just a gatekeeper.\" The implication was that he wouldn't meddle in the matter of the alchemy incense's disposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Gu Xing's reaction, Hua Changxi's disappointment was evident: \"Senior Gu, although you are just a gatekeeper, you are a recognized member of the sacred land. Do you know that your attitude of 'not my business, leave me alone' sets a very bad precedent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know how others feel, but to me, your attitude tells me that when the sacred land encounters trouble, it's okay to wash one's hands of it and bow to external pressure. The reappearance and development of the sacred land? None of that matters at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words really made Gu Xing furious: \"When have I ever adopted an attitude of 'not my business, leave me alone'? Don't talk nonsense!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi sniffed: \"Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, you know it yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing was so angry that he bristled with rage: \"You...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Xia Zhen quickly tried to appease Gu Xing: \"Friend Gu, why are you actually taking a junior's words so seriously?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guarding the sacred land's heritage is the duty of the Guardians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The object that carries on the inheritance of the Alchemy Saint Hall is the alchemy incense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every five hundred years, the Divine Wood Cauldron condenses eighteen pillars of alchemy incense, which are then handed over to the alchemy prodigies selected by the Guardians to ignite and worship the Divine Tree, finally obtaining the Divine Tree Secret Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, with the resources within the Divine Tree Secret Realm, they inherit and carry forward the alchemical path of the Alchemy Saint Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the unlit alchemy incense, it will eventually dissipate on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Allocating the alchemy incense was the Guardians' power; compromising with the royal family had already crossed a line. Xia Zhen absolutely would not allow Gu Xing, the gatekeeper of the sacred land, to meddle in the distribution of the alchemy incense, even if only three pillars remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Hua Changxi seemed about to say more, Xia Zhen's gaze darkened. He felt she was ambitious, trying to get a hand in the distribution rights of the sacred land's resources. He decided to strike first, smiling as he asked, \"Friend Hua, what exactly do you want to say? Feel free to tell us directly, and stop troubling Friend Gu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi listened to Xia Zhen's sly words, snorted \"Heh,\" and seeing Gu Xing remain silent, ignored Huo Yunxiao and Wen Lanzhou desperately signaling her with their eyes, stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Xia, I do have a question. You are a Dao Guardian, protecting the heritage of the Holy Land. I ask you, is the continuation and promotion of the Dan Saint Hall's alchemy Dao meant for all cultivators of the Four Spirits Realm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen was somewhat surprised that Hua Changxi would ask this, but still nodded: \"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi: \"Since it is meant for all cultivators, then why can only you and the geniuses selected by the court worship the Divine Tree? What about those ordinary cultivators who also love the alchemy Dao and medical arts? Haven't you considered that they should also have the opportunity to worship the Divine Tree?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this question, Xia Zhen was stunned, Gu Xing's expression shook, Wei Zhenjie raised his eyebrows high, Zhang Tianshi's eyes flickered, while Prince Shou and other nobles frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen was silent for quite a while before speaking: \"It's not that I haven't considered ordinary cultivators, but ordinary people are vast and diverse; choosing who and who not is too difficult to decide.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Furthermore, to allow the Holy Land to reappear as soon as possible, it is natural to prioritize selecting cultivators with powerful alchemy talent to shoulder the responsibility of revitalizing the Dan Saint Hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi: \"Yes, to inherit and develop the alchemy Dao, it requires people with exceptional talent to lead, but the reappearance of the Holy Land definitely cannot rely solely on a few geniuses; ordinary alchemists are also indispensable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xia Zhen somewhat understood what Hua Changxi wanted Gu Xing to stand up and fight for, and his expression immediately became serious. Looking at Meng Qingyao, who was obediently standing to the side as if waiting for orders, he once again felt wary of Hua Changxi in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Xia Zhen didn't respond, Hua Changxi continued: \"Since the Holy Land's teachings are meant for all cultivators, worshiping the Divine Tree cannot be limited to only these geniuses in the square.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know that ordinary cultivators are numerous, and can't all come to worship the Divine Tree one by one. The remaining three incense sticks correspond to three Divine Tree secret realms. My suggestion is that these three secret realms be made public secret realms, open to all cultivators who aspire to achieve something in the alchemy Dao and medical arts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Xia Zhen: \"For the development of the Holy Land, prioritizing the chosen ones is correct, but for ordinary cultivators, you can't give them no opportunity at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1596,"2026-05-29T04:10:48.594Z","2026-06-01T04:29:08.487Z",1,"deepseek-v4-flash","0a941b45f9963561881df65ecdf406c93807102b91c2ba32e237bc0bf32a9b1a","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-219","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-217",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-cover.jpg"]