Chapter 273: Inaction

The responses from Qihuang Pavilion and Lingjing Pavilion were swift. Xu the Pharmacist waited outside the Lecture Hall, and as soon as Hua Changxi finished her lesson for the apprentices, he hurriedly reported the replies from both sides.

"Hall Master, Qihuang Pavilion has agreed to let you teach at Halls One through Nine."

"Lingjing Pavilion has refused to help set up a registration point at the gate of the Medical Department."

Only one of the two conditions was met, but Hua Changxi was not disappointed; she merely remarked, "The Guardian Clans are even more unworthy of their reputation than I imagined."

Enrolling more apprentices in the Danyuan Secret Realm can be considered a push for the development of the Dan Sacred Hall.

The Guardian Clans bear the duty of protecting the Dao, and helping revive the Dan Sacred Hall, one of the Five Sacred Lands, is also a form of Dao protection by proxy.

Yet not only did they not support it, they even obstructed it.

Moreover, as the Master of the Danyuan Secret Realm, she was originally a member of Lingjing Pavilion.

Logically, Lingjing Pavilion should be responsible for helping her solve problems. After all, the original intention of the Xia family in establishing Lingjing Pavilion was for the mutual assistance of all Secret Realm Masters.

She faced difficulties and even offered conditions in exchange; yet, under such circumstances, Lingjing Pavilion still chose to suppress her. At its core, Lingjing Pavilion’s establishment was merely a convenience for the Guardian Clans to pursue private interests. Promoting the revival and development of the Sacred Lands was only a secondary concern.

Xu the Pharmacist dared not rashly comment on the Guardian Clans, but he did relate what he had learned from inquiring at Lingjing Pavilion.

"Hall Master, the membership of Lingjing Pavilion has increased considerably."

"Previously, only the various Secret Realm Masters were members of Lingjing Pavilion, but now those young cultivators brought by Senior Xia have also joined Lingjing Pavilion."

"People are discussing privately that Lingjing Pavilion is following Qihuang Pavilion's example."

Among Qihuang Pavilion’s members, the eighteen Hall Masters account for only a portion; many imperial family members and children of noble families have become members of Qihuang Pavilion simply by having their names registered at Qihuang Hall.

Lingjing Pavilion has followed suit. Nowadays, the Secret Realms have not only their Masters but also a host of stewards and responsible persons.

After hearing this, Hua Changxi frowned, but quickly relaxed her expression.

Whether Qihuang Pavilion or Lingjing Pavilion, they have turned the Medical Department into a mess. Even Gu Xing, the most legitimate gatekeeper of the Sacred Land, does nothing about it, so it’s even less of her concern.

She only needs to manage her own little piece of land well.

Hua Changxi dismissed Xu the Pharmacist, then summoned the ten apprentices with the greatest talent for processing medicinal herbs.

She had been teaching apprentices how to process spirit medicines on Danyuan Peak for nearly a month. These ten apprentices had mastered the lessons best, and she decided that they would teach the future classes.

For the next few days, these ten apprentices served as the main lecturers, while she acted as an assistant, personally supervising them through several classes. Once she confirmed that they could independently teach the other apprentices, she began preparing to teach at Qihuang Hall.

Hua Changxi successfully unlocked the teaching content for Halls One through Nine of Qihuang Hall, but only Hall One was bound to the Qihuang Token.

The other eight Qihuang Halls were still in a "masterless" state, meaning that others holding the Qihuang Token had the opportunity to bind with these eight halls.

Her ten Qihuang Tokens were all lost in the Nine Abysses, and she had no idea when they could be retrieved. She proposed teaching at Qihuang Hall to see if she could still bind to a Qihuang Hall without the Qihuang Token in her possession.

As for the criterion for judgment, it would be the rate of cultivation speed.

Back when she unlocked Qihuang Hall and lectured there, her cultivation speed had both increased.

On the twenty-eighth of June, Hua Changxi arrived outside the Second Qihuang Hall.

A few days earlier, word had spread that she would be teaching "The Complete Guide to Processing First-Rank Spirit Medicines" at the Second Qihuang Hall. She had expected a large audience, but unexpectedly, there were very few people.

The contrast with previous occasions when other Qihuang Hall Masters gave lectures—where the outside of the hall was packed layer upon layer, tightly surrounded by people—could not have been greater.

On Qihuang Street, people occasionally glanced toward the Second Hall, but as soon as the Holy Guard patrol approached, they immediately scattered.

Watching this scene, Hua Changxi fell into thoughtful contemplation.

The person in charge of managing the Second Qihuang Hall was Xie An, the senior disciple of Director Gu. When Xie An saw Hua Changxi arrive, he immediately smiled and came out to greet her.

"Hall Master Hua, everyone has been waiting for a long time. We’ve been looking forward to your lecture."

Hua Changxi smiled and asked, "There are hardly any people to be seen on the street. What’s going on?"

Xie An glanced at the nearby patrol of Holy Guards and said with a smile, "The Holy Guard has decreed that Qihuang Hall is a place for teaching, and no one is allowed to loiter arbitrarily, nor to gather or make noise."

Hua Changxi: "When did such a rule come into effect?"

Xie An smiled: "It only started recently."

After hearing this, Hua Changxi’s gaze darkened. She didn’t need to ask—it was clear this rule was aimed at her. Although Qihuang Pavilion had agreed to let her teach, they did not want too many people to attend her lectures.

Xie An inwardly felt quite helpless as well. Whether it was Qihuang Pavilion or Lingjing Pavilion, everyone wanted to prevent Hua Changxi from gaining too much prestige.

Hua Changxi didn't say anything and stepped into the No. 2 Qihuang Hall.

When she saw the people inside—none other than imperial family, children of powerful noble families, or cultivators selected by the Dao-protecting clans—her brow immediately furrowed.

Hua Changxi sneered inwardly. No wonder Qihuang Pavilion had agreed to her conditions so readily; this was the trap they had laid for her.

In exchange for her "Complete Guide to First-Rank Spiritual Medicinal Preparation," all she got was the qualification to lecture this crowd!

The people in the hall were all sizing up Hua Changxi's expression. Seeing her tight-lipped face, many secretly delighted, especially Prince Shou; even Xia Zhen wore a beaming smile.

Did they really think that having a bit of skill meant they could boss them around?

Hmph, dealing with someone without roots or background couldn't be easier!

Gu Xing had come as well. Watching Hua Changxi walk to the main lectern with a grim face, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Good—she hadn't lost her temper on the spot. At least she could keep her composure.

Hua Changxi glanced around at everyone present, then fixed her gaze on Director Gu and asked with a smile, "Director Gu, I'd like to ask you a question."

Without waiting for Director Gu to react, she asked it directly.

"Do you think you can sit securely in the position of master of No. 2 Qihuang Hall?"

At these words, not only did Director Gu's expression change, but even those who had come to see Hua Changxi make a fool of herself changed color.

Director Gu hadn't expected Hua Changxi to attack him. Surprised, he said, "What do you mean by that, Hall Master Hua?"

Hua Changxi smiled: "If possessing the Qihuang Token necessarily made one the hall master of Qihuang Hall, then why did Zhu Qinghuan lose her position as hall master?"

Director Gu's face turned serious.

Hua Changxi continued with a smile: "The current Qihuang Hall is nothing but a few empty courtyards. Do you really think having the Qihuang Token means you can rest easy and not shoulder the responsibilities of a hall master?"

"You are the master of No. 2 Qihuang Hall, aren't you? But does No. 2 Qihuang Hall do as you say?"

"A man whose word doesn't count—do you think he can hold the hall master's seat?"

"Do you think such a person can gain the approval of the Holy Land?"

Director Gu understood. Hua Changxi was displeased that he had allowed the imperial family to suppress her. Being publicly ridiculed by her, he wanted to fight back, but at a loss for words.

Two days ago, Shen Qianfan came to deliver a message: that when the outer hall master gave lectures, the number of attendees per Qihuang Hall was not to exceed a hundred.

He knew this was the imperial family's intention. Unwilling to clash directly with them, he hadn't opposed it.

According to his code of conduct, doing so was fine—but as master of No. 2 Qihuang Hall, allowing others to meddle in its affairs was indeed inaction on his part.

Hua Changxi had little regard for Director Gu and the others who had obtained the Qihuang Token.

These people did nothing and yet vainly hoped to secure the hall master's seat with a token—what pipe dreams were they having?