[{"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-297":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},151983,261,"Chapter 297: Attracting Talent","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-297",297,"\u003Cp>Competing with Danyuan Peak for disciples left many Secret Realm Masters feeling a bit guilty, especially when Hua Changxi first appeared at the entrance of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Department, watching them recruit with a blank expression—many of them had the awkward look of thieves caught in the act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Hua Changxi only came once and never showed up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several days of recruitment, when each Secret Realm Master had taken in some outstanding talents, the lingering guilt in their hearts completely vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, Danyuan Peak remained quiet. Just when all the Secret Realm Masters assumed Hua Changxi would swallow this bitter pill in silence, someone from Danyuan Peak approached the Spirit Realm Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, Pavilion Master Meng Qingyao called another meeting of the Secret Realm Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Spirit Realm Pavilion’s meeting hall, the Secret Realm Masters arrived one after another. Everyone who entered would glance at the person seated in the first seat below the host’s right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A mere apprentice, who allowed you to sit there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ziyang struck first—a seat was not just a place to sit, but also represented the identity, status, and prestige of the person occupying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During ordinary meetings, the Sixteen Elders always sat in the first seat on the left; out of respect, the seat on the right had always been left empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the Danyuan Peak person arrived, he sat directly opposite Xia Zhen’s usual seat. Although Xia Zhen was absent today, the cultivators of the Guardian Clan faction were all quite displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng kept his composure, smiled, and said, “Though I am an apprentice, I represent Danyuan Peak and the Danyuan Secret Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ziyang frowned. “Even if you represent Danyuan Peak, you have no right to sit there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng smiled. “When it comes to contributions to the Dan Saint Hall, I wonder if any of you present can compare with my peak master?” With that, he ignored Xia Ziyang and turned with a smile to Meng Qingyao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pavilion Master, does the Spirit Realm Pavilion value contributions above all, or favor kinship and personal connections?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as these words were spoken, many eyebrows twitched. They thought to themselves: Indeed, this person is worthy of being under Hua Changxi’s command—just as firm and as ruthless with words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Qingyao looked at Wan Feng, a flicker of doubt passing through her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every faction had long since thoroughly investigated the capable people under Hua Changxi’s command, yet this Wan Feng had never caught anyone’s attention before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was simple: this man was merely a medicine apprentice assigned to the No. 13 Qihuang Hall by the Medical and Pharmaceutical Department, with neither connections nor background.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his performance today was unexpectedly striking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unknown nobody—where did he get the confidence and backbone to stand before these Secret Realm Masters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it given by Hua Changxi?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course the Spirit Realm Pavilion prioritizes contributions to the Holy Land. Hua Changxi is more than worthy to be the foremost among the Secret Realm Masters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words seemed to affirm Hua Changxi, but upon hearing the undisguised sneers and snickers from the other Secret Realm Masters, Wan Feng smiled again and said, “The Pavilion Master flatters her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only eighteen Holy Land Secret Realms have been opened so far. It’s still too early to talk about a foremost Secret Realm Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know the Pavilion Master has great regard for my peak master, but you shouldn’t put her on the fire like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look, many are not convinced.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Qingyao: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other Secret Realm Masters: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Wan Feng, who, like Hua Changxi, cared not a whit for others’ feelings, Mu Qingying felt a laugh coming on. Worried she might lose control of her facial expression, she quickly lowered her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng ignored everyone’s reactions, stood up with a smile, and produced the “fees” that Hua Changxi had paid for purchasing manifestation spirit artifacts, as well as the resource bills submitted to the imperial court due to the “cultivators entering the capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng first handed a copy to Meng Qingyao, then passed them out one by one to all the Secret Realm Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I forgot to congratulate you all on recruiting so many outstanding disciples these past few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The matter of cultivators from all regions entering the capital was pushed forward jointly by my peak master and the other Holy Lands. What you hold in your hands are the ‘fees’ she advanced.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of you have gained benefits; it is only right that you share all the expenses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the bills in their hands, every Secret Realm Master understood Wan Feng’s purpose—he had come to ask them for resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ziyang, whose pride had just been wounded, sneered, “What if we don’t want to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng’s smile remained unchanged, but his eyes turned somewhat cold as he looked at the silent crowd. “Why do you think the Divine Tree bestowed the Secret Realms?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know some of you think that because you oversee a Secret Realm, it belongs to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But here, I must be the one to burst your bubble, even if it makes me unwelcome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Divine Tree bestowed the Secret Realms—this is the opportunity the Divine Tree gave you to distribute the resources within them for the construction and development of the Holy Land.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng looked around at the secret realm masters and said, \"Except for Danyuan Peak, the secret realm masters of the other secret realms could all potentially be replaced.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, everyone's expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Qingyao's eyes shot towards Wan Feng. \"For someone who’s just an apprentice, you sure know a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng chuckled. \"What I know, all of you secret realm masters must surely know as well. I'm merely reminding everyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he glanced at Xia Ziyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Building a sacred land depends entirely on intention. How you choose to do it... do as you please.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason the five Dao-protecting families were granted secret realms by the Divine Tree is nothing more than their merits from protecting the Dao. Once these people have exhausted those merits, everything not obtained through true strength will be taken back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Qingyao knew that Danyuan Peak was in the right this time, so she said bluntly, \"Go back and tell Peak Master Hua that all expenses for recruiting disciples will be shared by all secret realm masters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng smiled. \"As expected of the Pavilion Master, so understanding of righteousness. Oh, Pavilion Master, don't forget that you also need to arrange for the secret realm masters to patrol the East City district.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Meng Qingyao agreed to the patrol arrangement, the triumphant Wan Feng smiled and returned to report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he left, Meng Qingyao determined the resources each secret realm master should contribute based on the rank of their secret realm. Only after doing this did she adjourn the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she came out of the meeting hall, she saw Xia Zhen standing in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sixteenth Elder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen looked at her. \"Agreeing to share the expenses with Hua Changxi was the right thing to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Meng Qingyao herself felt a bit unsettled. \"It's just some resources, giving them up is no big deal, but it feels terrible to be pushed around by Hua Changxi like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And that Wan Feng who suddenly appeared today, quite surprising too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen sighed, a worried look on his face. \"This is what I'm concerned about. I'm afraid that in the future, more and more people like Wan Feng will emerge around Hua Changxi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Qingyao was momentarily stunned, somewhat puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen let out a faint sigh. \"People all admire the strong, and Hua Changxi is undoubtedly a strong person—one who is willing to give everyone an opportunity. Someone like that is very attractive for talented individuals to follow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Qingyao opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end she fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Danyuan Peak, Hua Changxi listened to Wan Feng's report. Upon learning that he had convinced the Spirit Realm Pavilion personnel to share the expenses, a look of confusion stirred in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people from the Spirit Realm Pavilion had privately intercepted registered cultivators. This act was not only shameless, but it also showed they didn't regard her in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng was merely an ordinary steward in the Personnel Department. He went to the Spirit Realm Pavilion once and easily convinced those shameless people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such ability... not insignificant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of spiritual light passed through Hua Changxi's eyes as she once again used the Observation-Interrogation-Palpation technique to examine Wan Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire and Wood spirit roots, and the purity of the spirit roots is quite high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she saw the golden core floating above Wan Feng's dantian, Hua Changxi's eyes flickered. If she remembered correctly, when this person first arrived at No. 13 Qi Huang Hall, he was still a Qi Refining cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In about a year's time, he had advanced two major realms. His talent and comprehension are truly not low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You completed this mission very well. From today onwards, you are promoted to manager of the Personnel Department, and together with Pharmacist Xu, you will be responsible for all affairs of the Personnel Department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng's face lit up with joy. \"I will definitely live up to the Peak Master's expectations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1566,"2026-05-29T04:10:48.594Z","2026-06-01T04:29:08.487Z",1,"deepseek-v4-flash","3470b679dc6a1883e8e734591f53e93abb61d3cca89741414bd69561fc317c03","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-298","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-296",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-cover.jpg"]