Chapter 413: Blame

"Minister Wei, you sure like to take sides!"

Hua Changxi walked up to Wei Zhenjie with a sardonic smile.

Just now, if Wei Zhenjie hadn't stepped in, Zhao Xi would have definitely made Princess Lingyuan taste the consequences of provoking Dan Yuan Peak.

Wei Zhenjie looked at Hua Changxi, whose eyes held dissatisfaction; his smile didn't fade, but inside he was frantically complaining: This Hua Changxi truly bites the hand that feeds her.

If he hadn't intervened, and Dan Yuan Peak had actually injured Princess Lingyuan in public, the royal family, for the sake of face, would not have let Zhao Xi off easily.

At that time, would Hua Changxi dare to reveal her own strength and go head-to-head with the royal family?

"Peak Master Hua, as always, you like to... act on impulse!" Doing things just to vent emotions, without any consideration for the consequences.

Wei Zhenjie lightly retorted to Hua Changxi.

After hearing this, Hua Changxi's smile faded. She glanced at Princess Lingyuan, who was again surrounded by a crowd of cultivators, and sensing the probing gazes on herself, ripples stirred in her heart.

Wei Zhenjie's words, though playful, made her think of the advice that Tong Yao and Jing Liao had given her.

Tong Yao said she didn't understand self-restraint...

Jing Liao said she lacked discipline...

In the past, Hua Changxi wouldn't have taken these words to heart, even sneering at them, but today she suddenly somewhat understood the meaning of self-restraint and discipline.

She was indeed too easily provoked by others!

Wei Zhenjie looked at the thoughtful Hua Changxi, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

As long as she can take advice and reflect, that's good.

Body cultivators have a major weakness: they tend to overlook the role of the mind.

But cultivation, whether following the path of the physical body or the path of spell cultivation, at the end of the day, what you cultivate is your own heart.

On the path of cultivation, the greatest enemy has never been others, but oneself.

For Hua Changxi, this is especially true.

He really didn't want to see Hua Changxi eventually become a brute who is strong but simple-minded, ready to fight at the drop of a hat, and only driven by emotions.

Wei Zhenjie glossed over the matter of "stepping in to save Princess Lingyuan." He knew well that many were secretly watching this situation, so he went along with their wishes and asked about what everyone cared about: "I heard that Peak Master Hua has been in closed-door cultivation all these years, trying to break through?"

Seeing him change the subject, Hua Changxi went along and replied, "Yes."

Wei Zhenjie asked again, "Did you break through?"

Hua Changxi sighed, looking regretful, "No."

Wei Zhenjie smiled, "I imagine it's a problem with the mind."

Hua Changxi looked at him and sincerely asked for advice, "Minister Wei, do you know how to improve one's state of mind?"

Seeing her being so informal, Wei Zhenjie laughed twice, but didn't answer. He only said, "The state of mind is of utmost importance for cultivators. If it is unstable, it can damage the Dao foundation."

"For such an important matter, you shouldn't ask an outsider like me; you should ask your masters."

Hua Changxi shrugged, "I have no masters. I've always been fumbling and practicing blindly on my own."

As soon as these words were spoken, the onlookers briefly stirred in commotion.

"Hua Changxi really has no master?"

On the second floor of Lingjing Pavilion, Xia Ji looked at Xia Zhen for confirmation.

Xia Zhen nodded, "On this point, we indeed haven't found anything."

He paused.

"In alchemy, Hua Changxi can be said to have inherited some things from the Hua family, but as for starting on the path of cultivation, it's as if she suddenly had an enlightenment."

Because Prince Shou was cultivating ghost clan techniques and created many disappearance cases in the outskirts of the capital, regarding the incident where Hua Changxi and dozens of others were kidnapped and sacrificed, the royal family, to avoid implicating Prince Shou, destroyed the relevant records.

Consequently, the other forces simply couldn't uncover this matter.

After hearing this, Xia Ji's thoughts drifted: "Suddenly had an enlightenment..."

"In the western border of Great Jin, there is also someone who suddenly had an enlightenment and swiftly embarked on the path of cultivation."

[]

After hearing this, Xia Zhen's expression shifted: "The Great Elder is referring to that Li Xiao who obtained Mount Kunlun and shone brilliantly in the Kunlun Secret Realm."

Xia Ji hummed in acknowledgment and said nothing else.

Xia Zhen also fell silent. Hua Changxi's family background was already unworthy of mention, but Li Xiao was even worse than her—just an orphaned wild boy who grew up eating meals from various households.

Opportunity...

Cultivation emphasizes opportunity, but sometimes the randomness and contingency of the word "opportunity" truly drives these aristocratic families to despair.

In the face of opportunity, their years of accumulation appear utterly insignificant.

In Qihuang Pavilion, Shen Qianfan looked at Chu Tianxun's dark expression and mustered the courage to say: "Hua Changxi has no master or sect. Relying on herself alone, it's almost impossible for her to cultivate to the level of the Lingguang Hall Master."

He was also drawing an analogy from his own experience; he knew too well how difficult it was to accumulate cultivation resources on one's own.

The Lingguang Hall Master kills Numinous Platform cultivators like killing chickens; his cultivation is at least at the Spirit Concentration stage or above.

To cultivate to such a level, the resources consumed are measured in vast quantities.

Such immense resources—let alone an individual—even noble families might not be able to produce them.

This time, Chu Tianxun surprisingly didn't give Shen Qianfan a stern look.

For no other reason—as the younger brother of the Grand Emperor, he knew something about the process of the royal family accumulating resources, and he had even participated in some relic competitions, so he knew how difficult it was.

On the square, Wei Zhenjie looked at Hua Changxi and suddenly asked: "Have you ever thought about joining a master's sect or something like that?"

Hua Changxi smiled at him: "I'm not very familiar with the various sects. Director Wei, who do you think I should take as my master?"

There was a probing element in her words. The Trident Medicine Valley had been taken over by the Demon-Suppressing Army; she knew that Wei Zhenjie must know something about her situation.

However, she wasn't sure exactly how far he had investigated.

Did he already know she was the Lingguang Hall Master, or was he still in the stage of suspicion?

Wei Zhenjie raised an eyebrow, understanding that Hua Changxi was asking him—what kind of person could be her master?

Indeed, this fellow had already touched the threshold of the Body Path; besides those old fellows guarding the realm gate, no one could really be her master.

Wei Zhenjie smiled: "Taking a master is a personal matter, how could I presume to interfere? However, I do happen to know some news that I can tell you in advance."

Hua Changxi graciously asked: "What news?"

Wei Zhenjie: "After the reappearance of Xuan Yuan City, the Xuan Yuan Mansion will open the Doctrine Transmission Hall, where seniors proficient in various Dao arts will impart teachings and resolve doubts. At the same time, the Great Dao Library will be opened, encompassing all the cultivation methods and ancient texts that the Xuan Yuan Mansion has been able to collect."

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi's eyes truly lit up. Leaving aside the teachings for now, she was really lacking in various cultivation methods and ancient texts.

After all, she still didn't even know the Voice Transmission Technique!

At Danyuan Peak, Lingguang Hall, and Five Elements Sect, the cultivation methods and techniques available for disciples to choose from were pitifully few.

"Really?"

"When can we enter the Great Dao Library?"

"Can we borrow and make copies of the cultivation methods and ancient texts inside?"

Seeing Hua Changxi's eagerness, Wei Zhenjie found it somewhat amusing: "I already said, it has to wait until after Xuan Yuan City reappears."

Hua Changxi's face immediately fell: "That could be a long wait."

Wei Zhenjie didn't respond to that, but the cultivators nearby who were eavesdropping were anxiously scratching their hearts and livers; they also wanted to participate in the doctrine transmission and promotion hosted by the Xuan Yuan Mansion.

"Elevating your state of mind is no small matter; you must not take it lightly." Wei Zhenjie brought the topic back to the state of mind.

Hua Changxi nodded noncommittally while secretly speculating on his intention in saying this.

Wei Zhenjie looked at her: "Although I cannot discuss the specifics of the state of mind with you, I can tell you what I read in an ancient text—the insights of a deity on elevating the state of mind."

"That deity said that the process of elevating the state of mind is the process of a person finding themselves."

"Those whose hearts are not upright or not steady cannot break through the predicament of the heart."

Hua Changxi heard the implication in Wei Zhenjie's words. Just as she was about to ask him to clarify, she heard him say: "Those who are unable to break through in their state of mind are those whose hearts are in turmoil. Your heart must be quite unsettled during this time, right?"

These words directly made Hua Changxi shift her focus: "Director Wei, do tell, how is my heart in turmoil?"

Wei Zhenjie looked at her: "During this time, the rumors spreading wildly outside—haven't they thrown your heart into great chaos?"

As these words were spoken, a brief silence fell over the square, and everyone pricked up their ears.

Hua Changxi narrowed her eyes slightly. When Princess Lingyuan had forced her way into Danyuan Peak, Wei Zhenjie had coincidentally arrived at the Medical Department at the same time. If this was a coincidence, she didn't believe it.

When the Demon-Suppression Army took over Sancha Medicine Valley, she thought Wei Zhenjie was helping her. But now, he was proactively asking about the rumors, making her uncertain of his true intentions.

"Only fools readily believe rumors."

As Hua Changxi gave this answer, the surrounding cultivators began whispering among themselves.

Wei Zhenjie, however, pressed on: "So you're saying the rumors are false? You are not the master of Lingguang Hall?"

Hua Changxi looked at him, a flash of cold light passing through her eyes.

She certainly could not deny being the master of Lingguang Hall, because she indeed was one. If she denied it now and her identity was later exposed, she would definitely lose face.

However, Hua Changxi quickly broke into a smile again: "Does Minister Wei think I am?"

Wei Zhenjie smiled as well: "I think... you are."

At these words, a brief commotion arose among the watching cultivators, and many nodded in agreement.

Hua Changxi laughed heartily, seeming very pleased: "Minister Wei thinks so highly of me?"

Wei Zhenjie didn't deny it: "Yes, I've always thought highly of you."

Hua Changxi's smile grew even brighter: "To live up to Minister Wei's regard, I feel... I must be the master of Lingguang Hall. Otherwise, I'd be letting you down."

She paused for a moment.

"Since Minister Wei says I am the master of Lingguang Hall, then I must inevitably ask Minister Wei a question on behalf of the Vermilion Bird Army."

Wei Zhenjie raised his brows. There was no small amount of hostility in Hua Changxi's tone—was she dissatisfied with him?

"What do you want to ask?"

Hua Changxi's smile faded, as if she had truly become the master of Lingguang Hall: "After the Wutong Forest appeared, the Phoenix clan's yao invaded Nanxiang County. Why did the Demon-Suppression Army stand idly by?"

"Also, when humans secretly struck at the Vermilion Bird Army, the Demon-Suppression Army and the Xuan-Yuan Army just watched on the sidelines. Isn't that a bit hard to justify?"

If earlier Hua Changxi's ambiguous answers had made various parties think she was trying to confuse the issue, now, after hearing her questions to Wei Zhenjie, many who had been leaning toward the idea that Hua Changxi was the master of Lingguang Hall wavered.

All the actions of the master of Lingguang Hall indicated that she was a low-key person. If Hua Changxi were truly the master, she would never openly question Wei Zhenjie like this.

"I always thought Hua Changxi was quite straightforward," Tang Yufeng shook his head and sighed, "but I didn't expect her to be quite slippery too."

By questioning Minister Wei so boldly, Hua Changxi wanted everyone to believe she was the master of Lingguang Hall, and then use that identity to bluff and intimidate.

Gu Jinfan glanced at Tang Yufeng, who was smugly assuming he had seen through the truth, and rolled her eyes in exasperation.

However, she had to admit that Hua Changxi's tactic of publicly admitting she was the master of Lingguang Hall was indeed quite effective at confusing some "clever people."

Wei Zhenjie looked at Hua Changxi in surprise: "For you to actually ask such questions, it truly makes me..."

"Why do you so naturally assume that the Demon-Suppression Army and the Xuan-Yuan Army should support the Vermilion Bird Army?"

"The Xuan-Yuan Army has its responsibilities, and the Demon-Suppression Army has its duties. You don't think Nanxiang County is the only place invaded by yao, do you?"

"In the vast mountains of the west, yao often emerge to plague the surrounding commoners. Who do you think is resisting them there? Do you know that the Demon-Suppression Army and the Xuan-Yuan Army have suffered far more casualties than the Vermilion Bird Army?"

Hua Changxi was stunned. She really hadn't considered that. At the same time, she could tell that her earlier question had angered Wei Zhenjie.

Wei Zhenjie continued: "Why would you think the Demon-Suppression Army and the Xuan-Yuan Army should prioritize the Vermilion Bird Army?"

Hua Changxi: "I never said they should prioritize us. I just think that since we're all working for the peace of humanity, we should at least help each other out."

Wei Zhenjie frowned: "Do you know what it means for each to perform its own duties?"

"The Xuan-Yuan Army's role is to balance the various forces of all humanity; the Demon-Suppression Army repels every yao that invades human territory."

"How big is Nanxiang County really?"

"If you can't even handle a disturbance in such a small area, shouldn't the Vermilion Bird Army first examine its own shortcomings?"

Having said this, Wei Zhenjie stopped and shook his head in disappointment: "I take back what I said earlier. You are not the master of Lingguang Hall."

"If you were the master of Lingguang Hall, the Demon-Suppression Army and the Xuan-Yuan Army would both have to become sinners."

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi felt a bit angry. However, thinking that these words could blur some people's investigation into her identity, she calmed down again, and only feigned indignation: "You look down on me? How am I not the master of Lingguang Hall?"

Wei Zhenjie seemed to have lost the interest in speaking. He shook his head and walked away. After a few steps, he turned back and looked at Hua Changxi: "Hua Changxi, not only is your vision narrow, but your heart is also small. You need to understand that the world has no obligation to operate the way you expect it to!"

Having said that, he left without looking back.

Hua Changxi's anger was stirred up again. She watched Wei Zhenjie's retreating back, her face full of indignation, but deep in her eyes, waves were surging.

After all, Wei Zhenjie's words did enter her ears.

The Vermilion Bird Army had suffered heavy casualties. Before this, she had indeed somewhat blamed Wei Zhenjie and the Five Generals of Xuan Yuan.

But thinking about it now, it seemed that she had indeed only considered the problem from her own standpoint...