Chapter 421: New Rules

Meng Qingyao sensed the shift in the atmosphere within the assembly hall, and gazing from her high seat, she saw the changes in the attendees' expressions and the sparks igniting in the eyes of the various secret realm masters and Qi Huang Hall masters.

Mayflies can shake a tree...

Meng Qingyao thought bitterly, Hua Changxi had not only shaken the tree but had also buried new sparks beneath its roots.

"Today's session..."

Meng Qingyao's cold, clear voice cut through the silence—low, yet carrying an unyielding authority: "Peak Master Hua, as well as Master Mu, Master Yan, and others, have all voiced their concerns."

"The Sacred Land convenes this meeting precisely to allow everyone to express their views."

"Everyone offering their ideas and opinions is for the development of the Sacred Land. On this, Archway Master Shen, Hall Master Tong, and I are in full support."

"But..." she abruptly shifted her tone, her voice turning grave, "the core issue of today's meeting is the Lingguang Hall's request for medical treatment."

Seeing that Meng Qingyao intended to sidestep the controversy, Huo Yunxiao could no longer sit still. It had taken Hua Changxi's presence to bring certain matters to light, and if they weren't settled now, they would likely be swept under the rug later.

"Archway Master Meng, since you, Archway Master Shen, and Hall Master Tong all support us in voicing our opinions, we've already laid out our doubts today. Can you first resolve them for us?"

Gu Jinfan chimed in as well: "Yes, since some issues have already come to light, why not thoroughly discuss them today?"

Suppressing the surging irritation in her heart, Meng Qingyao struggled to keep her tone steady: "The matters you've raised concern the very foundation of the Sacred Land and involve far-reaching implications. They require careful deliberation. I will decide after detailed discussion with Archway Master Shen and Hall Master Tong."

Mu Qingying frowned: "Archway Master Meng, with the secret realm masters and hall masters all present, why can't we deliberate directly?"

Pelted by successive questions, Meng Qingyao's tone grew sharp and forceful: "Matters have their priorities and urgency. Manager Yun of Lingguang Hall has already begged Minister Wei to bring her here in person. This shows the Vermilion Bird Army urgently needs physicians. The issues you raised today can be discussed at the next meeting—it won't delay anything."

Seeing Meng Qingyao using the Vermilion Bird Army as a pretext, Hua Changxi could no longer hold back: "Archway Master Meng, let's first discuss the issues everyone has raised."

"Lingguang Hall's request for medical treatment involves the deployment of physicians from various departments, peaks, and secret realms, as well as the allocation of spiritual medicines and elixirs."

"If we don't clarify the standards and requirements for 'meeting participation and task assignment' that everyone wants to know, how will Archway Master Meng arrange the physician selections this time?"

"Or will it be just like before—whoever has more influence or stronger connections gets assigned?"

Meng Qingyao was truly angry now, her face filled with fury as she glared at Hua Changxi: "Peak Master Hua, watch your words!"

Hua Changxi met her gaze, unyielding: "If you want me to shut up, it's simple—lay out the 'standards and requirements for task assignments' one by one in plain terms."

"Choose whoever meets the requirements."

"Well said!" Huo Yunxiao immediately voiced his support, "List the standards and requirements for task assignments—clear at a glance, demonstrating fairness. The entire Sacred Land will surely support this!"

Hearing this, Qi Huang Pavilion Master Shen Qianfan, who had remained silent until now, could no longer sit still: "Task assignments involve the operation and development of the Sacred Land. They require assessing the situation and flexible handling."

Hua Changxi was unsparing: "In other words, how tasks are assigned is entirely up to you? Others can only obey orders?"

Shen Qianfan took a deep breath: "Peak Master Hua, please believe that I, Archway Master Meng, and Hall Master Tong all sincerely want what's best for the Sacred Land."

"I do believe you," Hua Changxi said, a hint of sarcasm curling at the corner of her mouth, "but your so-called 'for the Sacred Land' always means ensuring your own interests aren't harmed before you deign to consider it."

Following Meng Qingyao, Shen Qianfan was also enraged, rising to his feet: "Hua Changxi, you can't just say whatever you want."

Unfazed, Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow provocatively: "Did I say something wrong? Then dare you swear? Swear you have no selfish motives and serve only the Sacred Land—if you're lying, let the Divine Tree take back the secret realms and Qi Huang tokens in your hands. Do you dare?"

Shen Qianfan opened his mouth, then said nothing.

Princess Lingyuan felt embarrassed seeing Shen Qianfan slink back to his seat; she seemed to want to salvage her husband's dignity, but lacked the courage to provoke Hua Changxi, so she merely turned her head away.

Everyone else present also felt awkward for Shen Qianfan.

Tang Yufeng looked at Hua Changxi with admiration. Some words—whether from a secret realm master or a Qi Huang Hall master—were truly hard to say, not out of cowardice, but because the implications were too great and the concerns too many.

Not like Hua Changxi, who faced Meng Qingyao and Shen Qianfan without any scruples, showing no respect for the Xia family and the imperial family behind them.

That kind of freedom and abandon was truly enviable!

Hua Changxi didn't enjoy taking charge, but the choking grip on Danyuan Peak had to be resolved. Since the discussion had reached this point, she turned her gaze to Jiujie Hall Master Tong Zhou, the only one at the head table who hadn't spoken.

"Hall Master Tong, have you nothing to say?"

Tong Zhou glanced quickly at the silent Wen Shouren, and seeing that he gave no signal, thought for a moment and said, "Since everyone wants to discuss the matters of meeting participation and task assignments, let's discuss them."

At these words, Meng Qingyao and Shen Qianfan both looked over with displeasure, yet the assembly hall instantly buzzed with excitement. People whispered to each other, a swell of murmurs converging.

Tong Zhou said with a smile, "Everyone is free to speak their mind."

Although those present discussed fervently, not a single person stepped forward to speak; they were all watching and waiting.

Hua Changxi, seeing this, declared, "Since some of the Holy Land's old rules are unreasonable and have sparked widespread discussion, it is necessary to renegotiate new regulations."

"Before, this place was the Imperial Medical Bureau. I won't comment on how the Medical Bureau operated."

"But now, this place represents the Divine Alchemy Hall."

"Since this is the Divine Alchemy Hall, there is one thing everyone must understand: except for the Domain Lords who govern the domains, even those who have received the Qihuang Token but have not yet opened a Qihuang Hall are not true administrators of the Holy Land."

"What I want to say is that those truly qualified to manage the development of the Divine Alchemy Hall should be the Domain Lords, not a motley crew of influential figures."

"Of course, every Holy Land has its heritage inheritors, but the Divine Alchemy Hall's inheritor has yet to appear, so let us consider them nonexistent for now."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire assembly was stunned!

Renegotiate new regulations?

This meant a complete shake-up of the existing power structure and operational system of the Divine Alchemy Hall!

Hua Changxi's proposal undoubtedly thrust the Domain Lords into the spotlight, granting them the right to participate in rule-making.

Domain Lords such as Mu Qingying, Yuan Tianchou, and Yan Qianying were naturally extremely excited, their eyes shining with brilliant light.

This was an opportunity they had never dared to imagine!

The Domain Lords were excited, but the holy land inheritors such as Wen Shouren were all staring at Hua Changxi with dark looks.

What a fellow—directly denying their existence.

Indeed, among the three major factions of the Divine Alchemy Hall, the one Hua Changxi looked down upon the most was the lineage of the holy land inheritors.

In her view, these people bore the banner of 'orthodoxy of the Holy Land' but were unwilling to take on leadership responsibilities, simply spineless cowards with no backbone.