Chapter 192: Supremacy Through Strength

Hua Changxi truly hadn't expected that the other end of the Artifact Saint Palace's teleportation array would be the Southern City office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Her shock was too obvious on her face; Tong Yao saw it, cleared his throat lightly, and said, "With the Fusang Divine Tree appearing in the world, all factions are watching the Artifact Refining Workshop. I could only bring Fellow Daoist through this passage."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi's heart stirred: "Have you arranged many teleportation arrays?"

Tong Yao nodded: "Of course. Even a cunning hare has three burrows. The Five Great Sacred Lands are something every faction wants to touch, and the imperial family's investigations are pervasive, so naturally, we must be extremely cautious."

The exit of the teleportation array was located in an abandoned courtyard behind the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office. As he spoke, Tong Yao led Hua Changxi over the wall into a dark alley; crossing the alley, the two of them emerged onto a bustling street.

Hua Changxi did not ask further about the Embroidered Uniform Guard; her mind was occupied with thoughts of the teleportation array.

She had long wanted to set up a teleportation array but had delayed the matter due to lacking knowledge of the technique. Now that she had finally met someone she could discuss this with, she naturally wanted to inquire further.

"Besides artifact refining, does Fellow Daoist Tong also know how to arrange arrays?"

Tong Yao shook his head: "Array arrangement is a very delicate task. I spend my days researching artifact refining and simply have no time to learn array formations." He paused, looking at Hua Changxi. "Does Fellow Daoist Hua wish to set up a teleportation array?"

Hua Changxi nodded in admission: "Yes."

Tong Yao said: "I do not know how to arrange arrays, and the disciples of the Artifact Saint Palace specialize in artifact refining. However, I can introduce Fellow Daoist Hua to someone who excels at array formation."

Hua Changxi smiled: "Then I thank Fellow Daoist Tong in advance."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard's office was not far from the Artifact Refining Workshop. The two had not walked long before they saw the street ahead under martial law. Behind that street lay the Artifact Refining Workshop, recently the subject of the most discussion.

Looking at the workshop surrounded by imperial troops, Tong Yao's expression was grim, and Hua Changxi's brows were also furrowed.

There was no other reason; she had spotted her father and her eldest brother.

Hua Dalang was now a member of the Demon-Suppressing Army, so his presence outside the workshop was understandable to Hua Changxi. But her father, Hua Minghe, was merely a Constable of the Six Doors; why had he come to guard the street as well?

Shifting her attention away from her father and brother, Hua Changxi surveyed the other troops surrounding the street. Soon, her eyes flickered with light: "The imperial court truly possesses profound foundations; most of the cultivators sent to enforce martial law are actually at the Qi Sea realm."

The Demon-Suppressing Army specialized in handling various matters related to the resurgence of spiritual energy, so having abundant cultivation resources and great strength was expected. Yet among the people of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot, cultivators of the Qi Sea realm also accounted for seventy or eighty percent, and there were even ten or so Core-Forming cultivators.

Tong Yao's expression was somewhat complex: "The strength of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot was not this great before. Over a month ago, when the Fusang Divine Tree appeared, spiritual energy surged, and many Fire-attribute cultivators near the Artifact Refining Workshop seized the opportunity to break through their realms."

Hua Changxi had not expected this to be the reason: "In that case, the imperial family must be even more determined to seize the Five Great Sacred Lands."

Tong Yao nodded: "It is not just the imperial family; other noble families will not let go either." Speaking thus, he revealed a helpless expression: "With so many eyes watching, the disciples of the Artifact Saint Palace can only be extra careful in their daily lives, striving to hide themselves well."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi felt somewhat disagreeable with this approach: "But hiding constantly like this is hardly conducive to the development of the Sacred Lands, is it?"

Tong Yao smiled bitterly: "There is no other way. The foundations of the imperial family and certain cultivation families are too strong. If the Artifact Saint Palace dares to show itself, these factions will definitely interfere. At that point, who can say clearly who truly controls the Artifact Saint Palace?"

"Is not Fellow Daoist Hua a member of the Medical Bureau? Nowadays, the Medical Bureau is controlled by the imperial family, and the vast majority of alchemists have chosen to attach themselves to the imperial family and noble families. Even if a successor to the Alchemy Saint Hall appears in the future, how many people do you think will listen to him?"

Hua Changxi instinctively retorted: "The Medical Bureau is the Medical Bureau, and the Alchemy Saint Hall is the Alchemy Saint Hall."

Tong Yao glanced at her: "The Alchemy Saint Hall bears the responsibility of guarding the array eye and must also teach medical arts and alchemy; none of this can be done without people. If the people are all controlled by the imperial family, then even if the successor to the Alchemy Saint Hall is completely legitimate, they will be rendered powerless."

These words made Hua Changxi think again of her cooperation with You Lao and the other four in developing the Fire Spirit Mine at San Cha Medicine Valley.

Even regarding that Fire Spirit Mine she had voluntarily relinquished, euphemistically claiming it was given to Hua Liulang for practice, unless she went on a killing spree, she could not change the fact that she was unable to control You Lao and the other four.

Was she not, indeed, rendered powerless!

"You make a valid point."

Tong Yao sighed: "Eldest Senior Brother often says that managing people is the hardest thing. Struggles for power and the distribution of benefits greatly test one's abilities."

Hua Changxi's weakness in this area was obvious, and deep down she was unwilling to deal with such matters. She nodded in agreement: "You are absolutely right. Managing people is so troublesome; it is better to focus on cultivation and improving one's skills."

Tong Yao looked at Hua Changxi: "But if one does not hold power, one will always be subject to others. Ultimately, no one can survive alone in this world."

Hua Changxi disagreed with this statement: "If I am invincible, who can do anything to me?"

Hearing this, Tong Yao paused, suddenly realizing that this female cultivator, whose strength far exceeded his own, seemed, perhaps, a bit too... pure?

Seeing Tong Yao's strange expression, Hua Changxi asked: "What? Did I say something wrong?"

Tong Yao shook his head: "Not wrong. I just feel... Fellow Daoist Hua does not seem like someone who advocates violence."

Hua Changxi said: "Of course I am not."

Tong Yao looked puzzled: "Then why do you believe violence can solve everything?"

Hua Changxi paused for a moment, then said: "I did not say violence can solve everything. My meaning is that if my strength is sufficient, no one can harm me, and no one can stop me from doing what I wish to do."

Tong Yao said: "That is simply a mindset of supremacy through strength."

Hua Changxi countered: "Is there anything wrong with supremacy through strength?"

Tong Yao remained silent for quite a while: "It is not that it is wrong. My point is, does Fellow Daoist Hua not have anyone she cares about? If someone you care about obstructs you from doing something, what would you do?"

Hua Changxi was stumped by the question. After a long pause, she finally spoke: "Those I care about will certainly care about me. If they care about me, how could they possibly obstruct me from doing what I want to do? Fellow Daoist Tong's words truly lack logic."

Seeing her turn the argument back on him, Tong Yao was momentarily speechless: "...People are different; disagreements are inevitable." He paused. "Actually, I used to think much like Fellow Daoist Hua, but after experiencing certain events, I realized that pursuing absolute supremacy through strength is a form of torture upon oneself. In doing so, one finds neither oneself nor sees others."

Hua Changxi did not agree with this statement in the least: "That is your feeling, Fellow Daoist. In my pursuit of strength, I feel a great sense of accomplishment."

Since they had only met once, Tong Yao felt it inappropriate to speak too deeply on the matter. He cleared his throat lightly and quickly changed the subject: "Is Fellow Daoist Hua familiar with the capital? Do you have a place to stay?"

Hua Changxi did not dwell on the previous topic either: "Mm."

Tong Yao handed over a communication talisman: "I must return to keep an eye on Xia Yang and Xia Xue. If Fellow Daoist Hua has any matters in the future, please use this talisman to contact me. Regarding the array formation and igniting the white jade lotus petals, I will contact my friends upon my return. As soon as they respond, I will inform Fellow Daoist immediately."

Hua Changxi nodded in thanks: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Tong."

Watching Tong Yao disappear into the crowd, Hua Changxi withdrew her gaze. Reflecting on their conversation just now, she shook her head with a self-deprecating smile: "The differences between people are truly vast. Who would have thought someone would consider the pursuit of supremacy through strength to be wrong?"