[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl":3,"chapter-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-209":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Great Jin's Most Iron Rice Bowl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1896983,2531,"Chapter 209: Igniting the Alchemical Fire of Second Street","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-209",209,"\u003Cp>\"Hold on!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Shou interrupted the exchange between Xia Zhen and Gu Xing; until today, he had known nothing of the Divine Wood Cauldron or the alchemical incense, yet now the selection for the Qihuang Hall Master was to be decided by this 'Divine Wood Blessing' of which he was completely ignorant, and he would not allow such a matter to slip beyond imperial control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at Prince Shou; he understood clearly the imperial family's ambition to seize control of the Sacred Land, and he also knew the Dao-Protecting Clans had their own schemes and objectives; wishing to avoid unnecessary complications, he only wanted to commence the worship of the Divine Wood immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, please calm yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This old man knows that everyone present longs for the reappearance of the Alchemy Saint Hall among mortals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In ancient times, the eighteen Qihuang Hall Masters of the Alchemy Saint Hall were all selected through rigorous examinations and a vote by everyone in the Sacred Land; now that the Alchemy Saint Hall has fallen silent, we cannot choose a master with the same solemnity as in antiquity, but since the Qihuang Hall bears the responsibility of transmitting the Dao of Alchemy, not just anyone can serve as its master; surely, no one here objects to this point?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked first at the people from the Medical Bureau, then at the faction of the Dao-Protecting Clans; everyone remained silent, which counted as tacit agreement with his question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I presume most of you present have also heard rumors regarding the heavy burden the Alchemy Saint Hall bears?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Gu Xing's question, the expressions of most people present fluctuated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one of the four array pivots of the Demon Prison, the Alchemy Saint Hall shouldered the critical responsibility of maintaining the stability of that pivot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing continued, \"The Qihuang Hall is a vital sector of the Alchemy Saint Hall and carries important duties; therefore, the Hall Master must have achieved something in the Dao of Alchemy; otherwise, even if appointed master, they would be unable to bear the responsibilities of the position.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Shou could not help but speak up: \"How is one's ability to bear the master's responsibilities judged? Surely Senior Xia cannot simply declare whoever he chooses as capable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his disrespectful words toward Xia Zhen, the cultivators from the Dao-Protecting Clans all revealed angry expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen glanced dismissively at Prince Shou, deeming him unworthy of his attention: \"The Dao Protectors select candidates based on conditions; everything we do is for the better development of the Four Spirit Realm, not like your previous methods of seizing the master's position through contests of power and influence, merely to snatch resources.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Prince Shou about to retort, Gu Xing gave him no chance to speak, stating first: \"The current selection of the Hall Master is decided neither by power nor by the Dao-Protecting Clans, but by the Sacred Land's Divine Wood itself; nothing could be more fair and just.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at Prince Shou and the nine masters who had gained their positions through influence: \"Previously, I did not interfere with the allocation of Qihuang Hall Masters because I knew that all your efforts were in vain; the so-called masters were merely guarding an empty courtyard, utterly useless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the faces of Prince Shou and the nine masters who had won through power and influence turned exceedingly ugly; the Qihuang Hall they had racked their brains to seize was, in Gu Xing's eyes, nothing more than a meaningless joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing continued speaking: \"But now, the Dao-Protecting Clans have brought the Divine Wood Cauldron and alchemical incense; once the incense is lit, one may receive the Divine Wood Blessing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi could not help but ask: \"Elder Gu, what exactly is the Divine Wood Blessing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing glanced at her: \"Those who receive the Divine Wood Blessing gain access to the Divine Wood Secret Realm; only with the resources within that realm does a Qihuang Hall Master truly possess certain authorities; otherwise, what you are fighting over is merely an empty courtyard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Secret Realm!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Gu Xing's words, the people from the Medical Bureau could no longer remain calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Wood Blessing could actually grant a Secret Realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was well known that even the imperial family would pay an enormous price to obtain a single Secret Realm, and such realms were extremely rare and difficult to find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, simply lighting alchemical incense to worship the Divine Wood could yield a Secret Realm; even Prince Shou was shocked by the Sacred Land's grand gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eighteen sticks of alchemical incense meant eighteen Secret Realms!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultivators from the Dao-Protecting Clans, however, remained calm in expression, clearly having known about the Divine Wood Secret Realm long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Shou asked anxiously: \"What kind of Secret Realms are they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at the eighteen sticks of alchemical incense of varying thicknesses, Gu Xing replied: \"What level of Divine Wood Secret Realm one obtains depends on each individual's capability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of heat rose in Prince Shou's heart, but upon seeing the cultivators the Xia family had brought, he calmed down again and frowned: \"Senior Gu, since the Divine Wood Cauldron and alchemical incense are kept by the Dao-Protecting Clans, you must certainly be familiar with how to light the incense...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, a middle-aged cultivator rudely interrupted him: \"If the Xia family knew how to light the alchemical incense, why wouldn't they simply bring their own clansmen to take over the Qihuang Hall, instead of going to such great lengths to search the ends of the earth for individuals with alchemical talent? For a prince of such high status to speak without thinking is truly shameful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first time Prince Shou had been slapped in the face so blatantly; he was so furious his face turned green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing dissatisfaction on Gu Xing's face, and being willing to show extra respect to the guardian of the Sacred Land, Xia Zhen lightly scolded that middle-aged cultivator: \"Xia Xun, do not be rude; hurry and apologize to His Highness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Xun was extremely reluctant but perfunctorily clasped his fists: \"Your Highness, please forgive my offense; I speak too quickly; I hope your lordship's magnanimity will not take it to heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Xia Xun had apologized, Xia Zhen paid no mind to whether Prince Shou accepted it or not, turning instead to Gu Xing: \"The ten juniors I have brought this time are all outstanding in the Dao of Alchemy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing nodded: \"First, the nine masters who received the wooden tokens will light the alchemical incense to worship the Divine Wood; afterward... the remaining nine masters and the ten individuals brought by Daoist Friend Xia will take turns worshipping the Divine Wood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Shou intended to object, but before the words left his mouth, he met Gu Xing's cold gaze; in that instant, it felt as though an invisible hand had seized his heart, ready to crush it the moment he dared to make a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen glanced at the sweating Prince Shou with contempt in his heart, while simultaneously gaining a deeper respect for Gu Xing, this guardian of the Sacred Land: \"Very well, let us follow Daoist Friend Gu's arrangement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing stood up: \"Follow this old man to the square to worship the Divine Wood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen stored away the Divine Wood Cauldron and alchemical incense, quickly catching up to Gu Xing, while the cultivators of the Dao-Protecting Clans followed closely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Medical Bureau's side, Prince Shou, with a gloomy expression, did not move, and no one else dared to leave; Hua Changxi wanted to slip away but was firmly grabbed by Huo Yunxiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao looked at Hua Changxi helplessly: \"My dear Hall Master Hua, please use your brain a little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi rolled her eyes in return: \"Is it that I lack brains, or is your servile nature just too strong?\" She glanced at Prince Shou: \"He isn't leaving, so no one dares to leave; on what grounds? If everyone just left, what could he possibly do to us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao was actually stunned by the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi knew Huo Yunxiao had held her back with good intentions: \"Now that spiritual qi has revived, you still prioritize the imperial family above all else; your mindset is truly rigid; never mind, let's not discuss this further.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao felt looked down upon by Hua Changxi; however, he had once again witnessed her arrogance; she did not even place the imperial family in her eyes—her audacity knew no bounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Director Gu had successfully placated Prince Shou and escorted him out of the council hall, after which the others finally dared to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh, why is everyone blocked here? Are we not going to the square?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people from the Medical Bureau, having exited a step later, discovered that the members of the Dao-Protecting Clans were all blocking the entrance to the Pilgrimage Road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shortest route to the square was via Pilgrimage Road; Hua Changxi, not wishing to light the alchemical fire on that road, had planned to separate from the crowd upon leaving the council hall and reach the square through the alleys of Ninth Street, but seeing the Dao-Protecting Clan members blocking the intersection, she could not help but approach to see what they were up to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching the intersection, Hua Changxi saw that Pilgrimage Road was empty save for a woman in green robes standing solemnly at the entrance of Second Street; her palms were pressed together, her fingers forming a seal, as if she were gathering something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was her, Meng Qingyao, that female cultivator with a Fire-Wood Spirit Body!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is she doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Performing a ritual?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people from the Medical Bureau discussed amongst themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone suddenly spoke up: \"She is about to light the alchemical fire of Second Street.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked toward the voice and discovered the speaker was Gu Jinfan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultivators from the Dao-Protecting Clans also glanced at Gu Jinfan, and a young male cultivator smiled lightly: \"Finally, someone with remarkable insight has appeared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the cultivators from the Medical Bureau were furious and wanted to retort, but unfortunately, the Dao-Protecting Clan cultivators had already turned their heads back, continuing to gaze at the intersection of Second Street on Pilgrimage Road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such a wonderful fragrance~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is the scent of pills; how rich it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the pilgrimage road, green luster continuously overflowed from Meng Qingyao's fingertips as she formed seals; the luster split in two and swiftly converged into the two lanterns on the left and right of the intersection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her so serious, Hua Changxi strove to recall the scene when she had ignited the pill fire of the First Street; compared to Meng Qingyao, her own ignition of the pill fire had been truly rather hasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly a quarter of an hour, green light ignited within the lanterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is lit; Qingyao has ignited the pill fire of the Second Street.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1850,"2026-06-12T02:51:23.636Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","c4a055cbbe144a44097b4ec86703b419d2bf4e2698499158b159c95dc2e87a7b","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-210","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-208",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]