[{"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-218":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},1896992,2531,"Chapter 218: A Glimmer of Hope","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-218",218,"\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's sudden interjection directly dragged Gu Xing into the power struggle between Xia Zhen and the Prince of Shou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, everyone's gaze fell upon Gu Xing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie was delighted to watch the clash between the Dao-Protecting Clan and the imperial family; he did not care which side gained the upper hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since he discovered that the Dao-Protecting Clan, much like the imperial family, relied on their advantages to seize ruins and secret realms everywhere, he realized their actions were not purely for the development of the Four Spirit Realms; they harbored their own selfish desires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, his reverence for the Dao Protectors had been demystified; he now viewed them merely as an ancient cultivation lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the standoff between Xia Zhen and the Prince of Shou, he even hoped the two sides would come to blows, allowing others to seize opportunities amidst the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie was already contemplating whether to speak up and exacerbate the conflict between Xia Zhen and the Prince of Shou, when unexpectedly, an uninvited guest appeared out of nowhere, completely disrupting the rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Hua Changxi, who was signaling Gu Xing, a look of interest spread across Wei Zhenjie's face; at this moment, his curiosity regarding this young lady reached its peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, it has always been the rulers who establish the rules, while those below obey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The imperial family was undoubtedly the highest authority in Great Jin, while the Dao-Protecting Clan held the banner of guarding the heritage; both could be said to be the supreme architects of order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone else present, including himself as the Minister of the Heaven Division and the four non-imperial princely houses of Dong, Nan, Xi, and Bei, had to step back in the face of these two powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was very curious about where Hua Changxi derived the audacity to attempt challenging the authority of Xia Zhen and the Prince of Shou, seeking to influence the distribution of the incense sticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, what was her purpose in doing so?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was also curious; Gu Xing had always treated everyone with equal indifference, yet Hua Changxi dared to address him directly. Could it be that their relationship was exceptionally close? And why would Gu Xing treat her differently?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie's gaze constantly shifted back and forth between Gu Xing and Hua Changxi, his eyes filled with scrutiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing was also surprised that Hua Changxi would address him at this time and in this setting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for how to handle the remaining three incense sticks, he truly had no opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his view, whether it was the faction of the Prince of Shou or that of the Dao Protectors, as long as the selected individuals could ignite the incense and receive the blessing of the Divine Tree, he did not care whose people they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing knew clearly that all humans possess selfish desires, plan for their own benefit, and form cliques to expand and consolidate their power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he disliked factional strife, he also understood that in a holy land like the Hall of the Pill Saint, which everyone longed to enter, such matters were unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Medical Bureau had been under imperial control for hundreds of years, permeated too deeply by the imperial family, nobles, and prominent families, resulting in complex factions; he could not eradicate these factions, nor was it his duty; he only wished for the Hall of the Pill Saint to reappear in the world soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the infiltration of the Hall of the Pill Saint, that was a concern for the future master of the holy land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at Hua Changxi, who was signaling him, and felt little inclination to engage with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From their few brief encounters, he knew this girl was not someone who pursued power; in fact, she even harbored some aversion to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, acting contrary to her usual nature by asking him to intervene in the struggle between the Dao Protectors and the imperial family, had nothing to do with seizing power, but it reminded Gu Xing of the ten wooden tablets she had taken from the old courtyard in the square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be that after obtaining the Divine Tree leaves, Hua Changxi learned of the many benefits of the Divine Tree secret realms and, driven by greed once again, intended to collect these realms just as she had collected the wooden tablets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that both Xia Zhen and the Prince of Shou were watching him, Gu Xing dismissed the matter perfunctorily: \"I am merely a gatekeeper.\" The implication was that he would not involve himself in the disposition of the incense sticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Gu Xing's reaction, disappointment overflowed in Hua Changxi's expression: \"Senior Gu, although you are merely a gatekeeper, you are universally recognized as a person of the holy land. Do you not know that your attitude of remaining aloof and uninvolved sets a very bad precedent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do not know what others think, but to me, your attitude suggests that when the holy land faces issues, one can simply wash one's hands of it and submit to external pressure; the reappearance and development of the holy land are all unimportant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words truly infuriated Gu Xing: \"When have I ever remained aloof and uninvolved? Do not speak nonsense!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi snorted: \"Whether I am speaking nonsense or not, you know yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing was so angry his beard bristled and his eyes bulged: \"You...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Xia Zhen quickly soothed Gu Xing: \"Daoist Friend Gu, why are you really arguing seriously with a junior?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guarding the heritage of the holy land was the duty of the Dao Protectors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The object continuing the heritage of the Hall of the Pill Saint was the Pill Incense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every five hundred years, the Divine Tree Cauldron would condense eighteen sticks of Pill Incense, which would then be given to alchemy geniuses selected by the Dao Protectors to ignite the incense and worship the Divine Tree, ultimately gaining access to the Divine Tree secret realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, utilizing the resources within the Divine Tree secret realm, they would inherit and promote the Pill Dao of the Hall of the Pill Saint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for any incense sticks that no one ignited, they would eventually dissipate automatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distributing the incense sticks was the prerogative of the Dao Protectors; compromising with the imperial family had already touched the bottom line. Xia Zhen would absolutely not allow Gu Xing, this holy land gatekeeper, to interfere in the distribution of the incense, even if only three sticks remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Hua Changxi seemed ready to say more, Xia Zhen's gaze darkened; believing she was ambitious and intended to meddle in the distribution rights of the holy land's resources, he struck first with a smile: \"Young Friend Hua, whatever you wish to say, feel free to tell us directly; there is no need to make things difficult for Daoist Friend Gu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Xia Zhen's insincere words, Hua Changxi let out a cold \"Heh.\" Seeing Gu Xing remain silent, and ignoring the frantic signals from Huo Yunxiao and Wen Lanzhou, she stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Xia, I indeed have a question. You are a Dao Protector, tasked with guarding the holy land's heritage. Let me ask you: Is the continuation and promotion of the Hall of the Pill Saint's Pill Dao heritage intended for all cultivators of the Four Spirit Realms?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen was somewhat surprised by Hua Changxi's question but still nodded: \"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi: \"Since it is intended for all cultivators, why are the only people allowed to worship the Divine Tree those geniuses selected by you and the court? What about those ordinary cultivators who love the Pill Dao and medical arts? Have you not considered that they too should have the opportunity to worship the Divine Tree?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this question, Xia Zhen was stunned, Gu Xing's expression trembled, Wei Zhenjie raised his eyebrows sharply, Zhang Tianshi's gaze flashed, while the Prince of Shou and other nobles frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen remained silent for a long while before speaking: \"It is not that I have not considered ordinary cultivators, but the number of ordinary people is vast and miscellaneous; deciding whom to select and whom not to select is too difficult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Furthermore, to ensure the holy land reappears as soon as possible, we must naturally prioritize selecting cultivators with strong alchemical talents to shoulder the responsibility of revitalizing the Hall of the Pill Saint.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi: \"Yes, inheriting and developing the Pill Dao requires individuals of outstanding talent to lead, but the reappearance of the holy land cannot rely solely on a few geniuses; ordinary alchemists are also indispensable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xia Zhen began to understand what Hua Changxi wanted Gu Xing to stand up and fight for; his expression immediately turned serious. Looking at Meng Qingyao, who stood obediently to the side awaiting orders, he felt a renewed sense of wariness toward Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Xia Zhen did not respond, Hua Changxi continued: \"Since the holy land's transmission of the Dao is intended for all cultivators, worshipping the Divine Tree cannot be limited to only these geniuses in the square.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know that the number of ordinary cultivators is too large for them all to come and worship the Divine Tree one by one. These remaining three incense sticks correspond to three Divine Tree secret realms. My suggestion is that these three realms serve as public realms, open to all cultivators who aspire to achieve something in the Pill Dao and medical arts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Xia Zhen: \"For the development of the holy land, prioritizing the selection of prodigies is correct, but surely you cannot deny ordinary cultivators even a single opportunity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1624,"2026-06-12T02:51:23.636Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","49596b658d91ecbe5a3c380b5ee7e3569069610458fa277ed60d4823f170a947","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-219","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-217",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]