Chapter 219: A Broad Perspective

Xia Zhen did not voice opposition to Hua Changxi's suggestion for handling the remaining three sticks of pill incense. Everything must leave a glimmer of hope; one cannot block all the paths. This is also the principle of conduct that the Guardians have always upheld.

However, his mood was very complicated at this moment. He did not expect that Hua Changxi, who was so young, had already realized this point.

Xia Zhen looked at Meng Qingyao and the others he had brought. If he were to say they were worse than Hua Changxi, he certainly wouldn't admit it, but it happened that only Hua Changxi dared to stand up and express her views on the handling of the pill incense.

Was it that Meng Qingyao and the others lacked such foresight?

Not necessarily.

They were just accustomed to staying in a position of obedience and listening to orders, and they wouldn't consider at all whether the future of the Sacred Ground had anything to do with ordinary cultivators.

And Hua Changxi, the height at which she stood was already far above them. Opening the three secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of pill incense to all cultivators was a broad perspective.

What kind of person considers the big picture?

A ruler!

The wariness that Xia Zhen had suppressed in his heart surged out again, and it became increasingly intense.

Not only was Xia Zhen's mood complicated, but Gu Xing's mood was also very complicated at this moment. He really did not expect that Hua Changxi was asking him to fight for the remaining three sticks of pill incense for ordinary cultivators.

From the long-term development of the Sacred Ground, opening the three secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of pill incense to all cultivators who loved alchemy and medicine was undoubtedly the most beneficial to the Sacred Ground.

He thought Hua Changxi wanted to occupy more secret realms, but her intention was the most considerate for the Sacred Ground.

Gu Xing looked at Hua Changxi, his eyes somewhat self-reproachful. His understanding of this girl was still too one-sided.

Wei Zhenjie's gaze toward Hua Changxi also became more solemn.

What kind of place is the Pill Saint Hall?

It is the Sacred Ground of alchemy and medicine in the Four Spirit Realms, a pilgrimage site yearned for by all healers and alchemists, shouldering the heavy responsibility of spreading medicine and alchemy.

He also did not expect that among so many people present, the person who truly considered that the Pill Saint Hall was aimed at all cultivators in the Four Spirit Realms was actually this young lady.

Now, he somewhat understood why she could light the First-Grade Incense.

Gu Xing truly considered the development of the Sacred Ground, and Xia Zhen, as a Guardian, although he had selfish desires, also looked forward to the Sacred Ground being better, so neither of them opposed Hua Changxi's proposal.

He thought Prince Shou would not agree, but unexpectedly, he did not oppose it either.

In Prince Shou's view, the capital was the home base of the Imperial Family, and if the secret realms were opened to everyone, the people of the Imperial Family would certainly be able to get the benefits first.

Since he couldn't get his hands on the remaining three sticks of pill incense, it was better to let it be like this.

Xia Zhen saw that Gu Xing and Prince Shou both agreed with Hua Changxi's proposal. Noticing the crowd watching outside the square, he quickly looked at Meng Qingyao: "Qingyao, you and Little Friend Hua are both people who lit the First-Grade Incense. What is your view on the remaining three sticks of pill incense?"

Meng Qingyao, who was suddenly asked, was somewhat startled, but quickly returned to calm.

Since she was tested to have a fire-wood spirit body at the age of eight, she had been apprenticed to the Great Elder of the Xia family. She knew the principles of conduct of the Guardians and instantly understood what Uncle Xia Zhen wanted her to say.

"Uncle Xia, I also feel that the secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of pill incense should be opened to all cultivators. The Pill Saint Hall is the Sacred Ground for all who love medicine and alchemy, and we should leave a glimmer of opportunity for them."

Xia Zhen nodded with satisfaction and looked at Gu Xing: "I also feel that Qingyao and Little Friend Hua's proposal is very fair. What does Fellow Daoist Gu think?"

Gu Xing saw Xia Zhen let Meng Qingyao share Hua Changxi's proposal, and his brow furrowed, but he quickly relaxed.

That girl Hua Changxi was clearly not interested in power. Perhaps, letting her be polished by power would be good.

Gu Xing did not correct Xia Zhen: "I also feel that this is very good."

Xia Zhen smiled and looked at Prince Shou: "What does Prince Shou think?"

Prince Shou hummed, looking angry: "The two seniors have already discussed it, so why ask me?"

Xia Zhen didn't pay much attention and said directly: "Since the Prince also agrees, then let's do as Qingyao and Little Friend Hua proposed. The secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of pill incense will be opened to all cultivators."

Wei Zhenjie smiled and took over the conversation, asking the key question: "Senior Xia, I don't know how the remaining three sticks of pill incense should be lit? And who should manage the secret realms bestowed by the Divine Tree afterward?"

Xia Zhen thought for a while and said: "Qingyao and Little Friend Hua can light the First-Grade Incense, so naturally they can also light the Third-Grade Incense. The two of them will each light one stick of Third-Grade Incense. As for this First-Grade Incense..."

Before he finished speaking, Gu Xing interrupted: "Since the proposal was made by the Hua girl, let her light it."

Xia Zhen really wanted Meng Qingyao to expand her reputation through this matter, but under the eyes of everyone, he couldn't find a good reason to refute Gu Xing, so he could only say embarrassedly: "It's not that I look down on Little Friend Hua, but lighting the First-Grade Incense has requirements."

"Qingyao lit the pill fire on the Second Street of the Jiujie. I think she has a better chance of lighting this remaining stick of First-Grade Incense. Let Qingyao light this remaining stick of First-Grade Incense."

Hua Changxi did not want to passively listen to their arrangements. Before this, she had figured it out: unlocking the Qihuang Hall and lighting the wooden plaque could increase cultivation speed; lighting the Jiujie pill lamp could also increase cultivation speed.

Now, lighting the pill lamp and receiving the Divine Tree's blessing might also increase cultivation speed. She would not give up this benefit that was already in her hands.

Especially, Xia Zhen's contemptuous words made Hua Changxi very unconvinced, so she spoke up herself: "Whether it can be lit or not, I'll just try it." After speaking, she stepped forward and picked up the First-Grade Incense, and without waiting for Xia Zhen to stop her, she inserted it directly into the Divine Tree tripod.

Sparks erupted, green smoke rose, winding straight up, and the rich pill incense drifted over the Medicine Department again.

Hua Changxi looked at the green smoke. This time, she didn't have the mysterious feeling of lighting the First-Grade Incense just now, which made her somewhat disappointed. She could only smile and shrug at Xia Zhen: "The First-Grade Incense isn't as hard to light as Senior Xia said."

Xia Zhen felt very aggrieved, but at this moment, it was not the time to pursue it. The First-Grade Incense had already been lit, and the Divine Tree leaf was already condensing. The urgent matter was to arrange for the person to manage the secret realm.

"This secret realm will be managed by..."

Hua Changxi interrupted Xia Zhen: "This secret realm, as well as the secret realms corresponding to the remaining two sticks of Third-Grade Incense, should all be handed over to Senior Gu to manage."

Seeing Xia Zhen frown and want to refute, Hua Changxi preempted him: "Senior Xia, only Senior Gu is the one who wholeheartedly considers the Pill Saint Hall. Only by handing over the public secret realms to him can it convince the public."

These words immediately received Prince Shou's support: "I also feel that it is better for Senior Gu to manage the three secret realms. If the secret realms are handed over to others, I will be the first to refuse."

Wei Zhenjie also echoed: "It is indeed fairer for Senior Gu to manage the public secret realms."

Zhang Tianshi also nodded, and the people on the Medicine Department side expressed their agreement one after another.

The expressions of the cultivators on the side of the Guardian Families became somewhat ugly.

As the Guardian of the Central Continent, Xia Zhen certainly wanted the Xia family to manage the public secret realms, but seeing that everyone supported Gu Xing, his expression couldn't help but look ugly, and he had no good face for Hua Changxi, who made the proposal.

Dongfang Hao suddenly spoke: "We have no opinion on Senior Gu managing the public secret realms, but Senior Gu might be too busy alone with three secret realms. Why not let Senior Xia assist from the side?"

Seeing that the people on his side finally knew to stand up and fight for benefits, Xia Zhen's expression slowly improved. Ignoring the others, he only smiled and looked at Gu Xing: "What does Fellow Daoist Gu think?"

Gu Xing glanced at Hua Changxi, who had walked away to look at the pill incense smoke after proposing that he take over the three secret realms, and felt somewhat helpless.

Although he was a gatekeeper, he also needed some chips to check and balance various forces and cultivate his confidants.

Gu Xing agreed to take over the three secret realms: "Fine, I will take over the three public secret realms, and Fellow Daoist Xia will assist from the side."

Xia Zhen saw that he was so unceremonious and didn't even humble himself, feeling very uncomfortable, but since things had come to this, he couldn't say anything else.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven!"

Hua Changxi saw that this time the First-Grade Incense only condensed a Divine Tree leaf with seven patterns, and the smugness of having surpassed Meng Qingyao just now was gone.

She could obtain an Eighth-Grade Secret Realm not because of herself, but because of the Shennong Tripod.

This kind of opportunity, which was not obtained by herself but by external objects, ultimately made her feel a bit unsure.

However, Hua Changxi soon cheered up again. The Shennong Tripod was also one of her opportunities. She didn't need to doubt herself because of this, but in the future, she couldn't be smug and complacent because of it.

"Senior Gu, come over and receive the Divine Tree leaf." ===== CHAPTER 220 =====