Chapter 219: The Big Picture

Xia Zhen did not voice any opposition to Hua Changxi's proposal regarding the handling of the remaining three sticks of incense; one must always leave a sliver of hope in all matters and never block every path, a principle the Guardian Daoist had always upheld.

However, his mood at this moment was complex; he had not expected that the young Hua Changxi had already realized this point.

Xia Zhen glanced at Meng Qingyao and the others he had brought; while he would certainly not admit they were inferior to Hua Changxi, strangely, Hua Changxi was the only one who dared to step forward and express her views on handling the incense.

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

Not necessarily.

They were simply accustomed to remaining in positions of obedience and command, never considering whether the future of the Sacred Land had any relation to ordinary cultivators.

Hua Changxi, however, stood at a height far above them; opening the three secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of incense to all cultivators demonstrated a sense of the big picture.

What kind of person considers the big picture?

Those who hold power!

The apprehension Xia Zhen had previously suppressed surged forth again, growing stronger by the moment.

Not only was Xia Zhen's mood complex, but Gu Xing's was as well; he truly had not expected that Hua Changxi was asking him to fight for the remaining three sticks of incense on behalf of ordinary cultivators.

From the perspective of the Sacred Land's long-term development, opening the three secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of incense to all cultivators fond of the Dao of alchemy and medicine was undoubtedly most beneficial to the Sacred Land.

He had thought Hua Changxi intended to occupy more secret realms, yet her motivation was entirely for the sake of the Sacred Land.

Gu Xing looked at Hua Changxi, his eyes filled with some self-reproach; his understanding of this girl had been too one-sided.

Wei Zhenjie's gaze upon Hua Changxi also gained several degrees of solemnity.

What kind of place was the Alchemy Saint Hall?

It was the sacred land of the Dao of alchemy and medicine in the Four Spirit Realm, a pilgrimage site yearned for by all healers and alchemists, bearing the heavy responsibility of spreading the arts of healing and alchemy.

He also had not expected that among so many people present, the one who truly considered that the Alchemy Saint Hall faced all cultivators of the Four Spirit Realm was actually this young lady.

Now, he somewhat understood why she had been able to light the first-grade incense.

Gu Xing truly considered the development of the Sacred Land with a single heart; Xia Zhen, as the Guardian Daoist, though harboring private desires, also hoped for the Sacred Land to become better; thus, neither opposed Hua Changxi's proposal.

They had originally thought the Prince of Shou would not agree, yet unexpectedly, he did not oppose it either.

In the Prince of Shou's view, Jingcheng was the stronghold of the imperial family; if the secret realms were open to everyone, the imperial family would certainly be the first to benefit by virtue of their proximity.

Since he could not seize the remaining three sticks of incense anyway, it was better to let things stand as they were.

Seeing that both Gu Xing and the Prince of Shou agreed to Hua Changxi's proposal, and noticing the crowd gathering outside the square, Xia Zhen quickly turned to Meng Qingyao: "Qingyao, just like Young Friend Hua, you are also someone who has lit first-grade incense; what are your views on the remaining three sticks of incense?"

Suddenly questioned, Meng Qingyao was somewhat startled, but she quickly regained her composure.

Since being tested as having a Fire-Wood spiritual body at the age of eight and becoming a disciple of the Great Elder of the Xia family, she knew the Guardian Daoist's principles of conduct; she instantly understood what Senior Uncle Xia Zhen wanted her to say.

"Senior Uncle Xia, Qingyao also believes that the secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of incense should be opened to all cultivators; the Alchemy Saint Hall is the sacred land for all who love the arts of healing and alchemy, and we should leave them a sliver of opportunity."

Xia Zhen nodded with satisfaction and looked at Gu Xing: "This old man also finds the proposals of Qingyao and Young Friend Hua very fair; what does Daoist Friend Gu think?"

Seeing Xia Zhen have Meng Qingyao share the credit for Hua Changxi's proposal, Gu Xing furrowed his brows slightly, but they soon smoothed out.

That girl Hua Changxi clearly had no interest in power; perhaps, it would be good for her to be tempered by power.

Gu Xing did not correct Xia Zhen: "This old man also thinks this is excellent."

Xia Zhen then smiled and looked at the Prince of Shou: "What does Your Highness the Prince of Shou think?"

The Prince of Shou snorted, appearing angry: "Since you two seniors have already settled the matter, why bother asking this king?"

Xia Zhen paid little heed and stated directly: "Since Your Highness also agrees, then we shall proceed according to the proposals of Qingyao and Young Friend Hua; the secret realms corresponding to the remaining three sticks of incense will be open to all cultivators."

Wei Zhenjie smiled and took up the conversation, asking the crucial question: "Senior Xia, may I ask how the remaining three sticks of incense should be lit? And afterward, to whom should the secret realms bestowed by the Divine Tree be entrusted?"

Xia Zhen thought for a moment and said: "Since Qingyao and Young Friend Hua can light first-grade incense, naturally they can also light third-grade incense; let each of them light one stick of three-lamp incense, as for this first-grade incense..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Xing interrupted: "Since the proposal was made by Girl Hua, let her be the one to light it."

Xia Zhen very much wanted to use this matter to expand Meng Qingyao's reputation, but under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he could find no good reason to refute Gu Xing, so he could only say with difficulty: "It is not that this old man looks down upon Young Friend Hua, but lighting first-grade incense has its requirements."

"Qingyao has lit the alchemical fire of the Second Street of Jiujie; this old man believes she has a greater hope of lighting the remaining stick of first-grade incense, so let Qingyao light this last stick of first-grade incense."

Hua Changxi had no desire to passively follow their arrangements; prior to this, she had already figured out that unlocking the Qihuang Hall and lighting the wooden plaque could increase cultivation speed, and lighting the alchemical lamps of Jiujie could also increase cultivation speed.

Now, lighting the alchemical lamp and receiving the blessing of the Divine Tree might also increase cultivation speed; she would not give up this benefit right at her fingertips.

Moreover, Xia Zhen's contemptuous words made Hua Changxi feel quite unconvinced, so she spoke up herself: "Whether it can be lit or not, won't I know once I try?" Having said this, she stepped forward, grabbed the first-grade incense, and before Xia Zhen could stop her, inserted it directly into the Divine Tree Cauldron.

Sparks suddenly erupted, green smoke curled upward in winding trails, and the rich scent of alchemy once again drifted over the Medical Bureau.

Hua Changxi looked at the green smoke; this time, she did not feel that mysterious and profound sensation she had experienced when lighting the first-grade incense earlier, which disappointed her slightly, so she could only shrug at Xia Zhen with a smile: "Lighting first-grade incense is not as difficult as Senior Xia claimed."

Hearing this, Xia Zhen felt extremely stifled in his heart, but this was not the time to press the issue; since the first-grade incense was already lit and the Divine Tree leaves were coalescing, the most urgent task was to arrange who would manage the secret realm.

"This secret realm shall be entrusted to..."

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 entrusted to Senior Gu to manage."

Seeing Xia Zhen frown and about to object, Hua Changxi spoke up first: "Senior Xia, only Senior Gu is someone who considers the Alchemy Saint Hall with a single heart; only if the public secret realms are entrusted to him can the masses be convinced."

These words immediately gained the support of the Prince of Shou: "This king also believes it is better to entrust the three secret realms to Senior Gu; if the secret realms are given to anyone else, this king will be the first to object."

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

Zhang Tianshi also nodded along, and the people from the Medical Bureau sequentially expressed their agreement.

The expressions of the cultivators from the Guardian Families, however, became somewhat unsightly.

As the Xia family served as the Guardian Daoists of the Central Continent, Xia Zhen certainly wanted the Xia family to manage the public secret realms; seeing that everyone supported Gu Xing, his expression inevitably turned ugly, and he cast an even worse look at Hua Changxi, who had made the proposal.

Dongfang Hao suddenly spoke: "We have no objection to Senior Gu managing the public secret realms; however, with three secret realms, Senior Gu might be too busy to handle them alone; would it not be better to have Senior Xia assist from the side?"

Seeing that someone from his side finally stepped forward to fight for interests, Xia Zhen's expression gradually improved; ignoring the others, he simply smiled at Gu Xing: "What does Daoist Friend Gu think?"

Gu Xing glanced at Hua Changxi, who, after proposing that he take over the three secret realms, had casually turned away to watch the incense smoke, feeling somewhat helpless in his heart.

Although he was the Gatekeeper, he still needed some bargaining chips to restrain the various factions and cultivate his own confidants.

Gu Xing agreed to take over the three secret realms: "Very well, let this old man take charge of the three public secret realms, with Daoist Friend Xia assisting from the side."

Seeing him so unceremonious, without even a hint of modesty, Xia Zhen felt very uncomfortable in his heart, but since matters had come to this, he could hardly say anything else.

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

Seeing that this first-grade incense had only coalesced into a single divine wood leaf with seven veins, Hua Changxi's earlier pride in surpassing Meng Qingyao vanished.

Her ability to obtain the eighth-grade secret realm was not due to herself, but because of the Shennong Cauldron.

This kind of opportunity, gained not through one's own efforts but through external objects, ultimately left her feeling somewhat insecure.

However, Hua Changxi quickly rallied; the Shennong Cauldron was also one of her opportunities, so there was no need for self-doubt, yet she must not become complacent or arrogant because of it in the future.

"Senior Gu, please come over and receive the divine wood leaf."