Chapter 230: The First Circle

On New Year's Eve, the appearance of the Dao-Protecting Family at the Medical Bureau had occurred only two or three days prior, yet it had already triggered a tsunami-like storm within the cultivator circles, and this storm showed signs of growing ever more fierce.

"The appearance of the Dao Protectors at the Medical Bureau will inevitably draw the gaze of many; coupled with the Divine Wood Secret Realm, it won't be long before the Medical Bureau becomes the center of the storm."

"Not just the Medical Bureau; the other four Sacred Lands won't escape either."

"Since figures from the Dao-Protecting Family have appeared at the Pill Saint Hall, their presence will surely not be lacking in the other Sacred Lands either."

Hua Changxi watched Tong Yao, Jing Le, and Yan Zhenzhen, whose faces clouded with worry whenever the Dao-Protecting Family was mentioned, and her eyes flickered.

Tong Yao was the successor of the Artifact Saint Palace, Jing Le was the successor of the Talisman Saint Pavilion, which meant Yan Zhenzhen was most likely the successor of the Formation Saint Sect.

Good heavens, she had encountered successors from three Sacred Lands all at once.

Hua Changxi then thought of herself; did she count as a successor of the Pill Saint Hall?

Probably not.

She had indeed never received any inheritance from the Pill Saint Hall; the pill arts and medical skills she displayed were all taught by the Shennong Cauldron.

Although the Shennong Cauldron might have some connection to the Pill Saint Hall, the cauldron came with her upon her transmigration; it was not specifically transmitted to her by the Pill Saint Hall.

Previously, Hua Changxi had occasionally considered claiming the title of the Pill Saint Hall's successor, but now, she no longer held such thoughts.

Regarding her relationship with the Pill Saint Hall, she now had a clear definition: she was merely a lecturer spreading the Dao of pills and medical arts for the Pill Saint Hall.

As for guarding formation eyes or shouldering the mission of revitalizing the Sacred Land, none of that concerned her.

Her shoulders were too slender to bear such immense pressure.

"Ahem~"

Hua Changxi used a cough to break the silence among Tong Yao and the other two.

Only then did Tong Yao remember to tell Yan Zhenzhen, "Fellow Daoist Yan, Fellow Daoist Hua seeks you to discuss a matter of cooperation."

Yan Zhenzhen knew Hua Changxi sought her to set up teleportation arrays, so she said, "Jing Le has already told me that you saved us at the Jiuyou Kunmen Pass. If you wish to set up teleportation arrays, I can do so for you without charge."

Hua Changxi replied, "How could I accept such kindness? I intend to set up several teleportation arrays."

Yan Zhenzhen's expression paused slightly, and she reminded, "Fellow Daoist Hua, the formation stones required for setting up teleportation arrays are no ordinary rocks; if you intend to purchase them, it will cost a considerable amount of spirit stones."

Hua Changxi said, "I have long since prepared the formation stones needed for the teleportation arrays."

Given this, Yan Zhenzhen had little more to say: "How many teleportation arrays do you intend to set up?"

Hua Changxi answered, "For now, I will set up four teleportation arrays."

One was to be set up at the Lingguang Hall, one at Mount Wuzhi, one at the Shennong Medicine Shop in Feng'an Market, and one inside Hall Number Thirteen of the Medical Bureau.

Hearing that Hua Changxi intended to set up four teleportation arrays, the eyes of Tong Yao and the other two flickered.

From the number of teleportation arrays being set up, one could actually deduce certain things.

Fellow Daoist Hua had at least four places of residence!

Hua Changxi looked at Yan Zhenzhen and said, "Fellow Daoist Yan, I also understand some methods for installing formation platforms; you only need to help me carve the formation patterns and the runes on the formation stones."

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhenzhen quickly glanced at Jing Le and Tong Yao, realizing that Hua Changxi did not trust them.

Yan Zhenzhen did not mind: "Very well."

Hua Changxi added, "Besides the four teleportation arrays just mentioned, I also need to set up one teleportation array for entering and exiting the secret realm, as well as one for traveling from the first layer of the secret realm to the second layer."

Yan Zhenzhen showed surprise: "From the first layer to the second layer of the secret realm? Does the Divine Wood Secret Realm you obtained have multiple layers?"

Hua Changxi merely nodded without elaborating, then turned her gaze toward Tong Yao.

"The two teleportation arrays for the secret realm also require corresponding entry and exit tokens."

"Fellow Daoist Tong, I need one hundred thousand identity tokens matching the teleportation arrays; can you refine them for me?"

One hundred thousand identity tokens!

Tong Yao, Jing Le, and Yan Zhenzhen heard this and their eyelids twitched violently; just how large was the Divine Wood Secret Realm Fellow Daoist Hua had obtained, that it required forging so many identity tokens?!

Hua Changxi continued, "Fellow Daoist Tong, I have heard of a type of spiritual artifact called the Mother-Child Artifact; for the identity tokens you forge for me, I hope you can craft them according to the principles of the Mother-Child Artifact."

"The entry and exit situations of all child identity tokens can be immediately summarized on the mother token, which will facilitate my management of the medicine farmers."

Tong Yao fell somewhat silent; although Mother-Child Artifacts were not difficult to forge, the quantity Fellow Daoist Hua required was simply too vast.

"Fellow Daoist Hua, is there anything else you require?"

Hua Changxi nodded: "Besides the entry and exit tokens, I also need Fellow Daoist Tong to help me forge an Oath Stele to be erected at the entrance and exit of the secret realm."

Tong Yao widened his eyes: "You also want to forge an Oath Stele?"

Hua Changxi nodded: "This is a condition for entering and exiting the secret realm; they must swear to pledge loyalty to the Pill Saint Hall, prioritizing the interests of the Pill Saint Hall above all else while working within the secret realm, and they must not betray the Sacred Land."

Yan Zhenzhen asked, "Isn't this a bit too harsh?"

Hua Changxi looked over and said, "For anyone who enters the secret realm to work, I will teach them to identify spiritual herbs, cultivate spiritual herbs, process spiritual herbs, and refine spiritual pills."

"I can even provide a portion of the spiritual herbs required for refining spiritual pills."

"I have spent time and effort cultivating them, and the Divine Wood Secret Realm provides cultivation resources; what is wrong with asking them to take an oath?"

She paused briefly.

"You all know the current situation of the Medical Bureau; the imperial family and powerful noble clans are inserting people everywhere. I cannot simply work to benefit others, can I?"

Hua Changxi believed she could not sacrifice herself for the Pill Saint Hall, but since she had taken possession of the Divine Wood Secret Realm, cultivating a few more spirit herbologists, processors, and pill refiners for the Pill Saint Hall was certainly feasible.

Yan Zhenzhen fell silent.

Tong Yao and Jing Le exchanged glances; loyalty was to the Pill Saint Hall, not to Fellow Daoist Hua.

At this moment, the two gained an even deeper understanding of Hua Changxi's character.

Tong Yao smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Hua speaks reasonably; I will personally refine the Oath Stele."

Jing Le followed up, saying, "As it happens, this monk recently mastered the drawing of the 'Truth' character origin text and can lend Fellow Daoist Tong a hand."

Tong Yao's face lit up with joy: "This is excellent; with the 'Truth' character origin text, those whose hearts are not sincere will have nowhere to hide before the Oath Stele." Speaking thus, he turned to look at Hua Changxi again.

"Besides the Oath Stele and the identity tokens, is there anything else Fellow Daoist Hua wishes to have refined?"

Hua Changxi nodded: "Yes, I also want a batch of spiritual herb bottles, Dharma robes, storage bags, spiritual hoes, and similar items, but these are not urgent; let us first finish forging the Oath Stele and identity tokens before discussing the rest."

Tong Yao laughed: "Fellow Daoist Hua has introduced me to a major deal. Rest assured, once I return, I will issue orders for the disciples of the Artifact Sage Palace to hasten the production of the items you need."

Hua Changxi smiled and said: "Then many thanks to Fellow Daoist Tong. However, to ensure our cooperation endures, we had best exchange our respective price lists. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Tong?"

Tong Yao nodded: "Upon my return, I will compile a price list for spiritual artifacts as soon as possible."

Hua Changxi said: "Then it is settled. I will also provide Fellow Daoist Tong with a price list for elixirs as soon as possible. Henceforth, I shall supply elixirs while you supply spiritual artifacts; we shall exchange what each lacks."

"Hey, hey, hey~"

Yan Zhenzhen spoke up: "You two must not focus solely on yourselves; consider Jing and me as well. We too can exchange what we lack."

Hua Changxi immediately smiled and said: "Of course we would not forget you. Whether formation disks or spiritual talismans, all are cultivation resources indispensable to cultivators."

Yan Zhenzhen smiled and said: "Very well. Jing and I will also produce a price list for formations and spiritual talismans. In due time, we shall all exchange what we lack." Having spoken, her face brightened with joy.

"Hmph, those several senior brothers of mine each maintain their own small circles for exchanging intelligence and resources. I wished to join, yet none were willing to include me. Now, however, I too possess my own circle."

Upon hearing the word "circle," Hua Changxi also smiled, glancing at Tong Yao and Jing.

Both of these individuals were trustworthy. As for Yan Zhenzhen, since she could befriend them, her character likely was not wanting.

A circle...

Previously, she had constantly striven to enter the circles of cultivators, never expecting that the first circle she penetrated would be such as this.

Truly, an unintentional willow cutting has grown into shade!