Chapter 236: The Pusher of the Era (5)

In the conference hall of the Spirit Realm Pavilion, the various Realm Masters arrived one after another.

At first, no one noticed a missing chair; it was only when all seats were filled that someone keenly observed Hua Changxi's absence.

However, regarding this, no one stepped forward to ask.

At this moment, everyone seemed to tacitly accept Hua Changxi's non-attendance.

No, to be precise, they were tacitly permitting the exclusion of Hua Changxi from the Spirit Realm Pavilion.

After taking his seat, Xia Zhen closely monitored Gu Xing's expression.

As the gatekeeper of the Alchemy Saint Hall, and now controlling three public realms, Gu Xing's influence and ability to rally others could not be underestimated.

Unless absolutely necessary, he did not wish to confront Gu Xing.

Fortunately, regarding Hua Changxi's absence, Gu Xing showed no intention of speaking up to inquire.

Xia Zhen breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed their intelligence was correct—Gu Xing did not place special importance on any of the nine individuals who had received wooden tokens.

Even though Hua Changxi, like Meng Qingyao, had obtained a high-grade realm, Gu Xing did not value her as much as imagined.

Indeed, the Divine Tree's blessing was merely the beginning, just the starting point.

Whether those who received Divine Tree realms, due to talent or luck, could drive the revival of the Alchemy Saint Hall or achieve anything for the Sacred Land remained unknown.

That Hua Changxi obtained a high-grade realm might indeed indicate she excelled in some aspect, but regarding talent, opportunity, and luck, which of the Realm Masters present was truly inferior to her?

Gu Xing indeed had no need to rashly support anyone at this time!

In the conference hall, Gu Xing and Xia Zhen held the highest status; the other Realm Masters unanimously watched their expressions.

Seeing that both ignored Hua Changxi's absence, they naturally would not speak out of turn.

Only Mu Qingying, whose background was somewhat similar to Hua Changxi's, felt some sympathy and regret over her absence.

In her view, Hua Changxi was being marginalized simply because she did not understand the rules of the power game, just like herself when she first entered the Medicine Bureau.

The Minister had said that the four Sacred Lands of Alchemy, Artifacts, Talismans, and Formations, serving as the benchmarks for the hundred arts in the Four Spirit Realms, were top-tier powers during ancient times capable of ascending to the Nine Heavens Celestial Palace to discuss major affairs of the realms alongside the Four Sovereigns, playing a decisive and driving role in many matters of the Four Spirit Realms and directly influencing their development.

In the Central Continent, the authority and weight of the Sacred Lands far surpassed that of the current Great Jin Dynasty, standing above all dynasties, nations, and sect forces.

To achieve something within such a colossal power that dominated all directions, talent and luck alone were far from sufficient.

All the Realm Masters were excellent; what did one rely on to stand out?

One relied on schemes of the human heart; what one played was the game of power!

Someone like Hua Changxi, who acted willfully and displayed joy and anger completely on her face, would absolutely be the first kicked out.

Indeed, there was already no place for her in the Spirit Realm Pavilion now.

Her background was a fatal flaw!

Hua Changxi had never been exposed to these matters, and with no one to teach her, she naturally did not understand; just like herself, it was only after becoming a disciple of Director Gu that she gradually understood some of the workings of power.

Mu Qingying sighed inwardly, hoping Hua Changxi would soon comprehend this point and stop acting so arbitrarily and offending people everywhere.

"Alright, everyone is here."

"The main reason for gathering everyone today is to discuss the election of the Spirit Realm Pavilion Master!"

Xia Zhen spoke, stating the theme of today's meeting, and then left the Realm Masters to discuss among themselves.

Meng Qingyao, Xia Ziyang, Bai Zhixin, Wu Lingyue, Zhu Jinglan, and Long Chenyi, hailing either from reclusive cultivation families or guardian families, and having come with Xia Zhen from the Medicine Bureau, naturally considered themselves one faction.

Meanwhile, Zhang Tianshi, Mu Qingying, Yuan Tianchou, and Shen Qianfan from the Medicine Bureau, along with the people from the four Prince Estates of Dong, Nan, Xi, and Bei, also considered themselves a separate faction.

Watching the reactions of the two factions, Gu Xing frowned.

The Spirit Realm Pavilion had just been established, yet it already showed a state of two sides pulling against each other; how could this benefit the development of the Sacred Land?

Xia Zhen, however, was pleased to see such a situation; only with competition could there be motivation to better urge oneself forward.

In his view, Meng Qingyao and the others were clever enough, but they all lacked experience; they could perfectly well refine themselves and make up for their deficiencies through contention with Mu Qingying and the others.

When nominating a Pavilion Master, one naturally nominated someone familiar.

Xia Ziyang spoke first: "Daoist Long's alchemy skills are exquisite; I believe the position of Pavilion Master should be held by him."

Meng Qingyao and the others immediately expressed their agreement.

Regarding this, Mu Qingying and the others felt very surprised.

They had thought Xia Ziyang and the others would nominate Meng Qingyao as Pavilion Master, after all, she was one of only two who had obtained a high-grade realm.

Zhang Tianshi, as the person with the highest status on the Medicine Bureau side, guessed the reason behind Xia Ziyang and the others' nomination.

Among the five guardian families, the Xia, Bai, Wu, and Zhu families had all lit second-grade incense, receiving Divine Tree realms of at least fourth grade.

Only the Long family, because Xia Zhen agreed to let the people from the Medicine Bureau worship the Divine Tree first during his contest with Prince Shou, ended up lighting only third-grade incense and receiving a low-grade realm.

To put it plainly, Xia Ziyang and the others nominating Long Chenyi as Pavilion Master was a form of compensation to the Long family.

Zhang Tianshi glanced at Gu Xing; seeing Gu Xing's brows knotted into a frown, he smiled and said, "I believe the Realm Master should be Senior Gu."

Hearing this, Xia Zhen looked at Gu Xing with a smile: "Daoist Gu is indeed the most qualified, but Daoist Gu manages three public realms; does he still have the energy to manage the Spirit Realm Pavilion?"

Gu Xing did not respond immediately; after a long silence, he finally spoke: "The position of Spirit Realm Pavilion Master should be held by a young person."

Saying this, he looked around at the Realm Masters present.

"You have received the Divine Tree's approval and bear the heavy responsibility of reviving the Alchemy Saint Hall; I hope you do not forget this point."

Xia Zhen smiled: "Rest assured, Daoist Gu; Ziyang and the others will not forget their mission."

Gu Xing nodded and added, "In my opinion, young people should gain more experience; therefore, the position of Pavilion Master should not be held by a single person."

"How about this: the Pavilion Master changes every year; after all Realm Masters have taken their turn, we then elect the most capable one. What do you think, Daoist Xia?"

Hearing this, Xia Zhen fell silent.

Although Gu Xing seemed to be asking for his opinion, his tone was extremely firm; Xia Zhen knew that Gu Xing had seen through their attempt to compensate the Long family and was expressing his dissatisfaction to him.

Xia Zhen could not ignore Gu Xing's opinion; helplessly glancing at Long Chenyi, he nodded in agreement: "Senior Gu's consideration is indeed thorough."

Gu Xing hummed in acknowledgment: "Let the order of serving as Pavilion Master be decided by drawing lots." Finishing his words, without waiting for Xia Zhen to say anything, he flipped his wrist and produced fourteen wooden lots.

"Come forward one by one and draw."

Xia Zi and the others looked at Xia Zhen; seeing him nod, they rose and walked toward Gu Xing to begin drawing lots.

All thirteen Secret Realm Masters drew a wooden lot, leaving one remaining in Gu Xing's hand.

"I will keep this one in my hand for Hua Changxi; it is number fourteen."

Xia Zhen was deeply dissatisfied, yet Meng Qingyao had drawn number one, while Hua Changxi was placed last, separated by fourteen years.

Within those fourteen years, no one knew what might become of Hua Changxi.

Xia Zhen thus abandoned his intention to oppose Gu Xing.