Chapter 252: The Pusher of the Era (Twenty-One)

After Hua Changxi erected the oath stele for entering and exiting the Danyuan Secret Realm in the square, she dusted off her hands and left, completely unaware that her action had stirred another wave of turmoil within the Medical Bureau.

Spirit Realm Pavilion.

Because Hua Changxi had named her secret realm, Meng Qingyao felt the other secret realms needed names as well, so she summoned all the other Secret Realm Masters together.

Just as the various Secret Realm Masters were enthusiastically discussing what names to give their own realms, news arrived of Hua Changxi erecting the oath stele in the square.

Once they learned the content inscribed on the oath stele, everyone fell silent.

"This Hua Changxi is truly..."

Yan Qianying, the third son of the Prince of Dong'an Prefecture, wore an expression that was hard to describe; since his younger brother Yan Xiaoyang and Hua Changxin of the Hua family were fellow disciples, he had intended to look after Hua Changxi out of respect for his brother.

Yet he never expected Hua Changxi to be such a person!

Someone who deliberately courted hostility against herself!

By erecting such an oath stele, she had effectively offended every other Secret Realm Master.

Feng Che, the second son of the Prince of Beizhen standing beside Yan Qianying, snorted coldly: "So only Hua Changxi is selfless and impartial, while we Secret Realm Masters are all selfish ghosts who care only for ourselves, using our secret realms to build our own power bases!"

At these words, the other Secret Realm Masters all turned to look at him.

Yue Heng, the fifth son of the Prince of Xiping, laughed aloud: "Second Young Master Feng, why speak such blunt truths? Some things we understand silently between us; there is no need to voice them."

Feng Che glanced at him coldly: "Yue Heng, no need for your sarcasm; we are all the same."

Yan Qianying stopped the two: "Enough, both of you say less." Having spoken, he turned his gaze toward Meng Qingyao, who sat in the seat of honor.

"Pavilion Master, what should be done now?"

Before Meng Qingyao could react, Xia Ziyang could not hold back: "What is there to do? Are we supposed to follow Hua Changxi's example?"

Xia Ziyang was somewhat broken at this moment; regarding Hua Changxi's erection of the oath stele, he felt even more agitated and furious than the other Secret Realm Masters.

There was no help for it; among the Dao-Protecting Families, the Xia family had always taken the lead in the revival of the Dan Saint Hall.

Hua Changxi's action was like a slap fiercely striking the Xia family's face, highlighting their selfishness in using the secret realm's resources to strengthen their own power after acquiring it.

At the same time, it tore away the false facade the Xia family had maintained, claiming that 'everything was for the revival of the Sacred Land.'

If they truly acted for the revival of the Sacred Land, they should have done as Hua Changxi did: everyone entering or exiting the secret realm ought to serve the Sacred Land.

Before this, everyone could remain silently complicit for the sake of their respective interests, but now, with Hua Changxi as a contrast, the Xia family's reputation would likely suffer damage.

The more Xia Ziyang thought about it, the angrier he became, feeling that Hua Changxi was stepping over his family to rise; he proceeded to mock Yan Qianying and Mu Qingying, who had just shown some bias toward Hua Changxi.

"When we were just discussing naming the secret realms, you wanted to follow the trend set by Hua Changxi's realm name; what, now that Hua Changxi has erected an oath stele in the square, do you intend to go erect one as well?"

Yan Qianying looked at the flustered and enraged Xia Ziyang with utter contempt, stating calmly: "We merely offered a few suggestions just now."

Having spoken, he shifted his gaze to Meng Qingyao.

"What, did the Pavilion Master summon us not to speak freely? Does this mean that in future meetings, we are no longer allowed to express our opinions?"

At this moment, Meng Qingyao had no mind to engage in verbal sparring with the other Secret Realm Masters; Hua Changxi's actions had thrown her thoughts into great disarray.

On one hand, she felt Hua Changxi was right; doing so was the true way to use the Divine Wood Secret Realm to strengthen the Sacred Land's power.

On the other hand, she felt Hua Changxi was too unconventional; she was cold-hearted and indifferent to her family's survival, whereas the other Secret Realm Masters had their own ties and obligations.

By doing this, she had truly placed the other Secret Realm Masters in a position of 'considering only themselves and not the Sacred Land,' accusing them of abusing power for private gain.

Meng Qingyao said: "As for how to name the secret realms, decide that yourselves; once chosen, come to me to register them." With that, she directly announced the adjournment of the meeting.