Chapter 263

Just because Hua Changxi led over a hundred people to join the Dan Yuan Secret Realm, it triggered the manifestation of the Dan Saint Hall's guardian divine tree; although the divine tree disappeared quickly, it still caused many people to have their mental defenses broken.

First the Dan Ding Altar appeared, and now a Dan Yuan Peak has emerged.

The Medical Department, which is increasingly taking on the shape of a holy land, is undoubtedly telling everyone that everything Hua Changxi has done can promote the revival of the holy land.

Gazing at the towering Dan Yuan Peak, the noble faction led by the Imperial Family and the Dao-protecting faction led by the Xia family were both incomparably silent.

What shocked them most was that the divine tree has a spirit!

They had seen the interaction between Hua Changxi and the divine tree clearly; when the divine tree finally retreated, it really had bestowed something upon Hua Changxi.

Regarding this, the expressions of Prince Shou, Xia Zhen, and others were extremely grave.

If the divine tree has a spirit, then obtaining the divine tree's recognition is extremely important!

There were more and more people in the square; although Prince Shou, Xia Zhen, and others really wanted to go up to Dan Yuan Peak to investigate, they knew this was not the best time.

They had just boycotted Hua Changxi, and Hua Changxi was the type of person who acted on her own and gave no one face; if Hua Changxi were to vent her anger and forbid them from going up to Dan Yuan Peak while being watched by so many people, they would lose face in a big way.

Without lingering, Prince Shou, Xia Zhen, and the others left the square with grave expressions.

The appearance of Dan Yuan Peak made the other secret realm masters feel a surge of heat in their hearts.

Without even needing Meng Qingyao to summon everyone, the secret realm masters took the initiative to gather in the Spirit Realm Pavilion.

Wei Xiao, the ninth young master of the Prince of Nanding, said urgently: "Hua Changxi obtained Dan Yuan Peak because she recruited apprentices, so can we do the same?"

Yan Qianying, the third young master of the Prince of Dong'an: "It should be possible, but the prerequisite is that we must also recruit apprentices for the Dan Saint Hall like Hua Changxi, and we must use the resources in our secret realms to cultivate them."

Yue Heng, the fifth young master of the Prince of Xiping, took over the conversation and asked the question everyone cared about: "Is that Dan Yuan Peak controlled solely by Hua Changxi?"

Feng Che, the second young master of the Prince of Beizhen: "The divine tree bestowed a 'Yuan' character upon Hua Changxi; if I am not mistaken, Hua Changxi is the Peak Master of Dan Yuan Peak."

"The only one who could possibly snatch Dan Yuan Peak from Hua Changxi's hands would be the future Lord of the Holy Land."

As descendants of the four great titled princes of the southeast, northwest, Yan Qianying and the other three were exceptionally sensitive and concerned about occupying and seizing 'territory'.

Not only were they concerned, but the other secret realm masters present were also concerned.

If they could possess a peak alone like Hua Changxi, then they would have their own exclusive territory.

Although most of them came from prominent families, they also longed to have their own territory rather than relying solely on their families.

Yan Qianying looked at Meng Qingyao: "Pavilion Master, do you think we should emulate Hua Changxi?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room suddenly went quiet.

Not long ago, these people were all waiting to see Hua Changxi's joke, but now they had to emulate her behavior; many felt somewhat awkward and embarrassed.

Furthermore, these people had all been heavily cultivated by their families, and the resources in the secret realms should rightfully be shared with their families.

If they really were to emulate Hua Changxi, most of the resources in the secret realms would have to be used to cultivate apprentices and disciples, and the resources the families could receive would definitely decrease significantly.

Meng Qingyao was also a child of a prominent family and knew well the entanglement between her own interests and those of her family: "... The secret realms are yours; whether or not to emulate Hua Changxi, you decide for yourselves."

Xia Ziyang saw things very clearly; if one could obtain a mountain peak like Hua Changxi, it would definitely be a great thing. Even if some resources were lost in the early stages, once the holy land fully appeared in the future, it would be better to help their clansmen.

Knowing that everyone was a bit embarrassed, he smiled and said: "The Spirit Realm Pavilion is a whole; all members should work together and contribute to the revival of the holy land."

"Hua Changxi is also a member of the Spirit Realm Pavilion. Her actions are beneficial to the revival of the holy land, so we should naturally emulate her. Everyone is just doing it to revive the holy land faster."

Once he said this, the embarrassment in the hearts of the others dissipated quite a bit, and they began to echo and respond one after another.

Mu Qingying watched this scene, feeling somewhat uncomfortable inside.

Previously, they had deliberately not called Hua Changxi to meetings, acting as if they didn't recognize her as a member of the Spirit Realm Pavilion; now, they were saying Hua Changxi was one of them. They really had said all the good and bad things themselves.

Seeing her reaction, Yuan Tianchou smiled: "Although Xia Ziyang's words sound high-sounding, it is indeed beneficial for the revival of the holy land if all secret realm masters emulate Hua Changxi."

Mu Qingying nodded: "I know."

"I just think it's ironic that everyone opposed Hua Changxi setting up the oath monument and recruiting apprentices before, but now that they see there is profit to be made, they are all emulating her."

Yuan Tianchou was more open-minded: "That's how the world is; you'll get used to it."

Watching the crowd chatting heatedly, Meng Qingyao also felt very uncomfortable. Noticing Xia Zhen standing outside the courtyard, she immediately spoke up to dismiss the crowd.

Everyone stood up one after another; the secret realm masters on the side of the Dao-protecting families stood still, while Yan Qianying and the others from the Medical Department left.

Regarding the situation where the Dao-protecting faction discussed matters in the Spirit Realm Pavilion from time to time in private, Yan Qianying and the others were already used to it and left promptly.

As soon as they left, Xia Zhen came in.

Meng Qingyao, Xia Ziyang, and the others stood up hurriedly: "Sixteenth Elder."

Xia Zhen looked at the juniors in front of him and said in a deep voice: "We must take the initiative to do something."

Otherwise, Hua Changxi's prestige would grow higher and higher, and in the long run, she would definitely suppress Meng Qingyao.

Meng Qingyao was the person chosen by the Xia family to take over the Dan Saint Hall, and it concerned the future development of the Xia family; there was absolutely no room for error.

Xia Zhen: "I heard your conversation just now. Since you want to emulate Hua Changxi, then act quickly."

"You saw the divine tree manifest today. The reason the divine tree recognized Hua Changxi is because her actions were basically all for the sake of the holy land."

"If you want to obtain the recognition of the divine tree, you must control the selfish desires in your hearts in your future actions."

Xia Ziyang and the others hurriedly expressed their stance: "We will strictly follow the Elder's teachings."

Meng Qingyao suddenly asked: "Sixteenth Elder, could Hua Changxi be a descendant of the Dan Saint Hall?"

Xia Zhen's expression paused, then he shook his head: "It shouldn't be."

If Hua Changxi were a descendant of the Dan Saint Hall, Gu Xing's attitude would not be so ambiguous.

Xia Zhen noticed Meng Qingyao's somewhat discouraged expression and knew she had been hit hard by Hua Changxi, but he did not speak to comfort her.

Qingyao, Ziyang, and these people had been too smooth in the past; now it was time for them to be tempered.

On Dan Yuan Peak, the first batch of people who went up had all sworn heart-demon oaths.

More than ten retired Demon-Suppressing Army soldiers did not pass the recognition of the oath monument.

Under the shroud of the golden light of the oath monument, because their hearts were not sincere, their essence blood could not be integrated into their identity tokens.

Hua Changxi looked at these ten or so people: "Cultivators should act according to their hearts. Since you have other thoughts in your hearts, then follow your hearts and do as you wish; there is no need to force yourselves too much."

Hearing Hua Changxi say this, these people all lowered their heads.

"It's getting late. I'll take you down the mountain."

Hua Changxi rode a spirit cloud and brought those who had not been recognized by the oath monument and the others, including Eunuch Yu who had obtained identity tokens, down to the square together.

There were still many people gathered in the square; seeing Hua Changxi and her group descending on the cloud, they all gave way to a path.

Hua Changxi nodded to the crowd to show her gratitude, then quickly took Eunuch Yu and the others back to the No. 13 Qihuang Hall.

"It's getting late. We'll continue recruiting apprentices tomorrow."

"Eunuch Yu, tomorrow you take the apprentices recruited today up to Dan Yuan Peak. Don't enter the secret realm yet. Dan Yuan Peak is barren everywhere; you must lead the people to open up a path up the mountain first."

"The spiritual energy on Dan Yuan Peak is rich. I originally intended for you to build small huts to live in within the secret realm, but now that we have Dan Yuan Peak, all apprentices can open up cave dwellings on the peak and cultivate five mu of spirit fields. What you want to plant in the spirit fields is up to you."

Hearing this, those who had become apprentices of the Dan Yuan Secret Realm and those who were about to join all looked overjoyed.