Chapter 296: Intercepting People

After entering the ninth month, cultivators from outside the capital wishing to apply to the Five Great Sacred Lands began arriving in Jingcheng one after another.

For the first half-month, Hua Changxi remained worried that the influx of cultivators might threaten the normal lives of ordinary people, so she patrolled the areas surrounding Dongcheng in Jingcheng every noon and night.

Fortunately, most cultivators had come specifically to apply to the Sacred Lands, and they adhered quite well to the capital's regulations prohibiting cultivators from flying or engaging in combat.

Hua Changxi contacted Tong Yao, Jing Liao, and Yan Zhenzhen several times to inquire about the situation in other city districts, only to be told that nothing unusual had occurred.

Seeing that the cultivators entering the capital had not caused the unrest the imperial family feared, the worry in Hua Changxi's heart gradually subsided; she reduced her patrols from twice a day to once a day, and then to once every three days.

"Line up one by one."

"To seek entry into Danyuan Peak, testing your spiritual root is the first step; as long as you possess a Wood Spiritual Root, you have a chance to join Danyuan Peak."

At the foot of Danyuan Peak, Hua Shuran and Hua Wanyue, accompanied by several laborers from the Personnel Department, were responsible for testing the spiritual roots of those coming to register.

Due to the overwhelming number of people, both women were so busy their feet hardly touched the ground.

Starting from mid-ninth month, several hundred people came to Danyuan Peak to register every day; although they were extremely busy daily, the spirits of both women were immensely invigorated.

"The second step: after the spiritual root test, someone will guide you into the hall to explain the various precautions you must observe when joining Danyuan Peak and entering the secret realm."

"Remember, this is a two-way selection."

"If any of you feel unable to comply with the rules and regulations of Danyuan Peak and the Danyuan Secret Realm, do not waste your time; please seek your opportunities elsewhere."

"The third step: those who possess a Wood Spiritual Root and can abide by all rules and regulations will be taken to the summit of Danyuan Peak to undergo a Heart Demon Oath test."

"Only those who gain the approval of the Oath Stele can become members of Danyuan Peak; those who fail to gain its approval are requested to return to wherever they came from."

"Of course, joining Danyuan Peak does not mean everyone can stay permanently; Danyuan Peak will conduct irregular assessments, so after joining, please do not become complacent."

Halfway up Danyuan Peak, Hua Changxi stood upon a cloud of spiritual energy, watching the fervent registration scene at the foot of the mountain with a smile on her lips.

Thinking that the number of apprentices joining Danyuan Peak was approaching ten thousand, including many with extraordinary talent in pill refining, made Hua Changxi's mood even better.

However, regarding the booming recruitment frenzy at Danyuan Peak, other factions within the Medical and Pharmaceutical Bureau began to feel envious.

Because of this matter, the Spirit Realm Pavilion specifically convened a meeting of all Secret Realm Masters on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month.

In the deliberation hall, once most of the Secret Realm Masters had arrived, Long Chenyi spoke first: "I must say, Hua Changxi's method of collaborating with other Sacred Lands to distribute recruitment notices across various regions is truly excellent; Danyuan Peak must have recruited at least several thousand apprentices this month."

Bai Zhixin nodded in agreement: "Indeed, it not only solved Danyuan Peak's recruitment problem but also promoted cross-regional integration and exchange among cultivators from various places."

Seeing that the Protecting Dao Families had started the conversation, Yuan Tianchou and Mu Qingying also smiled and joined in.

Yuan Tianchou said: "Exactly; nowadays, many teahouses and restaurants in the capital have become gathering places for cultivators, where they congregate to exchange their experiences and cultivation insights; my fellow disciples and I have attended a few times and found great benefit in it."

Mu Qingying followed up: "After meeting cultivators from various regions, I truly understand what is meant by 'there are skies beyond the sky and people beyond the people.'"

With cultivators from all over entering the capital, every faction was paying attention, and soon everyone began sharing their own observations and realizations one after another.

Seeing everyone talking so enthusiastically with no intention of turning to the main topic, Xia Ziyang couldn't help but look toward Meng Qingyao.

Meng Qingyao glanced at Xia Zhen; seeing him bow his head, lost in thought, she hesitated for a moment before speaking up to interrupt the crowd: "Alright, everyone, let's pause for a moment."

Once everyone fell silent, Meng Qingyao continued: "The main reason for gathering everyone today is to discuss the matter of recruiting apprentices for the secret realms."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present shifted slightly.

Everyone understood Meng Qingyao's meaning: she simply wanted to ride the wave of Danyuan Peak's recruitment so they could also recruit a batch of talented individuals.

Watching hundreds or even thousands of cultivators join Danyuan Peak every day, especially since many among them possessed excellent talent, claiming they weren't envious would surely be a lie.

At any time, talent is a high-quality resource, and naturally, the more the better.

Xia Ziyang spoke up: "As far as I know, among the apprentices joining Danyuan Peak, many possess dual or triple spiritual roots, and there is no shortage of those with a single Wood Spiritual Root either."

"With so many excellent cultivators, it is conceivable that Hua Changxi alone cannot train them all."

"Since so many cultivators come to the Medical and Pharmaceutical Bureau to register every day, I believe we can share some of the burden for Hua Changxi."

These words voiced the inner thoughts of many Secret Realm Masters; no one spoke, which counted as tacit approval.

Although Mu Qingying also wished to recruit some talent for her own secret realm, she still voiced her opposition: "It is not quite right for us to do this."

"We did not contribute any effort to distributing recruitment notices across the regions; if we also recruit apprentices now, we would essentially be snatching people from Danyuan Peak."

Xia Ziyang smiled: "There is no logic in what Daoist Mu says; which secret realm a cultivator chooses to join is their own freedom, so how can it be called us snatching people?"

Mu Qingying frowned: "However, all the cultivators from outside the capital coming to the Medical and Pharmaceutical Bureau are here specifically for Danyuan Peak."

Xia Ziyang looked utterly disagreeing: "That is because wanting to join a Sacred Land, Danyuan Peak was their only option."

"We are Secret Realm Masters of the Divine Wood, representing the Sacred Lands as well; our recruitment of apprentices simply provides cultivators from outside the capital with more choices, so what is wrong with that?"

Regarding this statement, the Secret Realm Masters from the Protecting Dao Families all expressed their agreement.

Knowing that continuing would only cause Mu Qingying to offend people, Yuan Tianchou quickly gave her a warning glance.

Seeing this, Mu Qingying ignored him: "If we wish to intercept people from Danyuan Peak, we should at least obtain Hua Changxi's consent, shouldn't we?"

Seeing Mu Qingying persist, a flash of anger crossed Xia Ziyang's eyes: "Daoist Mu is mistaken again; Hua Changxi is inherently a member of the Spirit Realm Pavilion, and for decisions passed by the majority in the Spirit Realm Pavilion meetings, she ought to obey unconditionally."

Amused into laughter by these words, Mu Qingying ignored Xia Ziyang and instead looked toward Meng Qingyao: "Pavilion Master, do you think so as well?"

Seeing everyone looking at her, Meng Qingyao knew she had to take a stance: "As long as something can promote the development and growth of the Sacred Lands, we Secret Realm Masters should actively pursue it."

Speaking, she paused for a moment, then looked at Mu Qingying.

"It is true that Hua Changxi spread the news about the Dan Saint Hall recruiting apprentices, but to forbid other Secret Realm Masters from recruiting cultivators from outside the capital solely for this reason would make Hua Changxi appear far too domineering."

Unable to hold back, Mu Qingying sneered sarcastically: "It seems the Spirit Realm Pavilion has never once notified Hua Changxi when convening meetings."

Xia Ziyang immediately countered: "It is Hua Changxi who holds no regard for the Spirit Realm Pavilion in her heart; if she truly considered herself a member, she would have taken the initiative to pay respects to the Pavilion Master."

Mu Qingying looked at him, her face full of sarcasm: "Say whatever you wish."

Seeing this, Xia Ziyang also became angry: "If Daoist Mu insists on standing up for Hua Changxi like this, then forget about recruiting cultivators from outside the capital."

"On what grounds?"

Yuan Tianchou retorted before Mu Qingying could: "If other Secret Realm Masters can recruit, then Qingying naturally can as well; Daoist Xia, the Spirit Realm Pavilion is not ruled by your word alone; everyone has the freedom to express their opinions."

Just as the two were about to start arguing, Meng Qingyao spoke up: "What is the purpose of recruiting apprentices? It is for the development and growth of the Sacred Lands, not for any individual." Speaking, she looked at Mu Qingying.

"Secret Realm Master Mu, you must remember that you bear the responsibility of strengthening the Sacred Lands."

"Recruiting apprentices is a shared task for all Secret Realm Masters of the Spirit Realm Pavilion; each secret realm must recruit at least five thousand apprentices."

"Today's meeting ends here; everyone may withdraw."

Even if Mu Qingying remained unconvinced, she could say nothing more at this moment.

Xia Zhen, seated below Meng Qingyao and silent until now, watched as Meng Qingyao suppressed Mu Qingying and the others, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.

Starting from the twenty-seventh day of the ninth month, all Secret Realm Masters set up registration points for recruiting apprentices at the main gate of the Medical Bureau.

After all, the number of foreign cultivators entering the capital daily was limited; once the Five Great Sacred Lands took their share, those registering at the Medical Bureau were not too numerous, and now with a large portion intercepted by other Secret Realms, the number of people registering at Danyuan Peak plummeted precipitously.

"Shameless! Truly shameless!"

With the drop in registrations, the Personnel Department felt the impact most acutely; Apothecary Xu was so furious he wanted to overturn those registration points at the Medical Bureau's main gate.

The department heads of Danyuan Peak also attached great importance to this matter and gathered in the Personnel Department to discuss countermeasures.

That very evening, just as Hua Changxi emerged from the Secret Realm and prepared to make a patrol round of the Eastern District, she was blocked by the department heads inside the Personnel Department.

After hearing the department heads report on other Secret Realms intercepting recruits, Hua Changxi felt somewhat annoyed, though not overly angry.

She knew such things were unavoidable; moreover, other Secret Realm Masters beginning to recruit apprentices was a good thing for the development of the Sacred Land.

She simply hadn't expected it to happen so soon, and that those people from the Spirit Realm Pavilion hadn't even bothered to inform her.

Looking at the Personnel Department staff and the department heads, whose faces were green with rage, Hua Changxi smiled and asked, "What do you think should be done about this?"

Apothecary Xu quickly replied, "We cannot let other Secret Realms snatch away the cultivating recruits."

Hua Changxi shook her head. "That might be difficult; I alone cannot oppose all the Secret Realm Masters, and I cannot prevent foreign cultivators from choosing to join other Secret Realms, can I?"

Yu Fu and the others all felt this matter was somewhat thorny.

Wan Feng hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. "Peak Master, I believe the other Secret Realms should compensate you."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi took an interest. "How should they compensate?"

Wan Feng said, "Not to mention the manpower and financial resources the Peak Master expended issuing recruitment notices across various regions, but whenever cultivators entered the capital, the Peak Master also paid substantial resources to the imperial court, not to mention patrolling the Eastern District."

"If other Secret Realm Masters wish to recruit apprentices, they must share your expenses."

Hua Changxi laughed; with a flip of her wrist, she handed the list of resources provided to the imperial family to Wan Feng, looking at him with a smile. "I leave this matter in your hands."

Wan Feng paused for a moment, then swiftly took the list. "Rest assured, Peak Master; I will do my utmost to complete the task."