Chapter 417: Strive?

Everyone present at the meeting was a key member of the Spirit Realm Pavilion, the Qihuang Pavilion, or the Nine Streets Hall; none were ordinary folks, and all were extremely sharp when it came to matters concerning their own safety.

Hua Changxi's gaze was so direct that many felt as though they had been 'seen through.'

Moreover, she made no attempt whatsoever to hide this.

Since Hua Changxi had never attended any meeting before, many in the hall were encountering her at such close range for the first time, and likewise experiencing the dominance of the 'Number One Figure of the Pill Saint Hall' for the first time.

"Hua Changxi's oppressive aura is growing stronger by the day."

Tang Yufeng sighed with emotion as he transmitted his voice to Gu Jinfan, his tone revealing unmasked envy.

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinfan also felt an endless surge of sighs within her heart.

The emergence of the Wutong Forest and the Phoenix clan's invasion of Nanxiang County could be described as a small-scale rehearsal for the conflict between the human and demon races.

The Zhu Que Army served as the vanguard, the Demon-Suppressing Army and the Xuanyuan Army as the rearguard, while the Five Great Sacred Lands acted as logistics.

Although there were still many shortcomings in their coordination, the collaboration among these major forces had ultimately been achieved.

As for Hua Changxi, she had grown into a decisive force capable of determining the tide of battle.

Regarding Hua Changxi's such rapid rise, Gu Jinfan's mindset had shifted from her former complex surprise to one of gratified calmness.

Regardless of anything else, she herself deserved some credit for this outcome.

Just as everyone was striving to lower their presence to avoid Hua Changxi's gaze, Wen Shouren, Xia Zhen, Princess Lingyuan, and a few others arrived.

The newcomers, seeing Hua Changxi already seated, all displayed obvious surprise.

However, when Xia Zhen realized his seat had been taken, a clear flash of displeasure crossed his eyes.

Wen Shouren seemed completely oblivious to this; he strode forward with a laugh and took his seat at the primary position on the right, directly opposite Hua Changxi.

Seeing this, Xia Zhen could only suppress his dissatisfaction, follow behind Wen Shouren, and sit expressionlessly at the secondary position beneath him.

Princess Lingyuan, seeing Xia Zhen occupy her seat, immediately looked displeased; yet lacking the confidence to challenge the Xia family, a guardian clan, she turned her gaze toward Hua Changxi, who sat at the primary position on the left.

Recalling Chu Tianxun's warning, Princess Lingyuan hesitated briefly before ultimately refraining from asking Hua Changxi to yield her seat; instead, she sat cold-faced and silent at the secondary position beneath Hua Changxi.

At this point, except for the three empty chairs at the head of the hall, the entire meeting chamber was filled to capacity, and the atmosphere grew increasingly subtle.

Wen Shouren's gaze remained fixed on Hua Changxi; wearing a perfectly measured smile, he was the first to break the silence: "Today, we finally get to see Peak Master Hua attending a Sacred Land meeting."

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi smiled: "Sacred Land? I find that title somewhat unfamiliar to my ears."

Wen Shouren did not miss the fleeting sneer that flashed in Hua Changxi's eyes, and his own gaze flickered.

What did Hua Changxi mean?

Did she feel they were unqualified to represent the Sacred Lands?

Before Wen Shouren could ponder further, Xia Zhen beside him could no longer restrain himself and spoke with biting sarcasm: "Peak Master Hua is, as always, so fond of... striving to be superior and winning every contest."

The smile on Hua Changxi's face deepened; knowing Xia Zhen was hinting at her occupation of the primary left seat, she scoffed: "Strive?"

"What exactly am I striving for?"

"This seat I am currently occupying?"

Hua Changxi suddenly turned to Wen Shouren and asked with a smile: "Daoist Wen, do you think I am qualified to sit in this position?"

Seeing Hua Changxi drag him into her clash with Xia Zhen, Wen Shouren's mouth twitched, yet he still replied with a smile: "Of course; no one is more qualified than Peak Master Hua."

Having received a satisfactory answer, Hua Changxi then shifted her gaze to Xia Zhen: "Daoist Xia, your vision is truly not high; a seat that represents nothing whatsoever—how can that be called striving to be superior?"

"If I truly wished to contend over high and low, or fight over precedence... it would not be settled by such petty squabbles or merely swapping a few seats."

Hua Changxi gave a light, disdainful snort, shifted her gaze away, and acted as if she could not be bothered to deal with Xia Zhen.

Xia Zhen was infuriated by Hua Changxi's arrogant attitude, yet he did not erupt; instead, he chose silence outright and spoke no more.

There was no help for it; although Hua Changxi was indeed a bit arrogant, she truly possessed the backing to justify such arrogance.

Leaving aside whether or not she was the Hall Master of the Lingguang Hall, her contribution to the revival of the Pill Saint Hall alone was something no one could obscure.

Not to mention that Hua Changxi controlled the Pill Yuan Secret Realm, and possessed talents and accomplishments in the Dao of Pills and medical arts that caused countless people to look at her in awe.

If one were to judge by comprehensive strength, looking across the entire Sacred Lands, there were truly few who could surpass her.

Xia Zhen felt deeply frustrated; he could not refute Hua Changxi, nor did he dare to.

He knew that young people could not withstand provocation.

Although Hua Changxi currently enjoyed a famous reputation within the Sacred Lands, she held little actual presence and almost never participated in any affairs; this situation was optimal for the Xia family.

He certainly did not wish for a few words from him to provoke her into stepping forward to struggle for power and profit.