Chapter 421: New Regulations

Meng Qingyao sensed the shift in atmosphere within the deliberation hall; seated in the high position, she also witnessed the changing expressions of the attendees, seeing sparks ignite in the eyes of the various Realm Masters and Qihuang Hall Masters.

A mayfly can shake a tree...

Meng Qingyao thought bitterly in her heart that Hua Changxi had not only shaken the tree but had also buried new embers beneath its roots.

"Regarding today's deliberation..."

Meng Qingyao's cold voice cut through the silence; not loud, yet carrying an unquestionable authority: "Peak Master Hua, as well as Hall Master Mu, Realm Master Yan, and others, have all raised their respective doubts."

"The Sacred Land convened this meeting precisely to allow everyone to express their views freely."

"That everyone can propose their own thoughts and opinions is for the development of the Sacred Land; regarding this, I, along with Pavilion Master Shen and Hall Master Tong, are fully supportive."

"However..." Her tone shifted abruptly, becoming slightly heavy, "the core agenda of today's meeting is the matter of seeking medical aid from the Lingguang Hall."

Seeing Meng Qingyao's intent to bypass the controversy, Huo Yunxiao could no longer sit still; thanks to Hua Changxi's presence, some matters had finally been brought into the open, and if they were not clarified now, they would likely be dropped again afterward.

"Pavilion Master Meng, since you, Pavilion Master Shen, and Hall Master Tong all support us voicing our opinions, and we have already stated our respective doubts today, could you first provide us with some answers?"

Gu Jinfan immediately echoed: "Indeed, since some issues have already been exposed, why not discuss them thoroughly today?"

Suppressing the surging irritation in her heart, Meng Qingyao strove to keep her tone steady: "The matters you have raised concern the very foundation of the Sacred Land and involve extensive implications; they require careful long-term consideration. After I have discussed them in detail with Pavilion Master Shen and Hall Master Tong, a decision will be made."

Mu Qingying frowned: "Pavilion Master Meng, since the Realm Masters and Hall Masters are all present today, why can we not discuss this directly?"

Pressed by successive interrogations, Meng Qingyao's tone became sharp and forceful: "Matters have their priorities; Steward Yun from the Lingguang Hall has already begged Minister Wei to bring her here personally, which shows that the Zhu Que Army urgently needs physicians for diagnosis and treatment. The issues you raised today can be discussed at the next meeting without causing any delay."

Seeing Meng Qingyao use the Zhu Que Army as a pretext, Hua Changxi could no longer endure it: "Pavilion Master Meng, let us first discuss the issues raised by everyone."

"The request for medical aid from the Lingguang Hall involves the arrangement of physicians across all departments, peaks, and realms, as well as the mobilization of spiritual herbs and elixirs."

"If the standards and requirements for 'meeting eligibility and task assignment,' which everyone wishes to know, are not clearly deliberated, how will Pavilion Master Meng arrange the selection of physicians this time?"

"Could it be that, as in the past, assignments will be given to whoever holds greater power or has harder connections?"

Meng Qingyao was truly angered, glaring at Hua Changxi with a face full of rage: "Peak Master Hua, please watch your words!"

Hua Changxi looked at her, yielding not an inch: "If you want me to shut up, it is simple: just lay out the 'standards and requirements for task assignment' item by item, out in the open."

"Whoever meets the requirements gets selected."

"Well said!" Huo Yunxiao immediately voiced his support, "List out the standards and requirements for task assignment so they are clear at a glance, demonstrating fairness. The entire Sacred Land will surely uphold this!"

Hearing this, Shen Qianfan, the Pavilion Master of the Qihuang Pavilion who had remained silent until now, could no longer stay seated: "The assignment of tasks involves the operation and development of the Sacred Land; it requires assessing the situation and handling matters flexibly."

Hua Changxi showed no courtesy: "In other words, only you get to decide how tasks are assigned, while others must simply bow their heads and obey?"

Shen Qianfan took a deep breath: "Peak Master Hua, please believe that whether it is myself, Pavilion Master Meng, or Hall Master Tong, we all sincerely wish for the Sacred Land to prosper."

"I believe you," Hua Changxi said, a mocking smile curling her lips, "It's just that your so-called 'for the Sacred Land' always requires ensuring your own interests remain undamaged before you are willing to consider the Sacred Land itself."

Following Meng Qingyao, Shen Qianfan was also angered into standing up: "Hua Changxi, words cannot be spoken carelessly."

Hua Changxi remained unperturbed, instead raising an eyebrow provocatively: "Did I speak wrongly? Then dare you swear an oath? Swear that you harbor no selfish motives and care only for the Sacred Land; if you lie, let the Divine Wood reclaim the realm and the Qihuang Token from your hands. Dare you?"

Shen Qianfan opened his mouth, then fell silent.

Seeing Shen Qianfan slink back into his seat in disgrace, Princess Ling Yuan felt somewhat embarrassed; she seemed eager to help her husband save face, yet lacking the courage to provoke Hua Changxi, she could only turn her head away and refuse to look.

The others present also felt awkward on Shen Qianfan's behalf.

Tang Yufeng looked at Hua Changxi with admiration; some words, whether spoken by Realm Masters or Qihuang Hall Masters, were truly difficult to utter—not out of fear, but because the implications were too vast and the concerns too many.

Unlike Hua Changxi, who faced Meng Qingyao and Shen Qianfan without any scruples, showing not a shred of deference to the Xia family and the Imperial Court behind them.

Such freedom and unrestrained spirit were truly enviable!

Hua Changxi did not enjoy taking charge, yet the strangulation of Danyuan Peak had to be resolved; since matters had reached this point, she turned her gaze toward Tong Zhou, the Hall Master of the Jiujie Hall, the only one seated in the main position who had not yet spoken.

"Does Hall Master Tong have nothing to say?"

Tong Zhou quickly glanced at Wen Shouren, who remained silent and offered no signal; after a moment's thought, he said: "Since everyone wishes to deliberate on the matters of meeting eligibility and task arrangements, then let us deliberate."

Upon these words, both Meng Qingyao and Shen Qianfan looked over with displeasure, while the deliberation hall instantly erupted; people whispered among themselves, their murmurs merging into a single hum.

Tong Zhou smiled and said: "Everyone may speak freely."

Although those present discussed the matter fervently, not a single person stepped forward to speak; all were waiting and watching.

Seeing this, Hua Changxi raised her voice: "Since some old precedents of the Sacred Land are unreasonable and have sparked widespread discussion, it is necessary to deliberate and establish new regulations."

"In the past, this place was the Imperial Medical Bureau; I will not comment on how that bureau operated."

"But now, this place represents the Dansheng Hall."

"Since this is the Dansheng Hall, there is one point everyone must keep in mind: apart from the Realm Masters who govern the realms, even those Hall Masters who possess a Qihuang Token but have not opened a Qihuang Hall do not count as true administrators of the Sacred Land."

"What I am saying is that the only people truly qualified to oversee the development of the Dansheng Hall should be the Realm Masters, not some miscellaneous nobles and dignitaries."

"Of course, every major Sacred Land has its Sacred Land Successors, but since no successor of the Dansheng Hall has appeared yet, let us simply pretend they do not exist."

These words sent shockwaves through the entire assembly!

Deliberate and establish new regulations?

This meant completely shaking the existing power structure and operational system of the Dansheng Hall!

Hua Changxi's proposal undoubtedly pushed the Realm Masters to the forefront, granting them the right to participate in formulating the rules.

Realm Masters such as Mu Qingying, Yuan Tianchou, and Yan Qianying were immensely excited, brilliant light flashing in their eyes.

This was an opportunity they had never dared to imagine!

While the Realm Masters were thrilled, Wen Shouren and the other Sacred Land Successors watched Hua Changxi with gloomy gazes.

Good heavens, she had directly denied their very existence.

Yes, among the three major power factions of the Dansheng Hall, the one Hua Changxi despised most was the lineage of the Sacred Land Successors.

In her view, these people waved the banner of 'Sacred Land Orthodoxy' yet refused to shoulder the responsibility of leadership; they were simply spineless cowards lacking any sense of duty.