Chapter 426: Coming Into Her Own

The absurd sensation of "losing yet gaining" coiled around Hua Changxi's heart like vines, refusing to dissipate.

At this moment, the overwhelming shock of the Sacred Land's revival intertwined with the stifled indignation of having her merit stolen, churning within her and leaving her mind unable to find peace.

She slowly lowered her head, no longer looking at the crowd boiling over due to the drastic changes in the Sacred Land, nor at the magnificent, brand-new scenery.

On the western side of the Alchemy Cauldron Altar Plaza, a towering new peak rose abruptly from the ground; amidst the swirling clouds and mist, its rugged outline was faintly visible.

Hua Changxi gazed at the Realm Leaf in her hand and that warm, smooth Sacred Pill, her eyes filled with complex, indecipherable light.

New Peak, the Realm, the Sacred Pill... this seemingly generous "compensation" felt like a hot potato in her hands.

To others, these were resources for expanding territory and strengthening power; to her, they had become extra burdens she was forced to carry.

The Divine Tree's "gift" was not what she had sought.

The more she thought about it, the more blocked up she felt, finding it utterly absurd and preposterous—how could a single meeting have escalated to this?

Gu Xing!

This name flashed through her mind like lightning.

Hua Changxi's gaze darkened; recalling Gu Xing's seemingly casual remarks during the meeting, it seemed he had been guiding her all along, ultimately pushing her into the situation of swearing a Heart Demon Oath.

The more she pondered, the more convinced she became that this was no coincidence.

Hua Changxi's gaze swept over the crowd, urgently searching for Gu Xing's figure, yet she found nothing.

"Have any of you seen Senior Gu?" Hua Changxi asked, looking around at those nearby.

Wen Shouren's eyes flickered slightly; he avoided her gaze and remained silent.

Huo Yunxiao looked left and right, saying in surprise, "He was just here a moment ago; who knows where he has gone now."

Gu Jinfan keenly caught the depression in Hua Changxi's brows; after hesitating for a moment, she spoke: "He must have returned to the Old Courtyard."

"Thank you."

Hua Changxi glanced at Gu Jinfan, nodded her thanks, and without further delay, stepped forward toward the newly built white jade steps that pierced the clouds.

Gu Jinfan and her group silently watched that figure in fiery red swiftly cross the vast plaza born from the Sacred Land's expansion, stepping onto the jade stairs leading to the Alchemy Cauldron Altar Plaza without hesitation.

On the white jade steps wreathed in spiritual mist, the figure in fiery red stood out especially prominently.

The crowd, originally marveling at the Sacred Land's new appearance, all looked over in unison, watching that fiery red figure climb upward step by step.

"So this is Peak Master Hua!"

Among the crowd, many disciples' eyes sparkled with admiration as they whispered about Hua Changxi's solitary, striking, and valiant figure.

Some disciples who had attended Hua Changxi's lectures or received her guidance felt even deeper reverence.

Even disciples who had no interaction with Hua Changxi, even those belonging to other factions, now felt grateful toward her as they sensed the spiritual energy in the air, so dense it was nearly tangible, and the ubiquitous aura of life.

The Sacred Land's renewed revival benefited everyone, especially ordinary disciples who lacked cultivation resources, granting them considerable gains.

However, the emotions of the Realm Masters were far more complex.

Shock, joy, jealousy, constraint... various feelings intertwined.

What did the Alchemy Saint Hall becoming larger once again signify?

It signified that the Sacred Land had revived once more because of Hua Changxi.

With the Alchemy Saint Hall's revival, the Realm Masters were undoubtedly happy, yet the promulgation of the Sacred Land's laws restricted their future actions, boxing them within a defined scope.

The four words "must obey" weighed as heavily as a thousand pounds, making the Realm Masters' hearts sink.

Such unquestionable harshness, such a decisive "either comply or be eliminated" stance, made this group of Realm Masters, accustomed to total control over their realms, taste the flavor of "being bound by rules."

Yet, even with reluctance in their hearts, they could only forcibly swallow that sourness and resentment back down.

Especially with Wu Lingyue serving as a cautionary tale, the many Realm Masters clearly understood the mandatory nature of the Sacred Land's laws!

As for Wen Shouren and others of the Alchemy Saint Hall's lineage, though somewhat worried, they were mostly joyful.

"It really takes Hua Changxi."

Hua Changxi attended a single meeting, not only resolving the Alchemy Saint Hall's predicament of being trapped in power struggles among various factions, but also elevating the Realm Masters to their positions while simultaneously restricting their authority.

This ability to solve problems, though somewhat simple and crude, was undeniably effective!

Even if the transition between old and new ruling powers would cause various frictions, in the long run, this was undoubtedly beneficial for the development of the Sacred Land.

In the Spirit Realm Pavilion, Xia Ji also watched Hua Changxi climbing the steps alone and sighed: "Hua Changxi has truly come into her own!"

The Alchemy Saint Hall's renewed revival meant Hua Changxi's brilliance could no longer be concealed.

The magnificent divine miracle witnessed by everyone today was not only the most powerful endorsement for Hua Changxi but also fuel to bolster her reputation.

"Grand Elder, does this mean our schemes have come to naught?"

Xia Zhen had originally harbored resentment because Hua Changxi had acted against him publicly, but now, seeing the drastically changed Alchemy Saint Hall, he felt mostly frustration and discouragement.

Xia Ji turned to look at him, smiling: "Do not rush; the development of worldly affairs has no fixed outcome; anything is possible."

The Alchemy Cauldron Altar Plaza, towering high above the steps, was shrouded in thick spiritual mist, making the situation atop unclear.

After climbing hundreds of steps, Hua Changxi's figure gradually became a small red dot, finally vanishing completely into that hazy expanse, leaving only a string of crisp footsteps echoing on the empty stairs, and echoing in the hearts of every observer.

Stepping onto the final stair and standing once again on the Alchemy Cauldron Altar Plaza, Hua Changxi felt a sense of disorientation; she turned and looked down.

Those nine majestic long streets that had once made her look up in awe now lay prostrate at her feet like dwarfs.

The First Street and Second Street, where the Alchemy Fire had been ignited, had become much larger and wider, while the other seven streets resembled mere shabby alleys.

Thinking back to when she had entered the Medicine Bureau to apply as an apprentice, she had considered the Nine Streets to be extremely magnificent.

But now, set against the backdrop of the Alchemy Cauldron Altar Plaza, they appeared utterly inadequate.

Hua Changxi withdrew her gaze and looked again at the Qihuang Hall at the far end of the plaza.

That gray, dusty stone courtyard was equally out of place amidst the grandeur of the Alchemy Cauldron Altar Plaza.

Memories flashed like lightning—the magnificent and imposing Number One Qihuang Hall she had accidentally opened, its glazed dome reflecting the starry river, was truly the jade tower and gemstone palace that matched this Alchemy Cauldron Altar Plaza!

"The Alchemy Fire of the Nine Streets, the Qihuang Token that opens the Qihuang Hall..."

Hua Changxi suddenly realized that these matters seemed all related to her, startling her into a shiver.

"Individual heroism is unacceptable!"

Hua Changxi shook her head, forcibly suppressing a panic welling up in her heart called 'mission,' and walked quickly toward the old courtyard.

The moment she stepped into the courtyard gate, Hua Changxi froze abruptly in place.

"You... how could you..."

She cried out in shock, her pupils trembling.

The Gu Xing in the courtyard—who just moments before had been a hunched old man leaning on a cane—had now transformed into a handsome, spirited middle-aged man!

Ink-black hair cascaded like a waterfall; his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes were striking. Pure spiritual light circulated around his body, and even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes had vanished like a receding tide!

"You... how did you become young again?"

Gu Xing looked at Hua Changxi, his expression somewhat unnatural.

He hadn't expected either that the power of merit within Hua Changxi would be so vast; after the Divine Tree absorbed it, it actually replenished most of the consumption the Divine Tree had suffered during its long years of dormancy.

The restoration of the Divine Tree's vitality triggered a further revival of the Hall of the Alchemy Saint.

After Hua Changxi's brief shock passed, she flew into a rage: "Bandits, you are all bandits."

"The Hall of the Alchemy Saint revives further, and you regain your youth; why should I be the one to foot the bill? Stealing from others to benefit yourselves—don't you have any conscience!"

"It was not theft; it was a transaction," Gu Xing said solemnly and seriously.

"A transaction?!" Hua Changxi laughed in anger. "What kind of damn transaction? Did I agree to it?"

Gu Xing sighed. "Hua Changxi, why do you still not understand? Everything has a price. The first decree of the sacred land issued by the Hall of the Alchemy Saint is the manifestation of your own will."

"In other words, the future operational framework of the Hall of the Alchemy Saint was established by you."

"You are the first rule-maker of the Hall of the Alchemy Saint."

Hua Changxi opened her mouth: "...I never intended to make any rules."