Chapter 454: Family or Honored Guest

"So it's because of the sea demon incursions along the coast. No wonder Brother Tong asked me a while ago if I wanted to go train in the sea regions."

Old Master Hua had suddenly brought up the marriages of Hua Dalang and Hua Sanlang, while Second Uncle Hua spoke about the construction of Xuanyuan City, forcibly diverting the topic of the sea demon invasion that Hua Dalang had previously mentioned.

At this moment, however, Hua Liulang inadvertently picked it up again.

Hearing this, Hua Changxi's expression shifted slightly; she immediately turned to look at him: "The Artifact Sage Palace is organizing disciples to train in the sea regions?"

Hua Liulang nodded: "It should be so, but I'm not clear on the specifics. The Artifact Sage Palace has taken on far too many weapon-forging orders these past two years; I've been burying my head in the forging workshop almost the entire time."

"If there truly is an opportunity to go out and train, I will definitely sign up." As he spoke, a gleam of eager anticipation flashed in his eyes.

Hearing this, Third Master He at the neighboring table also felt tempted; he set down his wine cup and said, "Since sea demons are running rampant along the coast, can we cultivators from the inland regions also go and contribute our strength?"

Hua Dalang directly negated this: "At this stage, ordinary cultivators had best not easily tread into the sea regions." He paused, then, thinking of the influence of Marquis Wu Yi's household, added further.

"Let me put it this way: out at sea, even the Xuanyuan Army and the Demon-Suppressing Army must fight in coordination, relying on powerful military formations for defense just to barely reduce casualties."

His gaze swept over everyone, his tone grave: "I have personally witnessed dozens of teams venture out to sea; fewer than the fingers on one hand successfully returned. Those teams were either organized by local powers or cobbled together by sects and gangs, and the result... alas."

Hua Liulang was rendered speechless upon hearing this: "The sea is that dangerous? Then ordinary cultivators indeed should not rashly go there."

Hua Changxi tilted her head to look at him, the corners of her lips lifting slightly as she teased: "What, are you afraid?"

Hua Liulang straightened his spine, pretending to be bold: "What do I have to fear? I'm talking about ordinary cultivators! I am a direct disciple of the Artifact Sage Palace; with a Saint Land Elder leading the team, safety is naturally guaranteed."

Hua Dalang's expression turned solemn; staring at his younger brother, he said: "Liulang, if you truly intend to go train in the sea regions, you had best put away this mindset of 'relying on others to save your life' first."

Seeing how serious his eldest brother was, Hua Liulang quickly reined in his smile and said awkwardly: "Rest assured, Big Brother; I was just speaking off the cuff."

He paused, then suddenly turned to Hua Changxi, expectation in his eyes: "Ninth Sister, since the Artifact Sage Palace is organizing disciples to train in the sea regions, why don't you mobilize the disciples of the Pill Sage Hall? That way, we can journey together for training!"

At these words, Hua Dalang's eyes immediately flashed with light.

Hua Changxi remained silent for a moment before shaking her head and speaking: "Cultivators indeed need training; you can have an elder from the Artifact Sage Palace go to the Pill Sage Hall to discuss how the Spirit Realm Pavilion will arrange things."

"As for me and the disciples of Danyuan Peak... we cannot go out for training at this time."

"Why?" Hua Liulang grew anxious, his voice rising a notch; in his heart, he very much wanted to go out training with his younger sister.

Hua Changxi explained patiently: "Danding Peak has just emerged into the world; it is a wasteland, with everything needing to be revived. Not only does infrastructure construction require manpower, but the Danding Secret Realm also urgently awaits development. If all the disciples go out to train, who will do the work?"

Hearing this, Hua Liulang immediately deflated, his shoulders slumping as he muttered softly: "It seems there truly is no chance to train together..."

Seeing this, Hua Changxi reached out and gently patted his arm; after offering some comfort, she turned to look at Hua Dalang, her tone serious.

"Big Brother, although the disciples of Danyuan Peak cannot go to the sea regions for training, we can provide a portion of medicinal pill support to the Demon-Suppressing Army and the Xuanyuan Army. You can have Minister Wei go to the Pill Sage Hall to discuss this with Meng Qingyao."

Before Hua Dalang could respond, Hua Liulang suddenly slapped his thigh, realization dawning: "I understand now! The Artifact Sage Palace disciples going to the sea regions to train—killing sea demons is likely just a side task; the real mission should be repairing and forging artifacts for the Demon-Suppressing Army and the Xuanyuan Army!"

Seeing his appearance of 'finally figuring it out,' everyone in the room felt both helpless and amused.

Hua Liulang suddenly added: "If you ask me, the ones who should most go to the sea regions to assist the Demon-Suppressing Army and the Xuanyuan Army are the four armies of Zhu Que, Qing Long, Bai Hu, and Xuan Wu. It is only proper that we disciples of the four Saint Lands—Pill, Artifact, Talisman, and Formation—remain in the rear to provide supplies."

As soon as his voice fell, the entire room abruptly fell silent.

Hua Changxi was also startled; looking at her Sixth Brother, she saw he was still as carefree as in his childhood. She sighed inwardly and was about to say something when she saw his shoulders start to shake.

"Haha~"

Hua Liulang suddenly burst into laughter, leaving everyone somewhat baffled.

Who could have expected that the next moment, he would speak even more shockingly, dropping a thunderbolt.

"Ninth Sister, isn't it funny? The outside world is spreading rumors that you are the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall!"

At these words, everyone present was shocked.

In truth, the Hua family had long wanted to ask about this matter, yet whenever they actually saw Hua Changxi, they unanimously chose to avoid it—as if this were a topic that could not be touched.

No one expected that Hua Liulang would be so carefree, bringing it up at this time, in this place, with such a relaxed tone.

Hua Changxi gazed at him, her tone calm: "Is it very funny? Do you think I am unworthy of being the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall?"

Hua Liulang waved his hands while laughing: "It's not a matter of whether you are worthy or not; even if you have the capability, you wouldn't be willing to take the position."

"Oh?" Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Don't I know you?"

Hua Liulang looked as though he had seen right through Hua Changxi: "From childhood until now, what you fear most is others causing you trouble; how could you possibly go out of your way to seek trouble?"

"Hall Master of Lingguang Hall! That is a great figure who commands the Zhu Que Army and handles ten thousand daily affairs; would you willingly seek bitterness for yourself?"

Hua Changxi froze for an instant, then burst out laughing, her laughter clear and bell-like, fine light sparkling in the corners of her eyes. She raised her hand and slapped Hua Liulang on the shoulder: "He who knows me best is Sixth Brother!"

Hua Liulang looked triumphant, lifting his chin slightly: "Of course! In our family, the one who knows you best is none other than me!"

Hua Changxi lowered her head and chuckled softly, her shoulders shaking slightly; then she looked up, picked up the communal chopsticks, and placed a fish head with brain meat into Hua Liulang's bowl: "Sixth Brother, eat more."

Hua Liulang's eyes lit up, and he said joyfully: "Ninth Sister really cares for me; I love eating fish heads the most!"

Hua Changxi couldn't help but laugh again, her eyes full of doting affection.

"By the way, Sixth Brother," she suddenly asked, "what rank artifact forger are you now?"

"Fourth Rank!" Hua Liulang puffed out his chest in reply, his face full of pride.

"Only Fourth Rank..." Hua Changxi dragged out her tone.

"What do you mean 'only' Fourth Rank? I'm already very formidable, you know!" Hua Liulang protested indignantly.

"But the Fourth Rank is too low," Hua Changxi said leisurely. "I want high-grade Dharma robes, which you cannot forge yet."

"Ah? Isn't the one you're wearing quite good?" Hua Liulang looked Hua Changxi's Dharma robe up and down, even reaching out to touch it.

"The grade is too low," Hua Changxi said with slight disdain. "Sixth Brother, you must work hard to improve your forging skills; I have many large forging orders in my hands."

Thinking of his younger sister's status in the Pill Sage Hall, Hua Liulang firmly believed these words: "Ninth Sister, then it's a deal; once I can stand on my own, you'll give all the forging orders from Danyuan Peak and Danding Peak to me."

Hua Changxi smiled: "As long as you can handle them."

The two conversed in low voices as if no one else were present, their tone intimate and their demeanor natural; the other members of the Hua family felt nothing unusual upon seeing this, but the expressions of Sheng Yuantang and Zhu Qinghuan became somewhat strange.

Both of them realized that Hua Changxi and the Hua family were not particularly close; during their exchanges, there always remained an indescribable sense of distance.

Previously, everyone had clearly been striving to engage her in conversation and find topics, yet she had never been very enthusiastic.

In their eyes, this did not resemble a reunion of blood-connected family, but rather resembled a distinguished guest being warmly entertained—courteous in every detail, yet lacking that unspoken understanding and relaxation.

Only in this moment, when facing Hua Dalang, did the aloofness on Hua Changxi truly melt away; her laughter was clear and bright, her eyes soft, her words free of guard or reservation, holding only the trust and indulgence unique between siblings.

This... this is truly how family should interact.