Chapter 101 - 79: The Filial Son Contest, I’ll Be the Referee (Part 2)

Chapter 101: Chapter 79: The Filial Son Contest, I’ll Be the Referee (Part 2)

"Thank you, Father Emperor!"

Zhao Ci looked deeply moved, but he continued to ask, "But once I have it, how should I refine it?"

Zhao Huan took a deep breath. "Although the refinement method for the Heaven-Suspending Pill has been lost, the Pill Formula is not entirely useless. The supplementary ingredients within are meant to activate and preserve the medicinal properties of the Heaven-Suspended Spider Silk and help them absorb into the meridians. Of course, since it can’t be refined into a pill, the effects will be greatly diminished.

But if you take it with some top-grade pills that strengthen the spleen and stomach for a short period, the effect can be comparable to a Low-Grade Imperial Extreme Pill.

Pills like that are sold at both the Feng and Zhu family Pill Workshops. You are free to bid for them."

A Low-Grade Imperial Extreme Pill?

Zhao Ci felt a little disappointed. After all, his threshold for satisfaction had been raised quite high.

He now knew a Top-Grade Imperial Extreme Pill was possible, yet he was expected to settle for the effects of a low-grade one.

It was truly...

Wait!

He suddenly jolted, feeling as if he had missed something.

’The supplementary ingredients are all for activating and preserving the medicinal properties of the spider silk. That means the main effect of this so-called Heaven-Suspending Pill comes from the Heaven-Suspended Spider Silk itself; it’s just that its properties are difficult to absorb.’

’And those pills for strengthening the spleen and stomach are also just to help refine its medicinal properties.’

’But do I need any of that?’

Zhao Ci looked at the Taotie Talisman floating in his mind. The description was perfectly clear: for twenty-four hours, it would max out his digestive abilities, allowing him to absorb all beneficial ingredients for his own use.

’In other words, the missing refinement method for the Heaven-Suspending Pill has absolutely no effect on me.’

’Damn!’

’It’s not just the Heaven-Suspending Pill. It seems like I can handle all similar pills the same way.’

’All I have to do is gobble up the raw ingredients. I don’t need to refine them into pills at all.’

’This is the right way to use the Taotie Talisman, isn’t it?’

’Fuck!’

’I’m such a moron, using this treasure like it’s some kind of digestive aid.’

At this thought, Zhao Ci’s eyes began to well up.

He circulated a wisp of True Qi, sending it rushing to his eyes. In an instant, the rims of his eyes turned red.

"Father Emperor!"

His voice choked with emotion, his eyes filled with filial adoration, and his expression even held a hint of shame. "You already showed me exceptional favor by granting me the Emperor Pill. And now today, you bestow upon this child such a precious treasure..."

Zhao Huan put on a stern face. "We are father and son. Why say something that makes us sound like strangers? Also, the Pill Formulas for these three sacred medicines are known to fewer than five people in this world. You must not, under any circumstances, spread them.

Furthermore!

I must impress one more thing upon you. You are my son. Whether you live a life of mediocrity or become a powerful expert, my feelings for you will never change.

But since you now have the hope of becoming an expert, you must have the heart of an expert.

Suffering itself has never been something worth celebrating.

What is worth celebrating is defending our land, reclaiming lost territory, and becoming a peerless expert like your uncle, radiating brilliance!"

Zhao Ci seemed stunned by his words, taking a long moment to recover.

He said solemnly, "This child has been taught a valuable lesson!"

[System Prompt]: Mission complete. Reward obtained: Enlightenment +100, Empathy Talisman x1.

[Empathy Talisman]: Use on a target to transfer their most intense positive emotion onto any other target. Duration: one quarter of an hour.

’Huh?’

’So it’s a Minotaur-type Divine Artifact!’

’But I’m not into that kind of thing!’

’Wait, no!’

’Even if I’m not into it now, it’s not like I can’t cultivate a taste for it.’

’Otherwise, it’d be a waste.’

Zhao Ci shook the various scenarios for using the Empathy Talisman that had unconsciously popped into his head and looked at Zhao Huan again. "Oh, right, Father Emperor, this child now has a goal for refining my meridians. But there’s still bone tempering... the Profound Turtle Shell, you wouldn’t happen to have..."

’Crap!’

’I’ve stoked the little brat’s greed.’

Zhao Huan was taken aback for a moment, but then he thought it over. The boy had always been doted on by him since childhood. Although he’d never received any truly substantial benefits, he had a habit of instinctively seeking help from him.

’This was, after all, in line with the boy’s nature.’

He smiled and chided, "Don’t be too greedy. The three sacred medicines were discontinued long ago, and Profound Turtles are a major clan among the beasts. Even the Imperial Palace has no stock. However, if you really want one, you could try your luck with the Gongsu Family."

The Yellow Sea Gongshu Clan was the one among the Eight Great Families located closest to the sea. It seemed they were the only hope.

Zhao Ci knew he wouldn’t be able to fleece anything more out of Old Deng, so after a moment of feigned reflection, he clasped his hands and took his leave. "Father Emperor! This child still needs to go to Wangshu Palace, so I won’t disturb you from reviewing your memorials."

"Go on!"

Zhao Huan didn’t stop him. He watched his son leave, the smile on his face gradually fading.

He was finding Gu Xiangzhu to be more and more of a handful.

’That woman’s perception is a little too sharp.’

’Her magnanimity is also surprisingly vast.’

’Even without obtaining the Alchemy of Wine, she actually managed to suppress her anger and even gave Zhao Ci a fair number of benefits.’

’I underestimated this woman!’

However, this was far from enough to make him anxious. He knew very well that his bottom line was that the "Organ-Swapping Secret Codex" must not be exposed.

’I trust that woman isn’t so irrational. Acting on it would benefit neither of them.’

’All I have to do is continue managing my image as a benevolent father. As for what I’ve given up... it really isn’t much to me.’

Only he and the Imperial Clan Court knew what was in his private treasury, and the Imperial Clan Court would not leak secrets.

No matter how many portions of Heaven-Suspended Spider Silk he actually had, as long as he said there was only one, then there was only one in the entire world. Besides, without the Alchemy Technique, the stuff was basically half-useless anyway. Tossing a portion out to solidify his image as a benevolent father wasn’t a loss.

’Combined with various Spiritual Pills and Elixirs, it can rival a Low-Grade Imperial Extreme Pill. It should hopefully be enough to refine the boy’s meridians to the second grade.’

’The Feng, Zhu, and Gongshu families are still quite intent on hiding their treasures. It’s time to put some pressure on them.’