Chapter 262 - 122: Little Auntie, You’re So Thirst-Quenching

Chapter 262: Chapter 122: Little Auntie, You’re So Thirst-Quenching

The Joyful Dream is its innate talent, a Divine Technique that erodes a person’s willpower. As long as it doesn’t completely annihilate the target, it can amass a large following of slaves who crave the dream. They become its utterly crazed puppets.

The moment it appears, it’s impossible for it to hide its tracks.

But right now, there isn’t a single trace of it, so it most likely hasn’t appeared yet.

’So fulfilling that condition will be quite difficult.’

’The only other option is to shatter his Primordial Spirit. But that would require a series of Mind Control Techniques to drive the original owner’s mind to the point of collapse.’

’It couldn’t be a simple, brute-force physical shattering, or it would inevitably cause immense damage to my Spirit Platform.’

’But then again...’

’...no matter which method they use, I don’t have to worry too much.’

’I have the Breaking Formation Talisman. Whether it’s the Paradise Gu or a Spiritual Control Skill, I can easily counter it.’

’I just have to be prepared in advance.’

’It would be best if they used the Paradise Gu, though.’

’I could experience a wonderful dream where my every wish comes true before I break the spell. I wonder what I’d dream about.’

Gu Xiangzhu glanced at the moon. "If there’s nothing else, you should head back. You really shouldn’t come to Wangshu Palace so often. Visiting once in a while is normal, but coming too frequently or staying too long will arouse suspicion."

Although she was confident she could handle any prying eyes, too many visits would eventually become a mental burden.

’I can’t let this boy just do as he pleases.’

’I have to teach him the meaning of ’liking is indulgence, but love is restraint.’’

"Huh? Alright then!"

Zhao Ci sounded a little disappointed, but then he grabbed her hand again and said softly, "But I haven’t been here that long this time..."

Gu Xiangzhu: "..."

Fifteen minutes later.

Zhao Ci took several deep breaths before the feeling of oxygen deprivation finally subsided. He then left, thoroughly satisfied.

Gu Xiangzhu chugged several cups of tea and let out a small sigh of relief.

’That really quenched my thirst!’

...

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

When the time came for Zhao Yan to announce the task list, the Imperial Clan Court was once again bustling with activity.

The seventy-two members from the eight prefectures reassembled, waiting for Zhao Yan to appear.

After the past few days, everyone seemed to be fired up with fighting spirit. Although the Prefecture Competition had technically started a while ago, it was only now truly kicking off.

The real battles were about to begin; how could they not be energized?

This was especially true for Zhao Xie and Zhao Yong, who were both as pumped as if they’d been shot up with stimulants.

[Zhao Yong’s Current Wish]: I must obtain the grand Yun Dynasty gift (Ying Rui) that Father prepared for me. Reward for Completion: Insight +1000, one measure of Imperial Luck.

[Zhao Xie’s Current Wish]: I must obtain the grand Yun Dynasty gift (Ying Rui) that Your Majesty prepared for the Fourth Prince. Reward for Completion: Insight +1000, one measure of Imperial Luck.

’Whoa!’

’The wishes leveled up, and the Imperial Luck went from a ’wisp’ to a ’measure’.’

’How thoughtful of the system to even specify Ying Rui.’

’Ying Rui really is an exceptional man.’

’Getting two other exceptional men to fight over him.’

’This move by Old Deng to fan the flames is a masterstroke.’

’The restoration of the Yun Dynasty is on the horizon, the old emperor is on his last legs, and a key official of the New Dynasty is waiting for a worthy master.’

’To be fair...’

’...if I were in their shoes...’

’If I were Yongzi, even if I sensed something was off, I’d still be pumped up and work myself to the bone.’

"Tenth Prince, why are you looking at me?"

Ying Rui frowned. He found Zhao Ci’s gaze very strange, like he was looking at a top courtesan about to be let out of her pen.

’No, wait.’

’That word is used for pigs.’

’What was that term for a courtesan’s debut?’

’Whatever.’

’That’s not important.’

In any case, Zhao Ci’s gaze made him very uncomfortable.

The feeling he got wasn’t that of a patron waiting to bid on a newly debuted courtesan.

It was more like...

...he was just watching a show.

It was just plain weird.

Zhao Ci spouted some nonsense, "I’m just being wary of a future arch-nemesis. Is there a problem with that?"

Upon hearing this, Ying Rui’s displeasure vanished, and a wide grin spread across his face. "No need to wait for the future. Today will do! Don’t be in such a hurry, Tenth Prince. Once I obtain an official post, my strength will soar. We can have our match then."

Zhu Li pouted. "Boss! He’s pretty arrogant. I’ll deal with him for you later!"

Zhao Ci glanced at Zhu Li. ’This girl is so carefree,’ he thought. ’Just a few days ago, she was sulking because she didn’t think I was giving her enough attention.’

’And now she’s completely over it.’

’She only gets upset for a little while when she’s getting hammered.’

’And now she’s gotten full of herself, acting like she can take on anyone.’

’Though her confidence isn’t entirely baseless. After mastering the Divinity Refining Furnace and using the Quenching Spirit Liquid, her raw power is now solidly in the top ten among these seventy-two people.’

He waved his hand. "Just focus on your alchemy. The Prefecture Competition is about achievements, not who has the biggest fists."

Ying Rui snorted, assuming Zhao Ci was just scared to fight.

Zhao Ci was amused. For all his arrogance, the teenager was unbelievably naive. Compared to Yongzi and the others, he was practically a blank slate.

’I wonder what kind of environment he grew up in.’

He shook his head and settled down to wait for Zhao Yan’s arrival.

About fifteen minutes later, the ten-foot-square stone wall in front of the crowd lit up, and words seemed to flicker across its surface.

Then, Zhao Yan strode over with a measured, stately gait.

He wore the python-embroidered robe of a First-Grade Official, giving him an extraordinary air.

Everyone present rose in unison and bowed. "Greetings, Clan Official!"

In terms of status, Zhao Yan was Prince Gong, his official post was First-Grade Right Imperial Clan Court Official, and he was presiding over the Prefecture Competition.

No matter who they were, everyone present had to bow to him respectfully.

"You may all rise."

Zhao Yan smiled faintly. Once everyone was seated again, he took eight booklets from his sleeve and had a Junior Official distribute them. "These are documents from the Ministry of Personnel," he announced. "They will help you obtain official posts, which will facilitate your future endeavors."