Chapter 303 - 130: Zhao Ci Enters the Trap of the Dream-Eating Gu, the Saintess Tearfully Abandons Her Eldest Son

Chapter 303: Chapter 130: Zhao Ci Enters the Trap of the Dream-Eating Gu, the Saintess Tearfully Abandons Her Eldest Son

WHOOSH!

Zhang Da Yong shot to his feet, his face twisting in shock. "You..."

The rest of the sentence died in his throat.

He was horrified to feel his Soul Mist being frantically driven out of his body by some unknown force.

’Is this...’

’A Purifying Heart Pill?’

It was a rather precious medicinal pill, sold for one merit point in the Merit Library, used to temper out the impurities in one’s soul.

’The effect is decent, but it’s not really worth a whole merit point.’

’But...’

’Soul Mist *is* an impurity!’

’I’m screwed!’

Zhao Ci stared at him and bared his teeth in a grin. "Enjoying your stay in Zhang Da Yong’s body? You son of a bitch?"

Huangfu Song: "..."

He discovered, to his utter astonishment, that half of his Soul Mist had already been forced out from between Zhang Da Yong’s eyebrows.

Worse, Zhao Ci had it grasped in his hand, a hand that seemed to be coated in Soul-Injuring Poison, causing him pain that pierced his very core.

’This!’

’This... this... this!’

Huangfu Song was numb with shock. Although this wisp of Soul Mist was just a small fraction of his being, it was still a part of his true essence.

If it were to be crushed just like that, it would undoubtedly damage his vital energy.

But now, it seemed there was no room for negotiation.

A chill ran down his spine.

’How did Zhao Ci poison me?’

’Of course!’

’If I could plant a Gu while cooking, then Zhao Ci could have just as easily added poison while he was cooking.’

’But why did he use poison?’

’Did he see through my plan from the very beginning?’

’No, that’s not right!’

’His own eyes are starting to lose focus. If he saw through my plan, why would he drink the congee?’

’This is so confusing!’

"Ah!"

The spiritual pain made Huangfu Song’s head feel like it was about to split open.

He didn’t dare delay any longer and reached for Zhao Ci’s chest.

Hanging there were the Peace Jade from the Imperial Clan Court and the warm jade Gu Xiangzhu had given him.

He couldn’t let Zhao Ci crush them.

But just as his hand shot out, Zhao Ci clenched both his fists. With his left hand, he crushed the two Jade Pendants he had already moved, and with his right, he obliterated Huangfu Song’s wisp of Soul Mist.

POP!

The Soul Mist dissipated, and Zhang Da Yong’s body collapsed to the floor.

Zhao Ci pulled a spirit-nourishing pill from his robes, stuffed it into Zhang Da Yong’s mouth, and then slumped dazedly onto the table.

He didn’t know how much of his mind Zhang Da Yong would recover.

But he had no time to dwell on it.

’I’ve done all I can.’

’Now...’

’Time to dream!’

In a daze, he heard the sounds of fighting outside. The two sides must have engaged.

’That’s not something I can interfere with.’

’I need to deal with this Paradise Gu first.’

’This is trickier than I thought.’

The dream-inducing effect of the Paradise Gu was too strong. Even though he understood the Joyful Dream, with his current cultivation level, it was impossible to resist it completely. Breaking free from within the dream wouldn’t be easy either.

’What a pain in the ass.’

His eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

Finally...

They closed completely.

Slowly...

After an unknown amount of time...

Just as he could barely distinguish between dream and reality, his vision gradually came into focus.

A movie screen.

A bathrobe.

A number tag.

"Don’t tell me this is..."

Zhao Ci was a bit dazed.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

"Come in!"

CREAK—

A lovely girl in a qipao, with a delicate yet buxom figure, walked in carrying a silver-white toolkit.

She gave a slight bow, her voice sweet and lively.

"Boss, Technician No. 66 at your service!"

"Holy shit! Zhu Li?"

Zhao Ci was lost in confusion.

...

「Northeast of Lingge.」

「Chihe Village.」

A group of Junior Officials drove their empty carts toward the post station, chatting and laughing along the way.

Over the past few days, they had distributed money and grain to countless commoners, receiving all sorts of thanks in return.

Their hearts swelled with a strong sense of accomplishment.

The sky was already growing dim.

But their spirits were radiant.

However, just as they reached the halfway point...

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

The sound of swords and sabers being drawn echoed from the woods.

Many among them were Military Officials with heightened alertness. One of them immediately let out a piercing shout:

"Ambush!"

"Ambush!"

"All hands, on guard!"

Everyone went on high alert.

Immediately after, a horde of masked assailants rushed out of the woods. There were several hundred of them; it was impossible to imagine how such a small patch of forest could have hidden so many.

But before they even had time to feel nervous, they heard the sound of horse hooves in the distance.

They turned to look.

It was a large contingent of Official Cavalry.

In an instant...

The masked assailants were dumbfounded!

On both sides of the official road, inside and outside the woods...

The area quickly turned into a meat grinder.

Although the masked assailants were shocked, they showed no intention of fleeing.

Ignoring the charging Official Cavalry, they headed straight for the Junior Officials’ heads.

Not far away, atop the trees...

a figure stood quietly.

Gu Xiangzhu frowned slightly. ’If they’re truly nourishing themselves with souls, shouldn’t they have poisoned them first to knock them out, then quietly harvested their souls? Why rush out with such a great fanfare?’

’The idea of nourishing themselves with souls doesn’t seem right.’

’But she couldn’t figure out what this was all for.’

’Killing these Junior Officials...’

’What purpose could it possibly serve?’

’The Junior Officials were split into three groups, with the other two in different towns. But their situations are likely similar to this one.’

’Why...’

"Hm?"

Gu Xiangzhu’s expression changed abruptly. She had just felt the Soul Jade she gave to Zhao Ci get crushed.

’This is bad!’

She immediately shot into the air.

And flew frantically in Zhao Ci’s direction.

But she never expected that less than thirty zhang into her flight, she would see a woman in a black and white ink-wash dress, hovering silently right in front of her, a faint smile on her face.

Her body came to a sudden halt. She frowned deeply. "Shuimo?"

"Mhm..."

"Move!"

"Move for what? Are you going to save your son of convenience?"

"What, are you going to stop me?"

"I’m in no position to tell you what to do, but I wouldn’t recommend it."

"Then get out of my way!"

"I suppose I could move..."

Shuimo smiled faintly. "But I would still like to know, why are you trying so hard to win Zhao Ci over?"

Gu Xiangzhu sneered. "What I want to obtain... you don’t know?"

’Power, of course!’

’The power to control everything in the Demon Sect!’

She was anxious and had no desire to waste any more time with Shuimo.

So, she prepared to fly around her.

However, she never expected that just as she was about to pass by...

...Shuimo would raise a black jade seal in her palm.

Gu Xiangzhu: "???"

Shuimo smiled serenely. "Isn’t this the very thing you’ve always dreamed of? Obtain the Celestial Demon Seal, and you’ll get what you’ve spent half your life pursuing. Why take such a roundabout path to save some kid with whom you have no blood ties and no guarantee of loyalty?"

A sharp glint flashed in Gu Xiangzhu’s eyes, but her breathing grew heavy.

’This Shuimo is right. The Celestial Demon Seal is what I truly need to obtain.’

’Even grooming Zhao Ci was just a means to gain enough power to subdue everyone in the Demon Sect and make them acknowledge me as the new Sect Leader.’

’This was something she had yearned for for many years.’

’Now that it was right in front of her, how could she not be excited?’

Shuimo smiled faintly. "My strength is far inferior to yours, and my speed is a bit slower as well. Why don’t you try to catch me? As long as you catch me, this Celestial Demon Seal is yours. As for that kid who means nothing to you, just let him fend for himself. How does that sound?"

Gu Xiangzhu: "!!!"