Chapter 339 - 136: Zhao Ci: I’m screwed, I’ve become the Demon Monarch

Chapter 339: Chapter 136: Zhao Ci: I’m screwed, I’ve become the Demon Monarch

But with Old Deng boxing him in, he couldn’t make Kidney Water his primary focus for his first few cultivation choices.

But not focusing on Kidney Water would undoubtedly weaken him.

And...

Although he had no desire to compete with the young people from the Ninth Prince’s Mansion and Prince Ying’s Mansion.

But the reality of the situation beneath the surface made him extremely agitated.

This wasn’t some damn feud between mansions.

It was the Crown Prince Faction and the Fourth Prince Faction both wanting to make his life difficult.

At the same time, Old Deng was still eyeing his Waizi.

What if they all conspired to forcibly abolish the Tenth Prince’s Mansion and then raise him in captivity to farm his Kidney Water Divine Pattern? Wouldn’t he be completely screwed?

Although it was a huge risk, it wasn’t impossible if they laid the groundwork properly.

Besides, Kan Tianji and Xiang Yunzhan were clearly itching to cause trouble.

If he got dragged into it, things would definitely get dangerous.

’Strength!’

’Strength is what matters most.’

’As long as I can become an expert on the level of Xiang Tiange and the Demon Monarch, the worst that can happen is I’ll commit treason. No matter how miserable my life becomes, at least I won’t end up having my Waizi harvested.’

’But being stifled like this, how can I increase my strength quickly?’

’If only I could cultivate all five elements at once...’

The thought sent a jolt through Zhao Ci.

In normal cultivation, the limiting factor was always comprehension; the actual process of cultivating didn’t take long at all.

If he had enough comprehension, he could master all the Five Elements Techniques, enter a long seclusion, cultivate them to completion, and then just condense the Divine Patterns one by one.

That way, he thought, ’Even with Old Deng watching me, I could hide my other Divine Treasures and only reveal an underdeveloped Kidney Water Divine Treasure. I should be able to stay hidden until I reach my peak.’

But this approach still presented three problems.

First, where would he get that much comprehension?

Second, where would he obtain the foundations for the Divine Patterns? Although only the pattern foundations of the eight great clans were restricted in the Merit Library, the others were still under supervision and would be very difficult to acquire.

Third, if he condensed the Kidney Water Divine Pattern last, it might still end up underdeveloped. Gu Xiangzhu had mentioned a solution, but given the current situation...

"Fuck!"

"This is so annoying!"

The pressure on Zhao Ci was immense.

He sat cross-legged on the floor, racking his brain for a solution.

His brow was furrowed in a tight knot that wouldn’t loosen.

Under the weight of his anxiety, the Yu Xin Flame, that little agent of inner turmoil, began to stir.

Just then, he suddenly felt an icy coolness on his brow.

A soft, smooth finger was trying to press the wrinkles from his furrowed brow.

"Hm?"

Zhao Ci opened his eyes and saw Gu Xiangzhu looking at him quietly.

He was a little surprised. "You..."

The last time they met, Gu Xiangzhu had told him to think things over carefully.

And he had indeed been thinking carefully.

After all, establishing a "Sword-Hanging Pavilion" was tantamount to opposing all eight great clans at once—it was by no means a safe endeavor.

Although he had long since leaned toward a certain answer in his heart.

But making the final decision was not easy.

Although Gu Xiangzhu hadn’t said it outright that day, he understood there was no such thing as a free lunch. If their relationship was purely one of mutual exploitation, that would be one thing; he could still cheat her or backstab her.

But now... for one, Gu Xiangzhu wasn’t so easy to fool anymore. For another, he could no longer bring himself to deceive her with a clear conscience.

That was why he hadn’t gone to see her since that day.

And Gu Xiangzhu hadn’t come to see him, either.

"I came to see you!"

Gu Xiangzhu smiled and picked up a meditation cushion.

She had intended to toss it down across from Zhao Ci.

But after a moment’s hesitation, she placed it beside him instead.

She sat down cross-legged and leaned gently against his shoulder.

The movement was very natural.

Her mature figure was incredibly alluring.

Paired with her faint, sweet scent, it was utterly intoxicating.

Zhao Ci glanced at her. The conflicting desires floating above her head remained, a confusing mix of "Kill him" and "Protect Zhao Ci."

But he didn’t want to think about that right now.

He turned his face to the side and smiled. "I was just thinking of going to find you in a little while."

"Oh, really?"

Gu Xiangzhu smiled and shook her head. "I’m not some naive little girl. Don’t think you can fool me with empty boasts."

Zhao Ci nodded. "Of course, it’s true!"

"Even if you couldn’t have my body?"

"Even if I couldn’t have your body!"

"Tsk. I don’t believe you."

Gu Xiangzhu voiced her doubt but didn’t move her head from his shoulder.

Neither of them mentioned the dream, but there was already a tacit understanding between them.

Zhao Ci grinned but didn’t continue the topic.

In truth, based on the desires he could see, he was certain Gu Xiangzhu had feelings for him—and they weren’t weak.

But everyone had their own ambitions.

Especially in a situation as complex as this.

Emotions could never be the sole deciding factor in a person’s actions.

When interests conflicted, even blood brothers or a husband and wife might draw swords on each other.

What’s more, he and she were far from reaching that stage.

And so, they just sat there.

After a long while, Gu Xiangzhu finally spoke. "I’ve made too many moves recently. The Emperor must have realized I’m betting heavily on you."

"Mhm."

Zhao Ci nodded. "Actually, the night before you last came, Old Deng came to see me. He tried to lead me to suspect your identity."

"Oh?"

Gu Xiangzhu’s brow furrowed slightly. "Why would he suddenly do that?"

Zhao Ci shook his head. "I’m not entirely sure, but for him to make that move, he must have discovered something fishy. It doesn’t matter, though. It’s actually a good thing for us that he thinks that way."

Gu Xiangzhu nodded slightly.

Although she was somewhat astonished by Zhao Huan’s methods, him discovering this layer of their relationship would only make him let his guard down.

From now on, no matter what bets she placed on Zhao Ci, in Zhao Huan’s eyes, it would be equivalent to a failed investment.

It was a good thing.