Chapter 4: The Reward Secured
Before Zhao Xing could even react, he found himself unknowingly immersed in an illusion.
“Master…”
The beauty in the bath approached him, making him forget everything else. His eyes were filled solely with this delicate, enchanting woman, a peerless beauty who could be claimed or withdrawn at will. Only wild, primal desire remained in control.
He gave in until utterly exhausted, then, supported by the beauty, he lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
………
When Zhao Xing awoke again, the yellow talisman on his forehead had dried and fluttered to one side.
The guiding symbol on his abdomen was soaked through with sweat.
“Ah, such a pleasant dream…”
He held his head and sat up slowly, remaining still for a long moment before regaining awareness of what had happened.
“What? Failed?”
“!!”
Yet the lingering echoes of the dream remained, and a few records on the panel reminded him:
[You have entered the secret realm ‘Dream Academy of the Great Li’]
[You have entered the ‘Heart-Testing Platform’ trial.]
[Heart test failed; no rewards gained this time.]
Zhao Xing closed the panel and muttered,
“It must be because this body is too young—right in the prime of vitality—or perhaps the old version of the Heart-Testing Platform is just too powerful… that’s why I returned empty-handed from the treasure mountain.”
“No matter, next time I’ll surely triumph in one go!”
Comforting himself thus, Zhao Xing saw dawn breaking and quickly dressed before stepping outside to begin his day’s labor and cultivation.
………
The second night.
Dream Academy of the Great Li.
“Ah, such a pleasant dream… hmm? Failed again?”
………
The third night.
Dream Academy of the Great Li.
“Such strong power, irresistibly enticing… next time I’ll definitely pass!”
………
This cycle repeated for half a month, with Zhao Xing caught between frustration and joy.
Even Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong found it odd:
“Brother, why have you looked so listless lately?”
“Could it be that you’ve been sneaking out behind our backs for fun?”
“Ziyu, how can you think that of Brother? He must be tired from training day and night.”
“…Please stop talking about it.”
——
Zhao Xing felt somewhat melancholic. The old version of the Heart-Testing Platform was too formidable, and combined with the youthful body’s strong desires, it was difficult to pass at first.
Resolving to learn from his pain, Zhao Xing re-examined his heart.
The Dream Academy was a precious trial of the Great Li Dynasty for elites; without sincere effort, passing the old Heart-Testing Platform was truly difficult.
He began dedicating himself wholeheartedly to cultivation, banishing all distractions each day. Aside from eating and sleeping, he solely practiced spells and gathered essence.
With fierce self-discipline, he fortified his resolve. Sometimes, even during meals he imposed restraint.
He would deliberately place a bowl of delicious food before himself when starving, yet stubbornly refrain from eating until the prescribed time had passed.
He did not seek to suppress desire entirely but aimed to train the body to delay gratification.
………
Finally, on a certain night,
Dream Academy, Heart-Testing Platform.
“Master…”
The woman by the bath turned around, her posture supremely charming as she nestled into Zhao Xing’s embrace.
But Zhao Xing made no movement.
“Master, does the fragrant medicinal bath please you?” the beauty whispered softly in his ear, as if murmuring.
Zhao Xing remained lucid this time, reflecting on past failures, and sincerely praised, “Indeed, it is comfortable.”
“Then why do you remain unmoved? Have I done something wrong?” The beauty lifted her head, eyes glistening with sorrowful vulnerability.
“I still have desires,” Zhao Xing shrugged, then pushed the woman away. “But my ambitions are loftier.”
“If I am to indulge, it must be in the finest pleasures, and this trial of lust is not yet the best.”
The illusion shattered amid the woman’s surprised expression.
………
Next, Zhao Xing ascended ten steps in one breath.
Before him appeared various beauties, employing every seductive trick.
Yet Zhao Xing swiftly broke free each time. After enduring disciplined resistance, he regained the sensation of being a master player from his past life, no longer influenced by this body’s limitations.
A false illusion was one thing—sampling it was acceptable—but true addiction was out of the question.
“Disciple Zhao Xing, you have successfully passed the Heart-Test of Lust.”
“At the initial stage of Essence Gathering, you have passed the first level of the Heart-Test. Your resolve is steadfast. Reward: ‘Dao Embryo Pill.’”
A voice sounded in his ear, and from the mist floated an ancient box.
“Dao Embryo Pill? Such a treasure rewarded for just the first level?”
Zhao Xing’s composed expression immediately faltered at the mention of the reward.
He did not even attempt the eleventh step and instead chose to awaken voluntarily.
………
Suddenly sitting up, Zhao Xing immediately looked down.
In his left hand was the ancient box, exactly as it had appeared in the dream.
……
“Dao Embryo Pill—before the resurrection version, it was the finest pill for refinement, unmatched!” Zhao Xing was ecstatic.
He had never taken one in his past life; making one himself was too costly, and buying one was out of the question—too expensive!
By the time he could afford it, there would be no need for it.
“Is this real?”
Zhao Xing could hardly believe it, still suspecting he was dreaming. He rubbed his eyes repeatedly until he checked the panel records to confirm.
[You have entered the secret realm ‘Dream Academy of the Great Li’]
[You have entered the ‘Heart-Testing Platform’ trial.]
[Heart test successful; you have obtained the ‘Dao Embryo Pill.’]
[Dao Embryo Pill: A royal treasure of the ancient Great Li dynasty, capable of complete transformation and rebuilding one’s Dao foundation.]
“The Heart-Testing Platform rewards such an extraordinary treasure?”
Zhao Xing quickly surmised the reason: “Because my realm is too low, yet I managed to pass ten stages of the Heart-Test, so the reward level was greatly elevated?”
The rewards in the Dream Academy were not fixed but based on personal performance.
For Zhao Xing to pass ten stages at the Essence Gathering realm (Li Dynasty cultivation system) was extremely rare. Time spent did not matter—a second-stage Essence Gatherer taking a hundred years to pass would still be impressive—hence the generous reward.
“Let me eat it!”
Zhao Xing eagerly opened the box and swallowed the pale red pill in one gulp.
An intense heat instantly surged through his body, causing him to tremble involuntarily.
But the next moment, the sensation vanished abruptly.
The extraordinary feeling came quickly and left just as fast.
The magic of the Dao Embryo Pill lay in this—it caused no further discomfort after the initial surge, nor did it immediately raise his realm. Instead, it worked gradually, subtly changing his foundation.
Still, the transformation it brought to Zhao Xing was considerable!
This was evident from the panel:
[Name: Zhao Xing]
[Realm: Unranked]
[Fate: Emergent Level 2]
[Spells: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)]
[Vigorous Growth: Primary Level (201/9999)]
[Flowing Clouds: Primary Level (352/9999)]
[Essence Gathering: Stage 2 (142/1000)]
[Complete Transformation and Dao Foundation Rebuilding: Special Status (In Progress), undetectable by those below First Rank.]
“An additional special status—truly worthy of the strongest refinement treasure.”
“Essence Gathering has doubled from Stage 1’s 71 points to Stage 2’s 142 points. Even if it only reveals a slight effect initially, that’s enough for a significant boost at this stage. Fortunately, such improvement isn’t too conspicuous at low levels.”
“Wait, my fate level is now Emergent 2? I’ve never heard of the Dao Embryo Pill increasing fate level before.”