Before Zhao Xing could react, he unknowingly entered a dream realm.
"Master..."
The beauty in the bathing tub leaned closer, making him forget everything, her delicate and enchanting figure captivating him entirely, leaving only the primal, frenzied desires to dominate his mind.
It wasn't until his physical strength was exhausted that he lay down on the bed, heavily asleep, with the beauty's support.
When Zhao Xing awoke again, the yellow paper on his forehead had dried up, drifting to the side.
The Guiding Talisman on his abdomen was already soaked with sweat.
"Mm, what a comfortable dream..."
Zhao Xing held his head and sat up, remaining still for a long while before recalling what had happened.
"What? Failed?"
"!!"
However, the aftertaste of the dream lingered, and several reminders appeared on the panel:
[You have entered the secret realm 'Grand Dream Academy']
[You have entered the 'Heart Inquiry Platform' trial.]
[Heart Inquiry failed, you gained nothing from this challenge.]
Zhao Xing closed the panel, muttering:
"It must be that this body is too young, at the age of abundant vitality, or perhaps the old version of the Heart Inquiry Platform is too powerful... that's why I entered the treasure mountain and returned empty-handed."
"It’s fine, I’ll fight again next time, and I will definitely succeed!"
After comforting himself, Zhao Xing noticed that dawn was breaking, so he quickly dressed and went out to begin his work and cultivation for the day.
The second night.
Grand Dream Academy.
"Mm, what a comfortable dream... Huh? Failed again?"
The third night.
Grand Dream Academy.
"What a strong power, it actually makes one unable to resist sinking in. I will definitely pass next time!"
This cycle continued for half a month, with Zhao Xing stuck at the Heart Inquiry trial.
Even Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong found it strange:
"Why does brother always look so listless lately?"
"Could it be that he secretly went out to have fun without us?"
"Ziyu, how can you think that of brother? He must be practicing day and night, which is why he seems a bit tired."
"…You all stop talking."
Zhao Xing felt a bit melancholic; the old version of the Heart Inquiry Platform was too powerful, and coupled with the intense desires of his youthful body, he found it difficult to pass.
Reflecting on his situation, Zhao Xing re-examined his inner self.
The Grand Dream Academy was a treasure for testing elites of the Great Li Dynasty, and without putting in some effort, it was indeed difficult to pass the old version of the Heart Inquiry Platform.
He began to devote himself wholeheartedly to cultivation, eliminating all distractions each day, focusing solely on eating, sleeping, and practicing spells, as well as gathering essence.
With a crazy level of self-discipline, he solidified his resolve, sometimes even regulating his meals.
He would deliberately place a bowl of delicious food in front of himself when he was very hungry but would force himself to refrain from eating until the designated time.
He did not intend to eliminate desires but aimed to achieve a goal with his body: to delay the satisfaction of desires.
Finally, on a certain night.
Grand Dream Academy, Heart Inquiry Platform.
"Master..."
The woman by the bathing tub turned around,
Her posture incredibly alluring, she nestled into Zhao Xing's embrace.
But Zhao Xing did not move at all.
"Master~ Is the flower bath I prepared comfortable?" The beauty whispered softly in his ear, as if murmuring.
This time, Zhao Xing maintained his clarity, recalling his previous failures, and sincerely praised, "It is indeed comfortable."
"Then why is Master unmoved? Is there something I did not do well?" The beauty raised her head, her eyes glistening, looking pitiful.
"I still have desires," Zhao Xing shrugged, then pushed the woman away: "I just have higher aspirations."
"If I am to play, I will play for the best, and this trial of desires is not yet the best."
The illusion shattered amidst the beauty's somewhat astonished expression.
Next, Zhao Xing ascended ten levels in one breath.
Various beauties appeared before him, teasing him to the fullest extent.
But Zhao Xing quickly shook them off; after experiencing self-discipline, he finally regained the feeling of being a 'high player' in his previous life, no longer influenced by this body's desires.
The false illusion was merely a taste; how could he truly become addicted?
"Scholar Zhao Xing, you have successfully passed the trial of desires."
"With Gathered Essence Initial Level, you have passed the first level of Heart Inquiry, your Dao Heart is firm, and you are rewarded with a Dao Embryo Pill."
A voice rang in his ears, and Zhao Xing noticed an ancient box floating in the mist.
"Dao Embryo Pill? The first level actually rewards such a treasure?"
Zhao Xing's calm expression shattered the moment he heard the reward.
He didn't even attempt to challenge the eleventh level, instead waking up voluntarily.
Suddenly sitting up, Zhao Xing immediately looked down.
He saw that his left hand was holding the ancient box, exactly like in the dream.
"Dao Embryo Pill, this is the most top-tier refining pill that could be obtained before the revival version! There is nothing else like it!" Zhao Xing was overjoyed.
He had never consumed this item in his previous life; making it was too expensive. Buying it from others was also unaffordable, far too costly!
By the time he could afford it, he no longer needed it.
"Is this real?"
Zhao Xing was somewhat incredulous, still thinking he was in a dream, so he hurriedly rubbed his eyes until he checked the panel records to confirm.
[You have entered the secret realm 'Grand Dream Academy']
[You have entered the 'Heart Inquiry Platform' trial.]
[Heart Inquiry successful, you have gained 'Dao Embryo Pill' from this challenge.]
[Dao Embryo Pill: A treasure of the ancient royal family of the Great Li Dynasty, it can help one undergo a transformation and reshape their Dao Foundation.]
"The Heart Inquiry Platform actually rewards such an exaggerated treasure?"
Zhao Xing quickly deduced a reason: "Is it because my realm is too low, yet I was able to pass the ten levels of Heart Inquiry, thus the reward level increased significantly?"
The assessments of the Grand Dream Academy do not have fixed rewards but are determined based on individual performance.
Zhao Xing was able to pass the ten levels of Heart Inquiry at the Gathered Essence realm (Li Dynasty cultivation system), which was extremely rare; this had nothing to do with the time spent, as passing the Gathered Essence Second Level in a hundred years was still impressive, so the Heart Inquiry Platform offered a high reward.
"I'll eat!"
Zhao Xing eagerly opened the box and swallowed the light red pill inside in one bite.
A wave of intense heat instantly washed over his entire body, causing Zhao Xing to tremble slightly.
But the next second, that feeling vanished abruptly.
The abnormal sensation came quickly and left just as fast.
The magic of the Dao Embryo Pill lay in this; aside from the initial unusual sensation, it would not cause any discomfort to the user, nor would it directly enhance their realm, but would gradually and subtly change their foundation.
However, the changes brought to Zhao Xing by the Dao Embryo Pill were still significant!
This could be seen from the panel.
[Name: Zhao Xing]
[Realm: Not Entering Grade]
[Fortune: Yin Er]
[Spell: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)]
[Robust Growth: Initial Level (201/9999)]
[Flowing Clouds: Initial Level (352/9999)]
[Gathered Essence: Second Level (142/1000)]
[Transformation and Reshaping Dao Foundation: Special Status (In Progress), this status cannot be detected by those below First Grade.]
"Added a special status, truly worthy of being the strongest refining treasure."
"Gained 71 points in Gathered Essence from First Level to 142 points in Second Level, directly doubling. Even if it only reveals a bit of effect at the beginning, it is enough for a significant boost at this stage; fortunately, such an enhancement is not too conspicuous during the low-level period."
"Wait, why has my Fortune level also changed to Yin Er? I have never heard of taking the Dao Embryo Pill increasing Fortune levels."
(End of Chapter)