Enduring

[Option One: Get up immediately to avoid danger. Mission Reward: Immortal Beast Azure Ox.]

[Option Two: Continue feigning sleep, without any reaction. Mission Reward: Beginner Puppet Dao Arts.]

Seeing the two options above, Di Xin, who was already very familiar with the System's rules, immediately chose to lie flat.

No matter what danger appeared, he would just pretend to be asleep.

To avoid appearing unconvincing, he deliberately turned over naturally, keeping his breathing steady and his airflow smooth, his chest and abdomen rising and falling rhythmically.

Three seconds, just three seconds, he only felt a gust of wind blow past, a very distinct sensation.

Then everything became quiet, as if it were just a gust of wind.

After thoroughly studying the Immortal Yuan Records, Di Xin had a deep understanding of Divine Sense. Moreover, he believed that by relying on his own bodily sensations and comparing them with the Immortal Yuan Records, he could also release Divine Sense on a small scale, even if only for a distance of one or two meters.

Even if he closed his eyes, he could sense the situation within this range.

However, he dared not do so. Even after learning how to use Divine Sense, he hadn't even tested it.

The surroundings were completely silent, seemingly no different from before.

Di Xin did not let his guard down. Before the reward for Option Two was credited, it was enough to show that this option mission was not yet over.

Not being over meant that the danger still existed.

Why would the System give this option?

It was definitely not that someone was going to kill him, but rather to test him.

Di Xin's mind raced. It was absolutely impossible for someone to be watching him while another person ran off to cause trouble with Daji.

After a full dozens of breaths of silence, Di Xin, who was pretending to sleep, suddenly heard the faint sound of a sharp weapon being drawn from its sheath, followed by a slight whistling sound accompanied by a chilling coldness that directly assaulted him.

Based on his experience, he could absolutely determine that someone had been standing by the bedside, and that person had just drawn their saber and was chopping at him.

To be honest, for a fleeting moment, Di Xin truly wanted to resist or run away.

If he let the opponent's steel saber chop down, his transmigration journey would come to an end.

This thought flashed by, and he still chose to trust the System.

Although the System could be a bit tricky at times, it was definitely his close comrade and wouldn't lead to his death.

Besides, he knew that even if he wanted to run, he might not be able to.

Therefore, he chose to face the descending saber strike in a sleeping posture.

Fortunately, his gamble paid off.

The sound of the wind stopped abruptly as it approached his neck. Di Xin could even imagine that the sharp blade was only a hair's breadth away from his neck.

Then it remained there.

Di Xin tried his best to keep his breathing steady, not allowing any emotional fluctuations.

The surroundings were still silent.

He was unsure if the other party was still there, and the System's reward hadn't been credited yet. He dared not act rashly.

This feeling was agonizing.

Time ticked by, and nothing in the surroundings changed. There was still no sound.

After a while longer, Di Xin actually fell asleep.

He slept until he woke up naturally before opening his eyes.

At this moment, the bedroom was empty except for himself.

The instant he opened his eyes, a line of text suddenly appeared before him: [Host's choice is completely correct. Option mission complete. Reward: Beginner Puppet Dao Arts.]

Instantly, Di Xin felt a large amount of information surge into his mind.

The cautious Di Xin did not examine this information immediately. Instead, as usual, he changed and washed his face with the help of the eunuchs, and then went to the main hall to have breakfast with Daji.

Based on his guess, the other party had likely observed him all night yesterday and only withdrew their Divine Sense when he woke up.

Indeed, it was a close call!

By now, Di Xin could confirm that the other party had definitely come to test whether he possessed Magic Power.

If he had gotten up to respond when sensing danger, he would have likely exposed his possession of Magic Power, and the subsequent events would have been beyond his control.

Now, he urgently needed a master, not to truly learn cultivation, but to provide a reasonable explanation for his possession of Magic Power.

Recalling Wen Zhong to the capital was for this very purpose.

However, it would take quite some time for Grand Tutor Wen to return to Chaoge. These coming days would be difficult, and he would have to be cautious in everything he did, possibly facing tests at any moment.

After breakfast, Di Xin, in front of Daji, consumed a large number of tonics. After they fooled around for a while, he went out for a stroll.

His main purpose was to find a quiet environment to study the Beginner Puppet Dao Arts newly rewarded by the System.

In a dense forest mountain about ten miles outside Chaoge City.

Zhao Gongming stood under an acacia tree, looking in the direction of Chaoge with a grim expression.

Clearly, he was in a foul mood.

At this moment, from different directions behind them, three streams of light flew towards them one after another. The lights landed, revealing the figures of the Three Ladies of the Auspicious Clouds.

Zhao Gongming looked at the three of them. He saw the Three Ladies exchange glances and shake their heads.

"My three sisters, please speak one by one!"

Zhao Gongming's expression turned even uglier, but he still spoke first.

Lady Yunxiao said, "That palace maid is not a problem. She's an ordinary mortal, and she does have a questionable relationship with King Zhou. The others present at the time were also investigated one by one, and they were all confirmed to be mortals."

Zhao Gongming nodded silently and looked at Lady Bixiao and Lady Qiongxiao.

Lady Bixiao said, "My sister and I verified the identities of those two female Daoist friends. They are indeed disciples of Goddess Nuwa. According to them, they also had magic treasures stolen, so they came to Chaoge to search. But this matter is very strange. If that were the case, they should have told us the truth long ago and wouldn't have kept it hidden. Based on my sister and my judgment, the ones who lost treasures were likely Goddess Nuwa, which is why they were so secretive."

Zhao Gongming nodded upon hearing this, "Logically speaking, if they stole the treasures, it would mean they had the ability to steal from afar. There would be no need for them to remain in Chaoge after succeeding and wait for us to arrive. Their suspicion is minimal."

Lady Yunxiao pondered, "What's the situation on Big Brother's end?"

Zhao Gongming shook his head, "Last night, I sent Yellow Turban Warriors to infiltrate the Royal Palace to test King Zhou. I didn't find any cultivation in him, so his suspicion is also not high, but we can't completely rule him out. The Yellow Turban Warriors threatened his life. He didn't react at all. If the Yellow Turban Warriors had truly killed him, he would already be dead. If he truly possessed Magic Power, it would be too incredible, to be able to hide it to this extent."

"It has been confirmed that King Zhou indeed left the Royal Palace because of Gun Juan. The reason he fell out with that palace maid was because Gun Juan cursed that incompetent ruler within the Soul Origin Golden Dou, which angered him. There are no flaws in this matter."

Lady Yunxiao added.

"None of these people are suspects, but who could it be? When Yang Jian burned the Sky-Howling Dog's essence blood, everyone within ten feet was investigated, yet there's no clue? Unless his method is flawed," Zhao Gongming grew even more perplexed.

Lady Yunxiao decisively shook her head, "Big Brother worries too much. I know a little about this method. The image formed by refining the essence blood is confirmed to be the Sky-Howling Dog. The essence blood is not wrong, and the image is solid, indicating the Sky-Howling Dog is nearby."