Chapter 3: Great Dream Academy

Taizu asked his ministers, "I wish to enlighten the world and make everyone as wise as a dragon. What good suggestions do you have?"

Duke Bi said, "Build a temple, enfeoff the spirit soldiers and generals, reward the virtuous and punish the wicked, and cover all nineteen states."

Taizu frowned slightly.

Duke Zhao said, "Build a grand code, compile thousands of good laws, and spread them throughout the world."

Taizu's expression brightened slightly.

Duke Zhou said, "The common people suffer greatly, working from sunrise to sunset. We should not add to their burdens. Building temples and establishing grand codes should encourage officials, not the common people. The ancient evil cult, the Nightmare Sect, had a code called 'The Great Dream of Spring and Autumn' and a treasure called 'One Dream of Heaven and Earth,' which could instruct its disciples to kill people in their dreams."

"Laws are neither good nor bad. I can adapt their application. All the people of the Zhou Dynasty can be enlightened in their dreams without harming themselves."

Taizu clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "Excellent!"

He then ordered Duke Zhou to interpret the dream and spread it throughout the world.

The above allusions are, of course, fictional. Zhao Xing clearly remembered that the Yunmeng Academy had absolutely nothing to do with Taizu or the founding hero, Duke Zhou.

The ancient Nightmare Sect was not a cult at all, but rather the state religion of Dali, another pre-Zhou dynasty.

The "Da Meng Chunqiu" technique and the treasure "One Dream World" did exist.

The predecessor of the Yunmeng Academy was called the "Da Meng Academy."

It was used by the Dali Dynasty to provide "elite education" and recruit talented individuals, and it could indeed be used to kill people in dreams.

After the fall of Dali, it passed through several dynasties until the Great Zhou Dynasty acquired the treasure.

The Zhou Emperor attempted to decipher it and use it for his own benefit, but failed.

It wasn't until the reign of Emperor Wu that the treasure, "One Dream World," was deciphered and transformed into the "Yunmeng Academy" under his hands.

At the same time, this allusion arose.

So why did Emperor Wu attribute the credit to Taizu? Because this treasure wasn't "cracked" by him at all, but rather by a minister who stumbled upon the method from an ancient text.

Simply by using the simplest [Soul-Calming Talisman] and [Guiding Talisman], along with a single sentence, one could enter.

And their efficacy had already been fully developed by the Dali, allowing them to be easily modified and used.

After years of unsuccessfully searching for a way to crack the treasure, Zhao Xing finally found a method, only to discover it was shockingly simple!

In addition, ancient emperors had already accomplished everything they set out to do, leaving only the need for large-scale implementation and simplification.

The arrogant Emperor Wu felt humiliated, as if he saw the Dali emperors mocking his incompetence. He certainly wouldn't covet this "great achievement" or "merit" that would be considered a universal virtue.

It wouldn't be appropriate to attribute the credit to the previous dynasties, so he simply pushed it all the way and placed the blame on Taizu.

The Soul-Calming Talisman and Guiding Talisman glowed faintly, and a strong sense of sleepiness overtook Zhao Xing. His eyelids felt heavy, and soon he began to snore softly. In the dream, Zhao Xing suddenly stood up and looked up.

Endless clouds enveloped the surroundings, too dense to see clearly.

Only a gatehouse, several dozen feet tall, appeared before him.

Engraved upon it were four characters in ancient Chinese script: Dameng Academy.

"Did I really get in?"

Zhao Xing's first instinct was to check the control panel, but he couldn't see anything. So, he had really gotten in.

His second instinct was:

"I've struck it rich!"

"The Yunmeng Academy dungeon from the early version—oh no, it's still called Dameng Academy! It's a completely untapped gold mine!"

"Compared to the later version, when the Martial Emperor emptied its treasures and it became a daily player dungeon, it's completely incomparable!"

Zhao Xing was a little excited.

In his previous life, he hadn't had a good time, but now things were different. Gathering his thoughts and recalling some precautions, Zhao Xing stepped into the mist-shrouded portal.

With one step, the scene suddenly changed.

Before him appeared a series of magnificent palaces, enveloped in semicircular light.

[Reincarnation Hall], [Platform of Inquiry], [Tower of the God of War], [Secret Treasure of Magic], [Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets], [Palace of the Holy Beast], [Palace of Fate]…

Pavilions, towers, palaces, corridors, and overpasses, arranged in a staggered pattern, like layers of mountains, shrouded in mist, it felt like a fairyland.

Zhao Xing's eyes were dazzled, and his mouth was watering.

In the 'background story' compiled by players in their previous life, it was the Martial Emperor who gained the confidence to conquer the Eight Desolations by gaining access to the treasure trove accumulated by Dali.

Now, these treasures were laid out before Zhao Xing, one by one. But before he could examine them closely, most of the palaces disappeared into the clouds.

Only a few small attics remained.

"Huh? What's going on?" Zhao Xing was stunned. "Why did it disappear?"

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He quickly chased in the direction where a palace had vanished. After only a few dozen meters, he was blocked by a gentle force, making it difficult to move forward.

After several attempts, the same thing happened. Zhao Xing stood there, frowning and pondering for a long time before realizing it.

This is the Dameng Academy, not the Yunmeng Academy.

"The Da Li Da Meng Academy specializes in cultivating geniuses, while the Da Zhou Yun Meng Academy teaches everyone, regardless of aptitude."

"The former not only allows students to learn advanced secret techniques, but also brings back valuable physical rewards, each of which is a precious treasure. However, there are entry barriers and challenging challenges."

"The latter focuses on mid- and low-level secret manuals, with very few physical rewards. However, there are no entry barriers; even young children can explore the academy, and there are no challenges."

After figuring it out, Zhao Xing could only helplessly watch as treasures disappeared into the clouds.

Now he didn't have to search for them himself.

As soon as he moved, a mechanism was triggered, and the only place left was where he could attempt to claim his reward.

"Let's see what's left. There's no need to rush. It's still at least a few hundred years before the Emperor empties the treasury." Zhao Xing's mind relaxed immediately. He had plenty of time to slowly empty the place. After a moment's wait, the myriad palaces and towers vanished, leaving only a platform floating in the sky.

Clouds swirled, and a staircase spiraled from the platform to Zhao Xing's feet.

"The Platform of Inquiry?"

"It seems my level is too low. I'm not qualified to touch anything else. Only this Platform of Inquiry, which has nothing to do with my cultivation level, has a chance of passing and winning a prize."

The Platform of Inquiry's tests primarily explore the seven emotions and six desires, with scenarios tailored to each individual.

It also has certain rules: it creates the things one desires or fears most at the moment.

Looking at the Platform of Inquiry, Zhao Xing seemed to recall some unpleasant memories.

"It won't be something terrifying coming up, will it?"

He took a deep breath and cautiously stepped onto the first step.

"Hum!"

The surrounding scene suddenly shifted, and Zhao Xing suddenly caught a whiff of a refreshing fragrance.

The water rippled, flower petals floated on the surface, steam rose, and a beautiful woman lay over a bucket. A half-hidden butt, bare back, shoulders, and sleek hair...

"What? Lust?"

"Are you mistaken, Wenxintai? What I desire most right now is not such vulgar pleasures?!"

(End of Chapter)