Complete transformation

In the side courtyard, Gao Yuan was devouring food ravenously. Only one word occupied his mind: "hungry."

It was a hunger he had never experienced before, as if he hadn't eaten for ten days or a fortnight.

The most terrifying part was that no matter how much he ate, it was instantly digested and converted into energy.

By the time Zhao Xiyao and Mu Qing entered, Gao Yuan had reached a state of self-forgetfulness, with eyes only for food and drink.

Seeing him like this, both women were stunned.

A while later, Zheng Wan and Song Yao, having heard the news, arrived with Gao Fu as well.

“How much has he eaten?”

“Eight chickens, seven catties of rice, and two catties of wild vegetables.”

The amount truly startled the three newcomers. Zheng Wan wanted to step forward to stop Gao Yuan, but she was held back by Gao Fu.

“Please forgive me, Young Mistress. This old servant believes the Third Young Master must be using some kind of secret technique; it must not be interrupted right now.”

“Is that true?”

“It should be.”

In truth, how could Gao Fu know anything? It was pure fabrication. However, seeing Gao Yuan's state—where he seemed normal aside from being exceptionally hungry—he stopped Zheng Wan.

Thus, the group watched Gao Yuan eat for a full hour, until even the maidservants were nearly exhausted from serving him.

After swallowing the last gulp of chicken soup, Gao Yuan finally let out a satisfied burp and patted his stomach.

Before he could even react, a system notification appeared:

“The first stage of the Essence Blood Strengthening Card has ended. Beginning the second stage...”

Sharp pain shot through every bone, every muscle, and every inch of Gao Yuan's skin!

After the system notification, there wasn't even time to react, let alone an opportunity to cry out.

Gao Yuan collapsed directly onto the bed, twitching with white froth at the corners of his mouth and letting out indescribable low growls... The crowd was terrified and rushed forward to check on him, fearing the fellow had eaten so much he'd burst.

Just as everyone was in a frantic state of confusion, a sudden burst of snoring was heard.

Everyone froze. When the sound of him smacking his lips like a baby followed, they finally confirmed that this fellow had fallen asleep.

“To think we were so worried, and this guy actually fell asleep.”

“Uncle Fu, this glutton sleeps as soon as he's full. What kind of secret technique is this?”

Uncle Fu was also covered in cold sweat and stammered,

“This... this old servant does not know either!”

Zhao Xiyao broke into a cold sweat and grumbled inwardly for a good while,

“It’s a good thing he’s fine. If word got out that Princess Roujia's consort died from overeating, how could I ever show my face again?”

“Uncle Fu, take some men to clean Xiao Yuan's body, then move him to the bed.”

After giving the order, the women left together.

Gao Yuan had no idea what the four women discussed while he was in his deep slumber.

Regardless, after that conversation, Zhao Xiyao and Mu Qing lost their desire to demand an explanation.

The night passed in silence... The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, Gao Yuan finally woke up. His sleep quality had never been so good.

He felt truly refreshed after that sleep. Stretching his limbs, Gao Yuan couldn't wait to open the system panel to check his attributes.

“Host: Gao Yuan. Character Attributes: Feminine Appearance with Masculine Soul, Ruthless and Merciless. Comprehensive Evaluation: C;”

“Strength C+, Agility C+, Endurance C+, Horsemanship D, Intelligence B+, Command F, Internal Affairs F, Charisma A+;”

“Martial Arts: Saber Technique D, Spear Technique F;”

“Skills: None;”

“Items: S-Rank Random Warlord Experience Card x1, One-time Random Soldier Martial Soul Card x1000.”

He was finally no longer F-rank trash. His Strength and Agility had jumped to a near-good level in one go, and Gao Yuan noticed his character attributes had changed.

What delighted him most was that his highest attribute, Charisma, had increased.

Gao Yuan excitedly lifted his nightgown, but... it was still just one solid block of abdominal muscle. If he sucked in his breath hard, he could barely see a hint of an outline.

The road ahead is long and difficult!

The significant improvement brought by the Essence Blood Strengthening Card soon showed its effects.

During today's martial arts training, Gao Yuan doubled his training volume without feeling exhausted.

He ran nearly ten li in one breath, and the time he could hold a horse stance also doubled.

This feeling was fantastic!

Of course, there were side effects. Gao Yuan found that his appetite had more than doubled.

In the past, his breakfast consisted of two bowls of rice, a quarter of a chicken, a bowl of chicken soup, and a plate of wild greens.

For breakfast today, he ate three full bowls of rice, a whole chicken, and drank every last drop of the chicken soup.

Looking at his skyrocketing appetite, Gao Yuan felt a sense of urgency.

“It seems I must expand my territory and grow my strength as soon as possible, otherwise I won't even be able to afford to eat.”

Having eaten his fill and groomed himself, Gao Yuan decided to visit Zhao Xiyao first.

If he wanted to smoothly take over Mu Sheng's troops, Zhao Xiyao's attitude was crucial.

He couldn't give Mu Sheng what he wanted; only Zhao Xiyao could.

To Gao Yuan's surprise, the four women were actually gathered together today, chatting.

This scene made Gao Yuan quite excited; it seemed there was hope for domestic harmony in the future!

Even though she was his wife, Zhao Xiyao was a Princess—the sovereign—while he, as a County Duke, was merely a subject.

Moreover, since he was asking for a favor, he had to observe the proper etiquette.

Gao Yuan stood outside the door and bowed toward the interior, saying loudly,

“Your subject, Gao Yuan, the duke of anle county, requests an audience with Her Highness the Princess.”

Zhao Xiyao gave Gao Yuan an annoyed look.

“What's the point of these rules now? Just come in.”

Gao Yuan immediately took the opening and walked in boldly, pulling over a small table and plopping down between Zheng Wan and Song Yao.

The women couldn't help but glare at him together and instinctively moved a bit further away from him.

“Consort, yesterday you...”

Gao Yuan knew these women would ask about yesterday's events, and he had already prepared an excuse.

“Oh, my father once left me a secret technique that can stimulate one's physical potential for a short time.”

Zheng Wan's immediate concern was for Gao Yuan.

“Are... are there any drawbacks?”

“Don't worry, aside from becoming a glutton, there are basically no drawbacks.”

At the mention of being a glutton, the scene of Gao Yuan stuffing his face yesterday flashed before the women's eyes, causing them to shudder.

Gao Yuan quickly added,

“Yesterday was just to make up for previous deficiencies. In the future, I'll at most eat as much as Bang Jie.”

Hearing this explanation, the women breathed a sigh of relief.

After a moment of silence, Song Yao spoke up and asked the question everyone was most concerned about,

“Xiao Yuan, what are your plans next?”

Gao Yuan didn't want to hide anything from Zhao Xiyao, Zheng Wan, or Song Yao.

As for Mu Qing, Gao Yuan also wanted to use her to convey his thoughts to Mu Sheng.

“Train the troops and horses, take over Menge, and then seek further growth.”

Zhao Xiyao suddenly realized something and asked with a trembling voice,

“You... you want to rebel?”

“Rebel? Would I have to be crazy to want to rebel?”

“Then why do you want to grow your strength?”

“My Princess, do you know the situation around Menge and West City?”

Everyone instinctively turned their gaze toward Mu Qing. Compared to the other three women, Mu Qing, as the only daughter of the West City Local Chieftain, clearly understood the regional situation better.

Seeing everyone looking at her, Mu Qing organized her thoughts slightly and began to explain,

“West City and Menge are the primary barriers of the Da Qian Southwest. One could say we are surrounded by enemies on all sides:”

“To the west is Toungoo, the strongest nation in this generation. To the south are Lan Xang and Lan Na. To the east are the various Local Chieftains of Qian Prefecture;”

“The north poses the greatest threat—Western Kang. If my father hadn't united the tribes to hold the strategic passes all these years, Western Kang would have moved south long ago.”

After this introduction, the women understood that if they didn't develop their strength, they would eventually become—