Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

The day passed quickly, and it was time for the exciting sign-in process again.

Zhu Gaoxi leaned against the cloud bed in his sleeping quarters, closed his eyes to rest, and waited for that familiar notification sound to ring in his mind.

[Ding! It's time to check in for tomorrow. Do you wish to claim today's special ability?]

"receive."

[Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations, host, you have acquired a new supernatural power—Beast Taming Technique.]

A translucent, pale gold panel surfaced deep within my consciousness.

Host: Zhu Gaoxi

Age: 18 (adjustable)

Number of check-in days: 12

Acquired supernatural powers: Power of Creation, Immortal Body, Sword Control, Culinary Skills, Divine Craftsmanship, Rat Talisman Power, Light of Time, Myriad Heavenly Book, Somersault Cloud, Gourd Heaven, Monkey Talisman Power, Beast Taming Technique

Beast Taming Technique

[Supernatural Power Effect: Allows the user to command all beasts, establish a spiritual connection with birds and beasts, and make them obey commands. There is a certain probability of activating the target's ancient bloodline, causing it to evolve or mutate.]

Zhu Gaoxi's eyes lit up slightly after scanning the information on the panel.

Yesterday he was still pondering that the ferocious beasts conjured by the monkey talisman couldn't keep up with the mind, and he would have to wait until he signed in for a supernatural power that could control beasts before he could build a beast army.

As a result, the Beast Taming Technique arrived today, which allows one to control all beasts and activate one's bloodline.

This was too much of a coincidence; it was so coincidental that it gave him the creeps.

Could he really be a disciple of the Dao Ancestor? No, he's just a time traveler. If time travel has happened, anything is possible.

But the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He had a feeling that an invisible hand was controlling the trajectory of his life, and whatever he lacked, he would sign for the next day.

Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. If I keep thinking about it, I'll have insomnia. Just kidding, I'm not sleepy at all.

He turned his attention back to the supernatural power itself.

Beast Taming consists of two parts: Control and Activation.

"Control" is easy to understand; it's about establishing a spiritual connection to make wild beasts obey. But what's interesting is activating their bloodlines.

This kind of setting has appeared in novels I've read before: tigers have white tiger blood in their bodies, and birds have genes from ancient dinosaurs.

If you use a monkey talisman to turn an ant into a tiger, and then use beast taming techniques to activate the bloodline of this "tiger," what will be activated? The bloodline of a white tiger, or the bloodline of an ant?

He scrolled through the system's detailed description in his mind, and his brows slowly furrowed.

As expected, the tiger conjured by the monkey talisman was not a real tiger in essence. Its physical body was that of a tiger, but its bloodline, genes, and soul were all those of that ant.

The Beast Taming Technique activates the ancient bloodline that actually exists within the target's body. It doesn't activate whatever the ant looks like, unless the ant itself has some special bloodline, such as being a descendant of a horned ant. But the ants in this world are just ordinary ants, and you can't find any divine beast bloodline even if you search through their ancestors for eighteen generations.

However, on the other hand, he himself wanted the divine beast bloodline for his own use, so of course he had to make a grand display.

But for ordinary people, there's no need to be so particular. Although the beasts conjured by the monkey talisman have ant blood, their bodies are real tigers, leopards, and black bears. These beasts' fighting power is more than enough for ordinary people.

Thinking of this, another idea suddenly popped into his mind.

In Jackie Chan Adventures, the power of talismans can be integrated into the bodies of animals. So, if different talisman powers are placed into different ferocious beasts and then controlled using beast taming techniques, wouldn't that create a zodiac divine weapon? However, the system responded that it's not possible for the time being.

On the first day of the new year, Zhu Gaoxi had breakfast and then returned to his palace to change his clothes.

Today I'm going to the military camp. The pale white dress I usually wear at home is too casual and not suitable for the occasion before going to war.

He changed into a dark blue riding and archery uniform, his movements were swift and awe-inspiring, and his deep, dignified appearance commanded the scene.

The fabric is brocade with gold woven pattern, the subtle patterns flowing under the light, a jade gourd hanging on the side, and an inky black cloud-shaped cloak over it. Although it is summer, the brocade is light and breathable, and the cloak flutters slightly when walking.

After changing their clothes, Xu Jingchang, Yang Ji, and Jian Fang had already arrived. According to custom, they had been waiting in the main hall since dawn.

The three of them looked up and were stunned when they saw his outfit.

Xu Jingchang looked him up and down and asked, "Where is Your Highness headed today, dressed like this?"

Zhu Gaoxi got straight to the point: "After court adjourns, let's go to the palace to find Father. My second brother and the others should be in the palace today too."

After all, the expedition is tomorrow, and even if the King of Han is careless, he would not dare to miss today's morning court session.

Yang Ji and Jian Fang were completely confused. Xu Jingchang tentatively asked, "Cousin, is going to the palace to see His Majesty related to the expedition?"

Zhu Gaoxi casually replied, "It's something important. You'll find out when we get there."

After sitting for a while, Zhu Gaoxi spread his spiritual power and swept it towards the palace. Outside the Fengtian Hall, a group of officials filed out, and Zhu Di was being escorted by Zhang Fu and several military generals towards the rear hall.

He stood up, raised his hand, and lightning flew out of the gourd, hovering at his feet.

Xu Jingchang and his companions dared not be negligent, and each summoned their own somersault clouds. Several white clouds rose from above the Prince Rui's residence, swept across the streets and alleys of Yingtian Prefecture, and flew towards the palace.

Upon arriving at the palace, Huang Yan saw several white clouds drifting by in the distance and quickly ran inside to report.

Zhu Di was discussing matters in the rear hall with Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui, Zhang Fu, and several civil and military officials related to the expedition when he heard Huang Yan say, "His Highness Prince Rui has arrived with his officials."

Zhu Di put down the map in his hand and pondered, "The fourth prince is here at this time, probably to discuss tomorrow's expedition."

Upon hearing that his fourth brother had arrived, Zhu Gaoxu immediately sat up straight, his eyes fixed on the entrance of the palace.

Zhu Gaoxi strode into the hall, his black robes making him appear exceptionally heroic, followed by Xu Jingchang and two subordinate officials.

Everyone rose to pay their respects. Zhu Gaoxi first bowed to Zhu Di, then glanced around the hall. The Crown Prince, the Prince of Han, and the Prince of Zhao were all there, as were several military generals, including Zhang Fu, Zheng Heng, and Xue Lu, all of whom were directly involved in the expedition to Annam.

Zhu Di gestured for him to sit down and asked, "Fourth Prince, what brings you here at this hour?"

Zhu Gaoxi didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his plan: "Father, I have come today to discuss something with you. I want to select a group of elite soldiers from the army to form a beast-riding legion. They will fight on tigers, leopards, and black bears."

The hall fell silent for a moment after these words were spoken.

Zhang Fu was the first to stand up, his voice trembling. This Duke of Ying, who usually remained unfazed even in the face of a collapsing mountain, now spoke with a trembling voice: "Is Your Highness's statement true? If such a legion can truly be formed, our Ming army will be invincible!"

Immediately afterwards, the military officers erupted in chaos.

Zheng Heng bombarded him with questions: "Your Highness, how is this beast legion organized? Is it one person per beast or a small team sharing a ride?"

Xue Lu was even more impatient: "Your Highness, which unit should be given priority for these ferocious beast mounts? This humble general is willing to lead my troops to be the first to test them!"

No sooner had Xue Lu finished speaking than Zheng Heng objected, "You old scoundrel, what do you mean by 'first to try out'? Is that a trial? You just want to be the first to ride the tiger and show off! If you're going to equip them, you should equip the vanguard battalion first."

Xue Lu's thoughts were exposed, and his face flushed red, but he didn't back down, stubbornly retorting, "What's wrong with the vanguard battalion? The vanguard battalion has horses, that's enough! We, the rearguard battalion, guard the supply lines every day, and we need fierce beasts to keep watch!"

"Besides, His Highness the Prince of Han hasn't spoken yet, so how dare you make decisions for the vanguard battalion?" The two argued more and more heatedly, and several military officers nearby joined in the commotion. In an instant, the hall was filled with arguments between the "vanguard battalion," the "rear guard battalion," the "left wing," and the "right wing."

It wasn't until Zhu Di solemnly said "Silence" that everyone barely managed to suppress their excitement and turned to look at the throne.

Zhu Di was taken aback at first, then his gaze fixed on Zhu Gaoxi, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "A beast army? Fourth Prince, where did these beasts come from? Should I send men to hunt them in the mountains?"

Zhu Gaoxu, listening nearby, had his eyes light up and jumped up: "Fourth brother, you want wild beasts? Tell me what you want! Tigers or leopards? Make a list, and your second brother will take men to the mountains to catch them for you! Live! As many as you want!"

Several military officers present echoed this sentiment, one saying, "What a sight it would be to charge into battle on a tiger!" and another saying, "I've fought my whole life and never imagined I could ride a leopard into battle." Their voices trembled with excitement.

Zhu Gaoxi waved his hand, signaling his second brother to calm down.

He turned to Zhu Di and explained, "Father, the army needs to find real wild beasts, but those are for my own use. I have another way to provide mounts for the beast corps."

"Didn't I mention yesterday when we were playing mahjong? That monkey talisman's magical power can not only turn ants into cats and dogs, but also into other things. It can turn them into tigers, lions, elephants, anything."

He glanced at Zhu Di, Zhang Fu, and the others, and continued, "Your subject came to the palace this morning specifically for this matter. It just so happens that Father Emperor and Second Brother are both here, as is General Zhang, so we can discuss it together."

"When the Beast Legion goes to war, it serves as the vanguard, capable of both charging into battle and intimidating the enemy. Your Majesty would like to go to the military camp now to select suitable soldiers and assess their condition."

Zhu Di relaxed considerably after hearing this. He slapped his knee to suppress his excitement and simply said, "Alright! Let's go then."

Zhu Di had actually been thinking about the matter of the Beast Legion all along.

When Lao Si told me what he said, his first reaction was excitement, and his second reaction was worry. Where would the wild beasts come from? It would be too late to catch them on the spot. They were going to set off tomorrow. Even if all the hunters went into the mountains, how many could they catch?

But for the sake of the Ming Dynasty's military prestige and to minimize casualties, he originally thought that capturing as many as possible was better than nothing.

Unexpectedly, the fourth brother could conjure it up directly, which made things much more convenient. The other military officers present all thought the same thing and breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhu Gaoxu was so excited he couldn't sit still. He rushed to Zhu Gaoxi's side, grabbed his sleeve, and pulled him outside, saying, "Hurry, hurry! Fourth brother, don't worry, your second brother will definitely find those real beasts for you! But could you perhaps equip your second brother's vanguard with those beast mounts first?"