Chu Yanzhi's body stiffened for a moment before quickly returning to normal, her eyes gleaming slightly. Recalling the systems often mentioned in the novels she had read in her past life, she tentatively asked in her mind,
"System?"
"–Ding–, Host, I am your bound System—the Harem Struggle System. I brought you here when your plane crashed, but due to depleted energy, I fell into a deep sleep. It wasn't until you entered the palace that I awakened–"
"You mentioned earlier that I must strive to complete tasks. What tasks? What will I gain upon completion, and what happens if I fail?"
"–Ding– Completing tasks can earn you points and attribute points. Points can be used to purchase items from the Mall, while attribute points can enhance your own attributes. Failure of the main task results in elimination, and the System will perish. Therefore, Host, you and I are bound by life and death. You need not worry that I will harm you–"
Chu Yanzhi showed no outward signs of abnormality, walking gracefully forward in step with the other candidates.
"In that case, what is the main task? And what benefits do you gain?"
"–Ding– The points you spend on purchasing items can be used for my upgrades. The main task—conquer the target character, Emperor Feng Xuanyi, and achieve a Favorability of 100–"
Chu Yanzhi raised an eyebrow, a subtle smile curling at the corner of her lips. So, this was the nature of the Harem Struggle System.
"I understand."
"–Ding– Issuing the first main task: successfully enter the palace. Task completion reward: one hundred points; failure: elimination.
Second main task: attain a rank of Sixth Rank or Above. Task completion reward: three hundred points; failure: deduction of two hundred points."
"Why is failure of the first task elimination, while the second only deducts points?"
"–Ding– Because if you fail the first task, you lose the opportunity to enter the palace and cannot complete the final main task. If you fail the second task, you can still enter the palace with a different rank."
"–Ding– There is a Newbie Gift Pack. Would you like to open it now?"
"Yes."
"–Newbie Gift Pack—includes one hundred points, 5 attribute points, one Favorability Counter, one map, and one Purple Jade Bracelet (when worn, increases the Favorability of those who see the Host)."
At that moment, each candidate was being examined to verify their virginity, check for scars or unusual odors, and ensure their physique was neither too plump nor too thin, nor their height too tall or too short. Those who failed to meet the standards were eliminated.
Observing the candidates who emerged, their faces flushed red, some even with tears in their eyes, none were in good spirits. All wore expressions of humiliation and disgrace.
Chu Yanzhi's gaze deepened slightly. Just then, it was her turn to enter the room for the physical examination. She stepped out of the line and walked gracefully into the room. Upon entering, she saw two matrons. The room was not large, nor was it particularly well-decorated. One matron sat at a table with a brush, recording something with her head lowered. A screen divided the room, and the other matron stood on the other side of the screen, in front of a soft couch.
Recalling the novels and dramas she had seen in her past life, Chu Yanzhi understood the situation. She walked over with light, graceful steps, a smile on her face, and greeted the matron.
"Greetings, Matron," she said, slipping a scented sachet into the matron's hand.
The examining matron's smile deepened, her expression gentle. These were potential mistresses who might enter the palace, so she naturally would not be too harsh. "Please undress, Mistress, and lie down on the couch."
In her previous life, she had even swum in the ocean wearing a bikini, so this trivial matter was nothing in Chu Yanzhi's eyes. She took off her clothes and lay down.
Soon, "The young lady's body shows no imperfections. Please put your clothes back on," the matron said, looking at Chu Yanzhi with surprise before turning to speak with another matron and recording something.
Chu Yanzhi dressed and followed the matron out. With the matron's announcement of "Passed," she joined the line on the side.
The preliminary selection concluded quickly. Out of over a thousand candidates, only a little over three hundred remained—nearly three-quarters had been eliminated.