So what if I have a few billion concubines while I'm cultivating immortality?

Yu Qingyi moved with light, graceful steps, her back straight.

She still possessed the demeanor and bearing of an empress.

Inside the Zichen Palace, the furnishings remain unchanged.

Qin Xiao sat on the soft couch, his divine sense detecting Yu Qingyi's arrival, and slowly raised his head.

Before long, their gaze fell on Yu Qingyi, who had just entered the room.

Her pure white dress accentuated her snow-white skin, making her appear as aloof and elegant as a plum blossom under the moonlight.

Her long hair was half-tied up, and the jade hairpin was warm and smooth. She lost some of her imperial majesty and gained more of her feminine gentleness.

"Qin... my husband."

Yu Qingyi called out somewhat reluctantly.

"Um."

Qin Xiao gestured to the seat next to him, "Sit."

Yu Qingyi stepped forward, sat down as instructed, placed her hands on her knees with her fingertips slightly pressing down.

Qin Xiao poured Yu Qingyi a cup of tea and pushed it in front of her: "There's no need to be so nervous. Dual cultivation is the way of cultivation. Our spiritual energy merges, we serve as a mirror for each other, and we jointly comprehend the Great Dao. Just relax your mind."

Yu Qingyi picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and the warm tea soothed the dryness in her throat.

"What are your recent insights?"

Qin Xiao inquired about cultivation.

Mentioning this, Yu Qingyi perked up slightly, temporarily suppressing her shyness, and shared her insights and a few questions.

Qin Xiao listened patiently, occasionally pointing out the key points. With just a few words, he enlightened her, and the obstacles she had previously encountered suddenly became clear.

After a conversation, the atmosphere in the hall became much more relaxed.

After two rounds of tea, Qin Xiao put down his teacup and looked at Yu Qingyi: "Is everything ready?"

Yu Qingyi's heart skipped a beat, and her nerves, which had just relaxed a little, tensed up again. She put down her teacup and slowly nodded.

"Come with me."

Inside the inner hall, the calming incense smoke curled gently.

The flickering candlelight cast the shadows of the two people onto the screen.

"Calm your mind and focus your attention."

Qin Xiao's voice was deep and steady, "Next, I will use my own spiritual power to guide you and help you break through the bottleneck. There may be shocks during the process. Guard your spiritual platform and follow my spiritual power. Do not resist."

"Yes."

Yu Qingyi responded softly, her voice tense.

Qin Xiao said no more...

Time passes little by little.

When Yu Qingyi felt a vast spiritual energy seep into her body, her whole body trembled violently!

"Um……"

Yu Qingyi couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

It is not painful.

It was the fear brought about by the cleansing and resonance of spiritual energy.

Time continued to flow as spiritual energy mingled.

Yu Qingyi's aura rose steadily, and the bottleneck of the sixth level of Qi Refining that had trapped her for so long was now as fragile as paper under the combined force of internal and external forces.

"Now."

Qin Xiao's mind raced.

Guiding Yu Qingyi's spiritual power, along with the pure spiritual power he had infused, he launched a final assault on that invisible barrier.

A deafening roar resounded within Yu Qingyi's body.

Qi Refining Level 7, Broken!

Yu Qingyi's breathing suddenly intensified!

Overwhelmed by joy and awe, she was momentarily dazed.

She raised her head and looked at Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao remained calm, though there were fine beads of sweat on his forehead, and he was quietly watching her.

"How does it feel?"

Qin Xiao spoke, his voice low and deep.

Yu Qingyi's throat was dry: "Qingyi...thank you for Your Majesty's life-saving grace!"

She knew that without Qin Xiao, she might have been trapped in the wrong cultivation method for the rest of her life, wasting her time.

Not to mention such rapid breakthroughs and profound insights.

Qin Xiao smiled slightly: "There's no need for that. Dual cultivation and mutual assistance were originally agreed upon between me and you. Your progress is due to your own talent and comprehension. Your foundation is solid and your realm is initially stable. After returning, you need to cultivate diligently, thoroughly digest and consolidate what you have gained tonight, and observe it every day without slacking off."

……

The next day.

When Yu Qingyi appeared before the other three women, the shock she caused was even greater than that caused by Yu Fengling the day before.

"Your Majesty, what... what are you doing...?"

Yu Fengling leaned closer, her peach blossom eyes wide open.

Mu Ziyan's beautiful eyes widened in amazement as she exclaimed, "Congratulations, Qingyi! Such a transformation overnight!"

Luo Qingluan stared intently at Yu Qingyi and exclaimed, "Congratulations! Your foundation is profound, and your future is limitless."

She knew in her heart that, through this dual cultivation guidance, Yu Qingyi's potential in her Heavenly Spiritual Root had been truly stimulated.

With continued practice, you will surely make rapid progress and leave others far behind.

Strangely, there was little jealousy in his heart; instead, there was a sense of "it should be this way."

His Majesty needs a woman of exceptional talent like this by his side.

Yu Qingyi nodded slightly to the three of them, a rare smile appearing on her usually cold face: "It is all thanks to His Majesty's efforts."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Luo Qingluan and Mu Ziyan, paused, and said softly, "The path of dual cultivation is indeed remarkably effective in stimulating comprehension and talent. My two sisters, you should seize this opportunity in the future."

These words were spoken from the bottom of my heart.

After last night, she finally understood Qin Xiao's good intentions.

The path of cultivation can indeed change one's destiny!

May you enjoy a long and blessed life in the future!

Compared to this, mundane matters are insignificant!

Luo Qingluan and Mu Ziyan exchanged a glance and both nodded solemnly.

Just then, a eunuch rushed over and reported to Luo Qingluan: "Your Highness, a procession of carriages has arrived outside the palace gate. The leader claims to be Mu Yunshan from Jinyang Prefecture, and he is escorting a large cauldron. They request to enter the palace for an audience."

Currently, all affairs of the harem are handled by Luo Qingluan.

Normally, even these eunuchs who were sent to report to the emperor would find it difficult to see Qin Xiao.

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingluan looked at Mu Ziyan, her phoenix eyes flashing slightly: "Mu Yunshan? Is he your father, Ziyan?"

Mu Ziyan nodded: "It is indeed my father. His Majesty mentioned before leaving the palace that my father would transport a refining cauldron to the capital, which must be the matter."

"A weapon-refining cauldron?"

Yu Fengling blinked curiously.

"Last night, His Majesty mentioned to me that the refining cauldron is about to arrive, and he wants to refine magical artifacts for us."

After Yu Qingyi finished speaking, she looked at Luo Qingluan and said, "Since it is His Majesty's arrangement and he is also Ziyan's father, he should be invited to the palace immediately."

Luo Qingluan immediately ordered, "Open the palace gates and ask President Mu to wait a moment. Treat him well and do not neglect him. Ziyan and I will arrive shortly."

"yes!"

The eunuch accepted the order and left.

The four women lost interest in chatting and headed towards the Zichen Palace together.

……

at the same time.

Inside a side hall used for reception in the imperial palace.

Mu Yunshan wore a dusty brocade robe, his face showing the weariness of his journey.

But his eyes were unusually bright, even somewhat excited.

Before him, in the center of the hall, stood an object covered with a thick velvet cloth—the very same refining cauldron that had been painstakingly crafted.

Before long, when Luo Qingluan and Mu Ziyan entered, Mu Yunshan was taken aback and quickly stood up to bow: "This humble subject, Mu Yunshan, greets Your Highness, the Noble Consort."

As he spoke, his gaze swept quickly across the room, lingering for a moment on his daughter, Mu Ziyan.

Seeing that she looked radiant, a look of relief flashed in his eyes.

"President Mu, there's no need for such formalities."

Luo Qingluan said gently, "You must be tired from your journey. His Majesty has already given instructions that bringing the refining cauldron into the palace is a major event. Please have a seat, President Mu."

"No, no, it is my honor to serve Your Majesty."

Mu Yunshan waved his hands repeatedly, then looked at the covered cauldron, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement, "Your Majesty, this cauldron is truly extraordinary! During my escort, we encountered a mountain rain, and the raindrops fell on the cauldron without getting wet at all! At night, a faint light emanates from the cauldron, and no beast dares to approach!"