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

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingluan quietly probed the area beneath the velvet cloth with her divine sense.

Sure enough, one could sense a calm and profound spiritual aura.

Although not particularly powerful, it is cohesive and does not dissipate.

It is completely different from ordinary iron objects.

"Thank you for your help, President Mu."

Luo Qingluan said, "His Majesty is currently cultivating and will arrive shortly. Ziyan, why don't you talk to President Mu for a while?"

"Yes, Sister Qingluan."

Mu Ziyan agreed and walked to her father's side.

About half an hour later, Qin Xiao appeared at the entrance of the side hall.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Everyone in the hall quickly bowed in respect.

Qin Xiao glanced over and first nodded slightly to Mu Yunshan: "President Mu, thank you for your hard work."

"Serving His Majesty is no hardship!"

Mu Yunshan said excitedly.

Qin Xiao walked to the covered refining cauldron, waved his hand, and the thick velvet cloth moved without wind, sliding to the ground.

Mu Yunshan was dumbfounded.

He wondered if His Majesty was a ninth-level martial artist.

"good."

A hint of satisfaction appeared in Qin Xiao's eyes. "From this day forward, this cauldron will be placed in the rear hall of the Zichen Palace. President Mu has made a meritorious contribution in transporting it, and will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold, a hundred jars of imperial wine, and a certain amount of silk and satin. At that time, I will confer the title of Imperial Concubine on Zi Yan, and President Mu will become the Emperor's father-in-law."

Mu Yunshan was overjoyed and moved to tears, repeatedly bowing in gratitude: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

"President Mu, bring all your craftsmen to the capital with you then."

Qin Xiao said calmly, "Your Highness Zi Yan has some spirit ore, which I'll entrust to you for mining and regular transport to the capital. We should also make a few more of these refining cauldrons, just in case!"

Mu Yunshan respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Qingluan, arrange for the cauldron to be moved to the rear hall, and a quiet room be set aside. No one is allowed to approach it without my permission."

Qin Xiao then spoke to Luo Qingluan.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Luo Qingluan agreed.

……

Outside the Zichen Palace in the inner palace.

After Qin Xiao returned, he immediately summoned Yu Qingyi and the other three women.

"The refining cauldron has arrived, and I will soon begin refining the weapon."

Qin Xiao slowly said, "Once I have completed the first batch of magical artifacts, I will distribute them to you according to your respective attributes and cultivation levels."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The four women responded in unison, their eyes filled with anticipation.

They had all heard Qin Xiao talk about magical artifacts; those were truly items used by cultivators!

With everything arranged, Qin Xiao dismissed everyone, leaving only Luo Qingluan to assist with the placement of the refining cauldron.

Mu Ziyan accompanied her father to the guest house that had been arranged for them to rest, and the father and daughter had a lot to talk about.

Yu Qingyi and Yu Fengling left together.

On the way, Yu Fengling couldn't help but ask curiously, "Your Majesty, what kind of magical artifacts will you forge for us? Flying swords?"

Yu Qingyi pondered for a moment and said, "His Majesty once said that it would be determined according to our attributes, so we'll see when the time comes."

Yu Fengling nodded slightly, then lowered her voice and winked mischievously, "How was last night...? Were you particularly amazing? You've changed a lot!"

Yu Qingyi glanced at Yu Fengling, a blush rising to her cheeks, but she didn't look away. Instead, she nodded earnestly: "His Majesty's cultivation is unfathomable, and his guidance methods are incredibly profound. Dual cultivation is indeed a shortcut to cultivation, but it also requires one's own comprehension and cooperation. Fengling, your foundation is already solid. In the future, you and His Majesty... should also carefully experience and cherish this opportunity."

As the two were talking, they had already returned to the vicinity of Changchun Palace and Yongning Palace.

Watching Yu Fengling return to Yongning Palace, Yu Qingyi paused for a moment and looked in the direction of Zichen Palace.

The refining cauldron has arrived, and Qin Xiao is about to start the furnace.

His cultivation level had also stabilized at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Everything is moving in a better direction.

She turned and walked into Changchun Palace.

Back inside, he sat cross-legged and took out the jade slip containing the "Water Element Technique".

He probed with his divine sense and browsed the contents again.

This time, with the profound insights gained from Qin Xiao's guidance last night as a point of comparison, the crudeness, errors, and even contradictions in the jade slip became even clearer and more glaring.

"The Hermit of the Azure Waves..."

Yu Qingyi murmured to herself, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.

Is it really just a casual act to leave behind such a superficial and even harmful legacy?

Or perhaps this jade slip itself contains something else?

Is it possible that this jade slip is not the true medium for inheritance?

Or is it a token?

Or a key?

A bold conjecture arose in Yu Qingyi's mind.

But there is no evidence.

"Perhaps we can find an opportunity to mention this to Qin Xiao."

She put the jade slip away.

Now, Qin Xiao is the true guide on her path of cultivation.

If you have any questions, just ask him.

Clearing her mind of distractions, Yu Qingyi calmed herself and began to consolidate her cultivation.

……

The rear hall of Zichen Palace.

The refining cauldron has been placed steadily in the center.

Qin Xiao stood alone in front of the cauldron, his fingers tracing the patterns on its surface.

"A low-grade magic artifact cauldron embryo, crafted from spirit ore, with a decent foundation."

"It is not advisable to refine high-level items on the first time the furnace is opened."

"Perfect timing, I'll craft some protective and cultivation aids for the four of them."

"In addition, we also need to refine some commonly used blank jade slips, low-level talisman paper, and the simplest spirit-gathering array plates for their daily use."

"We still have a surplus of spirit ore and spirit plants."

A glint of anticipation flashed in Qin Xiao's eyes.

This is the first time I've tried weapon crafting since I transmigrated.

Although it is only the lowest-level magical artifact.

But it's also a brand new beginning.

Having the ability to forge weapons is essential to better arm oneself and those around one.

Only then can we gain more initiative in this seemingly peaceful world that may harbor unknowns.

On the path of cultivation, wealth, companions, techniques, and location are all indispensable.

"Resources and Daoist companions are initially available. Cultivation techniques are provided by the system and can be comprehended by oneself. The cave dwelling will be based in the Imperial Palace and Ziyan Pavilion for the time being."

And "器" (qì).

This is the key link in transforming the advantages of the first four into actual combat power.

Qin Xiao slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, his eyes shining brightly.

Having made up his mind, he flicked his finger directly at the body of the cauldron.

A wisp of crimson-gold flame disappeared into a pre-reserved "fire gate" at the bottom of the cauldron.

"Buzz..."

The refining cauldron emitted a deep resonance, and the patterns on its body gradually lit up with a faint light from bottom to top.

The indoor temperature began to rise slowly.

Inside the cauldron, the alchemical fire transformed into a stable, crimson-gold flame, burning quietly and radiating a steady, intense heat.

This first step, "warming the tripod," is crucial.

The purpose is to ensure that the cauldron is heated evenly, and it is also a process of getting familiar with the cauldron's temperature.

Qin Xiao remained calm and composed, meticulously controlling the intensity of the alchemical fire with his divine sense, sensing the temperature changes and spiritual energy feedback throughout the cauldron.

About half an hour later, the entire refining cauldron was evenly heated, and the inner fire within the cauldron was stable, faintly connecting with Qin Xiao's mind.

Immediately, Qin Xiao reached into his system space and took out some spirit ore and several spirit plants, which he then placed on the ground.

First, take the spirit ore into your hand and place it in your palm.

With a slight thought, a wisp of alchemical fire surged from his palm, enveloping the spiritual ore.

Under the scorching heat of the alchemical fire, the surface of the spirit ore turned red and softened, and the impurities within it dissipated as wisps of blue smoke.

Then, they began processing the spiritual plants...