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

Qin Xiao led Yu Qingyi away from the cave, resealed the entrance, and restored it to its original state.

"Don't tell anyone about this place for now."

Qin Xiao gave instructions.

"Yes."

Yu Qingyi agreed.

Qin Xiao nodded slightly, put his arm around Yu Qingyi's waist, and the light rose, flying towards the capital.

On the way home, the two remained silent.

The amount of information I gained today is overwhelming.

Whether it's the "Mysterious True Technique" or magic.

Whether it's the secrets of "Breaking Boundaries" or something else, it all takes time to digest.

……

Zichen Palace.

Qin Xiao and Yu Qingyi quietly returned.

Luo Qingluan had been waiting for a long time.

"Your Majesty, Qingyi, you're back."

She stepped forward and, seeing their grave expressions, felt a pang of unease. "Have you run into trouble?"

"no."

Qin Xiao shook his head. "I've gained quite a bit, and made some unexpected discoveries as well."

He briefly recounted the matter of the cave dwelling, omitting parts about the "Breaking Boundaries Record" and the Tianluo Sect.

To avoid causing unnecessary trouble at this time.

It only mentions obtaining the complete cultivation method and spells.

Luo Qingluan breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this: "Congratulations, Your Majesty. With the cultivation method, your future cultivation will be much smoother."

"Um."

Qin Xiao nodded. "Qingluan, go and summon Ziyan, Fengling, Anning, and Changle. I have something for you."

"Yes."

Luo Qingluan accepted the order and left.

Before long, all the women gathered at the Zichen Palace.

Mu Ziyan, Yu Fengling, Li Anning, Li Changle, along with Luo Qingluan and Yu Qingyi, six women of different styles stood in a row.

Qin Xiao's gaze swept over the crowd.

Their cultivation levels varied, but they all embarked on the path of cultivating immortality.

"I have summoned you here today to announce a few things."

Qin Xiao slowly spoke, "First, I have obtained a complete basic cultivation technique called 'Xuanzhen Jue,' which can be cultivated to the peak of Foundation Establishment, as well as various spells. This technique does not conflict with 'Hehuan Immortal Scripture,' so you can cultivate both."

As he spoke, he distributed the jade slips that he had already copied to the women.

The women accepted the gift and examined it with their divine senses, all revealing expressions of delight.

"Secondly, during my trip to Cloud Mist Mountain, I also obtained a 'spirit crystal'."

Qin Xiao took out a purple crystal. "This item contains pure spiritual energy, which is very beneficial to cultivation. I will place it in a spirit-gathering array to gradually release spiritual energy for your cultivation."

"third……"

He paused, then said, "From today onward, you must redouble your efforts and improve your strength as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, all the women felt a chill run down their spines.

They could all hear the seriousness in Qin Xiao's tone.

"Your Majesty, has something happened?"

Luo Qingluan asked.

No, don't overthink it.

Qin Xiao shook his head. "But it's never wrong to plan ahead. I hope that one day you will all be able to stand on your own, instead of hiding under my wing forever."

"Your Majesty/Disciple understands!"

The six women responded in unison.

"Alright, everyone go back to your cultivation."

Qin Xiao waved his hand.

The women bowed and took their leave.

Qin Xiao sat alone in the hall, took out the scroll of "Breaking Boundaries Record" and unrolled it again.

My gaze fell on the three characters "Tianzhushan".

"Tianzhushan Mountain in Central China..."

He muttered to himself, "Tianluo Sect disciples are guarding..."

Where is this place?

This silk is made of a special material that has remained intact for many years.

But to investigate, it would take at least a thousand years, or even ten thousand years.

As time goes by, the names of places are very different now than in the past.

Moreover, things might change.

Perhaps those Tianluo Sect cultivators have already left.

Thinking it over, he put away the silk and took out the black token.

"A token of a disciple from the outer sect of the Tianluo Sect..."

Qin Xiao seemed to be deep in thought.

Since this item is a token, it might be able to disguise one's identity and infiltrate the Tianluo Sect.

But that's a story for another time.

The most urgent task is to enhance our strength.

Mid-stage Core Formation cultivators are perhaps considered top-tier in this realm.

But they are not enough to contend with the sects of the upper realms.

"I must break through to the Nascent Soul stage as soon as possible!"

A resolute look flashed in Qin Xiao's eyes. He stood up and walked towards the quiet room in the back hall.

...

Inside the quiet room, the refining cauldron stood silently.

Qin Xiao sat cross-legged in front of the cauldron, but did not immediately begin cultivating.

Instead, he first took out the three ancient books, "An Introduction to Alchemy," "An Introduction to Formations," and "An Introduction to Weapon Forging," and studied them carefully.

These contents are basic.

But it is a ladder to a higher level.

Previously, he relied entirely on brute force and trial and error to forge flying swords and magical artifacts, which was inefficient and wasteful of materials.

Now that we have a systematic theoretical framework to guide us, our future alchemy, array formation, and weapon crafting will be much more efficient.

"Let's try alchemy first. The alchemy furnace isn't ready yet, so we'll make do with the weapon-refining cauldron."

Qin Xiao put away the ancient book and took out some basic spiritual plants from the system space.

The quality is so-so, but it's perfect for practice.

A month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Qin Xiao never left his house.

The success rate of alchemy has increased from the initial 30% to over 70%.

The quality of the elixirs is also getting better and better.

With these elixirs, the women's cultivation speed will be greatly accelerated.

In addition, several array plates were also crafted.

Setting up formations is more complex than alchemy.

However, Qin Xiao possessed the divine sense of the Core Formation stage, making him highly perceptive and quick to learn.

Following the instructions in the ancient texts, he first attempted to set up the simplest "spirit gathering array".

The Spirit Gathering Array is the most basic array.

But it is of great significance.

With this array, one can artificially create a cultivation paradise even in an environment with scarce spiritual energy.

"It's time to leave the customs area."

Qin Xiao got up and walked out of the quiet room.

The sun was shining brightly outside the hall; it was already afternoon.

Qin Xiao summoned Luo Qingluan and handed her the pills and array plates. "Distribute these pills among everyone. Each person should also have one array plate. Activating them during cultivation will increase the concentration of spiritual energy. With these, your cultivation speed will be much faster."

Luo Qingluan accepted it, her beautiful eyes filled with surprise and delight. "On behalf of my sisters, I thank Your Majesty!"

"No need for such formalities."

Qin Xiao waved his hand, "During my seclusion these past few days, has anything happened in the palace?"

"Everything is fine."

Luo Qingluan said, "Qingyi has also been in seclusion at Changchun Palace, and her aura is becoming increasingly solid. She is probably not far from breaking through. Ziyan and Fengling are also cultivating diligently. Anning and Changle are making rapid progress, especially Anning, who has already stabilized at the first level of Qi Refining."

Qin Xiao nodded in satisfaction.

The women are diligent in their cultivation, which is a good thing.

"What about the Jiangnan region?"

"The purge of officials in Jiangnan is nearing its end, with new officials taking office one after another, and the situation is stable. After the Wu Prince's mansion was sealed off, countless gold and silver treasures were seized and have been deposited into the national treasury."

Luo Qingluan reported, "In addition, as Your Majesty instructed, Chairman Mu Yunshan has arrived in the capital and found a place outside the palace to begin crafting the tools Your Majesty needs."

"very good."

Approval flashed in Qin Xiao's eyes.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing..."

Luo Qingluan hesitated for a moment, "Yesterday, Minister Wang, the Vice Minister of Works, requested an audience, saying that His Majesty has not attended court for many days, and the ministers in the court have many complaints, with memorials piling up like a mountain..."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiao scoffed, "Just because I don't hold court, they stop doing their jobs? What use are they?"

"By imperial decree: From this day forward, a 'Cabinet' shall be established, composed of the ministers of the six ministries, to handle daily government affairs."

"Unless it is a major military or national event, there is no need to report to me."

"Let them review the memorial first, draft their proposed solutions, and then send it to me for my approval."

Luo Qingluan was taken aback: "Your Majesty, this..."

"Just do as instructed."

Qin Xiao said calmly, "I don't have the energy to deal with mundane affairs. I'd rather spend that time cultivating."