Starting with being handed over to the Imperial Concubine, building a family with a thousand-year hi

By now, Su Mu had consumed a large number of Soul-Nourishing Pills. His soul fire had already expanded to over ten zhang tall, burning fiercely and radiating immense soul energy. The primordial spirit enveloped by the soul fire was also three zhang tall, with a tall and solid figure, holding the Soul-Suppressing Pearl in one hand and the Free Bell in the other, resembling a majestic god and exuding a powerful aura.

The medicinal power of the Dao Soul Foundation Building Pill surged forth, continuously pouring into the soul fire and merging into the primordial spirit.

Just like the first time he took the Soul Nourishing Pill, Su Mu once again felt intense pain from the depths of his soul—a pain that penetrated to the bone marrow and was even more unbearable than the physical pain.

His current soul realm has reached the early stage of the True Martial Realm, and the Dao Soul Foundation Building Pill is a high-grade Earth-rank soul pill. It is extremely difficult for a soul of this level to withstand the medicinal power of the pill.

Fortunately, the Dao Soul Foundation Building Pill did not contain an excessive amount of soul energy. Compared to other high-grade Earth-rank soul-type pills, its medicinal effects were much milder. Otherwise, Su Mu would not have dared to take it directly and rashly attempt to build his Dao Soul foundation.

The intense pain in his soul at this moment was not due to the medicine damaging his soul, but because the Dao Soul Foundation Building Pill was forcibly reshaping his soul structure and building a Dao Soul foundation for him—a process that was itself accompanied by unbearable pain.

Moreover, this process requires Su Mu's active cooperation, and he cannot slack off in the slightest. He cannot faint like he did when he first took the Soul Nourishing Pill, not even once—he must remain conscious and, with the help of the Soul Foundation Building Pill and his own understanding of the sword path, slowly condense the foundation of his sword soul. This cannot be accomplished overnight and will take a considerable amount of time.

During this period, Su Mu will be in a special cultivation state and will not be able to fight against powerful enemies at full strength. Therefore, he arranged for two puppets to protect him and ensure that he would not be disturbed while cultivating.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, the soul fire, which was more than ten feet tall, did not continue to grow. However, the soul fire, which was originally in the shape of a ball of flame, began to slowly transform and gradually condense into the shape of a huge sword of light and flame—the blade was sharp, and faint golden patterns flowed on the blade, exuding a sharp sword aura.

The whole process went very smoothly without any unexpected incidents.

It took a full day and night for the soul fire within Su Mu's sea of ​​consciousness to completely condense into a giant sword of light and flame, radiating a majestic aura of swordsmanship—the foundation of his sword soul was finally established!

However, having established a foundation does not mean he has achieved a true sword soul. To condense a true sword soul, Su Mu still needs to continue his efforts and constant improvement in sword cultivation.

Only by consuming more Soul-Nourishing Pills to elevate one's soul power to the Martial King realm, and simultaneously reaching a higher level of understanding of swordsmanship, can one truly condense a sword soul and unleash its true power.

Su Mu knew clearly that above the Grandmaster realm was the True Martial realm; above the True Martial realm was the Martial King realm. And to break through to the Martial King realm and achieve a Martial Soul, this was one of the essential conditions.

He has a large number of Soul Nourishing Pills, so improving his soul power is not a problem. Moreover, he also has the "Sword Heart Clarity" sword technique, a mid-grade Heaven-rank manual. As long as he studies it diligently, his understanding of swordsmanship will continue to improve.

Therefore, for Su Mu, achieving true sword soul is only a matter of time and is just around the corner.

Su Mu calmed down and carefully felt the changes brought about by the Sword Soul Foundation. In his mind, the contents of "Sword Heart Clarity" clearly emerged. Some problems that he had been unable to solve before were now solved. His understanding of this secret sword technique was also deepened in an instant.

Just then, Jinzi's cheerful chirping came from outside, pulling Su Mu back from his immersive contemplation.

He slowly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them. He then took out a handful of Spirit Essence Pills and handed them to the door—Jinzi immediately flew in, stopped chirping, and lowered its head to peck at the Spirit Essence Pills in Su Mu's palm.

Actually, Jinzi wasn't really hungry. During Su Mu's secluded cultivation, Zheng He and Xiao Anran fed Jinzi regularly, ensuring it never went hungry. It simply wasn't interested in ordinary food, only enjoying Spirit Essence Pills and Su Mu's essence blood.

After consuming dozens of Spirit Essence Pills and drinking some of Su Mu's essence blood, Jinzi was finally satisfied. She curled up on Su Mu's shoulder and fell into a deep sleep.

Su Mu carefully placed the gold on the bed, then put away the two puppets and walked out of the library alone.

It was early morning, and the first rays of sunlight streamed into the library's courtyard, illuminating the entire space. Zheng He had already prepared breakfast and placed it on the stone table; Xiao Anran, as usual, was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. His sword flashed, his moves were skillful, and his sword intent was becoming increasingly refined.

"Eunuch Su, you've finished your seclusion?" Upon seeing Su Mu, Xiao Anran immediately sheathed her longsword and hurried forward, a hint of joy on her face. Then, she said urgently, "I just received news that in Huitai County to the south, there's the ruins of an ancient sect. Yesterday, the earth suddenly cracked open, shooting out a beam of light that seemed to indicate a treasure had been unearthed!"

"Huitai County..." Su Mu pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "It's not too far from the capital, only a thousand miles away."

He looked at Xiao Anran, a smile playing on his lips, and asked, "What, Your Highness, also want to go to Huitai County to try your luck and see if you can obtain any treasures left behind by the ancient sects?"

"Of course I want to!" Xiao Anran nodded quickly, her eyes full of anticipation, but then she shook her head with a wry smile, "But I am only at the Innate Realm now, and my strength is too weak. Even if I manage to get the treasure, I may not be able to bring it back smoothly. I might even get into trouble because of it."

"Has the new emperor, Situ Chengjun, gone to Huitai County?" Su Mu asked again—he knew in his heart that if such an ancient sect's ruins were to appear and treasures were to be found, the new emperor would certainly not miss it.

"They've gone!" Xiao Anran nodded and replied, "Yesterday at dusk, the new emperor led many powerful figures from the palace to Huitai County. It seems he's determined to win."

"Since Your Highness wishes to go, then I will accompany you," Su Mu said with a smile, his tone firm.

He couldn't just stand by and watch the treasures left behind by the ancient powerhouse be monopolized by Situ Chengjun. If he didn't have the strength to compete for the treasures, that would be one thing; but he clearly had the strength, and was certain he wouldn't suffer any misfortune because of it, so naturally he wouldn't sit idly by.

Moreover, the Dragon Blood Fruit he obtained in Wild Wolf Ridge had greatly benefited him, enabling him to successfully condense a spiritual body. He knew that treasures left behind by ancient powerhouses often had unexpected effects, and perhaps this trip to Huitai County would allow him to obtain a treasure that would help him condense his Imperial Primordial Spirit even faster.