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

A moment later, an elder seemed to realize something, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes: "Perhaps... this Elder Su is a martial arts genius who has been buried and has simply never been discovered!" "In just over four months, he has grown from an ordinary eunuch with no cultivation to a master capable of killing a Grandmaster-level expert. If he weren't a genius, it would be impossible!" But as soon as he finished speaking, he shook his head, his face full of doubt, "But the Xiao royal family doesn't have many rare and precious treasures. How could they allow an ordinary genius to grow to this level in such a short time?"

"I secretly investigated and found that Elder Su has no innate true fire within his body, nor any special fluctuations in his vital energy. This indicates that his cultivation level is still at the Grandmaster level, and he has not yet broken through to the Great Grandmaster level," an elder said slowly, a calculating glint in his eyes. "With Xiao Yuanhou dead, the Xiao royal family has lost its only Great Grandmaster. From now on, their reliance on my Tianwu Sect will only increase!" "As long as our Sixth Elder successfully emerges from seclusion and breaks through to the Great Grandmaster level, the status of my Tianwu Sect in the Great Xia will rise to another level!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Wen slightly raised her chin, a hint of arrogance and pride flashing in her eyes. The Sixth Elder of the Tianwu Sect was none other than her own grandfather! Relying on the treasures obtained from the ruins of an ancient sect, her grandfather was already a half-step Grandmaster, and breaking through was only a matter of time. This was the source of her confidence in challenging Su Mu today.

As night fell and lanterns were lit, the imperial palace was adorned with colorful decorations, and a grand banquet was set up in the imperial garden. Xiao Anxun personally issued an edict, inviting civil and military officials, members of the imperial family, and three elders of the Tianwu Sect to the banquet, intending to celebrate the initial establishment of the court and to demonstrate the majesty of the Xiao imperial family.

Su Mu was naturally among those invited, but he politely declined, citing that he had been overworked recently and needed to rest. Emperor Xiao Anxun knew Su Mu's temperament and did not insist. Instead, he ordered Princess Xiao Anran to personally prepare a table full of fine wine and delicacies for Su Mu and send it to the library.

This was the first time Su Mu had tasted authentic imperial cuisine since transmigrating to the Great Xia Dynasty. The table was laden with a dazzling array of dishes, a veritable feast for the senses, each meticulously prepared, a perfect blend of color, aroma, and flavor, incredibly delicious and leaving a lingering aftertaste. Compared to this, the so-called "delicacies" he had eaten in his previous life were utterly insignificant. Su Mu savored each bite, unable to help but secretly admire them.

"Given Lord Su's achievements and status, it is only natural that he enjoys these imperial meals," Xiao Anran said with a smile, standing to the side. "If Lord Su is pleased, just give the order, and I will have someone tell the Imperial Kitchen to send them to him every day from now on." Then, she said to Feng Bao, who was standing next to her, "Make a list of all the dishes that Lord Su usually likes and give it to the head of the Imperial Kitchen so that they can prepare them according to the list."

"Your servant obeys!" Feng Bao bowed and replied.

Su Mu nodded without refusing. This morning, he had fought several bloody battles to protect the royal family, and was already exhausted both physically and mentally. In the future, he would continue to protect the Xiao royal family and build a thousand-year foundation for the Su family. The Xiao royal family's kindness to him was what he deserved.

"Lord Su, this cup is for you! Thank you for protecting the royal family and the Great Xia Dynasty these past few days!" Xiao Anran raised his wine cup, his expression sincere, and drank it all in one gulp.

Su Mu also raised his wine glass and gently clinked it with hers. The wine went down his throat, mellow and rich. He smiled faintly and said, "Your Highness is too kind. Protecting the royal family is my duty."

He could clearly sense that after all the events of the past few days, Xiao Anran's attitude towards him had undergone a complete change—his previous respect was more due to the emperor's orders, but now his respect was out of genuine admiration and trust, and even carried a hint of awe.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Xiao Anran looked at Su Mu with a hint of guilt and said softly, "Elder Su, my understanding of the 'Drifting Sword Technique' was too shallow before, and I even tried to show off my limited skills in front of you. Now that I think about it, I was really presumptuous."

"It was nothing, Your Highness need not take it to heart." Su Mu waved his hand, his tone indifferent. "The 'Drifting Sword Technique' is a superior sword technique, but one must calmly comprehend it in order to grasp its essence."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Xiao Anran's eyes. After hesitating for a moment, she finally mustered her courage, stood up, bowed to Su Mu, and said with a hint of pleading, "Lord Su, I am quite fascinated by the way of the sword. I humbly request that you accept me as your disciple and guide me in the cultivation of the sword!"

The room fell silent upon hearing this.

Su Mu glanced at her, and without thinking, shook his head and refused in a deep voice: "No."

The hope on Xiao Anran's face vanished instantly, replaced by deep disappointment. She asked in a low voice, "Why? Please enlighten me, sir."

Su Mu put down his wine cup, looked at her calmly, and slowly said, "Throughout my life, I have only taken in adopted sons, not disciples."

He knew in his heart that the core of the system was "family prosperity". Only by adopting him as an adopted son and incorporating him into the Su family system could he receive system rewards when guiding his cultivation. If he was merely adopted as a disciple, there would be no benefit whatsoever.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Anran felt even more disappointed, but she did not insist. She had considered recognizing Su Mu as her godfather, but her identity was too special—she was the eldest princess of the Great Xia Dynasty and the emperor's own sister. If she were to have a eunuch as her godfather, not only would the emperor and the royal family lose face, but the entire Xiao royal family would become a laughing stock for the world.

Even though Su Mu is now a Grandmaster-level expert with great power, in the eyes of the world, he is still a eunuch. In the Great Xia Dynasty, eunuchs have a low status, even lower than the lowest of the low. If a royal princess were to worship a eunuch as her father, even if the emperor agreed, the old ministers of the royal family would never agree to it.

Seeing her disappointed expression, Su Mu understood, but said nothing. Some things cannot be overcome by strength alone, breaking through worldly prejudices. Although he no longer cared about others' opinions, he would not create a rift with the Xiao royal family just to take on a disciple.

After a satisfying meal, Xiao Anran took his leave, while Su Mu moved to the second floor of the library to continue his intensive study of the Dragon Blood Fruit core, pondering how to refine it.

After leaving the library, Xiao Anran did not return to the palace immediately. Instead, he called out to Feng Bao, who was standing nearby, and asked in a deep voice, "Feng Bao, the Emperor has issued an edict asking whether you are willing to continue staying in the library and follow Lord Su, or return to the Imperial Kitchen and resume your old position. Think it over carefully and give me an answer."

Feng Bao was taken aback, inwardly thinking how close he had come to disaster! The Emperor was testing his loyalty. If he made a hasty choice, either option could bring him trouble. He was just a lowly eunuch; how could he dare to make a decision so easily? He had almost blurted out, "I'm willing to stay in the library," but thankfully he had held back in time.

Feng Bao bowed respectfully, his tone impeccable: "This humble servant's fate is entirely up to His Majesty's decision, and this servant has no complaints whatsoever."