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

Time flies by, and the festival of worshiping the gods is just around the corner.

As the entire capital city was immersed in the pre-festival festivities, the undercurrents grew ever stronger. Few noticed that many elusive figures had quietly arrived in the capital. Some infiltrated the deep palace and forbidden gardens, while others hid in the residence of the Minister of Works. The rest, like drops of water in the sea, scattered throughout the streets and alleys, waiting for that crucial moment.

Several days later, on the day of the festival to worship the gods.

With Su Mu's meticulous guidance and the assistance of a large number of Spirit Pills, Feng Bao's cultivation progressed rapidly, and he has steadily entered the late stage of Qi Induction.

That night, all was quiet. Su Mu focused his mind and examined the newly acquired rewards in the system.

Besides various elixirs, he also received a humanoid puppet with a faint silver glow flowing around it—this was the first time he had received such an item as a reward.

A closer look at the description reveals that this puppet is named "Glazed Silver Puppet," and its rank is as high as the top-grade Xuan level. When used at full power, its combat strength is comparable to that of a powerhouse who has just entered the Grandmaster realm. Its material is special, neither gold nor jade, and is called "Glazed Silver." Not only does it have amazing defensive capabilities, but it also possesses the wonderful characteristic of being able to change its shape at will.

The methods for crafting high-level puppets have long been lost in this era of increasingly scarce spiritual energy. Not to mention Xuan-level puppets, even Huang-level puppets are almost extinct, and every one that has survived to this day is a relic from ancient times.

Following the system's guidance, Su Mu took out the Silver Puppet. The puppet, about seven feet tall, stood silently before him, its entire body engraved with intricate and detailed runes. He bit his fingertip and precisely dripped a drop of his blood essence into the core of its chest.

Embedded within its core is a "Spirit-Gathering Pearl" the size of a pigeon's egg. This pearl has a warm, lustrous color and faintly radiates spiritual light; it is the core of the puppet's fighting spirit and actions. The moment his essence blood seeped into the pearl, Su Mu felt a faint yet clear connection established between himself and the puppet—the recognition of mastery was complete.

After that, as long as the puppet was within the range of Su Mu's divine sense, he could control it as easily as if it were his own arm, moving it at a moment's notice without any hesitation. Even if the puppet left the range of his divine sense, it would continue to act according to the core instructions set by its master, following a certain instinct.

—For example, if you set a command to "follow and protect", even if you are separated by thousands of miles, it will sense the location of its master in some mysterious way and persistently fulfill its mission.

The secret runes covering the silver puppet are not merely decorative; they function like the meridians of the human body, connecting the Spirit-Gathering Pearl to the "energy chamber" located in its abdomen. The energy chamber can hold spirit stones or higher-level energy crystals for propulsion. Of course, if the master's true essence is sufficiently abundant, it can also be directly infused with true essence as power.

Su Mu had no spirit stones on hand, so he immediately circulated his cultivation technique, continuously pouring pure and vast true essence into the puppet's body. His true essence contained imperial aura, and its quality far exceeded that of other puppets of the same rank, making it perfectly suited to power this top-grade Xuan-rank combat puppet.

As a massive amount of true essence poured in, the secret patterns on the puppet's surface began to glow faintly. Su Mu's mind stirred slightly, and he attempted to change its form.

The silver puppet flowed and deformed like mercury, its outline constantly adjusting. After repeated attempts and fine-tuning over the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, it finally transformed into the appearance of an old man with a slightly hunched back and a gaunt face.

—He bears a striking resemblance to the late Xiao Yuanhou, about seven or eight points!

It just lacks that iconic, simple gray robe.

Su Mu recalled Xiao Yuanhou's usual attire, so he found a similar gray cloth robe in his storage space and dressed the puppet in it. He then covered it with a dark hooded cloak, which covered most of the puppet's body and face.

After being dressed up like this, at first glance, it is almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

"It's passable." Su Mu examined him for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Unless one is extremely familiar and close to Xiao Yuanhou, it would be difficult to see through him in a short time. And those who truly know him and can see through his disguise... most of them probably believe he is dead by now. Even if they have doubts, they would never rashly speak out before the situation becomes clear."

He was quite satisfied with this unexpected assistance and immediately issued several pre-set instructions covering aspects such as protection, response, and camouflage maintenance.

With this silver puppet by his side, he undoubtedly has another trump card when facing a Grandmaster. Although he may not be able to kill a Grandmaster in his prime with it, it is more than enough to maneuver, restrain, and confuse the enemy.

This is precisely why Su Mu has been diligently practicing the "Four Symbols Sword Prison Formation" every night on the second floor of the library. He divides the Four Extremes Golden Thunder Sword into four, repeatedly practicing the changes in the sword formation and the connection of their energy. Now the formation is becoming more and more proficient, and he has begun to understand its exquisite combination of offense and defense, trapping and killing.

The "Four Symbols Sword Prison Formation," formed by four high-grade Xuan-level flying swords, if used properly, could kill ordinary Grandmasters—a fact that is not a pipe dream.

……

Under the same night sky, deep within the Situ mansion, a heavily guarded secret room was brightly lit.

Situ Jing sat opposite an elderly man of similar age, but with striking red hair, at a sandalwood table. The current head of the family, Situ Lie, stood respectfully to one side, personally pouring tea with a humble, servant-like demeanor.

"Brother Duanmu has traveled a great distance to keep this appointment, which is truly a timely help. With your assistance, great things can be expected." Situ Jing held his teacup, a sincere smile on his face.

"Brother Situ personally invited me; his sincerity is truly heartfelt. How could I dare refuse?" The old man, called Duanmu Ping, gently stirred the tea foam with the lid of his cup. His gaze swept over Situ Jing's face, slightly surprised. "It's only been a few days since I last saw you, Brother Situ, yet you radiate vitality, seemingly even more so than before, appearing remarkably youthful?"

"I dare not lie to Brother Duanmu." Situ Jing put down his teacup and said frankly, "During this trip to the Northwest, by chance, I obtained a legendary 'Life Essence Fruit'. After consuming it, my lifespan was extended by more than twenty years, and this old body naturally regained some vitality as well."

The Life Essence Fruit was indeed a rare and precious treasure. After consuming it, Situ Jing's white hair turned black, the deep wrinkles on his face faded considerably, and his eyes shone with inner brilliance, sweeping away the old and tired appearance he had previously shown when his lifespan was about to end.

"Congratulations, Brother Situ, on this good fortune!" Duanmu Ping sighed softly, his tone tinged with regret. "My Duanmu family is located in a remote area by the East Sea. We received the news late, and the journey was long. By the time I led my clansmen to the ruins in the Northwest, they were already deserted, leaving only ruins... All the benefits have already gone to you gentlemen."

The Duanmu family was an ancient clan, secluded in an archipelago deep in the East China Sea, with a long history and profound heritage. The East China Sea was separated from the Northwest by countless miles; by the time Duanmu Ping led his elite troops to arrive, the ruins had already been looted by various forces. On his return journey, he encountered members of the Situ family—the Situ family and the Duanmu family had a long-standing ancestral connection, maintaining friendly relations for generations.

The Situ family's initiative to contact them stems from their deep concern that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is becoming increasingly scarce, and high-level cultivation resources are becoming increasingly limited. For the long-term benefit of the family, it is essential to acquire a wider world and more abundant resources.

"Brother Duanmu, rest assured." Situ Jing made a solemn promise, "If this succeeds, the Situ family will never forget the Duanmu family's contribution. At that time, our two families will join hands, share the resources of the world, and climb to a higher peak of martial arts together."