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

From then on, internal energy transformed into purer, more concentrated, and more spiritual true energy, which could circulate spontaneously, nourish the physical body, and could also be released outside the body to perform many mysterious feats!

Su Mu opened his eyes, and a glint of light seemed to flash in the darkness. He slowly raised his hand, and with a slight thought, a wisp of pale golden true energy emanated from his fingertips, condensing and not dissipating, exuding a warm and pure aura.

"This is... true qi!" he murmured to himself, feeling an unprecedented sense of power within his body.

Only by entering the Innate Realm can one truly be considered to have entered the inner sanctum. However, if one wants to continue to improve one's True Qi cultivation, making it stronger and more refined, and even to break through to a higher realm, one still cannot do without the support of a massive amount of spiritual energy.

In this life, Su Mu is over forty years old. Although his vitality has not declined, compared to young martial artists, his foundation and potential are ultimately inferior, and the resources he needs for cultivation are far greater. This is not an exaggeration, but a harsh reality.

The three Body Tempering Pills significantly enhanced his physique and replenished some of his life essence, so at least in the short term, he didn't need to worry about depleting his vital energy through cultivation. These kinds of foundation-strengthening pills are most effective the first time they are taken, and their effects diminish rapidly afterward. Su Mu knew this well and didn't waste them.

"Safety."

"Godfather!" Cheng Ping'an responded and arrived, his little face full of respect.

"When you entered the palace to check the roster, did the people from the Martial Arts Bureau examine your martial arts aptitude?" Su Mu's tone was gentle, but carried a hint of seriousness that was barely perceptible.

"I checked!" Cheng Ping'an's eyes lit up, then he became a little embarrassed. "A high-ranking official from the Martial Guard said that I have good potential and am suited for martial arts. He even gave me a copy of the 'Martial Arts Classic' to study carefully!"

The Military Classic?

Su Mu understood. It was merely the most widely circulated martial arts primer on the Tianyuan Continent, hardly a secret manual. Cultivating based on it, without special opportunities, would make it difficult to break through to the peak of the Innate Realm in one's entire life. But as an introductory guide, it was sufficient.

"It's a pity... I don't know many characters, so reading is very difficult for me." Cheng Ping'an scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed.

"Do you still have the original copy of the 'Martial Arts Classic'?"

"No, at that time it was just a registration; the books should still be archived in the library of the Imperial Martial Arts Bureau."

"Go and fetch it," Su Mu ordered.

"Yes, Godfather!"

Cheng Ping'an was quick and agile, and soon returned with a slightly worn booklet with the words "Martial Arts Classic" written on the cover.

In the days that followed, Su Mu's life took on a new dimension. While teaching Cheng Ping'an to read and write, he also explained to him, in simple terms, the key points of cultivation and the methods of circulating qi and blood in the "Martial Classic," drawing on his own understanding.

This was his first adopted son, and both out of compassion and reason, he had to nurture him with care. Moreover, the system clearly indicated that Cheng Ping'an's cultivation had improved, and he would receive a reward.

"You must be thirsty after practicing for so long. Here, have some water." On this day, Su Mu handed a cup of warm water to Cheng Ping'an, who had just finished his standing meditation. A body-tempering pill had already quietly dissolved in the water.

"Thank you, Godfather!" Cheng Ping'an, without any suspicion, took the drink and gulped it down in one go.

Soon, the familiar, intense pain of body tempering struck again. Cheng Ping'an, who came from a poor family and had suffered since childhood, had a much higher endurance than Su Mu had expected. His face was pale, he was sweating profusely, and his whole body was trembling, but he bit his lip tightly and did not even cry out in pain. He endured the two hours of the medicine's effects with sheer willpower.

Su Mu, who was sitting quietly protecting the Dharma, nodded slightly upon seeing this. A resilient character is a quality even more precious than talent on the path of martial arts.

As the pain subsided, Cheng Ping'an was as if he had been pulled out of the water, his body soaked in filth and sweat, utterly exhausted, but his eyes shone with a bright light.

"You brat, you smell all sweaty, go wash yourself off." Su Mu said with a laugh.

"Yes!" Cheng Ping'an struggled to his feet, and after a little movement, he exclaimed in surprise, "Godfather! I feel... like I have inexhaustible energy! How strange!"

"I added some nourishing and strengthening medicines to the water just now," Su Mu explained calmly to prevent him from making wild guesses. "Since the Martial Guard says you have good aptitude, these pills will help you lay a more solid foundation. Don't mention this to outsiders."

"I understand! Thank you so much, Godfather, for your life-saving grace!" Cheng Ping'an was quick-witted and immediately knelt down, kowtowing twice. He knew that this medicine must be very precious, and his godfather had not only taken him in but also bestowed such an opportunity upon him. He was deeply grateful. As for the origin of the medicine, his godfather did not say, and he would not ask a single question.

Five days later, under Su Mu's care, Cheng Ping'an took three Body Tempering Pills in succession. Impurities in his body were further expelled, his muscles and bones became stronger, and his blood and qi became abundant. His foundation was already quite solid.

You can now begin your formal training!

Under Su Mu's guidance, Cheng Ping'an attempted to draw in Qi using the introductory breathing techniques recorded in the "Martial Arts Classic." He was completely focused, and his talent seemed to have been stimulated by the elixir. In just one hour, he actually succeeded in capturing a trace of spiritual energy from heaven and earth, drawing it into his body, and completing his first cycle of Qi circulation!

Officially entered the Qi Refining Realm!

[Ding! Congratulations, host! Your adopted son, Cheng Ping'an, has successfully entered the Qi Refining Realm! The reward has been sent to your system space. Please check.]

[Note: The cultivation level of offspring (meaning offspring) will bring continuous benefits to the host. The more offspring and the higher their quality, the greater the host's gains!]

Keep up the good work, expand your family, and grow stronger!

Su Mu's lips twitched slightly as he looked at the last prompt. Spreading branches and leaves? In his current state, he might want to, but he needed the "foundation" first!

Despite his inner complaints, the reward was substantial. Since Cheng Ping'an was merely an adopted son and had only advanced a minor realm, the reward wasn't particularly generous, but it was quite practical.

Ten Body Tempering Pills.

One hundred Spirit Elixir pills.

One hundred Qi Condensation Pills (low-grade Xuan level, which can assist in the cultivation of true qi and accelerate the conversion and generation of true qi).

A [Bone-Penetrating Needle] (a low-grade Xuan-level concealed weapon, activated by true qi, capable of penetrating heavy armor within 100 meters, and can also be used for... acupuncture and embroidery?).

"This note..." Su Mu looked at the small print after "Bone-Penetrating Needle" and was speechless. The system's meticulousness was tinged with a wicked sense of humor, which was truly omnipresent.

He was just about to go to a quiet spot in the backyard to test the power of the "Bone-Penetrating Needle" when Cheng Ping'an rushed in from outside, a hint of nervousness on his face.

"Father, Consort De... is coming this way!"

"Consort De?" Su Mu frowned. What was she doing in this secluded library at this time?

Before I could think further, a clear, yet somewhat unruly, child's voice came from afar, shouting into the courtyard:

"Little Shepherd! Little Shepherd! Come out quickly!"

A boy, about seven or eight years old and dressed in a brocade robe, rushed into the courtyard like a little cannonball. It was none other than the Sixth Prince, Xiao Jingye. He immediately spotted Su Mu standing at the doorway, pounced on him, grabbed Su Mu's leg, and looked up at him with his little face:

"Little Muzi! You're really not dead! Mother said you were sick and wouldn't let me come to play with you. I was so bored!"