We said we would experience life, fairy, how did you become real?

Note: The Hundred Lifetimes Book offers limited protection to its host. The host should determine the appropriate time frame based on their individual circumstances. If the chosen time frame is too high, the host may experience a profound sense of timelessness, feeling as if a thousand years have passed in a single glance, when they exit the book, which will severely impact their soul.

The words in my mind vanished.

Xiao Mo was overjoyed.

An increase in the ratio of time in the Book of Life and time in the real world means that you can receive rewards faster.

Of course, the flow of time in the Book of a Hundred Generations remains constant, just like in daily life.

Therefore, Bai Shi Shu was worried that after experiencing a thousand years in Bai Shi Shu, he would return to reality and find that only a year had passed.

This has a tremendous impact on one's spirit and soul, and may even drive one insane on the spot.

Regardless, increasing the proportion of time spent on this activity is beneficial to oneself.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Mo stood up and began practicing his swordsmanship.

In the past few days, Xiao Mo has already entered the first level of Qi Refining.

Although his cultivation was not slow, he could not be described as exceptionally talented.

After a while, I should be able to enter the second level of Qi Refining.

After all, the Qi Refining Realm is the easiest to cultivate. As long as one has spiritual roots, most cultivators can cultivate to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

But going further ahead, establishing a foundation becomes much more difficult.

Foundation Establishment is a major hurdle for cultivators.

Once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, even with Foundation Establishment Pills, the success rate can only be increased by 20% to 30%. Most of the success still depends on your own efforts.

Moreover, the foundation building can only be done once.

If you fail once, you can't build a foundation again.

It's not that it's impossible, it's just that it's as difficult as climbing to heaven.

If Xiao Mo were to use an analogy, it would be similar to his own past life when the Chinese national football team qualified for the World Cup.

After the foundation is established, the cave dwelling will be open.

Qi Refining, Foundation Building, and Cave Abode are known as the Lower Three Realms.

Only after passing through the cave do we reach the Dragon Gate.

The Dragon Gate Realm is the first of the three intermediate realms, and it is also a very difficult hurdle.

"How exactly did Yan Shan'ao reach the Dragon Gate Realm?" Xiao Mo wondered helplessly.

Xiao Mo felt that even if he summoned him to the palace and secretly assassinated him, no matter how unexpected the attack was, he would still reach the Dragon Gate Realm.

Compared to the exceptionally talented women like Qingyi and Ruxue, Xiao Mo felt that with his own cultivation talent, it would take him countless years.

"And the art of imperial rule has disappeared from this world."

Thinking of this, Xiao Mo sighed inwardly.

When Xiao Mo left Bai Shi Shu, he went to the imperial palace's library to look at some ancient books.

Legend has it that long, long ago, there were vague records that although emperors could not use official techniques, they could use imperial techniques.

But now even emperors have lost the art of ruling.

If that wasn't just a legend, if emperors in the past could truly use imperial techniques.

That must be because something happened that caused the laws of heaven and earth to change, and the emperor was restricted.

However, the art of officialdom still exists in this world.

By dismissing someone from office, an emperor can diminish the fortune and destiny of that person.

The problem is that Yan Shan'ao reached the Dragon Gate Realm through his own cultivation, which has little to do with the fortune of the mountains and rivers. Although the Zhou Kingdom calls itself "Great Zhou", it is actually just an ordinary dynasty.

Compared to the State of Qi in the book of a hundred generations, it was just a small country.

Not to mention that the Zhou state's national fortunes are now plummeting, showing signs of being doomed.

Therefore, even if Xiao Mo were to appoint a new prime minister, his cultivation level would at most be at the peak of the Cave Abode realm.

Moreover, if I dared to reappoint a prime minister, I'm afraid I'd be strangled by a palace maid the very next day.

"Forget it, I'll stop thinking about it. I'll just take it one step at a time, practice my swordsmanship diligently, and try to get more rewards in the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes."

Xiao Mo began to focus on practicing swordsmanship.

An hour later.

Xiao Mo was covered in sweat and planned to take a bath at the Qingquan Palace next door.

The spring water in Qingquan Palace has the effect of relieving fatigue. Although it cannot compare with the spiritual springs of those sects, it is better than nothing.

"His Majesty."

Just then, Wei Xun's voice came from outside the door.

"Come in." Xiao Mo placed the peach wood sword on the shelf.

Wei Xun pushed open the door, took small steps to Xiao Mo, and bowed: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister just came by. This old servant said that Your Majesty is currently cultivating the Tao and should not be distracted, so the Prime Minister left and asked this old servant to convey a few words to Your Majesty."

"What did you say?" Xiao Mo picked up a cloth and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"The Prime Minister said that Elder Huang of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect is expected to arrive in the capital of our Great Zhou in about ten days. He hopes that Your Majesty will not forget to stop your cultivation in a few days and personally welcome Elder Huang."

Wei Xun said cautiously.

Xiao Mo frowned: "Go and tell him that I know."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Xun hurriedly retreated.

"and many more."

"What's your majesty's order?"

"Go and find out what kind of person Elder Huang is."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Lingxin Palace.

A woman with a graceful figure stepped forward and bowed to the still-charming Empress Dowager sitting directly in front of her: "Your subject Yan Ruxue greets Your Majesty."

"We are of the same clan, there is no need for such formalities." Empress Dowager Yan smiled and stepped forward to help Yan Ruxue up.

Looking at this talented woman from the clan whom she hadn't seen for many years, Empress Dowager Yan's face was full of affection for the younger generation: "When you were little, you only reached my knees. I never imagined that you, Ruxue, would grow up to be such a graceful young lady."

Empress Dowager Yan pulled Yan Ruxue to sit down beside her: "When you were eight years old, Ruxue, you fell into the Canglan River. When I heard about it, I was almost scared to death. Fortunately, God protected you and you were safe and sound."

Yan Ruxue nodded and smiled: "I'm sorry to have worried you, Empress Dowager."

"Those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune." Empress Dowager Yan patted Yan Ruxue's hand. "Now you are the most talented woman in our Great Zhou, and in the future you will be our Empress. Your child will also be the Emperor of Great Zhou."

Yan Ruxue smiled shyly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Seeing the woman's shy and charming appearance, Empress Dowager Yan liked her even more.

"It's a pity. According to the etiquette of our Zhou Kingdom, you and His Majesty cannot meet before you are married. Otherwise, I would have His Majesty come over now and let him see what you look like. He would surely be captivated by you."

"What kind of Taoist practice is he even doing? He's probably completely obsessed with you."

Yan Ruxue simply smiled and thought, without saying anything more.

"What does Ru Xue usually do when she's at home?"

"I usually just read books, occasionally cook something to eat, and prune the flowers and plants, sometimes..."

Yan Ruxue answered truthfully.

Empress Dowager Yan listened and nodded.

The two started by chatting about everyday things.

Then Empress Dowager Yan explained some palace rules to Yan Ruxue.

It mainly concerns how to manage the harem and how to conduct oneself as the future Empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

These are things that no one can teach except the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Yan originally wanted to test Yan Ruxue's court etiquette.

However, from the moment Yan Ruxue entered Lingxin Palace, Empress Dowager Yan knew from her every word and action that Ruxue had already passed the test.

Finally, Empress Dowager Yan took Yan Ruxue to Chunhe Courtyard to admire the flowers and plants and fly kites.

For Empress Dowager Yan

Ru Xue's entry into the palace not only further solidified the Yan family's position, but also...

Secondly, within this deep palace, having a woman from one's own clan to chat about everyday matters from time to time would prevent the palace from becoming too boring.

"Oh no! The kite broke!"

In Chunhe Courtyard, just as Empress Dowager Yan and Yan Ruxue were chatting and flying kites, the kite broke its string and fell into a courtyard not far away.

"Please forgive us, Your Majesty." The palace maids of Lingxin Palace all knelt down.

"It was I who broke it, not you." The Empress Dowager looked toward where the kite had fallen, which seemed to be in the direction of Xianxin Palace.

Empress Dowager Yan smiled slightly: "Ruxue, would you please go and retrieve that kite for me?"

"My daughter obeys."

Yan Ruxue bowed slightly and went to retrieve the kite with her personal maid without asking why.

After Yan Ruxue left, Huang Shangyi whispered to the Empress Dowager, "Empress Dowager, His Majesty is currently cultivating at the Daoist Altar next to Xianxin Palace. Miss Yan has not yet entered the palace. If His Majesty and Miss Yan were to meet, it would be improper. If this matter were to spread..."

The Empress Dowager's lips curled up: "I merely asked Ruxue to retrieve the kite; I did not intentionally arrange for her to meet His Majesty. If they happen to bump into each other, it can only be attributed to fate. What can the ministers say?"

Huang Shangyi: "."

"Alright, don't worry about this."

As she spoke, Empress Dowager Yan sighed.

"Ru Xue is an excellent woman who understands the bigger picture. She entered the palace this time for the prosperity of my Yan family. When I entered the palace thirty years ago, I was uneasy and did not know what kind of person the late emperor was."

Now, let this child meet her future husband first; at least she'll feel more at ease after she gets married.

"It is Miss Yan's good fortune that the Empress Dowager is so considerate of her."

"What kind of blessing is this?" Empress Dowager Yan smiled. "Let's see if they have the chance to meet."

Meanwhile, after bathing in Qingquan Palace, Xiao Mo changed into a new Taoist robe and instantly felt much refreshed.

As for the dragon robe.

Xiao Mo hadn't worn it in a long time.

If you're going to put on a show, you have to be convincing; you can't change your persona.

Xiao Mo walked alone in the palace.

He did not allow the palace maids or others to follow him.

Xiao Mo wanted to take a walk alone to clear his mind.

However, when Xiao Mo arrived at a garden next to Xianxin Palace, he saw two women standing under a tree, looking up at each other.

One was dressed as a lady from a prominent family, and the other as a maid.

Following their gaze, I saw a kite hanging in the tree.

Just as Xiaochun was at her wit's end, wondering how to get the kite down, she turned around and saw Xiao Mo. She said happily, "Excuse me, Daoist priest, could you please help us get this kite down?"

Xiao Mo was stunned for a moment before realizing that the maid was talking about him.

At this moment, Yan Ruxue also turned around and looked in Xiao Mo's direction.

The moment Xiao Mo gazed into the woman's eyes, his heart skipped a beat.

The woman's oval face was as white as snow, so delicate that no texture could be seen, as if it had been carefully carved from the finest mutton fat jade.

Her nose is delicate and high, below which are two naturally red lips with slightly upturned corners. Even when she is not smiling, she exudes a gentle and approachable warmth.

Her neck was long and fair, with elegant lines like a swan's neck. The curve of her collar below her waist looked quite exaggerated.

But what made Xiao Mo's heart tremble was not her appearance.

It was the woman's pair of peach blossom eyes.