We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 421: Is Your Majesty Afraid I’ll Eat You?

After exiting the National Preceptor’s Residence, Xiao Mo handed over the Heaven-Splitting Fist body-tempering prescription to Wei Xun, instructing him to procure the necessary medicinal ingredients.

However, Xiao Mo had subtly altered the prescription with a few additional components.

This was not due to a lack of trust in Wei Xun.

The Heaven-Splitting Fist body-tempering formula was exceptionally potent, and the imperial palace was heavily monitored by Yan Shanao’s informants.

Xiao Mo harbored concerns about inadvertently revealing sensitive information.

Wei Xun soon returned, bearing the medicinal ingredients.

“You three may depart. I shall handle the rest myself,” Xiao Mo informed the three palace maids who were present to assist him with his bath.

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

The three palace maids bowed respectfully and exited the chamber.

Xiao Mo proceeded to place each medicinal herb into the designated bathing tub.

A potent herbal aroma permeated the space.

He then submerged himself in the tub, following the body-tempering methodology. Silently, he circulated his internal Qi, absorbing the therapeutic essence from the medicinal bathwater.

Xiao Mo could keenly perceive the absorption of the spiritual medicines' essence by his body, and how his skin, tendons, bones, and flesh were being fortified incrementally.

Once an incense stick’s worth of time had elapsed, Xiao Mo began to perspire profusely. This sweat, laden with viscous impurities, was expelled from his system.

Moving to an adjacent tub, Xiao Mo cleansed himself and donned a comfortable sleeping robe.

“Quite satisfactory.”

Assessing the enhanced resilience of his physique, Xiao Mo felt a sense of deep contentment.

Benefiting from the “martial cultivator physique” innate talent, his body absorbed the medicinal liquid derived from the spiritual herbs with virtually no wastage.

Departing from the Imperial Study, Xiao Mo returned to his sleeping quarters.

Having engaged in a full day of sparring with Jiang Qingyi, Xiao Mo was utterly spent and promptly succumbed to sleep.

Unbeknownst to Xiao Mo, a mosquito was stealthily observing him from the shadows.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ

As Xiao Mo drifted into deep slumber, the horned mosquito silently approached him.

The horned mosquito alighted upon the back of Xiao Mo’s hand, rubbed its tiny legs together, and then abruptly attempted to pierce the skin.

However, in the very next instant, the horned mosquito faltered.

Despite its best efforts, it was utterly incapable of penetrating the human’s skin.

Feeling profoundly humiliated as a mosquito, it resorted to repeatedly and forcefully stabbing at Xiao Mo.

After the duration of half an incense stick’s burn,

the horned mosquito lay exhausted upon Xiao Mo’s hand, completely spent.

Its spirit seemingly shattered, it listlessly raised its head, as if questioning the very purpose of its mosquito existence.

“Cease your slumber. Rise, all of you!”

The following morning.

A palace lady-official entered the quarters occupied by Sili and issued a loud command.

Sili, accustomed to a life of ease, felt a surge of annoyance but ultimately suppressed her morning irritation, departed from her bed, and changed her attire.

“From this day forward, I shall instruct you in the intricacies of palace etiquette and guide you in familiarizing yourselves with the inner palace. Apply yourselves diligently in your studies and observations; otherwise, a single misstep in the future could cost you your heads! Do you comprehend?” The palace lady-official addressed Sili and the newly admitted women.

“Yes, Elder Sister.” Everyone bowed in unison.

The palace lady-official nodded. “Excellent. Follow me.”

Sili and the others followed in the wake of the palace lady-official, yet her thoughts remained preoccupied with the horned mosquito’s mission to collect blood.

She remained uncertain whether the horned mosquito had succeeded in its endeavor.

Finally, a full day concluded.

Late into the night, after all others had retired to sleep, Sili arose and once more proceeded to the sleeping chambers of the ruler of Zhou.

Positioned at the entrance of the sleeping palace, Sili summoned the horned mosquito.

Responding to the summons,

the horned mosquito emerged from within the chamber and settled into Sili’s palm.

“Where is the blood?” Sili inquired.

The horned mosquito shook its head. It appeared exceptionally distressed and emitted a BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ as it attempted to convey its report.

“You’re suggesting you were unable to pierce the body of the ruler of Zhou?” Sili exclaimed in astonishment.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ—the horned mosquito nodded rapidly, then absently rubbed its numbed proboscis.

“...”

Sili remained momentarily stunned.

While the horned mosquito was merely a low-tier spirit pet, it was still a spirit pet nonetheless.

How could it be that it could not even breach the skin of an ordinary emperor?

“Never mind.” Waving her hand dismissively, Sili produced a silver needle, roughly the size of a mosquito’s leg.

“Take this, puncture his skin, and then draw the blood for me. Do you understand?” Sili commanded sternly.

The horned mosquito nodded with haste, clutched the silver needle, and flew back inside.

Not long thereafter, the horned mosquito reappeared.

This time, it had successfully obtained blood.

Sili allowed the fresh blood of the ruler of Zhou to drip onto a pearl.

The pearl emanated a subtle crimson luminescence.

For several consecutive days,

Sili made her nightly visits to collect blood.

As the pearl Sili held in her palm progressively glowed a deeper red, a subtle anxiety began to stir within her heart.

Merely two more days would pass, and she would then be able to ascertain if Zhou’s ruler was, in fact, her master’s reincarnation.

This marked the sixth day since Xiao Mo had his blood drawn.

At the Asking-the-Dao Altar.

Xiao Mo was seated in a cross-legged position upon the ground, diligently tempering his sword intent.

He was undertaking these final preparations in advance of his subsequent attempt to achieve Foundation Establishment.

Jiang Qingyi remained positioned at Xiao Mo’s flank, acting as a guardian to prevent any qi deviation, while simultaneously observing his sword intent and offering corrections for any perceived inaccuracies.

A full twenty-four hours elapsed.

The formidable sword intent that had enveloped Xiao Mo began to gradually subside.

Finally, Xiao Mo drew a profound breath and slowly opened his eyes.

“It is satisfactory,” he declared.

Observing Xiao Mo, Jiang Qingyi offered a nod of approval.

“The myriad methods of the Hundred Schools for initiating Foundation Establishment each possess their unique approaches. Given your current mastery of sword arts, you must utilize your sword intent as the very cornerstone to breakthrough this realm.

“Furthermore, one’s sword intent is akin to a sword billet; it requires diligent hammering, tempering, honing, and sharpening until it finally transforms into an unparalleled immortal weapon.

“This entire process permeates the entirety of cultivation, from its inception to its conclusion. You must remember not to be hasty.

“It is far better to proceed slowly and correctly than to rush and err.

“Does Your Majesty comprehend?”

“My deepest gratitude to Immortal Lady Jiang for your profound guidance,” Xiao Mo responded, nodding.

“It scarcely qualifies as guidance,” Jiang Qingyi replied, turning her head away. “Speaking of which, where does Your Majesty intend to undertake the Foundation Establishment? Pray tell it will not be within the confines of this very imperial palace.”

“Certainly not,”

Xiao Mo affirmed with a shake of his head.

“I have already instructed individuals to identify a secluded location where the spiritual energy remains notably abundant. Once all preparations are complete, I shall proceed there.”

“Your Majesty ought to attempt to enter Foundation Establishment three months hence,” Jiang Qingyi stated with earnestness.

“Three months from now?” Xiao Mo queried, not entirely understanding. “Commencing Foundation Establishment three months into the future—what is the rationale behind this?”

“There is no specific reason, however, if Your Majesty is truly set on entering Foundation Establishment, then heed my counsel.”

Jiang Qingyi declared with a certain coolness.

“At that appointed time, I shall accompany Your Majesty to enter Foundation Establishment together. Or perhaps Your Majesty harbors the suspicion that I would bring you harm?”

Xiao Mo offered a smile. “If Immortal Lady Jiang harbored any intent to harm me, she would have acted long ago. Why delay until this juncture, and more importantly, how would she have then presented me with the Condensed Light Longsword?”

“It is good that you understand this,” Jiang Qingyi replied, turning back. Beneath her veil, an exceedingly faint curve seemed to momentarily grace her lips. “Come now. Let us proceed to Your Majesty’s sleeping quarters.”

“Immortal Lady Jiang intends to visit my sleeping palace?” Xiao Mo inquired, a hint of confusion in his voice.

“What? Is Your Majesty perhaps apprehensive that I might consume you?”

Jiang Qingyi retorted with a sardonic smile.

“Or are you concerned that should I venture to your sleeping chambers at night, and word were to spread, it might incite misunderstanding among your two future royal consorts?”

“Or is it perhaps that—”

Jiang Qingyi pivoted back, took a single step, positioned herself directly before Xiao Mo, and gazed upward at him.

“Your Majesty has already set your heart upon me, and now that I am en route to Your Majesty’s sleeping palace, you are secretly experiencing profound delight?”