Shengui Changsheng: Start from Zhenwuwei and add some points to cultivate immortality

As the setting sun cast its last rays upon the rolling sand dunes, Fu Shaoping reined in the camel, bringing it to a slow, steady stop. He squinted, gazing into the distance; the golden sea of ​​sand shimmered with a mysterious light in the twilight. "We've finally arrived," he said, his voice low and filled with emotion.

Nangong Yue leaped lightly from the camel, her silky black hair fluttering in the breeze. She caught a falling grain of sand, letting it trickle slowly through her fingers. "It's even more magnificent than I imagined," she murmured, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Fu Shaoping nodded, took a water pouch from his bag and handed it to her: "Drink some water first. This weather is more than ten times drier than in the Central Plains." His gaze swept around, warily observing the surroundings. "The Western Regions are not like the Central Plains; we must remain vigilant at all times."

Nangong Yue took the water pouch, but first offered it to Fu Shaoping's lips: "You drink first. You've been taking care of everyone the whole way." Her tone was firm and left no room for refusal.

Fu Shaoping paused for a moment, then chuckled, "Okay, whatever you say." He tilted his head back and took a large gulp, the cool water quenching his thirst. Setting down his water pouch, he pointed to the undulating sand dunes in the distance: "Look over there, the direction of the sand ripples has changed, which means the wind direction is changing. There might be a sandstorm tonight."

"No wonder the air felt a bit stuffy." Nangong Yue looked up at the sky and indeed saw an unnatural yellow hue in the distance. "We need to find a sheltered place to camp."

The two began their work in perfect unison. Using his geographical knowledge from the Central Plains, Fu Shaoping led Nangong Yue to a sheltered depression in a sand dune. He skillfully took out a shovel and began digging a makeshift shelter. "Put the luggage in there, and then cover it with felt; that should block a lot of the wind and sand."

Nangong Yue quickly helped, and the two soon set up a simple shelter. Just as they were tidying up and preparing to rest, the sound of camel bells suddenly came from afar.

“Someone’s coming.” Fu Shaoping stood up alertly, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Nangong Yue was also prepared to defend herself, but her gaze held more curiosity than wariness. Soon, a small camel caravan came into view. Leading the caravan was a burly Mongolian man, who visibly relaxed upon seeing the two.

"Are you two from the Central Plains?" the Mongolian man asked in broken Chinese. His face was darkened by the wind and sand, but his eyes were bright and piercing.

Fu Shaoping nodded: "Indeed. We are heading to the heart of the Western Regions. May I ask who you are?"

"My name is Batel, and I'm the guide for this desert." The Mongolian man grinned, revealing his white teeth. "I noticed your campsite was in the wrong location and was worried you might run into trouble, so I came to check on you."

Nangong Yue asked curiously, "Brother Batel, is there anything I should be especially careful about in this desert?"

Batel took a water sack from the camel's back and handed it to them: "The most dangerous things about this desert are the unpredictable weather and the hidden quicksand. You've chosen a good spot, but there will be a big sandstorm tonight, so you'd better keep the camels securely tied up." He paused, lowering his voice, "Also, this desert hasn't been very peaceful lately; I've heard there are bandits around."

Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue exchanged a glance. "Thank you for the reminder," Fu Shaoping said solemnly. "We really need a guide. Would Brother Batel be willing to accompany us for a while?"

Batel laughed heartily, "That suits me perfectly! I'm heading in that direction anyway. As for the guide fee," he gestured to his camel caravan, "how about you look after these goods for me, and I'll pay you when we reach our destination?"

And so the three of them traveled together. Night fell, and the sandstorm arrived as expected. The howling wind whipped up clouds of yellow sand, which crackled and popped against the felt. Batel lit a small fire, and the three of them sat around it.

"Tell me, why did you come to the Western Regions?" Batel asked as he added firewood to the fire.

Fu Shaoping gazed at the flickering flames, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes: "To search for something. Or rather, an answer." He turned to Nangong Yue, "And you?"

Nangong Yue smiled slightly: "To see how big this world is." Her gaze passed over the flames, as if piercing through the darkness, to see the distant horizon. "The Central Plains are vast, but the legends of the Western Regions are even more alluring."

Batel nodded: "The Western Regions are indeed mysterious. Have you heard the legend of the 'Pearl of the Sands'?"

The two of them sat up straight at the same time. "The Pearl of the Sands?" Nangong Yue asked eagerly.

"Legend has it that deep in the desert lies a forgotten ancient city, hiding endless treasures and lost martial arts manuals," Batel's voice deepened, carrying a hint of mystery. "But no one knows its exact location, because those who have gone there have never returned."

Fu Shaoping seemed thoughtful: "It sounds like a trap."

"Maybe, maybe not," Batel shrugged. "Anyway, I wouldn't dare take the risk. Alright, time to rest, we have to travel tomorrow."

Nangong Yue tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Gazing at the night sky stained yellow by the sandstorm, the mysterious legend kept replaying in her mind. If such an ancient city truly existed… She quietly got up and walked to Fu Shaoping's side.

"Can't sleep?" Fu Shaoping opened his eyes and, seeing the light in them, understood what she was thinking.

“That legend,” she whispered, “why don’t we?”

Fu Shaoping was silent for a moment, then suddenly sat up: "Do you know what this means? It could be a road of no return."

“But perhaps it’s the answer we’ve been searching for,” Nangong Yue said firmly.

Looking at her stubborn profile, Fu Shaoping finally sighed, "Alright, but we'll have to wait until we finish this caravan mission. I can't let you take unnecessary risks."

Nangong Yue smiled and gently took his hand: "I knew you would agree."

In the days that followed, the three continued their westward journey. Batel was not only an excellent guide but also a master storyteller. Whenever they rested at night, he would recount various legends of the Western Regions, from the mysterious ancient kingdom of Loulan to powerful sects of the Western Regions. Each story captivated Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue.

“Do you know?” one evening, Batel pointed to a strangely shaped hill in the distance, “that hill is called ‘Devil’s Finger,’ and legend says it was formed from the finger of an ancient sorcerer. Anyone who dares to desecrate it will be cursed.”

Nangong Yue asked curiously, "Does such a thing as a curse really exist?"

Batel winked mysteriously. "Who knows? Nobody dares go near it anyway. They say ten years ago a caravan tried to cross that area, and everyone disappeared—not even the camels returned."

Fu Shaoping seemed thoughtful: "It sounds like an accident caused by quicksand or a sandstorm."

“Maybe,” Batel shrugged, “but the locals firmly believe it’s a curse.”

As they ventured deeper into the desert, the environment became increasingly harsh. The days were unbearably hot, while the nights were bitterly cold. Water became scarce, forcing them to reduce their water intake and rely on experience to find hidden sources. One midday, a sudden sandstorm disrupted their journey. The fierce winds, whipping up sand, made it almost impossible to open their eyes. Batel shouted for directions, but his voice was quickly drowned out by the wind.

"Stay close to me!" Fu Shaoping grabbed Nangong Yue's hand and struggled forward through the swirling yellow sand. His vision was almost nonexistent; he could only move forward by feeling. Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation beneath his feet—quicksand!

"Don't move!" he shouted, forcefully pushing Nangong Yue against the solid ground. He himself sank rapidly into the quicksand.

"Fu Shaoping!" Nangong Yue cried out in alarm, trying to grab him, but Batel pulled her back.

"Don't go over there! You'll be dragged down with him!" Batel shouted sternly.

Nangong Yue struggled, tears mingling with sand: "There must be a way to save him!"

Just then, Fu Shaoping's calm voice came from the sand: "Don't panic! I brought a rope!" He pulled a specially made rope from his waist, quickly tied it to a protruding rock, and then waved to the two men, "Pull the rope over!"

Batel immediately understood, and together with Nangong Yue, they grabbed the other end of the rope and pulled Fu Shaoping out. When Fu Shaoping lay on the ground covered in sand, the three of them looked at each other and smiled; the joy of surviving a close call overshadowed their fear.

"You prepared the ropes all along?" Nangong Yue asked as she brushed the sand off his body.

Fu Shaoping smiled weakly: "In the desert, accidents can happen at any time."

This accident delayed their journey by a day. That evening, while setting up camp, Nangong Yue took extra care of Fu Shaoping, cleaning his wounds and brewing him special herbal tea. Batel, watching the interaction between the two, smiled knowingly.

"Young man, love, like the desert, requires patience and courage to face," he said meaningfully.

Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue exchanged a smile, offering no rebuttal. In this vast desert, their bond seemed to deepen even further.

A week later, they encountered a small caravan from the Western Regions. The caravan leader was a Uyghur woman named Ayiguli, who had deep-set eyes and a warm personality.

“Welcome to join us, friends from the Central Plains,” Ayiguli said in fluent Chinese, her smile as bright as the sun. “We’re heading in that direction anyway, and it’s safer with more people.”

Fu Shaoping cautiously observed the caravan. There were about a dozen of them, most carrying weapons and appearing well-trained. "Thank you for your kindness, but we are just ordinary travelers."

"Don't be modest," Ayiguli laughed heartily. "Bater told me you're adventurers who came all the way from the distant Central Plains to the Western Regions in search of treasure!"

Nangong Yue looked at Batel in surprise, who scratched his head sheepishly: "I might have let it slip."

Fu Shaoping sighed helplessly, "Since that's the case, then I'll leave you to my own devices." He turned to Ayiguli, "However, we do need some information about the Western Regions."

Aygul patted her chest confidently: "Just ask me! I know this desert better than the palm of my hand." She lowered her voice mysteriously, "Have you heard the legend of the 'Moonlight Castle'?"

Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue sat up straight at the same time.

"Is it that ancient city where the treasure is hidden?" Nangong Yue asked eagerly.

Aygul's eyes lit up: "So you've heard of it too! But I'm not talking about some legend." She glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, then leaned closer to the two of them. "I've seen the ruins of that castle with my own eyes."

"What?" the two exclaimed in unison.

Aygul nodded. "Three years ago, I almost got lost with a caravan and stumbled into a strange area. The sand there was white, not golden. Among the dunes, we saw some ruins with writing we couldn't understand." She gestured, "There's a strange symbol on the castle gate, like a crescent moon."

Fu Shaoping quickly took out paper and pen: "Can you draw it?"

Aygul took the pen and sketched an elegant crescent shape on the paper. "This is it. The locals say it's the 'Moonlight Castle,' containing endless treasures and lost martial arts manuals. But no one dares approach, because it's cursed."

Nangong Yue listened intently: "And then? What did you see?"

“It was getting dark, and we didn’t dare linger, so we left quickly,” Aygul said regretfully. “But I swear it wasn’t a hallucination. The outline of the castle was clearly visible in the moonlight; though dilapidated, it definitely existed.”

At the bonfire party that evening, Ayiguli told more stories about the Western Regions. She mentioned the powerful Western Regions sect, the "Tianshan Sect," whose swordsmanship was as fluid as flowing clouds and water; the mysterious "Sand Fox Gang," which was said to be able to come and go without a trace in the desert; and various unique customs and beliefs of the Western Regions.

Fu Shaoping and Nangong Yue listened with rapt attention. They not only learned valuable knowledge but also experienced the unique charm of Western Region culture. During the evening party, they even learned some simple Western Region dances from the locals, their laughter echoing under the starry sky.

"We'll be parting ways tomorrow," Ayiguli said with a touch of reluctance as the party ended. "Our destinations are different, but I hope to meet again in the Western Regions."

Fu Shaoping nodded solemnly: "Definitely. Thank you for your help and hospitality."

Nangong Yue then presented Ayiguli with a silk handkerchief she had brought from the Central Plains as a gift: "This is a gift from our hometown; I hope you will like it."

Aygul excitedly took the handkerchief and unfolded it in the moonlight: "It's so beautiful! Thank you!" She suddenly winked mysteriously, "By the way, if you really want to find the 'Moonlight Castle,' remember to find a guide named 'Desert Eagle.' He's the only person who has ever approached that castle and returned alive."

"Where can we find him?" the two asked eagerly.

Aygul pointed north: "Go in that direction for about three days, there's a place called 'Oasis Town.' He runs a small inn there called 'Eagle's Nest.' But," she hesitated, "he rarely takes jobs, and his fees are very high."

“It’s worth it,” Fu Shaoping said firmly. (End of Chapter)