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

As the three rode their horses to the foot of the mountain, the crimson sword light in the night sky had already formed an eerie constellation. Lin Qingyun suddenly pulled on the reins: "It's the Big Dipper Killing Formation!" She drew her Purple Lightning Sword, its sword energy drawing a warning arc on the ground—ahead on the cliff, twelve bronze sword tablets were gleaming with an eerie crimson light.

Wang Xiaohu leaped off his horse, and the Starry Sky Frost Sword automatically unsheathed itself three inches. The star pattern on the hilt echoed the Big Dipper in the sky, emitting a rhythmic hum. Suddenly, the one-armed old man coughed violently, black blood seeping from between his fingers: "Quickly! They're using the sword monument to summon something! Destroy the central one!"

Before the words were even finished, the twelve crimson sword lights suddenly converged into a single point. The central bronze tablet shattered with a deafening roar, and countless runes surged into the sky like locusts, forming a gigantic crimson sword character in the night sky—"Slay!"
"Not good! This is a Sword Soul Summoning Array!" Lin Qingyun's Purple Lightning Sword danced, forming a screen of light, but the runes seemed to pierce through the sword energy like living beings. "These are no ordinary arrays; they were forged at the cost of sword cultivators' lives."

Wang Xiaohu felt the Starry Sky Frost Sword suddenly become scorching hot, and the starry river patterns on its blade lit up. He leaped onto the base of the sword monument and discovered half a bloodstained fingernail embedded in the crack of the inscription—exactly the same as the runes on the face of the man in black!
"Little Tiger, watch out!" Lin Qingyun's warning came too late. The ground suddenly cracked open, and three bronze coffins emerged from the earth, each with the characters "Greed," "Anger," and "Ignorance" engraved on its lid. From the crack in the central coffin, a hand covered in calluses from sword strikes reached out!
"clang!"

The Starry Sky Frost Sword blocked the rusty ancient sword protruding from the coffin. A hoarse laugh came from inside the coffin: "Boy, you have Shao Ping's scent on you." As the voice spoke, the coffin lid was flung open, revealing a desiccated face inside—seven-tenths similar to the first sect leader of the Sword Pavilion Secret Realm!

"A sword puppet!" The one-armed old man retreated ten feet. "It was created by the Demonic Sect using the remnant souls of sword cultivators."

The mummified corpse, wielding an ancient sword, slowly approached, each step leaving burning sword marks on the ground. Wang Xiaohu suddenly realized that the opponent's swordplay was exactly the same as the first sect leader's swordsmanship he had witnessed in the secret realm yesterday, only far more insidious! The Starry Frost Sword clashed with the ancient sword, and the sparks that erupted were mixed with black, fibrous material—corrupted sword energy!

"This is... a corrupted sword spirit?" Lin Qingyun suddenly remembered something. "Legend has it that the Blood Sword Alliance collects the life-bound sword energy of sword cultivators when they fall."

The mummified corpse suddenly sprang to life, the ancient sword transforming into nine black shadows aimed straight for Wang Xiaohu's throat. In that critical moment, the Starry Frost Sword suddenly emitted a clear, resonant cry, all the star patterns on its blade lighting up and weaving into a protective light barrier in the air. The instant the black shadows collided with the light barrier, a crisp sound like shattering glass rang out!

"So that's how it is!" Wang Xiaohu exclaimed, a sudden realization dawning on him. His sword technique shifted: "Azure Frost Transforms into a Galaxy!" The Azure Frost Sword suddenly split into nine sword shadows, each corresponding to one of the nine stars of the Big Dipper. The moment the sword shadows collided with the black shadow, the mummified corpse let out a shrill scream: "No! This is impossible! Your sword!"

As the last dark shadow vanished, the mummified corpse collapsed to the ground with a thud. Wang Xiaohu used the tip of his sword to pry open its clothes, revealing a blood-red sword mark embedded in its heart—exactly the same as the one on the black-clad man from before!
"Hurry!" the one-armed old man suddenly shouted, "The formation has been activated!" The twelve sword tablets were slowly moving, and a huge sword-shaped pattern appeared on the ground. Lin Qingyun pointed her Purple Lightning Sword eastward: "The next sword tablet is in the Sword Tomb Ruins, three hundred miles away!"

Wang Xiaohu sheathed the Starry Frost Sword, suddenly feeling an intense burning sensation from the blue mark between his brows: "What exactly does the Blood Sword Alliance want?"

Under the moonlight, the twelve sword tablets had been arranged in a fragmented Big Dipper formation. At the very center, a figure could be vaguely seen performing some kind of eerie ritual.
The three galloped away, the twelve sword monuments behind them gradually fading into the twilight of the sky. The Starry Sky Frost Sword hummed incessantly in its sheath, as if urging something on. Lin Qingyun suddenly pulled on the reins: "No, the sword energy is backfiring!"

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Xiaohu suddenly coughed up a mouthful of black blood. He trembled as he opened his palm, revealing a blood-red sword pattern that was spreading visibly. "This is... the curse of the sword puppet?" the one-armed elder said gravely. "The Blood Sword Alliance is polluting the earth with the blood essence of sword cultivators!"

The horses suddenly neighed in fright, and the three of them dismounted. In the valley ahead, a desolate sword tomb was emanating a crimson mist. Lin Qingyun drew her Purple Lightning Sword three inches from its sheath: "Sword tomb ruins...that was supposed to be where the first sect leader sealed the demonic sword!"

The moment they stepped into the valley, the Starry Sky Frost Sword suddenly unsheathed itself. The starry river pattern on the sword and the blood-red patterns in the mist echoed each other, outlining a complete map in the air—the locations of the twelve sword steles were connected to form a giant sword shape!

"Watch out!" Lin Qingyun suddenly shoved Wang Xiaohu aside. A blood-red arrow grazed past them, its fletching entwined with a rotting sword tassel. Twelve black-robed figures emerged from the shadows, each carrying a twisted ancient sword on their back.

"Sword Tomb Guardians," the one-armed old man's voice trembled, "these are the souls of sword cultivators controlled by the Blood Sword Alliance!"

The black-robed men simultaneously drew their swords, the blades dripping with a black, viscous liquid. Wang Xiaohu felt the Starry Frost Sword tremble violently, the star patterns on the hilt glowing with blinding light: "Frost Breaks the Impurity!" The sword light flashed like a rainbow, slicing the nearest black-robed man in half at the waist. However, no blood flowed from the cut, only countless writhing sword shadows emerged!
"These are sword puppets!" Lin Qingyun's purple lightning sword danced, creating a screen of light. "Attacks are ineffective; only purification is possible!"

In the midst of the chaotic battle, Wang Xiaohu discovered that the sword techniques of these sword puppets were exactly the same as the basic sword techniques of the Starry Sky Sword Sect, only more insidious and bizarre. He suddenly recalled what he had seen and heard in the Sword Pavilion Secret Realm, and changed his sword technique: "Azure Frost Asks the Heart!" The Starry Sky Azure Frost Sword suddenly emitted a pure azure light, and wherever it passed, the sword puppets disintegrated, turning into specks of starlight and dissipating.

"This is... the natal sword energy of the first sect leader?" The one-armed old man stared in shock at the scene. Just then, a deafening sword cry echoed from the depths of the sword tomb, the ground trembled violently, and a massive bronze sword monument burst forth from the earth!

The inscription on the stele reads: "The Twelve Swords Gather, the Blood Sword Appears in the World!"

"Oh no!" Lin Qingyun suddenly pointed to the sky, "They're summoning the Sword Demon!"

The twelve sword tablets simultaneously lit up with a crimson light, arranging themselves into a ferocious sword demon pattern in the night sky. Wang Xiaohu felt a strong resonance from the Starry Sky Frost Sword; the star patterns on its hilt spontaneously detached, transforming into streams of light that disappeared into the depths of the sword tomb.
The blue mark between his eyebrows suddenly lit up, and an unprecedented power surged into his body!
"This is... Sword Soul Awakening?" Nangong Wan stared wide-eyed as she watched the faint sword energy emanating from Wang Xiaohu's body.

Wang Xiaohu felt countless images of sword moves flash through his mind, including Fu Shaoping's swordsmanship from back then, the unique skills of the Starry Sky Sword Sect's past leaders, and even ancient sword styles he had never seen before! His body began to move uncontrollably, and each move resonated with the divine sword in the Sword Tomb!
"Qiang!"

A clear, resonant sword cry echoed through the sky. A cyan sword of light had materialized in Wang Xiaohu's hand, its patterns identical to the Azure Frost Sword! He instinctively swung the sword, the air itself slicing with a piercing sound from the invisible sword energy!

Lin Qingyun and Nangong Wan exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and joy in each other's eyes.

"Shaoping's sword spirit," Nangong Wan murmured, "has finally found its true successor!"

Just then, a violent tremor suddenly came from the direction of the Sword Tomb. The three divine swords simultaneously let out a mournful cry, their sword energy soaring into the sky and weaving into a huge star map in the night sky!

"Not good!" Lin Qingyun's expression changed drastically. "It's the aura of the Demon Realm!"

Wang Xiaohu looked up and saw a massive crack appear in the sky, from which dark demonic energy surged forth. A figure clad in black robes descended from the sky—it was none other than the long-vanished Demon Realm Sword Master! "Hahaha!" the Demon Master grinned maliciously, "I sensed the aura of the Sword Soul! This time, I must..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Xiaohu suddenly raised his hand. The cyan light sword flew into his hand automatically, and with a thought, the patterns on the sword shone with a dazzling light!
"Qing Shuang questions the sword!"

With Wang Xiaohu's sword technique, an invisible sword aura shot straight for the Demon Lord's throat! The Demon Lord hastily raised his blood-red scimitar to defend, but the sword aura easily pierced through the blade and went straight into his chest!
"This...this is impossible!" The Demon Lord stared in disbelief at the sword wound on his chest, his body exploding like a broken doll!
With the Demon Lord's fall, the demonic energy shrouding the Sword Tomb rapidly dissipated. The light of the three divine swords gradually softened, and the Sword Tomb returned to tranquility.

Wang Xiaohu sheathed his cyan lightsaber and discovered that his palms were now covered with fine sword patterns. Even more miraculously, he could clearly sense the presence of the three divine swords, as if they had become a part of his body.

"Senior Shaoping," he called softly, the blue mark between his brows shimmering slightly, "I will certainly inherit your swordsmanship spirit!"

Nangong Wan nodded with satisfaction: "From today onwards, you are the 122nd generation Sword Master of the Starry Sky Sword Sect." He turned to Lin Qingyun, "Qingyun, take Xiaohu to the Scripture Pavilion and choose a suitable sword technique."

Lin Qingyun bowed and said, "Yes, Senior Uncle Sect Leader."

Wang Xiaohu stood rooted to the spot, gazing at the distant sword mound, his heart filled with an unprecedented sense of mission. He knew that his path of swordsmanship had only just begun.
He looked up at the Starry Frost Sword floating above the altar. The patterns on its blade flowed slowly, as if they were alive, telling a story. Suddenly, the sword tip pointed north, emitting a clear, resonant hum!

"The North?" Wang Xiaohu frowned. "Where is that?"

"It's the Mystic Ice Valley." Nangong Wan had appeared behind him unnoticed. "Three hundred years ago, Fu Shaoping fought a three-day, three-night battle against the demons there."

Lin Qingyun also came over: "Junior brother, can you feel it? The sword spirit is guiding the way."

Wang Xiaohu closed his eyes, the blue mark between his brows slightly warm. The last glimpse of Fu Shaoping flashed through his mind: "Xiaohu, there's still a karmic debt to settle in the Xuanbing Valley of the North."

The following morning, Wang Xiaohu embarked on his journey to the Xuanbing Valley alone. The Starry Frost Sword transformed into a beam of azure light, swirling around him and guiding his way. Three days later, when he arrived at the Xuanbing Valley, the scene before him shocked him—

In the center of the valley, a broken black demonic sword was stuck in the ground, its blade shrouded in eerie black mist. Even more chilling was the faint, pervasive sword energy that subtly resonated with the Starry Frost Sword!
"This is... the demonic sword that Senior Shao Ping severed back then?" Wang Xiaohu leaped down the valley, and the Starry Sky Frost Sword automatically flew into his hand. As he approached the demonic sword, the patterns on its blade suddenly lit up!
"Qiang!"

A clear, resonant sword cry rang out, and the black mist on the surface of the demonic sword churned violently, coalescing into a blurry humanoid figure! The shadowy figure let out a piercing, shrill laugh: "Finally... I've waited for you, successor of the Sword Soul."

Wang Xiaohu gripped the Starry Sky Frost Sword tightly, feeling the sword energy surging within his body: "Who are you?"

"Me?" The shadowy figure grinned maliciously, its form gradually becoming clearer—it was a demonic cultivator with a twisted face, a blood-red crystal embedded in its chest. "Three hundred years ago, I was killed here by Fu Shaoping, but my sword spirit has never dissipated!"

Before the words were even finished, the demonic sword suddenly erupted with a towering black mist, countless sword shadows attacking Wang Xiaohu! The Starry Frost Sword automatically protected its master, forming a cyan barrier in front of him. However, the demonic sword's attacks grew increasingly fierce, and cracks began to appear on the barrier!

"Senior Shaoping, what should I do?" Wang Xiaohu cried out in his heart.

In a daze, he seemed to hear Fu Shaoping's voice: "Feel the true essence of swordsmanship with your heart."

Wang Xiaohu closed his eyes, and the scene in the Sword Pavilion Secret Realm appeared in his mind—the phantom of the first sect leader wielded a light sword, and the starry river trembled wherever the sword tip passed! He suddenly understood something, opened his eyes, and the Starry Frost Sword shone with unprecedented light!
"Qing Shuang questions the sword!"

As the sword incantation was uttered, all the patterns on the sword lit up, transforming into starlight. Wang Xiaohu's figure seemed to merge with the sword, every move carrying the essence of the swordsmanship passed down through generations of Star Sword Sect leaders!
"This...this is..." The demonic cultivator stared in horror at the scene before him. "Impossible! How could Fu Shaoping's sword spirit..."

Wang Xiaohu did not answer, but instead concentrated all his sword energy at the tip of his sword. The Starry Sky Frost Sword emitted a deafening hum, and a streak of azure sword light pierced the sky, aiming straight for the demonic cultivator's heart!

"Qiang!"

Amidst the clang of metal on metal, the demonic sword was blasted away. The demonic cultivator spat out a mouthful of black blood, and a crack appeared in the crimson crystal on his chest. Yet, he remained undeterred, frantically channeling his demonic energy: "I will not lose!"

A resolute glint flashed in Wang Xiaohu's eyes. He raised his hand and summoned back the Starry Sky Frost Sword. The starry patterns on the sword's blade lit up, weaving into a massive sword net in the air!

"Three Talents Sword Formation, activate!"

In an instant, cyan, silver, and gold sword lights intertwined into a net, enveloping the demonic cultivator. The demonic cultivator let out a final, defiant roar, his body exploding like a broken doll. With his demise, the demonic sword also turned to molten iron, merging into the ice layers of the Xuanbing Valley.
When the smoke cleared, Wang Xiaohu discovered a new pattern on his Starry Frost Sword—proof of his victory over his inner demons! Even more surprising, he could clearly sense Fu Shaoping's sword spirit communicating with him through the blade.
“Senior Shaoping,” Wang Xiaohu gently stroked the sword, “I understand the true essence of swordsmanship.”

The patterns on the sword shimmered slightly, as if responding to something. In the distance, Nangong Wan and Lin Qingyun stood on the cliff, watching this scene with smiles of satisfaction on their faces. (End of Chapter)