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

At the outer gate of Luoxia Sect, the morning bell tolls for the first time.

Fu Shaoping, who was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, carried his luggage and followed his senior brother Shen Qingshan from the inner sect on his journey down the mountain for training.

Shen Qingshan glanced back at him and said calmly, "In all things, first ask your own heart, then ask the sword in your hand."

Fu Shaoping nodded solemnly, engraving these words in his heart.

As evening fell, the sunset glowed like gold, bathing every inch of Qing Shi Town in its golden light. Fu Shaoping followed his senior brother Shen Qingshan to the town entrance and immediately spotted the old locust tree with its lush branches and leaves.

Under the tree, several children were playing shuttlecock. Amidst their cheerful laughter, Fu Shaoping suddenly noticed a little girl with her hair in two buns—her shadow was eerily frozen in place, completely disconnected from her movements!
Shen Qingshan's eyes sharpened: "Watch closely." Before the words were even finished, he had already drawn his sword. The sword light was as clear as autumn water, pointing directly at the lone figure. The dark figure screamed and turned into a wisp of green smoke, instantly shattered by the sword light.

“This is a ‘Shadow Demon,’ a small demon that feeds on human shadows.” Shen Qingshan sheathed his sword. “On the path of cultivation, evil spirits are everywhere. If the mind is not calm and the eyes are not clear, it is easy to fall into their trap.”

Fu Shaoping was shocked, and for the first time he truly felt the sharpness and protectiveness of a sword cultivator.

Shen Qingshan explained the characteristics of the Shadow Phantom to Fu Shaoping in detail at the inn:
Its essence is formed by the intertwining of the yin and evil energy between heaven and earth with negative human emotions (such as fear and greed).
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Habits: It fears yang energy and pure sword intent, but is most active at dusk, midnight and other times when yin energy is at its peak.
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weakness:

1. The light of the sun: midday sunlight or a ritual implement containing yang fire.

2. Pure Sword Intent: Cut through illusions and reach the essence.

3. The method of using mirrors: By using bronze mirrors or similar objects to reflect sunlight, it can be temporarily trapped.

Shen Qingshan emphasized: "The sword of a sword cultivator is not only a weapon of killing, but also a protective barrier. If we stand idly by today, that girl will have her shadow stolen and will surely die within three days."

In the dead of night, the two returned to the old locust tree to investigate. Shen Qingshan discovered a forgotten stone tablet at the base of the tree, with the words "Righteous Tomb" faintly engraved on it.

“What lies buried under this tree is not ordinary remains,” Shen Qingshan explained. “It is the accumulation of resentment and malevolent energy over the years that gave birth to the Shadow Demon.”

Fu Shaoping squatted down to observe carefully and found some black hair strands and tiny footprints mixed in with the soil. This indicated that there might be more than one Shadow Demon, and it was very likely that it was related to the people in the town!

Just as they were about to leave, Xiao Bao, the innkeeper's grandson, suddenly ran over for help, saying that his sister Xiao Fang (the little girl from earlier in the day) had been taken away by a "ghost"!

The two rushed to Xiaofang's room and saw that the window was wide open. In the moonlight, Xiaofang's shadow was being dragged out of the window by a dark shadow.

"Shaoping, you go!" Shen Qingshan ordered.

Fu Shaoping took a deep breath, gripped his longsword, and channeled his inner energy into the blade. He didn't attack rashly, but instead circled between the shadow and the body, using the scabbard to block the shadow's path.

"Now!" Shen Qingshan prompted.

Seizing the opportunity, Fu Shaoping gathered all his true energy at the tip of his sword and unleashed the first move of the sect's basic sword technique, "Three Forms of Sunset Glow," namely "Rising Sun." A pale golden sword light flashed, successfully forcing the dark figure back.

Shen Qingshan then delivered a final sword strike, completely dispelling the dark shadow. Xiao Fang's shadow merged back into her body, and she slowly awoke.

The next day, Fu Shaoping wandered around the town to investigate and learned from an old woman that Liu the butcher in the town had been behaving strangely lately and often went out in the middle of the night.

The two immediately went to Liu the Butcher's house. In the courtyard, Fu Shaoping discovered a wooden box wrapped in black cloth, inside which were more than a dozen strands of black hair of different sizes—each strand representing a child whose shadow had been taken away!
Faced with questioning, Butcher Liu finally revealed the truth. He had been bewitched by a wicked cultivator who called himself "Master Moxu," and had used the shadows of children to create "Shadowless Incense" in exchange for false power and wealth.

"The greed of the human heart is more terrifying than any shadow demon," Shen Qingshan sighed.

At midnight, "Master Mo Xu" indeed appeared, intending to reclaim the wooden box. He controlled several shadow spirits and engaged in a fierce battle with the two.

Fu Shaoping gradually overcame his fear during the battle. He stopped mechanically imitating and began to think about how to use his sword to "protect". He used a bronze mirror to trap a shadow demon, and then used the tip of his sword to pick up the cinnabar thread he had prepared in advance, sealing it completely.

Shen Qingshan fought against many opponents single-handedly, his sword energy crisscrossing, and he quickly killed "Master Moxu".

After the battle, Shen Qingshan looked at Fu Shaoping with satisfaction in her eyes: "Very good, the seed of 'protection' has been planted in your sword heart."

Fu Shaoping took the hair from the wooden box back to the old locust tree and buried it there. The townspeople also erected a new tombstone for the nameless remains under the tree.

“Senior brother, I understand.” Fu Shaoping said on the way back, “If the mind is not calm, one cannot see the true evil; if the sword is unrestrained, one is no different from a demon.”

Shen Qingshan smiled and nodded: "The path of cultivation is long and arduous. Remember what you have seen and felt today, and your sword will be different because of it."

Although his training in Qing Shi Town has ended, Fu Shaoping's path to immortality has only just begun.

The following morning, Fu Shaoping followed his senior brother Shen Qingshan into the Misty Valley in search of the spiritual herb "Azure Nether Grass".

The valley was shrouded in mist. Shen Qingshan instructed, "The mist can bewitch people. Remember, if you draw your sword, you must strike a vital point."

Suddenly, a cry for help pierced the fog. Following the sound, Fu Shaoping saw an old herb gatherer being pounced on by a blue-backed wolf.

Without a second thought, he struck the wolf's head with his palm. The wolf, in pain, retaliated, but he narrowly dodged it.

"Remember what I said yesterday," Shen Qingshan's voice came from the mist.

Fu Shaoping took a deep breath and steadied himself. He stopped panicking and instead observed the wolf's attack rhythm. Just as the wolf's old strength was exhausted and new strength had not yet been generated, he drew his sword and plunged it into its throat.

"Very good." Shen Qingshan emerged from the mist. "The path of cultivation is fraught with danger, where life and death hang by a thread. Only by remaining calm in the face of peril can one live longer."

After rescuing the old man, Fu Shaoping learned that the wolf pack in the valley had been behaving strangely recently, which might be related to the "Mist Demon" in the mountains.

Taking this opportunity, Shen Qingshan gave Fu Shaoping a vivid, practical lesson:
Sound-based location: "When visibility is poor in fog, you must learn to 'see' with your ears."
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Use the wolf's momentum against it: "Don't confront it head-on; follow the wolf's attack and lure it into missing its target."
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Kenshin Seimei: "The most terrifying thing is not the wolf, nor the fog, but your own panicked heart."

Under Shen Qingshan's guidance, Fu Shaoping's breathing became long and steady, and his mind gradually calmed down. He could hear the rustling of grass in the mist, and even distinguish the subtle differences between the front and hind paws of the blue-backed wolf when it trod the ground.

As evening fell, they discovered a large number of animal bones in front of a cave, which was clearly the den of wolves.

More than a dozen blue-backed wolves pounced at the same time, surrounding them completely.

"Shaoping, remember, your sword is for protection. Protect yourself, protect me, protect the clarity in your heart." Shen Qingshan's voice was as steady as a bell.

Fu Shaoping was no longer afraid. His steps were agile, and his longsword moved as if it were an extension of his arm. He no longer sought to kill with every strike, but instead focused on precisely blocking, deflecting, and thrusting at weaknesses.

He cleverly used the terrain to lure the wolves into a narrow crevice, preventing them from attacking simultaneously.

After a fierce battle, several wolf carcasses lay scattered on the ground. The remaining wolves, seeing the situation was not good, fled in all directions.

Shen Qingshan looked at Fu Shaoping with satisfaction in her eyes: "Very good, the seed of 'clarity' has truly been planted in your sword heart."

Deep within the cave, they finally found their target—a few sprigs of Azure Nether Grass growing in the crevices of the rocks. Fu Shaoping carefully picked them, his heart filled with emotion.

“Senior brother, I understand.” He said solemnly, “Remaining calm in the face of danger is not innate courage, but the wisdom to make the right choice even in fear. The sword is a tool for protection, but the heart is the source of power.”

Shen Qingshan smiled and nodded: "The path of cultivation is long and arduous. Remember what you have seen and felt today, and your sword will be different because of it."

The trials in Misty Valley transformed Fu Shaoping from a novice cultivator into a true swordsman on the path of cultivation.

After leaving Misty Valley, Fu Shaoping and his senior brother Shen Qingshan arrived in the bustling Willow City, intending to exchange the spiritual herbs for spirit stones.

At a pharmacy called "Ren'antang," the clerk took the Qingming Grass, his eyes flashing with greed, and quoted an extremely low price. Fu Shaoping was about to argue when Shen Qingshan stopped him.

"Senior brother, he tricked us!"

“I know,” Shen Qingshan said calmly, “but we are disciples of the Luoxia Sect. Swords are for slaying demons and monsters, not for fighting and killing mortals.”

They switched to another pharmacy and successfully completed the transaction. That evening, Fu Shaoping, downstairs at the inn, saw the same shop assistant from earlier being extorted by thugs. After a moment's hesitation, he intervened to help.

Shen Qingshan stood aside, watching this scene, and the corners of her mouth seemed to turn up slightly.

The rescued man, Afu, was extremely grateful and revealed a shocking secret: he had been forced to work for a group of evil cultivators, using cheaply acquired elixirs to help them perform the "Blood Moon Sacrifice".

That night, a strange blood moon indeed rose over Liucheng. Shen Qingshan's expression turned grave: "This is bad, it's an evil cultivator performing a blood sacrifice!"

The two followed the trail to the Earth God Temple outside the city. Inside the temple, several men in black were chanting around the Blood Array, with Ah Fu at the center of the array!

"Using human essence and blood to bring forth a 'blood corpse'—what audacity!" Shen Qingshan's sword light surged, instantly slaying two men in black.

Fu Shaoping charged into the formation, attempting to break it according to the ancient texts. A dark figure leaped out from the formation—it was a half-formed blood corpse! It possessed immense strength, and its fingernails were like knives.

Fu Shaoping no longer engaged the blood corpse in direct combat, but instead used the terrain to maneuver and search for an opening. Finally, in the instant the blood corpse turned around, he channeled all his true energy into the tip of his sword and pierced it between the blood corpse's eyebrows!

After the battle, Shen Qingshan looked at Fu Shaoping with eyes full of relief: "You've grown up."

“Senior brother, I’ve come to understand this after this trip down the mountain. A sword has its edge, but it must also have its limits,” Fu Shaoping said solemnly.

Shen Qingshan smiled and said, "Very good. Remember, the path of cultivation is about cultivating the mind and refining the body. The sword in your hand is for protection, not a weapon for killing."

Although the turmoil in Liucheng has subsided, Fu Shaoping's path to immortality has only just begun.

As night deepened, a strange blood moon shrouded the sky above Liucheng, and an ominous atmosphere permeated the world.

Shen Qingshan's expression turned grave: "This is bad, it's an evil cultivator performing a blood sacrifice!"

Following the aura of malevolent energy, the two arrived at an abandoned local temple outside the city. Inside, the temple was flickering with light, and several men in black were surrounding a large, blood-red array. At the center of the array stood Ah Fu, the apothecary clerk from earlier that day!
"Using human essence and blood to bring forth a 'blood corpse'—what audacity!" Shen Qingshan's sword light surged, instantly slaying two men in black.

Fu Shaoping rushed into the formation, attempting to rescue Afu. He lightly touched the formation's core with the tip of his sword, chanting a calming mantra.

"Shaoping, watch out!"

A dark figure suddenly lunged out from the formation—it was a half-formed blood corpse! It possessed immense strength, and its fingernails were like knives. Fu Shaoping swung his sword to block, but the impact caused his tiger's mouth to split open.

In that life-or-death moment, he took a deep breath, suppressed his fear, and his eyes remained calm. He no longer engaged in direct combat, but instead used the terrain to maneuver, searching for an opening. Finally, in the instant the blood corpse turned around, he channeled all his inner energy into the tip of his sword and plunged it into the blood corpse's brow!

The blood corpse let out a shrill scream and turned into a pool of blood.

After the battle, Shen Qingshan looked at Fu Shaoping with eyes full of relief: "You've grown up."

The night in Liucheng should have been peaceful. But tonight, a scarlet blood moon hangs high in the sky, like a blood-dripping eye looking down on the world.

The dogs in the city barked incessantly, as if warning something. A faint, pungent smell of blood permeated the air, making one's heart tighten.

In his room on the second floor of the inn, Shen Qingshan opened the window, gazing at the blood-red moon with a furrowed brow. His hand unconsciously rested on the hilt of his sword.

“Senior brother, this moon…” Fu Shaoping was also drawn to the strange sight and walked to the window.

"The blood moon appears, evil spirits emerge." Shen Qingshan's voice was low and solemn. "This is bad, it's an evil cultivator performing a blood sacrifice!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already strode out of the room. Fu Shaoping didn't dare to delay and immediately followed.

The two used their lightness techniques to silently leave the city. Relying on her keen sense of Yin energy, Shen Qingshan led Fu Shaoping westward to an abandoned local temple.

The temple was dilapidated, its gate crooked, and its courtyard overgrown with weeds. Yet, flickering candlelight emanated from within, accompanied by eerie whispers.

"This is it." Shen Qingshan made a shushing gesture, and the two quietly approached.

Through the tattered window paper, Fu Shaoping could clearly see the scene inside the temple:
In the center of the temple, a bizarre magic circle drawn with blood occupied most of the ground, its runes flashing with an eerie red light. At each of the seven corners of the magic circle, a black candle was inserted, its flame displaying an unnatural emerald green light.

Five men in black surrounded the formation, chanting incantations. Their voices were low and hoarse, as if they were not human.

In the very center of the magic circle, bound hand and foot, was none other than the shop assistant he had met at the pharmacy during the day—Afu!
At this moment, Afu's face was deathly pale, blood seeped from his seven orifices, his eyes were empty, and his life force was so weak that it was almost imperceptible.

"Using human essence and blood to bring forth a 'blood corpse'—what audacity!" A cold glint flashed in Shen Qingshan's eyes, and he could no longer contain himself.

"Qiang!"

A clear, resonant sword cry, like a thunderclap from the heavens, instantly shattered the eerie tranquility of the temple.

Shen Qingshan's figure flashed into the temple like a gentle breeze. The long sword "Sunset Glow" in his hand was drawn, its light as clear as autumn water, yet carrying a sharpness capable of cleaving through everything.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

The sword flashed and disappeared in an instant. The two men in black who were closest to him didn't even have time to react before their heads fell to the ground, blood gushing out and staining the ground red.

The remaining three men in black were so terrified by this sudden turn of events that they all retreated.

“People from the Luoxia Sect!” One of the leading men in black recognized Shen Qingshan’s attire, his voice tinged with fear.

"Good to know." Shen Qingshan, long sword in hand, stood before the blood array like an insurmountable wall. "Immediately dispel the array and release him!" (End of Chapter)