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

Inside the Hall of Affairs, people were still coming and going, disciples handing over tasks and deacons issuing instructions, everything was in good order, as if the bloody battle at the Earth God Temple last night was just a ripple in a distant world.

Following Shen Qingshan's instructions, Fu Shaoping gave a concise report on the mission: they had encountered evil cultivators using villagers to create blood corpses, but Shen Qingshan and he had worked together to eliminate them, and villager Afu had been rescued. He deliberately simplified the details, omitting the mention of the Blood Soul Crystal and his speculation about the conspiracy behind it.

The disciple on duty recorded the information. When he heard the words "blood corpse," he raised an eyebrow slightly, but seeing that Shen Qingshan was leading the team, he did not investigate further and simply gave them the contribution points for completing the mission as usual.

"Junior Brother Fu must have benefited greatly from traveling with Senior Brother Shen this time," the disciple in charge remarked casually while registering the disciples, a hint of envy in his voice. Shen Qingshan was renowned throughout the sect, and to receive personal guidance from him was an opportunity many inner disciples would covet.

Fu Shaoping smiled modestly: "Senior brother is strict, junior brother was just lucky not to hold you back."

After completing the transaction, Fu Shaoping walked out of the deacon's hall. Sunlight bathed him, its warmth dispelling the lingering chill of the previous night. He took a deep breath of the mountain's pure, refreshing air, feeling that the true energy in his dantian seemed more vibrant than usual. Especially when recalling the sword strike at "the rising sun," a clear light seemed to still flow between his mind and spirit.

Instead of returning to his residence immediately, he went to the sect's scripture library.

This experience made him deeply aware of his own limited knowledge. If his senior brother hadn't recognized the Blood Soul Crystal, he would have been completely unaware of the anomaly behind the incident. The path of cultivation lies not only in mastering swordsmanship, but also in understanding the universe, all things, and the various paths of good and evil.

Ancient trees towered outside the Sutra Repository, creating a serene and solemn atmosphere. Fu Shaoping presented his identity jade token and stepped inside. The vast collection of jade slips and scrolls within exuded a faint fragrance of ink and spiritual light. He did not set out to seek out profound cultivation techniques, but instead went straight to the area containing records of strange objects, demon illustrations, and local customs.

He needs to understand the world more deeply, to understand the shadows that may be hidden beneath the light.

In the days that followed, Fu Shaoping's life seemed to return to its previous rhythm. During the day, he practiced swordsmanship, attended classes, and completed the miscellaneous tasks assigned by the sect. At night, he would meditate and cultivate his qi. In his spare time, he would immerse himself in the library, eagerly reading the books that recorded all sorts of strange tales, spiritual treasures, ancient legends, and even evil arts and tricks.

However, his sword practice method was completely different from before. He no longer pursued speed and power in his moves, but paid more attention to calming his mind. Before each strike, he would try to clear his mind of distractions, recall the feeling of clarity and unity between mind and sword that night, and guide his true energy to flow naturally into the sword like a stream.

"Ask your own heart first, then ask the sword in your hand." Shen Qingshan's words often echoed in his ears.

Progress was not smooth sailing. He couldn't enter that mysterious state every time; perhaps only once or twice out of ten could he capture a trace of its essence, making his sword energy exceptionally concentrated and sharp. Most of the time, he remained just that skilled but somewhat mediocre outer disciple.

But he was not discouraged. He knew that the door had been opened a crack, and what remained was a matter of patience and perseverance.

During this time, he had seen Shen Qingshan from afar several times. This senior brother seemed even busier, and his aura had become increasingly cold and composed. Each time, he was in a hurry, as if carrying an invisible burden. When their eyes occasionally met, Shen Qingshan would only nod slightly and would not say anything more to him.

Fu Shaoping understood that his senior brother had his own world and responsibilities, and the matters involved with that Blood Soul Crystal were probably far beyond his current level to grasp. He suppressed his curiosity and vague worries, transforming them into motivation to cultivate even harder.

On this day, Fu Shaoping was repeatedly pondering the method of channeling energy in the "Rising Sun" technique in a secluded sword training ground on the back mountain, trying to find the feeling of natural flow of true energy as if it were an extension of his own arm.

Suddenly, a slightly mocking voice came from the side:
"Tsk, I wondered who was gesturing at thin air here. It's Junior Brother Fu. Practicing so diligently, is he hoping to avoid being at the bottom in the next sect competition?"

Fu Shaoping sheathed his sword and turned to look. He saw several young men dressed in inner sect disciple robes walking over. The one in the lead was named Zhao Gan, who came from a wealthy family and usually looked down on them, the outer sect disciples from ordinary backgrounds. He especially liked to mock Fu Shaoping, whose cultivation progress was slow.

Not wanting to cause trouble, Fu Shaoping calmly said, "Senior Brother Zhao. I am of dull talent, but only diligence can make up for it."

Zhao Gan scoffed, "Diligence can make up for lack of talent? I think it's more like making you more and more clumsy! After practicing for so many years, you're still stuck at the third level of Qi Refining. Even the most basic 'Three Forms of Sunset Glow' are weak and lack any real skill. If I were you, I would have left the mountain long ago to avoid wasting the sect's resources."

The inner disciples behind him also burst into laughter.

In the past, Fu Shaoping might have felt embarrassed and annoyed, perhaps even arguing with him. But after the life-or-death battle at the Earth God Temple, his mindset was different. Looking at Zhao Gan's superior yet somewhat superficial gaze, he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness.

The honor and disgrace of the outer sect, the ridicule of fellow disciples, seem so insignificant compared to the life-or-death struggle they faced that night against the blood corpse, compared to their senior brother's unfathomable strength and the heavy burden he carried.

His silence and overly calm gaze made Zhao Gan feel slighted, and he lost face. His tone became even sharper: "What? You're still not convinced after I said a few words to you? Do you think your swordsmanship has improved a lot? Why don't we have a spar and I'll give you some pointers?"

As he spoke, he drew his sword with a sharp "clang". His sword was clearly much better than Fu Shaoping's standard longsword, and the blade gleamed with a faint spiritual light.

A disciple nearby whispered, "Senior Brother Zhao, let it go. Why bother with sparring between fellow disciples..."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Zhao Gan interrupted him. "I won't hurt him. I'm just letting him know what the real Sunset Sword Technique is!"

Fu Shaoping frowned slightly as he looked at the sword tip pointing at him. He didn't want to fight, not out of fear, but because he felt it was pointless.

But Zhao Gan clearly had no intention of letting him go. Seeing that Fu Shaoping was hesitant to respond, he assumed that Fu Shaoping was afraid to fight. With a flick of his wrist, he thrust his sword forward. It was a variation of the starting move of the "Three Forms of Sunset Glow". The speed was extremely fast, with a hissing sound as it cut through the air. It was aimed directly at Fu Shaoping's shoulder blade, intending to force him to make a move and embarrass him at the same time.

This sword strike came suddenly and contained spiritual power. If one were to be stabbed, it would not be fatal, but it would certainly be very painful.

Just as the sword tip touched his body, Fu Shaoping's body reacted almost before his thoughts.

The feeling I had when facing the blood corpse's claws last night returned instantly—pure mind, fearless and without anger, with only the clearest perception of the trajectory of the attack and the natural surge of true energy within my body.

He shifted his feet, his body swaying like a willow leaf in a gentle breeze, dodging the attack in the nick of time. At the same time, the seemingly ordinary longsword in his hand was thrust out.

There was no howling wind, no dazzling light, only a condensed, almost tangible pale golden glow that flashed by in an instant.

A soft "ding!" sounded.

Zhao Gan felt a sudden numbness in his wrist, a sharp yet brief force transmitted through the sword, causing his blood and qi to stagnate slightly, and his forward momentum to come to an abrupt halt. He looked down in astonishment and found that the tip of his sword had been precisely struck by the opponent's blade. A clever force had rendered him completely unable to execute any further changes, abruptly cutting off his offensive.

Fu Shaoping's sword had been sheathed at some point and hung quietly at his side, as if it had never been moved.

The room fell silent instantly.

The laughter of the inner disciples froze on their faces, their eyes filled with disbelief. Zhao Gan's strength was considered quite good among them, especially given his family's martial arts background and his masterful swordsmanship. How could he be so easily stopped by an outer disciple in a single exchange?

Zhao Gan's face turned completely red, both shocked and furious. He hadn't even seen how Fu Shaoping drew his sword; he only felt that the sword was strangely fast and incredibly accurate. More importantly, the condensed sword intent sent a chill down his spine for a moment.

"You..." Zhao Gan stammered, wanting to say something more.

Fu Shaoping had already sheathed his sword, and bowed slightly to him and the other inner disciples, his tone still calm: "Senior Brother Zhao, you flatter me. I still need to report to the miscellaneous service hall, so I will take my leave first."

After saying that, he turned away without looking at their varied expressions, his back straight and his steps steady.

Zhao Gan, gripping his sword, stood there, his face alternating between pale and flushed. Finally, he angrily shoved the sword back into its sheath and spat at Fu Shaoping's retreating figure: "Hmph! He got lucky and only grasped the basics! Let's go!"

But these words sounded somewhat blustering.

As Fu Shaoping left the sword-fighting arena, his heart was not without turmoil. That subconscious sword strike just now once again confirmed that his insights gained over the past few days were not unfounded.

“If the mind is clear as a mirror, reflecting even the smallest detail, then the sword can be drawn without hindrance…” He murmured his senior brother’s words, his palm gently pressing on the hilt of the sword. He could feel a faint, almost imperceptible hum emanating from the blade, as if it were responding to his thoughts.

He raised his head and looked towards the higher mountain peaks deep in the clouds.

The path beneath my feet seemed to become clearer.

Fu Shaoping took on the easy job of tending the herb garden at the servants' hall, but his mind remained on the lightning-fast sword strike he had just witnessed. It wasn't the joy of having dampened Zhao Gan's arrogance, but rather the lingering, profound feeling of that instantaneous synergy between his mind and sword intent. It was as if the dust had been wiped from his mind, revealing the most subtle flaw in his opponent's move, and his true energy flowed forth naturally, like water finding its channel.

"It seems that the trials of life and death are indeed far more valuable than studying in isolation." He thought to himself, gaining a deeper understanding of Shen Qingshan's intention in arranging for him to go down the mountain.

The herb garden was located on a sunny hillside, filled with spiritual energy, where various spiritual herbs thrived. Fu Shaoping calmed his mind, carefully inspecting the growth of each herb, removing weeds, and irrigating it with mountain spring water. These tasks were tedious but required patience, and he performed them meticulously, his mind becoming increasingly calm as he worked.

As the sun set, having finished his chores, Fu Shaoping returned to the simple courtyard where the outer disciples lived. Just as he opened his door, he saw a faint stream of light, transformed from a communication talisman, hovering in front of his table.

As his spiritual energy stirred, Shen Qingshan's cool voice rang directly in his mind: "At three quarters past Xu hour, in the bamboo forest behind the mountain."

The tone was brief and left no room for argument.

Fu Shaoping felt a chill run down his spine and dared not be negligent. Calculating that the time was approaching, he tidied himself up briefly, then quietly went out, avoiding crowded places, and headed once again to that secluded bamboo forest.

The moon hung high in the sky, its clear light spilling into the bamboo grove and casting dappled shadows on the ground. The clear spring in front of the bamboo hut gurgled, adding to the tranquility. Shen Qingshan remained seated on the blue stone, eyes closed, regulating his breathing, his aura almost blending into the nighttime atmosphere of the bamboo grove.

Hearing Fu Shaoping's footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over Fu Shaoping's entire body.

"Senior brother." Fu Shaoping bowed respectfully.

"Hmm." Shen Qingshan responded without exchanging pleasantries, and asked directly, "How did it feel to fight Zhao Gan during the day?"

Fu Shaoping was slightly taken aback, not expecting that such a small matter could not be hidden from his senior brother. He then frankly replied, "Reporting to senior brother, in the heat of the moment, I subconsciously drew my sword, and it seemed... I touched the feeling from that day."

“It’s not just a thought, it’s definitely true.” Shen Qingshan said with certainty, “Your sword energy is now just beginning to condense, and its sharpness is already showing. Although you try your best to conceal it, in the eyes of those with keen senses, it is different from before. Although Zhao Gan’s cultivation is shallow and he is arrogant, his familiarity with the Falling Clouds Sword Technique is undeniable. Your ability to break his attack in one strike is not a fluke.”

He paused, then pointed out the key point: "But do you know that your sword strike only captured the 'form and speed,' but not the 'spirit and intent'? The true 'rising dawn' is when the sword strikes like the sun breaking through the sky. Although the brilliance is restrained, it should have a powerful vitality and an unstoppable upward momentum. Just now, you only had the speed and accuracy, but you lacked that 'momentum'."

Fu Shaoping thought about it carefully and realized it was true. He had only sought to break the move at the time, and his mind was pure but weak, failing to draw out the deeper power of the sword technique. He sincerely admired him: "Senior brother is wise, junior brother has learned a lot."

"It's alright. It's already quite remarkable to have glimpsed the basics. The cultivation of 'momentum' is not something that can be achieved overnight; it requires simultaneous improvement in cultivation level and mental state." Shen Qingshan did not criticize him too much, and then changed the subject, "I called you here today because I have something else to tell you."

With a flick of his sleeve, the sinister "Blood Soul Crystal" reappeared, but this time its surface was sealed by several pale golden runes, and the unsettling chilling aura had diminished considerably.

“The Discipline Hall has been secretly investigating for several days, and the clues this item has uncovered are deeper than expected.” Shen Qingshan said solemnly, “Although the technique of refining blood corpses is evil, the process is crude and full of flaws, more like an experiment.”

"An experiment?" Fu Shaoping was surprised.

"Hmm." Shen Qingshan lightly touched the sealed Blood Soul Crystal with his fingertip. "Using this as a guide, and combining it with the remnant array beneath the Earth God Temple, the true intention of the person behind it is probably not to refine low-level blood corpses, but to try to catalyze something more terrifying using the resentment of living souls and the yin energy of the earth's veins, or... to test the effects of some kind of catalytic array. That leader of the men in black was nothing more than a pawn pushed out to die, and incidentally used to collect data." (End of Chapter)