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

Strength! It's all due to insufficient strength!
If he had the same level of cultivation as Senior Brother Shen, he could investigate the truth more deeply, instead of just finding clues and waiting for rescue; if his swordsmanship were stronger and his mind more stable, he would have more self-protection and coping power in the face of any danger.

That flash of inspiration, that "mind-sword" state, when facing Zhao Gan was no accident, but a window to a higher realm. It's just that this window is unpredictable and difficult to grasp.

"A mind as clear as a mirror reflects even the smallest detail... The sword moves without hindrance, its own rules governing its execution..."

He pondered Shen Qingshan's words repeatedly, his mind replaying the scene of dawn that day, the rising sun, its radiance both profound and unstoppable. He slowly rose and drew his sword.

This time, he no longer deliberately pursued the standard or speed of the moves. Instead, he closed his eyes and immersed himself in visualization, trying to capture the feeling of "momentum" and let his mind guide his true energy, rather than using his consciousness to drive it.

The tip of the sword trembled slightly, initially erratically. But he remained focused, trying again and again, adjusting his breathing and concentration.

After an unknown amount of time, when he thrust out his sword again, the tip of the sword suddenly emitted a very faint hum, and a faint yet unusually concentrated ray of light flashed by, silently slicing through a falling bamboo leaf in front of him, leaving a smooth, mirror-like cut.

Fu Shaoping opened his eyes and looked at the two halves of the bamboo leaf slowly falling, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.

Although he was still inexperienced and exhausted, he had indeed touched that threshold again! And he had gained a more genuine understanding of the power of condensation.
-
The following day, Fu Shaoping went to the lecture hall as usual. Today's lecture was on the basics of Qi cultivation, presided over by a kind-looking elder surnamed Wang.

There were many disciples below the stage, and Fu Shaoping chose an inconspicuous spot to sit down. He noticed that Zhao Gan and his group were also there. When they saw him, they snorted coldly and turned their heads away, but did not come forward to provoke him again.

Elder Wang explained the key points and precautions for circulating spiritual energy in a simple and easy-to-understand way. These were all basics that Fu Shaoping already knew by heart, but he still listened attentively, reviewing what he had learned to gain new insights.

When discussing a detail about the flow of Qi, Elder Wang casually gave an example: "...Take the opening stance of the sect's 'Flowing Cloud Sword Technique,' for instance. True Qi must pass through the 'Cloud Gate' and penetrate the 'Central Mansion' for its momentum to be continuous. If one forces the Qi through the gates, it will become sluggish..."

Most of the disciples below the stage were just listening, since the "Flowing Cloud Sword Technique" was not a skill they could access at this stage.

However, Fu Shaoping suddenly had a thought!
Although the "Flowing Clouds Sword Technique" and the "Three Forms of Sunset Glow" have different origins, they both belong to the sect's upper-level sword techniques. Perhaps they share some similarities in their energy cultivation methods? My senior brother once said that the subsequent variations of the "Three Forms of Sunset Glow," "Thousands of Flowing Clouds" and "Bloody Setting Sun," require further cultivation to learn. Does this mean that its energy cultivation methods are more complex and subtle than those of "Rising Sun Glow"?
I have been struggling with the "rising dawn" phenomenon, only grasping its form and speed, but not its spirit and meaning, lacking that upward momentum. Is this because the basic Qi cultivation methods are insufficient, or because I have failed to understand the more subtle ways of using true Qi?
A thought flashed through his mind: the library!
The sect's library is vast and boundless, containing not only cultivation techniques and secret manuals, but also countless cultivation insights, notes, and even deduction notes on certain techniques left by predecessors. Among them may be discussions on the basic energy cultivation methods of various sword techniques. Although they may not involve the core secrets, they can broaden one's horizons and provide different perspectives!

As soon as his studies were over, Fu Shaoping couldn't wait to go to the Sutra Repository again.

Instead of heading straight for the advanced techniques, he ventured into the dusty bookshelves filled with the principles of various basic techniques, detailed explanations of meridians, theories of spiritual energy attributes, and even notes from previous cultivators.

These ancient texts were far less popular than cultivation manuals, but in Fu Shaoping's eyes at this moment, they were priceless treasures.

He devoured the books, searching for any words or phrases that might be related to swordsmanship, "momentum," or the more subtle circulation of internal energy.

"...True energy is like water; it surges when the mind moves and calms when the mind is still. However, water can be either a mighty river or a trickle. The key lies in the way of guiding it, not in the force of driving it..." — A random note from an unknown cultivator.

"...Observe the overlapping mountains and peaks, and understand the rise and fall of the sword's momentum; observe the unfolding clouds and mist, and understand the gathering and dispersing of the sword's energy..." — A tattered travelogue.

"...The sunset glow is not merely a spectacle of light, but a moment when the yin and yang of heaven and earth converge. Its brilliance stems from the boundless vitality it contains, and its grandeur comes from the accumulation of the essence of the entire day..." — A senior once mentioned this casually when discussing extraordinary phenomena of heaven and earth.

Fu Shaoping greedily absorbed seemingly scattered pieces of information, which corroborated his own cultivation experiences. Many previously vague concepts gradually became clear.

He realized that the "momentum" of "rising dawn" was not simply a matter of powerful true qi, but rather a nascent form of resonance with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth after a high degree of unity of essence, qi, and spirit! It requires extremely precise control over true qi, as well as a high degree of concentration of mind and a profound understanding of the intent of sword moves.

In the days that followed, Fu Shaoping's life became extremely regular: listening to basic courses, completing chores, browsing through a group of "miscellaneous books" on the ground floor of the library, and at night repeatedly refining the "Rising Sun" move based on his new insights.

His cultivation progress still seemed slow, but his control over true qi and his understanding of swordsmanship were improving rapidly in a subtle way. When he drew his sword, the occasional radiance became more solid, and although it lasted only a short time, it was no longer a fleeting moment of inspiration.

He even began to try to incorporate some of the most basic luck-related tips he had learned from miscellaneous books into his daily practice. Although he had no one to guide him and stumbled along the way, he occasionally had some pleasant surprises.

On this day, he was practicing his sword in the courtyard, trying to incorporate a bit of the insight of "like a winding stream, increasing its impact" into the process of building up power before striking the sword, when suddenly there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

Fu Shaoping sheathed his sword and opened the door. Standing outside was an unfamiliar inner disciple with an arrogant expression.

"Is it Fu Shaoping?"

"It is indeed Junior Brother. What are your orders, Senior Brother?"

The inner disciple took out a mission jade slip and said calmly, "An urgent mission from the Hall of Affairs. There have been unusual noises in the West Mountain mine recently, suspected to be caused by the emergence of demonic creatures, which are disturbing the miners. We need to send a disciple to investigate. Prepare yourself and depart immediately."

Fu Shaoping took the jade slip and scanned it with his divine sense. The task was simple and marked as "Level C", which was usually completed by a team of several outer disciples.

"Excuse me, senior brother, who are the other senior brothers traveling with us?"

"Just you alone." The inner disciple said calmly, "The sect has been busy with external affairs lately and is short-handed. You can handle this Class C mission by yourself. Go quickly and return promptly without delay."

After saying that, he turned and left without waiting for Fu Shaoping to ask any more questions.

Fu Shaoping held the jade slip, his brows furrowed slightly.

The West Mountain Mine... that's an old, abandoned mine belonging to the sect, no longer producing spirit stones. Only a few ordinary miners still mine common metal ores in the peripheral areas. How could a demonic creature suddenly appear that requires cultivators to deal with?

Furthermore, while Class C missions are not difficult, regulations stipulate that at least two people should accompany them for mutual support. Why was he sent alone this time?
He subconsciously touched the Ice Heart Mirror in his arms. It was ice-cold.

But a strange intuition told him that something seemed amiss.

The inner disciple's departure was swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation, as if he had merely issued a commonplace command. However, as Fu Shaoping held the cold mission jade slip, doubts began to creep into his heart like vines.

The West Mountain mine, abandoned for many years, has a thin spiritual energy. How could it suddenly breed monsters that require cultivators to deal with? Although a Class C mission is the lowest level, it usually requires two or more people to go together. Why was he sent alone this time? Is it because the sect is so short-handed, or... is there another reason?
He tried to sense the Ice Heart Mirror in his arms again, but it remained unresponsive, seemingly unrelated to the matter.

But Senior Brother Shen's warning still echoed in his ears: "In the cultivation world, people's hearts are hard to fathom." Although Zhao Gan and others' exclusion was just a minor disturbance, it was not impossible for someone to take this opportunity to trip up this "eyesore" outer disciple during an outing, or even create some "accidents".

To go or not to go?

If I don't go, I'll be disobeying the orders of the Hall of Affairs, which could result in punishment at best, and affect my future cultivation resources at worst. If I do go, what lies ahead could be a routine mission, or it could be an unknown trap.

Fu Shaoping's eyes grew cold. Escape was never his choice. He had overcome the blood-soaked corpse at the Earth God Temple and the evil formation in Qingrong Town; why would he shrink back because of a little suspicion? Besides, wasn't this also a form of training?
He took a deep breath and made no further hesitation. Back inside, he carefully checked his longsword, talismans, and pills, adjusting himself to peak condition. Afterward, instead of setting off immediately, he detoured to the mission bulletin board in the deacon's hall. He seemingly browsed it casually, but in reality, he confirmed that the mission in the West Mountain Mine was indeed registered, classified as level C, and his name was prominently displayed under the assigner's name.

This was done as a precaution; if something really happened, it would at least prove that he was indeed going on orders.

After doing all this, Fu Shaoping set off from the sect and headed towards the Western Hills.

West Mountain was dozens of miles away from the sect. Fu Shaoping used his lightness technique to travel at a fast pace. The closer he got to West Mountain, the more desolate the surrounding environment became. The vegetation was sparse, the rocks were exposed, and the air was filled with a faint metallic smell and the smell of dust.

About an hour later, an abandoned mine built against the mountain came into view. The mine entrance was dark and gaping, like the open mouth of a giant beast. Scattered around were dilapidated mine carts and tools, and the silence was eerily quiet. Only a few ragged and frightened miners stood guard at the far end of the entrance. When they saw Fu Shaoping arrive, they surrounded him as if he were their savior.

"Immortal Master! You've finally arrived!" an elderly miner said in a trembling voice. "There are strange noises in the cave... there are strange noises in the cave! A few days ago it was only at night, but these past two days it's been making noises during the day too. It sounds like... like something is gnawing on the rocks, and... and there are also cries! We're too scared to go in!"

Fu Shaoping reassured him, "Don't panic, sir. That's exactly why I've come. Do you know exactly which area the sound came from?"

The miners pointed deep into the mine: "It's the innermost old mine tunnel, long abandoned. I heard... I heard that it collapsed there decades ago, killing many people..."

Fu Shaoping nodded, gesturing for the miners to stay away from the entrance. He stood in front of the mine, not rushing in, but instead focusing on sensing. The air emanating from the cave was a mixture of earthy and musty smells, along with a... very faint, almost imperceptible chilling aura. It wasn't demonic energy, but rather more like a lingering resentment.

He confirmed once again that the Ice Heart Mirror showed no reaction, ruling out the possibility of an evil formation. Therefore, the most likely explanation was that changes in the earth's veins or the accumulation of yin energy had bred some low-level filth or disturbed the spirits of the dead.

This task is not too difficult for Fu Shaoping now.

He lit a talisman and stepped into the mine. The talisman emitted a soft white light, dispelling the darkness at the entrance and illuminating the uneven ground and the decaying wooden stakes supporting the mine tunnel.

The deeper he went, the dimmer the light became, and the air grew increasingly damp and cold. Only the sound of his own footsteps echoed in the dark mine tunnels. The strange noise the miner had described did not appear immediately.

With a thought, Fu Shaoping tried to apply the perception techniques he had recently cultivated. He slowed his breathing and focused part of his mind on the surrounding environment, carefully capturing any subtle fluctuations.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a fork in the road appeared ahead. One path was relatively new, while the other was extremely old—the old mine tunnel that the miner had pointed out. The moment he stepped into the old mine tunnel, a faint rustling sound, like fingernails scraping against rock, mixed with a low whimper, came from the depths.

The voice was ethereal, carrying a chilling cold that pierced to the bone.

Fu Shaoping stopped, his sharp gaze fixed on the depths of darkness. He didn't sense a powerful threat, but the chilling, resentful aura was much clearer.

He circulated his inner energy to protect himself, and his longsword silently emerged half an inch from its sheath. The blade reflected the light of the talisman, radiating a chilling aura. He proceeded cautiously step by step; the light from the illumination talisman could only illuminate a radius of a few feet, beyond which lay endless darkness.

The scraping and whimpering sounds grew closer, as if they were just around the corner ahead.

Fu Shaoping held his breath, about to turn the corner—

suddenly!

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Several sharp whooshing sounds shot from behind! The target wasn't to attack him directly, but rather to precisely strike the top of the passage he had come from!
"Boom!!"

With a loud bang, earth and rocks collapsed, instantly blocking his escape route!
At the same time, the eerie scraping and whimpering sound ahead abruptly stopped, replaced by several cold, mocking laughs.

"Heh... They've come after all."

"A mere fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator dares to take on this mission alone? He's practically courting death!"

Three figures slowly emerged from the darkness ahead, blocking their path. They were not demons, but three cultivators! All were dressed in gray, close-fitting clothes, their faces filled with murderous intent, and their cultivation levels were all above the fifth level of Qi Refining! The leader, with a scar on his face and fierce eyes, possessed an aura that had reached the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining!

Fell into a trap!
Fu Shaoping knew perfectly well that this was not the work of some demon, but a meticulously planned trap to kill him! The goal was to lure him deep into this abandoned mine and silence him!
With their retreat cut off and a formidable enemy ahead, and the narrowness of the mine hindering their maneuvering, they were trapped in a precarious situation.

The situation instantly became extremely critical! (End of Chapter)