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

Time flies, and half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

With the accumulation of countless resources and his own arduous training, Fu Shaoping's cultivation finally returned to the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining, and he was only one step away from the seventh level. In the past six months, he had almost been living a life of three places: cultivating the Yi Wood Azure Origin Technique in his cave to solidify his foundation, studying the Falling Clouds Sword Intent on the third floor of the Sword Pavilion, and tempering his sword heart in the Sword Washing Pool. His aura became increasingly profound, and his eyes were sharp yet restrained when they opened and closed. Only when he practiced swordsmanship, the sword intent that was inadvertently revealed, would startle Zhou Meng and others who occasionally came to visit.

On this day, Fu Shaoping was practicing his sword in the training ground. He did not use his inner energy, but only relied on his physical strength to wield the longsword, repeatedly practicing the connection between "Rising Sun" and "Thousands of Flowing Clouds". The sword moves were simple and unadorned, but each transition carried a harmonious and natural rhythm, as if the sunrise and flowing clouds were one.

Suddenly, he sensed something, sheathed his sword, and looked out of the cave.

A stream of light formed from a communication talisman passed through the barrier and hovered in front of him. It was a message from his master, Shen Qingshan, with a concise message: "If your cultivation reaches the seventh level, come to the summit of Luoxia Peak immediately."

Fu Shaoping's heart stirred; he knew the time had come. He took a deep breath, but instead of immediately setting off, he returned to his meditation room and sat down cross-legged. He didn't rush to break through the bottleneck, but instead completely calmed his mind, reviewing the accumulation and insights of the past six months. Within his Qi Sea, the pure Yi Wood Azure Qi surged slowly like the tide, and the sharp sword intent imprint he had obtained from Shen Qingshan had already merged seamlessly with his own true Qi.

Three days later, at dawn, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds and fell upon Fu Shaoping's face. It was as if some kind of shackle within him quietly shattered at that moment. His dantian trembled slightly, then expanded, and even more powerful and pure true qi circulated freely throughout his body.

Reaching the seventh level of Qi cultivation is a natural progression.

He opened his eyes, his gaze clear, showing little joy, only a calm acceptance of what was to come. He changed into a clean core disciple's blue robe, hung the token—neither gold nor jade—at his waist, pushed open the door, and transformed into a pale golden streak of light, heading straight for the summit of Sunset Peak.

At the summit, the sea of ​​clouds churned, offering a panoramic view. Shen Qingshan stood with his hands behind his back, his back to him. His green robes remained motionless in the howling mountain wind, as if he were one with the entire world. He did not turn around, but his clear, cold voice rang out: "Not bad, solid foundation, inner sword intent. It seems you haven't slacked off in the past six months."

"This disciple dares not slacken," Fu Shaoping said respectfully.

Shen Qingshan slowly turned around, his gaze like lightning, sweeping over Fu Shaoping, and nodded slightly: "Now that you have reached the seventh level, you are qualified to receive the true killing move of my Luoxia lineage—'Bloody Sunset'." With a flick of his sleeve, a jade slip with a dark red color and a shape resembling a drop of congealed blood floated towards Fu Shaoping.

"This style is quite different from the previous two. The morning glow represents life, the flowing clouds represent change, but the setting sun... represents annihilation, represents the end. It is a sword that represents ultimate sublimation and life in the face of death. To practice this sword, one must have the awareness to cut through confusion and face the end. The sword must drink blood when it is drawn. It should not be used lightly unless one is in a state of certain death. Do you understand?"

Fu Shaoping took the jade slip, and upon touching it, he felt a burning heat and heaviness, as if he were holding a sliver of the setting sun. He solemnly said, "Disciple understands."

"Hmm." Shen Qingshan said no more, pointing his fingers like a sword and pointing in the air.

In an instant, Fu Shaoping felt the scene before him change drastically! He was no longer atop the Cloud Sea Peak, but found himself in a vast expanse of sky and earth, where an enormous, blood-red setting sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, staining everything in the world with a tragic and poignant crimson hue. An indescribable sense of desolation, ending, and the ultimate splendor and power born from this ending filled his mind.

This is not a specific sword technique instruction, but a direct infusion of an artistic conception. It is Shen Qingshan using his own supreme sword intent to interpret the true meaning of "the setting sun is like blood" for him!

Fu Shaoping was shaken to his core. He subconsciously gripped the dark red jade slip in his hand, his entire mind drawn to the "setting sun." In his mind's eye, the vibrancy of the morning glow, the ever-changing clouds, and the fading light of the setting sun began to resonate and collide with a mysterious power.

He seemed to see the rosy dawn rising from the place where the setting sun had disappeared, and the drifting clouds shuttling between life and death. The three forms of sunset were not isolated, but rather a complete cycle.

After an unknown amount of time, the illusion dissipated, and Fu Shaoping remained standing in the same spot. The sea of ​​clouds atop the peak was still there, as if everything that had just happened was merely a dream. But he knew that things were different now. A trace of the crimson hue of the setting sun had been imprinted upon his sword heart.

Shen Qingshan's figure had already disappeared, leaving only lingering echoes in the mountain wind: "Contemplate the setting sun from this peak. When you can dye the sea of ​​clouds before you blood red, then you will have entered the path. Go."

Fu Shaoping bowed deeply, then turned and descended the mountain without lingering. He did not return to his cave dwelling, but went directly to the sect's mission hall.

While seclusion and arduous training to comprehend sword intent are important, a true sword needs to be sharpened in actual combat. He needs pressure, the tempering of being on the brink of life and death, to truly digest the gains of the past six months and to hone the nascent "Setting Sun" sword intent.

The main hall was bustling with activity. The appearance of the core disciple caused a small commotion, drawing awe and envy from many inner and outer disciples. Fu Shaoping ignored them and walked straight to the jade wall where high-level missions were issued.

His gaze swept over the various mission messages, finally settling on a scarlet mission:

"Exterminate the 'Blood Fiend Stronghold' entrenched in the Black Wind Mountains. The stronghold's leader, Blood Butcher, was originally a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, known for his brutal nature and suspected practice of evil arts. He commands hundreds of desperate followers who have repeatedly plundered villages and towns affiliated with our sect. Danger level: High. It is recommended that Foundation Establishment cultivators accept this mission, or that Qi Refining stage disciples form a team. Rewards: 5,000 sect contribution points, 100 high-grade spirit stones, and a choice of a high-grade Xuan-level cultivation technique or a magic weapon."

Blood Fiend Stronghold, Foundation Establishment evil cultivators... this is exactly the kind of pressure he needs!

Without the slightest hesitation, Fu Shaoping reached out and peeled off the scarlet mission scroll amidst the astonished gazes of the surrounding disciples.

A new journey begins at this moment. His sword already thirsts for blood.

Fu Shaoping accepted the Crimson Mission Scroll, and the hall erupted in an uproar.

"It's Senior Brother Fu! He's actually going to storm Blood Fiend Stronghold alone?"

"I heard that he has only recently recovered from serious injuries, and his cultivation seems to have improved..."

"But that Blood Butcher is a Foundation Establishment cultivator! Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment are worlds apart!"

Amidst the murmurs, Fu Shaoping had already taken the scroll to the elder in charge to register. The elder looked up at him, his brows furrowing slightly: "Are you sure you want to take on this mission alone? Although Blood Butcher is only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, he is ruthless and has hundreds of subordinates."

"This disciple is certain," Fu Shaoping said calmly.

The elder gave him a deep look and branded his mark on the scroll: "In that case, be extra careful. Depart within three days."

Three days later, a golden rainbow swept past the gates of the Qingxuan Sect and headed straight for the Black Wind Mountain Range.

Fu Shaoping used the Golden Rainbow Escape Technique, feeling the flow of true energy within his body. After breaking through to the seventh level of cultivation, his escape speed had nearly doubled, and the circulation of true energy had become more fluid. As he traveled, he mentally rehearsed the variations of the Three Forms of Sunset Glow.

Seven days later, the Black Wind Mountains were already in sight.

The mountains were shrouded in a gray-black miasma, their terrain treacherous. A fortified village could be vaguely seen nestled against the mountainside, its banners fluttering in the wind. Fu Shaoping, having descended a hundred miles away, used his escape technique and began his infiltration on foot.

Three days later, ten miles outside Blood Fiend Village.

Fu Shaoping hid in an ancient tree, observing the layout of the mountain stronghold from afar. He saw towering walls and a constant stream of patrolling henchmen, and could vaguely sense a chilling aura of bloodlust emanating from the depths of the stronghold.

"As expected, there is a Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge." His eyes narrowed slightly.

It was night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

Fu Shaoping stealthily approached the stockade wall like a ghost. Two henchmen were on patrol when suddenly a flash of cyan-gold sword light appeared before their eyes, and before they could utter a sound, they collapsed to the ground.

He drifted into the stronghold like a cloud, and wherever his sword flashed, the henchmen fell to the ground. It wasn't until he had penetrated deep into the heart of the stronghold that he was discovered by a one-eyed leader.

"Enemy attack!" the one-eyed leader roared, brandishing his ghost-headed sword and slashing down. He actually had the cultivation level of the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Fu Shaoping neither dodged nor evaded, but lightly touched the target with his longsword.

The first rays of dawn!

The sword light, like the light of dawn, instantly tore through the night. The one-eyed leader, sword and all, was sent flying, a deep sword wound on his chest revealing bone. "Such a powerful sword!" The one-eyed leader collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.

The commotion finally alerted the experts in the village.

Three figures swept in from different directions, surrounding Fu Shaoping in the center. They were the three leaders of Blood Fiend Stronghold, each with a Qi Refining level nine cultivation.

"Boy, you dare to trespass into my Blood Fiend Stronghold alone? You're courting death!" A glamorous woman wielding a blood whip sneered.

Fu Shaoping's gaze swept over the three men, his longsword pointing diagonally: "Bring out Xue Tu."

"Arrogant!" a burly man roared, swinging his hammer at the enemy.

Thousands of clouds drift by!

The sword light suddenly transformed into a sky full of flowing clouds, seemingly gentle, yet completely neutralizing the force of the heavy hammer. The sword's momentum shifted, surging like a sea of ​​clouds, instantly leaving dozens of sword marks on the burly man's body.

The other two were shocked and attacked simultaneously. The blood whip coiled around them like a venomous snake, while the other unleashed a wicked technique, transforming into several bloody shadows as he pounced.

Fu Shaoping changed his sword style again, alternating between the morning glow and flowing clouds, handling the three attackers with ease. The sword light was sometimes as magnificent as the rising sun, and sometimes as ever-changing as the rolling clouds, deflecting the three's attacks one by one.

"This boy's swordsmanship is bizarre, form a formation!" the alluring woman exclaimed shrilly.

The three quickly changed positions, and their bloodthirsty aura merged into one, increasing their power dramatically.

A glint flashed in Fu Shaoping's eyes—now's the time!

The rosy clouds break!
The cyan-gold sword light surged, perfectly blending the grandeur of the morning glow with the ever-changing clouds, transforming into an unstoppable sword rainbow that instantly tore through the Blood Fiend Formation.

The three leaders simultaneously coughed up blood and flew backward, their eyes filled with horror.

"waste!"

A furious roar echoed from the depths of the mountain stronghold, accompanied by a terrifying aura of bloodlust. A middle-aged man in a blood-red robe stepped through the air, his body surging with blood energy; it was none other than the stronghold's leader, Blood Butcher.

"To force me to take action personally, boy, you have every reason to be proud." Blood Butcher stared coldly at Fu Shaoping. "I'll use your life essence to refine my Blood Fiend Banner!"

The pressure from the Foundation Establishment stage cultivator was like a mountain pressing down, far surpassing that of the Qi Refining stage cultivator.

Fu Shaoping felt his breath catch in his throat, but he was not afraid at all. He pointed his longsword straight at Fu Shaoping: "Today, I will test my sword with your blood!"

Blood Butcher laughed in fury, his blood-red robe billowing as a giant, blood-red hand slammed down on his head.

Fu Shaoping unleashed his sword techniques, alternating between the rosy dawn and flowing clouds, weaving through the blood-red palm shadows. However, the spiritual energy of a Foundation Establishment cultivator far surpassed that of a Qi Refining cultivator, and each strike caused his blood and qi to surge.

After thirty moves, Fu Shaoping had sustained several injuries, yet he fought with increasing ferocity. He was waiting for an opportunity, a chance to unleash the sword techniques he had not yet fully mastered.

Blood Butcher, unable to gain the upper hand after a prolonged assault, grew increasingly impatient: "Boy, if you can withstand thirty of my moves, you can die in peace!"

He unleashed a blood-red banner, which immediately caused ghostly wails and howls. Countless blood shadows surged out of the banner, forming a blood-fiend array that trapped Fu Shaoping.

"To die under my Blood Fiend Banner is your honor!"

Blood Butcher laughed wildly as he activated the great formation, and blood shadows surged forth like a tide.

Fu Shaoping was immediately plunged into a fierce battle, his sword light constantly shrinking under the impact of the blood shadow. Just as he was about to be swallowed by the blood shadow, a sudden realization flashed in his eyes.

This is the moment!

He stopped defending and focused all his attention on the sword, the image of the blood-red setting sun atop Luoxia Peak appearing in his mind.

The setting sun is blood-red!

The longsword was swung out without any earth-shattering force, only a streak of blood-red sword light, like the last rays of the setting sun, silently streaking across the sky.

Time seems to stand still at this moment.

Wherever the crimson sword light passed, the blood shadows crumbled, and the Blood Fiend Array melted away like ice and snow. Blood Butcher's maniacal laughter froze as he stared incredulously at the bloody hole in his chest.

"What kind of swordsmanship is this?"

Before he could finish speaking, his body crashed to the ground.

Fu Shaoping stood there, sword in hand, his face pale. This sword strike had almost drained all his inner energy and spirit, but its effect was astonishing.

The setting sun was like blood, a symbol of facing death and living on – truly living up to its name!
A month later, Fu Shaoping returned to Qingxuan Sect.

When Blood Butcher's head and the Blood Fiend Banner were presented, the mission hall was once again in an uproar. News of his solo incursion into Blood Fiend Stronghold and his sword slaying of a Foundation Establishment cultivator quickly spread throughout the sect.

However, Fu Shaoping paid no attention to these praises and returned directly to the summit of Luoxia Peak after completing the mission.

The sea of ​​clouds continued to churn, and he closed his eyes, savoring the insights gained from that sword strike.

The setting sun has been sown, and his sword heart is beginning to take shape. But his path to enlightenment has only just begun.

In the distance, Shen Qingshan stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the figure on the peak, nodded slightly, and then transformed into a streak of blue light and disappeared into the horizon.

The lineage of Luoxia has finally found a qualified successor.

For three days, Fu Shaoping stood silently atop Sunset Peak, neither eating nor drinking, his mind completely immersed in the aftertaste and reflection on the "Bloody Sunset" sword strike. Although the battle with Blood Butcher ultimately decided the outcome with a single sword strike, the process was exceptionally perilous, clearly revealing the vast gap between the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining stages. Had it not been for the incredibly solid foundation he had built over the past six months, a deeper understanding of the first two techniques, and the unexpected nature of the "Bloody Sunset" killing move, the outcome would have been uncertain.

"Power, the way to control power, and the grasp of timing are all indispensable." He understood this more deeply.

Back in his cave, Fu Shaoping didn't become complacent about his feat of slaying a Foundation Establishment cultivator; instead, he remained even more composed. He exchanged most of his generous rewards from the mission—five thousand contribution points and one hundred high-grade spirit stones—for pills to consolidate his cultivation and nourish his meridians, as well as several opportunities to enter the third level of the "Sword Pavilion" and the "Sword Cleansing Pool." (End of Chapter)