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

After nearly three months of searching, just when even the old servant was showing signs of exhaustion and was about to give up, Fu Shaoping finally sensed a faint ancient aura below a cliff half-hidden by a waterfall, a aura that resonated with the rubbing in his arms!
His spirits lifted, and following his senses, he parted the layers of vines to reveal a narrow opening, barely wide enough for one person to pass through. The cave was dark and exuded a damp, chilly atmosphere.

After leaving the old servant to wait outside, Fu Shaoping took a deep breath, lit a tinderbox, and bent down to step into the cave.

The cave was initially extremely narrow, barely wide enough for one person to pass through. After walking several dozen steps, it suddenly opened up into a bright and spacious area. Just as Shen Zhou's notes described, inside the cave lay a seated skeleton, its Taoist robe long since weathered away, leaving only the frame maintaining the posture of cultivation, exuding an eternal tranquility. And on the stone wall behind it were those ancient and mysterious carvings! Clearer and more complete than the rubbings, even including some parts that Shen Zhou had not copied!

Fu Shaoping bowed three times solemnly before the remains and whispered, "I, Fu Shaoping, a junior scholar, am fortunate to witness the legacy of my predecessors today. If you do not reject me, I am willing to inherit your teachings and explore the Great Dao."

After bowing, he walked to the stone wall, extinguished the torch, and let his eyes adjust to the darkness. Then, instead of immediately studying the images, he sat cross-legged opposite the remains, closed his eyes, and immersed himself completely in the darkness.

This time, it's no longer about speculating through paper, but about directly confronting this ancient tradition!

His mental power, like mercury spilling onto the ground, slowly covered the engravings. In that instant, he seemed to "hear" whispers from ancient times, "see" the flow of spiritual energy along a specific trajectory, and "feel" the profound state of mind of incorporating the power of heaven and earth into himself!
There is no sun or moon in the cave.

Fu Shaoping forgot about time and his identity, his entire being immersed in the resonance with the ancient carvings. His breathing gradually became long and rhythmic, and the "spirit" within him, far more acute than ordinary people due to the "Daoist Charm and Ink Painting," began to actively guide the thin yet pure spiritual energy in the surrounding world, attempting to channel it into his body according to the profound meaning contained in the stone wall.

At first, it was like a stream seeping into parched land, weak and difficult.

But as his mind became pure and persistent, that wisp of spiritual energy finally broke through a certain barrier and began to flow slowly within his body, bringing an indescribable coolness and vitality.

One level of Qi training!
The instant his spiritual energy successfully completed its first cycle, Fu Shaoping abruptly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance in them. He clearly felt a faint yet undeniably real power being born and flowing through his meridians!
This was not an external force borrowed by Danqing, but the true energy he cultivated himself!
Although it is only the initial stage, it means that he has successfully embarked on the path of cultivation in this world through his own efforts and opportunities!
He looked at the carvings on the stone wall, his gaze becoming even more profound. This nameless ancient cultivation method, though incomplete, pointed directly to the fundamental principles of the Great Dao, especially emphasizing the cultivation of "intention" and "spirit," making it a perfect match for his "Daoist Rhyme Painting."

The road ahead is long, from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, then to Purple Mansion, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Deity Transformation... every step will be full of challenges. But at this moment, Fu Shaoping felt only a sense of joy and determination.

The sea of ​​ink stretches endlessly, and traces of immortals have appeared. In this secluded ancient cave, accompanied by brush and ink, and based on ancient methods, he will begin his true journey of cultivation in this lifetime!
Having successfully drawn Qi into his body and entered the first level of Qi Refining, Fu Shaoping's heart remained calm, without much elation, only a sense of confirmation that "it was just as he expected." He knew that this was merely the first step in a long journey, even more difficult than when he started with the inheritance of Beichen in his first life—spiritual energy was scarce in this life, and the cultivation techniques were incomplete, so he had to find his way forward on his own.

Instead of rushing things, he calmed down and began the tedious but necessary stabilization phase in this secluded ancient cave.

• Familiarizing himself with the circulation route: He spent most of his time meditating each day, his mind completely immersed in the artistic conception contained in the stone wall carvings, guiding the faint, thread-like true energy to slowly circulate within his body along a mysterious path. With each cycle, his understanding of this nameless ancient skill deepened, and his true energy grew stronger and more solidified at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.

• Adapting to bodily changes: Upon entering the Qi Refining stage, the most noticeable change is that the five senses become more acute. The sound of dripping water in the cave can be clearly heard, the general outline of objects can be seen in the dark, and the flow of spiritual energy in the air can be vaguely sensed. Impurities in the body are initially cleansed. Although it is far from being completely transformed, the spirit is becoming more and more energetic, and the fatigue after painting is greatly reduced.

• Exploring the Absorption of Spiritual Energy: He tried cultivating at different times and in different states of mind, and discovered that the efficiency of absorbing spiritual energy was highest between midnight and noon, when the mind was clear and empty. Although this ancient cave was located at the end of a spiritual vein and the spiritual energy was thin, it was still a rare blessed land compared to the outside world.

Fu Shaoping did not devote all his time to meditation and qi cultivation. He knew that his greatest advantage in this world lay in his already perfected "Daoist-style painting." He began to consciously combine spiritual practice with painting, exploring the path of mutual complementarity.

He took out his personal brush, ink, paper, and inkstone (of ordinary quality, but usable). He wasn't creating a large-scale work, but rather engaging in a unique form of "spiritual painting." He abandoned all concrete forms, using only the simplest dots, lines, and planes, combined with his breathing and the circulation of internal energy, to leave marks on the paper. With each stroke, he strived for a unity of mind, brushwork, and internal energy. He discovered that when fully immersed in this state, the circulation of internal energy became smoother and more active, and his mental strength was also tempered. These "spiritual paintings," once completed, had no aesthetic value, but became his unique aid in practice.

Occasionally, he would engage in formal artistic creation. When he infused a wisp of true energy into the tip of his brush and placed it on the paper, the ink seemed to come alive, its connection to the surrounding world becoming even stronger. After the painting was completed, the "spiritual charm" it contained seemed to become more restrained and enduring. He painted "Sun and Moon in the Cave," depicting the changing light and shadows and the stillness of the remains within an ancient cave. After it was finished and hung inside the cave, it seemed to spontaneously gather a faint spiritual energy, slightly improving the cultivation environment within the cave.

He viewed the stone carvings as a grandest and most profound "Taoist diagram," using his superior artistic skills to analyze its composition, brushstrokes (depth and direction of the carvings), and spirit. This unique perspective often allowed him to discover details that he might have overlooked during simple meditation, leading to a more three-dimensional and profound understanding of the practice.

Cultivation is not always smooth sailing. The biggest problem soon became apparent—a lack of resources.

• Thin spiritual energy: The spiritual energy in the ancient cave was still sufficient for him as a beginner, but it would inevitably become unsustainable as his cultivation level improved.

Physical Nourishment: During the Qi Refining stage, one still needs grains and cereals to sustain the physical body. He carried a limited amount of dry rations, and although he had tried his best to conserve them, he still faced the danger of running out of food. Wild fruits and spring water from the mountains could provide temporary relief, but they were not a long-term solution. Moreover, ordinary food contained impurities, requiring more true qi to refine and eliminate them.

• The cultivation method is incomplete: the stone wall carvings stop at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and there is no clue as to how to build a foundation afterward.

To solve the food problem, Fu Shaoping had to occasionally leave the ancient cave and look for opportunities in the nearby mountains and forests.

Once, he encountered a black bear that had become agitated by the unusual spiritual energy. In the past, he could only rely on experience and skill to maneuver or evade it. But now, with a slight thought, the wisp of true energy within him naturally flowed to his fingertips, forming a sword-like gesture, and he pointed it in mid-air—not a spell, but simply a beam of true energy containing the sword intent of "Surprising Silence" (derived from his first life's original understanding)! "Swoosh!"

With a soft thud, the black bear was struck as if by a heavy blow. It roared in pain, its upright posture froze, and fear appeared in its eyes. Then it fled in a sorry state.

Fu Shaoping looked at his fingers, slightly out of breath. This strike had consumed nearly thirty percent of his true energy, its power far less than one ten-thousandth of the casual strike he had made in his first life, but in this life, it was already extraordinary power!

He confirmed two things:
1. In this world, one can cultivate immortality, and true qi possesses the power to interfere with reality.

2. His insights into the realms of cultivation from his previous life, even if only superficial, have an immeasurable boost to his cultivation and combat in this life.

Time passed, and Fu Shaoping had spent half a year in the ancient cave. His cultivation had steadily improved to the second level of Qi Refining, and his true energy was more abundant, allowing him to perform some rudimentary object manipulation techniques (such as briefly suspending a writing brush). However, his provisions had long since run out, and he was surviving only on wild fruits and vegetables and the occasional fish and shrimp he caught, leaving his physical body somewhat depleted. Further cultivation techniques were even more unlikely.

He knew it was time to make a choice. Should he remain trapped in the ancient cave, slowly exploring with his meager spiritual energy and his own comprehension until his lifespan ended? Or should he actively enter the world, seeking more resources, a more complete inheritance, and even... like-minded people?
Looking at the mysterious carvings on the stone wall, and then at the landscape paintings he had drawn over the past six months that contained a touch of spiritual charm, Fu Shaoping made up his mind.

Working in isolation is never a good strategy. On the path of cultivation, wealth, companions, methods, and environment are all indispensable. He needs to go out into the world.

He carefully buried the remains inside the cave and bowed in gratitude once more. Afterward, he burned all the "meditation paintings," taking only a few formal paintings imbued with spiritual energy and a few precious rubbings with him, and resolutely left the ancient cave where he had lived for half a year.

The outside world is vast and full of unknowns. But he is no longer the same naive man he once was. Possessing the skills of Qi cultivation and the wondrous art of painting, he will step into this mortal world anew with a completely new attitude.

His goal was clear: to find traces of cultivators, acquire resources, complete his cultivation techniques, and, in this mortal body, once again ascend the path to immortality!
With the foundation-building stage in the ancient cave completed, a new journey is about to begin. Fu Shaoping's third incarnation in the legendary world of cultivation has officially commenced.

Leaving the misty ancient cave in Shu Mountain, Fu Shaoping (Shen Mo) did not immediately return to the Shen family in Jiangnan. He knew that his current state was completely different from what it had been six months ago. Although his cultivation at the second level of Qi Refining was low, his aura was fundamentally different from that of ordinary people. Coupled with the unique charm brought by "Daoist Rhyme and Painting," a hasty return might attract unnecessary attention and even bring disaster to the family.

He needs to first understand what the "cultivation world" of this world is really like, and find a way to safely integrate into it.

Fu Shaoping's first action was to alter his appearance. He subtly adjusted his facial muscles with his inner energy, making his originally handsome features appear ordinary and unassuming, and deliberately restraining the glint in his eyes. He changed into the coarse cloth clothes he had prepared beforehand and carefully put away the jade pendant and other items that represented the Shen family's status. At this moment, he looked like a down-on-his-luck scholar or painter traveling the world.

Instead of choosing the main roads, he relied on his superhuman strength and perception to traverse the mountain paths and forests. On the one hand, he avoided the eyes of ordinary people, and on the other hand, he used this opportunity to familiarize himself with his growing power. He also drew detailed maps of the mountains and rivers along the way and replenished his food (mainly by picking wild fruits and hunting small animals, with the aid of true qi, which was quite efficient).

Several months later, Fu Shaoping arrived at Jin Guan City, a relatively prosperous prefecture on the edge of Sichuan. This city, where waterways and land routes converge, was a hub for merchants and a melting pot of all walks of life, making it an ideal place to gather information.

He didn't directly seek out so-called "immortals" or "cultivators," as that would be nothing short of delusional. He chose a more roundabout and cautious approach:

He frequented teahouses and taverns: in crowded and bustling places, he would order a pot of tea and sit for half a day, listening to the conversations of merchants from all over the country,江湖人士 (jianghu figures), and down-on-their-luck scholars. He paid particular attention to rumors involving "extraordinary people and events," "strange tales from the deep mountains," "hidden treasures from ancient tombs," and "rare medicinal herbs."

• Visiting Pharmacies and Clinics: Cultivation is inseparable from elixirs, and alchemy requires medicinal herbs. Using the pretext of needing to find a few special herbs for his family's medical skills, he visited major pharmacies in the city, especially those with over a century of history. He not only inquired about the herbs but also subtly sought information about their origins, purchasing channels, and whether they had any customers with "special needs."

• Visiting antique and calligraphy shops: As a renowned calligrapher and painter, it was natural for him to come into contact with the antique trade. He would pretend to appreciate or sell one or two of his own ordinary landscape paintings that contained a very subtle spiritual charm (which he deliberately controlled), observe the shopkeepers' reactions, and inquire whether anyone specialized in collecting antiques that were "old" or "storied," especially items such as jade and bronze that might be used as materials for ritual implements.

• Observing Feng Shui and Earth Qi: Relying on his spiritual sense gained through cultivation, he walked inside and outside the city, silently sensing the flow of earth's energy. He kept in mind which places had pure energy, which places were polluted, and which places had faint abnormal energy fluctuations (possibly cultivators' residences or remnants of formations).

This process lasted for several months, costing him a considerable amount of his savings (he managed to survive by selling a few deliberately low-quality paintings), but yielded very little. The true world of cultivation seemed to be deeply hidden, rarely seen by the mortal realm.

However, perseverance pays off. In a century-old pharmacy called "Baicaotang," when he inquired again about a rare medicinal herb called "Chijingzhi," the white-haired old shopkeeper scrutinized him for a long time without answering directly. Instead, he asked, "Sir, are you looking for this for a regular prescription, or... for another purpose?"

Fu Shaoping's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained impassive: "This is a family secret recipe that requires this ingredient. I cannot elaborate on its specific effects." (End of Chapter)