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

• Limited interaction with independent cultivators: For the few independent cultivators with whom he had cooperated well on a few missions and whose character seemed acceptable, he no longer kept them completely at arm's length. Occasionally, after handing over missions, they would go to a teahouse together for a short while to exchange cultivation insights or stories about the mountains. He was cautious in his words and actions, listening more and speaking less, filtering out useful information, and at the same time making the identity of "Mo Chen" seem less aloof.

• Try to make contact with Elder Han: This is of utmost importance, but it also requires the most careful approach. He did not presumptuously request an audience directly, as that would only annoy people. He learned that Elder Han occasionally went to a teahouse called "Tingyuxuan" in the market to enjoy tea. The place had an elegant environment, was quite expensive, and was frequented mostly by cultivators of high status.

On this day, Fu Shaoping estimated the time and arrived at "Listening to the Rain Pavilion". He chose an inconspicuous spot where he could see Elder Han's usual seat, ordered a pot of the cheapest spiritual tea, and quietly drank it alone.

Sure enough, Elder Han appeared a moment later, still in that elegant seat by the window. Fu Shaoping did not approach to disturb him, but only stood up and offered a disciple's salute from afar when Elder Han's gaze occasionally swept over him, his attitude respectful but not obsequious.

Elder Han clearly remembered him. His gaze lingered on him for a moment, he nodded slightly, and then paid no more attention to him.

Once, twice... Fu Shaoping didn't appear frequently, but every now and then, he would appear at "Tingyuxuan" at the time when Elder Han was likely to appear, and his behavior was as polite and low-key as ever.

He knew that becoming a familiar face and leaving a vague impression of being "diligent, polite, and with potential" was far more important than trying to curry favor for quick success.

Advancement in Taoist alchemy and new avenues for wealth:
With the accumulation of knowledge about spiritual herbs and the improvement of his control over true qi, Fu Shaoping's "Heart Refining Method" has made great progress. He is now able to reliably purify various first-tier low-grade spiritual herbs with a high success rate.

He was no longer satisfied with merely purifying the medicinal liquid. He began to try to refine the simplest elixir—the Bigu Pill.

Bigu Dan (a type of fasting pill) is not a true elixir in the strictest sense. Its main function is to provide the body with basic energy, replacing food and facilitating long-term seclusion for cultivators. It is extremely easy to refine, but in high demand, making it the best choice for novice alchemists.

Fu Shaoping purchased a large quantity of common grain extracts and a small amount of auxiliary medicinal herbs. He didn't have a furnace, so he used his palm as a furnace and his qi as fire. This time, he wasn't just refining; he was attempting to fuse and condense different medicinal properties according to a specific ratio and order.

After several failures, when the medicinal liquid wrapped in his true energy finally condensed into several round, white pills that emitted a faint medicinal fragrance, he knew that he had succeeded!

The Bigu Elixir is complete!
Although it was just the most basic pill, it was of great significance! It marked that he had officially stepped into the threshold of alchemy! Although the "Heart Refining Method" consumed mental energy and had a very low yield, far less efficient than the alchemy furnace, it was undoubtedly a viable path!

He used most of the fasting pills he refined for himself, saving time and money on meals. He secretly sold a small portion to the Cloud Mist Pavilion through Deacon Wang's channels at a price slightly below market value, in exchange for spirit stones. Although this source of income was meager, it was stable and discreet. More importantly, it laid a solid foundation for him to refine higher-level pills in the future.

Breakthrough in cultivation and new goals:
With ample spirit stones, spirit-gathering arrays, pills (Qi-restoring pills and self-produced fasting pills), and tireless hard work, Fu Shaoping broke through to the fifth level of Qi Refining in a natural way after half a year!

His total amount and purity of true energy have reached a new level, and his divine sense now covers a range of thirty feet, making him even more adept at casting spells. Among low-level rogue cultivators, he can now be considered a backbone force.

However, the joy of the breakthrough was quickly replaced by a new sense of urgency. The Azure Profound Breathing Technique could only be cultivated up to the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and after the fifth level of Qi Refining, each step became more difficult, requiring higher levels of resources and techniques. Foundation Establishment was like an insurmountable chasm, standing in its way.

He needs more advanced cultivation techniques and needs to prepare for Foundation Establishment.

On this day, at the "Listening to the Rain Pavilion," he saw Elder Han talking with another elderly man with a profound aura, and vaguely heard scattered words such as "Danxia Meeting," "exchange," and "Foundation Building Pill."

The Danxia Gathering? An exchange? Foundation Establishment Pills?

Fu Shaoping was deeply shocked. Foundation Establishment Pills! Those were crucial pills for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage! Could there be such a grand event in the market soon?

He suppressed his excitement and silently memorized the information. He knew that the opportunity he had been waiting for—to connect with higher-level circles and find a foundation for future advancement—might just be coming.

He needed more information and sufficient "bargaining chips." Whether it was spirit stones, his unique "Daoist-style painting," or his gradually improving alchemy skills, he had to quickly transform them into capital that would allow him to gain entry into such occasions.

The steady progress continued, but a new and more intense fire of ambition had ignited in Fu Shaoping's heart. His gaze turned to the circle of Foundation Establishment cultivators hidden deeper in the clouds.

The words "Danxia Gathering" stirred ripples in Fu Shaoping's heart like a pebble thrown into a still lake. He left "Tingyu Pavilion" without making a sound, but his mind was already racing.

Over the next few days, he carefully gathered information about the "Danxia Conference" through various channels.

When handing over tasks to Deacon Wang or chatting with familiar rogue cultivators, he would casually bring up topics like "The market seems more lively than usual lately" or "Anything new happening?" to guide the conversation. From fragmented rumors, he pieced together a general outline: the Danxia Association was a small-scale cultivator exchange meeting held regularly in the area surrounding the Cloud Mist Mountains, spearheaded by several Foundation Establishment stage rogue cultivators. Its main purpose was to exchange resources and share information, and occasionally alchemists and weapon refiners would demonstrate their skills or accept custom commissions. Participants needed a certain level of cultivation (at least late Qi Refining stage) or special skills, or be introduced by a senior member.

He noticed that several larger shops in the market, such as "Bai Cao Ge" and "Shen Bing Lou," seemed to be stocking up on higher-level goods than usual. Some late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, who usually kept to themselves, were also frequently appearing and interacting with each other. These signs all confirmed that the Danxia Gathering was about to be held.

Finally, he chose a suitable time to return to "Listening to the Rain Pavilion" and "coincidentally" encountered the old man who had spoken with Elder Han before (later learned to be surnamed Wu, a senior Qi Refining Level 9 rogue cultivator who had a past with Elder Han). After respectfully bowing, Fu Shaoping struck up a conversation under the pretext of seeking advice on cultivation difficulties, revealing his longing for higher-level exchanges and a small sense of pride in his own alchemy (mentioning the successful refining of the Bigu Pill). Seeing his respectful attitude, solid and advanced cultivation, and the fact that he could already refine pills (even the Bigu Pill), the old man surnamed Wu developed a slight liking for him and revealed more: the Danxia Gathering would be held in half a month in "Luoxia Valley," thirty miles southeast of the market, with Elder Han and two other Foundation Establishment cultivators jointly maintaining order. Participants needed to pay ten low-grade spirit stones as a venue fee and display at least one item that could be exchanged or a special skill before being allowed entry.

Entry requirements! Ten spirit stones are not a problem for Fu Shaoping now; the key is "items or special skills that can be exchanged".

He quickly took stock of his assets:
1. Spirit Stones: There are still over a hundred, but spirit stones themselves are not rare and are not enough to be used as "display".

2. Materials: Blood Wolf Grass (Tier 1, High Grade), of decent value, but the quantity is slightly insufficient. 3. Pills: Self-refined Bigu Pill, too low grade; Qi-restoring Pill was purchased, not considered personal.

4. Magical artifact: Swift Boots, Tier 1 Low-grade, common item.

5. Technique: The jade slip of "Qingxuan Breathing Technique" is my own fundamental knowledge and will never be sold.

6. Skills: Alchemy (beginner), Talisman making (cannot do), Weapon crafting (cannot do).

7. Unique Item: "Taoist Charm in Painting".

Clearly, what best reflects his unique value and is most likely to arouse the interest of high-level cultivators is still his "Daoist Charm Painting". However, there are still risks in taking it out directly, and careful preparation is required.

Fu Shaoping decided to take a two-pronged approach.

First task: Refining a batch of high-quality fasting pills. He spent spirit stones to purchase more and better raw materials, secluded himself for several days, and devoted himself fully to the "Mind Refining Method." This time, he didn't pursue quantity, but rather the ultimate quality. In the end, he obtained twenty top-grade fasting pills with a jade-like color, a subtle medicinal fragrance, and almost no impurities! Ordinary fasting pills can only sustain one's hunger for a few days, but these he refined, one is enough to last for half a month, and they taste excellent, subtly nourishing the body. This is enough to prove that he possesses considerable potential and control in alchemy.

The second task: to create a masterpiece imbued with the Daoist principles of "concentration and tranquility." Instead of a large-scale work, he painted a small square piece, "Listening to the Spring." The painting is not realistic; rather, it uses minimalist brushstrokes to depict the atmosphere of cliffs, flowing springs, and solitary pines. The key is his profound understanding of "tranquility" and "emptiness," along with a subtle hint of a calming mantra (derived from his understanding of the medicinal properties of the Cold Star herb), perfectly integrated into his brushwork. Upon completion, the entire painting exudes a serene aura that soothes the mind and dispels distracting thoughts. While the painting lacks offensive or defensive capabilities, its value to cultivators who require long periods of seclusion to comprehend cultivation techniques or even refine complex elixirs is self-evident.

With the two items prepared, Fu Shaoping spent five spirit stones to buy an exquisite jade bottle and a fine brocade cover to properly package the elixir and the painting.

With the items ready, he still needed an introducer, or at least a way to "verify" them. He thought of Elder Han again.

Three days before the Danxia Conference, Fu Shaoping "accidentally" met Elder Han outside the "Listening to the Rain Pavilion" as he was about to leave. He stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and then directly explained his purpose.

"Junior Mo Chen, I apologize for disturbing Elder Han. I have heard that Luoxia Valley will be holding the Danxia Gathering, and I am eager to attend. I have prepared two small items, and I wonder if they are worthy of my participation?" His attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and his words were concise. He presented the jade bottle containing the top-grade Bigu Pill and the scroll wrapped in brocade with both hands.

Elder Han stopped, his gaze lingering on the young man's face for a moment before glancing at the item in his hand. He did indeed have some recollection of this composed young rogue cultivator whom he had encountered several times by chance. He didn't take the item, but simply said, "The Danxia Society has its own rules. Since you're interested, go to the entrance of Luoxia Valley. There will be an officer there to check your credentials. If you meet the requirements, you may enter." With that, he drifted away.

Although there was no direct introduction, Elder Han did not refuse and pointed out the way, which in itself was a tacit approval!
Fu Shaoping made up his mind and bowed to see him off.

He cancelled his stay at the Spirit Gathering Quiet Room and took his important items with him. In addition to the two items he planned to display, he also packed up most of the remaining spirit stones, Blood Wolf Grass, Qi Recovery Pills, Swift Boots, and several spare paintings he had drawn (each containing a faint Daoist charm).

everything's ready.

The half-month period arrived in the blink of an eye. On this morning, Fu Shaoping changed into a clean blue robe, adjusted his breathing to the optimal state of the fifth level of Qi Refining, and his gaze was calm and firm.

He checked his luggage one last time, pushed open the door to the quiet room, and walked towards the southeast of the market, facing the rising sun.

This was his first time actively attempting to enter the circle of high-level cultivators in this realm. Would he succeed in gaining entry? Would he be able to gain anything from it? Would he be able to access the Foundation Establishment information he so desperately desired?
Everything will be revealed in Sunset Valley. His path is about to undergo a crucial turning point.

Sunset Valley is located thirty miles southeast of Cloud Mist City. The valley entrance is protected by a natural stone gate, making it a secluded spot. When Fu Shaoping arrived, there were already several cultivators standing or sitting at the valley entrance. Most of them had a deep and concentrated aura, indicating that their cultivation level was at least the seventh level of Qi Refining. There were even a few auras that made him feel oppressed, which seemed to be the ninth level of Qi Refining or even the Great Perfection.

A wooden table had been temporarily set up at the valley entrance, behind which sat two stewards dressed in Cloud Mist Pavilion attire, both at the eighth level of Qi Refining, their expressions serious. Two imposing guards stood beside them, their sharp gazes scanning the newcomer.

Clearly, this is where entry qualifications are checked.

Fu Shaoping composed himself and joined the end of the line. He observed the entry process of the cultivators ahead of him: some paid ten spirit stones and then presented a second-grade spirit herb brimming with spiritual energy (worth far more than ten spirit stones), and were allowed to pass; some showed several first-grade high-quality fire snake talismans and were also accepted; and one person seemed to have no special items, but handed over a specially made jade token (perhaps a membership certificate or referral token), and also entered smoothly.

When it was his turn, he stepped forward and respectfully paid ten low-grade spirit stones.

One of the pale-faced, beardless deacons raised his eyelids slightly: "Show me what you have for exchange or display."

Fu Shaoping remained calm and presented the exquisite jade bottle with both hands: "This is a fasting pill that I have refined. Please take a look, deacon."

The steward took the bottle, uncorked it, and a pure medicinal fragrance immediately wafted out, drawing the attention of several people nearby. He poured one pill into his palm; the pill was round and smooth like jade, without any impurities, and its medicinal fragrance was subtle and mellow, far superior to ordinary products on the market.

"Hmm?" A hint of surprise flashed in the steward's eyes. "A top-grade fasting pill? Excellent quality, the heat control is superb. Did you refine it yourself?" His tone was discerning. (End of Chapter)