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

"It was created by me using the method of cultivating true qi," Fu Shaoping replied calmly.

"The method of refining the mind?" The steward raised an eyebrow, examined the pill more closely, and nodded. "Although it's the most basic fasting pill, to refine it to this quality shows you have some talent and control in the art of alchemy. This can be considered a skill." He handed the jade bottle back, his tone softening. "What else?"

Fu Shaoping then took out the scroll wrapped in brocade and slowly unfurled it.

The moment "Listening to the Spring" was unveiled, a serene and elegant atmosphere rippled outwards like water. The brushstrokes are simple, yet the artistic conception is profound and ethereal; the mountains, the spring, and the pines seem enveloped in a spiritual aura that can cleanse the soul. More importantly, the Daoist spirit of "concentration and tranquility" contained within the painting holds an indescribable attraction for cultivators, especially those seeking enlightenment, breakthroughs, alchemy, and talisman-making.

The two deacons, the guards beside them, and even the cultivators queuing behind them were all involuntarily drawn to the painting. The restlessness or wariness on their faces seemed to be soothed by the artistic conception of the painting.

"This...this is a painting that contains a calming effect?" The pale-faced deacon's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He personally took the scroll, carefully sensed it, and his face showed surprise. "What a wonderful painting! It can actually bring peace to a cultivator's mind! This item...is quite rare and very valuable!" His gaze towards Fu Shaoping was now clearly filled with importance.

"I have some knowledge of painting and have tried to incorporate some of my insights into this work. I hope you will forgive my poor attempt," Fu Shaoping said modestly.

"No need for such modesty." The steward carefully rolled up the scroll and handed it back to him, a smile on his face. "With your alchemy skills and this painting that contains such special meaning, you are qualified to participate. This is your temporary identity jade token. With this token, you can move freely within the valley and participate in exchanges. Remember, private duels are strictly prohibited within the valley, and transactions must be voluntary on both sides." As he spoke, he handed him a pale red jade token.

"Thank you, Deacon." Fu Shaoping accepted the jade token, a weight lifted from his heart. The first step had been successfully taken!

He carefully put away the jade bottle and scroll, bowed to the steward, and then stepped through the natural stone gate to officially enter Sunset Valley.

The scene inside the valley was completely different from that outside. The concentration of spiritual energy was significantly higher than that of the market town, indicating that there was a formation set up here to gather spiritual energy. The valley was spacious, with a small, flat grassy area in the center. Dozens of stone tables and benches were arranged around it in a neat and orderly manner, and twenty or thirty cultivators were already sitting there, some talking in hushed tones, and others closing their eyes to rest.

Most of these cultivators possessed powerful auras, with the majority being in the late stage of Qi Refining. Some even had auras as deep and profound as an abyss, similar to Elder Han's. They were clearly the other two Foundation Establishment cultivators who were hosting this Danxia Gathering! Elder Han was also present, talking in hushed tones with a red-faced old man.

On the grass, more than a dozen temporary "stalls" had already been set up. Some were covered with animal hides, on which various spiritual herbs, ores, and monster materials were displayed; others simply had one or two items on display, with wooden signs explaining the needs next to them; still others had alchemy furnaces or weapon-refining tools in front of them, clearly demonstrating their skills and accepting commissions on site.

The atmosphere was much more solemn than in the marketplace, and conversations were kept very low, but a tense yet expectant atmosphere of trading permeated the air.

Fu Shaoping took a deep breath to calm himself. He didn't rush to find a trading target, nor did he join the crowd of Foundation Establishment cultivators. He first walked slowly along the outer perimeter, like a true observer, his eyes sweeping over each stall and each cultivator, silently noting the items they were exchanging, their needs, and their approximate cultivation levels.

He needs to first understand the local market and the needs and bottom lines of these mid-to-high-level cultivators before he can decide how to sell his two "stepping stones" and find what he truly needs—a foundation-building cultivation technique or related information.

The Danxia Conference, a higher-level stage, has already unfolded before him. Whether he can seize the opportunity and unlock the door to the Foundation Establishment path depends on his performance in the future.

Fu Shaoping (Mo Chen) moved silently through Luoxia Valley, observing the surroundings like a fish.

He first noticed the area where several Foundation Establishment cultivators were located. That area was the most popular, but apart from a few cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining or those with special status who dared to approach and ask for guidance, most people just watched from afar, not daring to disturb them easily. Elder Han and two other Foundation Establishment cultivators (a red-faced old man and a stern-looking middle-aged female cultivator) sat in the center. Occasionally, cultivators would offer treasures or make requests, and they would either nod, shake their heads, or whisper a few words of guidance, their demeanor exuding an air of authority.

He turned his gaze to the stalls.

In the herbal medicine section, he saw several decent-quality second-grade spiritual herbs, each priced above a hundred spirit stones. He also saw people seeking to purchase auxiliary ingredients for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, such as "Dewdrop Grass" and "Purple Monkey Flower," at extremely high prices. This gave him a more direct understanding of the difficulty and value of refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

The mineral materials section was filled with various shimmering ores, metal ingots, and even some strange bones and shells. A Qi Refining Level 8 weapon refiner displayed several gleaming, first-tier high-grade magic weapons before him, attracting numerous inquiries.

In the pill and talisman area, several alchemists and talisman makers were demonstrating their skills. One alchemist was refining a batch of "Yellow Dragon Pills" (a commonly used pill in the late stage of Qi Refining), his technique skillful, the aroma of the medicine filling the air. Fu Shaoping observed carefully, comparing his observations with his own "Mind Refining Method," and benefited greatly. He noticed that the prices of the finished pills were higher than he had expected, and high-quality pills were practically unavailable.

Miscellaneous Cultivation Techniques Section: There were fewer stalls here, but Fu Shaoping was most interested in them. He saw several tattered jade slips, their contents unclear, yet priced exorbitantly. He also saw someone selling the first few levels of a certain body-refining technique, asking for three hundred spirit stones. As for a complete Foundation Establishment technique, there wasn't even a trace of it.

After making his rounds, Fu Shaoping formed a preliminary judgment:
1. The main items traded here are physical resources (spiritual herbs, materials, finished pills and magical artifacts) and special skills (alchemy and artifact crafting demonstrations or orders).

2. Cultivation techniques are the rarest and most valuable, especially later-stage techniques, which are almost never sold easily.

3. His two items—the "Superior-Grade Fasting Pill" and the "Listening to the Spring Painting"—are uniquely positioned. While the Fasting Pill is of low grade, its "superior-grade" status and the "method of mental cultivation" are its highlights, potentially attracting cultivators interested in alchemy or seeking quality. The value of the "Listening to the Spring Painting" lies even more in its unique "concentration and calming" effect, which may be more effective than some elixirs when highly focused cultivation, alchemy, talisman making, or breaking through bottlenecks is required.

4. What he needs to find is not just buyers, but also potential "sellers" or "bridges" who can provide information on foundation-building techniques.

Fu Shaoping did not wait any longer. He walked to a relatively quiet open space, took out a clean cloth and spread it on the ground. Then, he placed the bottle of superior fasting pills on the cloth, and put a small wooden sign next to it, which read: "Superior Fasting Pills, made by heart-refining, one pill can last for half a month, nourishing the body. Exchange for equivalent spirit stones, or priority will be given to Foundation Establishment related pill formulas and cultivation methods."

He didn't immediately take out the "Listening to the Spring Diagram." That was his trump card, meant to be used in crucial moments. The moment the pills were displayed, their unique fragrance and the words "Heart Refining" attracted the attention of several cultivators. A short, stout cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Refining stepped forward, picked up the jade bottle, carefully smelled it, then poured out a pill to examine it, his eyes revealing surprise: "Truly top-grade! Very few impurities! Fellow Daoist, your Heart Refining method is quite unique! I wonder how to change the method?"

"Twenty pills per bottle, priced at forty low-grade spirit stones. Or we can exchange them by the pill, two spirit stones per pill." Fu Shaoping quoted the price he had already thought of, slightly higher than the market price, but the quality was there for all to see.

The short, stout cultivator pondered for a moment. He was quite satisfied with the quality of the pill, and even more interested in the alchemist himself: "Forty spirit stones will do. However, I am quite curious about your method of mental cultivation. Would you be willing to exchange some ideas? I also have some knowledge of alchemy." He was trying to establish further contact.

Fu Shaoping's heart stirred slightly; this person might be an alchemist, or perhaps someone with an alchemist backing them. He remained outwardly calm: "We can exchange alchemy insights later. How about we finalize the transaction first?"

Seeing that he was tight-lipped, the short, stout cultivator didn't press him and readily paid forty spirit stones in exchange for the whole bottle of fasting pills. Before leaving, he handed Fu Shaoping a rough business card: "My surname is Hu. I do some medicinal herb business at 'Baiweiju' in the market. If you have any pills to sell in the future, or need to purchase medicinal herbs, you can come to me."

The first transaction was completed, yielding spirit stones and also expanding a potential source of medicinal herbs.

Subsequently, two or three more cultivators each bought several Bigu Pills, mostly attracted by their quality, intending to use them for their upcoming seclusion.

The trading of Bigu Pills gave the name "Mo Chen" a slight presence among the cultivators on the outskirts of the Danxia Association—a young alchemist who could refine high-grade Bigu Pills and mastered the rare "Heart Refining Method".

Just as Fu Shaoping was considering whether to take out the "Listening to the Spring" painting, a female cultivator dressed in an elegant long dress with a cool and aloof demeanor walked up to his stall. This woman's cultivation level was clearly at the ninth level of Qi Refining, and there was a lingering weariness and anxiety between her brows, as if she was troubled by something.

Her gaze did not fall on the Bigu Pill, but looked directly at Fu Shaoping, her voice cold: "Fellow Daoist, are you Mo Chen, the one who refines the superior Bigu Pill? I've heard that your Bigu Pill is of excellent quality. Do you have... any other pills or items that have the effect of calming the mind and soothing the spirit?" She asked somewhat urgently, clearly having an urgent need.

Fu Shaoping's heart skipped a beat; an opportunity had arrived! This person possessed high cultivation but was restless, making him the ideal potential buyer for the "Listening to the Spring" painting!
He did not immediately produce the painting, but instead pretended to ponder: "Things that calm the mind and spirit... I do not currently have such elixirs. However..." He changed the subject, "I have some experience in painting and have tried to create works that contain a calming and tranquil atmosphere, which may be of some help to you, senior."

"A painting?" The female cultivator was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. "How could an ordinary painting help someone concentrate?"

Fu Shaoping said no more, took out the scroll wrapped in brocade from his storage bag, and slowly unfurled it in front of the female cultivator.

The painting "Listening to the Spring" reappeared, and the tranquil charm of the clear spring water once again permeated the air. This time, Fu Shaoping intentionally guided the viewer, directing the faint Daoist charm contained in the painting more towards the restless female cultivator in front of him.

The moment the female cultivator's gaze fell upon the scene, she shuddered almost imperceptibly! The anxiety and exhaustion in her eyes visibly dissipated, replaced by surprise and comfort. She even unconsciously took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale the cool and tranquil atmosphere into her lungs.

"This...this painting..." The female cultivator's voice trembled slightly, as she stared intently at the painting, as if trying to etch every stroke into her mind. "It can actually stir the mind and calm restless thoughts! How profound!"

She looked up, her gaze towards Fu Shaoping completely changed, now filled with importance and a hint of eagerness: "What is the name of this painting? How much is it worth? I... I need it!"

Fu Shaoping remained resolute, his expression calm: "This painting is titled 'Listening to the Spring,' a masterpiece born from my heart and soul. Its calming and tranquilizing effects are of great benefit to stabilizing the mind during cultivation, breakthroughs, and even the refining of complex pills. As for the price..." He paused, "I am not short of spirit stones. I only ask for something that can help me on my path to Foundation Establishment, such as cultivation techniques, pill formulas, or information... anything is acceptable."

He stated his needs directly, passing the buck to the other party. The other party's cultivation was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, close to the threshold of Foundation Establishment, and they might have been exposed to relevant information.

Upon hearing this, the female cultivator frowned slightly, clearly weighing her options. She did indeed urgently need this painting to calm her restless mind, which had been agitated by her recent attempt to break through her bottleneck, but items related to Foundation Establishment were equally precious.

After a moment's hesitation, she gritted her teeth and said, "I don't have any cultivation techniques or pill formulas either. However... I do have a fragmented handwritten note on Foundation Establishment insights, a record of some of my master's reflections during his own Foundation Establishment journey. Although it's incomplete and varies from person to person, some of his insights on the liquefaction of true qi and the condensation of the divine soul might offer you some inspiration. I'll also add fifty low-grade spirit stones in exchange for this 'Listening to the Spring' painting, how about that?"

A Foundation Establishment Experience Notes! Although it is not a complete cultivation method, it is the personal insights of someone who has been through it. Its value to cultivators aspiring to Foundation Establishment may even be higher than some ordinary cultivation methods!
Fu Shaoping suppressed his excitement and deliberately showed hesitation: "It's just a fragment of a manuscript..."

Seeing this, the female cultivator, fearing he might change his mind, quickly added, "I can also tell you some news! Deep within the Cloud Mist Mountains, near the edge of the 'Dragon Burial Abyss,' it is said that an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling once appeared. The outer restrictions of the cave dwelling have been broken, and there may be ancient cultivator's left-behind cultivation techniques or elixirs inside. Although dangerous, it is also a glimmer of opportunity! Not many people know this news yet!"

Ancient cultivator's cave dwelling! Burial Dragon Abyss!
Fu Shaoping felt a chill run down his spine. This place sounded ominous, but opportunity often comes with danger. The news itself was invaluable.

Without further hesitation, he nodded and said, "Alright! We'll do as you say, senior. The painting is yours, along with the notes, fifty spirit stones, and that message."

The female cultivator breathed a sigh of relief and immediately took out an old-fashioned scroll made of special animal hide from her storage bag, along with fifty low-grade spirit stones, and handed them to Fu Shaoping. At the same time, she quickly and quietly informed him of the approximate location of the ancient cultivator's cave and some known dangers.

Fu Shaoping carefully noted it down, rolled up the "Listening to the Spring" painting, and solemnly handed it to the female cultivator.

The transaction was completed, and both parties were happy. (End of Chapter)