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

After exchanging a few polite words, Fu Shaoping asked, "Fellow Daoist Chen, what did you encounter in Blackwater Ravine? How did you attract three second-tier crocodile demons and so many leech vengeful spirits?"

Chen Xuan's expression was grave: "We received orders to investigate a newly discovered restriction fluctuation deep within the Blackwater Ravine. Unexpectedly, the restriction suddenly erupted, disturbing the slumbering crocodile demons at the bottom of the ravine, and attracting nearby vengeful spirits and leeches. We fought our way back, intending to retreat to the ravine's mouth to set up an array and await reinforcements, but we were still surrounded. The restriction fluctuation was very strange, not like a natural formation, but rather like... a man-made trap!"

"A trap?" Fu Shaoping's heart skipped a beat. "Did you see who it was?"

Chen Xuan shook his head: "When the restriction was activated, there was chaos. I could only vaguely see a few black shadows fleeing. They were extremely fast and their movements were strange, unlike the common methods we see in our Great Swamp."

This isn't the usual tactic? Fu Shaoping thought of the Blood Shadow Cult and the Canal Gang. Could it be a trap they've set to weaken the power of the Azure Wave Water Mansion?
This matter needs to be reported as soon as possible. Chen Xuan also knew that the matter was of great importance, so he said no more and focused on getting on his way.

The group returned safely to Bibo Pavilion in Linze Town. Fu Shaoping handed over the mission, and after Steward Li confirmed it, he immediately added 400 merit points to Fu Shaoping's guest token. At the same time, Chen Xuan reported the detailed events of the attack on Blackwater Ravine and his own speculations.

Fu Shaoping returned to his quiet room and tallied his gains. Four hundred merit points, plus the one hundred merit points from the previous guest elder contract, brought him to five hundred. This was enough to exchange for the several jade slips containing miscellaneous records about ancient contracts, and the permission to enter the Grade A cultivation room for a period of time (merit points could also be exchanged for cultivation time).

He didn't rush to exchange for the items, but instead consolidated his insights from the previous battle. "True Word Lock" and "Clearing Domain" were effective in actual combat, but they also consumed a lot of resources and needed optimization. The aura of "Sealing Evil Seal" was extremely intimidating to vengeful spirits, but truly condensing the seal to fight enemies required more practice and comprehension.

The following day, Fu Shaoping went to the library of Bibo Pavilion (an external library that houses non-core texts) and used 300 merit points to exchange for jade slips containing rubbings of "Miscellaneous Records of Ancient Contractual Inscriptions," "Study on the Covenant of the Ze Kingdom," and "Initial Explanation of the Water Element Contract." He then used the remaining 200 points to exchange for ten days' access to a Grade A cultivation room.

He took the jade slip into the Grade A cultivation room and began his secluded cultivation. This time, his main focus was on studying the classic texts and verifying his own knowledge.

"An Introduction to Water Element Contracts" gave him an understanding of the contract templates and operating methods commonly used by the Water Palace, which greatly inspired him to improve the "contract clauses" section of spells such as "True Word Lock". "A Study of the Ze Kingdom Alliance" showed the complexity and game between contracts between major powers, broadening his horizons.

The "Miscellaneous Records of Ancient Contractual Scripts" gave him a tremendous surprise! The jade slip contained dozens of incomplete ancient contractual rune patterns, along with scattered guesses and interpretations. Among them, three runes were remarkably similar in structure to the black stone fragment in his sea of ​​consciousness, the "Netherworld Contractual Scripture," and parts of the iron box's protective runes! One rune even subtly echoed the natural patterns on the surface of the "Contractual Origin Star Core Fragment"!

"These are... fragments of the 'Cause-and-Effect Connection Contract,' the 'Soul Power Binding Contract,' and... the 'Original Resonance Contract'?" Fu Shaoping, aided by the insights gained from the star core fragment, managed to barely discern the general meaning of two of the runes. This provided crucial reference and supplementation for his understanding of his own inheritance and the star core fragment!
He studied these fragmented runes with great eagerness, constantly deducing, supplementing, and understanding them by combining them with his own insights. The ten days of training in the training room passed in the blink of an eye, and his understanding of contract runes reached a new level. He even tried to integrate some of the concepts of "causal entanglement contract" into the "true word contract lock," so that while binding the opponent, it could also vaguely establish a causal connection, making subsequent contract backlash or tracking even more difficult to get rid of.

After leaving the pass, Fu Shaoping felt he had gained a great deal. His impression of the Azure Wave Water Palace also improved considerably; at least it provided a relatively safe platform and a channel for acquiring knowledge.

That day, as he was practicing his new spell in his quiet room, the guest elder's token suddenly vibrated slightly and transmitted Jiang Muyun's voice:
"Master Mo, please come to the front hall for a chat. I have important matters to discuss."

Fu Shaoping put away his cultivation technique and went to the front hall. He saw Jiang Muyun with a solemn expression, Chen Xuan was also present, and there was also an old man in blue robes whom he did not recognize, whose aura was even more profound than Jiang Muyun's, and whose cultivation had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment!
"Elder Mo, this is Elder Luo Chuan, the Foreign Affairs Elder of my Azure Wave Water Mansion," Jiang Muyun introduced.

"Junior Mo Chen greets Senior Luo Chuan." Fu Shaoping felt a slight chill in his heart, but he was extremely respectful. At the late stage of Foundation Establishment, one is already capable of establishing a sect and dominating a region.

Master Luochuan looked calmly at Fu Shaoping and spoke slowly, his voice like a deep pool: "Young friend Mo, there's no need for such formalities. I've heard that you not only saved your niece Qingyi, but also helped Chen Xuan escape from the Blackwater Ravine. Your methods are extraordinary, especially your skill in restraining evil spirits and the art of binding with contracts?"

Fu Shaoping's mind raced, unsure of the other party's intentions, and he cautiously replied, "Senior, you flatter me. I only have a superficial understanding and was just lucky."

“Young friend, there’s no need for such modesty,” said Master Luochuan. “To be honest, the Water Mansion has recently received reliable intelligence that the Canal Gang and the Blood Shadow Sect are colluding, not only trading living souls in Chensha Bay, but also seemingly conducting a sinister ‘blood soul sacrifice’ deep within the Ghost Swamp, attempting to summon or refine some terrifying entity. This sacrifice requires a large number of living souls and essence blood, and also a place where yin energy gathers and is related to an ancient seal as an altar. Based on various clues, the location of the sacrifice is very likely deep within the Blackwater Ravine, near the restriction where you encountered the trap!”

Fu Shaoping's heart sank. Sure enough, the trap at Blackwater Ravine was no accident!

"If the Blood Soul Sacrifice succeeds, the consequences will be unimaginable. Not only will my Azure Wave Water Mansion be devastated, but the entire Yunmeng Great Swamp will be plunged into chaos." Master Luochuan's tone was solemn. "The Water Mansion has decided to join forces with the Thousand Machine Pavilion to launch a swift and decisive attack, destroy the altar, and eradicate the influence of the Canal Gang and the Blood Shadow Sect in this area! However, the Blood Shadow Sect's methods are unpredictable, and the sacrificial site must be protected by a powerful evil array and malevolent spirits. Since you are skilled in this art, young friend, would you be willing to accompany us to break the evil array and slay the evil spirits?"

Fu Shaoping remained silent. Participating in a direct conflict at this level was extremely risky. But what were the rewards? Master Luo Chuan had personally extended the invitation; the merit and reward after success would be substantial. More importantly, if he could thwart the Blood Shadow Cult's conspiracy, perhaps he could delay or even eliminate their covetousness for contracted treasures like the Iron Box and Star Core Fragments? Furthermore, the sacrificial site was related to the "Ancient Seal"—could it also be connected to his own inheritance?

"Elder Mo, this matter concerns the safety of the Great Swamp, and the Water Mansion will certainly not mistreat those who have made contributions." Jiang Muyun added, "After the matter is accomplished, in addition to generous merits and resources, the non-core inheritance Foundation Establishment stage scriptures in the Water Mansion's Scripture Pavilion can be granted three levels of access to Elder Mo, and a second-tier high-grade defensive magic weapon, the 'Mysterious Origin Heavy Water Shield,' will be given to you."

The conditions were incredibly generous. Third-level access to the Scripture Pavilion meant he could access more Foundation Establishment stage cultivation techniques, secret arts, and even some more in-depth contract knowledge! The Profound Origin Heavy Water Shield was also a rare and exquisite item.

After careful consideration, Fu Shaoping raised his head, his gaze resolute: "Evil spirits and heretics should be punished by everyone. Mo Chen is willing to do his utmost." Master Luo Chuan's face showed a hint of approval: "Good! Young friend, you understand the greater good. Three days from now, at dawn, we will gather at Bibo Pavilion and depart. This operation will be led by me personally, along with Junior Brother Jiang, Junior Nephew Chen, and two other Foundation Establishment disciples, plus young friend Mo. Our destination—Blackwater Ravine, the Blood Soul Altar!"

A campaign to eradicate the Blood Shadow Cult and the Canal Gang is about to begin. Fu Shaoping will be officially drawn into the highest level of conflict in the Yunmeng Great Swamp. His path to Foundation Establishment will be truly tempered in this test of blood and fire.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Fu Shaoping made no further preparations, but simply adjusted himself to his best condition, repeatedly deducing the newly acquired contract techniques and possible countermeasures against evil formations and vengeful spirits. At the same time, he secretly pushed the connection between the "Contract Origin Star Core Fragment" and the black stone piece to its limit, silently sensing the contract fluctuations deep within the Ghost Swamp.

Before dawn, the six people involved in the operation had already gathered in the open space in front of Bibo Pavilion.

Master Luo Chuan, dressed in a deep blue Daoist robe and carrying an ancient pine-patterned longsword, exuded a profound and unfathomable aura. Standing before the crowd, his gaze was calm. Jiang Muyun and another early Foundation Establishment cultivator (whom Fu Shaoping later learned to be surnamed Lu) stood beside him. Chen Xuan was also present, along with a cold-faced female Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Liu, who carried two hooks on her back.

Including Fu Shaoping, there were a total of six Foundation Establishment cultivators, plus several elite late-stage Qi Refining disciples led by Chen Xuan (responsible for external support and message relay). This force was enough to stir up quite a storm in the Yunmeng Great Swamp.

"Everyone, this battle concerns the peace of the Great Swamp, so we must work together with one heart and one mind." Master Luochuan's gaze swept over everyone. "Junior Brother Jiang, you, along with Junior Nephew Chen and Junior Brother Lu, will be responsible for directly containing any forces that the Cao Gang might be stationed there. Junior Sister Liu, you and I will focus our attack on the core of the altar. Young Friend Mo..." He looked at Fu Shaoping, "The Evil Array Yin Soul is the strength of the Blood Shadow Sect and is also the key to the ritual, so I entrust it to you to do your best to break and contain it."

"This junior will do his best," Fu Shaoping replied solemnly.

"set off!"

Without further ado, Master Luochuan waved his sleeve, and a blue ribbon flew out from his sleeve, growing larger in the wind and transforming into a multi-story ship more than ten zhang long, made entirely of unknown blue wood, with cloud and water runes engraved all over its hull—the "Wave-Breaking Boat," the standard flying magical artifact of the Azure Wave Water Palace!
The group boarded the ship. The ship shuddered, transforming into a streak of blue light that broke through the morning mist, hurtling towards the depths of the Misty Ghost Swamp. Its speed far surpassed that of Fu Shaoping's own hovercraft.

The ship's interior was spacious and equipped with quiet rooms. Master Luochuan and the female cultivator surnamed Liu resided in the control room at the bow, while the others meditated in the aft cabins. Chen Xuan quietly explained the known information to Fu Shaoping: the exact location of the Blood Soul Altar, determined through cross-referencing clues from the Water Mansion and the Thousand Machine Pavilion, was found beneath a hidden body of water called "Netherworld Pool" deep within the Blackwater Ravine. The Canal Gang maintained a considerable force there, and the Blood Shadow Sect's priests were most likely a mid-Foundation Establishment "Blood Sacrifice Master."

An hour later, the Wave-Breaking Boat re-entered the Ghost Swamp region shrouded in thick fog, slowing its speed. A pale blue light shield illuminated the hull, isolating it from external malevolent energy and spying.

"Approaching the target area, everyone on alert." Master Luo Chuan's voice clearly reached everyone's ears through telepathy.

Fu Shaoping stood up and went to the side of the boat. The water below was getting darker and darker, and the current was becoming more turbulent and eerie, which was the territory of the Blackwater Ravine. The Yin energy in the air was even more intense, and faint, mournful howls could be heard from afar, making people feel uneasy.

The wave-breaking boat glided silently along the water's surface, avoiding several areas of obvious spatial distortion. Finally, a deep pool appeared ahead, surrounded by black rock walls, its surface as black and lifeless as ink—the Netherworld Pool!

Above the pool, a layer of dark red blood mist, visible to the naked eye, emanated a nauseating stench of blood and an evil aura of contract. Within the blood mist, countless twisted figures seemed to be struggling and wailing.

On the edge of the pool, dozens of cultivators from the Canal Gang were stationed, their cultivation levels ranging from mid-Qi Refining to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, patrolling vigilantly. Above the pool, three Foundation Establishment cultivators hovered! Two of them wore Canal Gang attire, one at the early Foundation Establishment stage and the other at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. The third, dressed in a blood-red robe and wearing a deathly pale mask, exuded a cold and eerie aura—he was none other than the Blood Shadow Sect's mid-Foundation Establishment "Blood Sacrifice Envoy"!
"As expected, they're here!" A cold glint flashed in Master Luo Chuan's eyes. "Junior Brother Jiang, proceed according to plan!"

"Yes!" Jiang Muyun responded, and together with the cultivator surnamed Lu, Chen Xuan, and several Qi Refining disciples, they piloted another, slightly smaller spirit boat, separated from the Wave-Breaking Boat, and circled around the side of the Cao Gang camp by the pool, intending to attract attention and restrain the surrounding forces.

The Wave-Breaking Boat, however, concealed its brilliance and increased its speed dramatically, shooting straight towards the blood mist above the center of the Netherworld Pool like an arrow released from a bow!
"Enemy attack!" The mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Canal Gang was the first to react, shouting fiercely! At the same time, he, along with another early-Foundation Establishment cultivator and the Blood Sacrifice Envoy, leaped into the air to meet the Wave-Breaking Ship!

"The blood sacrifice is about to be completed, it cannot be lost! Stop them!" The blood sacrificer's voice was hoarse and unpleasant, like the scraping of metal. He waved his hands, and the blood mist below churned violently, transforming into several thick, barbed, blood-red tentacles that lashed out at the Wavebreaker! Runes flickered on the tentacles, emanating a dense aura of death and curse.

Master Luochuan snorted coldly, and the longsword on his back automatically unsheathed, emitting a clear and melodious dragon's roar! The sword light was like a bolt of lightning, instantly slashing out and severing the blood-red tentacles at the root! The severed ends hissed and emitted black smoke, while the tentacles turned into dirty blood and splattered down.

"Luo Chuan, the old devil from Bibo Prefecture!" The mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Canal Gang recognized the person and his expression changed. "You dare to barge in here! Blood Sacrifice Master, use your full strength!"

The blood sacrifice envoy's eyes, hidden beneath his mask, blazed red, and he chanted incantations. The black waters of the Netherworld Pool below began to churn violently, countless bones and broken weapons surfacing. Then, countless more solidified vengeful spirits, radiating intense resentment and killing intent, wielding illusory swords and spears, emerged from the black water and blood mist, roaring as they charged towards the Wave-Breaking Ship! These vengeful spirits were far more powerful than the ordinary vengeful spirits Fu Shaoping had encountered before, almost equivalent to late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, and numbered in the hundreds or even thousands! (End of Chapter)