He took out the Foundation Establishment Pill he had obtained from Cloud Mist Mountain and placed it in his palm.
The elixir was pure white, radiating a warm glow.
"It's time."
He put the pill in his mouth, closed his eyes, and began to cultivate.
……
three days later.
Suddenly, a strong surge of spiritual energy erupted in the courtyard!
The ripples spread outwards from Fu Shaoping, like a tide!
The weeds in the yard were instantly flattened to the ground!
The moss on the courtyard wall is falling off one by one!
The Fu family guards who were patrolling nearby were forced to retreat repeatedly by the shockwave!
"This is... the aura of Foundation Establishment!" someone exclaimed.
Fu Shaoping opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.
Within the dantian, the original Qi vortex had completely solidified, transforming into a vast "sea of Qi." Within this sea of Qi, spiritual energy was no longer gaseous but had condensed into a liquid state, surging and containing terrifying power far exceeding that of the Qi Refining stage.
Foundation established, complete!
He stood up, feeling the surging power within him, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
He progressed from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment more steadily than anyone else.
Next comes the formation of the Golden Core.
Before he could form his core, there was one more thing he needed to do.
He looked towards the eastern sky.
That's the direction of the Qingyun Sect.
The Book of a Hundred Generations, Page 4 (Continued 6)
After achieving the Foundation Establishment stage, Fu Shaoping's life underwent a dramatic transformation.
First and foremost is status.
Before this, although he was designated as the heir, in many people's eyes he was nothing more than a lucky illegitimate son. Now that he has successfully established his foundation, those doubts have completely disappeared. He has officially entered the core of the Fu family's power and is participating in major family decisions.
Secondly, there are resources.
Foundation Establishment cultivators are now considered a core force in Qingyang City. The family's monthly supply of spirit stones has increased from five hundred to two thousand, and their access to pills, magic weapons, and cultivation manuals has also been greatly enhanced. Fu Qingshan even bestowed upon him a high-grade magic weapon he had used in his youth, the "Azure Frost Sword."
Finally, there is responsibility.
After achieving the Foundation Establishment stage, he began to truly take over family affairs. Inspecting properties, resolving disputes, receiving guests, planning for future development... these tasks that he once found tedious now bring him a unique understanding.
"So, managing a family is an art in itself." That day, after finishing a batch of documents, Fu Shaoping leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.
Outside the window, the setting sun casts a golden glow over the entire study.
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the distant rooftops and the streets with wisps of smoke rising from chimneys.
Qingyang City, the place where he lived for sixteen years.
The people, the things, everything here are all deeply imprinted in his memory.
But he knew he would eventually have to leave.
Each page of the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes is a journey of self-cultivation. The purpose of this cultivation is not to become immersed in any one lifetime, but to draw nourishment from each lifetime and become stronger.
Qingyang City is just the beginning.
The Azure Cloud Sect is the true stage of this life.
"It's time."
He turned and walked out of the study.
……
The main hall of the Fu residence.
After listening to Fu Shaoping's words, Fu Qingshan remained silent for a long time.
"You want to go to the Qingyun Sect?" he asked slowly.
Fu Shaoping nodded: "Patriarch, Qingyang City is too small. I want to see a bigger world."
Fu Qingshan looked at him with a complicated expression.
Do you know how difficult it is to enter the Qingyun Sect?
Fu Shaoping said, "I know. It's one of the three major sects in the Eastern Region, and it's extremely strict in accepting disciples. One must be at least at the Foundation Establishment stage and pass the entrance examination to become an outer disciple."
Fu Qingshan nodded and said, "Do you know that even if you get in, you'll only be a low-level outer disciple? There are countless geniuses there, and the competition is fierce. If you're not careful, you could be doomed."
Fu Shaoping remained calm: "I know."
Fu Qingshan looked at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled.
"Good! Good!" He stood up, walked to Fu Shaoping, and patted him on the shoulder. "I am pleased that you have such ambition! Go! The Fu family will always be your support!"
He took out a storage ring from his pocket and handed it to Fu Shaoping.
"Here are some things the family has accumulated over the years: 50,000 spirit stones, a number of pills, and a detailed map of the Eastern Region. Take these and use them on your journey."
Fu Shaoping accepted it and bowed solemnly: "Thank you, Patriarch."
Fu Qingshan waved his hand, then suddenly lowered his voice: "Shaoping, there is one more thing you need to do before you leave."
Fu Shaoping looked at him.
Fu Qingshan said, "Your mother's grave is still in the desolate mountains outside the city. You should go and pay your respects."
Fu Shaoping was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I see."
……
The next morning, Fu Shaoping went alone to a desolate mountain thirty miles outside Qingyang City.
This is where the lowest-ranking members of the Fu family and their destitute servants are buried. The graves are simple and overgrown with weeds, a stark contrast to the luxurious cemeteries within the city.
Fu Shaoping stopped in front of a small grave.
The tombstone bears a few blurred characters: "Tomb of the Zhao Family of the Fu Clan".
He knelt down and respectfully kowtowed three times.
"Mother, I'm leaving," he said softly. "I'm going to a very far place. I may not be back for a long time."
The wind blew across the barren mountain, and the weeds rustled as if in response to him.
“These years have been tough for me, but I’m doing well. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself.”
He took a jade bottle from his bosom and placed it in front of the grave.
"This is a 'Soul Nourishing Pill' that I refined. Although it cannot bring the dead back to life, it can bring your soul some peace. If there is an afterlife, I hope you will be reborn into a good family and no longer suffer."
He stood up and took one last look at the simple grave.
"Mother, take care."
He turned and strode away.
Behind me, the barren mountains remain, and the wind blows as always.
But in front of that small grave, there was a faint, almost imperceptible glimmer of light.
……
Three days later, Fu Shaoping bid farewell to the Fu family and embarked on his journey to the Qingyun Sect.
Fu Shaoyun escorted him all the way to the outskirts of the city, thirty miles away, his eyes red.
"Senior Brother Fu, you must come back to visit often!"
Fu Shaoping patted his shoulder: "Yes, you will. You should also cultivate diligently and strive to reach the Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible."
Fu Shaoyun nodded vigorously.
Fu Shaoping turned around, stepped onto the Azure Cloud Boat, and transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the horizon.
Behind him, Fu Shaoyun stood still, motionless for a long time.
……
Qingyang City is 30,000 miles away from Qingyun Sect.
The journey would take him through several small kingdoms, over a dozen towns, and several dangerous areas. Following the map left by Qingmingzi, Fu Shaoping traveled eastward, moving by day and hiding by night, proceeding with extreme caution. On the first day, he passed through a small town called "Qingfeng Town," where he replenished his supplies of dry rations and water.
On the third day, he passed by a spiritual vein called "Luoxia Mountain" and saw several rogue cultivators fighting in the distance, so he took a detour to avoid them.
On the seventh day, he entered a treacherous place called the "Misty Forest." This place was shrouded in dense fog year-round, limiting spiritual perception, and was said to be inhabited by Foundation Establishment stage demonic beasts. He used his Law-Breaking Spiritual Eye to clear a path, carefully traversing the area, and it took him three days to emerge.
On the fifteenth day, he finally arrived in the heart of the Eastern Region—a giant city called "Tianque City".
Tianque City is a famous metropolis in the Eastern Region, a hundred times the size of Qingyang City. Cultivators abound, Golden Core cultivators are everywhere, and Nascent Soul cultivators are also frequently seen. The streets are wide, the buildings tower high, and shops line the streets, offering a dazzling array of magical artifacts, elixirs, and talismans.
Fu Shaoping rested in the city for two days, replenishing his supplies of pills and talismans, and also inquired about the Qingyun Sect.
"The Qingyun Sect?" In the teahouse, an old rogue cultivator sipped his wine, squinting his eyes. "That's not easy to get into. Every year, tens of thousands of cultivators want to join, but fewer than a hundred pass. The examination is extremely rigorous, and..."
He lowered his voice: "I heard that this year's assessment is especially difficult. Because a Nascent Soul elder of the Qingyun Sect will be selecting a personal disciple from among the new disciples. So the competition will be ten times fiercer than in previous years."
Fu Shaoping's heart stirred.
A disciple of a Nascent Soul Elder?
This could be an opportunity.
He thanked the old hermit and continued on his way.
……
Five days later, Fu Shaoping finally arrived at the Qingyun Sect's mountain gate.
It was a majestic mountain peak that reached into the clouds, its summit hidden in the mist. At the foot of the mountain stood a huge archway with three ancient characters engraved on it: "Qingyun Sect".
A long queue had already formed in front of the archway.
The cultivators participating in the entrance examination lined up for miles, stretching from the archway. There were men and women, young and old, with cultivation levels ranging from the early to late Foundation Establishment stages. Each person wore a tense expression and whispered amongst themselves.
Fu Shaoping joined the end of the line and waited patiently.
One by one, the people ahead of them were called in, and one by one they came out dejected. Those who passed beamed with joy; those who failed left in gloom.
Finally, it was Fu Shaoping's turn.
He walked through the archway and arrived at a huge training ground.
On the training ground stood several disciples dressed in the robes of the Qingyun Sect. The one in the lead was a stern-faced young man with a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation level, exuding a faint aura of power.
"Name, age, cultivation level, background," the young man asked coldly without looking up.
"Fu Shaoping, seventeen, early stage of Foundation Establishment, Fu family of Qingyang City."
The young man looked up and glanced at him.
"Qingyang City? That small place?" A hint of disdain curled at the corner of his lips. "To be able to cultivate to the early stage of Foundation Establishment in a place like that is quite remarkable. However, this place is not comparable to any small place. You'd better be prepared."
Fu Shaoping remained calm and did not respond.
The young man snorted and pointed to several stone tablets on one side of the training ground.
"The first step is to determine bone age. Those over twenty years old will be eliminated."
Fu Shaoping walked to the stone tablet and placed his hand on it.
The stone tablet lit up, displaying the words: "Bone age seventeen, qualified."
A hint of surprise flashed in the young man's eyes as he continued, "The second test is to assess cultivation level. Those whose spiritual energy is not pure enough will be eliminated."
Fu Shaoping raised his hand, and a wisp of pure spiritual energy shot towards another stone tablet.
The stone tablet lit up again, displaying: "Spiritual energy purity: superior, qualified."
The young man's expression had become somewhat serious.
"The third test is practical combat." He pointed to the center of the training ground. "There are ten arenas there. Each arena is guarded by an outer disciple of the Qingyun Sect. Defeat them to enter the sect."
Fu Shaoping looked at the arena.
On the arena stood ten disciples of the Qingyun Sect, all at the mid or late Foundation Establishment stage. Some held swords, some held knives, and some stood empty-handed, each with a different aura.
"Just pick one?" Fu Shaoping asked.
The young man nodded: "Whatever."
Fu Shaoping's gaze swept across the arena, finally settling on the far left.
On the arena stood a burly man, a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, wielding a giant axe, exuding a fierce aura.
Fu Shaoping stepped onto the ring.
The burly man grinned: "Kid, you chose me? You've got guts! But I won't hold back!"
He swung his axe down, creating a whooshing sound!
Fu Shaoping dodged to the side and thrust out with his sword in a backhand motion!
The Azure Frost Sword transformed into a streak of azure light, aiming straight for the strong man's throat!
The burly man was shocked and hurriedly used the handle of his axe to block!
"clang!"
Swords and axes clashed, producing a piercing metallic clang!
The burly man took three steps back, but Fu Shaoping remained unmoved.
A look of horror flashed in the burly man's eyes!
This Foundation Establishment stage youth is actually stronger than him?!
Fu Shaoping gave him no chance to breathe, his sword strikes becoming faster and faster, forcing the burly man to retreat repeatedly!
After ten moves, the giant axe in the strong man's hand was knocked away by a single sword strike!
Fu Shaoping's sword tip stopped three inches in front of the burly man's brow.
"You lost."
The burly man turned pale and collapsed to his knees.
The entire venue fell silent.
The cold-faced young man at the head of the group stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief.
A Foundation Establishment Stage 1 cultivator defeated a Foundation Establishment Stage 2 cultivator in ten moves?! How...how is that possible?!
Fu Shaoping sheathed his sword, stepped off the stage, and looked at the young man.
"Can it be considered passed?"
The young man snapped out of his daze, took a deep breath, and said in a low voice:
"pass."
He took out a jade pendant from his pocket and handed it to Fu Shaoping.
"This is your identity token. From this day forward, you are an outer disciple of the Qingyun Sect."
Fu Shaoping took the jade pendant and put it into his pocket.
He looked up at the misty mountain peaks.
Qingyun Sect, he's here.
The mountain gate of Qingyun Sect was far more magnificent than Fu Shaoping had imagined.
Passing through the archway, one finds a thousand stone steps leading straight to the mountaintop. Ancient trees tower on either side of the steps, and spirited birds soar about. Every hundred steps, a pavilion stands for disciples to rest. Amidst the swirling mist, the magnificent palaces and pavilions higher above are faintly visible, a truly awe-inspiring sight.
The guide was an outer sect steward, a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Chen, with a kind face.
"Junior Brother Fu, you are the only one among this batch of new disciples to defeat an older disciple in the entrance examination." Deacon Chen said as he walked, his tone tinged with admiration. "That Wang Meng is a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator and has a certain reputation in our outer sect. I didn't expect you to defeat him in ten moves."
Fu Shaoping said calmly, "It was just luck."
Deacon Chen shook his head: "No need to be modest. Those who can enter the Qingyun Sect do so through luck. Your ability proves that you have real skills."
He paused, then lowered his voice and said, "However, you must be careful. Wang Meng has an older brother named Wang Lie, who is in the late Foundation Establishment stage and has quite a few connections in the outer sect. You defeated his brother in public and made him lose face, so he definitely won't let it go."
Fu Shaoping nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Chen."
Seeing that he didn't seem to care, Deacon Chen said nothing more and continued to lead the way.
An hour later, the two arrived at a spacious platform halfway up the mountain.
On the platform, dozens of small courtyards are scattered in a well-organized manner. In front of each courtyard, there is a stone tablet engraved with the name of the owner.
"These are the outer disciples' residences. Since you've just entered the sect, you can choose an empty courtyard according to the rules." Deacon Chen pointed to the courtyards. "You can stay in whichever one you like. However, I suggest you choose one on the side, for peace and quiet."
Fu Shaoping's gaze swept across the area and quickly locked onto a small courtyard nestled against the mountain.
The courtyard wasn't large, but its location was secluded, far from the other disciples, which suited him perfectly. (End of Chapter)
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