bookmarkrole Chapter 963
Chapter 963
Fu Shaoping cupped his hands in greeting: "Sect Master, you flatter me."
Master Qingyun shook his head: "It's not an overstatement. It's the truth."
He paused, then continued, "I called you here today because there's something I need to tell you. Three years from now, the Eastern Region will hold the 'Golden Core Grand Competition.' At that time, Golden Core stage disciples from all the major sects in the Eastern Region will participate. The winner will gain the qualification to enter the 'Ancient Battlefield.'"
He looked at Fu Shaoping with deep eyes.
"The ancient battlefield is where ancient cultivators fought against extraterrestrial demons. There are countless opportunities there, as well as countless dangers. More importantly, there may be something you want there."
Fu Shaoping's heart skipped a beat: "What I want?"
Master Qingyun nodded: "The ultimate mystery of the Way of Contracts."
Fu Shaoping was silent for a moment, then said, "This disciple will participate."
Master Qingyun smiled.
"Alright. I knew you would say that."
He took out a token from his pocket and handed it to Fu Shaoping.
"This is your token to participate in the Golden Core Competition. Three years from now, your master will be waiting for your triumphant return at the sect."
Fu Shaoping accepted the token and bowed respectfully.
"This disciple will certainly not fail in his mission."
Chapter 54 The Three-Year Agreement
Three years.
Fu Shaoping set a goal for himself: to break through to the late stage of the Golden Core realm within three years and prepare for the Golden Core Grand Competition.
He began to cultivate even more intensely.
Every morning, he meditates atop Moonflower Peak, absorbing the power of the moonlight.
In the morning, he studied the "Essentials of the Heavenly Contract" to comprehend the deeper meaning of the way of contracts.
In the afternoon, he immersed himself in the alchemy room, refining various elixirs and improving his alchemy skills.
At night, he stayed in his cultivation room, absorbing the day's knowledge little by little into his golden core.
His cultivation level improved slowly but steadily under such intense training.
In the first year, he reached the peak of the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
The following year, he reached the late stage of the Golden Core realm.
In the third year, he reached the peak of the late Golden Core stage.
When he emerged from seclusion, the entire Qingyun Sect was in an uproar.
"Fu Shaoping has broken through to the peak of the late Golden Core stage!"
"He's only twenty-three years old, right? A twenty-three-year-old at the peak of the late Golden Core stage?!"
"My God! How did he do that?"
"Is the Way of Contracts... really that powerful?"
There was much discussion and exclamations of amazement.
Fu Shaoping ignored these comments.
He knew that the peak of the late Golden Core stage was just the beginning.
His goal is the Golden Core Competition, the ancient battlefield, the ultimate mystery of the Dao of Contracts, and that "end".
Chapter 55 The Golden Core Competition
The day of the Golden Elixir Grand Competition has finally arrived.
On this day, dozens of Golden Core stage disciples gathered in front of the Qingyun Sect's mountain gate.
They are the most outstanding geniuses of the Qingyun Sect in this generation, representing the sect in the Eastern Region Golden Core Competition.
The leader of the team is Master Yuehua.
She stood at the front, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, and slowly spoke: "The Golden Core Competition is held every three years. Your participation this time represents the face of the Qingyun Sect. I hope you will return alive, and I hope you will bring back honor."
Everyone responded in unison.
Master Yuehua raised his hand and cast a spell.
In the void, a huge gate of light slowly emerged.
"Go in."
The crowd filed in.
Fu Shaoping was the last to step into the light gate.
Behind him was the mountain gate of the Qingyun Sect.
Ahead lies an unknown battlefield.
Chapter 56: The Grand Competition Opens
The Golden Core Grand Competition was held in Tianque City, the largest immortal city in the Eastern Region.
Tianque City is the heart of the Eastern Region, a bustling metropolis teeming with cultivators. It houses not only the headquarters of major sects but also countless shops, markets, and auction houses, making it the most vibrant place in the Eastern Region.
Fu Shaoping arrived at Tianque City with the Qingyun Sect's entourage.
Within the city, Golden Core stage disciples from all over the Eastern Region had already gathered. They wore various colored Daoist robes, held various magical artifacts, and their auras varied in strength, but they were all outstanding Golden Core stage disciples.
The competition was held in the martial arts arena in the center of the city.
The training ground was enormous, large enough to accommodate tens of thousands of spectators. The ground was surrounded by defensive formations to ensure the battle would not affect the audience.
At the opening ceremony, the city lord of Tianque City—an old cultivator in the late Nascent Soul stage—delivered a passionate speech.
"Gentlemen, the Golden Core Competition is a grand event in the cultivation world of the Eastern Region. You are all geniuses from your respective sects and the future of the Eastern Region. I hope that you will demonstrate your skills, sportsmanship, and sportsmanship in the competition!"
There was thunderous applause.
Fu Shaoping stood calmly in the crowd.
His gaze swept past the crowd and landed on a high platform in the distance.
Representatives from various sects were seated there.
Among them was a familiar figure.
leaf.
That person also arrived.
Chapter 57: The First Battle
The draw began quickly.
Fu Shaoping's first opponent was Xue Shazi, a late-stage Golden Core disciple of the Blood Fiend Sect.
Blood Fiend had a sinister face, and his body was surrounded by a dense aura of bloodlust. He held a blood-red longsword, the blade of which faintly shimmered with bloody light.
"Fu Shaoping? You're the genius who rose from the ashes?" Xue Shazi sneered. "Today, I'll show you what it means to be outmatched!"
Fu Shaoping looked at him calmly.
"Make your move."
Enraged, Blood Fiend unleashed a slash!
A crimson blade of light, carrying a strong stench of blood, slashed straight at Fu Shaoping's face!
This strike was incredibly powerful, enough to split mountains and shatter rocks!
Fu Shaoping did not back down.
He drew his sword, and the Moonlit Sword was unsheathed!
"Nine Swords of Moonlight - Moon Rises Over the Eastern Mountain!"
The sword light, as gentle and lingering as the moon, collided violently with the crimson blade light!
"boom!"
Swords clashed, unleashing a deafening roar!
Xue Shazi took three steps back, but Fu Shaoping remained unmoved!
Blood Fiend's expression changed drastically!
He was in the late stage of the Golden Core realm, and his full-force strike was easily blocked by a mere youth of the same level?!
"Impossible!" he roared, and unleashed another slash!
Fu Shaoping still did not back down.
"Nine Swords of Moonlight - Moon Shines Over the Great River!"
The sword light surged like a tide, continuous and unbroken, dissolving Xue Shazi's blade aura one by one!
"Nine Swords of Moonlight: Moon Shifts Flower Shadows!"
The sword light flashed like a shadow, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion, forcing Xue Shazi into a frantic state of confusion!
"Nine Swords of Moonlight - Moon Sets and Crows Cry!"
The sword flashed like lightning, a single strike guaranteed to kill!
"puff!"
A bloody gash appeared on Xue Shazi's chest, slashed open by the sword light. If Fu Shaoping had intended to kill him earlier, this sword would have already pierced his heart.
Blood Fiend's face turned deathly pale, and he collapsed to his knees.
"I...I lost..."
The entire venue fell silent.
Immediately, a deafening cheer erupted!
"Fu Shaoping! Fu Shaoping! Fu Shaoping!"
Those who had doubted him before are now cheering for him!
Fu Shaoping remained calm, sheathed his sword, and turned to walk off the stage.
Yuehua stood below the stage, looking at him with a complex expression in her eyes.
"You win."
Fu Shaoping nodded: "Just lucky."
Yuehua shook her head: "It's not a fluke. You are really stronger than him."
She looked into his eyes and said, word by word, "Fu Shaoping, how much further can you really go?"
Fu Shaoping remained silent for a moment, then smiled slightly.
"Senior sister, I don't know either. But I will keep going until the end."
The Golden Elixir Competition was very fast-paced.
After the first round of eliminations, only 150 contestants remained out of more than 300. The second round reduced the pool to 75. The third round reduced the pool to 40. The fourth round reduced the pool to 20.
Fu Shaoping fought his way through the competition, winning every match with an absolute advantage. His Moonlit Nine Swords technique, after three years of arduous training, had evolved from the initial four forms to seven. Each form was exquisite and unparalleled, making it impossible for his opponents to defend against.
In the first match, he defeated Xue Shazi.
In the second match, he defeated a late-stage Golden Core sword cultivator from the Heavenly Sword Sect in thirty moves.
In the third match, he defeated a late-stage Golden Core Beast Tamer from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect in fifty moves.
In the fourth match, he defeated a late-stage Golden Core female cultivator from Xuanbing Valley in eighty moves.
Each victory elevated his standing in the eyes of others.
"Fu Shaoping has won again!"
"He's already in the top 20!"
"One more win and we'll be in the top ten! The top ten will qualify us for the Ancient Battlefield!"
Can he make it into the top ten?
"It's hard to say. There's not a weakling among the top twenty. His next opponent is said to be Jian Wuhen, the chief disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect."
"Sword Without Trace? That's the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage, and it's said that he's already touched the threshold of the Nascent Soul stage!"
"Fu Shaoping is only at the peak of the late Golden Core stage. His chances of winning against Jian Wuhen are slim..."
There's been much discussion, with some optimistic and others worried.
Fu Shaoping remained calm, as if these discussions had nothing to do with him.
He simply waited quietly for the next match to begin.
Chapter 59 - Sword Without a Trace
The fifth round, from twenty to ten.
Fu Shaoping's opponent is Jian Wuhen, the chief disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Jian Wuhen, around twenty-five years old, was at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage. His face was cold and stern, his temperament like a sword, and his whole being was like a drawn sword, its sharpness fully revealed.
He is the most outstanding disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect in the past century, and is known as a "sword genius". It is said that he has already touched the threshold of the Nascent Soul stage, and only needs one opportunity to break through the core and become a Nascent Soul.
The two stood facing each other on the ring.
Below the stage, the audience was packed. Representatives from various sects, cultivators from Tianque City, and even some reclusive old monsters were all watching this battle.
“Fu Shaoping, the fact that you’ve come this far proves you have real strength.” Jian Wuhen looked at him, his gaze sharp as a sword. “But your path ends here.”
Fu Shaoping smiled slightly: "Is that so?"
Without another word, Jian Wuhen drew his sword!
It was a top-grade magic weapon called the "Heavenly Sword," its blade entirely silver-white, with a faint sword aura flowing along its edge. Jian Wuhen thrust out the sword, its light like a rainbow, aiming straight for Fu Shaoping's throat!
This sword strike was as fast as lightning and incomparably fierce!
The audience gasped in surprise!
Fu Shaoping did not back down.
He drew his sword, and the Moonlit Sword was unsheathed!
"Nine Swords of Moonlight - Moon Rises Over the Eastern Mountain!"
The sword light was like the moon, gentle and lingering, and collided violently with the sword light of the Heavenly Sword!
"clang!"
The two swords clashed, producing a piercing metallic clang!
The two men each took three steps back, resulting in a draw!
A hint of surprise flashed in Jian Wuhen's eyes.
"Excellent swordsmanship!"
He drew his sword again, and this time, the sword light was even sharper and faster!
Fu Shaoping still did not back down.
"Nine Swords of Moonlight - Moon Shines Over the Great River!"
The sword light surged like a tide, continuous and unending, dissolving the Heavenly Sword's light one by one!
"Nine Swords of Moonlight: Moon Shifts Flower Shadows!"
The sword light flashed like a shadow, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion, forcing Jian Wuhen to be distracted in his defense!
"Nine Swords of Moonlight - Moon Sets and Crows Cry!"
The sword flashed like lightning, a single strike guaranteed to kill!
Jian Wuhen's expression changed slightly, and he dodged to the side, but the sword light still tore through his sleeve.
"Good!" he shouted, his fighting spirit intensifying. "Fu Shaoping, you are the first opponent I've ever taken seriously!"
He took a deep breath, and his sword intent surged!
"Heavenly Sword Nine Forms, First Form - Break!"
With a single slash, the sword light shone like a rainbow, as if it would tear the heavens and earth apart!
Fu Shaoping's gaze sharpened, and he too unleashed his full power!
"Nine Swords of Moonlight, Fifth Form - Full Moon Over the West Tower!"
This move was a new killing technique he had developed over the past three years. The sword light was like a full moon, perfectly round and flawless, completely engulfing the light of the Heavenly Sword!
"boom!"
Both of them staggered backward, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of their mouths.
Jian Wuhen looked at him, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Fu Shaoping, you are very strong. But I must win this battle."
He gripped the sword with both hands, and his sword intent surged once more!
"Nine Forms of Heavenly Sword - Ninth Form: Heavenly Sword Without Trace!"
This was his strongest sword strike, and also his trump card that he had never used in front of others!
The sword light was as vast and boundless as the sky, enveloping the entire arena!
The crowd below the stage paled and quickly retreated!
Fu Shaoping looked at the overwhelming sword light, but his expression remained calm.
He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were filled with a deep, unfathomable look.
"Nine Swords of Moonlight - Ninth Form - Moonfall Returns to Roots".
This move was something he had just figured out. He had never used it before.
The sword light was like the moon, gentle and serene, as if returning everything to its origin.
The two sword lights collided with a deafening roar!
There was no earth-shattering roar, only silent annihilation.
The Heavenly Sword's light slowly dissipated within the Moonlight Sword Light, like ice and snow meeting the sun, silently and without a trace.
Jian Wuhen stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief.
"This...this is impossible..."
Fu Shaoping sheathed his sword, looked at him, and said calmly, "You lost."
Jian Wuhen looked down.
A thin sword mark had appeared on his chest, on his collar, at some unknown time. The mark grazed his heart, but it wasn't deep, only tearing his clothes.
If Fu Shaoping had wanted to kill him earlier, he would already be a corpse.
Jian Wuhen remained silent for a long time before finally bowing his head.
"I lost."
The entire venue was deathly silent.
Immediately, a deafening cheer erupted!
"Fu Shaoping! Fu Shaoping! Fu Shaoping!"
Those who were worried about him before are now cheering for him!
Fu Shaoping remained calm as he turned and walked off the stage.
Yuehua stood below the stage, looking at him with a complex expression in her eyes.
"You won again."
Fu Shaoping nodded: "Just lucky."
Yuehua shook her head: "It's not a fluke. You are really stronger than him."
She looked into his eyes and said, word by word:
"Fu Shaoping, you're already in the top ten."
Fu Shaoping smiled slightly: "I know."
Chapter Sixty: The Top Ten
After the top ten list was announced, the Golden Elixir Competition entered its final decisive stage.
The top ten contestants are:
Qingyun Sect: Fu Shaoping.
Tianjian Sect: Jian Wuhen (Although he lost to Fu Shaoping, his points are still in the top ten).
Blood Fiend Sect: Blood Fiend Child (also lost to Fu Shaoping, but ranked in the top ten).
The Gate of Ten Thousand Beasts: The Elder of Ten Thousand Beasts.
Xuanbing Valley: Ice Heart Fairy.
Tianque City: Zhao Wuji, the city lord's disciple.
And four other genius disciples from four other sects.
The final battle of the top ten will be a round-robin tournament. Each person will fight one match against each of the other nine, and the person with the most wins will be the champion of the Golden Core Tournament.
In the first match, Fu Shaoping faced off against the Old Man of Ten Thousand Beasts.
The Elder of Ten Thousand Beasts, a Golden Core cultivator at the Great Perfection stage, was skilled in beast taming. Beside him followed three Golden Core stage demonic beasts—a golden-maned lion, an iron-backed gray wolf, and a crimson flame python. (End of Chapter)