Chapter 900
Chapter 900
Tieshan roared, his body swelled up and he transformed into a giant three zhang tall, and punched the nearest stone pillar!
Fu Shaoping did not attack the stone pillar directly; his target was the blood pool in the center of the altar! To be precise, it was the sinister core at the bottom of the blood pool that faintly resonated with the "Qi Shu"!
"Contract - Purification!"
The power of the contract, interwoven with dark gold and dark purple, transformed into a pillar of light and slammed into the blood pool! He intended to use the power of the contract to interfere with or even purify the evil contract rules of the blood sacrifice!
"Enemy attack!"
The Shadow Guard leader was both shocked and furious; he hadn't expected anyone to infiltrate so close! But the blood sacrifice had already begun and couldn't be stopped, otherwise the backlash would severely injure them all!
"Stop them! Complete the blood sacrifice at all costs!"
The five Shadow Guard leaders attacked simultaneously! Two confronted Liu Rushuang and her two companions, two attacked Tieshan and Qi Chi, and the last leader, who was at the late Golden Core stage, went straight for Fu Shaoping!
"Boy! It really is you! Hand over the 'Contract Token' fragment, and I'll spare your life!"
The pitch-black chains, like venomous snakes, coiled around from all directions, with countless wailing phantoms of vengeful spirits appearing on them, emanating an evil power that eroded the soul!
Fu Shaoping dared not take the attack head-on, and used his Shadow Steps at full power to weave through the gaps in the chains. At the same time, he continuously channeled the power of the contract to purify the blood pool, slowing down the blood sacrifice process.
However, the gap between the late Golden Core stage and the late Foundation Establishment stage is simply too great! The Shadow Guard leader's attacks were unpredictable and unpredictable, and Fu Shaoping was quickly overwhelmed and in grave danger!
On the other side, Liu Rushuang and her two companions were entangled by the two Shadow Guard leaders and were unable to destroy the stone pillar for the time being. Tieshan and Qichi were also suppressed by the two Shadow Guard leaders.
Only the Foundation Establishment elites led by Manager Zhou and the deputy master of Tingyu Tower were locked in battle with the black-robed man, and they had a slight advantage.
"We must destroy the stone pillar as soon as possible!" Liu Rushuang forced her opponent back with a sword strike and transmitted her voice to Chu Hongxiu, "Hongxiu, use that move!"
Chu Hongxiu nodded, and the red ribbons fluttered in the air, transforming into countless red threads that temporarily bound her opponent. She formed a hand seal, and a flame mark appeared between her brows!
"Phoenix Dances Across the Nine Heavens - Burning!"
A gigantic phoenix phantom emerged from behind her, letting out a clear and melodious cry, carrying a heat that could incinerate everything, and crashed into the two nearest blood-red stone pillars!
"Boom! Boom!"
The two stone pillars trembled violently, cracks appeared on their surfaces, and the blood-red light dimmed somewhat!
"You're courting death!" The Shadow Guard leader roared, forcing Liu Rushuang back, and a dark blade of light slashed towards Chu Hongxiu!
Bai Wuyai played his jade flute urgently, and the sound waves transformed into a solid moon-white barrier, blocking Chu Hongxiu's way!
"clang!"
The blade and the sonic barrier shattered simultaneously! Chu Hongxiu spat out a mouthful of blood, but she had successfully created an opportunity for Tieshan!
"Break it for me!"
Tieshan seized the opportunity, his fists slamming down hard on the third stone pillar!
"Crack!"
The stone pillar snapped in two! The vortex of blood pool abruptly stopped!
"Damn it!" The Shadow Guard leader's eyes widened in fury. A third of the blood sacrifice array had already been destroyed; if these troublemakers weren't dealt with soon, the plan would be a complete failure!
A look of madness flashed in his eyes. He bit his tongue and spat out a mouthful of blood onto the small black banner in his hand!
The small banner swelled in the wind, transforming into a ten-zhang-long giant banner! Countless vengeful spirits surged forth from the banner's surface, coalescing in mid-air into a gigantic, faceless vengeful giant! Its aura had clearly reached the peak of the Golden Core stage!
"Soul Banner Secret Technique - Gathering of Vengeful Spirits!" The Shadow Guard leader was pale, clearly exhausted, but his eyes were filled with ferocity. "Kill them!"
The vengeful giant let out a silent roar, slamming one hand towards Liu Rushuang and the other two! Its other hand reached for Fu Shaoping!
"Not good!" Liu Rushuang and the other two's expressions changed drastically. They joined forces to resist, but were sent flying by a single palm strike, spitting out blood!
Fu Shaoping felt an extremely cold and evil force lock onto his entire body, his soul was almost frozen, and he couldn't even move his fingers!
A matter of life and death!
At that moment, the fragment of the "Contract Order" in his arms and the awakened aura of the "Contract Pivot" deep in the Burial God Abyss resonated violently at the same time!
Two fragments flew out of Fu Shaoping's arms uncontrollably and hovered in front of him! The dark gold fragment shone brightly, while the pitch-black fragment blazed with purple-black light. The two swirled and intertwined in the air, forming a halo of dark gold and dark purple!
At the center of the halo, a fragmented yet incredibly complex phantom of a massive rune slowly emerged! Though incomplete, it radiated a majestic divine might that suppressed all evil and judged all contracts!
That was... a projection of the "Qi Shu"! Or rather, a trace of the power of the "Qi Shu" temporarily simulated after the two fragments resonated together!
The giant's hand struck the halo, melting it instantly like ice and snow meeting the sun! The giant let out a mournful howl as its massive body rapidly disintegrated, transforming back into countless vengeful spirits that were sucked into the dark fragments!
"No—!" The Shadow Guard leader screamed in agony as the Soul Banner backfired, causing blood to flow from his seven orifices!
The enormous phantom of the runes at the center of the halo slowly rotated, aiming at the remaining six blood-red stone pillars and the blood pool in the center of the altar.
An indescribable power of contractual judgment enveloped the entire area!
All the evil contract rules that were in operation—the Blood Sacrifice Array, the Soul Banner Secret Technique, and even the evil contract techniques practiced by the black-robed man and the Shadow Guards—trembled and collapsed at this moment!
"The Pivot... the Judgment... all contracts return to their origin..."
An ancient, majestic voice, like the law of heaven, resounded deep within the souls of everyone who had cultivated the contract-related techniques!
"Bang bang bang bang bang bang!"
Six crimson stone pillars shattered simultaneously! The blood pool dried up instantly! All the runes on the altar went out!
All the black-robed men and shadow guards simultaneously coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground, their cultivation levels plummeting! Their foundation of evil contracts had been forcibly stripped and sealed!
Fu Shaoping, as the holder of the "Contract Order" fragment and the triggerer of the "Contract Pivot" projection, suffered the greatest impact! He felt that his contract power, source core, and even his divine soul were resonating, trembling, and sublimating with that huge rune phantom!
Countless mysteries about ancient contracts, fragmented information about the "Contract Pivot," and the ultimate truth about the Way of Contracts flooded into his mind like a torrent!
His cultivation level skyrocketed at that moment!
Peak of late Foundation Establishment stage... Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment... Half-step Golden Core!
Finally, with an invisible roar, the true essence within his body completely liquefied, solidified, and sublimated, condensing into a pale golden golden core with dark gold and dark purple patterns flowing on its surface in his dantian—the Contract Golden Core!
Golden Core Stage 1 Success!
The enormous phantom of the runes slowly dissipated after completing its judgment. The two fragments of the "Contract" dimmed and flew back into Fu Shaoping's hands, but their auras were more solid, and the connection between them was much stronger.
The scene was deathly silent.
The altar shattered, and the blood sacrifice failed. Members of the Dark Pact organization were either dead or wounded, rendering them incapable of fighting.
Liu Rushuang and the others stared in disbelief at Fu Shaoping and the lingering aura of the Golden Core in front of him.
“Golden…Golden Core? Junior Brother Lu, you…” Liu Rushuang couldn’t believe it.
Fu Shaoping slowly opened his eyes, golden light swirling within them, his aura as deep and unfathomable as the sea. He felt the surging power of the Contract Golden Core within his body, and the countless contract mysteries that had appeared in his mind, but his heart felt not much joy, only heaviness.
The projection of "Qi Shu" was powerful, but only for a moment. The real "Qi Shu" was still deep within the Burial God Abyss, and its state was strange, seemingly corrupted or sealed by some evil force.
Although the Dark Pact organization's plan failed, they will never give up. Moreover, the appearance of the "Plan Hub" projection will inevitably attract the attention of many more forces. The storm has only just begun.
He looked at Liu Rushuang and said in a deep voice, "Senior Sister Liu, we should not stay here any longer. We must leave immediately and keep the news under wraps."
Liu Rushuang snapped out of her daze, suppressing her shock, and nodded: "Elder Zhou, clean up the scene, leave no survivors! Hongxiu, Brother Bai, let's evacuate immediately!"
The group acted swiftly.
Half an hour later, the Valley of Burial Gods returned to silence. Only the shattered altar and the dried-up blood pool testified to the thrilling battle that had just taken place.
Fu Shaoping and his group had already quietly disappeared into the depths of the colorful mist.
Cold Moon City, Zhitian Pavilion.
Inside the secret room, Fu Shaoping placed the two fragments of the "contract" on the table and confessed part of the truth to Liu Rushuang, Chu Hongxiu, and Bai Wuyai.
"This object is called the 'Contract Decree,' a fragment of the ancient contract treasure 'Contract Pivot.' The Dark Contract Organization has always wanted to collect all the fragments, control the 'Contract Pivot,' and achieve some unknown conspiracy. What appeared in the Burial God Abyss today should be a projection of the sealed or corrupted 'Contract Pivot' itself."
Liu Rushuang's expression was solemn: "Junior Brother Lu... no, I should call you Fellow Daoist Lu now. Now that you have formed your core, you are one of us. This matter is of great importance, what are your plans?"
Fu Shaoping pondered for a moment and said, "'Qi Shu' must be handled properly and must not fall into the hands of the Dark Contract Organization. However, my cultivation is still shallow and I cannot deal with it alone. I am willing to cooperate deeply with the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion to explore the secrets of 'Qi Shu' and stop the Dark Contract Organization's conspiracy."
He paused for a moment: "However, I need time to consolidate my cultivation and digest what I have gained today. In addition, the Dark Contract Organization will surely retaliate fiercely after this defeat, and we need to prepare for it as soon as possible."
Chu Hongxiu chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Lu, rest assured, now that Tingyu Tower has gotten involved, it won't give up halfway. I've long wanted to wipe out those shady dealings of the Dark Contract Organization!"
Bai Wuyai stroked his beard and said, "I also have old grudges against the Dark Contract Organization and am willing to lend a helping hand. However, this matter needs to be considered carefully. The Dark Contract Organization is deeply rooted in the Northern Territory, and what we have destroyed today is merely one of its henchmen."
Liu Rushuang nodded: "Brother Bai is absolutely right. I have already informed the Grand Pavilion that the Pavilion Master attaches great importance to the matter of 'Qi Shu' and will personally send an envoy here soon. Before that, we need to conceal our whereabouts and accumulate strength."
She looked at Fu Shaoping: "Fellow Daoist Lu can first go into seclusion at Zhitianxuan to consolidate your Golden Core cultivation. Elder Zhou will prepare the necessary resources for you. We will discuss the next steps after the envoy from the General Pavilion arrives."
Fu Shaoping cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Senior Sister Liu, and thank you all."
After discussing a few more details, everyone dispersed.
Fu Shaoping returned to the quiet room and set up multiple layers of restrictions.
He sat down cross-legged and looked inward at himself.
Within the dantian, a golden core, the size of a pigeon egg, pale gold in color, with dark gold and dark purple patterns flowing across its surface, floated quietly, slowly rotating and absorbing pure contract essence. Around the golden core, tiny contract runes faintly appeared and disappeared, mysterious and profound.
The transition from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core represents a leap in life level. Lifespan increases to five hundred years, the quality and quantity of true essence increase dramatically, the spirit becomes more solid, and the perception of the rules of heaven and earth becomes much clearer.
What he condensed was the "Contract Golden Core," which was based on the Way of Contracts. It had enormous potential, but it also meant that his path was now closely bound to the "Contract Command" and the "Contract Pivot."
Within his sea of consciousness, the Origin Core and the Golden Core resonated with each other. Although their size had not increased, they had become more solid, and the power of the Contract Origin they provided was now purer and more vast. Many of the secret techniques in the "General Principles of Contract Origin" could now be used in their initial stages.
"The road ahead..." Fu Shaoping's gaze was firm, "to consolidate my cultivation, comprehend the contractual mysteries brought by the 'Spirit of Contract' projection, refine the 'Contract Order' fragments, and enhance my strength. Then... to uncover the truth about the 'Spirit of Contract' and completely eliminate the threat posed by the Dark Contract Organization."
He closed his eyes and began to meditate.
Outside the window, the moonlight on Hanyue Lake was cold and clear.
The storm in the North will be stirred up even more by today's battle at Burial Valley.
Meanwhile, Fu Shaoping, a Golden Core cultivator under a contract, has officially stepped into the heart of this chaotic situation.
How will his philosophy of contracts shine amidst this turbulent era?
Time will tell.
Messenger and Undercurrent
One month later, in the quiet room of Zhitianxuan.
Fu Shaoping slowly opened his eyes, a fleeting glimpse of pale golden contract runes appearing in them. After a month of consolidation, his early-stage Golden Core cultivation had completely stabilized, and his contract essence flowed smoothly and without hindrance. Although the two fragments of the "Contract Order" were not fully fused, they had reached a delicate balance under his control. The dark gold fragment was dominant, while the pitch-black fragment had transformed into a controllable "Evil Contract Blade," capable of unleashing powerful erosion and soul attacks under specific circumstances.
More importantly, he has begun to digest some of the information fragments brought by the "Qi Shu" projection, and has gained a deeper understanding of the ancient way of contracts. Many obscure parts of the "Qi Yuan Zong Gang" have become clear, and he has also mastered several contract secret techniques that can only be used by those at the Golden Core stage.
"Knock knock." Manager Zhou's voice came from outside the quiet room, "Fellow Daoist Lu, Elder Liu invites you. The envoy from the main pavilion has arrived."
"coming."
Fu Shaoping stood up, straightened his clothes, concealed his aura as if he were a normal person, and pushed open the door to go out.
In the main hall of the front courtyard, besides Liu Rushuang, Chu Hongxiu, Bai Wuyai, and Manager Zhou, there were three more people.
In the center was a middle-aged scholar dressed in a star-patterned Taoist robe, with a refined and elegant appearance. He held a white jade whisk, and his aura was unfathomable, even causing Fu Shaoping's Golden Core to feel slightly suppressed—he was at least in the late stage of the Golden Core realm, or perhaps even at the peak of the Golden Core realm! This person was Xing Yanzi, the envoy sent by the main branch of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion.
To Xing Yanzi's left was a young general dressed in silver armor, carrying two swords on his back. His face was stern, and his aura was as sharp as a sword. He was a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator and one of the guardian elders of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, Jian Qi.
On the right is a gentle female cultivator dressed in a plain white dress, holding a bamboo scroll. She is at the early stage of the Golden Core realm and is named Wenxin. She is skilled in intelligence analysis and deduction.
"Greetings, Senior Xingyanzi, Fellow Daoist Jianqi, and Fellow Daoist Wenxin." Fu Shaoping respectfully cupped his hands in a salute. (End of Chapter)