Chapter 916
Chapter 916
Sometimes it tests whether he is willing to sign an "unequal contract" to survive in extreme difficulties; sometimes it tests how he chooses when faced with the temptation of "doing good through contracts" versus "using contracts for personal gain"; sometimes it even simulates whether he can stay true to himself when tempted by evil contracts...
Each scene is a test of the weaknesses of the contract cultivator's mind.
Fu Shaoping passed all the tests thanks to his unwavering belief in the essence of contracts, his adherence to the true meaning of "fairness, order, and protection," and his resilient will forged through trials and tribulations.
After an unknown amount of time, all the illusions vanished.
Fu Shaoping regained a sense of his body and found himself still standing on the contract platform. The seven-colored vortex slowly dissipated.
He looked at the other nine people.
Meng Qingyuan remained calm, though beads of sweat appeared on his forehead; Luo Bingyun's face was slightly pale, but her eyes were clearer and more determined; Lei Dong was panting heavily, a trace of exhaustion from the struggle still lingering in his eyes; the old man of the Ghost Calculation had a gloomy aura, his eyes flickering; Huo Ling'er, on the other hand, looked like she still had lingering fear, patting her chest.
Clearly, the mental tests that each person experiences in the illusion are different, and they are by no means easy.
The eight elders of the judging panel all wore solemn expressions. Through the feedback from the illusion, they could roughly sense each cultivator's performance in the "Contractual Inquiry."
Master Xuanqi slowly rose, his gaze sweeping over the ten people before finally settling on Fu Shaoping, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
"The third stage has concluded. Based on the performance in all three rounds, the list of those who have received the 'Contract Origin Initiation' is now announced—"
The entire room was silent; you could hear a pin drop.
“Tianyan Sect, Meng Qingyuan.”
Meng Qingyuan breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to the judges' panel.
"Taixu Sword Palace, Luo Bingyun."
Luo Bingyun nodded slightly.
"Lu Ping, a rogue cultivator."
Fu Shaoping was reassured and remained calm.
"Thunder roars from the Nine Heavens Thunder Palace."
Lei Dong grinned, his eyes filled with arrogance.
"A rogue cultivator, the old man of the Ghost Calculator."
The old man with the cunning chuckled in response.
"Heavenly Fire Sect, Huo Ling'er."
Huo Ling'er jumped up excitedly: "Yay! Master, I did it!"
There were only six spots available. The other four people were disappointed to be left out, their expressions downcast, but they had no choice but to accept it.
"Three days from now, the initiation ceremony will be held at the 'Contract Dao Source Hall' of the Tianyan Sect. All six of you must arrive on time," Xuanqi Zhenren announced.
The discussion on contracts has now come to an end.
With this grand event, Fu Shaoping's name officially entered the vision of the top forces in the Central Plains. The image of a rogue cultivator genius with a legitimate ancient contract inheritance, profound foundation, and steadfast will began to be known.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, certain gazes grew even colder and more greedy because of this debate.
The Alliance of Ten Thousand Contracts seems to have also taken notice of this "contract prodigy" who caused them trouble in the North and is now making a name for himself in the Middle Kingdom.
Fu Shaoping felt the invisible pressure, but it also made him more determined.
The initiation of the Origin of the Contract will be a crucial step for him to break through to the Nascent Soul stage and accumulate power to purify the "Contract Pivot".
Three days later, at the Tianyan Sect, at the Daoyuan Hall of the Contract.
The real test and opportunity are right before us.
Contract Dao Source Hall
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The Tianyan Sect's mountain gate is located three thousand miles east of Wendao City in the "Tianyan Mountain Range." This mountain range is one of the few blessed lands in the Central Plains, where spiritual energy turns into mist, spirit birds fly about, and strange peaks are arrayed, creating a magnificent and ever-changing landscape.
Fu Shaoping and five others boarded a flying boat sent by the Tianyan Sect, passed through layers of protective mountain formations, and finally landed in front of an inconspicuous ancient hall.
The main hall is entirely gray and white, built with some kind of unknown stone. Its surface is covered with traces of the erosion of time, yet it subtly echoes the surrounding mountains, rivers, and the laws of heaven and earth, exuding an ancient, vast, and seemingly boundless aura that carries the origin of the covenant between heaven and earth.
Above the temple gate hangs an equally ancient plaque inscribed with four ancient seal characters that contain endless Daoist wisdom: "The Source of the Contract Dao".
"This hall is the entrance to the 'Contract Dao Source' ruins that my Tianyan Sect guards." Xuanqi Zhenren had been waiting here for a long time, his expression solemn. "Within the ruins, space and time are different from the outside world, and it is filled with the most primordial power of the contract origin. It is both an unparalleled opportunity and a severe test for you."
His gaze swept over the six people: "During the initiation, you must use your own contractual path to connect with the source and draw the power of the source into your body. How much you can draw in and how much you can withstand depends entirely on your individual foundation, comprehension, and destiny. Remember: do not be greedy, do not force things, you must adhere to your original intention and let nature take its course. If your will is not firm, you will be assimilated by the power of the source. At best, the foundation of your contract will be damaged; at worst, your soul will dissipate and become part of the source of the contract."
Everyone felt a chill run down their spines and nodded in agreement.
"Follow me into the palace."
Master Xuanqi pushed open the heavy palace door and stepped in first.
The hall was dimly lit and empty, except for a highly complex circular magic array, about ten zhang in diameter, carved on the central floor. The array was composed of countless nested, constantly changing contract runes, emanating an ancient and chilling aura.
The six followed Master Xuanqi to the edge of the magic array.
"Stand on one of the six nodes of the magic circle." Master Xuanqi pointed to six positions on the outer edge of the magic circle that were shimmering with light.
Fu Shaoping, Meng Qingyuan, Luo Bingyun, Lei Dong, the Old Man of the Ghost Calculation, and Huo Ling'er stepped forward as instructed and stood in their respective positions.
"Close your eyes and concentrate, slowly injecting your true meaning of the contract into the node beneath your feet. Once the array is fully activated, it will send you into the 'Contract Dao Source' ruins."
The six closed their eyes and focused their minds. Fu Shaoping calmed his mind and poured his true understanding of the contract—"fairness, order, protection, purification, and judgment"—into the magic array through the node beneath his feet. The source core within his body vibrated slightly, and the two cores of the "Contract Command" also emitted a low hum, as if resonating with the ancient magic array.
The other five also demonstrated their abilities.
Meng Qingyuan emanated a warm and gentle light of contract, righteous and peaceful; Luo Bingyun's sword energy was contained within, and the contract fluctuations and sword intent were perfectly integrated; Lei Dong's body was surrounded by flashes of lightning, domineering and fierce; the old man of the Ghost Calculator had a gloomy aura, and the sound of his abacus was faint; Huo Ling'er was like a small sun, radiating a hot and active contract fluctuation.
Six different true meanings of the contract were injected, and the magic array on the ground suddenly lit up! Countless contract runes seemed to come alive, flowing rapidly, and finally transformed into six beams of light of different colors, enveloping the six people respectively!
"Om-!"
The space trembled violently! The figures of the six people in the pillar of light blurred and elongated rapidly before disappearing at the end of the pillar.
The light from the magic circle slowly dimmed, returning to its original state.
Looking at the empty magic array, Master Xuanqi sighed softly: "I wonder how many people will truly benefit this time, and how many will be able to... escape unscathed."
The remnants of the Dao of Contracts.
Fu Shaoping felt as if he had fallen into a "river" composed entirely of pure contractual rules. From all directions flowed endless, diverse forms of the fundamental power of contracts: some like golden sunlight, warm and just; some like silver chains, strictly ordered; some like green vines, vibrant with life; some like purple lightning, domineering and judgmental; others like gray mist, chaotic and distorted; and even wisps of dark water, exuding an eeriness and allure…
He was like a drowning man, floating in this primordial river, with countless contractual information, fragments of rules, and torrents of true meaning frantically impacting his soul and body!
If it weren't for the source core stabilizing his mind, and the resonance of the two cores of the "Contract Command" purifying the fragments of the Heavenly Stele and cleansing away the evil energy, he would probably have lost consciousness in an instant.
"Draw upon the source, infuse it into my own body..." Fu Shaoping endured the discomfort and began to circulate his own contractual Dao.
With the Source Core as its core and the "Contract Command" dual cores as its bridge, he attempted to establish connections with the contract origins around him that aligned with his true intentions.
The first to respond to him were the golden, silver, and pure white primal forces representing "order," "protection," and "purification." As if they had found their kind, they joyfully converged towards Fu Shaoping, guided by the true meaning of his contract, and slowly flowed into his body.
The primordial energy entered his body like sweet rain falling on parched earth. Fu Shaoping felt his contracted golden core spinning, expanding, and becoming more solid and radiant at an unprecedented speed! The nine orifices on the surface of the golden core were absorbing and releasing pure primordial power, and his true essence was rapidly being purified and strengthened. In his sea of consciousness, his understanding of the contract rules was also deepening rapidly, and countless previously obscure points suddenly became clear.
"This is the initiation of the origin of the contract!" Fu Shaoping was thrilled, but he kept in mind the admonition of the Mysterious Contract Master and did not try to absorb too much. Instead, he selectively and gradually absorbed the origin power that matched his true intention.
At the same time, he also cautiously avoided those gray, black, chaotic, and evil origins.
The other five people were also immersed in the initiation.
Meng Qingyuan was surrounded by a righteous and peaceful light of origin, and his aura steadily increased.
Luo Bingyun was enveloped by a sword intent contract origin interwoven with silver and light blue, and the sword intent became increasingly pure and sharp.
Lei Dong was the most flamboyant, directly drawing upon the essence of purple lightning and devouring it frantically. His body crackled and his aura surged, but he also appeared somewhat unstable.
The old man, known as the Calculator, huddled in a corner, surrounded by complex gray entities representing "calculation," "transaction," and "cause and effect." He manipulated the abacus faster and faster, and his aura became increasingly mysterious.
Huo Ling'er was as if she were enveloped in flames, and the source of her fire elemental contract was most active. Her aura rose steadily and she even showed a faint tendency to break through to the late stage of the Golden Core realm!
However, the good times did not last long.
The Relics of the Contract Dao Source are not only filled with pure origins. Fragments of chaotic, distorted, and even evil contract rules are also present within. They lurk like venomous snakes in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike.
Lei Dong was the first to encounter problems.
The lightning source he summoned was already violent, and coupled with his impatient and greedy nature, he absorbed it too rapidly. Soon, a wisp of dark red chaotic lightning source, representing "destruction" and "tyranny," mixed with the pure purple source and quietly invaded his body.
Lei Dong initially didn't notice anything amiss, only feeling his power increasing faster and more violently. But soon, his eyes began to bloodshot, his aura became restless and agitated, and a hint of violent red tinged the lightning around him.
"Power...more power!" Lei Dong roared, beginning to actively absorb the dark red chaotic lightning essence.
"Lei Dong! Calm your mind!" Fu Shaoping noticed the abnormality and reminded him.
But Lei Dong seemed to be deaf to reason, his aura growing increasingly violent, showing signs of spiraling out of control.
Meanwhile, problems also arose with the old man who was calculating the future.
The contract he cultivated was inherently inclined towards scheming and curses, making him naturally drawn to chaotic and dark origins. Instead of avoiding them, he actively absorbed them. As large amounts of gray and black origins flooded in, his chilling aura grew stronger, the sound of the abacus became grating, and greed and madness began to surface in his eyes.
"Calculate everything... seize everything..." he muttered, his gaze toward the others filled with malice.
"Something's wrong." Meng Qingyuan also opened his eyes, his expression grave. "Chaotic essence is corrupting them!"
Luo Bingyun unleashed her sword energy, watching Lei Dong and the Ghost Calculator with wariness.
Huo Ling'er was also startled awake from her cultivation, somewhat flustered: "What's wrong? Brother Lei and that old man seem strange!"
Just then, something unexpected happened!
Deep within the ruins, the once calmly flowing river of the contract's origin suddenly churned violently! A vast, chaotic, and malevolent will seemed to awaken from its slumber, spreading along the river!
"It's the 'chaotic contract will' remaining deep within the ruins that has been activated!" Meng Qingyuan's expression changed drastically. "It must be that Lei Dong and the Old Man of Ghost Calculation absorbed too much chaotic essence, awakening it!"
"Roar--!"
An invisible roar echoed through the ruins! In the river, the chaotic gray and black primal forces surged wildly as if summoned, transforming into twisted tentacles, hideous ghost faces, or alluring illusions, lunging towards the six! Their primary targets were Lei Dong and the Ghost Calculator, whose auras were already unstable!
"Hold fast to your true self! Resist the illusions!" Fu Shaoping shouted, while simultaneously activating the fragment of the Purification Stele, which emitted a pure purifying halo to protect himself and slightly weaken the chaotic illusions rushing towards him.
Meng Qingyuan and Luo Bingyun also used their own methods to resist the impact. Huo Ling'er hurriedly erected a flame shield, but her face was pale, clearly under immense pressure.
Lei Dong and the Ghost Calculator became the main targets of the chaotic will's corruption!
Countless chaotic tentacles entangled Lei Dong, who let out a painful roar, his body flashing wildly with lightning and red light, seemingly struggling violently. The Old Man of the Ghost Calculation was surrounded by countless illusions of greed and scheming. He frantically manipulated his abacus, muttering incantations, sometimes laughing wildly, sometimes screaming in agony, his state bizarre.
“If this continues, the two of them will be completely devoured, becoming part of the chaotic contract, and possibly even becoming puppets of that chaotic will!” Meng Qingyuan said anxiously.
"We must awaken them, or... isolate them temporarily!" Luo Bingyun's sword energy surged, severing several chaotic tentacles that lunged at her.
Fu Shaoping's eyes flashed. Awakening the two deeply corrupted individuals was extremely risky, and success was not guaranteed. Isolation might be a more feasible option.
"Help me protect them! I will try to use the power of the contract to temporarily 'seal' their connection with the source of chaos!" Fu Shaoping said to Meng Qingyuan and Luo Bingyun.
"Alright!" Without hesitation, the two stood on either side of Fu Shaoping, fending off the increasing chaotic attacks from around them.
Fu Shaoping took a deep breath, formed hand seals, and activated the power of the dual cores of the "Contract Command." Combining this with his understanding of "Contract Transfer and Grafting," he began to cast a hastily conceived contract technique—"Contract Isolation: Source Severance." (End of Chapter)