Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

……

“Master has not come for a long time. Why not stay a few more days and taste the special honey of Changchun Peak?”

"No need. Your Changchun Peak has too high a threshold for me. I can't possibly be worthy of it. I'd rather go back and drink my coarse tea."

Watching Wu Fushi's angry departure, Lin Changsheng felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

His master was over a hundred years old, but he acted like a child, flying into a rage if things didn't go his way.

However, in front of Lin Changsheng, he could only put on airs as a master and could not treat him like he treated Liang Kang, summoning him at will and dismissing him at will.

Moreover, although Master Wu has now advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, it is not because of his exceptional talent, but rather a result of sheer luck.

Since becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his magical power has grown sluggishly and slowly. If he doesn't have any extraordinary opportunities in this life, he may find it difficult to reach the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Among the Foundation Establishment cultivators in Thousand Crane Immortal City, his status and reputation are far inferior to Lin Changsheng's.

Although Master Wu rarely mentioned it, he knew in his heart that the smooth development of Thousand Crane Immortal City was inseparable from this disciple.

After watching Master Wu leave, Lin Changsheng returned to his cave to cultivate in seclusion.

As for the former's reluctance to participate in the extermination of the monsters, Lin Changsheng said he could not help.

Slaying demonic beasts is the duty of all Foundation Establishment cultivators in Thousand Crane Immortal City. This is something that cultivators from the Nangong family will personally inform them of when they first enter the Foundation Establishment stage.

This clause is also included in the signed cultivation center contract.

If you are unwilling to contribute to the stability of the Immortal City, you are not qualified to enjoy the cultivation grounds here.

This is a matter of principle, and even cultivators from the Nangong family are no exception.

Lin Changsheng knew that his master was a beginner in Foundation Establishment and was not good at fighting.

It just so happens that the number of demonic beasts in the Wanfeng Mountains has been increasing day by day in recent years, and in addition, there have been evil cultivators causing trouble in recent years, so participating in the extermination is quite risky.

However, Lin Changsheng would not go to the Nangong family to make a fool of himself by breaking the rules.

……

After that day's refusal, Wu Fushi and Changchun Peak had no further contact.

Lin Changsheng lived a leisurely life, making talismans and cultivating every day. In his spare time, he would study the art of mechanical puppets to improve the Qilin, or take the Snow Demon Wolf and Xunfeng Crow into the Wanfeng Mountains to hunt.

In the blink of an eye, five years have passed.

Lin Changsheng fulfilled his promise to Liu Zifeng and Song Zhenren by treating the former's injuries.

In return, Lin Changsheng received a second-tier high-grade magic weapon, a golden knife, and a considerable amount of spirit stones.

While secretly relieved, I also felt a little worried.

From their occasional conversations, Lin Changsheng secretly guessed that the power behind these two people was not in Yue Kingdom, but was secretly active in the Yue Kingdom's cultivation world, seemingly with some ulterior motive.

However, these things have little to do with a free spirit like him.

That year, Lin Changsheng was seventy-nine years old, and his cultivation level was steadily improving.

His magical power has more than doubled since he first entered the Foundation Establishment stage.

He was roughly equivalent to Du Hongzhou, who was over two hundred years old.

Aside from his own cultivation level, the one who made the most progress was the Crimson Centipede, who guarded the Spirit Tree every day.

Most of the resources that the Nangong family gave to Lin Changsheng as a token of their gratitude ended up in the mouth of this demonic insect.

The Crimson Centipede did not disappoint Lin Changsheng. With the accumulation of a large amount of resources, it successfully advanced to the mid-stage of the second tier half a year ago.

They quickly became the strongest fighting force at Changchun Peak.

The demonic power within him grew increasingly unfathomable.

Whether it was a misperception or not, Lin Changsheng felt that, influenced by the aura emanating from the spirit tree, the Crimson Centipede's personality seemed to have changed in recent years, and even the violent demonic power within its body had become more peaceful.

Regarding the mechanical puppets, Lin Changsheng searched the entire Thousand Crane Immortal City before he could barely gather enough mid-grade second-tier metal materials to improve and perfect the 'Four Unlikes' to achieve mid-grade second-tier status.

This can be considered as reaching Lin Changsheng's current limit.

Due to limitations in the subsequent puppet inheritance and the materials used in its creation, Lin Changsheng was unable to create a second-tier high-grade puppet in the short term.

To this end, he even went to Han Yongxiang, with whom he had exchanged inheritances years ago, to ask if the second-tier puppet inheritance had been completed.

The result was not as expected.

Lin Changsheng had no choice but to give up and consider completing the puppet inheritance through other means.

……

On the way back to Changchun Peak, Lin Changsheng encountered Du Hongzhou.

"What a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into Brother Du here."

Lin Changsheng slowed his pace on the flying boat and greeted them with a smile.

After many years, Du Hongzhou looks even older.

His hair was gray and dry like weeds, and several obvious age spots had appeared on his face. He exuded an aura of old age.

"It's not a coincidence, brother. I came here specifically to wait for Brother Lin."

Du Hongzhou's aged voice came through, his tone revealing a faint weakness.

"I see. Then I'll trouble you to come to my temple for a chat."

Lin Changsheng said calmly.

"No, I don't have much time left, so I won't bother you at Changchun Peak, my brother."

Du Hongzhou shook his head firmly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Changsheng seemed to have guessed something, and a hint of regret appeared in his eyes.

There is an unwritten rule in the world of cultivation.

Elderly cultivators who have no hope of advancement and whose lifespan is nearing its end should not visit the dojos of cultivators who are in their prime. This would inadvertently transfer their old age and bad luck to the dojo owner.

Lin Changsheng was also aware of this rule.

However, having received civilized education in my previous life, although only for a short period of more than ten years, I didn't really care about these superstitions.

But Du Hongzhou insisted on this, and he complied without forcing him.

The two then found a low hill nearby, put away their magical artifacts, and descended there.

"Brother Lin, this weapon-refining inheritance is the only thing I can offer. Today, I will pass on this inheritance and the weapon-refining experience I have accumulated throughout my life to you. I hope that, for the sake of our long-standing friendship, you will protect Ping An Peak and Yue'er in the future."

Du Hongzhou's eyes were somewhat cloudy. He took out a jade slip and a booklet from his pocket and spoke sincerely.

His waist was empty; his usual storage bag was nowhere to be found.

"Brother Du, you've been immersed in this realm for many years, why not try to fight for yourself once?"

Lin Changsheng felt a little regretful.

Lin Changsheng knew something about this old neighbor.

After taking the longevity pills, and given Du Hongzhou's usual focus on health preservation, he should have at least another twenty years.

If one had made up their mind earlier and invested a lot of resources in themselves, they might have had a chance to advance to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

The advancement of one's cultivation level can, to some extent, improve one's vitality and extend one's lifespan by more than ten years.

However, Du Hongzhou devoted a lot of resources to cultivating the next generation of his family, and even spent a lot of money to buy Foundation Establishment Pills. Finally, two years ago, Du Yue, a granddaughter from a collateral branch of the Ping An Peak family, successfully entered the Foundation Establishment realm, which can be considered as having a successor.

In recent years, he has been dragging his aging body around, recklessly crafting magical artifacts to earn spirit stones, causing his life force to rapidly decline.

"Brother Lin, there's no need for that. My ambition lies elsewhere. To have survived to this day, to see that there are successors, and to have my final wish fulfilled, I have no regrets even in death..."

Thinking of his juniors at Ping An Peak, Du Hongzhou smiled kindly.

"Alright, for the next thirty years, I, Lin, will help take care of the dojo to the best of my ability. This time will be enough for Du Yue to accumulate some experience."

Lin Changsheng accepted the weapon-refining inheritance and insights, and sighed.

"Thirty years is a long time, thank you very much, Brother Lin..."

With Lin Changsheng's approval, Du Hongzhou put aside his last worries.

After a short while, Du Hongzhou departed on his magical artifact.

The direction they flew was not Ping An Peak, but the Wanfeng Mountain Range.

His back was hunched and aged, and he stood on a shabby first-tier mid-grade flying magic artifact.

……

Spurred on by Du Hongzhou, Lin Changsheng returned to Changchun Peak feeling uneasy.

For three months, Lin Changsheng unusually abandoned his work of making talismans, puppets, and feeding spirit beasts, and locked himself in his cave to cultivate for three whole months.

Until this day, the maid Qing knocked on the cave's protective barrier.

“Master, a male and a female Foundation Establishment cultivator have arrived outside. They claim to be cultivators from the Qinglan Sect and are also your old friends.”

"A cultivator from the Azure Mist Sect!"

Lin Changsheng was overjoyed.

He was naturally calm and composed, but he was affected by the aura of old age emanating from Du Hongzhou, and for a moment he felt a sense of melancholy, thinking that perhaps this was the end of cultivation.

But after several days of adjustment and recovery, his mindset returned to normal, and he even became more determined to pursue the path to immortality.

"No wonder there's a saying in the cultivation world that older cultivators don't go to the training grounds of younger, more energetic cultivators..."

Lin Changsheng suddenly realized.

Before long, at Lin Changsheng's instruction, Qingzhi brought a man and a woman from outside into the Changchun Summit reception room.

"Hehe, it's been many years, Brother Lin, you're still as dashing as ever."

"Brother Shangwen, it's been many years. I hope you've been well."

The two friends, who hadn't seen each other for many years, were unusually warm and embraced each other.

The newcomers were none other than Zhang Xiucai, whom they hadn't seen for many years. He now looked to be over thirty, slightly overweight, but with an added air of authority. They were accompanied by a woman who was also dressed in the robes of a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Qinglan Sect, with a sweet appearance and a refined, gentle demeanor.

"Brother Shangwen, is this your fellow disciple?"

In fact, judging from the way the two walked side by side and the intertwined auras around them, Lin Changsheng guessed their relationship.

“Brother Lin, this is Lü Hongling, who is my fellow disciple and now my Daoist partner.”

Scholar Zhang introduced the beautiful woman beside him in a very generous manner.

"I have met Brother Lin before. I have heard my husband mention Brother Lin before. Today I finally have the opportunity to pay my respects."

Lü Hongling bowed gracefully, her attitude polite and respectful.

Although they were both early Foundation Establishment cultivators, they did not look down on Lin Changsheng because he was a rogue cultivator.

Instead, her bright eyes held a hint of curiosity as she sized up the elegant young man in white before her.

"Hehe, sister-in-law, you're too kind. Brother Shangwen and I have known each other for many years and are as close as brothers. There's no need for such formality among family."

Lin Changsheng smiled warmly, and a delicate wooden box appeared in his hand: "It's our first meeting. I don't have any other treasures here, so please accept this set of mid-grade second-tier magic talismans as a gift."

"A set of second-tier mid-grade magic talismans, how could I dare accept such a generous gift? Please, Brother Lin, take it back."

Lu Hongling's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but she did not covet it and calmly declined.

Lin Changsheng observed the woman's behavior and nodded inwardly.

As expected of a Foundation Establishment cultivator from a major sect, this second-tier mid-grade talisman, although comparable to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, is not uncommon for early-Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, collecting a set of mid-grade second-tier magic talismans that combine offense, defense, and escape is a bit troublesome.

Moreover, the talismans collected by Lin Changsheng are all of excellent quality, and their power is slightly higher than that of talismans of the same grade on the market.

"Hehe, Brother Lin is no stranger. It's our first meeting, so as the elder brother, I should show my respect. Madam, you may not know, but the talismans Brother Lin uses are all top-quality, hard to find anywhere else..."

Scholar Zhang, without any hesitation, cheerfully spoke from the side.

"Since that's the case, it would seem childish for me to insist any further. So, I thank Brother Lin for the gift."

Since her husband had spoken, Lü Hongling accepted the talisman gracefully and sincerely thanked him.

“You don’t need to stand on ceremony with me, sister-in-law.”

Lin Changsheng said with a faint smile.

“Brother Lin, we have known each other for fifty or sixty years, but you are always so outstanding. I really envy you. If you were in our Qinglan Sect, I don’t know how many senior and junior sisters you would be captivated.”

Looking at Lin Changsheng, whose appearance had hardly changed over the decades, Zhang Xiucai's eyes showed surprise, and he half-jokingly said.

When old friends meet, Lin Changsheng, who is usually indifferent, becomes more talkative.

The three of them set up a feast on Changchun Peak and drank heartily.

The main conversation was between Lin Changsheng and Zhang Xiucai, while Lü Hongling quietly poured and served them wine.

The two sat down for a long talk and got along very well.

Lin Changsheng also learned that Zhang Xiucai and Lü Hongling had previously received a sect mission, which took them seven or eight years to barely complete.

On my way back to my sect, I stopped by to visit Lin Changsheng.

Meanwhile, the two planned to spend some time in Thousand Crane Immortal City to relieve their fatigue from years of travel.

Lin Changsheng naturally welcomed this and invited the two to stay overnight in the guest rooms at Changchun Peak.

While marveling at the spaciousness and superior conditions of Lin Changsheng's training ground, Zhang Xiucai quickly discovered the Crimson Centipede guarding the spirit tree.

Upon sensing the terrifying demonic power emanating from the insect, which sent shivers down his spine, Zhang Xiucai was utterly shocked.

……

During this time, Lin Changsheng, as the host, took Zhang Xiucai and his wife on a tour of Qianhe Immortal City.

You Tianfu, a local tyrant who frequented the city, treated the Zhang Xiucai couple to a very satisfactory meal.

At the same time, the two also learned about Brother Lin's status and wealth in Thousand Crane Immortal City, which secretly alarmed them.

That day, Lin Changsheng and his group were touring the city when Tian Fu rushed over and whispered a few words in his ear.

Upon hearing this, Lin Changsheng's face showed surprise, then he bid farewell to Zhang Xiucai and his companion with a slight apology and hurriedly left...

“My husband’s friend is truly extraordinary. His magical power is so pure that it is extremely rare even within the sect. In addition, he has a deep foundation in Thousand Crane Immortal City and astonishing wealth, unlike ordinary rogue cultivators. It is strange that such a talent was overlooked by the sect back then.”

Lu Hongling had a beautiful face, and her bright eyes were full of curiosity.

"I never imagined that Brother Lin could thrive so much all by himself, even more so than me, a disciple of the Qinglan Sect. But back then, Senior Brother Qin Yue bullied Brother Lin because of his low cultivation level and threatened him. Now, I'm really looking forward to seeing what it'll be like when they meet again, hehe..."

After sighing, Zhang Xiucai suddenly seemed to have thought of something, and a strange look appeared on his face.

Meanwhile, Lin Changsheng was on his way back to Changchun Peak.

He was still thinking about the news Tian Fu brought, which had a sour tone on his face.

Su Qin has advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage!