Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

That same noon, Tie Antong's reply also reached Lin Changsheng's hands.

The letter contained very little information.

It is said that Master Gong Wanliang is a distinguished guest of Thousand Crane Immortal City.

They came here to join forces with Nangong Hongzhi and Tie Antong to hunt down several third-tier demonic beasts located deep within the Wanfeng Mountains.

Not long ago, Gong Wanliang took his nephew, Gong Xiucheng, to train in the Wanfeng Mountains and search for a suitable first-tier demon core so that he could refine a Foundation Establishment Pill for his nephew.

After searching for several months, the uncle and nephew finally found a suitable first-tier demon beast. In order to train the nephew Gong Xiucheng, they let him do it on his own.

Unexpectedly, the demon beast that had been chased and severely injured by Gong Xiucheng for many days was intercepted by a demon wolf.

Gong Xiucheng followed the trail all the way to Changchun Peak Dojo. After explaining the situation, he wanted to enter the Dojo to search for the demon beast, but unexpectedly, he was attacked by the servants of Changchun Peak without any explanation.

Left with no other choice, Gong Xiucheng took action to protect himself, inadvertently injuring one of the servants of Changchun Peak.

After Gong Xiucheng stopped, the people below Changchun Peak were indignant and summoned the second-tier mountain-guarding demon bird and the demon wolf to attack.

Just then, Master Gong Wanliang arrived in time, repelled the second-tier demonic bird, and rescued his nephew.

However, the fact that the demon wolf devoured his first-tier, attribute-less demon core delayed the refining of the Foundation Establishment Pill, which in turn hindered Gong Xiucheng's advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Therefore, Master Gong Wanliang captured a first-tier demon beast from Changchun Peak that day, as compensation for his nephew to use as a spirit beast.

Finally, Tie Antong suggested that the matter be dropped, and he offered to act as a mediator, inviting the two to coordinate and resolve the issue.

He also told Lin Changsheng to relax and not to worry about Gong Wanliang seeking revenge or causing trouble for Changchunfeng later.

After reading the letter, Lin Changsheng couldn't help but sneer.

Tie Antong certainly knows how to handle people.

The entire text makes no mention of the other party's forced entry into the dojo or Tian Fu's serious injury; instead, it repeatedly protects Gong Wanliang in certain details.

It seems we can't count on Tie An Tong anymore.

After much deliberation, Lin Changsheng did not rush to visit this Master Gong Wanliang.

Through Zhao Wanning's letter, Lin Changsheng learned that Gong Wanliang had a poor reputation in Qingshanfang and that his character was not very good.

Lin Changsheng guessed that this person probably took advantage of his absence and, seeing the Snow Demon Wolf's extraordinary bloodline, became greedy and took it for himself.

This also aligns with the other party's actual situation. A fake Core Formation cultivator from a Foundation Establishment family has a weak foundation and cannot compare to a Golden Core cultivator of the same level. They are bound to be tempted when they see something good.

……

For the next period of time, Lin Changsheng led the Crimson Centipede into the Wanfeng Mountains to hunt.

Since everything started because of a demon core.

He then went to find a non-attribute demon core as compensation.

It's impossible to simply hand over the Snow Demon Wolf just because the other party is a fake Core Formation cultivator.

Even when the Snow Demon Wolf was still a cub, it could attract a large-scale mobilization of the wolf pack, demonstrating its formidable talent and bloodline.

After years of careful nurturing by Lin Changsheng, he developed a profound foundation and was able to unleash his full potential.

Perhaps within the next ten years or so, it may be promoted to a second-tier monster.

"Gong Wanliang, I hope that after I produce a first-tier, attribute-less demon core, you will return the Snow Demon Wolf..."

A cold look appeared on Lin Changsheng's face.

With his keen perception over long distances, Lin Changsheng was like a fish in water in the lush forests, finding monsters with extremely high efficiency.

With almost a thought, one can precisely lock onto the aura of first-tier demonic beasts within a radius of several miles, while avoiding second-tier and higher demonic beasts to avoid wasting time.

In less than half a month, after killing more than a dozen first-tier peak demonic beasts, Lin Changsheng successfully extracted a pure demonic core without any attributes from the body of a blue lizard.

……

The next day.

Lin Changsheng presented his visiting card and met Tie Antong and Gong Wanliang at the Nangong family residence.

Compared to Tie Antong, who has been refining magical artifacts for many years and has a burly and robust build, Gong Wanliang is much shorter and has an ordinary appearance with few distinguishing features, except that his eyes seem to be sharper.

Standing beside Gong Wanliang was a young man in his twenties. When Lin Changsheng walked towards them, Gong Wanliang's gaze was somewhat evasive.

"Junior Lin Changsheng greets Senior Tie and Senior Gong."

In the guest hall, Lin Changsheng bowed respectfully and performed the proper etiquette.

"Hehe, young friend Lin, there's no need for such formalities. We've known each other for many years, and this fellow Daoist Gong is also a good friend of mine. We're all on the same side."

Tie Antong smiled and raised his hand, speaking with a friendly grin.

Lin Changsheng remained unmoved, insisted on bowing, and then got up and sat down on his own.

"Hehe, this young friend is the master of Changchun Peak. He seems to be sensible and polite, which is different from what I expected."

At the head of the table, Gong Wanliang, who looked to be nearly forty years old, glanced at Lin Changsheng and said with a smile.

For a moment, the three of them looked peaceful and harmonious, showing no signs of conflict.

"I was away on business earlier and was unaware of your presence at Changchun Peak. The servants in the temple were somewhat negligent. I have come here specifically for this matter."

A moment later, Lin Changsheng stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute, his words carrying a hint of apology. He then glanced at the young man behind Gong Wanliang.

He was rather handsome, and unsurprisingly, this man was Gong Xiucheng, Gong Wanliang's nephew.

The latter met Lin Changsheng's calm gaze, her eyes darting around, and she looked away in slight panic.

But seeing Gong Wanliang in front of him, he seemed to have found some confidence, and raised his head slightly, looking back defiantly.

As soon as Lin Changsheng finished speaking, Gong Wanliang calmly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and did not respond.

"This must be Brother Gong Xiucheng. My spirit beast was unruly and offended you earlier. Consider these items as my apology."

Lin Changsheng smiled faintly and then took out the items he had prepared in advance from Gong Xiucheng.

It was a demon core with no attribute, and a complete set of second-tier low-grade magic runes.

Sure enough, what Lin Changsheng offered immediately caught Gong Xiucheng's eye.

In their brief encounter, Lin Changsheng sensed that Gong Xiucheng's main cultivation technique was not focused on any particular attribute.

Therefore, the Foundation Establishment Pill made from this attribute-less demon core is the most suitable for his internal cultivation method.

As for this set of second-tier low-grade spell talismans, once he advances to the Foundation Establishment stage, it will be a decent means of self-defense and dealing with enemies.

"Hehe, it seems that young friend Lin is indeed thoughtful."

At this moment, Gong Wanliang calmly put down his teacup and then said, "However, the materials for my nephew to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill were secured a few days ago. It was the other elders in his family who, after learning of the failure to collect demon cores, spent a considerable amount of money to purchase them from a passing merchant caravan."

Upon hearing this, Gong Xiucheng, who was standing beside him, paused for a moment before reluctantly looking away.

Seeing that Gong Wanliang was clearly not going to accept the demon core, Lin Changsheng couldn't help but frown slightly.

"I wonder how many spirit stones Senior Gong's clan spent on purchasing the demon core. I am willing to bear the cost. I also ask that Senior return the spirit beast that you took from Changchun Peak. I have raised this beast for many years, and now we have a deep bond with it and I am reluctant to be separated from it."

Lin Changsheng got straight to the point and stated the purpose of his trip.

This essentially gave this senior Mr. Gong a chance to set a price.

As long as the other party's offer isn't too outrageous, Lin Changsheng will temporarily agree to it and redeem the Snow Demon Wolf first.

"A few Foundation Establishment spiritual items, even with the caravan's premium, won't be outrageous in price once acquired. However, speaking of the demon wolf, that beast is rather difficult to tame. After returning, it went on a hunger strike until a few days ago when I fed it with a lot of precious Tier 3 materials, at which point it finally started eating. If young friend Lin can also contribute, I would be willing to do him a favor."

Gong Wanliang remained calm and composed, casually uttering an extremely exaggerated number.

Even Tie Antong, who had been listening in the background, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow after hearing this.

"Mr. Lin is of meager means and may not be able to afford it."

Lin Changsheng remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.