Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

Time flies, and five years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The news of the birth of a fourth-order spiritual vein in the Wanfeng Mountains spread like wildfire and became widely known in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom.

The entire Nangong family went on high alert.

The number of outside cultivators has increased in Thousand Crane Immortal City, most of whom came to pay homage to the fourth-order spiritual vein.

Cultivating in a region with fourth-order spiritual veins, even if it's just a little bit related to them, is very beneficial for ordinary low-level cultivators.

The reason why Shangqing Palace has been able to occupy the top position in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom for many years is not only due to its extraordinary heritage, but also because it is closely related to the fourth-order spiritual vein.

The higher the grade of the spiritual veins in a region, the more abundant the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and the higher the probability of giving birth to those with useful spiritual roots, or even high-quality spiritual roots.

Lower-level cultivators have higher cultivation efficiency, and the difficulty of breaking through bottlenecks is also reduced.

Therefore, the average cultivation level of the disciples in Shangqing Palace is higher than that of other Golden Core level forces in Yue Kingdom.

In this way, it is easier to select high-quality seedlings to cultivate as seeds for the Golden Core or even the Nascent Soul stage, so that they can be passed down from generation to generation.

Today, the Nangong family relies on its geographical advantage, being close to a newly born fourth-order spiritual vein. The spiritual energy within its jurisdiction is becoming increasingly abundant. Although it faces the danger of possessing a treasure, it has also attracted scattered cultivators from the surrounding areas to settle in, leading to its rapid development.

Misfortune and fortune are intertwined; crisis and opportunity coexist.

……

In Changchun Peak.

Lin Changsheng's life remained peaceful.

That year, Lin Changsheng was eighty-five years old.

Twenty-five years have passed since he laid the foundation when he was sixty years old.

It must be said that after entering the Foundation Establishment stage, the cultivation speed slowed down significantly.

However, through years of diligent cultivation, Lin Changsheng's magical power has steadily improved, and he is making solid progress toward the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

In recent days, he has vaguely sensed the long-lost bottleneck.

This made him very happy.

"It will take at least five years, and at the latest ten years, to reach the peak of the early stage of Foundation Establishment and hopefully break through to the middle stage!"

Lin Changsheng sighed inwardly.

He then emerged from the cave and appeared by the lake.

Several years have passed, and a grove of spirit trees has appeared by the lake, looking lush and verdant from afar.

Among the many spirit trees, Lin Changsheng came to a very inconspicuous spirit tree with fruit condensed among its branches and leaves.

This tree was the very spirit tree that was born from the seed of destiny back then. After growing to a height of five or six zhang two years ago, it stopped growing.

A few years ago, Lin Changsheng was a little puzzled because this spirit tree was too ordinary and had almost nothing unusual about it.

However, after the tree stopped growing, it began to release a continuous stream of pure and subtle wood-attribute energy every day.

These wood-attribute energies seemed to be drawn by some special force, and no matter how far away they were, they would eventually fall precisely into Lin Changsheng's body and transform into pure Changchun Gong power.

Lin Changsheng was overjoyed at this unexpected discovery.

Suddenly it dawned on me that the spiritual tree nurtured by the seed of destiny, once it grows to a certain level, will nourish my cultivation!

This is also why he was able to make such rapid progress in his cultivation in just five years!

Knowing the importance of the spirit tree, in order to avoid suspicion, Lin Changsheng personally went out and selected many spirit trees that resembled the spirit tree in appearance, and planted them here to form a forest.

Ordinary people would not notice this place at all.

……

A gentle breeze swept across the lake, creating ripples.

The silhouette of a carp glides along the surface of the lake.

Swimming to the shore, it suddenly opened its mouth and inhaled a large amount of lake water, then sprayed it out in a short time.

In an instant, a slender column of water shot out with a whooshing sound, striking the fruit growing on the spirit tree.

'patta'

'patta'

Three or five tree fruits fell into the water, attracting many grass carp, black carp, and common carp from the lake.

Perhaps due to the constant nourishment of spiritual energy, the fish in the lake are large and plump, with several ten-foot-long bluefish easily visible at a glance.

However, this flower carp, which was only five or six feet long, swam gently around the tree fruit.

The dozens or even hundreds of ferocious fish around them dared not approach at all, but instead swam impatiently around them.

Splashes of water rose up.

All around the carp, within a radius of two or three zhang, the water was empty, with not a single fish darting across.

Before long, the carp leisurely swallowed the tree fruit.

Lin Changsheng's eyes lit up with interest upon seeing this scene.

He has been following this flower carp for many years.

Hua Li has been guarding the spirit tree for years, and she is particularly fond of the fruits on the tree.

After long-term consumption, a faint trace of demonic power was born in his body a few years ago, allowing him to advance from an ordinary fish to a first-stage demonic beast.

All of this seems to be related to the Spirit Tree.

Out of curiosity, Lin Changsheng unleashed a burst of magic and plucked a tree fruit as well.

Before he could even get his hands on the fruit, the carp in the water became extremely protective of its food and sprayed a jet of water at Lin Changsheng!

However, this flower carp was only a first-stage level 1 demon beast. Before the water jet could even get close, it was blocked by a soft barrier.

"You ate my food and still dared to attack me!"

Lin Changsheng smiled faintly and raised his hand to release a burst of magical energy.

The shape of the carp beneath the lake's surface was lifted up by this irresistible aura.

No matter how fiercely the carp struggled, it still involuntarily left the water and hovered in front of Lin Changsheng.

Only then did Hua Li sense the vast, ocean-like aura of magical power emanating from the white-robed human in front of her.

It was terrified and struggled desperately.

Even the fish that had gathered below scattered at that moment.

In front of the panicked Hua Li, Lin Changsheng tasted the tree fruit with a slight smile.

After a brief sensing, there was still nothing special about it, only a trace of wood-attribute energy.

But Lin Changsheng had already figured out why this flower carp loved the fruit of the spirit tree.

This little guy was born into the aquatic race, and in addition to being good at water-related things, he also has a certain affinity for wood-related things.

The fruit of the spirit tree is the only spiritual object in the vicinity that contains the aura of wood.

Therefore, Hua Li has been eating this tree fruit like a snack since she was a child, every few days.

Now, by a twist of fate, some wood-attribute energy, extremely similar to the power of the Changchun Kung Fu, has accumulated within his body.

After showing off by eating the tree fruit in front of Hua Li, Lin Changsheng gently tapped Hua Li's head as a lesson before withdrawing his magic and putting it back into the lake.

The reborn carp, almost the instant it touched the water's surface, twisted its tail and 'whoosh' darted into the bottom.

Seeing this, Lin Changsheng couldn't help but smile.

……

My gaze fell on the other side of the lake.

The light of the array faintly flickered.

The Wind Crow and the Crimson Centipede usually guard this place.

This is an isolation array specially set up by Lin Changsheng, in which the 'meat chunks' of Blood Illusion Mushrooms brought from the ruins back then are planted.

In recent years, Lin Changsheng has conducted numerous investigations and personally tested the fungus, and has now figured out its effects.

Blood magic mushroom is a very special plant.

It can devour almost anything containing spiritual energy to provide nutrients for its own growth.

As long as the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is abundant and the environment is suitable, it can grow almost endlessly.

Lin Changsheng read in a book of miscellaneous discussions on cultivation that the highest record for this Blood Illusion Mushroom in the entire cultivation world of 'Qianzhou,' including the Yue Kingdom, was that it had grown to the fourth level.

Its surface secretes a hallucinogenic dust.

Once under the influence of the illusion, both humans and monsters will unknowingly become the targets for the Blood Illusion Mushroom to absorb nutrients.

The Blood Phantom Mushroom itself is a highly nutritious spiritual object with almost no side effects, capable of directly increasing the magical power and demonic power of humans or demonic beasts.

Originally, the area around Changchun Peak did not have the conditions for the growth of Blood Magic Mushrooms.

Lin Changsheng had only tried it casually, but unexpectedly, after absorbing the wood-attribute spiritual energy emitted by the spirit tree, the Blood Illusion Mushroom took root and grew there.

The continuous splitting and growth allowed the Xunfeng Crow and the Chihuang Centipede to feast.

……

This day.

With Lin Changsheng's permission, Tian Fu was able to enter the main peak.

"Uncle Lin, these are the latest news from outside."

Tian Fu reported to Lin Changsheng with a respectful expression.

Ever since Gong Wanliang forcibly broke into the dojo and took away the Snow Demon Wolf.

Lin Changsheng has appeared to be keeping a low profile and lying low all these years, but he has been secretly collecting information about this person.

Meanwhile, they also kept inquiring about the Gong family in Qingshanfang Market through the Fengling Chamber of Commerce.

"Anything else?"

Seeing that Tian Fu did not take his leave as usual, Lin Changsheng asked him.

"Uncle Lin, a few days ago, my sister Xin'er and her husband Huang Zhuang came to visit."

"Also, Master Wu came to see you a few days ago. After learning that you were in seclusion, he has been lingering near the temple and refused to leave."

At this point, Tian Fu's face showed a hint of helplessness.

Upon hearing that it was Master Wu who had come to visit, Lin Changsheng couldn't help but feel curious.

After his master had been humiliated a few times, he would hardly come to him unless it was something important.

……

Half an hour later.

Tian Fu invited Master Wu into the Taoist temple.

The maid had already brewed the spiritual tea and was waiting for a long time.

"I didn't know you, Master, had graced us with your presence. What instructions do you have for us...?"

Lin Changsheng smiled faintly and gestured to the maid to respectfully serve the spiritual tea.

Wu Fushi accepted the spirit tea without hesitation and drank it all in one gulp, then explained the purpose of his visit.

"I know you have been cooperating with the Fengling Chamber of Commerce and have some connections with the Nangong family. I've come here today hoping you can help me purchase a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill. If this matter can be settled this time, I will never bother you again in the future."

As he spoke, Wu Fushi reached out and handed over a bulging storage bag.

"Buy Foundation Establishment Pills? Why doesn't Master buy them himself?"

Lin Changsheng subconsciously took the storage bag and was quite surprised to see that it contained more than 17,000 spirit stones. He then looked at Wu Fushi in front of him again.

"In recent years, the number of cultivators in Thousand Crane Immortal City has increased dramatically, leading to fierce competition for resources and a surge in the price of Foundation Establishment spiritual items. Merchants are hoarding goods, and there has been no Foundation Establishment Pill flowing out of the market in the short term."

Wu Fu sighed, a hint of sadness in his expression, and then said, "My old buddy won't be able to wait much longer."

Lin Changsheng then realized that Master Wu had used so many spirit stones to buy Foundation Establishment Pills for Master Hu!

Such a lavish expenditure of spirit stones to seek a Foundation Establishment opportunity for his old friend was truly beyond Lin Changsheng's expectations.

However, judging from Master Hu's age, he is already over 100 years old.

The fact that he is still alive and well today is probably related to his expertise in pharmacology and health preservation as an alchemist.

Furthermore, it is highly likely that Master Hu Dan has consumed some spiritual items that prolong life.

Even if the other person has the skills to maintain their health, the probability of successfully establishing a foundation at such an advanced age is extremely low.

I do know something about Master Hu Dan; besides being an expert in alchemy, he has mediocre talent in cultivation.

Since arriving in Thousand Crane Immortal City, and taking advantage of Lin Changsheng's name, his business has flourished. He has frequented brothels and has kept many concubines over the years.

The initial ambitions that led them to this place have long been forgotten.

Therefore, when the two had the opportunity to attempt the Foundation Establishment stage, Master Hu Dan voluntarily gave the opportunity to Master Wu Fu.

Besides the deep bond between the two old friends, it was also because Hu Danshi lacked self-confidence.

After thinking it over, Lin Changsheng agreed to the matter.

Back in Huanglingfang Market, Hu Danshi took good care of me in the courtyard.

It's just buying Foundation Establishment Pills on behalf of someone else, nothing serious.

After thinking for a while, Lin Changsheng picked up his pen and wrote a letter, which he sent to Nangong Qingtan of the Nangong family.

He and Nangong Qingtan were practically brothers in arms.

Although the Nangong family has already repaid some of the debt of gratitude for saving their lives that day, there is still some semblance of kinship between them.

It's still possible to use inside connections to purchase a Foundation Building Pill at market price.

……

Two days later, Lin Changsheng received a reply.

Nangong Qingtan's handwriting was very neat and beautiful, and the paper was permeated with a faint feminine fragrance, just like her.

But after seeing the content, Lin Changsheng couldn't help but frown slightly.

Nangong Qingtan's letter contained a slightly apologetic refusal of Lin Changsheng's request.

In the letter, the woman even confessed that the Nangong family did indeed have a stockpile of Foundation Establishment Pills in their treasury, but they had all been reserved and would be distributed to the clan members over the next few years.

The chances of obtaining redundant Foundation Building Pills within the next decade are very small.

Finally, Nangong Qingtan said that if Lin Changsheng was willing to wait, he might be able to find a way to spare a Foundation Establishment Pill within twenty years.

Thinking of Hu Danshi's situation, Lin Changsheng sighed slightly.

In recent years, the Nangong family has indeed faced considerable pressure, making it an urgent time to enhance the family's overall strength.

Given that it concerned the future of the family, it was reasonable for Nangong Qingtan to refuse.

Finally, Lin Changsheng wrote another letter to Zhao Wanning.

The Fengling Chamber of Commerce is widely distributed, so there might be more information there.

……

Half a month later,

Lin Changsheng received a reply from Zhao Wanning.

The content is simple: the entire cultivation world of Yue Kingdom is in turmoil due to the birth of a fourth-order spiritual vein.

All major powers are secretly increasing their strength and are strictly controlling the Foundation Establishment Pills and refining materials, with very few leaks out.

Even so, Zhao Wanning still managed to find out that a near-third-tier alchemist in Qingshan Market seemed to be planning to auction off Foundation Establishment Pills recently.

"Qingshan Market, what a coincidence."

Upon hearing this news, Lin Changsheng said with a strange expression.

Two days later, Lin Changsheng informed Wu Fushi of his departure.

At the same time, a second-tier 'avatar talisman' was left behind within the Changchun Peak Dojo, which was identical to his own magical aura.

Lin Changsheng stated that he had received news about the Foundation Building Pill and would soon travel to another region to purchase it.

Considering the recent unrest near the Nangong family, and to avoid leaks that could lead to the loss of Foundation Establishment Pills or a huge amount of spirit stones, they announced that they were going into seclusion.

Upon hearing this, Master Wu agreed wholeheartedly, his face filled with worry.

"Rest assured, I will protect you here until you return safely."