Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

"You...you're not going to kill me?"

Li Hu suffered some injuries, nothing serious, just a bit of tightness in his chest, but he found the outcome hard to accept.

He stared at the thug in front of him, his expression somewhat complicated.

They were all cultivators who had undergone tribulation, but they never expected that the other party could subdue the three of them so easily by himself.

Although using poison as a clever trick is possible, for cultivators, the most important thing is to use any means necessary, and the result is what matters most.

Moreover, after a brief exchange, Li Hu could tell that this thug was experienced in fighting and acted cleanly and efficiently.

His physical strength alone has reached the mid-stage of the second tier, and there is a dark aura within his body that has an corrosive effect on magical artifacts and magical energy.

His strength is far superior to that of ordinary mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Killing you would be of no use to me."

Lin Changsheng, disguised as a villain, shook his head and said expressionlessly.

"Could you be more specific about what you mean by pulling off a big deal?"

After confirming that the thug truly had no intention of killing them, Li Hu and the others breathed a sigh of relief and then asked with some curiosity.

This person is quite capable; anything he calls a big deal must be extraordinary.

As cultivators capable of traversing tribulations, these individuals were naturally quite audacious, and they couldn't help but become curious about Lin Changsheng's so-called big deal.

"During our time in Qingshan Market, we've learned that the two wealthiest families here are the Wang and Gong families. If we want to pull off a big heist, we should start with these two families."

Seeing the curiosity in their eyes, Lin Changsheng didn't keep them in suspense and went straight to the point.

“Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng, are you joking? These two are the two largest families near Qingshan Market, and both have Pseudo-Core cultivators in their ranks. Although you are not weak, it would be a bit presumptuous of you to face a Pseudo-Core cultivator.”

Upon hearing this, Li Hu's eyes widened, and he looked at Lin Changsheng with an expression as if he were looking at a madman.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng is new to this place and may not be very familiar with the power of the surrounding families. Even if the four of us were to join forces, we probably wouldn't be a match for any one of the Pseudo-Core Formation cultivators."

Seemingly afraid that Li Hu's blunt words would anger the wicked man, the beautiful woman in the flowery dress quickly gave him a wink, and then spoke in a gentler tone.

"Heh, if we're going to do something, let's do something big. Otherwise, if we just bully Qi Condensation cultivators all day long, or use numbers to bully the few, and the resources we seize aren't even enough to share, then what's the point of us being Tribulation Cultivators?"

"Before becoming a Tribulation Cultivator, one has to worry about cultivation resources. After becoming a Tribulation Cultivator, if one still cannot enjoy the pleasures of revenge and is constantly worrying about the future, then wouldn't one have been a Tribulation Cultivator for nothing?"

"We're just casually inviting you. Whether you do it or not is up to you. In short, if we work together, we'll make a good living. If you don't dare to come, we won't mind going alone."

"Moreover, we have already secretly contacted several other families, who will cooperate with us to take action."

Lin Changsheng looked at the three of them with feigned disdain and said indifferently.

……

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Li Hu and his two companions returned safely.

After flying for more than ten miles, they arrived at a secluded gathering place where the three of them often stayed.

"Second Master, that Zhang Meng is truly arrogant. He's just a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, barely at the mid-stage of the second tier of Body Refinement, yet he dares to set his sights on a pseudo-Core Formation level family. We can't afford to go along with his madness..."

The beautiful woman in the floral dress had a hint of joy on her face, as if she had thought of something, and she tried to persuade Li Hu.

"Fourth, what do you think?"

Li Hu nodded without saying anything, then looked at the tall, thin man who was silent and reserved beside him.

"Building a foundation by fighting against fake pills is extremely risky..."

The latter thought for a moment and spoke briefly.

"Never mind, let's send someone to northern Yue to find out what this person is capable of before making any plans."

After pondering for a moment, Li Hu couldn't help but recall the arrogant words of the thug, and finally made his decision.

……

It is located 30 li north of the royal family's ancestral homeland in Shanbei.

A burly, thuggish man stood facing another two cultivators, one old and one young, both at the Foundation Establishment stage.

"What you say is truly absurd. My family of the Northern Mountain Wang clan needs to discuss this further before making a decision."

Of the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, the older one pondered for a long time before finally speaking.

"It's alright. We have gathered several brothers from the surrounding area who are undergoing tribulation cultivation, as well as three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Mo family. As long as your family's Elder Wang can intervene at the crucial moment to hold off that fake Core Formation cultivator from the Gong family, we will be able to annihilate the Gong family in the south of the mountain. At that time, most of the various spirit mines and industries in the area south of Qingshan Market will fall into the hands of the Wang family, and there will be no more distinction between the south and north of the mountain. The entire Qingshan Market will be dominated by the Wang family."

Lin Changsheng, disguised as a villain, spoke eloquently, seemingly confident of his abilities.

……

Half an hour later.

Watching the villain's retreating figure, the old man and the young man from the Wang family of Shanbei, both Foundation Establishment cultivators, exchanged glances, seemingly with a hint of unease.

"What this person said makes sense. If we don't take the initiative to fight for it, when our ancestor passes away in a few years, the Gong family will be in charge of Qingshan Market. The only problem is that this person's background is unknown, and we don't know if he is trustworthy."

"That's alright. This person has already explained that they were the ones who attacked first, and it was only at the crucial moment that our Wang family patriarch had to step in. However, just to be on the safe side, it would be best to find out more about this person's background first."

……

Mo family land.

In the reception room.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Mo Xiaolin smiled and instructed the waiter to serve him some spiritual tea.

Judging from their appearance, the two seem to be old friends who haven't seen each other for many years.

“Fellow Daoist Mo, we have already contacted the Wang family of Shanbei, as well as several skilled Tribulation cultivators in the surrounding area, all for the purpose of taking down the Gong family. Such an opportunity is once in a lifetime, let’s see if the Mo family can seize it.”

Lin Changsheng picked up the teacup, held it to his nose, and gently inhaled the aroma of the tea before speaking in a calm tone.

"Has that master from the Wang family agreed to take action?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Xiaolin couldn't hide his surprise and subconsciously asked another question.

As he spoke, his hand gripping the cup tightened slightly involuntarily, causing his fingernails to turn white.

“That’s right, but Master Wang is mindful of his status and won’t let a junior make a move. He’s only responsible for stopping that fake Core Formation Master from the Gong family, so that he won’t have time to spare.”

Lin Changsheng looked at Mo Xiaolin with a half-smile, his gaze deep and meaningful.

……

A few more days passed.

Outside Qingshan Market, there is a hidden gathering place concealed by an array.

Li Hu and the other two Foundation Establishment cultivators were listening to the report from their Qi Condensation stage subordinates.

"Unexpectedly, Zhang Meng is indeed a ruthless cultivator who dared to infiltrate the secret realm of the local Li Huo Sect all by himself, steal their treasures, and was hunted down and wanted by late Foundation Establishment cultivators."

After listening, the three looked at each other and sighed inwardly.

"Let's fight alongside this guy! At worst, we'll run away together. We can't let this outsider cultivator look down on us!"

After hearing Zhang Meng's story, Li Hu was deeply moved, feeling that this was the path he should take, and said excitedly.

……

The Wang family of Shanbei.

A Foundation Establishment man who looked to be over fifty years old stood respectfully in the cave.

On the prayer mat in front of him sat an elderly man, frail and nearing the end of his life.

The old man's skin was loose and wrinkled, his hair was dry and white like weeds, and he exuded an air of old age.

“Brother, we’ve found some information about Zhang Meng, the Tribulation Cultivator. The only thing we can trace back to so far is that he secretly infiltrated the Li Huo Sect in the northern region many years ago to steal treasures, and he was subsequently hunted down. Before that, we couldn’t find any information at all.”

The Foundation Establishment man spoke respectfully, yet with a hint of worry on his face, as he spoke softly to the old man before him.

"Hehe, those who are born into the Tribulation Cultivator class always fight for that sliver of opportunity amidst danger and trials. This person may not be a cultivator from the Yue Kingdom, and even his name may be fake. However, if this young man is truly willing to unite with other forces to deal with the Gong family, it would be a good thing for my Wang family."

"Rumors circulate that I have over twenty years left to live, but in reality, I was unprepared when I forcibly broke through to the next realm. Even this fake core was barely formed, and I only have five or six years left to live. If I can resolve the issue of the fake core of the Gong family in their prime before I pass away, even if it costs me my old bones, it will be a sure win."

This frail old man had a faint, almost imperceptible aura, like a candle that might be extinguished at any moment.

But his words revealed a deep attachment to his family.

……

Mo family land.

In a secret room.

The Mo family, spanning three generations and all at the Foundation Establishment stage, gathered in one room, their faces solemn as they secretly discussed their plans.

The three families are at the Foundation Establishment stage, with the highest status being that of a True Person.

Traditionally, such a solemn discussion is only held when the family is in dire straits.

"Although Zhang Meng is arrogant and acts in a high-profile manner, he is very meticulous in his thinking and is not a reckless person. Since this person can really persuade the old master of the Wang family to come forward, then this is the best opportunity to destroy the Gong family!"

Among the three, the youngest, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Mo family, spoke with a hint of excitement.

"The Gong family is ambitious and treacherous, and their members who have achieved the 'false core' are all in their prime. Once the old master from the Wang family is no longer there to keep us in check, we will probably have nowhere to go."

Mo Xiaolin nodded, and in his heart he was inclined to agree before taking such a bold action.

"Master Wang has not made a public appearance in recent years, most likely because his time is near and he fears that his aged appearance will be revealed, causing the Wang family to lose its dominance. If he chooses to make a move this time, he is probably thinking of taking the Gong family's master down with him. If that's the case, our Mo family can facilitate this, temporarily letting the Wang family dominate and attract attention, keeping a low profile for a hundred years. At that time, with Yong'er's talent, he will probably be the next Pseudo-Core True Person of Qingshan Market!"

Mo Tao, an elderly man in his seventies, had a strange glint in his cloudy eyes.

As the eldest son, he not only sees the present but also plans for the long term of the family.

……

Qingshanfang City.

After making numerous inquiries over the past few days, Lin Changsheng learned the truth.

The 'Lodan Master' here has already secretly started selling Foundation Establishment Pills.

However, not a word has been released regarding their specific whereabouts.

This is also related to the personality of 'Lodan Master' himself.

This person, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, also possessed exquisite alchemy skills and had been living as a rogue cultivator in Qingshan Market for many years.

Because it has always maintained neutrality, it has cooperated with various major forces.

However, they strictly kept the information confidential from those who came to them for alchemy, and it was never leaked.

At the same time, he has never done anything shameful to bully others and has an excellent reputation in this area.

Lin Changsheng was helpless in the face of this.

It's a pity that Master Hu Dan was destined to never obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill.

……

Half a month later.

The Gong family's territory is located hundreds of miles to the northwest.

A mountain range containing metallic minerals.

Several mine shafts of varying sizes.

During this time, hundreds of ordinary people with no magical power fluctuated continuously entering and exiting the mine.

Basket after basket of gleaming ore was hauled out of the mine by these ordinary miners with great difficulty.

“Three hundred catties of ‘near-first-grade’ black gold ore!”

"Three hundred catties of low-grade first-level black gold ore!"

"Five hundred catties of 'quasi-first-tier' obsidian ore!"

Not far from the mine, a middle-aged man dressed in the attire of a Gong family disciple stared intently at the minerals, making notes as he did so.

Around them, six or seven young men, all dressed in the same uniform, gathered together, each holding a pipe of a different color, laughing and puffing away.

Beside them lay many thin, soft whips, their surfaces stained with blood and flesh.

"This grade of high-quality tobacco is indeed exceptional to taste, but unfortunately it's too expensive, so I can't bear to take a big drag."

"Hehe, what's so difficult about that? As long as my cousin is quick-witted and reports more 'useless' abandoned mines, we'll have this first-grade high-quality tobacco, won't we?"

"I didn't know there was such a thing. I'm new here, so please give me your guidance, elder brother."

When the conversation reached a crucial point, the members of the Gong family exchanged knowing smiles, their faces revealing a meaningful expression.

Before long, the group was satisfied.

He then grabbed a soft whip and dispersed among the ordinary miners to supervise their work.

If any mortal was even slightly slow to move, the whip would be lashed out without warning.

"Immortal Master, spare my life!"

"Exalted Immortal, have mercy on me!"

As these young men began their work, cries and pleas for mercy rose and fell throughout the field.

"Keep things quiet. The clan's people will be coming to collect this month's minerals in a few days. Let them work in peace these next few days."

Looking at these young tribesmen, with their nonchalant supervisory attitude.

The middle-aged man recording the numbers frowned slightly and couldn't help but remind him.

After he spoke, the young tribesmen became much more obedient.

At that moment, a faint aura of magical power emanated from the distant horizon, drawing ever closer.

In an instant, a burly, fierce-looking man appeared in the sky, calmly gazing down below.

The profound aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator emanated from him.

This made both the man who was recording the numbers and the young men around him feel a jolt of unease.

On the contrary, the laborers who were working hard, even though they sensed a terrifying aura and couldn't help but submit, were afraid that if they slowed down, the whip would fall.

One by one, the mortals, trembling and unsteady, continued to move the spirit ore, not daring to look up.

"We're a bit short on cash lately, so we've come to get some high-quality spirit ore."

The thug moved swiftly and stood in front of the man in charge of recording, smiling as he spoke.

Meanwhile, the same situation was occurring at several other Gong family mines in the surrounding area.

"Quickly...quickly send a message to notify the clan elders!"