Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

During his time in Yue Kingdom, Lin Changsheng visited Qinglan Sect several times.

After many years, as he looked down at the familiar, rolling peaks, he thought of the people he used to know in this place.

As one of the major forces in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom, the spiritual veins here have reached the 'third-tier superior grade', making it one of the few top-tier third-tier spiritual veins in Yue Kingdom.

The area surrounding the Qinglan Sect is shrouded in a super complex array, which is said to be able to withstand the attacks of several late-stage Golden Core cultivators. If activated at full power, it can even withstand the bombardment of a Nascent Soul True Monarch for a moment.

Inside the sect, Lin Changsheng released his senses and detected the auras of four Golden Core cultivators and two third-tier demons.

This is equivalent to the combat power of six Golden Core level cultivators.

Among them, the strongest auras belonged to a late-stage Golden Core cultivator and a late-stage third-tier demon.

"Six Golden Core level combatants, this seems to contradict the fact that the Qinglan Sect claims to have three Golden Core elders."

"It seems that the Qinglan Sect has been able to maintain its position in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom for many years, so it must have some foundation."

Lin Changsheng couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He then hovered the Water Cloud Boat in front of the mountain gate, subtly revealing a trace of Golden Core energy.

Within the Qinglan Sect.

Several Golden Core cultivators successively sensed this unfamiliar aura of Dan power.

Even the two third-tier demons seemed to sense something.

"Such pure wood-attribute magic power, with a balanced and peaceful aura. It seems a fellow Daoist has come to visit."

"When did the Yue Kingdom produce such a fellow Daoist who is proficient in wood-attribute cultivation techniques?"

"The newcomer's cultivation is close to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, so he should not be a newly promoted True Person, and he may not even be from the Yue Kingdom."

Within the Qinglan Sect, several Golden Core cultivators were somewhat curious about the owner of this wood-attribute aura.

"This magical power belongs to... Master Lin Fu?"

At the main peak of the spiritual vein, Chen Hui, dressed in a silver-white dress, seemed to sense something, and a hint of surprise appeared in her beautiful eyes.

She had met Lin Changsheng several times, so she was naturally familiar with this extremely pure wood-attribute aura.

Immediately, True Person Chen Hui sent out several communication talismans, which transformed into several beams of white light that scattered in all directions and flew towards the various main peaks.

She went to greet them in person.

She valued this Lin Fu Master, who possessed extraordinary skills and mastered third-tier talisman-making techniques, highly.

"It's been a long time since we last met. I hope you've been well, Fellow Daoist Lin."

Chen Hui smiled and gave a slight bow, appearing poised and graceful.

"Hehe, fellow Daoist, you are too kind. I have come uninvited today because I have a favor to ask. Please forgive my abruptness."

Lin Changsheng returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute, his face beaming with a warm smile and his words very polite.

"Fellow Daoist Lin has taken the initiative to visit us, which is an honor for my Qinglan Sect. There is no need for us to be so formal."

Upon hearing this, Chen Hui Zhenren did not immediately inquire, but instead warmly invited Lin Changsheng to accompany her to the summit of a towering mountain peak.

At the same time, the auras of two Golden Core cultivators, one male and one female, descended onto the main peak one after the other.

Through Chen Huizhen's introduction, Lin Changsheng learned that these two were the other two Golden Core elders of the Qinglan Sect.

After getting acquainted, the two elders took their leave on the grounds of sect affairs.

As for the late-stage Golden Core cultivator hiding in the shadows, and the two third-tier demons, True Person Chen Hui made no mention of them at all.

With Lin Changsheng's arrival, the three auras even concealed themselves.

Lin Changsheng, of course, would not reveal the hidden strength of the Qinglan Sect.

"To be honest, fellow Daoist, my current cultivation level is approaching perfection, but I am struggling to find a suitable place to break through. I have no choice but to come to your sect for help."

After exchanging pleasantries with Chen Hui for a few moments, Lin Changsheng got straight to the point and stated his purpose directly.

"Fellow Daoist Lin has a cooperative relationship with my Qinglan Sect, so he is not an outsider. Moreover, his improved cultivation will help to enhance the quality of his talisman making."

"As I have said before, the gates of our Qinglan Sect are always open to Fellow Daoist Lin."

"Therefore, the spiritual veins within our sect are available for Fellow Daoist Lin to use at will."

Upon learning of Lin Changsheng's purpose, Chen Huizhen readily agreed after only a few breaths of thought.

The two then chatted happily, and Chen Hui Zhenren generously shared some of her experiences in breaking through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.

Lin Changsheng, on the other hand, appeared to be humbly seeking advice, as if he had memorized all the experience that Chen Hui had imparted to him, and finally expressed his sincere gratitude.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, please don't be so polite. I'm sorry to trouble you to stay here for the next few days. Once I have someone vacate a suitable place for you, I will also prepare a spiritual item to assist you in your breakthrough."

Chen Hui was very generous in person.

In her view, Lin Changsheng's own value far exceeded that of a third-tier dojo or some resources.

The Fengling Chamber of Commerce is primarily a business, and in terms of cultivation atmosphere, it is far inferior to the Qinglan Sect.

As long as Lin Changsheng is comfortable in the Qinglan Sect, and successfully breaks through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, he might agree to become a member of the sect.

"Thank you very much, Master Qingyun. I will remember this favor."

Lin Changsheng smiled gently and thanked him.

In fact, given Lin Changsheng's current status and position, finding a suitable place to cultivate in the cultivation world would be incredibly easy.

This is the benefit of having a good reputation and high level of cultivation.

When he first entered the path of immortality and was not yet well-known, he was rejected by the Qinglan Sect because of his advanced age and lack of aptitude.

Later, after settling in Thousand Crane Immortal City, he wanted a better first-tier dojo, but he still had to spend a lot of money to rent it.

Once he advances to the Foundation Establishment stage and masters the second-tier talisman master techniques, the Nangong family will allow him to rent a second-tier dojo like Changchun Peak on credit.

Now that he has achieved the status of a Golden Core True Person and is further blessed with the identity of a Third-Rank Talisman Master, True Person Qingyun not only vacated his Daoist temple for free, but also gave him Third-Rank resources as a bonus.

……

Perhaps fearing that Lin Changsheng would have to wait too long, the Qinglan Sect prepared a training ground for Lin Changsheng to break through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm in just three days.

"Due to the short notice, the preparations for the Daoist temple are somewhat simple. If Fellow Daoist Lin has any dissatisfaction, please feel free to speak to me."

After showing Lin Changsheng around the entire dojo, Master Chen Hui spoke with great concern.

"This is the most luxurious temple I have ever enjoyed. I am very grateful for your trouble, fellow Daoist."

Looking at the spacious training grounds covering hundreds of acres before him, with pavilions and towers carved from various precious white jade on the main peak, and rare spirit deer and other ornamental beasts roaming freely in the mountains, Lin Changsheng couldn't help but marvel.

If this kind of temple is considered rudimentary, then the temple he used before could probably only be described as a 'doghouse'.

Inside the training ground, there were thirty young disciples of the Qinglan Sect, all at the Qi Condensation stage.

Ten of them are men, responsible for maintaining the normal operation of the temple on a daily basis, as well as physical labor such as feeding and observing the spirit beasts and driving away invading monsters.

The other twenty girls were responsible for some tedious tasks at the dojo, and several of them, with their exceptional looks and temperament, were solely dedicated to serving Lin Changsheng, a Golden Core cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist's considerations are thorough; I am very satisfied."

"However, before my breakthrough, I still have several old friends in your sect whom I haven't seen for many years..."

……

In the dojo.

A middle-aged couple, accompanied by a young couple, came to visit.

"Junior Zhang Shangwen, along with his beloved wife and children, pays his respects to Master Lin."

Scholar Zhang has gained a little weight and his temples are turning gray, making him look somewhat old.

His wife, Lü Hongling, standing beside him, seemed to be very good at maintaining her appearance, looking only in her early thirties, much younger than her age.

"It's been many years since we last met, Brother Shangwen, why do you seem to have grown quite distant?"

Lin Changsheng wore a warm smile, as if there was no distance between them despite not having seen each other for many years.

However, Lin Changsheng was not surprised by the distance, respect, and slight probing in Zhang Xiucai's words.

After more than a hundred years of cultivation, they are no longer the spirited young men they once were.

Especially for Scholar Zhang, who not only has a Taoist partner but also children, his responsibilities are even heavier.

His former friend, now a high-ranking Golden Core cultivator, had been separated for many years. Even the faint aura of his inner power emanating from him made him feel somewhat oppressed.

"Congratulations, Brother Lin, on your advancement to the True Person Realm. I am truly happy for you."

Under Lin Changsheng's initiative in engaging in conversation, Zhang Xiucai felt a sense of familiarity and relaxed, then instructed his two children beside him:

“Binyi, Wenru, this Master Lin is an old friend of Father’s. You two should quickly kowtow to Uncle Lin.”

"Nephew Zhang Binyi greets Uncle Lin."

"Niece Zhang Wenru greets Uncle Lin."

At Zhang Xiucai's instruction, his two children quickly bowed and greeted him with great respect.

"I didn't realize that Brother Shangwen's children are already so grown up."

Lin Changsheng couldn't help but sigh.

I accepted the visit from the two younger people without hesitation.

He then took out two bulging storage bags and used his magic to push them into the hands of the two people.

"Since you call me uncle, consider these gifts as a belated greeting from your elder."

The two held storage bags in their hands, their expressions somewhat conflicted.

On the one hand, he was very tempted by the gift from the Golden Core cultivator, but on the other hand, he seemed to have some reservations, looking at his father with a hopeful look in his eyes.

Zhang Xiucai was also conflicted, but facing his children's longing eyes, he feigned composure and said:

"Since it was given by Uncle Lin, you should accept it without hesitation."

After paying my respects...

Zhang Xiucai's wife, Lü Hongling, took her children and left first.

Zhang Xiucai and Lin Changsheng remained to chat and reminisce.

During this period, the two resumed using their original titles and addressed each other as equals.

However, Zhang Xiucai remained somewhat reserved and did not truly open up.

Most of the time, it was Lin Changsheng who initiated the conversation and asked questions.

Zhang Xiucai kept drinking the spiritual tea to hide his nervousness, while he seriously answered all of Lin Changsheng's casual questions.

Lin Changsheng could also see that Zhang Xiucai was not yet used to the way the two of them were getting along, so he did not force him to stay.

About half a day later, Zhang Xiucai, along with his wife Lü Hongling and their two children, flew away from the temple.

"I never imagined that my husband's old friend would become a Golden Core cultivator, and now he is highly regarded by the sect elders. I feel like I'm in a dream."

On the way back, Lü Hongling couldn't help but sigh.

Back when she and her husband first entered the Foundation Establishment stage, they visited Lin Changsheng on their way to gain experience.

At that time, although Lin Changsheng had also advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage and was somewhat famous in Thousand Crane Immortal City, the couple, as second-generation disciples of the Azure Mist Sect, held equally prestigious statuses.

The two sides are roughly equal in status.

The couple are still at the Foundation Establishment stage, while Lin Changsheng has already achieved the Golden Core stage.

"Father, Mother, Uncle Lin is so generous! He gifted me a high-level body-refining technique, a large number of body-tempering spiritual items, as well as pills, magic weapons, and a complete set of talismans..."

"Uncle Lin gifted his daughter a high-level fire-attribute cultivation technique that was perfectly suited to her, along with fire-attribute magic weapons, pills, and a complete set of talismans."

Both children received the gifts, and the resources were tailored to their needs. This visit will save them at least a decade of hard work.

The two kept telling their father that Uncle Lin was easygoing, approachable, and had no airs whatsoever.

At the same time, I couldn't help but wonder how my father met Uncle Lin and why he had never mentioned him over the years.

As Zhang Xiucai listened to his children's evaluation of Lin Changsheng, he turned and gazed at the towering, insurmountable, steep mountain behind him, and fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, I recalled a scene from years ago that was unknown to most people.

More than forty years ago, under the guidance of his senior brother Qin Yue from the sect, he was ordered to patrol the Wanfeng Mountains.

On that day, they happened to run into Lin Changsheng.

On the very day the two clashed, Lin Changsheng had barely left when Senior Brother Qin Yue was inexplicably killed by a sudden cultivator, along with several fellow disciples.

Zhang Xiucai vaguely guessed that the ruthless and vicious cultivator who killed without blinking an eye was most likely Lin Changsheng, who was always kind to others and had an excellent reputation in Thousand Crane Immortal City.

Only after that did he realize that Brother Lin was not the kind-hearted person he seemed to be.

After many years, when they met again, Lin Changsheng not only advanced to the Golden Core stage, but also used the spiritual veins of the Qinglan Sect to break through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core stage.

This further confirmed Zhang Xiucai's suspicions.

For many years, he has been all alone, without any sect or school, a lone wolf, yet his cultivation has steadily improved without ever stagnating.

Who would have so many resources to squander?

Spurred by what happened back then, he even suspected that Brother Lin was using the pretext of breaking through to secretly investigate the true strength of the Qinglan Sect.

Even after Lin Changsheng left, a few days later, when the Qinglan Sect was inexplicably attacked by Golden Core cultivators who stole its treasures, he was not surprised at all.

……

A month later.

Lin Changsheng adjusted his condition at the Qinglan Sect's training ground, seeking the best opportunity to break through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.

On this day, a woman in a white gauze dress, accompanied by a young man, descended in a flash.

The woman's flowing dress and aloof demeanor made her seem like a fairy from a painting.

"Congratulations, Brother Lin, on your advancement to the Golden Core realm."

Lin Xiurong's bright eyes had a few fine lines around her eyes, but her voice was still clear and soft.

Lin Changsheng silently sensed that a faint aura of blood emanated from the woman's slender body before him.

"You are hurt?"

"We encountered two fake Core Formation cultivators from the barbarian kingdom on the battlefield, but fortunately, the sect provided timely support, and we were unharmed."

Lin Changsheng offered to treat Lin Xiurong, who hesitated slightly but did not refuse.

Under the conditioning effect of Changchun Gongfa, in addition to the current injury, Lin Xiurong's old injuries that had accumulated in her body for many years were also cured.

Several young and beautiful female disciples in the temple were busy changing many blood-stained gauze bandages.

Lin Changsheng and Xiao'e were childhood sweethearts who grew up together.

Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, they weren't estranged at all.

However, the two were in perfect sync and neither mentioned what happened back then.

"Brother Lin, do you know that these female disciples are all top-notch beauties outside?"

"Some of them come from prestigious families, while others are exceptionally talented."

"In short, they are all lucky ones, one in ten thousand, who have the opportunity to join the Qinglan Sect. After going through layers of selection, they finally become ordinary maids in this dojo, with the opportunity to serve you, a Golden Core True Person."

Lin Xiurong's face was pale, but she was elegant and had a noble and refined air. However, she no longer had the youthful vigor she once had.

"In the face of cultivation, everyone is equal. As long as they do not give up, they also have the opportunity to achieve the Golden Core."

Lin Changsheng spoke casually, as if hinting at something.