Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

"The Golden Core realm is no easy feat; it's already a distant dream for me."

Lin Xiurong said calmly.

Having cultivated in the Qinglan Sect for over a hundred years, Lin Xiurong achieved the False Core True Person status, which is neither the best nor the worst. Her ability to rise from a mere mortal to this level demonstrates her transcendence of ordinary people and her superiority over most cultivators.

"Nothing is impossible for a willing heart. Theoretically, there is still a sliver of opportunity to advance from the False Core realm."

During this meeting, Lin Changsheng vaguely sensed that Lin Xiurong lacked faith in her cultivation, which is a major taboo for cultivators.

They cultivate immortality and seek eternal life.

Hundreds or even thousands of years of tedious cultivation are almost impossible to endure without an extraordinary and unwavering belief.

Lin Changsheng has also seen many people with some talent who, after diligently cultivating to a certain level, abandoned their efforts halfway due to various temptations.

"Is Brother Lin referring to the legendary alchemy technique?"

Lin Xiurong parted her lips slightly, but her expression remained calm, seemingly indifferent.

"That's right. Although the method of refining the core involves risks, it is also the only opportunity for a pseudo-core cultivator to advance."

“Even some Foundation Establishment cultivators without any background go to great lengths to advance to the Pseudo-Core stage and increase their strength, and then plan to acquire Core Formation Spiritual Objects to risk using the Core Transformation Method to reshape their Golden Core. There are already successful examples of this method, which can be considered as taking a different approach.”

Seeing that Lin Xiurong didn't seem very interested, Lin Changsheng sighed inwardly.

As time goes by, his close friends will inevitably fall behind and grow old like Tian Fu.

If Lin Xiurong is willing to do so, he can provide the method for refining the elixir and lend a helping hand.

"Brother Lin, there's no need to persuade him. The method of forming a golden core is too dangerous. If one cannot form a golden core, one's cultivation will drop back to the late Foundation Establishment stage. Such secondary injury is almost impossible to heal."

Lin Xiurong clearly had some understanding of the method of refining elixirs. A gentle light appeared in her clear eyes as she smiled softly:

"This method requires a do-or-die determination and the courage to burn one's bridges."

"But I have now taken in a disciple whose cultivation is still shallow and who needs the care of an elder."

Upon hearing this, Lin Changsheng understood Lin Xiurong's thoughts, smiled faintly, and stopped trying to persuade her.

He then turned his gaze to the white-clad youth beside Lin Xiurong.

The boy appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old, with an ordinary appearance and nothing outstanding. He exuded a wood-attribute aura.

“Ping An, according to seniority you should call this person ‘Great-Grandfather’, but since you are my disciple, you should call him Uncle Lin.”

At Lin Xiurong's soft command, the young man in white bowed respectfully and addressed her as "Uncle Lin" in a proper manner.

The boy had been observing closely and noticed that his master had a close relationship with this Golden Core cultivator. As a result, he became less reserved and more curious.

"This is my disciple, whose full name is Li Ping'an. He is a member of the Li family in Longshan County."

Lin Xiurong turned her gaze and introduced the young man's background to Lin Changsheng, speaking in a relaxed and natural manner.

"Longshan County, the Li family..."

Lin Changsheng couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

After years of cultivation, he had almost forgotten this somewhat unfamiliar place.

He looked at the white-clad youth in front of him again.

Dressed in white, he cultivates wood-attribute techniques and is known as 'Li Ping'an'.

She bears no resemblance to the young lady or Li Xuewu from back then.

However, this style made Lin Changsheng feel a little strange.

Lin Xiurong explained that because of her, the Li siblings were unable to develop in the cultivation world as they wished, and even Li Xuewu's descendants were wiped out by Xu Qinghuan in a confused manner.

Therefore, several years ago she made a special trip to the Li family in Longshan County and found such a descendant of the Li family who possessed spiritual roots, and brought him to the Qinglan Sect to be personally nurtured.

This approach can be seen as a way of making peace with one's past self.

Based on her age, Lin Hsiu-jung is now nearly 160 years old.

Over the long years, her perspective naturally broadened far beyond that of that worldly maidservant from back then, and she became less attached to romantic love.

All of this is inseparable from Lin Changsheng's guidance back then, which made Lin Xiurong wake up from her dream and break free from the prison of narrow thinking.

Lin Xiurong understood that the root of her resentment was entirely due to the change in her status.

Just like Lin Changsheng now, these young and beautiful female disciples in the dojo.

If Lin Changsheng showed even the slightest willingness, these girls would probably scramble to get close to him.

After all, being able to serve a Golden Core cultivator is an immense blessing for these Qi Condensation female cultivators.

However, if after serving, they are immediately favored by a Nascent Soul True Lord, or even the legendary Transformation Heavenly Lord, and their status changes, the good fortune of serving a Golden Core True Person will probably become a shameful past for them.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin, on freeing yourself from the troubles of the past."

Lin Changsheng offered his sincere congratulations.

……

After catching up with old friends.

The next day.

Lin Changsheng set up several complex formations and added many hidden restrictions before announcing that he was going into seclusion.

During this period, Chen Hui, a True Person of the Qinglan Sect, summoned Zhang Xiucai and his wife, as well as the fake Dan Elder Lin Xiurong.

After some investigation, Chen Huizhen learned that Zhang Shangwen, the Foundation Establishment disciple of the sect, and Lin Xiurong, the pseudo-Core Formation elder, were actually friends with Lin Changsheng from the same period.

And it was he who initially suggested trying to join the Qinglan Sect.

Later, Lin Xiurong and Zhang Shangwen were admitted to the sect after passing the assessment.

Lin Changsheng, however, was eliminated.

"I never expected that Fellow Daoist Lin was actually turned away by my Qinglan Sect."

Chen Hui's expression was strange, and she felt a great pity in her heart.

If Lin Changsheng had been recruited into the Qinglan Sect back then, such a talented individual would have been nurtured by the sect, saving him the time he would have wasted wandering alone.

In that case, Lin Changsheng's achievements would probably surpass his current ones.

It is highly likely that the Qinglan Sect will gain another late-stage Golden Core cultivator skilled in talisman making, further enhancing its overall strength.

Chen Huizhen immediately decided to treat Lin Changsheng and his two old friends with special consideration to show her sincerity.

The next day.

An internal announcement was issued by the Qinglan Sect.

Within the sect, Li Youcai, the logistics elder who was originally in charge of strategic materials, has been detained and investigated for secretly colluding with hostile forces of the Great Zhou, embezzling huge sums of materials, and betraying the sect's interests.

Elder Lin Xiurong, a fake Dan cultivator, has fought many battles and has accumulated numerous merits. A few days ago, she personally annihilated two True Immortals of the same rank who attempted to plunder important sect resources, preventing the loss of vital strategic materials.

After discussion among the three principal masters of the sect, it was unanimously decided that Lin Xiurong, a fake Dan Master, would temporarily assume the position of Logistics Elder and be responsible for the preparation of special strategic materials for the sect.

This news immediately caused quite a stir in the Qinglan Sect.

"Excellent! This is truly gratifying! I support the sect's decision!"

"It's truly a case of the front lines being in dire straits while the rear is feasting! We sect disciples are tightening our belts and living frugally, while that Li Youcai is practically exploiting our 'human resources'!"

"I suggest we investigate Li Youcai's wife, concubines, and all his children and descendants!"

“I know the newly appointed Elder Lin Xiurong. She has no background and has been suppressed by other families for years. Now she has finally made it. It seems that the sect intends to support us commoners. This is our chance to stand out!”

When the disciples in the sect who had no powerful connections heard the news, they were all very excited and strongly supported Elder Lin Xiurong, who had no powerful connections.

Even many disciples who were weary of war were inspired by this story to once again volunteer to join the war and strive for meritorious service, all for the sake of a better future.

Other well-informed cultivators began to actively contact Lin Xiurong and show their goodwill.

Even some of the clan forces that suppressed her in previous years have now expressed their apologies in a roundabout way.

……

Besides.

The Zhang family also benefited considerably.

However, compared to the fake Core Formation cultivator, the couple were second-generation Foundation Establishment cultivators.

These minor changes are unlikely to attract much attention.

Originally, Zhang Shangwen and his wife, like most Foundation Establishment cultivators, did not hold any positions within the sect.

Only occasionally can one receive some sect missions with generous rewards to earn cultivation resources.

In addition, every now and then, they need to take turns to serve in the immortal cities and immortal workshops where the sects' industries are located. If they are unlucky, they will be frequently called up to the battlefield.

While both offer substantial rewards, they consume a significant amount of time.

At the same time, in order to ensure their own safety, these Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged most of their resources for means to improve their combat power, which greatly delayed their cultivation process.

However, because Zhang Shangwen had performed exceptionally well in completing various tasks over the years and was known for his diligence and hard work, he was selected to become a steward in charge of the sect's mineral resources and other materials.

His wife, Lü Hongling, also became one of the stewards responsible for teaching basic spells to the newly initiated third-generation disciples.

In addition to receiving a stable salary regularly, the couple also received various perks and benefits, including a steward's allowance.

With abundant resources at their disposal and no need to venture out into danger, the couple's children can naturally receive a better upbringing.

“Father, this is a ‘quasi-second-tier’ Green Vine Fruit that I found in the Green Peak Mountains!”

Zhang Binyi rushed back in a hurry, holding a fruit the size of a fist in his hands, his face flushed with excitement.

Since his father's friend, Uncle Lin, gave him a lot of cultivation resources, Zhang Binyi's strength has improved a lot, and he often goes out to train.

"You went deep into the Qingfeng Mountains again? There are second-tier demonic beasts there, which is quite dangerous for you."

Scholar Zhang frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of reprimand.

"Father, the grandson of Steward Zhang of the Transmission Hall, and the disciple of Steward Luo of the Enforcement Hall, came together to invite me, saying that they had discovered a 'quasi-second-tier' spiritual plant on the outskirts of the Qingfeng Mountains."

"Recently, I have gotten along well with these family members, and I have only just realized how approachable they are."

"Didn't your father often teach you to pay attention to your reputation and make more friends?"

Zhang Binyi spoke with great interest about the recent changes that had taken place around him.

"You only need to work hard to improve your own level, and it's best to learn a skill as well. There's no need to deliberately make friends with others."

Scholar Zhang gazed into the distance, his eyes fixed on the towering peak that pierced the clouds, his expression complex, and murmured something to himself.

……

Inside the dojo.

Lin Changsheng, who claimed to be in seclusion, did not immediately begin to break through his cultivation level.

During this period, he inventoried and categorized the items he had recovered after killing the Three Corpse Immortals.

As he had predicted, the Three Corpse Immortal had invested most of his wealth in the three corpse refining projects.

In the storage bag, there were only a few barely passable top-tier third-order magic artifacts to make up the impression.

For ordinary Golden Core cultivators, a top-tier third-order magic weapon might be quite valuable, but in Lin Changsheng's eyes, it was just ordinary stuff, far from amazing.

Instead, it was the secret technique of the Three Corpse Immortals for creating corpses that piqued Lin Changsheng's interest.

Logically speaking, something so precious, which could even be considered the lifeblood of a Three Corpse Immortal, would not leave any trace if not intended to be passed on to others.

However, the Three Corpse Immortals' storage bag contained a complete method for refining corpses and activating it.

Out of curiosity, Lin Changsheng glanced at the document and was secretly alarmed by what he found.

The process of refining and advancing corpses is extremely cruel and contrary to the laws of nature.

Even the well-informed Lin Changsheng couldn't help but gasp in shock.

In my memory, although the 'Heavenly Poison Master' was brutal and had slaughtered many high-level cultivators, he rarely massacred low-level cultivators or ordinary mortals.

This Three Corpse Immortal, in order to refine his essence, harmed the innocent, showing almost no bottom line and being utterly depraved.

With so many unjust deeds, even without Lin Changsheng's intervention, this person would likely not have a good end.

Having grasped the principles, Lin Changsheng instantly lost interest in this method of corpse refining.

However, those three corpses, after being processed, could be used as excellent materials for puppets.

……

Five years have passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period, Lin Changsheng kept his cave entrance tightly closed and never went out even a step.

Inside the dojo, the female disciples who originally harbored ulterior motives and intended to gain the favor of Golden Core cultivators felt as if each day was an eternity.

Although the cultivation speed was extremely fast due to being in a mid-grade third-tier spiritual vein training ground, it was still far from what was initially expected.

This day.

A surge of spiritual energy suddenly erupted within the dojo.

Although it wasn't exactly a celestial phenomenon, the mere surge of spiritual energy was enough to greatly shock the thirty Qi Condensation disciples in the dojo.

A vibrant, wood-attribute aura continuously emanated from within the cave.

That year, Lin Changsheng was 167 years old.

A vast amount of magical power accumulated within his body, and he naturally reached the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.

Lin Changsheng, who was sitting cross-legged in the cave, slightly opened his eyes. The perfectly round, crystal-clear golden core in his body was radiating a vigorous life force.

The magical energy within his body had nearly doubled compared to before.

Lin Changsheng practiced the Everlasting Spring Technique, and his magical power was no weaker than that of an ordinary person in the middle stage when he was in the early stage of the Golden Core realm.

Now that he has become a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, in terms of magical power alone, he is not even weaker than a late-stage Golden Core cultivator like the 'Heavenly Poison True Man' from my memory.

"I didn't feel much resistance during this breakthrough in the minor realm. In fact, it was only slightly more difficult than breaking through the minor realm during the Foundation Establishment period."

Lin Changsheng felt a sense of unreality as he sensed the surging, vibrant magical energy within his body.

"The principle of 'Heaven rewards diligence' is truly terrifying!"

Deep within the sea of ​​consciousness, on the surface of that mysterious black scroll that had been dormant for hundreds of years, a streak of light flashed.

Back then, my cultivation level was still low, and the effects of this talent were not yet clearly perceptible.

As one advances to the Golden Core stage and masters numerous skills to a higher level, one can better appreciate the auxiliary role of this late-stage talent.

In an instant.

Lin Changsheng suddenly felt a slight vibration within his body.

"Aoki Spirit Cauldron!"

Lin Changsheng was startled and quickly summoned the cauldron from his body, where it hovered quietly in front of him.

In the distance, there seemed to be a vague aura intertwined with the Azure Wood Spirit Cauldron.