Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

"This feeling is a bit strange..."

Lin Changsheng looked suspicious. He immediately activated the Everlasting Spring Technique, greatly strengthening his divine sense to surround the Azure Wood Spirit Cauldron and carefully sense it.

With his special perception ability, Lin Changsheng vaguely sensed that there seemed to be a hidden aura surrounding the Green Wood Spirit Cauldron.

"Could it be that someone is using some kind of secret technique to locate and spy on the Azure Wood Spirit Cauldron?"

Lin Changsheng suddenly felt a chill, realizing a certain possibility and feeling a sense of crisis.

"Could it be... the original owner of the Green Wood Spirit Cauldron?"

As he harbored suspicions, this connection to the Qi gradually weakened, and the Azure Wood Cauldron returned to normal.

Lin Changsheng did not immediately put it away. Instead, he carefully examined the cauldron from head to toe to make sure there was nothing wrong with it. He breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"If someone has indeed sensed the location of this cauldron through some means, then my location has probably already been exposed."

Lin Changsheng didn't know much about the Azure Wood Spirit Cauldron, but he was certain that its grade far exceeded that of ordinary magic treasures.

Those who came specifically for this cauldron, regardless of whether they were the old master of the Green Wood King Butterfly, were probably more powerful than Lin Changsheng could handle.

This sudden prying instantly shattered Lin Changsheng's joy at advancing to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.

Therefore, he specifically summoned the Nightmare Moth to tell the truth about what he had encountered earlier, and asked about the other party and the situation of the "old master" from back then.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

The Nightmare Moth spoke with great certainty.

"Although I have never seen my master in person, according to the bloodline memories of my clan, my master was a Nascent Soul cultivator at least several thousand years ago. Human lifespan is definitely not that long."

"Even if one were to advance to the limit of this realm, to the Nascent Soul stage, it would be impossible to have such a long lifespan."

Lin Changsheng also agreed with the Nightmare Moth's assessment.

As his cultivation level continued to improve, coupled with the rich experience of the 'Heavenly Poison True Man' back then, Lin Changsheng also learned some rumors about high-level cultivators.

In their cultivation world, due to limitations in resources or spiritual energy, reaching the Nascent Soul stage is an extremely rare occurrence.

Upon reaching this level, one is essentially an ancestor who governs a region in this world.

However, over thousands of years, there have always been a very few lucky individuals who have successfully refined their Nascent Soul into a Divine Spirit, achieving the even rarer 'Transformation God Heavenly Lord' realm.

It is said that reaching this level is the pinnacle of this world, granting a lifespan of over two thousand years.

Cultivation to the Nascent Soul Heavenly Monarch realm requires a spiritual vein of level five or higher.

Unfortunately, this realm can only produce top-tier fourth-order spiritual veins at most, and various spiritual objects and resources also only reach the fourth-order limit, which cannot provide a guarantee for the subsequent cultivation of Nascent Soul cultivators.

If the quality of the spiritual veins is substandard and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is too thin to support the Nascent Soul Heavenly Monarch, the normal operation of magical power will cause the pure energy in the body to leak out, and over time there will be a risk of the realm falling.

To solve this problem and continue cultivation, one must break free from the constraints of this world's rules, traverse the void, and seek another 'greater world' with more perfect rules.

Unfortunately, the Heavenly Lord of Transformation exists almost exclusively in legends; for at least the last thousand years, no one has ever witnessed it firsthand.

Therefore, many cultivators in this world simply regarded such fantastical rumors as idle gossip and did not believe them.

But Lin Changsheng firmly believed this.

Because in his previous life, he came from another world with a brilliant technological civilization.

He believes that the rumored, more sophisticated 'Greater World' may very well actually exist.

Therefore, even if the original owner of the Azure Wood Spirit Cauldron has not yet perished, he has at least advanced to the Nascent Soul Heavenly Lord realm, or even higher.

If that's the case, they should have already gone to other 'great worlds', or perhaps their lifespan has ended and they have passed away somewhere.

Therefore, the wisp of energy mentioned earlier could not possibly have been from him.

"Perhaps it could be a descendant or offspring of your old master, or perhaps it could be another cultivator who, by chance, mastered the method to communicate with this cauldron."

Lin Changsheng considered several other possibilities.

……

"With my current cultivation level and the many techniques I have mastered, I am now able to be fearless against late-stage Golden Core cultivators."

"But in the hands of a Nascent Soul True Monarch, there is still no chance of resistance, that is without a doubt."

Lin Changsheng assessed his own abilities.

He was confident that even if he encountered the 'Heavenly Poison Master' at his peak, he would be able to contend with him and then escape unscathed.

After all, his main cultivation technique, the Wood-attribute Everlasting Spring Technique, was extremely effective against the poison techniques of the 'Heavenly Poison Master,' giving him a significant advantage.

For ordinary Golden Core cultivators, achieving this step would allow them to rest easy.

Next, all I need to do is focus on cultivation, break through to the late stage of Golden Core as soon as possible, and at the same time plan my path to advancing to Nascent Soul.

But the strange aura he had felt earlier made Lin Changsheng feel a sense of crisis.

"Regardless of the level of the person who tested us earlier, or their purpose, the right thing to do is to quickly learn some methods that can save our lives in front of a Nascent Soul True Monarch."

"Otherwise, as cultivation levels increase and high-level resources become scarce, there will inevitably be times when we clash head-on with Nascent Soul True Monarchs. If we cannot take precautions and prepare in advance, our hundred years of cultivation will be destroyed when disaster strikes."

Lin Changsheng, mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace, planned ahead and strategized his future cultivation path.

The third-tier talisman crafting technique, inherited from the 'Heavenly Poison True Man', is still the most skillful technique that Lin Changsheng currently possesses, enhanced by the experience of two lifetimes. Furthermore, through over a hundred years of honing his skills and continuously absorbing other talisman crafting traditions, he has gradually perfected and innovated, giving him an unparalleled natural advantage.

After his cultivation advanced to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, his magical power and divine sense increased again, and Lin Changsheng was confident in trying a top-tier third-order talisman.

As for making talismans, daily maintenance is sufficient; it doesn't require much effort.

The art of alchemy can assist in improving one's cultivation level, and with this skill, the speed of accumulating resources surpasses that of talisman-making. However, Lin Changsheng's Azure Wood Spirit Cauldron also contains a considerable amount of 'Myriad Wood Spirit Glue,' which can accelerate cultivation even faster and has minimal side effects.

Therefore, progress in alchemy can be temporarily slowed down.

In terms of body refinement, it is a method to improve physical strength and enhance overall power.

At any time, a strong physique is fundamental and can greatly increase one's tolerance for mistakes.

In particular, practicing the "Ancient Ape Glazed Technique" is a body-refining technique that greatly enhances one's physical combat strength, and its power should not be underestimated.

Then there are the monsters and puppets.

Now, four third-tier great demons are following Lin Changsheng.

They are the Nightmare Moth, the Wind Crow, the Snow Wolf, and a special succubus.

Among them, the Nightmare Moth was possessed by a fourth-tier demon king, and it was only a matter of time before its cultivation level returned to the fourth tier.

After advancing to the third tier, although the potential of the Wind Crow and Snow Demon Wolf has not been exhausted and there is still room for advancement, their growth rate has visibly slowed down and they still need a lot of resources to cultivate.

With the addition of a mid-tier Tier 3 succubus, we have enough Tier 3 fighters for now.

Therefore, Lin Changsheng does not plan to cultivate any other demonic beasts in the short term.

As for puppets, the corpses of the Three Corpse Immortals are excellent materials.

As long as there are enough materials, Lin Changsheng is confident that he can create a new Tier 3 puppet.

It is more efficient and has remarkable effects than raising monsters.

In advanced puppetry techniques, there are also methods for controlling multiple puppets in combination.

By utilizing the principles of elemental counteraction and alternating between ranged and melee attacks, the maximum power of each puppet is perfectly maximized, achieving a synergistic effect greater than the sum of its parts.

In theory, this method of puppet combination control could potentially allow one to fight enemies across realms.

However, it poses a significant challenge to the cultivator's spiritual strength and financial resources.

The puppet is not a monster; it can heal itself after resting for a while after being injured.

After almost every battle, the puppets will suffer some damage, requiring timely replacement of parts and regular maintenance.

This is somewhat similar to the talisman array.

Each activation of the rune array requires a large number of runes to support it, and even if the array is ultimately not used, the runes used in it cannot be retrieved.

It is an extremely extravagant means of attack.

Coincidentally, both the talisman array and the puppet combination control method involve array changes.

To truly master it, one also needs to have some knowledge of the principles of formations.

It is already rare for an ordinary cultivator to master one or two skills in their entire life.

Lin Changsheng relied on his talent of "Heaven rewards diligence" and also cultivated several skills, making progress in all of them.

He estimates that it will take about 30 to 50 years to fully upgrade all the techniques he has accumulated to the desired level.

At that time, his strength will surpass that of the 'Heavenly Poison True Man' of yesteryear. Even when facing a Nascent Soul True Monarch, he will be able to put up some resistance, at least he won't be like a chicken or duck waiting to be slaughtered, powerless to resist.

……

Six months later, Lin Changsheng emerged from seclusion with his cultivation stabilized.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin, on your successful advancement to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm!"

The restrictions on the temple were lifted, and as expected, True Person Chen Hui had been waiting for a long time and offered her warm congratulations.

Besides Chen Huizhen, there were also Lin Xiurong and her disciple Li Ping'an, as well as Zhang Xiucai and his wife.

"It's just a breakthrough in a minor realm, nothing to brag about. Thank you all for your concern."

Lin Changsheng smiled amicably and exchanged pleasantries with everyone in a soft voice.

"Fellow Daoist Lin is too modest. Breaking through a minor realm to advance to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm is no ordinary minor realm. Fellow Daoist's breakthrough this time has at least surpassed most Golden Core cultivators."

A glint appeared in Chen Huizhen's eyes as she gazed at the ethereal, aloof white-clad man before her.

The difference between a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator and an early-stage Golden Core cultivator, though seemingly only a small realm apart, is incomparable.

The fact that one's cultivation level is stuck at the early stage of the Golden Core realm indicates that one has exhausted one's potential after advancing to the Golden Core realm.

Advancing to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm indicates that there is still potential to be tapped, and the gap between the two is significant.

Moreover, Chen Huizhen learned from Lin Xiurong and Zhang Xiucai that Lin Changsheng's real age was actually less than 170 years old.

In other words, Lin Changsheng has a very high chance of breaking through to the late Golden Core stage of a great cultivator in the future.

Interestingly, she also learned that Lin Changsheng was nearly 120 years old when he left, and his Foundation Establishment cultivation was not yet complete.

In other words, it only took Lin Changsheng a little over forty years to go from breaking through to the Golden Core stage to advancing to the mid-stage of the Golden Core stage.

This is enough to show that he obtained some extraordinary opportunity in the ruins of the Wanfeng Mountains back then.

This further strengthened Chen Huizhen's determination to win over Lin Changsheng no matter what.

Even if... this Fellow Daoist Lin makes some excessive demands, she will consider them.

The late-stage Golden Core cultivator currently hidden within the Qinglan Sect was already over four hundred years old when he advanced to the late stage.

Although he has also practiced some health preservation techniques and acquired many spiritual items that can increase lifespan, he now only has thirty or forty years left before his time is up.

This elder has already planned that when he has only about ten years left to live, he will take the initiative to go out and deal with some troubles that are detrimental to the sect.

If Lin Changsheng can be recruited into the sect, it would be equivalent to securing a younger, late-stage Golden Core cultivator, who might even have a chance to break through to the Nascent Soul realm in the future.

"My successful promotion this time is thanks to your sect's willingness to lend me this precious land, allowing me to benefit from the sect's good fortune. I will certainly do my part in repaying you."

Lin Changsheng smiled calmly, his words quite polite.

He packed up some of the second and third-order spell symbols he had drawn over the past six months and handed them over to Chen Hui Zhenren.

It includes some useful but not part of the cooperation between the two parties, which can be considered as a way of thanking them for using the dojo.

As for the recruiting intent in Chen Huizhen's words, he automatically filtered it out.

The Qinglan Sect is too small for Lin Changsheng to provide much assistance.

Unless there is no hope of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage in this lifetime, joining the Qinglan Sect as a carefree elder is a good choice.

However, Lin Changsheng has accumulated a profound foundation over many years, and now is the time for him to unleash his full potential, compared to the relatively barren and backward cultivation world of Yue Kingdom.

On the other hand, the Guigu Sect of Gunzhou is clearly more in line with Lin Changsheng's development plan.

A few days later.

Lin Changsheng bid farewell to Chen Huizhen and flew away from the place without any hesitation, riding the Water Cloud Boat.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, as I said before, if you ever change your mind, you can come to Qinglan Sect to find me at any time."

Chen Hui was dignified and graceful. As she watched the white-clad man disappear into the horizon, her clear eyes held a hint of serenity.

"It seems that Fellow Daoist Lin is determined not to join the Qinglan Sect."

Chen Hui looked slightly disappointed.

She originally thought that as long as she made enough promises and offered enough incentives, Lin Changsheng might change his mind.

Lin Changsheng's repeated polite refusals only provoked a certain rebellious mentality in her.

They keep offering chips, even subtly hinting at it, using themselves as chips.

This approach was partly driven by a refusal to admit defeat after being repeatedly rejected.

At the same time, there was also a hint of cautious probing.

She never imagined that Lin Changsheng could remain chaste and pure during his five years at the Qinglan Sect, never making a move on any of the young and beautiful female disciples.

This made her feel incredible.

For many cultivators, the monotonous practice that often lasts for years requires them to frequently find ways to relax and unwind.

Even with such a beautiful young woman practically offered to him, and someone he could enjoy without any psychological burden, Lin Changsheng was still able to maintain his composure.

This is something that Chen Hui greatly admires.

Unfortunately, Lin Changsheng showed her no courtesy befitting a business partner, and as for the conditions he proposed, neither she nor the other party was interested in them.

……

the other side.

After leaving Qinglan Sect, Lin Changsheng did not return directly to Fengling Chamber of Commerce.

A few days ago, he received a message from Su Qin, inviting him to meet.

Lin Changsheng roughly knew the other party's purpose.

It should be the trip to Fengyuan Kingdom that was mentioned back then.

Although Lin Changsheng has just broken through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, his strength has improved.

However, a decision will be made after a full understanding of the specific situation.

Several hundred miles away from Qinglan Sect, Lin Changsheng, who was piloting the Water Cloud Boat, suddenly sensed several fake core auras secretly following him.

This amused him.

When did a fake cultivator dare to follow him?