Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

After a moment's thought, Lin Changsheng pretended not to know and continued to urge the Water Cloud Boat on without making a sound, only slightly increasing its speed.

His entire body, along with the flying boat beneath his feet, instantly transformed into a streak of light, streaking across the sky.

A moment later, several miles behind.

Two men and one woman, three pseudo-core cultivators, appeared.

"Why did Senior Lin suddenly speed up? Did he discover our presence?"

A robust middle-aged man, with a somewhat panicked expression, spoke with obvious guilt.

"It's alright. We didn't intentionally follow Senior Lin anyway. We just happened to be going the same way. Even if he is a Golden Core cultivator, he can't be so domineering as to stop us from continuing our journey, can he?"

The only female cultivator among the three, who was only at the nascent stage, seemed to be encouraging the three of them, but her words lacked confidence.

"It seems that Senior Lin discovered our intentions, but he himself had no ill intentions, which is why he shook us off."

"Now we have two choices. One is to continue to follow them openly. If we displease this senior, we can just insist that we are just traveling normally. Even if this senior is unhappy, he probably won't do anything to the three of us."

"Secondly, we can stop here and report this matter to 'Listening Wind Pavilion'. Although we can only get half the reward in return, it is safe and we will not offend a Golden Core cultivator for no reason."

After pondering for a moment, the other old man offered two options.

Then he remained silent, quietly waiting for the man and woman in front of him to make a choice.

"How about forget it..."

"After all, Senior Lin is a Golden Core cultivator, and his methods are unfathomable."

"Perhaps the sudden increase in speed was a warning to us. If this continues, although the rewards from 'Listening Wind Pavilion' are tempting, we may have the life to earn them but not the life to spend them."

"Anyway, we've confirmed that Senior Lin has appeared here, and we'll be able to get some reward, so it's not a waste of these days of waiting."

Gazing in the direction the white-clad figure had disappeared into, the middle-aged man hesitated, a hint of retreat creeping into his mind.

But as soon as he finished speaking, different voices came from beside him.

“I think we could openly follow that Senior Lin and find out which way he’s going, and that way we could get more money.”

"We already found out that this Senior Lin is always kind to people, never bullies the weak, and is very easy to talk to. It's unlikely that we would have to take action against him."

"Even if we offend them, they're more likely to give us a warning, and then it's not too late for us to back down."

Of the three, the only female cultivator who was a fake Core Formation cultivator was still somewhat unwilling to give up. She pretended to play with her long, flowing hair, which made her look somewhat attractive.

For a time, the two expressed their own opinions and argued back and forth.

Finally, after careful consideration, the old man made a decision.

"Let's keep our distance. After all, Senior Lin, as a righteous cultivator, has never had the habit of attacking low-level cultivators before. Moreover, we are currently in a period of turmoil during the war in Yue Kingdom. Although we are only at the Pseudo-Core stage, we are still an indispensable and important fighting force."

The old man clearly favored the woman.

Just as the three were discussing in hushed tones, a strange male voice suddenly came from beside them:

“If you fellow Daoists hesitate any longer, I, Lin, will be leaving soon.”

The sudden voice rang out, and the three people who were arguing were first slightly taken aback, then their expressions changed drastically!

On the previously empty hilltop, a man in white robes appeared out of nowhere, quietly watching the three of them with a warm smile on his face.

"What you fellow Daoists say is correct. It seems that you have done some research on me beforehand. If I were to casually kill three fake Core Formation cultivators, it would not only damage my reputation but also indirectly weaken the Yue Kingdom's fighting strength. Naturally, I would not act so rashly."

As Lin Changsheng spoke calmly, the three men's expressions changed repeatedly, filled with surprise and doubt.

"Senior Lin...when will you...?"

The only elder among the three was the first to react, suppressing his unease and fear, and showing a respectful expression.

As they spoke, the three of them watched Lin Changsheng's next reaction with tense eyes.

Unfortunately, Lin Changsheng simply watched the three of them quietly, smiling without saying a word.

"Senior Lin, please don't misunderstand. We just wanted to admire your demeanor, and we have no other intentions."

The woman among the three stepped forward to explain.

As she spoke, the woman smiled gently, her expression one of admiration, but her demeanor was somewhat stiff and extremely unnatural.

Of the three, only the middle-aged man seemed to avoid Lin Changsheng's gaze, appearing guilty.

"Rest assured, fellow Daoists, I, Lin, would never kill innocent people indiscriminately. I just have some questions to ask you three."

Lin Changsheng smiled and said casually.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the three looked at each other with a sense of relief, all showing signs of ease.

"Please speak, Senior Lin. We juniors will answer all your questions without reservation."

Having received Lin Changsheng's promise, the old man was noticeably more at ease, but his respect remained undiminished.

"I wonder what kind of organization the three of you referred to earlier, the 'Listening Wind Pavilion'? And why are you collecting information about me?"

Lin Changsheng spoke in a kind tone, seemingly asking casually.

The old man was still startled upon hearing this.

Lin Changsheng's question clearly indicated that he had overheard their previous conversation, rendering his prepared excuses useless.

He then became even more respectful:

"In response to your question, senior, 'Qingfeng Pavilion' is a newly emerging force in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom over the past twenty years. Its main business is collecting intelligence and information and then selling it. It covers a wide range of topics, from the strategic secrets of major cultivation worlds and sects to the personal trivial matters of some minor cultivators..."

"I see."

From the old man, Lin Changsheng learned why the other party had been following him.

It turned out that 'Listening Wind Pavilion' had paid a fee to buy information about him.

"They actually dare to openly inquire about the whereabouts of a Golden Core cultivator. It seems that there is more to 'Listening Wind Pavilion' than meets the eye."

Lin Changsheng secretly guessed.

Generally speaking, inquiring about news of a Golden Core cultivator is considered extremely offensive.

If you encounter someone with a bad temper, they might even come to your door directly.

A force without considerable resources or foundation would probably not dare to do this.

"Senior Lin, we have explained our purpose and have no ill intentions towards you. We wonder if Senior Lin could be so kind as to let us leave?"

The woman pursed her lips, feigning a delicate and pitiful demeanor, and said...

"Don't worry, Senior Lin, the three of us will never reveal your whereabouts to anyone."

"However... it seems that 'Listening Wind Pavilion' already knew about Senior Lin's whereabouts in the Azure Cloud Sect, but it's not what we're talking about."

The middle-aged man added promptly.

As they spoke, the three pseudo-core cultivators watched with some tension.

They even secretly accumulated wealth, preparing for a final, desperate resistance.

"Of course you can. What, do you three think that I, Lin, am a difficult and bloodthirsty person?"

Lin Changsheng looked at the group and said with a half-smile.

“This… Senior Lin has always been kind and has a good reputation. He never makes things difficult for low-level cultivators.”

Seeing this, the old man smiled apologetically and said...

When Lin Changsheng spoke, the three of them felt as if they had been granted a pardon. Fearing that Lin Changsheng might change his mind, they dared not linger there any longer and flew away from the place.

……

They flew continuously for a long time until they were exhausted and confirmed that there were no other people behind them. Only then did they feel like they had survived a disaster.

After some discussion, they decided to find a safe place to rest.

Just then, a deafening wolf howl suddenly came from not far away, with extremely strong penetrating power.

Looking towards the sound, they saw a silver demon wolf, pure white all over, howling at the sky from a low hill a few hundred feet away. Its green eyes, filled with a hint of coldness, were staring straight at them.

A powerful aura of demonic energy emanated from the area, sending chills down one's spine.

"A third-tier great demon!"

"How could there possibly be a third-tier great demon here?"

The three of them instantly turned pale with fright, a sense of foreboding washing over them.

"Quick, split up and run!"

The old man exclaimed in surprise, activated his flying artifact first, and turned to flee.

At the same time, recalling Lin Changsheng's kind and gentle appearance from before, a sense of sorrow filled his heart.

He remembered a rumor that several years ago, one of Lin Changsheng's beasts had advanced to the third-tier Great Demon realm.

'boom! ’

Suddenly, an astonishing chill erupted from the low hill behind them.

The Snow Demon Wolf exerted its strength and leaped out, the entire mountaintop unable to withstand the force and instantly crumbling.

The massive, robust body transformed into a streak of silver light in the air, approaching the woman among the three at an incredibly terrifying speed.

"Why...why are you chasing me?!"

Sensing the chilling, piercing aura of demonic power behind her, the woman looked flustered and somewhat disheveled.

However, as a demon beast, the Snow Demon Wolf naturally doesn't understand the human concept of chivalry and tenderness.

Within a dozen breaths, the woman was caught up by the snow wolf and tried to escape. Although she resisted fiercely and even shouted for help to her two companions, she received no response.

Under the cruel attack of the Snow Demon Wolf, she perished in an instant.

Having instantly killed a fake Core Formation cultivator, the Snow Demon Wolf licked the blood-stained fur at the corner of its mouth, its cold green eyes flashing with excitement, before turning to chase after the fleeing middle-aged man.

On the other side, the old man sensed that terrifying demonic power gradually receding, and finally felt like he had escaped death.

At the same time, he pushed the flying artifact under his feet to its limit, and the speed he could unleash in an instant far exceeded that of his other two companions.

"Rumors can kill! What kind of benevolence? That Master Lin is nothing but a hypocrite!"

The old man cursed loudly.

At that moment, Lin Changsheng's image as a kind and benevolent person crumbled instantly in his mind.

Suddenly, a blue figure flew past swiftly a hundred feet above him, accompanied by a clear cry.

The old man subconsciously looked up and saw an incomparably beautiful and divine bird circling above his head.

Even though he had increased his speed to the limit, almost reaching that of a Golden Core cultivator, the demonic bird remained unhurried, its cold eyes fixed on him as if he were looking at prey.

"Third-tier... demonic bird!"

"Could this... also be one of Master Lin's demonic beasts?"

The old man felt an even stronger pressure from the demonic aura emanating from this demonic bird than from the third-tier demonic wolf, and he immediately looked dejected.

……

Half a day later.

Lin Changsheng is located in a secluded mountain forest.

Suddenly, two extremely powerful demonic auras emanated from not far away.

The snow wolf ran wildly through the mountains and fields, its speed almost turning into a streak of silver light. Wherever it passed, the monsters and birds of the mountains and fields trembled with fear and dared not make the slightest sound.

In the sky, the Wind Crow lazily flapped its wings, and the space around it faintly fluctuated with wind attributes. Its speed was actually higher than that of the Snow Demon Wolf.

“You’ve wasted a lot of time with just three fake Core Formation cultivators.”

Sensing the faint bloody aura emanating from the two spirit pets, Lin Changsheng frowned and said.

Upon hearing this, Xunfeng Crow let out a soft cry, glancing disapprovingly at the Snow Demon Wolf beside it.

Seeing this, the snow wolf seemed to realize it had caused trouble. It dared not look directly at its master, and instead turned its head to chase and bite its own tail, pretending to be very busy.

After giving him a brief reprimand, Lin Changsheng did not pursue the matter further.

Since the Snow Demon Wolf advanced to the third-tier Great Demon realm, it has been in long-term seclusion, leaving it with no outlet for its energy, which is the nature of demon beasts.

Suppressing growth too much can actually hinder it.

……

A few days later.

Lin Changsheng arrived at the place where he had agreed to meet Su Qin.

This is a small, scenic mountain range, about seven or eight hundred miles from the Nangong family's territory. The spiritual energy of the land is scarce, and it is rarely visited by people.

"Uncle Lin, you've arrived."

"Congratulations, Uncle Lin, on your further improvement in cultivation."

It seemed that Su Qin had been waiting here for a long time. Upon seeing Lin Changsheng arrive, he took the initiative to congratulate him with a respectful tone.

Especially after sensing the significantly stronger magical power within Lin Changsheng's body, she was filled with astonishment.

His master once predicted that although Uncle Lin had some good fortune, his own aptitude was limited and his potential was not great, so he was destined to waste his life in the Foundation Establishment stage.

But now, Uncle Lin has not only advanced to the Golden Core realm, but has also broken through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, and his skills are even more unfathomable.

"It's just a minor breakthrough; there's no need for us to be so formal."

Lin Changsheng waved his hand, not bothering with formalities.

Afterwards, at Su Qin's invitation, the two sat down at a stone table, where maids had already prepared spiritual tea.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Su Qin couldn't wait to ask about the trip to Fengyuan Kingdom.

Lin Changsheng sipped his spiritual tea but did not respond directly. His slow and hesitant manner made Su Qin anxious.

Next, Lin Changsheng inquired about some details regarding the dangerous place in Fengyuan Kingdom.

However, Su Qin only had a superficial understanding of this matter and could not give a detailed explanation.

Lin Changsheng then realized that Su Qin went to that dangerous place mainly because of the mysterious Nascent Soul within him.

This was within his expectations.

“This matter is of great importance. Mr. Lin needs to have a certain understanding of that dangerous place, make a risk assessment, and consider the final benefits before he can decide whether it is feasible.”

"If it's convenient, I would very much like to meet the senior behind Fellow Daoist Su."

Lin Changsheng's eyes flickered as he looked at Su Qin and spoke earnestly.

"Uncle Lin wants... wants to see my master?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qin was immediately alarmed, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.

"Indeed, actually, I have another personal matter I would like to ask you about, senior."

"Of course, if you have reservations and do not wish to meet me, I will not force you. I will turn and leave now, as if we had not met today."

Lin Changsheng remained calm and spoke frankly.