Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Hao Lianchunqiao took his leave.

Lin Changsheng then stood up and warmly saw him off.

Watching Hao Lianchunqiao leave, Lin Changsheng suppressed his enthusiasm and sneered inwardly.

He could naturally see the purpose of this fellow Daoist Hao Lian's visit; it was clearly to give him, an outsider talisman master, a hard time on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce.

Fortunately, although I have gained some fame during this period, I have kept the number of surgeries I perform within a reasonable range.

Otherwise, these local chambers of commerce are very likely to join forces to exclude them.

During the conversation, Lin Changsheng claimed that the Rejuvenation Talisman was difficult to draw and assured that he would not sell too many in the future.

They managed to calm this fellow Daoist Hao Lian down.

Lin Changsheng also understood the implied meaning in the other party's words.

As long as you cooperate obediently, take things slow and steady, and don't go too far, you can live a peaceful life in the city.

To increase the sales of talismans, you must first join the merchant guild.

Similar forms of commercial suppression were commonplace, both in Lin Changsheng's past life and in the memories of "Heavenly Poison Master".

If Lin Changsheng obediently cooperates and actively joins the Chamber of Commerce, he will have to pay a "membership fee" to the Chamber of Commerce every year, which can be considered as paying homage to the Chamber.

Either offer a slight discount or avoid competing with the Chamber of Commerce.

If you insist on going against them, these local businesses will inevitably try to sabotage you behind your back.

For example, they could control the raw materials for talisman making, thus cutting off their own ability to make talismans; or they could sell cheaper, high-quality talismans and engage in a price war.

Even if there are losses, they are not much when divided among the entire chamber of commerce.

Over time, Lin Changsheng's meager resources naturally couldn't compete with the Haolian Chamber of Commerce.

If the core interests of the Chamber of Commerce are touched, there is even a possibility that one's life may be in danger.

Lin Changsheng's practice of talisman making was merely to earn resources for his cultivation. He only needed enough and naturally wouldn't compete with these merchant guilds for short-term gains.

……

A few days later, when Skinny Monkey came to the store to restock, he brought news about a cultivation place in the western part of the city.

"Brother Lin, as you requested, I've asked around and found a few temporarily vacant courtyards..."

Skinny Monkey reported to Lin Changsheng with a serious expression.

In the western part of the city, suitable residences for cultivation are divided into four levels: A, B, C, and D, based on the density of spiritual energy in the heaven and earth.

The lowest-level courtyard, designated as "D", is the furthest from the spiritual vein, offering only average cultivation efficiency, but is affordable at ten spirit stones per month.

Most of them are mid-to-low-level independent repair rentals.

Secondly, there's the 'C' grade academy, which offers significantly higher cultivation efficiency but is slightly more expensive, costing twenty spirit stones per month.

Suitable for Qi Condensation stage cultivators with some wealth.

Above that are courtyards designated as "B" (乙), where cultivation efficiency is exceptional. Most residents are either wealthy or noble, or are highly valued "craftsmen" such as alchemists, talisman masters, or weapon refiners. The monthly rental fee is fifty spirit stones.

The skinny monkey spoke eloquently, introducing the functions and prices of these cultivation sites.

"What about the courtyard with the 'A' designation? Could it be the cultivation place of a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

Seeing that the skinny monkey didn't continue after introducing the Class B accommodations, Lin Changsheng became curious.

"That's not it. Foundation Establishment cultivators can directly build cave dwellings in the western mountains of the city, and their cultivation efficiency is far superior to that of these small courtyards."

The skinny monkey shook his head and then explained, "The courtyards with the 'A' designation are the closest to the spiritual vein, but there aren't many of them. If you need one, you have to register in advance. The Nangong family holds a magic competition every year, and the courtyards with the 'A' designation are allocated according to the ranking."

After some investigation, Lin Changsheng gained some understanding of the cultivation grounds.

At the same time, I silently classified myself as a second-class courtyard.

Although he looks like he is eighteen or nineteen years old, he is actually forty years old and his cultivation level is the seventh level of Qi Condensation.

At this age, if you don't plan to attempt to reach the Foundation Establishment realm in the future, you have plenty of time.

But Lin Changsheng was not willing to stop his cultivation journey at the Qi Condensation stage.

He must seize the time and attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage before his body's functions decline, while he is still in his prime.

He could afford the rental price of fifty spirit stones per month.

When I reach the ninth or tenth level of Qi Condensation in the future, I will try to get a Grade A courtyard.

Courtyard No. 'B'!

Upon hearing Lin Changsheng's idea, Skinny Monkey stared in surprise at the gentle-looking young man.

Choosing to rent a courtyard with the 'B' designation is not only a symbol of one's financial strength, but also indicates that Brother Lin has the idea of ​​attempting to reach the Foundation Establishment stage!

Otherwise, a cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Condensation would be able to rent a small courtyard with the character "丙" (Bing) in its name.

For a moment, the skinny monkey felt a bit conflicted.

……

In the following days, Lin Changsheng instructed Tian Fu to take the spirit stones and go with the skinny monkey to handle the matter of renting the courtyard.

Three days later, Lin Changsheng paid six months' worth of spirit stones and successfully moved into a Class B courtyard called 'Fulin Garden' in the western part of the city.

Besides Lin Changsheng, who recently moved in, there was another neighbor in the courtyard.

They are said to be a couple of independent cultivators with a good reputation. It is said that they obtained a fragmented weapon-refining inheritance in their early years, and after years of research, they have become quite well-known in Thousand Crane Immortal City.

Lin Changsheng originally wanted to visit his neighbors, but unfortunately, both of them had to go out these past few days.

The defensive barrier outside the building has been activated; even the slightest accidental touch will trigger a huge commotion and attract the Immortal City Guard.

Those who could live in a Class B courtyard were either very wealthy or of high status, and their security measures were naturally very comprehensive.

This is also one of the reasons why Lin Changsheng chose this place to cultivate.

In the following days, Lin Changsheng persisted in drawing talismans every day until he was exhausted.

In order to stockpile enough magical talismans before going into seclusion for cultivation.

Now that I'm no longer with the He family, I can't be as willful as before.

They would casually contact the higher-ups in the He family and then delay the talisman-making tasks for months.

Here, if you fall behind on shop rent or courtyard rental fees, you'll likely be evicted immediately.

Tian Fu traveled between Fulin Garden in the west of the city and Lin's Medical Shop in the north of the city every day, and stayed in the attic on the second floor of the shop at night.

This young man is intelligent and quick-witted, and is deeply trusted by Lin Changsheng.

After taking over the business, Lin Changsheng basically didn't need to worry about anything.

Ten days later, after giving some instructions to Tian Fu, Lin Changsheng began his secluded cultivation.

……

This was Lin Changsheng's first long period of secluded cultivation since entering the Qi Condensation stage.

The courtyard of Grade B is rich in spiritual energy, equivalent to a first-grade high-quality spiritual vein.

Inside the room, Lin Changsheng sat cross-legged, completely immersed in cultivation, circulating his internal energy over and over again.

A vibrant, emerald-green aura emanated from its body.

The magical power of the "Eternal Spring of Withered Tree" within his body continued to grow at a slow pace.

……

Five years later.

On this day, Lin Changsheng was practicing the Changchun Gong as usual when a fluctuation suddenly came from his body.

After a moment, his breathing stabilized, becoming slightly stronger than before.

At the age of forty-five, he had reached the eighth level of Qi Condensation.

Lin Changsheng opened his eyes, a hint of joy in his gaze.

Perhaps the cultivation efficiency in the 'B' grade courtyard is far greater than before.

In addition, after Lin Changsheng moved into Qianhe Immortal City, his life became more stable, and he was able to focus on his studies without distractions.

He did not deliberately seek a breakthrough this time, but the result was pleasing.

A breakthrough in cultivation level is a natural outcome.