Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

Chapter 288 Complete the transaction

half a month later.

Lin Changsheng and Shen Wenyao arrived in Gunzhou, in the Kingdom of Wuqiu.

Lin Changsheng was already quite adept at using the earth's vein fire within Iron Star City.

However, this time he came under the identity of 'Zhang Meng', so he did not alarm the Chitao tribe as before.

Now that they are both Golden Core cultivators, Lin Changsheng and Shen Wenyao only need to release a slight amount of Golden Core aura on the Water Cloud Boat.

Before long, three figures were seen flying out of Iron Star City.

Two pseudo-core cultivators and one early-stage Golden Core cultivator.

"Hehe, I am Zhang Kaiyuan, the city lord of Iron Star City, and these two are our two deputy city lords."

"Welcome to Iron Star City, esteemed guests. May I ask your names?"

A middle-aged man with rough, dark skin, who looked to be in his forties, quickly looked Lin Changsheng and Shen Wenyao up and down, and said in a warm and cheerful tone.

However, when the man who called himself Zhang Kaiyuan's gaze fell on Shen Wenyao, whose face was covered by a light veil, he was clearly taken aback, and his eyes revealed a look of amazement.

However, he quickly composed himself and did not do anything impolite.

They were simply trying to find out about the two people's backgrounds and origins.

"So it's City Lord Zhang. I am Zhang Meng, the Sixth Elder of the Ghost Valley Sect. I have come here with Elder Shen to borrow your alchemy room. I wonder if City Lord Zhang could do me that?"

Lin Changsheng clasped his hands in a slight gesture of respect and took the initiative to reveal his identity.

When he came here a few years ago to borrow the fire from the earth's veins, he inquired about the situation in Iron Star City.

It is only guarded by a Golden Core cultivator and is known mainly for managing various mineral resources and leasing alchemy rooms with earth vein fire.

Now that he has been promoted to Golden Core True Person, he is accompanied by Shen Wenyao, who is also a Golden Core True Person, and he is backed by the Ghost Valley Sect, a Nascent Soul sect.

Most of the time, there is no need to be as cautious as when you were in the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Guigu Sect?"

Zhang Kaiyuan was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but his tone became even more enthusiastic:

"So you are two elders from the Ghost Valley Sect. What a coincidence. I never expected that Elder Zhang Meng and I are from the same clan."

After exchanging warm greetings, Zhang Kaiyuan directly instructed a fake Core Formation cultivator beside him in front of the two:

"Since two elders from the Ghost Valley Sect have come here specifically to entertain them, quickly set up a banquet in the city. At the same time, have someone clear out and clean the Grade A Earth Fire Alchemy Room so as not to affect Elder Zhang Meng's interest in alchemy."

"Lord City Lord, several families have been queuing for months for the Grade A Earth Fire Alchemy Chamber. Suddenly asking them to vacate it now might be..."

The fake Core cultivator standing to the side looked troubled and stammered an explanation in a low voice.

However, the explanation was spoken at a moderate volume, just loud enough for Lin Changsheng and Shen Wenyao to hear.

"Hmph, since we've already waited for months, what's a little longer? Do you expect the distinguished guests from the Ghost Valley Sect to wait? Just do as I say, and if anyone has any questions, let them come to me, the city lord, in person!"

Zhang Kaiyuan snorted lightly and said nonchalantly.

Lin Changsheng watched the two of them talk with a cheerful expression, smiling but saying nothing.

Shen Wenyao stood quietly to the side, like a cool and aloof fairy.

"If there are any difficulties, we two can wait for a while and borrow the alchemy room when there is a spare room. Lord Zhang, please don't force yourself to do so."

Seeing the fake Core Formation cultivator return to the city, Lin Changsheng smiled and said something polite.

"Elder Zhang Meng, what are you saying? The fact that you two elders have graced us with your presence and are willing to use our alchemy room is certainly a privilege over others."

Zhang Kaiyuan said with great enthusiasm and generosity.

"Hehe, then thank you very much, Lord Zhang. If you need anything in the future, you can come to Ghost Valley Sect's Netherworld Peak to find me."

Half an hour later.

At Zhang Kaiyuan's warm invitation, Lin Changsheng and Shen Wenyao arrived at a luxuriously decorated pavilion.

On the other side, Zhang Kaiyuan was summoning a fake Dan deputy city lord for questioning:

"How's the investigation going? Are there any issues with these two's identities?"

"It has been verified. Judging from their titles, appearances, and cultivation levels, they are indeed elders of the Ghost Valley Sect. I heard that the Sixth Elder, Zhang Meng, has only recently advanced to the Golden Core stage and is skilled in talisman making and alchemy."

"Then there's no problem. Clear out my Earth Fire Pill Room, which I use to entertain distinguished guests, and let them use it."

"Yes, City Lord."

……

Three days later.

With the earth vein fire fully adjusted, Lin Changsheng began refining pills.

Shen Wenyao sat quietly in the lounge on the outer floor, her demeanor elegant, seemingly waiting at ease, but her clear eyes held a hint of unease.

In fact, Shen Wenyao also possesses a second-tier alchemy inheritance.

To avoid being controlled by others because of matters related to elixirs, she had planned to study the art of alchemy in her early years.

Unfortunately, she was only mediocre at alchemy, and it took her several years of study to barely be able to refine some low-grade first-level pills.

The time to refine a third-tier pill is still a long way off.

She then thought of another way: to observe the process of refining the 'Snow Ginseng Cold Jade Pill' and try to replicate it, so that she could master the method of refining just this one pill.

Unfortunately, Zhang Meng seemed to have seen through her thoughts and pointed out their naivety without hesitation.

She had no choice but to give up.

For the first half of the month, Lin Changsheng categorized the materials he had prepared in advance, without rushing to start working.

Instead, he mentally rehearsed the process of refining the elixir, ensuring that he memorized every step.

High-level pills usually require extremely rare and hard-to-find ingredients, unlike low-level pills which can be made through multiple attempts.

One can only rely on their own excellent skills to maximize the success rate.

A month later, the indoor temperature in Dan was found to have returned to normal.

The door opened, and Lin Changsheng walked out with a normal expression.

Shen Wenyao, who was waiting outside, couldn't help but feel worried, and her beautiful eyes were filled with a hint of eagerness.

"I have successfully completed my mission. Although there were some mistakes along the way, I managed to ensure that Fairy Shen's materials were not wasted."

Lin Changsheng grinned and took out three exquisite small porcelain bottles, placing them one by one in front of Shen Wenyao.

"I am truly grateful to Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng for this. If Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng has any requests in the future, Wen Yao will certainly not refuse."

After carefully examining the quality and quantity of the pills in the porcelain bottle, Shen Wenyao breathed a long sigh of relief, her brows relaxed, and the faint worry that had been lingering on her face finally disappeared.

Shen Wenyao's starry eyes gazed at Lin Changsheng, and her expression seemed to soften considerably.

Having resolved the issue of the elixir, she wouldn't worry about the effects of the 'Six Yang True Water' at least for the time being.

At the same time, Shen Wenyao readily paid the remaining amount of the payment.

"You're too kind, Fairy Shen. It's only right that I do my duty when I'm paid."

Lin Changsheng did not take credit for it.

After resting for a few days, the two bid farewell to Zhang Kaiyuan and left Iron Star City to return to their sect.

However, on the way back in the Water Cloud Boat, Shen Wenyao's gaze kept falling on Lin Changsheng, lost in thought, her beautiful eyes somewhat unfocused.

As a disciple of her master, her only tasks were cultivation and assisting in managing the Linglong Pavilion's businesses; she never learned any particular skill.

Leaving Linglong Pavilion freed her from Ziyang Zhenjun's control, but also lost his protection.

Now all alone, he is no longer threatened by True Lord Ziyang, nor anxious about collecting Snow Ginseng Cold Jade Pills, but he still has to plan for his future cultivation.

Unless he advances to the Nascent Soul realm or finds a fourth-tier Yin-attribute treasure, he will have to rely on this fiercely refined pill to suppress the 'Six Yang True Water' within his body.

Moreover, after learning about her special physical condition and situation, this person did not intend to take advantage of her kindness, threaten her, or pursue her.

This made Shen Wenyao, who was initially wary, feel a little more favorably toward her.

But only there.

Ever since she learned of her special 'Mysterious Yin Constitution' and that she was being used as a potential 'furnace' by True Lord Ziyang, she has been in a state of torment.

Now that she has finally escaped the clutches of evil, she has no desire to become another man's vessel.

……

Two months later.

Among Lin Changsheng's four nominal disciples.

He Dawei and Han Jiuying broke through to the sixth level of Qi Condensation at almost the same time.

Lin Changsheng summoned the four people to his side, offered them some encouragement, and then took out two heavy storage bags, handing them to the two of them respectively.

The two were overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly, then opened the storage bag to check.

Hao Chi and Lu Ming, who were watching from the side, were filled with envy.

In fact, these four disciples have already surpassed Lin Changsheng in terms of cultivation progress at the same stage.

Lin Changsheng only started cultivating at the age of nineteen. While strategizing for resources, he also had to learn the art of talisman making and increase his protective methods. It was like starting from scratch. By the time he advanced to the fifth level of Qi Condensation, he was already thirty years old.

In contrast, these disciples not only possess high-level spiritual veins, but also have abundant resources and elixirs to aid them, making their cultivation speed almost comparable to that of ordinary mid-grade spiritual roots.

However, this approach is still somewhat like forcing growth and prematurely exhausting the potential of these individuals.

But compared to the other disciples within the peak, they are already the lucky ones that everyone envies.

Finally, the other three took their leave, while the eldest disciple, Hao Chi, stayed behind alone.

“Master, I am foolish. As the senior disciple, my cultivation level has been surpassed by my junior brothers and sisters.”

Hao Chi was filled with shame.

"It's alright. Once your cultivation is more stable, at least to the sixth level of Qi Condensation, you can start practicing the 'Blood Burning Secret Technique.' At that time, your realm will grow rapidly, and surpassing the three of them won't be a problem."

Lin Changsheng glanced at Hao Chi, his tone indifferent.

As cultivators, there will always be times when our potential is exhausted and our cultivation stagnates. Watching those around us surpass us one after another, we must eventually learn to adapt to that feeling of helplessness.

Lin Changsheng had experienced this feeling of being surpassed in cultivation by those around him back then.

However, he possesses the talent of "Heaven rewards diligence" and the memory inheritance of "Heavenly Poison True Man".

Lin Changsheng had lofty ambitions and never regarded his former friends as rivals.

He has been down-to-earth and made steady progress, and has probably surpassed most of his former friends by now.

But not everyone can have such a mindset.

……

After instructing each disciple on the next stage of their cultivation, Lin Changsheng continued his seclusion.

Some time ago, I traded a set of second-order formation inheritances from Shen Wenyao in exchange for a set of alchemy insights.

In his spare time from cultivation, he wanted to specifically study the aspects related to 'teleportation arrays' in the inheritance of array formations.

Now that he has advanced to the Golden Core realm, Lin Changsheng has ample time to delve into techniques related to formations.

Not to mention that if one wants to return to the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom in the future, it will be necessary to repair the teleportation array in that swampy area.

In the memories of 'True Poison Master' alone, some mysterious ruins contained intricate array formations and restrictions.

Mastering this skill would be a valuable asset in future explorations of ancient sites.

He went into seclusion for half a year.

On this day, the fourth disciple, He Dawei, came to report that the sect leader, Master Tan, had come to visit.

"Master Tan?"

Lin Changsheng was puzzled, but he still ended his seclusion.

Not long after, the two met in a side hall.

"Brother Zhang Meng looks quite well lately; it seems your cultivation level has been completely stabilized."

"My visit today concerns matters of the sect, and I apologize for disturbing your cultivation, brother."

Master Tan first glanced at Lin Changsheng and noticed that his aura was deep and his realm was stable. He then offered his congratulations and expressed his slight apology for the intrusion.

"Master Tan, you flatter me. Your visit to my humble abode is an honor for my Netherworld Peak. There is no way I am bothering you."

Lin Changsheng responded with a smile.

"Hehe, Brother Zhang Meng advanced to the Golden Core stage after joining the Ghost Valley Sect, which is different from the Golden Core cultivators recruited from outside."

“If Brother Zhang Meng doesn’t mind, we can address each other as fellow disciples from now on, which will sound much closer.”

Master Tan wore a kind smile, but his eyes flashed with an inscrutable meaning.

"I am honored that Senior Brother Tan does not look down on my humble origins. Junior Brother Zhang Meng greets Senior Brother."

Upon hearing this, Lin Changsheng's face lit up with joy, and after a moment's thought, he immediately changed the way he addressed her.

“Junior brother, there is no need to belittle yourself. You are now the sixth elder of my Ghost Valley Sect. No one in Jiuze Continent and Gun Continent dares to underestimate you.”

“Since you call me senior brother, I should reciprocate. Now that you have advanced to the Golden Core stage, if you plan to forge a suitable magic weapon, you can inform me in advance. I can also contribute to the sect in terms of material gathering.”

Master Tan smiled and made the promise.

Lin Changsheng thanked him repeatedly.

He naturally understood that Master Tan was trying to recruit him.

During his years at the Guigu Sect, he knew that Master Tan was extremely loyal to Master Guigu, and that every word and action represented Master Guigu's will.

Currently, it seems that Guigu Zhenjun, as a young Zhenjun, has an extraordinary background, his combat strength and methods far surpass those of Zhenjun of the same level, and he is still in the rising stage.

There's no harm in befriending such a Nascent Soul True Lord for the time being.

……

It was not long after Master Tan left.

Lin Changsheng then received additional resources from Tiangui Peak.

Besides a considerable amount of spirit stones, there were also many rare and exquisite Tier 3 materials that were hard to find elsewhere.

There are even many properties and land deeds within the Green Fairy City.

In recent years, Green Fairy City has expanded considerably, and large tracts of spiritual fields have been cultivated on some flat oases in the surrounding area.

Each lineage has a fixed number of elders.

Upon receiving such a generous gift, Lin Changsheng reciprocated by sending Tiangui Peak a complete set of third-tier magic talismans.

This complete set of third-tier spell runes was Lin Changsheng's painstaking work.

Even a pseudo-core cultivator, with this set of talismans, could contend with and fight against a true Golden Core cultivator.

Subsequently, Lin Changsheng summoned the Lin clan members of Green Wilderness City and entrusted them with the management of his newly allocated spiritual fields and properties.

Over the years, with the support of Elder Lin Changsheng, the Lin clan has thrived in the Immortal City and expanded considerably.

On a regular basis, he would often receive instructions from Lin Changsheng to help search for rare materials that appeared in the Immortal City.

After dealing with these trivial matters, a large amount of plant and tree scents suddenly gathered near Mingling Peak.

Lin Changsheng sensed something and looked toward the spirit tree by the lake.

"Is this... the thing nurtured within the spirit tree reaching a crucial moment?"