Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

Chapter 371 Returning to the Sect, Changes in Aura

A few days later, Lin Changsheng's life returned to normal.

However, he kept a close eye on the situation on Cloud Peak within the sect.

Upon approaching the sect, Lin Changsheng discovered that the Liuyan Sect's protective array was in a semi-activated wartime state, and the number of disciples patrolling the mountain seemed to have increased.

They were on high alert, ready for anything.

Unfortunately, as a guest elder, Lin Changsheng could not freely enter and leave the sect and could not sense what was happening inside.

But none of this was unexpected by Lin Changsheng.

The fact that the Supreme Elder was injured probably cannot be kept secret from some sect elders.

Especially Chen Xingzhou, this Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Such precautions are likely to prevent external villains from taking this opportunity to invade.

So much time has passed and they are still at peace. I'm afraid that the two who besieged Yunmiao Zhenjun, 'Black Tiger Zhenjun' and 'Youhu Mountain Lord', are probably not at peace either.

Perhaps his injuries are even more serious than those of True Monarch Yunmiao.

……

Four or five days later.

Upon returning to Qingxia Peak, Lin Changsheng, as always, secluded himself in his cave for cultivation.

Chen Xingzhou, the newly promoted Nascent Soul True Monarch, unexpectedly took the initiative to visit.

"I am deeply sorry for not being able to greet you properly, True Lord Qingdan."

Lin Changsheng took the initiative to go out and greet them, speaking very politely and showing great courtesy.

Outside Qingxia Peak, a conspicuous and ornate carriage stood out.

In front of the chariot, two tamed and obedient late-stage third-tier demonic beasts, resembling both dragons and horses, served as the pulling force.

Lin Changsheng recognized the origin of the beast; it was a third-tier 'Blood-Sweating Dragon Horse', a breed that had been artificially bred.

It appears tall and mighty, with extraordinary handsomeness, but its combat power is extremely weak, even inferior to a third-tier early-stage demon. Its only advantage is its ability to endure hardship and its incredible stamina.

As a product of hybridization, it is quite expensive and is mostly used as a status symbol, representing wealth and status.

"Hehe, Master Lin, you're too kind. We're both elders of our sects, there's no need to be so formal."

"I came here privately today because I didn't want to attract too much attention."

Inside the carriage, Chen Xingzhou, dressed in a magnificent robe, looked every bit the noble elder.

Before long, at Lin Changsheng's invitation, the two entered the reception hall together.

The maids, who had been arranged in advance, were attentive to brewing the tea and serving it to the guests.

"I wonder what brings True Lord Qingdan here today?"

Lin Changsheng, sitting in the second seat, took the initiative to ask.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xingzhou waved his robe slightly, and a soundproof barrier enveloped the two of them.

The maids outside the barrier seemed unmoved and unaware of the situation.

In contrast, Lin Changsheng remained calm, sipping his spiritual tea.

"To be honest, I have come here today to ask you some questions. I wonder if Master Lin Kui would be so kind as to tell me the truth?"

After a slight hesitation, Chen Xingzhou carefully considered his words and asked in a polite tone.

Upon hearing this, Lin Changsheng did not rush to answer, but simply glanced at Chen Xingzhou.

Compared to when he first entered the sect, Chen Xingzhou's nascent soul energy was now significantly more abundant.

"What does True Lord Qingdan wish to know?"

"If Mr. Lin knew, he would tell me everything he knew."

Lin Changsheng remained calm and chuckled lightly.

But then, as if remembering something, he almost added:

"However, if it involves True Monarch Yunmiao, it might be a bit inconvenient."

"Prior to this, True Monarch Yunmiao had specifically instructed that I be strictly forbidden from revealing even the slightest bit of this information."

"As long as it doesn't involve True Monarch Yunmiao, then there's no problem."

Lin Changsheng poured tea for Chen Xingzhou and said calmly.

"Hehe, Elder Lin is indeed loyal to True Monarch Yunmiao."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of displeasure crossed Chen Xingzhou's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled.

“A few days ago, Junior Nephew Lu from Yunmiao Peak suddenly sent a message, prompting the sect to enter a state of emergency alert. It seems that it was because True Monarch Yunmiao was injured. Does Elder Lin know about this?”

Chen Xingzhou asked the question casually, but his eyes were fixed on Lin Changsheng.

“True Monarch Yunmiao’s cultivation is profound, and cultivators from the surrounding areas are unlikely to be able to harm him. As for ordering the sect to go on high alert, it may be a deliberate act, just to lure out some treacherous villains.”

"However, True Monarch Yunmiao is unfathomable, and it is difficult for this junior to guess his profound meaning."

As Lin Changsheng spoke, his gaze inadvertently swept over Chen Xingzhou, seemingly with a deeper meaning.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Chen Xingzhou frowned slightly, his eyes flickered, and a hint of doubt appeared on his face.

"Hehe, Elder Lin is right."

After a moment, Chen Xingzhou, with a slight smile on his face, continued:

"Actually, the reason I came here is to inquire about Senior Sister Yunmiao's situation through Elder Lin, and to see if she needs some healing pills."

"Even if there is only a slight loss, the pills refined by this True Monarch can still play a role in promoting recovery."

"After all, although I have advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, I usually focus most of my attention on alchemy. Senior Sister Yunmiao has a great responsibility in overseeing the sect. If there is an opportunity, I should do my part."

As he spoke, Chen Xingzhou spoke with a hint of concern, displaying a selfless and impartial manner.

But his eyes flickered as he spoke, hinting at a probing question.

Yunmiao Zhenjun must have been injured this time, but no one knows the specifics.

As the person who secretly informed him, he was naturally aware of Yunmiao Zhenjun's plight.

Unexpectedly, the other party returned safely and did not react for several days, which made Chen Xingzhou feel uneasy and suspicious.

Was True Monarch Yunmiao too badly injured to attend to other matters, or was he deliberately feigning weakness as Lin Sangou claimed?

In addition, he secretly tested how close Lin Sangou and Yunmiao Zhenjun were.

After all, everyone in the Liuyan Sect knows that he and Lin Sangou are mortal enemies.

Before this, Sect Master Huang Jia held absolute power and intentionally favored others, even secretly supporting Guest Elder Lin Sangou to deal with him, the alchemy elder.

Even after finally advancing to the Nascent Soul realm, he was still overshadowed by True Monarch Yunmiao, who also showed great respect for his enemy, Lin Sangou.

Chen Xingzhou was not a person of high moral character to begin with, and being treated like this time and time again naturally made him extremely angry.

"The Qingdan True Monarch is devoted to the sect, and I admire him greatly."

"However, this matter involves Senior Yunmiao's privacy, and as a junior, I am really not at liberty to disclose it. Perhaps it would be more sincere for True Monarch Qingdan to go to Yunmiao Peak to inquire in person."

Lin Changsheng paused for a moment, then spoke frankly.

In the end, he remained ambiguous, revealing no details about True Lord Yunmiao.

"Hehe, Elder Lin is right, then I will not disturb you any longer."

Chen Xingzhou's smile was somewhat forced as he took his leave.

As he left, a dark and gloomy look appeared in his eyes.

……

More than half a year later.

During this period, Lin Changsheng's life was relatively peaceful.

Chen Xingzhou made no further visits under any pretext. Yunmiao Peak remained shrouded in array formations, with no news or messages passed down.

During this period, Sect Master Huang Jia came by and entrusted Lin Changsheng to create some second-tier puppets in batches over the next few years as a reward for the second-generation Foundation Establishment disciples of the Willow Smoke Sect.

Over the years, Lin Changsheng has developed superb skills, creating puppets that are sturdy and durable. If used properly, they can be comparable to Foundation Establishment cultivators to a certain extent, earning him widespread recognition within the sect.

With the puppets created by Lin Changsheng, the second-generation disciples of Liuyan Sect were able to maintain stable combat power and have their safety greatly guaranteed when carrying out sect missions outside.

This is an advantage that other sects do not have.

In addition, Sect Leader Huang Jia thoughtfully suggested assigning a highly intelligent disciple to serve as an apprentice and assistant to Lin Changsheng in his daily puppet-making work.

This also frees up your hands and saves some time.

This little scheme of theirs naturally did not escape Lin Changsheng's notice.

They were simply interested in his puppet-making skills and were subtly probing Lin Changsheng to see if he had any intention of taking on a disciple.

After all, as a 'craftsman,' especially one who has mastered similar skills in puppetry, the creation process is extremely complicated.

If there were some apprentices who could do odd jobs and help out without complaint, it would really help to share a lot of the burden.

This situation is quite normal.

It's possible that if you take a liking to an apprentice, you might impart all your skills to them.

"Lin is used to working alone. He finds it chaotic with many people around, and having an apprentice actually hinders his performance."

Lin Changsheng politely declined.

He stayed at the Willow Smoke Sect only to focus on cultivation, and occasionally took on tasks to create puppets to pay for using the spiritual veins.

The rest of the time, try to minimize your presence and avoid too much contact with others.

Moreover, he had been an apprentice in his early years, so he naturally understood what these people were thinking. In order to learn practical skills, they schemed against each other and competed to curry favor and show off, which did not fit Lin Changsheng's plan to cultivate in peace.

Sect Leader Huang Jia seemed to have anticipated this, and did not mention it much.

Three months later.

Han Xinlan, dressed in a floral pleated skirt, arrived at Lin Changsheng's cave with a smile in her eyes.

As she grew older, perhaps influenced by Lin Changsheng's personality, Han Xinlan became much more composed, her bright and charming demeanor carrying a touch of tranquility.

"These are some high-level toxins, originating from the same source as the cultivation technique you practice. They should be of some use to you."

Lin Changsheng sensed the aura within Han Xinlan's body, nodded to himself, then took out a storage bag that he had prepared beforehand and said calmly.

"This is a top-tier second-order poison!"

"Thank you very much, Master Lin!"

Han Xinlan's eyes showed a hint of surprise, her gaze bright and clear, her voice crisp and clear.

As a descendant of the 'Heavenly Poison Master', Han Xinlan, by chance, also cultivated the 'Netherworld Poison Scripture', the main cultivation technique left by her ancestor. Over the years, she has been following Lin Changsheng and her cultivation has steadily improved.

The only drawback is that, with Lin Changsheng's protection during his cultivation and never lacking in various resources, he lacked opportunities for real combat, never experienced the pressure of survival, and never had the experience of life and death.

Such a sheltered, hothouse-flower-like nature is not entirely compatible with this 'Netherworld Poison Codex'.

Therefore, Lin Changsheng planned to arrange for Han Xinlan to go out and experience some real trials.

……

Not a few days passed.

Having made all the necessary preparations, Han Xinlan left Qingxia Peak alone.

Looking back, a hint of reluctance was evident in her eyes.

Amidst verdant hills and clear waters, a uniquely beautiful mountain peak stands tall.

‘Squeak! ’

At this moment, a shout interrupted Han Xinlan's thoughts.

"Hey, little mouse, how did you follow me here!"

The faint sadness on Han Xinlan's pretty face dissipated, replaced by surprise.

Not far away, a small mound of earth suddenly rose up from the soil, and a small, rodent-like monster emerged from it, its tiny eyes revealing a human-like shrewdness.

‘Squeak! ’

"Squeak~ Squeak squeak!"

"Squeak~Squeak~"

The golden-haired rat stood on its hind legs, making rapid squeaking noises, and its short forelimbs gestured in a very vivid way.

Sometimes it points to the back of Qingxia Peak, and it keeps making gestures such as flapping its wings, sticking out its tongue, and wriggling its tail.

"I know! It must be because you're always naughty that Senior White Wolf and Senior Blue Crow often bully you~"

Han Xinlan immediately beamed with joy.

This second-tier Golden-haired Rat somehow found its way here and often shamelessly stays in the back mountain, basking in the spiritual veins around the Snow Demon Wolf and the Wind Crow, cultivating its spiritual energy.

Han Xinlan found the little mouse adorable, and would occasionally take some food from the Snow Demon Wolf and Xunfeng Crow's food to feed it. Over time, the two became close.

Sometimes, when the two great demons were bored, the Snow Demon Wolf would like to repeatedly hold a small mouse in its mouth to scare it.

The Xunfeng Crow, on the other hand, will swiftly grab a small mouse, fly it high into the sky, drop it down, and then swoop down to catch it just before it hits the ground, repeating this back and forth for its amusement.

Whenever this happened, Han Xinlan would step forward to plead for mercy.

"Alright, in that case, Little Mouse, you'll come with me on this training trip. I'll protect you!"

With the comfort of the mice, Han Xinlan's mood improved.

"Squeak!"

Upon hearing this, the golden-haired rat nodded repeatedly.

But when it heard Han Xinlan say it would protect it, its small eyes darted around, revealing a hint of disdain and arrogance.

……

A year after Han Xinlan left, Lin Changsheng completed the task entrusted by Sect Master Huang Jia, delivered the full number of puppets, and then began his seclusion.

Until one day, Qingxia Peak erupted with an astonishing wood-attribute aura, teeming with vitality, causing the trees and vegetation on Qingxia Peak to grow more lush than those around it.

"After nearly two hundred years of cultivation, I have finally reached the late stage of the Golden Core realm!"

Inside the cave, a deep green glint flashed in Lin Changsheng's eyes, making him even more energetic.

That year, he was 208 years old. After consuming a lot of 'Myriad Wood Spirit Glue', his cultivation level advanced by leaps and bounds, and he finally successfully advanced to the late stage of Golden Core. Everything came to fruition.

In terms of cultivation level, Lin Changsheng has almost caught up with the 'Heavenly Poison True Man' of yesteryear. In terms of foundation, he is no less than the latter's four hundred years of accumulation, and may even surpass him.

After all, compared to others, True Person Tiandu has no record of killing someone at the 'quasi-fourth level' level.

Lin Changsheng was deeply gratified by this.

Just as Lin Changsheng was planning and strategizing for his next stage of cultivation...

After more than a decade, we finally received news from Yunmiao Peak again.

……

Led by Master Lu, the two arrived at the summit of Yunmiao Peak once again.

"Elder Lin, Master instructed that you can go in directly after you arrive without announcing your arrival."

Outside the Ice Palace, Master Lu stood respectfully, speaking in a low voice.

"Thank you."

Lin Changsheng thanked him softly.

His gaze then fell upon the ice palace.

With his cultivation advancing to the late Golden Core stage, Lin Changsheng's senses became even more acute, and his divine sense was no less than that of an ordinary early Nascent Soul cultivator.

He clearly sensed that Yunmiao Zhenjun's aura in the Ice Palace seemed somewhat strange at this moment.