Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

Chapter 248 Assisting in the Search

As the authoritative man's voice faded.

A few breaths later, lights began to appear sparsely in the quiet Dafang Township area at night.

"Elder of the Water Moon Sect, Jin Ziqian?"

Lin Changsheng muttered a few words to himself, not acting rashly.

Although he had been in Dayeze for many years, he mostly stayed in the small area of ​​Yu Huaihe Marsh and rarely went out. He had never heard of Jin Ziqian's name.

However, I had heard of the Water Moon Sect.

They are quite powerful within the Onozawa sect and should not be underestimated.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Outside Qingquan Island, Madam Qu Jiao rushed over.

Just as she was about to activate the restriction, the great formation outside the island suddenly opened, revealing a gap.

Qu Jiao was slightly taken aback, and quickly flew into it.

On Qingquan Island, a handsome young man in white stood with his hands behind his back, his face calm and composed.

At this moment, influenced by Lin Changsheng's serene aura, Qu Jiao's anxious look faded slightly, and her heart calmed down a little.

"Master Lin, did you hear that voice transmission from earlier?"

"Elder Jin of the Shuiyue Sect used the secret technique of transmitting seals to cover the entire Li clan territory of Dafang Township, which I naturally heard. I just don't know why Senior Qu didn't go to pay his respects, but instead came to my Qingquan Island first."

Lin Changsheng smiled faintly and looked calmly at Qu Jiao.

"Master Lin, the Shuiyue Sect has a reputation that is both righteous and evil in the Daye Marsh. Its members are unruly and act according to their whims. There was even a story of them wiping out a medium-sized family force because of a single disagreement."

"May I ask Master Lin... or even better, Fellow Daoist Chichong, to come forward and pay our respects to Elder Jin?"

Qu Jiao carefully considered her words before taking the initiative to explain the purpose of her visit.

In their conversation, they unconsciously began to treat Lin Changsheng as an equal.

Especially when the Water Moon Sect's style of doing things was mentioned, his tone became slightly hurried, and his eyes welled up with tears, giving him a helpless and bewildered look.

"Senior Qu, please don't be in such a hurry. Why don't you recall if the Li family has any grudges with the Shuiyue Sect or this Elder Jin? If you haven't provoked them, I, Lin, can accompany you to find out Elder Jin's intentions."

"As for the red worm, in my opinion, it would be better to let it release a trace of its aura, just enough for Elder Jin to sense, and then leave it here to guard the clan's territory. This will prevent unnecessary trouble and avoid provoking Elder Jin."

Lin Changsheng spoke gently, comforting Qu Jiao while making a suggestion.

Qu Jiao's flustered appearance was not surprising.

Like most female cultivators, she may seem quite capable on ordinary days, but once many things pile up, her emotions suddenly collapse, and she loses her usual composure.

Sure enough, this orderly and composed demeanor seemed to give Qu Jiao a sense of security and make her feel much more at ease.

A short while later, Lin Changsheng gave a few instructions to the Crimson Centipede beside him, and then flew away with Qu Jiao.

"Senior Qu, what was Master Qiu's reaction? Since he's Senior Li's friend, he can lend a hand in this crucial moment."

During the journey, Lin Changsheng suddenly asked this question.

"Hmph, him?"

"Just now, I was about to set off to find him when I received a message from Master Qiu on the way, saying that he had an upset stomach a couple of days ago and that he was unable to see guests for the next few days."

Qu Jiao said through gritted teeth, her face full of disdain.

……

Outside the Li clan's territory in Dafang Township.

A tall man dressed in a magnificent dark blue robe floated silently above the marsh, his lower body lifted by a cloud of water mist.

His aura of a Golden Core cultivator burst forth without any concealment, and even from several miles away, one could feel an extremely sharp and powerful aura.

"I am Li Chongyuan, a Daoist from Dafang Township, and my wife, surnamed Qu, along with our clan's retainers, to pay our respects to Elder Jin."

"Elder Jin, your presence at the Li family of Yu Huaihe is an honor. We have failed to greet you properly and hope that you will forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."

From afar, one could see Qu Jiao with elaborate makeup, her eyes sparkling, and an elegant smile.

Despite her deep concern, Qu Jiao still displayed the demeanor of a fake Dan Zhen, appearing completely fearless.

Lin Changsheng followed beside her, slightly behind Qu Jiao by half a step, and respectfully clasped his hands in greeting.

At the same time, he secretly observed this 'Elder Jin'.

With a quick glance, he made a discovery.

Although Elder Jin possessed profound magical power, it was not abundant, giving him the appearance of someone weary from a long journey.

In addition, the other party's brows were slightly furrowed, and coupled with the earlier urgent telepathic communication, it seemed that he was troubled by something.

All the subtle signs indicated that Elder Jin of the Shuiyue Sect was clearly in a bad mood at the moment.

"Hmph, Fellow Daoist Qu, I have come from afar, and none of the Golden Core cultivators of your Li clan will come out to greet me?"

Jin Ziqian's gaze swept over the two of them without any politeness, and he let out a soft snort, his tone somewhat stiff.

The tone was slightly questioning, clearly indicating that the person felt slighted.

In the eyes of a Golden Core cultivator like Jin Ziqian, a fake Golden Core cultivator cannot be considered a true cultivator at all.

At most, it's only slightly stronger than Foundation Establishment, or perhaps half a step into Golden Core.

As for Lin Changsheng, who was in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, he completely ignored him.

"Elder Jin is too kind. After receiving the message, I immediately set off to greet you without the slightest delay."

"But my husband, Li Chongyuan, has been away on business recently, and only a third-tier demon remains in the clan, along with an old friend of my husband who is staying here."

"A powerful demon who knows no manners, and a rogue cultivator from a remote waterway—I was afraid they would be impolite in front of Elder Jin, so I..."

Qu Jiao was slightly taken aback, but with a flattering expression, she explained in a tactful tone.

He was interrupted halfway through his sentence by Elder Jin's impatient wave of his hand:

"No need to explain. Since the person is not here, let that great demon and the rogue cultivator take their place."

"A few years ago, I severely injured a water buffalo demon, but it escaped by feigning death. After searching for several years, I can now be fairly certain that this demon is hiding in the waters near your Li clan's territory, recuperating."

"This great demon has fallen victim to one of my secret tracking techniques, allowing me to sense it within a hundred miles."

"Later, I will teach you the method of sensing. I hope that all cultivators of the Li clan of Dafang Township above the False Core stage will cooperate with my Shuiyue Sect to find this great demon. If any of you dare to be negligent in this matter, causing this great demon to escape from here, you will bear the consequences!"

Elder Jin's threatening voice rang out, containing a trace of the aura of a Golden Core cultivator, possessing a captivating power.

Upon hearing this, Lin Changsheng was suddenly startled.

Could it be that the water buffalo demon that Elder Jin mentioned is the third-tier demon that Li Chongyuan and he searched for back then?

It turned out to be a powerful water buffalo demon, and it was injured!

No wonder he chased after this great demon several times back then, but it only hid itself.

Lin Changsheng suddenly realized something, and at the same time, he couldn't help but become curious.

What kind of powerful water buffalo demon could have kept Elder Jin of the Water Moon Sect searching for so many years?

"The Water Buffalo Demon?"

Qu Jiao listened attentively to Elder Jin's words, pondering a solution in her mind.

Given the influence of the Shuiyue Sect in the Daye Marsh, even if the Li family were still alive, let alone the current Li family, they would probably have no choice but to obediently follow Elder Jin's instructions.

……

Ten days later.

The Yu Huaihe River Basin.

Lin Changsheng rode the Crimson Centipede, keeping pace with the slovenly-dressed Qiu Tianxing.

This was a decision made after Qu Jiao and he discussed it.

Because either she or Qu Ping, if they traveled with Qiu Zhenren, would most likely be killed, thus weakening the Li family's power.

On the surface, only Lin Changsheng, who possesses a third-tier great demon, can make Qiu Zhenren slightly wary.

"Master Lin, why do you think Elder Jin is so concerned about a third-tier demon beast? Could it be that this beast is something unusual?"

Qiu Zhenren stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly chatting casually with Lin Changsheng.

"What Elder Jin wants is none of my business as a mere alchemist. I only hope to provide some useful clues as soon as possible so that Zhang Lai of the Shuiyue Sect can leave safely."

Lin Changsheng paused briefly before responding calmly.

At the request of Elder Jin, the Li family of Dafang Township assisted in the search for the water buffalo demon lurking nearby.

Even Qiu Zhenren, who was staying here as a guest, was conscripted.

Although both are Golden Elixir True Persons.

However, there are differences even among Golden Core cultivators.

As a rogue cultivator, Master Qiu was inferior to Elder Jin in terms of cultivation level, aptitude, connections, and background.

Furthermore, within the Shuiyue Sect behind Elder Jin, there is a powerful cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core stage.

If it's a reputable and upright sect, things might be better.

But it is precisely because of this kind of sect with a bad reputation that ordinary rogue cultivators dare not offend it.

Therefore, even Qiu Zhenren could only reluctantly 'work' for Elder Jin.

"Master Lin, you've seen the current situation of the Li family in Dafang Township. Brother Li Chongyuan has most likely encountered some kind of accident, which the Li family has simply concealed. Now, the Li family urgently needs a genuine human Golden Core cultivator to maintain their reputation. What are your thoughts on this, Master Lin?"

Qiu Zhenren looked at Lin Changsheng with a half-smile.

The implication in their words was almost explicit.

"What does Master Qiu think Lin should think?"

Hearing this, Lin Changsheng smiled with interest and asked in return.

Along the way, this Master Qiu tested him many times.

The method was simple: he constantly directed Lin Changsheng to do some trivial things.

Although he was a Golden Core cultivator, Lin Changsheng controlled a third-tier demon, so the two were of equal status.

But Qiu Zhenren insisted on trying to take the lead.

This was to test Lin Changsheng's reaction.

The result was that Lin Changsheng appeared calm and composed. Although he spoke politely, he did not show the fear and humility he usually displayed when facing a Golden Core cultivator.

"Master Lin, stop pretending."

"Li Chongyuan is most likely not coming back. Can you honestly say you don't have any designs on the Li family's resources?"

"Your cultivation is currently at the late Foundation Establishment stage. If you can continue to exclusively enjoy the Li Clan's third-tier spiritual spring, you will have a chance to break through to the Golden Core realm within twenty years. The Li Clan has been passed down for many years, and it is very likely that they still possess pseudo-core spiritual treasures. How about the two of us join forces and divide up the Li Clan's resources?"

Qiu Zhenren suddenly slowed down his flight and smiled warmly at Lin Changsheng:

"The third-tier spiritual spring eye and the Core Formation spiritual item are yours, and the remaining resources are mine."

“You should know in your heart that without the protection of a human Golden Core cultivator, even if you are a third-order great demon, ‘Red Insect’, you cannot protect the Li family. This piece of fat meat will fall into someone else’s mouth sooner or later.”

"Dividing up the Li family's resources?"

Lin Changsheng was slightly taken aback and looked at Qiu Zhenren with some surprise.

Having lived in the Li family compound for many years, he also had some understanding of the clan's situation.

He had known all along that when Qu Ping was being trained to break through to the Golden Core stage, Qu Jiao had used the clan's Golden Core opportunity.

There should still be some left over.

He already knew that Master Qiu had come with ill intentions and ulterior motives.

Surprisingly, Master Qiu proposed to plot against the Li family together with him.

"I, Lin, have been a guest of the Li family for many years and have been enjoying the privileges of a third-tier spiritual spring eye. If Master Qiu were to reveal his true thoughts, wouldn't he be afraid that I would refuse and ruin his plans?"

"Now that I have stated my true intentions, I am naturally not afraid of being rejected. Or rather, there is no such thing as rejection in front of me."

Master Qiu's face showed a hint of threat, and he began to slowly exude a powerful aura of a Golden Core cultivator.

"That foolish woman Qu Jiao tried to use a third-tier demon to restrain me, little did she know that I wanted to take this opportunity to eliminate this obstacle!"

As they spoke, a faint, semi-transparent water curtain suddenly appeared around them, like a giant bowl turned upside down, enveloping the two people and the demon.

“Normally, you all stay together, which makes things a bit troublesome when you fight, but today, only one of us can get out of this barrier alive!”

Master Qiu looked at the rising restrictions around him with a smug expression.

As he spoke, an extremely dangerous aura emanated from his tattered sleeves!

The next moment, a long, dark blue blade radiating a chilling aura, trailing several long afterimages, slashed swiftly toward Lin Changsheng!

"A third-tier magic weapon!"

Sensing this astonishing aura, Lin Changsheng was moved. It seemed that this Master Qiu had long planned to make his move!

He also possessed a third-tier magic weapon, but in terms of both quality and power, it was far inferior to this magic weapon longsword.

As expected, only a Golden Core cultivator can unleash the true power of a third-tier magic weapon.

In an instant.

A deep blue magic talisman in Lin Changsheng's hand shone with spiritual light!

A layer of deep blue mist enveloped his entire body, and a pure water-attribute aura permeated the air.

‘Wow! ’

Lin Changsheng turned into a puddle of liquid and merged into the water with a 'whoosh'.

'Ding! '

A clear, metallic clang rang out.

The Crimson Centipede used its hard exoskeleton to withstand the attack from a third-tier magic weapon.

'call! '

Immediately following, the Crimson Centipede raised its ferocious head, and a scorching crimson aura shot out from it. Qiu Zhenren hurriedly dodged, but his robes were still affected by the crimson aura, instantly melting away most of them, and the areas that came into contact with his skin were also scalded red.

Sensing the scorching heat, Master Qiu was shaken and hurriedly flew to the edge of the formation to reactivate his magic weapon.

"This...this doesn't seem like a newly ascended third-tier great demon!"

Qiu Zhenren looked at the Crimson Centipede with a mixture of surprise and anger.

"Hehe, it seems that Master Qiu is nothing special after all."

In the waters below, the water converged and transformed into Lin Changsheng's figure, who looked at Qiu Zhenren with a faint smile.

Although the Crimson Centipede had only recently advanced to the third tier of Great Demon, it had not been long since then.

However, within just a few years, Lin Changsheng fed it a large number of high-level beast cores at any cost, so its demonic power increased rapidly and was not much weaker than Qiu Zhenren's.

This phenomenon caused Master Qiu's face to turn ashen, and his gaze to become as cold and sinister as a venomous snake.

His internal energy surged, his face contorted with murderous intent, and suddenly he opened his mouth slightly, spitting out a small sword imbued with bloodthirsty energy!