Steady Mortal Path: Starting from Obtaining the Golden Core Inheritance

Chapter 286 A Visit, Wen Yao's Past

"Back in Qingmeng Immortal City, Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng made a pact with Wen Yao to refine pills. Who knew that Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng would disappear without a trace after that, leaving her to wait anxiously for several years. Speaking of which, that was the first time in Wen Yao's life that she had waited so eagerly for a man of the opposite sex."

"By the way, it seems that you were also given a token back then. It was the first time Wen Yao had given an item to a man. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng still has it on him?"

Shen Wenyao's hair was lightly tied up, revealing her fair neck. She had an elegant demeanor, yet her words were both coquettish and playful. With every smile and frown, she exuded a pure and innocent charm, like a lotus emerging from the water, which was captivating.

Hearing this, Lin Changsheng couldn't help but admire Shen Wenyao's understanding of men's psychology.

She's so good at it...

Generally speaking, being able to reminisce about the past with such a beautiful woman and to experience two of her "first times" in a row is a wonderful experience.

However, although Lin Changsheng only had a little over twenty years of life experience in his previous life, he lived in an era of information explosion, and his knowledge and experience regarding women were far richer than that of a Golden Core cultivator who had lived for hundreds of years.

They had already seen through Shen Wenyao's tricks.

He knew that Shen Wenyao, with her stunning beauty, was able to cultivate to the Golden Core stage all by herself, so she was definitely not just a pretty face or someone obsessed with love.

The other party is just deliberately creating a false impression of 'availability'.

If you take it seriously, then you've fallen into this woman's trap.

As for the original token, Lin Changsheng had long since lost it somewhere in the water.

“Now that you mention it, Fairy Shen, I do recall. After I left Qingmeng Immortal City, I was robbed by a group of river bandits. All my belongings were taken from me, and I had to travel far away to save myself. I had no choice but to break my promise, and I apologize for making you laugh at me, Fairy Shen.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Changsheng appeared to suddenly understand, then with a wry smile, he explained and recounted what had happened back then.

At the same time, he vaguely guessed that Shen Wenyao had come to him for a reason.

Lin Changsheng sensed a cold, medicinal aura emanating from her, which was most likely related to alchemy.

"I see. Wenyao said that Fellow Daoist Zhang Meng didn't seem like the type to leave a message, but it turns out he's in trouble."

Shen Wenyao raised her eyes, her gaze slightly worried, yet her voice was filled with tenderness as she spoke:

"However, it is a pity that you were able to meet Wen Yao at the Ghost Valley Sect many years later. It can be said that the fate was not over yet. I wonder if the promise you made back then still stands?"

After speaking, Shen Wenyao's bright eyes flickered as she observed Lin Changsheng.

"Of course it counts. Since I possess the art of alchemy, I am naturally happy to serve other fellow cultivators. Otherwise, where would a rogue cultivator like me get the resources to advance to the Golden Core realm?"

Lin Changsheng chuckled and said enthusiastically.

……

the other side.

He Dawei went into the side hall and refilled the tea three times.

Every time we went out, we would rush to the back of the mountain to share the latest news with the others.

"Fourth Junior Brother, how is it? Any progress on Master's side?"

"Fourth brother, tell me quickly."

Senior Brother Hao Chi, Han Jiuying, Lu Ming and the others gathered together, urging him anxiously.

"There's no movement. It seems that Master and Elder Huang...Shen have no intention of continuing down this path."

He Dawei's chubby little face was full of doubt.

"I'm so anxious! If Master could just stand up for himself and forcefully take down Elder Shen, our Netherworld Peak would have two Golden Core cultivators in the future. How awesome would that be!"

Lu Ming felt a sense of resentment towards his son's lack of ambition.

Having been bullied by disciples from other lineages since childhood, Lu Ming lacks a sense of security. Even now, with his cultivation improved and he has become a disciple of a Golden Core elder, he still wants to strengthen the Netherworld Spirit Peak.

In the past two years, Lu Ming has been practicing body-refining techniques, and his blood and qi have become much stronger. He has also grown taller and no longer looks like the little radish head he used to be.

“Junior brother, this concerns the important matter of our master’s Daoist partner. How can you only think about your own convenience? That’s not right.”

Hao Chi, the senior disciple with a square face, said a few words to Lu Ming, then changed the subject:

"However, given Elder Shen's qualifications, he is a good match for Master."

"I think Elder Shen must also have some feelings for Master, otherwise he wouldn't have come to visit Master at Mingling Peak as soon as he regained his original appearance, and he even dressed up specially."

Han Jiuying recalled seeing Elder Shen, who was like a fairy in a painting, half a day ago, making the other women feel inferior, and said softly.

……

Half a day later.

Shen Wenyao left Mingling Peak.

"This Elder Zhang Meng may look big and burly, but he is meticulous, clear-headed, and frighteningly rational."

Recalling her conversation with Lin Changsheng, Shen Wenyao pondered to herself.

He is a womanizer with refined taste, knows when to advance and retreat, is a fellow Golden Core cultivator, and possesses the skills of alchemy and talisman making. He is also quite adept at combat.

His only flaw was his appearance; he looked like a burly, villainous man.

For some reason, Shen Wenyao felt a little regretful.

From childhood to adulthood, she has enjoyed too many benefits from her beauty.

She was even accepted as a personal disciple by Hua Feilian, the master of Linglong Pavilion, which was largely due to her appearance, in addition to her talent.

From her master, she learned many ways to exploit men's desire for beauty to create benefits for herself.

One year, Master Hua Feilian encountered the Ziyang True Lord of the Ziyang Sect.

The master, confident in her outstanding appearance, naively believed in the sweet words of the True Lord Ziyang, thinking that he was completely captivated by her charms. So she abandoned Linglong Pavilion and ran to Ziyang Sect to become a concubine.

Since then, Master has never returned to Linglong Pavilion. Only from time to time, cultivators from Ziyang Sect would send Master handwritten letters describing his wonderful cultivation life in Ziyang Sect.

Until one day, a Golden Core cultivator who claimed to be a former admirer of his master mysteriously brought a jade slip containing a message.

After investigating the contents, Shen Wenyao realized that she had been deceived all these years.

The so-called "handwritten" letters from the master that were sent every now and then were nothing more than a means for True Lord Ziyang to deceive people.

It turns out that although True Lord Ziyang was a Nascent Soul cultivator, he had an extremely peculiar hobby: collecting all kinds of beautiful female cultivators.

Within the Daoist temple of True Monarch Ziyang, there is a massive palace specifically for imprisoning female cultivators, the lowest level of whom are all Foundation Establishment female cultivators.

After her master entered the Ziyang Sect, True Lord Ziyang imprisoned her and used her as a furnace for his own pleasure and indulgence.

Even some of Ziyang Zhenjun's close friends would occasionally be invited to his palace for a visit.

By the time Shen Wenyao learned the truth, it was too late.

The Ziyang Sect had long been secretly infiltrating the Linglong Pavilion and had also coveted Shen Wenyao for a long time.

Just as they were about to extend their evil clutches to Shen Wenyao, they were surprised to discover that she actually possessed a rare 'Mysterious Yin Constitution'.

This constitution provides a slight boost in cultivation, but its main benefit lies in assisting with sexual intercourse between men and women.

Female cultivators with this 'Mysterious Yin Constitution' can significantly help men break through their bottlenecks when they first consummate their marriage.

Furthermore, the higher the woman's cultivation level, the stronger the amplification effect of this first sexual encounter.

This discovery filled Ziyang Zhenjun with immense joy.

Although Shen Wenyao was spared for the time being after that, she was still treated as his own and was groomed to be his own.

This will serve as an opportunity for him to advance to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm in the future.

To make it easier to control Shen Wenyao, he also forced her to take a fourth-tier spiritual item called "Six Yang True Water".

This spiritual object is inherently incompatible with Shen Wenyao's yin constitution, and only Ziyang Zhenjun's nascent soul power can suppress it.

For decades after that, Shen Wenyao was controlled by Ziyang Zhenjun.

……

Side hall of Mingling Peak.

Disciple He Dawei sneaked in, only to meet Lin Changsheng's gaze.

"Master."

The chubby boy, He Dawei, called out respectfully.

As she spoke, her eyes kept glancing around the spot where Shen Wenyao had been sitting.

"Be more attentive in your work; what kind of behavior is it to be in such a rush all day?"

Lin Changsheng glared at him and gave him a stern warning.

I was utterly speechless.

His four disciples were far too careless, openly discussing matters at the foot of the side hall mountain with two Golden Core cultivators, including their own master.

Little did they know that every word of their conversation had reached the ears of Lin Changsheng and Shen Wenyao.

"Yes, disciple will follow Master's teachings."

He Dawei lowered his head and responded obediently.

Having followed his master for a long time, he had come to know him quite well.

Aside from looking fierce, they are actually quite approachable in private. As long as they complete the tasks assigned by their master, they will generally not be punished or harassed.

Of course, the prerequisite for easy access is that one must have the status of a registered disciple; otherwise, ordinary disciples within the peak would have no opportunity to contact their master on a regular basis.

After Lin Changsheng left, the four disciples filed into the side hall and each took on their respective duties, rummaging through the tables and chairs in the side hall as if searching for some kind of trace.

However, they ultimately returned disappointed and reached a consensus.

It seems their master has no plans to find them a wife yet.

……

Return to the cave.

Lin Changsheng pondered Shen Wenyao's visit and her request to refine elixirs.

He finally understood that back then, the Linglong Pavilion where Shen Wenyao worked, despite having alchemists, still secretly contacted outside alchemists in order to refine pills that could suppress the 'Six Yang True Water'.

They didn't even spare a second-tier alchemist like him.

It turns out that this involves Nascent Soul cultivators!

Lin Changsheng was extremely grateful for his decision to flee back then.

The saying "color is a steel knife that scrapes the bone" is indeed true.

If he had truly been attracted by Shen Wenyao's beauty and devoted all his efforts to refining pills for her, he would probably have been close to death.

True Lord Ziyang, a top cultivator in the Great Wilderness Marsh.

Shen Wenyao, who was regarded as the other party's exclusive property, would never allow anyone else to touch her.

Although it is unknown how Shen Wenyao escaped to this place, it is likely that after True Lord Ziyang learns of this, those who helped her refine pills will not fare well.

"However, this woman possesses the 'Mysterious Yin Physique,' which is quite rare."

Lin Changsheng was somewhat surprised.

Shen Wenyao's 'Mysterious Yin Constitution' was not revealed by her herself, but was accidentally sensed by Lin Changsheng when he suggested checking the 'Six Yang True Water' in her body.

Even Lin Changsheng was unaware of the term "Mysterious Yin Physique." However, when he channeled his magical power into Shen Wenyao's body, he suddenly felt a refreshing coolness that penetrated to the core, making his entire body feel joyful and causing him to shiver involuntarily.

Shen Wenyao clearly hadn't expected Lin Changsheng to have such keen perception. Considering that she needed his help, she hesitated for a long time before finally telling him the truth and asking him to keep it a secret afterward.

Before long, Lin Changsheng took out a newly copied 'ancient prescription' and began to study it carefully.

"Snow Ginseng Cold Jade Pill"

……

The waters of Yunmengze.

A remote, wild marshland.

A figure in white flew rapidly through the air, close to the water's surface.

Several feet below the water's surface, a huge black shadow followed closely behind the flying boat above.

The calm water surface was parted by this huge, impactful current, spreading and churning in both directions.

After catching up with the flying boat, a dark shadow suddenly leaped out of the water below, revealing itself to be a giant catfish demon about seven or eight zhang long!

Above, Lin Changsheng remained calm, holding a palm-sized blue-green flower, and urged the Water Cloud Boat to speed away.

He narrowly controlled the Water Cloud Boat and dodged the attack of the catfish demon.

Before he could even catch his breath, he discovered that several thick columns of water were rising from the surface of the water all around him, connecting above to form a huge water prison that trapped him inside.

“Human cultivator, you have only just entered the Golden Core stage. Considering the difficulty of your cultivation, I will leave the Cold Jade Flower behind and allow you to leave.”

Not far away, the water surface churned, and a huge catfish demon floated up, its demonic power overflowing. Its wide mouth opened and closed repeatedly, and a strange, dry male voice came out.

"Hmph, he's just a third-tier early-stage peak demon, what arrogance!"

Lin Changsheng was only somewhat surprised that this great demon could understand human language; the opponent's strength was not beyond his ability to handle.

As he spoke, Lin Changsheng raised his hand, took out a storage bag, and gently shook it.

In a flash of inspiration, a lifelike puppet of a half-grown child appeared.

"Hee hee~"

This puppet child emanated magical energy and could even stand steadily on the water's surface, emitting a mischievous laugh like a normal child.

Both their appearance and behavior are extremely similar to those of real children.

They are always able to anticipate the attacks of the catfish demon and easily neutralize or evade them.

With a mere wave of the hand, one can unleash a third-tier water-attribute spell attack.

This tiny puppet possessed the ability to control water on a small scale, and managed to break free of the catfish demon's water prison.

Seeing that the third-tier puppet was proving difficult to deal with, the catfish demon changed direction in the water and flew towards Lin Changsheng at an extremely fast speed!

At the same time, using its affinity for water, it conjured countless octopus tentacles from the water to bind Lin Changsheng to the spot.

The enormous catfish demon pressed down, seemingly wanting to swallow the human alive in one gulp.

Lin Changsheng smiled faintly, and suddenly an astonishing burst of blood energy erupted from his body, allowing him to break free of his restraints with minimal effort.

'boom! ’

The next moment, a deafening collision rang out, and the catfish demon's body flew high into the sky.

Before it even fell into the water, a clear chirping sound echoed throughout the nearby waters.

A magnificent and extraordinary wind crow flew over, its sharp claws firmly piercing the body of the catfish demon!

The two great demons struggled and fought in the sky.

Lin Changsheng glanced at the 'Frosty Jade Flower' in his hand, which was emitting a cool aura, and put it into a box he had prepared in advance, carefully sealing it.

This is one of the main ingredients used to refine the 'Snow Ginseng Cold Jade Pill' for Shen Wenyao.

Normally, alchemists are only responsible for refining pills; the materials are provided by the customers themselves.

It's rare to see someone like Lin Changsheng, who not only refines pills but also searches for materials.

The reason is simple: Shen Wenyao gave her far too much.

Unexpectedly, after leaving Linglong Pavilion, she transferred all the resources that had been accumulated in the pavilion over the years.

As for the other main ingredient, 'Jade Dragon Snow Ginseng', Shen Wenyao personally went out to search for it.