The Qi Cultivation Stage is just a brush with the Immortal Flavor.
But during the Foundation Establishment Stage, the Dao Essence exclusive to Mountain Master Disciples becomes so saturated with Immortal Qi that it resembles the very blood of an Immortal Descendant.
In the subsequent Core Formation and Golden Core Realms, a Cultivator becomes increasingly similar to an Immortal Descendant.
The higher one’s Cultivation, the more unimaginable the backlash from attempting to desert the Immortal Sect would likely be.
’That’s why I have to learn from Xie Yutang. If you’re going to run, you have to do it early. Wait too long, and it won’t be so easy.’
"I should regulate my breathing first..."
Lin Shu reined in his thoughts, his gaze shifting away from the Calamity-Crossing Cyan Simurgh.
Just a moment ago, he had spent four thousand Sin Coins to raise both his Taiyin Blood Illumination and Fierce Lion Burning Blood Technique to First Grade Perfection.
He didn’t neglect the Thunder Technique, which was still at the Eighth Grade, either.
He poured another four thousand Sin Coins into it, raising that to First Grade Perfection as well.
The more Magical Combat he engaged in, the more Lin Shu came to understand the importance of having a wide arsenal of techniques.
It was like rock-paper-scissors; as long as his Realm wasn’t high enough to simply overwhelm his opponents, having one more option could be the difference between life and death.
But now he faced a dilemma.
With 8,800 Sin Coins remaining, he could only afford to choose one technique and attempt to evolve it into a Golden Core Technique.
His gaze swept over the Filthy Moon Wolf Lord, the Jade-Boned Golden Lion, and the wisp of black, serpentine energy.
In the end, it settled on the Golden Lion Statue.
’With my current Cultivation, it’d be impossible to activate a Golden Core Technique.’
’Even if I could borrow power from the Wolf Lord and the Cyan Simurgh, I’d have to repay them with Merit and Sin Coins.’
’Yu Qiheng was worth eight thousand, and saving the Cloud Dragon Demon Monarch earned me six thousand.’
’That means the threshold for Golden Core is likely five thousand, and replenishing its Magical Power would require a similar amount in Merit and Sin Coins.’
Faced with such a steep price, the Body Tempering Technique—which consumed no Spiritual Power—seemed incredibly appealing.
’Borrowing external power is ultimately no substitute for one’s own strength.’
’Besides, it just evolved into a Half-Life Immortal Technique.’
"It’s you, then."
It was pure fantasy to think he could defeat a true Golden Core Powerhouse with just one or two Golden Core Techniques.
He’d seen from the previous Magical Combat in the sky that such battles could easily last for hours without a clear winner.
But he could first focus on simply surviving an encounter with one.
Lin Shu glanced at the hideous scar still etched across his chest and began pouring the remaining eight thousand-odd Sin Coins, bit by bit, into the Jade-Boned Golden Lion Statue.
Spending Sin Coins was an extremely perilous affair.
And this was an immense windfall.
Even when spending the previous eight thousand, he had been upgrading Immortal Techniques he’d already mastered.
To avoid letting the resulting agitation cloud his mind, he had done it in batches, taking a full seven days.
This was all the more true for forcibly evolving an unknown Golden Core Body Tempering Technique with Sin Coins.
The slightest misstep could send him spiraling back into that near-frenzied state—or even something worse.
Lin Shu didn’t rush. As he felt the Immortal Technique scroll transform within his mind, he leisurely watched the passing scenery.
After seven days of frenzied flight, the Wind-Riding Cyan Simurgh was now far from the Border Region.
Villages dotted the roadside, and occasionally, they passed large county seats that dwarfed Black Water City, nearly making him mistake one for Anren Prefecture City.
The disciples were weary from the desperate flight, exhaustion etched on every face.
But upon reaching this area, a hint of joy finally returned to their eyes.
"Senior Brother Lin, are you all right?"
"We’re almost there."
Yan Jin flew up, rising to the same height as Yu Sheng.
She had just returned from a nearby county seat, bringing with her freshly brewed Spirit Tea. She poured a cup with care, then took out an assortment of local delicacies.
While everyone else was fleeing for their lives, looking as haggard as refugees, Lin Shu leaned against Yu Sheng, leisurely sipping warm Spirit Tea. He even had a "Maid" to wipe his face, looking as relaxed as a young nobleman on a scenic tour.
"Ooh..."
The little chicklet had just admonished herself a few days ago, resolving to grow up quickly.
But looking at the delicacies in Yan Jin’s hands, she couldn’t help but gulp.
’So hungry.’
’But Lin Shu is injured. I absolutely can’t get distracted by these things. I have to get him to safety as quickly as possible.’
"..."
Lin Shu glanced at Yu Sheng, the corners of his mouth twitching upward.
He wasn’t trying to be lazy, nor was he deliberately bullying the little one.
However, if you’re going to put on an act, you have to go all the way.
Once they returned to Yongzhou Prefecture, word of her conduct along the way would be spread by the disciples of the various families.
KREEE!
Just then, with a clear cry that only Lin Shu could hear, the Calamity-Crossing Cyan Simurgh Illusion above his head swelled to several times its size, then shrank back into a palm-sized Cyan Sparrow that landed on his index finger.
"Golden Core?"
Lin Shu carefully sensed its aura.
It was considerably weaker than the two Demon Monarchs, but compared to himself, the difference was like that between the clouds and the mud. He was hopelessly outclassed.
’It most likely just crossed the threshold, making it equivalent to an Early-stage Golden Core Cultivation, having formed a Third-Turned Spirit Firming True Pill.’
’In any case, even if he had no Merit Coins to replenish its Magical Power, as a single-use consumable, it was still an incredibly precious, life-saving trump card.’
"Go on back."
With a light flick of his finger, Lin Shu dismissed the Little Cyan Sparrow’s illusion.
He gazed into the distance.
At the very edge of his vision, he could already make out the silhouette of a magnificent city.
Yan Jin, Gu Nanzhi, and Lu Yun had all once been disciples of the Chen Family in Anren Prefecture.
For this reason, Lin Shu had chosen it as his first stop upon entering Yongzhou.
He just wondered what sort of assignment could be exchanged for Yu Sheng’s merits and the reputation gained by rescuing these disciples.
Normally, the Yu Family would be responsible for arranging such matters.
But the couple responsible for the little one, Yu Qiheng and Yu Xin, had both tragically died at the hands of a Demon Evil. With no parents to pave the way for her, her future now depended entirely on what the Yu Family arranged.

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