Chapter 413: Grandfather Secretly Formed a Golden Core

By the way, with your current strength, how many magic beasts can you at most summon and contract?

Lin Meng suddenly thought of this question, and after seeing Ye Xiu safely arrive at school, she casually asked it out.

Ye Xiu didn't think much and replied:

"I can still contract one more; my ability is rather special, at the same realm I can contract one more summoned beast than other summoners."

Lin Meng thought for a moment and then said:

"Alright, I'll go find another one for you; what type do you want?"

Ye Xiu froze, and after reacting he felt both excited and nervous.

Older sister has already given him too much help; how could he still feel embarrassed to make a request?

Thus Ye Xiu quickly shook his head and said:

"I like all the magic beasts older sister gave me, but I already have Obsidian and am quite satisfied; older sister, you don't need to worry for my sake."

He doesn't want older sister to always be giving.

Given his current situation, he still lacks the strength to let older sister rely on him; what older sister has, he doesn't have; what older sister doesn't have, he has even less.

Every time he thinks of this, a feeling of helplessness wells up in Ye Xiu's heart.

Older sister must think he's too weak, which is why she constantly thinks of helping him; this care has instead become a sweet burden in his heart.

However, Ye Xiu has never told Lin Meng his true inner thoughts; he fears older sister will think he overthinks, so each time he only dares to silently think to himself.

Lin Meng lightly furrowed her brows, roughly able to guess Ye Xiu's reason for refusing—nothing more than worrying about troubling her.

However, this really isn't much trouble; the one running errands is Ye Fan, and she just has to move her lips.

As for Ye Fan's side, I can only first say sorry.

After all, among these three worlds, the cultivation world is indeed the most tempting to her, and things there are also the most valuable.

Thus Lin Meng could only speak firmly:

"No refusing; it's just one beast, older sister can afford it—think carefully, what type do you want for the second one?"

Ye Xiu didn't expect older sister to be so domineering, but he actually likes this kind of domineering!

"Older sister, you're really too good to me; then I'd like one with stronger defense, but if it's hard to find, just give me any—I'm not picky."

As long as it's given by older sister, even if it's a blood‑sucking worm, he would treasure it like a jewel.

Lin Meng didn't know what Ye Xiu was thinking; hearing him say he wanted a defensive type, she immediately nodded and said:

"Alright, just wait; older sister will definitely get it for you."

Lin Meng feared that if she stayed a moment longer, this kid would start saying some sappy, gratitude‑inducing words, so she decisively chose to leave.

Anyway, the purpose of this trip was just to check on Ye Xiu's condition; seeing that not only had his strength increased, but he had also become more sturdy, she felt relieved.

Ye Xiu still wanted to spend a bit more time with older sister, enjoying this rare time alone together, but older sister is always busy; she didn't stay a moment before leaving again—saying he wasn't disappointed would be a lie.

But he knows older sister has her own affairs to attend to; if he constantly wants to cling to her, older sister will definitely think he's a bother.

A mature man should also have his own career; being a useless clingy person will eventually be despised.

Older sister is so strong and so good to him; if he remains unsatisfied and still wants more companionship, that's truly worthless—even he himself would come to despise himself.

What he should do right now is strive to improve himself, seeking to soon be able to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with older sister, becoming her blade in the charge.

After Lin Meng left the Strange World, that very night she burned some paper money for the netherworld, and sure enough, grandfather came to her in a dream.

The first thing Old Sir said upon seeing her was:

"Good granddaughter, are you bringing cultivation resources for grandfather?"

Lin Meng didn't stand on ceremony, tossing the Nine‑Eyed Heavenly Pearl to grandfather.

She's anyway used to it; grandfather now surely isn't short of money, otherwise he'd be coming to beg in dreams every few days.

Now the number of dream visits can be counted on one's fingers; unless she actively burns paper money, grandfather will become extremely aloof.

Old Sir gave a hehe laugh, said nothing more, and turned to go into the inner room.

Now the two of them have formed a tacit understanding; while Old Sir goes to transfer the souls out of the Nine‑Eyed Heavenly Pearl, Lin Meng waits in the main hall, no longer thinking about going out to explore.

This Underworld certainly cannot allow a living person like her to barge in; if she really did, it would not only bring trouble to grandfather, but she herself might also be affected, after all she is still alive.

As for what grandfather does in the Underworld, Lin Meng couldn't be bothered to look into it right now.

This old fox is quite crafty; when he wants money he cries with snot and tears, calling her 'good granddaughter' affectionately, but as soon as she asks about anything else, he plays dumb and won't utter a single extra word.

Lin Meng understands that here there are its rules; grandfather is both following the rules and surely also protecting her.

When it's time for her to know, grandfather will surely say so.

Old Sir's strength should have increased, his speed markedly improved; he didn't keep Lin Meng waiting long, and shortly returned with the Nine‑Eyed Heavenly Pearl to the front hall.

"Xiao Meng, the quality of these souls is quite good this time; grandfather is very satisfied, so we'll proceed according to this standard."

Lin Meng had heard this line before; Old Sir really dares to say it.

"Understood, grandfather; you've granddaughter been working so hard—shouldn't you reveal what your current strength is?"

This time Old Sir didn't dodge the question; after thinking, he said:

"Grandfather's current strength should be in the Ghost Elixir Realm, I suppose; but lately things outside haven't been peaceful, so grandfather hasn't gone for an exact test."

Upon hearing that, Lin Meng was startled; the realm of ghost cultivators seems different from that of spirit cultivators.

But this Ghost Elixir Realm probably isn't what she imagined, right?

"Grandfather, what exactly is the Ghost Elixir Realm cultivation? Could you demonstrate it?"

Old Sir flatly refused: "Your Yang Soul couldn't withstand it; let me think how to explain it to you."

"Right!" Old Sir slapped his forehead and looked at Lin Meng.

"Xiao Meng should be in contact with a cultivation realm, right? You certainly know cultivators' realms; grandfather's current Ghost Elixir Realm should correspond to cultivators' Golden Core Realm."

"What? Grandfather, you really formed a golden core?!"

Lin Meng had merely guessed; since every realm contains the word 'elixir', perhaps it's similar to Golden Core, but she never really thought her own grandfather could be that powerful.

After all that, Grandfather's cultivation had long surpassed hers; she's still stuck at early Foundation Establishment, while Grandfather is already a Golden Core ghost cultivator!

Grandfather, that's not righteous of you—while I'm still helping you gather a huge number of souls, neglecting my own cultivation, you actually went and formed your Golden Core behind my back!

The old man stroked his beard and glared, instantly seeing that Lin Meng hadn't been cultivating properly.

I, your grandfather, started cultivating long before you even began; in fact, I've been at it for ages.

And one more thing—it's not Grandfather criticizing you; if you were just a bit more diligent, you wouldn't be lagging this far behind.

Little Meng, only by enduring the bitterest hardships can one become superior; cultivation relies three parts on talent and seven on effort—you need to work harder!

Lin Meng: "……"

Just saying that, Grandfather launched into his usual lecture.

As expected, Great Uncle is still Great Uncle—even though he's become a ghost cultivator, he still remembers that saying about enduring bitterness to rise above others.

Lin Meng nodded in agreement, but didn't fully take in the old man's words; she felt that cultivation wasn't three parts talent and seven parts effort, but at least five and five.

One also needs to factor in luck.

Still, Grandfather's words aren't entirely wrong—effort is never mistaken.

It seems she also needs to seize the time to cultivate.