Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age

This time, quite a few cultivators have managed to obtain the Turtle Shell Map, which means that the Cultivation Cave Mansion where the Profound Turtle Alchemist passed away is most likely right here.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for so many Turtle Shell Maps to appear all at once.

"By the way, there’s something I need to tell you all."

Lu Chang’sheng informed the others about having secured a spot in Heaven-Burning Valley. The few had just returned a short while ago, and in their poor state, hadn’t heard the news. Hearing Lu Chang’sheng say this, they were stunned for a long moment.

Then came a wave of overwhelming joy.

"Such an important event, we must definitely hold a banquet!" Several elders clapped their hands, intending to make it official.

Fortunately, Lu Chang’sheng declined in time.

He truly had no plans to deal with such socializing for the time being.

"I still need time for alchemy. If I’m delayed, I’m afraid everyone’s plans to explore the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s secret cave mansion will be difficult to realize."

"That’s true!"

The elders dropped the idea of a banquet. However, Lu Chang’sheng becoming an elder absolutely had to be announced.

In response, Lu Chang’sheng tried to stop them a few times, but seeing their determined expressions, he immediately understood.

The elders were trying to tie White Cloud Pavilion and himself together, fearing that after going to Heaven-Burning Valley, he’d sever ties with White Cloud Pavilion.

Seeing this, Lu Chang’sheng smiled and said, "Rest assured, everyone. White Cloud Pavilion has shown great kindness to me, Lu Chang’sheng. No matter what happens, I will always remember this favor."

The elders beamed from ear to ear, chatting with Lu Chang’sheng late into the night before parting ways.

"Elder Xiao really has a keen eye. If it weren’t for you back then, we’d have missed talent like this," Elder Li said, comforted as he gazed toward where Lu Chang’sheng had disappeared.

"Sigh~ Rather than say I have an eye for talent, it’s more that Fellow Daoist Lu willed it so." There was a touch of pride in Xiao Feng’s eyes, but then his expression turned more reflective.

Thinking back over all that happened with Lu Chang’sheng, he realized he’d always been pretty passive—almost every opportunity was orchestrated by Lu Chang’sheng himself. Purposely, yes, yet Xiao Feng couldn’t be annoyed.

In his view, cultivating immortality requires ambition and struggle; otherwise, no matter how good the wine, it would still be lost to a hidden alley.

"By the way, as for this exploration, Fellow Daoist Xiao, maybe you should sit this one out? With Chang’sheng watching your backs, if you persist a few more years, perhaps you can finally cure Fellow Daoist Liu’s ailment!" Elder Guo said.

"Let’s wait and see." Xiao Feng hesitated for a moment.

At his age, he wasn’t afraid of risks. The last time the Supreme Profound Sect conscripted, he’d crossed Purple Ice Lake himself as a late-stage Qi Cultivator.

But this time was different. Not only was Supreme Profound Sect involved, even the Good Beast Sect and Guiyuan Sect had joined in.

The three great sects are no easy bunch; there’s open and covert rivalry among them.

Just as he’d thought, the path to immortality is all about striving. If Supreme Profound Sect wants more Immortal Cities, it’ll have to fight the two older sects for them.

Besides, wandering cultivators like Daoist Huanglong, Fuhua Zhenren, Daoist Chi Yan, and others can’t be underestimated either.

Other than Daoist Huanglong, the rest are all famed Foundation Establishment cultivators in Guangnan Domain. White Cloud Pavilion and even the Immortal Sects dare not underestimate Fuhua Zhenren and Daoist Chi Yan.

There are also plenty of evil cultivators lurking in the shadows, slacking off wherever they can.

This year’s exploration is bound to be more perilous than the last.

Walking the streets, Lu Chang’sheng couldn’t help but notice the reverent gazes following him, making him acutely aware of how his reputation had changed from days past.

It had been months since passing Heaven-Burning Valley’s assessment, and many rank-and-file cultivators had gotten wind of it through various channels. Now knowing how formidable Heaven-Burning Valley was, even the most unruly cultivators dared not discuss Lu Chang’sheng carelessly in public.

"New portrait here! Latest portrait of the Lu Family Patriarch, Lu Chang’sheng!"

The shout drew several bottom-rung cultivators over to the stall.

"Is it legit?"

"Of course it’s legit! The Patriarch looks exactly like the real person in this portrait. Only one low-grade spirit stone and it’s yours!"

The vendor bantered warmly with several cultivators.

A few cultivators showed some hesitation, but soon left. Portrait-selling was never an exclusive trade. For those at the bottom, after a few years they could ferret out six or seven tenths of the real face from rumors anyway, so long as they didn’t mistake the person, they didn’t fear offending an Immortal.

The vendor, seeing everyone leave, wasn’t particularly disappointed. In his trade, he was used to this. Selling these items was just an extra way to make a little money.

Sometimes, selling even one copy in a few days was pretty good.

He was about to lower his head and peruse his jade scrolls, when suddenly someone said, "Give me one."

The vendor was delighted and was about to speak when he realized the customer’s face looked familiar. Suddenly, he remembered the portrait he’d drawn just yesterday, and his own face drained pale as death.

"Lu... Lu Family Patriarch——"

"No need to be nervous." Seeing how deathly pale the vendor had become, Lu Chang’sheng felt a wave of emotion. This is how cautious those at the bottom had to be.

Just like himself when he’d first arrived here, all those years ago.

He picked up a scroll, left a few spirit stones, and disappeared in a few long strides.

······

"This portrait really is impressive." Lu Chang’sheng flipped through his own image as he walked. It was lifelike, even refined in parts, making his features seem even more dimensional and realistic.

"I was expecting a rough sketch!"

He stored the portrait with his treasure vault Immortal Insects—to keep as a souvenir. Soon he arrived in front of White Cloud Pharmacy.

"Alchemist Lu!"

"Alchemist Lu!"

As he walked the well-trodden path inside, every alchemist he passed was extremely respectful.

Even those who disliked Lu Chang’sheng made sure to stay clear of his way.

Becoming a Heaven-Burning Valley disciple was a power too great to resist. Anyone with a brain wouldn’t make an enemy out of him now.

Though it wasn’t the first time he’d seen such a scene, Lu Chang’sheng couldn’t suppress a feeling of emotion.

Qingshui Pavilion was more lively than before, with several beautiful female cultivators moving about the courtyard. When Lu Chang’sheng approached, a female cultivator stepped out to meet him at the door.

"Please stop here, Alchemist Lu!"

The doors swung open, with the female cultivator standing in the middle, giving a small bow.

But she couldn’t help a ripple of envy in her heart.

She’d sold her own body just to help entertain guests for the two Heaven-Burning Valley Immortals, while Lu Chang’sheng earned his place among the Heaven-Burning Valley Immortals by sheer skill and talent.

His future was limitless.

It was a pity that in the past, she’d tried to become Lu Chang’sheng’s concubine, even just a maidservant pouring tea, but Lu Chang’sheng had had no interest in her.

She felt a bit jealous inside, but didn’t dare show it.

Lu Chang’sheng paused in his steps.

"Are the two Immortals not in?"

"They are, but right now the Immortals are refining pills. Until they’ve finished, no one may enter."

Lu Chang’sheng silently breathed a sigh of relief, though the sense of unease in his chest only grew stronger.

He remained silent in thought.

Alchemy should be conducted in the Alchemy Room, yet here he was, blocked at the gate.

It seemed to hint at something unspoken.

"Alchemist Lu, are you here as well?"

Lu Chang’sheng turned to the voice and saw Liu Jiu approaching with several elders from the White Cloud Mountain Range.

"I heard the two Immortals have returned, so I came to pay my respects," Lu Chang’sheng said.

"That’s only proper."

Liu Jiu nodded.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, then Liu Jiu asked if Lu Chang’sheng had any intent to return to the White Cloud Mountain Range.

Lu Chang’sheng shook his head in refusal.

He’d spent plenty of time at White Cloud Mountain Range, long enough to get the measure of Liu Jiu and the other higher-ups. To them, bottom-tier alchemists were just tools to be squeezed dry. Such cold and indifferent dispositions were no kind for close friendship.

By contrast, things were more comfortable over at White Cloud Pavilion.

Seeing this, Liu Jiu dropped the topic and waited patiently.

It was a full hour before Lu Chang’sheng was let into Qingshui Pavilion and got to meet Cao Wei.

After presenting some spiritual objects and spirit tea, Lu Chang’sheng noticed Cao Wei seemed impatient and promptly bid farewell.

"Could this matter stir up trouble again?" Leaving the gate, he frowned.

Just then, an unexpected figure appeared before him.

"Give it up—those in Immortal Sects are nothing if not prideful!"