Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age

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After the New Year passed, the bone-chilling cold winds did not die down; instead, they became even more unruly. Usually, the entire Platinum Immortal City would give off a sense of "desolation and emptiness," but right now, figures wrapped in thick garments were weaving through the various markets and streets.

The Lu Mansion was bustling with visitors, many coming to offer New Year’s greetings. In the Spirit Realm, there is also this custom, much like in Great Yuan.

Thinking carefully, it’s clear enough why things are so similar.

"After all, Great Yuan was once part of the Spirit Realm a long time ago. It makes perfect sense for the cultures to be alike."

Lu Chang’sheng had just declined a cultivator’s request, finally freeing up some time for himself. Watching the lively chaos outside, he could only feel helpless.

Anyone with the strength to join in the upcoming search would at least be in the late stage of Qi Cultivation; some were at the mid-stage, but very few dared to show up in person.

After all, Lu Mansion had two late-stage Qi Cultivators present. If they couldn’t offer enough compensation for Lu Chang’sheng to refine the Clarity Pill, it’d be awkward for them to even walk in the door.

And quite a few late-stage Qi Cultivators didn’t fulfill the requirements either.

Even if they did, Lu Chang’sheng still refused them. The pill orders he’d already accepted had pushed him to his limit—unless they were willing to wait even longer.

If new searches were to resume as soon as the new year began, those now asking Lu Chang’sheng to refine the Clarity Pill would have to accept a wait of up to five months.

The Purple Ice Lake region was vast; in the past, many had braved it. If the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s cave-dwelling were so easy to find, it would have been discovered long ago—so most cultivators were willing to accept these conditions.

"It’s madness!"

Lu Chang’sheng sighed emotionally.

This was undoubtedly a gamble—what they were betting on was simply whether they’d make it in time.

Lu Chang’sheng figured that, timing-wise, it should still be manageable. After all, the Supreme Profound Immortal Sect had already been searching for several months; a few more months wouldn’t make it impossible.

But with one person’s arrival, he began to question that assumption.

"I came this time hoping Alchemist Lu could help us refine the Clarity Pill." The visitor was none other than Gu Shuang, accompanied by the Gu Family’s Patriarch, Gu Long.

Lu Chang’sheng received them in the guest courtyard.

He sent for spirit tea and spirit fruit to be served.

"Alchemist Lu, you don’t need to be so formal." Gu Long’s expression was warm and friendly, which left the accompanying Gu family cultivators rather moved.

The Gu Family was the uncrowned king of Platinum Immortal City. As the family patriarch, Gu Long had always been proud and aloof—he’d never shown such warmth to an ordinary Qi Cultivator’s family.

Still, considering the person before them was now a Heaven-Burning Valley disciple, such an attitude was only reasonable.

"There were several urgent matters in the family earlier, so I hadn’t come by to visit. I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Now that the New Year’s just passed, I hurried over as soon as I could," Gu Long said with a smile.

"Patriarch Gu, you’re too kind." Lu Chang’sheng felt uneasy—not because he couldn’t handle Gu Long’s posture, but rather because he knew his own Heaven-Burning Valley disciple status would probably be lost soon, and he couldn’t guess what face Gu Long would show when that happened.

They chatted idly for a bit before Gu Long got to the point.

"The main reason I’m here is still to ask Alchemist Lu to refine the Clarity Pill for us."

"Oh? Doesn’t the Gu Family have their own alchemists capable of making the Clarity Pill?" Lu Chang’sheng asked, surprised.

The last time there was a search, Gu Shuang had wanted him to help with the pill, but, possibly due to family interference, gave up.

Besides, with the Gu Family being in Supreme Profound Sect’s orbit, and given the number and quality of their alchemists, they couldn’t possibly lack a few Clarity Pills.

Seeing Lu Chang’sheng’s puzzlement, Gu Long frowned slightly. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t bother explaining these matters, but considering Lu Chang’sheng’s status, he spoke up anyway.

"Alchemist Lu might not know—right now, the Immortal City is a mixed bag; to deal with outsiders, we Gu Family have called many members back, which has slowed down our alchemists’ Clarity Pill production."

"I see."

Lu Chang’sheng kept a poker face, but a suspicion was growing inside—Gu Family had several top-notch alchemists; even if they weren’t as fast as he was, they could surely make the pills if given ten extra days or so.

Each batch yielded four to five pills at least—enough for ten or twenty late-stage Qi Cultivators, no problem.

"Either the Gu Family is sending a large group to Purple Ice Lake this time, or they’ve learned something—this search might not last too long."

But all of that, ultimately, had nothing to do with him.

"Patriarch Gu, I don’t mind refining the pill—but at this point, my orders are already backed up five months—"

"Don’t worry. I’ll handle that."

Gu Long finally revealed a patriarch’s assertiveness, waving his hand as he spoke with authority.

Seeing Lu Chang’sheng still furrow his brow, Gu Long realized his previous actions must have soured Lu Chang’sheng’s heart. He felt displeased but didn’t show it.

Instead, he had Gu Shuang take out several jade scrolls. "Our Gu Family has a thousand-year history, and in that time, we’ve had dozens of outstanding alchemists in the clan. I’d heard Alchemist Lu has an interest in alchemy jade scrolls, so I picked out a few from our treasure vault—hopefully they’ll suit your taste."

"Patriarch Gu, you’re too generous. You’d better keep the jade scrolls—the alchemy request, I’ll accept," Lu Chang’sheng replied, feeling mixed emotions.

When all’s said and done, the earlier issue was a trivial matter. He saw no reason to make an enemy of the Gu Family over it.

A hint of satisfaction appeared on Gu Long’s face as he left with Gu Shuang.

Outside the Lu Mansion, Gu Long pondered for a moment, then said, "What’s your impression of Lu Chang’sheng?"

"He has outstanding talent in alchemy," Gu Shuang answered instinctively, slightly surprised at the question.

That wasn’t what Gu Long wanted to hear. "Talent in alchemy is only surface-level—his true value is in knowing himself and others."

As Patriarch, Gu Long had met many who rose from obscurity to the Immortal Sects, but rarely had he seen someone so calm as Lu Chang’sheng.

"Pity I misjudged him before." Gu Long sighed, secretly a bit regretful.

Gu Shuang shook her head. "That was just a minor matter."

It really was; given the Gu Family’s weight, unless the other party was a fool, it was unthinkable to fall out over such a trifle.

Lu Chang’sheng’s manner earlier had shown that as well.

But Gu Long shook his head. "I’m not talking about that—but about the chance to bring Lu Chang’sheng into the sect."

As Gu Long explained, Gu Shuang learned for the first time that, not long ago, Wang Futian had been doing everything he could to lure Lu Chang’sheng into the Supreme Profound Sect.

But even Wang Futian’s master, once he learned the details, wouldn’t agree, only giving evasive excuses.

In the end, Wang Futian turned to the Gu Family.

Gu Long had personally received him, but responded vaguely to his request.

Looking back, had they agreed, the Gu Family’s place in Supreme Profound Sect would now be unshakable.

Gu Shuang fell into a brief trance, not realizing the story had these twists.

A touch of regret stirred in her heart as well.

At their peak, the Gu Family had three Foundation Establishment ancestors in Supreme Profound Sect—but that had been several centuries ago.

Now, the Gu Family still had two Foundation Establishment ancestors, but one was already nearing the end—that was why the family kept such a low profile these days.

"One more thing—this concerns you personally—"

Gu Long suddenly changed the subject, causing Gu Shuang’s slender brows to rise.

"Uncle, maybe you should focus more on the family’s affairs."

A hint of displeasure flashed across Gu Long’s face. "From my perspective, Alchemist Lu would be a perfectly suitable match for you—why do you insist on focusing on that other man?"

Gu Shuang’s pretty face turned cold. "Weren’t you the one who agreed to that match in the first place?"

Gu Long’s expression stiffened—he, as Patriarch, would never act out of petty emotion. The man he referred to was Supreme Profound Sect’s True Disciple, the top talent of his generation, Xiao Yan.

The reason Gu Long agreed at that time was that Xiao Yan indeed had what it took, but unfortunately, even now, the two hadn’t come together.

"Alchemist Lu will very likely attain Second Grade Alchemist status in the future. Whether for our family or for you, that’s a powerful asset." Gu Long tried persuading again.

Seeing his tone soften, Gu Shuang also withdrew her sharpness.

"Relax, Junior Brother Xiao Yan is favored by Master Kong. In the future, he’ll only surpass Alchemist Lu."

Gu Shuang was no naif—when choosing a Dao partner, strength and potential weighed heavily in her mind.

And in her eyes, Xiao Yan was in no way inferior to Lu Chang’sheng. If not for the connection between Master Baiyun, White Cloud Pavilion, and the White Cloud Mountain Range, Heaven-Burning Valley might never have taken in Lu Chang’sheng.

"Zhou Lin of White Cloud Mountain Range has reached Foundation Establishment. I should pay him a visit tomorrow."

Gu Long said this.

He actually agreed with Gu Shuang’s opinion.

"As for Lu Chang’sheng—I’ll look for another candidate from the family."

Gu Shuang nodded, showing she approved of Gu Long’s approach.