Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age

As the days passed, at last, Lu Chang’sheng’s earlier worries came true.

A few days later, word from the White Cloud Pharmacy spread: Lu Chang’sheng’s disciple slot in Heaven-Burning Valley had been revoked. After weighing their options, the two Valley Immortals ultimately favored Zhou Lin, whose reputation had been roaring lately.

The news caused an uproar throughout Platinum Immortal City.

Countless people were stunned.

Soon after, the schadenfreude started pouring in.

"It’s true, but there’s no need to dwell on it."

Faced with his wife and children’s concern, Lu Chang’sheng didn’t hide it; he acknowledged it outright.

Li Nangua’s eyes sparked with a hint of anger.

The whole affair made her recall the humiliation of being expelled from Fuyun Mountain.

Lu Chang’sheng watched her trembling slightly, and quietly comforted her, "It’s alright."

He himself felt a measure of rage as well, but he knew—anger was useless. Aside from Heaven-Burning Valley’s strength, even Cao Wei himself was a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator.

With Lu Chang’sheng’s gentle reassurance, everyone’s spirits lifted, just a little.

No one knew that, when he returned to his cultivation chamber, Lu Chang’sheng’s eyes held a fleeting chill.

He’d actually prepared for this, but when it finally happened, he realized it wasn’t something he could swallow so easily.

"Perhaps, in their eyes, I’m not even worth considering."

He glanced out the door. Pale snowflakes drifted down in silence; the cold wind bit to the bone.

······

Soon after, Xiao Feng and the others came by to offer comfort to Lu Chang’sheng.

"The problem isn’t you,"

said Xiao Feng.

The others didn’t utter complaints or blame; Lu Chang’sheng had already lived up to their hopes.

Unfortunately, man proposes and Heaven disposes. Who could’ve guessed Zhou Lin would break through to Foundation Establishment now?

Just over twenty years ago, Zhou Lin was only at Qi Cultivation Layer Seven.

"No idea what price Liu Jiu and the rest paid to get Zhou Lin from Qi Layer Seven to Layer Nine in just two decades."

As for Foundation Establishment itself, they weren’t much surprised.

Zhou Lin’s Immortal Dao Root Bone was decent, and decades ago, White Cloud Cave Mansion even bought a Foundation Pill from Supreme Profound Sect at auction.

If luck was on his side, stepping into Foundation Establishment wasn’t impossible.

"It’s a long night. We’ll be going to brave Purple Ice Lake soon. How about a drink to warm ourselves tonight?"

Elder Li produced some spirit wine.

A carved jade bottle, inside thick with swirling spiritual qi, Immortal Brew contained.

The bottle was sealed with talisman paper.

Once it was torn off, there’d be no preserving that pure flavor.

"Not sure if Chang’sheng’s up for it?"

Xiao Feng’s gaze drifted, then landed on Lu Chang’sheng.

"Wouldn’t dare spoil your fun," Lu Chang’sheng replied with a smile.

The group promptly settled in the pavilion, taking out jade cups and pouring the wine.

"You, always stingy with that carved Immortal Brew—every time we ask, you act like we want your lifeblood. Yet suddenly today, you bring it out willingly," Elder Guo gulped, face full of bliss.

Already reaching for a refill.

Elder Li shot him a glare. "Times aren’t what they used to be. If we don’t drink now, are we supposed to wait until we’re on our deathbeds?"

The mood instantly stalled.

Elder Guo glared back, "Bad luck, bad luck! Enough with the dying talk. Let me take a look at you with my Dharma Eye—hey~all of you have long lifespans."

"You’re a slick one, but, yeah, it’s good stuff."

Elder Li laughed heartily.

Lu Chang’sheng watched it all, full of feelings. Part of him wanted to urge them not to go to Purple Ice Lake, but after a moment’s thought, he let it be.

The way of cultivation is a hard road. Sometimes one retreat means never having the courage to move forward again.

As expected, Xiao Feng still decided to go to Purple Ice Lake.

Days later, Lu Chang’sheng handed them the Clarity Pills he’d prepared.

"I’ve got some other pills, too. Take them all," Lu Chang’sheng gave the three his treasure vault immortal insects.

Inside were a few healing pills, and at the very least, all were of top quality.

One was a Perfect Pill: Soul Gathering Pill to safeguard the soul.

Lu Chang’sheng had amassed quite a few such pills over the years, but only ever refined a dozen or so of perfect grade.

Now, giving one to each was the least he could do for this friendship.

They were all alchemists—just a glance, and they recognized the Soul Gathering Pill. When they saw the quality, even they were startled.

This kind of soul-related pill was far trickier to refine than a Guiyuan Pill, for example.

No one expected Lu Chang’sheng could make a perfect one of these too.

"If Chang’sheng’s Immortal Dao Root Bone were stronger, I swear, those Heaven-Burning Valley people would regret their choice one day."

Elder Li sighed.

Lu Chang’sheng’s achievements in alchemy always caught them off guard.

Pity the blemish still lay in his Immortal Dao Spirit Root.

Lu Chang’sheng smiled, "Oh, he’ll regret it."

Elder Li figured Lu Chang’sheng was only reassuring him, and didn’t press the point.

They shared a few more words, then set off.

"I’ll be counting on you to look out for White Cloud Pavilion," before leaving, Xiao Feng said.

After a slight hesitation, he added, "If there’s nothing left to be done, just let it blow away with the wind."

Lu Chang’sheng nodded. "I’ll act as the situation demands."

With Lu Chang’sheng’s Valley spot taken by Zhou Lin, gloom cloaked White Cloud Pavilion.

Xiao Feng and the others had originally left the White Cloud Mountain Range to revive White Cloud Cave Mansion.

That’s why they drew up their agreement with the Mountain Range for the True Man successor.

Now that Zhou Lin had reached Foundation Establishment, the title of True Man successor fell to him.

Safe to say, the Mountain Range had now secured its claim as the legit White Cloud Cave Mansion branch.

Many other alchemists who’d left with Xiao Feng weren’t sure what to think.

On one hand, livelihood mattered.

White Cloud Pavilion had just barely competed with the Mountain Range until now, so they’d had enough confidence to withstand the pressure from that side.

But now, Cave Mansion boasted a Foundation Establishment cultivator—their reputations soared, and these alchemists’ business would surely take a hit.

Income drop was inevitable.

On the other hand, the shattering of belief was not to be overlooked.

People worship strength; the instant the Mountain Range extends an olive branch, White Cloud Pavilion could split apart overnight.

Elder Li and Xiao Feng were resolved to go to Purple Ice Lake, for this very reason as well.

They’d founded White Cloud Pavilion nearly twenty years ago; to say they had no feelings for it would be a lie.

After returning from outside the city, Lu Chang’sheng made a point to check in at the Pavilion. As Xiao Feng anticipated, agitation stirred in everyone’s hearts.

Some people hurried by, not even noticing Lu Chang’sheng was there.

"Now, I suppose we’re just waiting for the Mountain Range to weigh in."

Lu Chang’sheng saw little cause for optimism.

Putting himself in their place—he’d probably be waiting for an opportunity, too.

He shook his head and returned to his courtyard in Pavilion.

Just reaching the door, he saw a familiar figure not far away, swearing up a storm.

"Chang Mei, you old bastard! Tell me—how could you do this to Elder Xiao Feng and the rest?"

"You two-faced rat, eating with one hand and stealing with the other! I should’ve cut you off ages ago!"

In front of Li Changmei’s house, Huo Zun cursed until his face was red.

Soon, Li Changmei stepped out, barking, "What rubbish are you spewing now?!"

"Don’t play dumb! You snuck off to see Thunder Cauldron, that son of a bitch; you think I don’t know?"

Huo Zun kept cursing.

Li Changmei’s expression shifted, cursing inwardly, wondering which blabbermouth had leaked the news.

Damn near got him killed.

But being confronted by Huo Zun, shame turned to fury, "Yeah, I met him, so what? Back then, I followed Elder Xiao Feng because he promised we’d rebuild White Cloud Cave Mansion together."

"Now the Cave Mansion successor sits with the Mountain Range. I received True Man’s transmission, so joining the successor—what’s wrong with that?"

"Even if Elder Xiao Feng were here, he wouldn’t have much to say. Who the hell are you to talk?"

Li Changmei gave a cold chuckle.