Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age

Soon, a cultivator noticed and stood in front of the stall, his eyes wavering with indecision.

"Perfect Pill?"

"That’s right!" Lu Chang’sheng altered his voice, which was no problem for a late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator.

"Someone in Platinum Immortal City can still refine Perfect Pills?" The newcomer sounded doubtful, thinking: Maybe they’re from one of the major factions.

It could be Fuyun Mountain, or maybe some other domain.

In Guangnan Domain, among all the domains, this is considered a desolate and remote place. Other than the Profound Turtle Alchemist back in the day, no one’s ever heard of someone refining Perfect Pills.

"What’s the price?"

"Ten sets of main materials for refining True Essence Pills."

Lu Chang’sheng said.

The price was high; the buyer shook his head, indicating he couldn’t accept it.

"Perfect Pills may be rare, but they’re still first-grade. There’s no way you’ll get ten sets of True Essence Pill main materials for one."

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t mind. That’s just the way business goes, back and forth. Mainly, he wanted to see if the guy had the capability.

Unexpectedly, the man quickly said, "Three sets for that Perfect Pill of yours."

After some bargaining, Lu Chang’sheng traded it for five sets of True Essence Pill main materials.

Both left, satisfied.

"I didn’t expect Perfect Pills to be this precious." Lu Chang’sheng thought about the ones he’d given away, feeling a little pain in his heart.

True Essence Pills were a fairly standard second-grade pill, but being second-grade, and with their main materials for refining, their value was still quite high.

The main thing is, they’re priceless and out of stock.

Of course, this was mainly because there were so few second-grade Alchemists here who could even refine such pills.

The transaction caught a lot of attention. Not wanting to be too conspicuous, Lu Chang’sheng got up and wandered around, checking out other stalls to see if there was anything good to find.

Honestly, with the quality of cultivators rising, the merchandise quality shot up too. Lu Chang’sheng spotted several tempting items, but the sellers wouldn’t accept Spirit Stones or pills.

In the end, he could only leave, a bit frustrated, and returned to his stall.

Over the course of the late night, Lu Chang’sheng sold two more Perfect Pills, gathered ten sets of True Essence Pill main materials, and exchanged for a Turtle Shell Map.

As the time neared dawn, he found an opportunity to quietly slip away.

"Well? Should we make a move?"

Just as he left, a figure stepped out from the shadows—the same cultivator who’d just traded with Lu Chang’sheng.

"Forget it. Too risky. Anyone who can refine Perfect Pills has to have some serious skills!"

The other spoke with a hint of surprise.

Just because the cultivator had said the word "refine."

"They really refine them? Not just lucky to have dug one up somewhere?"

"Pills don’t lie."

The other man sighed. He knew some unique techniques, able to tell the refinement time from a pill.

"Who do you think it might be?"

"Most likely the person from the White Cloud Mountain Range," the cultivator hesitated before replying.

Recently, some folks from elsewhere had come who really could refine Perfect Pills.

Zuo Lin from Heaven-Burning Valley was one; there were also some Foundation Establishment cultivators, usually pretty low-profile, though he happened to know some inside info.

But those people all had some giveaway traits, and even if disguised, it was hard to fool his eyes. So, he’d judged Lu Chang’sheng as someone he didn’t know.

Thinking about it, the most likely was Zhou Lin—the newcomer with a growing reputation.

Also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, though the latter only just stepped into that realm, it was hard to say what tricks he had up his sleeve. When the time came, he’d end up exposed.

He definitely didn’t want to get targeted at Purple Ice Lake because of this.

But—

"Lu Chang’sheng is also a possibility."

Back when Zhou Lin hadn’t advanced in Foundation Establishment, he was able to suppress the former and grab the spot from Cao Wei at Heaven-Burning Valley; clearly his alchemy skills were high.

At that thought, a new idea popped into his head.

"These next few days, keep a close eye on Lu Mansion. If there’s any movement, let me know immediately."

"You interested in the one from Lu Mansion?"

"Yeah~ Even if we’re wrong, who cares? He’s a top alchemist right now. If we take him, we stand to gain."

"True enough!"

Am I being watched?

Lu Chang’sheng had sensed someone’s eyes on him earlier, knowing that putting three Perfect Pills out there had attracted some dangerous attention.

Good thing he was careful, weaving through the crowd over and over before leaving with another face.

He thought: In places like this, unless I’m absolutely sure, I’d better not come so often.

······

Things at White Cloud Pavilion were going downhill fast. Fang Ping’s departure delivered a huge blow to an already faltering sect.

Every day, there were rumors about who had met with people from the White Cloud Mountain Range.

And the White Cloud Mountain Range finally bared its fangs, openly persuading members of White Cloud Pavilion to defect.

With Xiao Feng and the others gone, White Cloud Pavilion’s cohesion really weakened.

A lot of cultivators got agitated; some who’d been steady started talking to the White Cloud Pavilion side—who stopped hiding it and openly listed everyone they’d spoken to, hoping to shake the patience of those who still remained.

Duan Ming sought out Lu Chang’sheng multiple times, but only ever heard that Lu Chang’sheng was busy preparing alchemy in the Alchemy Room.

Still hadn’t met him.

"White Cloud Pavilion’s done for!" Staring at the tightly closed courtyard gate, Duan Ming felt sad inside.

He’d been running around trying to convince people, but in the end, those determined to leave still left.

"People on the cultivation path care only for their own progress. Things like friendship—those fade fast!" Huo Zun sighed.

He did harbor some resentment at Lu Chang’sheng’s silence, but since Lu Chang’sheng hadn’t engaged with the other side, he’d at least stuck to his principles.

With so many old friends gone now, even Huo Zun had come to terms with it—and all that resentment just vanished.

If Lu Chang’sheng wasn’t so gifted in alchemy, and the White Cloud Mountain Range didn’t have their eyes on him, Huo Zun would have advised him to go over there long ago.

"Isn’t the Spirit Realm always like this?" Duan Ming now saw how cruel the Spirit Realm could be. Before, as Xiao Feng’s follower, everything was smooth sailing.

"So what are you going to do?" Duan Ming looked at Huo Zun.

"Wait, at least till Elder Xiao Feng and the others return."

With three elders yet to make a statement, Huo Zun felt there was still a chance left.

Part of it was old ties; part of it was gambling on a change?

At this rate, White Cloud Pavilion’s decline was all but guaranteed.

The best move was to leave Platinum Immortal City for another Immortal City.

With Xiao Feng and the others, they wouldn’t have to suffer.

Those who’d already left had picked either the elders at White Cloud Pavilion or the White Cloud Mountain Range side—that’s it.

"At least our core group is intact," Huo Zun said.

Duan Ming agreed.

The "core" on the surface meant elders and the dozen second-grade alchemists, with a few dozen third-grade alchemists.

But they knew the real core was just a handful of elders and a select few others.

Yet a few days later, their sense of relief faded fast.

The core group—started to show cracks.