Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age

"Thank you for your help this time, Fellow Daoist." Once they entered the courtyard, it was much easier to slip inside.

The female cultivator smiled and said, "If Alchemist Lu really wants to thank someone, thank my lady instead."

Lu Chang’sheng was momentarily taken aback. For some reason, he felt the woman’s gaze was a bit off.

"Miss Gu Chan, of course, I owe her thanks."

He still replied.

······

Taking advantage of the break in the meeting, Lu Chang’sheng successfully blended into the crowd. With the Spiritual Sense of a late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator, it would be impossible for others not to notice an extra person.

But all Lu Chang’sheng needed was to draw some attention.

He exchanged a glance with Nangua, then moved to a spot on the side. All around were various Qi Cultivation clan cultivators, along with Foundation Establishment clan members from the Zeng Family and Zheng Family.

Compared to the last time when they encircled Red Cloud Daoist, this was on another level.

And from Li Nangua and the others, Lu Chang’sheng learned that they were now getting ready for the final defenses of the city.

Platinum Immortal City was massive. Even though there were over three hundred late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators present, figuring out optimal placements was up to the Supreme Profound Sect folks to decide.

Looking at the serious faces around him, and even a few with obvious dissatisfaction, Lu Chang’sheng understood why the Supreme Profound Sect had dispatched an elder with such a hard expression for the task.

Sometimes, jobs like these are best handled by the cold-hearted sort.

After some low-voiced discussion with Nangua and the others, the doors of the building not far away suddenly opened. Several cultivators with formidable auras emerged.

Leading them was Elder Du Xuan of the Supreme Profound Sect, followed by Zhang Qing—someone Lu Chang’sheng had met briefly before—and then Cheng Nan, Cheng Wu, and a few others.

The meeting started right away. Though it was called a meeting, in reality, nobody had much say; most of it was just Zhang Qing and Du Xuan making announcements.

At the same time, they began taking roll call and assignments.

"Lu Chang’sheng and Li Nangua from the Lu Mansion—are you present?"

"Right here!"

Lu Chang’sheng stepped out from the crowd, just as Cheng Nan approached, holding the registry.

Recognizing Lu Chang’sheng’s appearance, Cheng Nan mentally matched him with the elderly alchemist he remembered.

His eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, you’ve advanced to late-stage Qi Cultivation?"

"Just recently,"

Lu Chang’sheng replied.

It was impossible to hide a late-stage Qi Cultivation realm, and there was no need anyway.

Maybe fellow late-stage cultivators couldn’t tell, but anyone at Foundation Establishment could easily see through his cultivation realm.

There was a trace of shock in Cheng Nan’s eyes. He distinctly remembered Lu Chang’sheng’s Root Bone talent was abysmal.

"Looks like fate has favored you after all."

He sighed inwardly, made a check mark in the register, and with that, sign-in was done.

"Later tonight, someone from the Gu Family will come find you. All you need to do is follow along when the time comes."

Cheng Nan said.

"Would you be able to tell us ahead of time which area we’re assigned to defend?"

Lu Chang’sheng leaned in, slipping a Treasure Vault Immortal Insect into his hand.

Low-grade Treasure Vault Immortal Insects weren’t worth much, so he always kept a few tucked in his pockets just in case.

"No need for that—by tonight, you’ll know. You’ll be stationed at the South Gate. The details will be explained to you when the time comes," Cheng Nan replied softly.

Cheng Nan’s bureaucratic tone stirred a bad feeling in Lu Chang’sheng’s chest.

Clearly, this time things could turn very messy.

After leaving the meeting hall, everyone was told to stay at the Gu Mansion for the time being, unable to leave.

The Gu Mansion was huge; finding places for several hundred people was nothing to them.

By midnight, many Qi Cultivation cultivators were visiting each other to discuss what lay ahead. Lu Chang’sheng and Li Nangua were no exception—they were planning to seek out the five family Patriarchs, but ended up having other visitors first.

Besides the five Patriarchs, there was Wu Yun and two of his friends.

Upon hearing Lu Chang’sheng had been assigned to the South Gate, Wu Yun was notably disappointed.

But his two friends visibly relaxed, as if relieved.

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t pay it any mind. After chatting a bit, he sent Wu Yun to the door.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, there’s something I wonder if I should ask..."

Just as Wu Yun was about to leave, he couldn’t help himself and hesitantly spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Wu, you want to ask about the alchemy matter, right?"

Wu Yun nodded.

"Still not quite there," Lu Chang’sheng replied vaguely.

With that, he turned and headed back.

Wu Yun let out a small sigh. Sometimes "not quite" meant a world of difference. Still, with Lu Chang’sheng’s skill, he was far more likely than Wu Yun to break into Grade Two before his lifespan ran out. That thought comforted him a bit.

"Let’s go, time to head back!"

"Not to criticize, Old Wu, but even though Alchemist Lu is skilled at alchemy, that’s not going to solve everything here."

"That last demon calamity was so severe, and we all had to leave the city to hunt monsters. This time we’re being told to hold the city instead—it’s telling."

"Strength is what matters; alchemy skills come second."

The two old friends shook their heads, which left Wu Yun a little frustrated. If it weren’t for worrying about Lu Chang’sheng’s impression of him, he really would have pointed out Lu Chang’sheng’s potential.

Unwilling to listen to their nagging any longer, he blurted out, "You guys don’t know shit—Fellow Daoist Lu has what it takes to be a Grade Two alchemist!"

The two old friends just burst out laughing, brushing it off as a joke.

If he really had Grade Two potential, would Heaven-Burning Valley have rejected him?

And even if he did have that potential, so what?

"I’ve heard some rumors... this demon calamity won’t be easy to survive."

······

When morning came, Lu Chang’sheng was up early, cultivating in the courtyard. The Gu Family gardens were striking, filled with rare blooms and exotic plants.

Half an hour later, that same female cultivator from Gu Chan’s side came by to greet him. Soon after, several Gu Family members came over.

"Patriarch Gu!" Lu Chang’sheng showed a look of surprise. Even in such a busy time, Gu Long had come over specifically to see him—it was a bit much for him to handle.

"No need for formalities, Alchemist Lu. This is Gu Feng—once you’re at the South Gate, he’ll be in charge of logistics."

Gu Long stepped aside, revealing a plain-looking but steady man behind him.

"For the upcoming period, I ask for your cooperation, Alchemist Lu." Gu Feng bowed politely.

Lu Chang’sheng quickly agreed. Clearly, this time things were serious. Having the Gu Family lend a hand could be crucial.

"Another favor to repay,"

But Lu Chang’sheng didn’t mind. That’s life—so long as you deal with people, you can’t avoid the debts of gratitude and obligation.

Still, this kind of attention felt oddly unprompted.

As he was still mulling it over, Gu Long suddenly said, "Honestly, I almost overlooked inviting Alchemist Lu—fortunately, Chan reminded me."

Lu Chang’sheng paused in surprise.

Li Nangua, standing at his side, grinned and said, "Well then, we really have to thank Miss Gu Chan."

Even someone as dense about romance as Lu Chang’sheng could see it now—Gu Chan seemed to have something for him.