Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age

"Hahaha, I’ll borrow Fellow Daoist Zhang’s good words. I wonder what we’ll actually gain?" Fellow Daoist Heishi’s eyes lit up.

He’d traveled thousands of miles to Platinum Immortal City for the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s cave, but he hadn’t expected to run into a monster siege—or end up on Supreme Profound Sect elder Du Xuan’s list. He’d thought he’d work hard for little gain, but now it seemed there was more to be had.

"Can’t say what the sect will do, but going by precedent, there’ll probably be some kind of demon hunting contribution reward."

Zhang Qing chuckled. He was much warmer toward two Foundation Establishment cultivators than he was with Qi Cultivation ones.

"That’s right, I’ve looked at the demon hunting contribution exchange list, and there are indeed plenty of great things in there—but for people like us, it’s nothing too meaningful."

Fellow Daoist Heishi’s face split into a broad grin.

They’d already established their foundations; Foundation Pills didn’t mean much to them now. They could use them for barter, but that came with a lot of risk. If they had other options, they’d rather not get involved in that.

Loose cultivators never had the wealth of Immortal Sect disciples. It was rare to run into any real treasures out there.

Zhang Qing shook his head, clearly understanding Fellow Daoist Heishi’s intent—to squeeze some better rewards from the Supreme Profound Sect.

He was just about to speak when Fellow Daoist Yang suddenly said, "The South Gate turned out to be the crucial breaking point this time, and there’s one Qi Cultivation disciple who deserves most of the credit."

"What use is a Qi Cultivator? Fellow Daoist Yang, don’t be too soft-hearted now!" chuckled Fellow Daoist Heishi.

Zhang Qing’s smile took on a subtle meaning.

Fellow Daoist Heishi was clearly trying to stop Yang Xiu from talking any further.

But Yang Xiu didn’t seem to hear him. He just kept going: "You’re joking, Fellow Daoist Heishi! Plenty of people saw it with their own eyes—no faking that."

"Oh? Then it sounds like the one you’re talking about is pretty remarkable—to be so pivotal in a Foundation Establishment fight, with potential to match even Red Cloud Evil Cultivator."

Interest sparked in Zhang Qing’s eyes. Red Cloud Daoist’s strength was widely recognized as the limit beneath Foundation Establishment—for all his infamy as an evil cultivator, plenty of people would’ve reached out to recruit him if not for that.

Zhang Qing wanted to ask for details, but they’d already arrived on the West Gate battlefield. He could only let it go for now.

He’d have to wait until things ended to seek out this person.

For Immortal Sect elders like them, a true genius could be invaluable for their future cultivation.

······

At the South Gate, Lu Chang’sheng and Li Nangua used their Sound Transmission Shell to contact Lu Chang’an at the Lu Mansion and learned that he was hiding in the cellar, unharmed. Only then did they relax and clear out the monsters scurrying around.

With the three Foundation Establishment monsters dead, the rest seemed to have lost command, destroying everything in sight on instinct.

This made Lu Chang’sheng suspect that there was some sort of intelligent life controlling the demonic horde behind the scenes.

"Alchemist Lu, thank you for saving our lives."

"Alchemist Lu..."

······

Some passing cultivators stopped to greet Lu Chang’sheng respectfully.

Fang Shan strode over, still in shock, but inwardly thrilled he’d made that snap decision back when his family’s elder was in closed-door cultivation to get friendly with Lu Chang’sheng.

"The more I think about it, the happier I am that I didn’t hesitate back then," Fang Shan said.

"Hope I didn’t let you down, Fellow Daoist."

Lu Chang’sheng grinned back.

Luo Dong came over with a few other Qi Cultivators.

"A pity about Zhao Fei and the others," he sighed.

Lu Chang’sheng only nodded. Zhao Fei was another late-stage Qi Cultivator. According to Gu Feng’s placement, he should’ve been stationed alongside Lu Chang’sheng on the wall.

But from the start, Luo Dong had swapped places with them.

"Don’t let it bother you, Fellow Daoist Luo. The others agreed to the swap themselves."

Another late-stage Qi Cultivator added from the side.

Back then, Luo Dong and the others had approached Zhao Fei about switching. Zhao agreed right away—he thought the wall section guarded by Gu Feng and Lu Chang’sheng was at the city gate, the most dangerous spot.

Luo Dong wanted the swap, which fit his wishes perfectly.

Who would’ve guessed it would cost him his life?

"They didn’t know that being beside Fellow Daoist Lu was actually the safest place of all."

The group was all schadenfreude, leaving Luo Dong to grumble and curse.

"If you ever need me for anything, Fellow Daoist Lu, just let me know." With that, Luo Dong marked his Sound Transmission Shell, then he and his friends vaulted off the city wall to clear monsters inside the city.

With no more pressure from Foundation Establishment demons, the late-stage Qi cultivators all relaxed a bit. The end was in sight, and Gu Feng even loosened up on his strict orders.

Half an hour later, word came from the West Gate that the fighting was wrapping up. Only the North Gate was still silent.

Not until nightfall did Lu Chang’sheng and the others learn that the casualties at the North Gate were catastrophic—two Foundation Establishment cultivators had even been killed.

The late-stage Qi Cultivators there were almost entirely wiped out. Other than the West Gate, the North Gate had faced the largest monster wave.

By the same token, Du Xuan had stationed more Foundation Establishment cultivators and late Qi Cultivators there than anywhere else except the West Gate.

The carnage was unimaginable.

"Sigh—blame it on those wolf and be demons. Du Xuan the Immortal checked with his Dharma Eye, sent Foundation Establishment reinforcements, but who could have known—turned out the wolf demon had be demons hidden in its belly. In an instant, three or four of them popped out, ambushing all the powerhouses."

Gu Feng could only sigh at that.

"It’s hard enough to reach Foundation Establishment, and to lose your life like that—it’s just tragic."

Lu Chang’sheng sighed too, thinking to himself: Even at Foundation Establishment, you can’t ever get careless.

As for the East Gate, monsters did attack, but there were no Foundation Establishment demons, so the Gu Family cultivators guarding there handled it easily.

Connections really do make all the difference.

Lu Chang’sheng found himself missing Gu Yuan a little.

Still, he knew he couldn’t rush, or he’d lose his advantage.

And just as that thought crossed his mind, word came from Gu Yuan.

"Alchemist Lu, are you free tomorrow?"

Gu Yuan’s voice came through the Sound Transmission Shell.

"I am."

"Excellent. Then tomorrow, we’ll come to the Lu Mansion to pay you a visit, Alchemist Lu." Though Gu Yuan was trying to hide her excitement, Lu Chang’sheng could still hear it.

"Seems like Gu Yuan is extremely concerned about me!"

Lu Chang’sheng felt confused. The other side represented the Good Beast Sect; even if he was a second-grade alchemist, she shouldn’t be acting so deferentially.

There must be some hidden agenda here.

Lu Chang’sheng shook his head but didn’t let it trouble him. With his current strength, even if there was some secret, as long as he didn’t meddle, nobody would dare make him the target.

He was confident in this much.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, the gathering’s starting."

A while later, Gu Feng brought news.

Lu Chang’sheng straightened his clothes and called out to Li Nangua.

She slipped her arm through his and gave him a sweet smile.

"Chan just talked to me and said there might be a surprise at tonight’s gathering."

"Is that so?" Lu Chang’sheng grew a bit expectant at her words.

They’d racked up a considerable number of demon hunting contribution points for killing so many monsters lately.

"Is there anything you want to trade for? I’ll help get it for you."

"We’ll see." Lu Chang’sheng ruffled Li Nangua’s hair, his gaze gentle.

If possible, Lu Chang’sheng would have liked to exchange for a Foundation Pill, to build up some reserves for when he attempted Foundation Establishment.

"The lower-tier Foundation Pill just has a lower success rate—try enough times, and maybe you’ll get there."

Unfortunately, a single Foundation Pill cost more demon hunting contributions than the two of them had racked up so far—even combined, they were way short.

"Excuse me, Fellow Daoist, may I have a word?"

They had just walked into the courtyard where the gathering was being held when a cultivator approached, an odd smile on his face.

From the trace of spiritual power the man deliberately leaked, it was clear he was Foundation Establishment level.

"Greetings, Immortal!" Lu Chang’sheng bowed quickly.

When a Foundation Establishment calls, you don’t dare be careless. Besides, the man wasn’t inviting him somewhere isolated, and Lu Chang’sheng trusted his own strength if things went south.

"Smart man." The Foundation Establishment cultivator’s eyes showed a hint of satisfaction.

They walked a bit away. The Foundation man dropped all pretense and said directly, "I’m here seeking justice for an old friend. I hope Fellow Daoist Lu can understand."

Lu Chang’sheng’s heart skipped—he instantly knew this guy meant trouble.

Sure enough, the man went on, "You should know my friend—Fellow Daoist Lu, it’s Fellow Daoist Heishi. I just heard that my old friend went to the South Gate to help, fighting off the Foundation Establishment demon with Fellow Daoist Yang. I don’t know all the details, but he did suggest to Yang Xiu that you should get a share of the credit for defending the South Gate."

Lu Chang’sheng frowned a little; he felt something off about what the guy was saying.

Still, with the man staring at him, he didn’t have time to think it through. He just said, "I wouldn’t dare claim too much. The defense was a group effort—without everyone’s support, even Chang’sheng couldn’t have held off the be demons."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator’s eyes narrowed—he hadn’t expected Lu Chang’sheng to answer that way.

Instead of deflecting credit with modesty, he’d dragged everyone else into it.

It was a master class in slacking off.

His plan was dead in the water.

"How interesting! Still, my old friend specifically mentioned your name, so I can assume you played a major role. Personally, I think he’s just too kind-hearted for his own good."

"But I’m his close friend, and I can’t stand by and watch him be taken advantage of."

"Here’s five thousand lower-grade spirit stones. Think of it as me speaking for him—I hope you can deny any of the credit attributed to you. I’d appreciate it a lot."

"I understand what you’re asking, Immortal, but let me think it over."

Lu Chang’sheng replied.

The Foundation Establishment man’s body stiffened slightly. He packed away the bag with the spirit stones inside his Treasure Vault Immortal Insect, and said coldly, "I almost forgot—my old friend is Foundation Establishment, same as me. You’re able to refine Perfect Pills and clearly have a bright future. Maybe one day we’ll collaborate. Don’t risk everything over one little windfall."

Lu Chang’sheng’s expression changed.

Seeing this, the man just smiled faintly, completely unhurried, and turned to go.

"Was that a threat?"

Lu Chang’sheng’s expression shifted rapidly.

If the man had spoken true, then Fellow Daoist Heishi was supposed to be a good guy, bringing up his credit at the South Gate in front of Zhang Qing.

But now, it didn’t seem so sincere.

"He sounded calm at first but couldn’t meet my eyes—clearly had another motive. After my cautious reply, he tried to bribe me with money to get me to deny my credit—"

Lu Chang’sheng’s heart lurched. That was his real aim all along!

"First he tries the emotional pitch, then offers a bribe, and finally shifts to outright intimidation. This guy—not good news!"

Thinking this, Lu Chang’sheng’s eyes went cold, and he pulled out his Sound Transmission Shell.

If he’s not decent, and now he’s an open enemy, then he needs to be eliminated!

After what happened with the Zhu Family, this kind of foe would only be dealt with by thunderous means!