Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age

Gu Chan could only stop regretfully; since Gu Yuan hadn’t invited her, she clearly didn’t want her to know, so she grabbed Lin Nangua for a chat.

"Sorry to trouble you with the trip, Alchemist Lu." Very soon, Lu Chang’sheng saw Gu Yuan in a nearby courtyard.

Lu Chang’sheng knew she didn’t want to draw attention, which was why she sent someone to call him over, and he replied, "It’s no problem."

"Alchemist Lu’s entry to the sect is a major event. I’ve already sent word back to the sect, and in a few days an Elder will come. I ask for your patience. As for Elder Ning, at the moment, he and Immortal Du Xuan are handling the aftermath of the demon calamity, so he can’t come for now."

Gu Yuan was acting rather cautious, which made Lu Chang’sheng even more sure of his earlier suspicions.

There might really be trouble brewing inside Good Beast Sect, and it could be tied to the Alchemy Dao.

"I understand. Our original agreement was for tomorrow anyway, so you can rest assured, Miss Gu Yuan."

Hearing Lu Chang’sheng’s response, Gu Yuan was much relieved. Right now, she was most worried that there would be complications with his entry to the sect, so she was exceptionally careful with him.

"Then, I wonder if Alchemist Lu has any conditions he wishes to discuss with me?" Gu Yuan assumed Lu Chang’sheng wanted to raise some issues before formally joining the sect.

The safest way to officially enter was to sign the Immortal Contract. Before it was signed, Lu Chang’sheng could still change his mind.

"There is indeed one thing—I want to know what Fellow Daoist Heishi and his companion’s background is."

Lu Chang’sheng said.

He didn’t mention taking on two Foundation Establishment powerhouses; things had to be handled step by step.

Gu Yuan was from the Gu Family, so getting such information wouldn’t be hard. Soon, she relayed some details on Fellow Daoist Heishi and his friend.

"Fellow Daoist Heishi is a rather well-known loose cultivator from Futu Domain—rumor has it he has dealings with evil cultivators and is very ruthless. His companion is much the same."

"Does Alchemist Lu have some enmity with the two?" Gu Yuan was astute—she guessed as much.

"There’s a bit." Seeing Gu Yuan had figured it out, Lu Chang’sheng didn’t hide it anymore and said it directly.

Gu Yuan’s heart jumped. "I’ll need to report this upward."

With two Foundation Establishment cultivators involved, Gu Yuan didn’t dare make her own decisions.

Lu Chang’sheng understood.

However, he wasn’t worried that Good Beast Sect would abandon him over Heishi and Zhou Fang.

Given Good Beast Sect’s strength, even if they wouldn’t make a move against those two, they’d hardly be afraid.

The worst case would simply be that Good Beast Sect ignores it and still takes him in.

Most likely, after learning the whole story, the sect would step in and force Fellow Daoist Heishi to back off.

This is the preferred tactic for Immortal Sects when dealing with tough loose cultivators. Lu Chang’sheng’s ’bit of enmity’ instead of ’irreconcilable hatred’ was leaving himself room for retreat.

If needed, he could always deal with Heishi and Zhou Fang after joining the sect.

And sure enough, once Good Beast Sect’s leaders heard the story, they had someone begin investigating the origins of the feud among the three.

"So it all started over South Gate Contribution Points." Upon learning this, Good Beast Sect’s higher-ups decided to contact Fellow Daoist Heishi and put some pressure on him.

Not wanting to offend Foundation Establishment cultivators was one thing, but as an Immortal Sect, they would never just punish everyone equally—the nerve to protect their own was something they had.

But unexpectedly, before Good Beast Sect made a move, Heishi and Zhou Fang provoked them first.

While Lu Chang’sheng was waiting, word came that Heishi and Zhou Fang, those two Foundation Establishment cultivators, had openly expressed their extreme displeasure with Lu Chang’sheng.

They even used language so hostile it amounted to ’irreconcilable hatred,’ and said they’d come from Futu Domain solely for Lu Chang’sheng. As for Profound Turtle Alchemist’s cave? They claimed to have learned of it only once they reached Platinum Immortal City.

The only reason they hadn’t made a move yet was to show respect to Supreme Profound Sect and the Gu Family.

"Platinum Immortal City is under Supreme Profound Sect’s jurisdiction. We’re willing to show respect to all the Daoists of Supreme Profound Sect."

Once the news spread, it caused an uproar.

Lu Chang’sheng—the Red Bull Alchemist’s name—once again circulated through every district of Immortal City.

To have offended two Foundation Establishment powerhouses at once, among Qi Cultivators in all Guangnan Domain, was nearly unheard of.

The most famous was Red Cloud Daoist, but Red Cloud was an evil cultivator forced by circumstance.

Lu Chang’sheng’s situation was truly one of a kind.

"Red Bull Alchemist really knows how to court death!"

Many people whispered this privately.

In recent years, the Red Bull Alchemist’s reputation had skyrocketed—especially after the Heaven-Burning Valley recruitment event pushed his fame to a new peak. If not for being replaced by Zhou Lin later, he might be as renowned as any Foundation Establishment powerhouse.

There was no shortage of jealous types; seeing Lu Chang’sheng land in trouble, they couldn’t help but feel satisfied.

But upon hearing all this, Lu Chang’sheng showed not the slightest urgency, instead revealing a faint, meaningful smile.

Gu Yuan arched an eyebrow and returned the street saying:

"They’re the ones who really know how to court death!"

Then, turning to Lu Chang’sheng, she said, "Rest assured, Alchemist Lu, the sect will definitely deal with this matter!"

"Thank you. Sorry to trouble you with all this," Lu Chang’sheng replied sincerely.

After Gu Yuan left, Lu Chang’sheng smiled. He’d been thinking of using his own methods to push Good Beast Sect into action, but Heishi and Zhou Fang couldn’t hold back any longer and jumped in themselves.

Good Beast Sect might not want to pick a fight with two Foundation Establishment cultivators, but they wouldn’t just let those two run wild on their turf, either.

With their ’irreconcilable hatred’ statements, unless Good Beast Sect abandoned Lu Chang’sheng, they would inevitably become enemies.

And once you’re enemies, there’s no need to let them live. In this regard, both the Immortal Sects and Lu Chang’sheng were of like mind.

"At the end of the day, I’m still too weak. If I were a Golden Core cultivator, would I need to rely on the sect’s power?"

He smiled again. Right now, there was still a huge gap between him and Foundation Establishment, yet he dared to eye the Golden Core Realm!

"What wishful thinking!"

······

At the gathering in the courtyard, pairs of eyes filled with strange curiosity rested on Lu Chang’sheng. Heishi and Zhou Fang had made arrangements to spread the word as fast as possible.

That’s why, in less than an hour or two, the news was everywhere.

Lu Chang’sheng showed no trace of anxiety, which made those already unhappy with his past behavior even more uncomfortable.

Of course, inwardly, some wondered if Lu Chang’sheng had some cards to play and could avoid trouble, but after considering, they just couldn’t see how it was possible.

"With two Foundation Establishment cultivators staking positions, even an Immortal Sect wouldn’t risk taking him in. It’s not worth it."

"I heard the Gu Family’s people have been getting pretty close to him lately, but surely they wouldn’t go against two Foundation Establishment cultivators over this!"

"Fellow Daoist Lu, is there some inside story to all of this?" Gu Feng walked over, worry written all over his face.

"Just wait a while and you’ll know,"

Seeing Gu Feng like this, it was clear Gu Yuan hadn’t shared the details with them.

"Gu Yuan may be a daughter of the Gu Family, but she’s also married into Good Beast Sect. Naturally, she has to weigh a lot of things."

Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself—if he was going to plant roots in Good Beast Sect, there was no way he’d speak out and mess up their arrangements.

Hearing Lu Chang’sheng’s words, Gu Feng silently let out a sigh of relief. In recent days, Gu Yuan had approached Lu Chang’sheng several times; although he’d always steered clear, he did have some guesses himself.

Seeing how calm Lu Chang’sheng was now, he couldn’t help but realize—maybe this guy had already gotten on Good Beast Sect’s bandwagon.

With Good Beast Sect backing him, what kind of waves could two ordinary Foundation Establishment loose cultivators really make?

The mystery now was just what advantage Lu Chang’sheng had—what made Good Beast Sect willing to risk making enemies with those two just to bring him in?

He was filled with curiosity!

"Alchemist Lu, this was just decided—take a look!"

Gu Feng and Gu Chan’s arrival brought good news.

The reward for guarding the South Gate had come down: a full twenty thousand contribution points. Counting what he’d saved up before, Lu Chang’sheng now had nearly thirty thousand Demon Hunting Contribution Points.

"And here’s a new exchange list. Of course, among all Qi Cultivators, only a handful get to see this list." Gu Feng took out a new exchange list.