Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age

Huang Ling grew up in the Good Beast Sect and felt a deep bond with it, so of course she didn't want to see the sect in decline.

Just as she was worrying over these thoughts, suddenly the Little Fire Cloud Beast came walking in from outside, its eyes full of despair like life had no meaning anymore.

This little guy had gotten chubbier again. At this rate, isn't it going to turn into a big fat beast?

Huang Ling fretted a little; she'd heard that most Little Fire Cloud Beasts stayed slender from childhood to adulthood, and she'd never seen one roll around looking this round before.

As for the sadness in the beast's eyes, Huang Ling couldn't care less. Ever since it signed the Spirit Contract with Lu Chang'sheng, the beast's moods had never been stable.

But unexpectedly, when the Little Fire Cloud Beast thumped right into the Fire Cloud Beast Ning Yun and started questioning her, Huang Ling was immediately stunned.

And the old Fire Cloud Beast, who had been resting with its eyes closed, suddenly opened them wide — those aged pupils flashing with a glint of vitality.

"You're saying Alchemist Lu has advanced to Foundation Establishment?" Huang Ling exclaimed in surprise.

"That's what I'm saying! I couldn't possibly have sensed wrong." The Little Fire Cloud Beast huffed as it fiddled with its paws.

"Mother, you told me he could never reach Foundation Establishment. A few decades from now, he'd die, and I'd be free. But now—"

"But now, you've got a partner who's a major Foundation Establishment cultivator. And his alchemy skills aren't too shabby. Give it a few decades, maybe you'll start eating Foundation Pills like candy."

Ning Yun's words made the Beast freeze completely.

It pondered with its little head and thought, well, actually… that doesn't sound too bad.

So, the beast that had stormed off in a huff turned right back around, now looking excited, and even went directly to the Alchemy Room just to make sure Lu Chang'sheng didn't misunderstand — even checking if anything was left untidied.

"Having a Foundation Establishment Alchemist as a partner does sound pretty amazing!" The Little Fire Cloud Beast was perfectly satisfied deep down.

Even when resting, it started making all sorts of strange noises every now and then.

Soon enough, the beast was sure it'd made the right call.

Lu Chang'sheng's name was out there.

Lots of invitation notes arrived at his residence.

In the following days, plenty of disciples who hadn't yet headed off to Purple Ice Lake — anyone with a bit of status or rank — all stopped by to visit and give gifts.

The Little Fire Cloud Beast, naturally, got a few perks out of the deal, but before it could enjoy them, Lu Chang'sheng sent it scurrying back to alchemy work.

Watching all the comings and goings around the courtyard, the Little Fire Cloud Beast felt a kind of vicarious pride.

Even Lu Chang'sheng was surprised at how obedient it had become.

"Alchemist Lu, here's Ancestor Ning Yun's congratulatory gift!"

Huang Ling bowed respectfully to Lu Chang'sheng.

As the blood of Huang Yun and favored by Ancestor Ning Yun, Huang Ling's position in Good Beast Sect was pretty unique.

That made quite a few of the sect's congratulating cultivators feel a bit uneasy.

Considering a cultivator's lifespan, Lu Chang'sheng hadn't been in the Good Beast Sect very long, and after arriving, he'd always kept a low profile.

Most cultivators knew of his existence, but few had actually met him; today, with his Foundation Establishment, he finally made a name for himself in the sect, really securing his spot.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Huang Ling, and Ancestor Ning Yun."

Lu Chang'sheng thanked them alongside Nangua and Gu Chan.

As for the regular guests, Chang'an and Lu Ziyou helped host them while he only met everyone briefly.

But for someone of Huang Ling's standing, Lu Chang'sheng still greeted her personally.

Huang Ling smiled — her usually lively demeanor now a little more reserved.

This was the subtle shift that changing status brings.

She understood: with Lu Chang'sheng stepping into Foundation Establishment, his future probably wouldn't be shabby — at the very least, comparable to her own father, Dean Huang Yun.

Next up came representatives of the Ning, He, and Yan families.

Though those three families competed frequently, they kept it civil. On such occasions, they'd send people over for congratulations.

Over the next two days, Lu Mansion hosted even more guests — some traveling in from nearby Immortal Cities.

The birth of a major Foundation Establishment cultivator was a big event.

Lu Chang'sheng kept things modest: he didn't even hold a Foundation Banquet, just set out some Spirit Tea and Spirit Fruit for hospitality.

Even so, the festivities lasted three whole days.

"Right now, most of the big players in Guangnan Domain have headed to Purple Ice Lake, so not many could make it out. Even so, there've been hundreds — establishing Foundation is really something else, leagues above Qi Cultivation."

Lu Chang'sheng mused to himself.

Just then, he spotted someone unexpected.

"Fellow Daoist Gu Yuan!"

Gu Yuan stood at the door, raising her head to look at the congratulatory words above the entrance, her face pale and faintly conflicted.

"Congratulations to you, Fellow Daoist Lu, for reaching Foundation Establishment."

She forced a smile as she spoke.

"Oh, just luck. Come inside for some Spirit Tea, Fellow Daoist!" Lu Chang'sheng really didn't know what else to say.

He'd heard from Nangua and Gu Chan that Gu Yuan had been in seclusion for several days — so it looked like her own Foundation attempt had failed.

Gu Yuan nodded, letting out a bitter smile.

Her grin was tinged with a bit of misery.

Once inside, seeing no outsiders were around, Gu Yuan couldn't help but ask, "Would you be willing to share a few Foundation Establishment tips?"

"Do you really want to know?" Lu Chang'sheng asked in surprise.

It was unusual for anyone to share their own Foundation Establishment experiences; it wasn't about being stingy — it's just that everyone's progress was uniquely different.

The sharable stuff had basically already been passed along.

The rest all came down to the Heart Demon Barrier.

The Heart Demon Barrier differed from person to person; teaching someone your own experience could actually make their own barrier even trickier.

But Gu Yuan just smiled bitterly, "If I don't know, I'm afraid next time the Heart Demon Barrier will be even harder to get through."

Lu Chang'sheng's successful Foundation left Gu Yuan puzzled — her future barrier was likely to spawn Heart Demon obstacles directly related to this.

"Since you understand, I'll be direct."

With that, Lu Chang'sheng went over some details about his Heart Demon Barrier.

Honestly, nothing too remarkable.

The Heart Demon Barrier didn't seem to cause him much trouble.

"So your Heart Demon was about family affection?"

Gu Yuan muttered.

Lu Chang'sheng said seriously, "You shouldn't guess too much; the Heart Demon Barrier's hard to pin down. If you get caught up in mine, your next barrier might be even tougher."

Your own Heart Demon isn't rooted in family affection, and prepping that way might not help at all — could even backfire.

"To me, it's more about your mindset." After thinking it over, Lu Chang'sheng still shared a bit of insight.

When she learned Lu Chang'sheng had used a mid-grade Foundation Pill, Gu Yuan's eyes tinged with envy.

Mid-grade Foundation Pills aren't easy to buy; you need the right connections and a pile of money.

With her ability and status, she could probably pull it off, but it would mean years of scrimping and saving.

"Now I'm honestly a bit jealous of Chan — marrying you means she won't have to hustle so hard for resources when it's time for her Foundation Establishment."

Gu Yuan sighed with yearning as she glanced at Gu Chan.

"So, does Fellow Daoist Lu still need a bed warmer at home? How about me?" As she spoke, the teasing drift in her words made Lu Chang'sheng jump inside.

"You're really joking, Fellow Daoist."

Gu Yuan was a married woman, after all. If he ever did something like that, he'd never be able to hold his head up in the Good Beast Sect.

"Haha!" Gu Yuan chuckled, her complexion visibly improving. "This Foundation attempt burned through everything I had. I'll have to work hard and earn it all back, so I won't bother you any longer."

She politely declined the invites from Nangua and Gu Chan, left the Lu Mansion, and headed off to Purple Ice Lake searching for resources.

"Even disciples of the Immortal Sect can't escape running after profit!" Watching her back as she walked away, Lu Chang'sheng quietly sighed.

Luckily, his alchemy cultivation was solid — no need for risky adventures. Just relying on alchemy, he could support himself.

"Congratulations on stepping into Foundation Establishment."

A rather odd voice sounded from nearby.

Dressed in Daoist robes with a hat covering his ears, hands clutched at his sleeves, the temple priest strode over.

"Ah, Fellow Daoist Gong Yun! Please, please!" Lu Chang'sheng smiled.

"Let's skip that. With my status, it's best not to head inside your mansion. I wasn't planning to come by, but my curiosity about your style got the better of me."

Gong Yun hurried to bow.

Making sure no one was watching, he discreetly handed over an Immortal Insect from the Treasure Vault, then turned and took his leave.

Lu Chang'sheng watched his departing figure, a thoughtful crease forming between his brows.