Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age

The next day, a beam of spiritual light landed in front of the courtyard.

Ning Zhao came knocking, saying there was a meeting at the main peak.

After Lu Chang'sheng got the message, he stepped out and laughed, "Elder Ning Zhao, you could've just sent me a message with the Sound Transmission Shell. No need to come all the way yourself."

"Haha, you're the latest Foundation Establishment cultivator with endless prospects— soon enough, all our livelihoods will depend on you. Before it gets hard to see you, I figured I'd better forge a good relationship early."

Ning Zhao was all smiles.

Last night, the main members of the Ning, He, and Yan families gathered to discuss what comes next, inevitably bringing up Lu Chang'sheng. Yan Yu was generous with his praise for Ning Zhao's discerning eye, saying the sect now had another future pillar.

Otherwise, Lu Chang'sheng joining the Good Beast Sect would've been a big question mark.

And even if he joined, there's a difference between getting in on your own and being invited in.

It's clear: once Huang Yun leaves, Lu Chang'sheng will be the strongest alchemist in the Good Beast Sect. When it comes time to refine pills and such, everyone will be heading to Lu Chang'sheng.

Don't let the fact that they're all Foundation Establishment cultivators fool you; after a while, alchemists get tired of it. Like Huang Yun— in the beginning, he'd give his fellow Foundation Establishment a little face, but later on, if you want his help with alchemy, you have to play by the rules.

No pulling personal favors— otherwise you become nothing but a pill-refining tool.

Although, that's just the general rule; if the relationship is close enough, there's always wiggle room.

Which is why the other two families were all a bit envious of Ning Zhao recruiting Lu Chang'sheng.

Even the sect leader envies this kind of credit.

"You flatter me, Elder Ning," Lu Chang'sheng laughed.

He didn't say anything more; Ning Zhao was no fool— use up all your favors and they run dry, so people cherish and value them more.

As long as it's within the allowed limits, naturally you can lean a bit closer.

The main peak meeting was all about how to respond to the enemies outside the spirit array.

Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Supreme Profound Sect, along with others from different sects, ambushed Yan Yu and the others on their way back— two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the sect fell.

That's a huge blow.

If the Good Beast Sect wants to survive, they can't ignore this blood debt; otherwise, young geniuses will automatically cross them off the list when choosing their Immortal Sect.

If the situation gets any worse, the sect will quickly decline.

But the Foundation Establishment cultivators gathering outside far outnumber the Good Beast Sect's current strength. There's absolutely no way to open the Mountain Guardian Spirit Array and confront them directly.

"Supreme Profound Sect, we're definitely settling this score!" Yan Yu declared coldly.

After some discussion, they decided to contact disciples outside the Good Beast Immortal City and check out those Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Then, find a spot elsewhere and open one side of the Mountain Guardian Spirit Array, ambush one or two Foundation Establishment cultivators, and show the enemy the risks of swallowing an Immortal Sect whole.

"Let's keep the Alchemy Institute out of this one."

Yan Yu said.

No one objected, and they all smiled, nodding at Lu Chang'sheng.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, just help us out by refining some pills now and then."

"Yeah, just don't leave us out in the cold when the time comes."

······

Lu Chang'sheng exhaled a long breath. As much as he'd expected this, nothing feels certain until it's decided— there's always risk.

Fortunately, Yan Yu's thinking was sound. A future backbone alchemist shouldn't just be used as cannon fodder; clearly, the Good Beast Sect wasn't prepared to do that.

"You all are making me feel guilty here," Lu Chang'sheng forced a wry smile.

He didn't think they were being fake or anything. Cultivators are pragmatic; given the choice, none of these people would follow Yan Yu into an ambush against fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Joining an Immortal Sect always comes with downsides— some things you just can't avoid.

The resources of an Immortal Sect aren't that easy to enjoy.

"Good thing my Alchemy Dao is thriving," Lu Chang'sheng thought to himself, relieved.

"In the future, if any of you need help, I'll do my best," Lu Chang'sheng promised.

For now, alchemy was still going to be one of his main pursuits. People asking for pills only helped him gain more experience— why wouldn't he want that?

The mood in the meeting relaxed significantly with Lu Chang'sheng's promise, even the Foundation Establishment cultivators were less resistant about their ambush assignments.

Yan Yu, naturally, wasn't going to make them do this for nothing, and promised some decent rewards.

Even Lu Chang'sheng was tempted— almost wanted to join the fight himself.

Luckily, he remembered his special talents and quickly stopped himself.

Lu Chang'sheng avoided the actual ambush planning discussions to stay out of trouble, and returned to the Alchemy Institute.

"Guangnan Domain is getting messier and messier— no idea when this chaos will end."

The Mountain Guardian Spirit Array kept them safe, but it also trapped them inside.

Even with decent foundations, the Good Beast Sect couldn't keep the spirit array running forever. Most of the cultivators outside came from Immortal Sects and knew its weaknesses— that's why they're willing to wait things out.

Once the Mountain Gate Array runs out of resources, that's when they'll all rush in.

Yan Yu and the others understood that, so they had to use this opportunity for an ambush, just to make the enemy's life a little harder.

"Time to level up."

Lu Chang'sheng looked at the Concentration Pill Formula. Even though it was only first grade, its complexity rivaled ordinary second-grade formulas.

It would take some time to get started.

"Can't slack on the Concentration Pill Formula— might be my trump card one day."

"And then there's body cultivation."

Body cultivators are actually stronger in a fight than pure magic cultivators, because their bodies are tougher and burn energy slower, so they last longer.

Of course, that's only if your body path cultivation is solid. Many magic cultivators dabble in body techniques, but usually just at the first level.

Foundation Establishment cultivators generally only practice basic, first-grade body techniques— for one, improving body techniques is harder than magic, and since they barely have enough energy for magic, there's not much left for body training.

Two, at the same level, body techniques cost more resources and take longer to improve. The only real advantage is in combat power.

But Lu Chang'sheng was different— for him, whether it's magic or body techniques, he can improve his progress by boosting all sorts of variables.

So, cultivating both magic and body techniques was only natural.

With that thought, Lu Chang'sheng went to the sect's administrative office and temporarily bought a second-grade magical artifact on credit.

Initially, he wasn't planning to buy a second-grade magical artifact; as an alchemist, why not just stay cozy in the sect and focus on training?

The top-tier magical artifact he'd been using was already more than enough. No need to burn tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones on a new one.

But given how things are lately, he grit his teeth and bought it anyway.

As a sect elder, the artifact was discounted to just twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones. Pinching his nose, Lu Chang'sheng took it.

The admin office people didn't dare remind him of the payment deadline like they usually would.

A second-grade alchemist from the Alchemy Institute— run out of money? Impossible!

What a joke!