Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 218 - 151: A Solution!

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t linger long at the Zhu Family’s shop. Even though Zhu Er now seemed warm and welcoming, after everything that happened before, he couldn’t shake the thorn in his heart.

If there were other options, he’d still prefer not to have too much entanglement with the Zhu Family.

"Is it because of the matter with Xu Zhuqing and Qin Wan that you’re displeased with us, Fellow Daoist Lu?"

Zhu Er was sharp as ever, seeing right through Lu Chang’sheng’s thoughts.

Lu Chang’sheng silently marveled at the Immortals’ abilities, but kept his face smiling: "How could that be? I’m just feeling a bit sentimental about how hard life is in the Spirit Realm."

"The matter with Miss Xu and Miss Qin was just a coincidence. Actually, Fellow Daoist Lu, things like this can sometimes turn out for the better."

Zhu Er gave a mysterious smile and said, "How about you help convince the two ladies? If they end up as Master Lu’s concubines, as their friend, you’d surely benefit too."

"To tell you the truth, several elders in my Zhu Family have said that if the two can join Bamboo Elegance Garden, our Zhu Family is willing to support them with everything we have and pave their paths further."

"By then, it’s a win-win for all."

As he spoke, Zhu Er couldn’t help feeling a little emotional.

He never expected that, on a whim, he’d run off to a Mayfly World adrift outside the Spirit Realm. What he thought would be a small windfall turned into a string of surprises.

This even boosted his own standing in the Zhu Family. Now, from managing a remote little market, he’d been promoted to manage the shopfront in Platinum Immortal City.

You have to understand, this place is a famous and expensive Immortal City in Guangnan Domain. Every inch of land is worth a fortune. The Zhu Family invested heavily just to get a shop here. In the past, at least a mid-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator or above would be qualified to sit at this post.

Yet he was only at the third level of Qi Cultivation.

This shopfront was a lucrative spot—maybe in a few years, he’d break through to mid-stage himself.

Lost in his daydreams, Zhu Er didn’t notice the displeasure in Lu Chang’sheng’s eyes.

"This is a decision for the two ladies themselves—Chang’sheng wouldn’t be right to butt in."

Zhu Er snapped back to reality, composed himself, and said, "Of course, you probably haven’t found a place to stay yet. My Zhu Family owns some properties in Platinum Immortal City. If you don’t mind, how about staying there for now?"

"Thanks for your trouble."

Suppressing his annoyance, Lu Chang’sheng replied.

If he was on his own, he could just leave. But with Lu Chang’an and Lu Ziyou with him, he couldn’t let his two sons keep following him into uncertain days.

That afternoon, Lu Chang’sheng hurried along with Zhu Er for dozens of miles before finally arriving at a cluster of housing.

"Even in an Immortal City, there are places this run-down?" Seeing the scene ahead, Lu Chang’sheng’s face changed slightly.

The houses in front were packed together in rows. The decor was somewhat simple, but for cultivators, a place like this felt extremely cramped and crowded.

If you put it in modern terms, it was a twenty-square-meter "luxury" studio apartment!

"We cultivators have sharp senses—if the people next door make any noise, wouldn’t it be impossible to ignore?"

Lu Chang’sheng’s face looked downright unpleasant.

Zhu Er gave a bitter smile, "Don’t look down on this place, Daoist. Do you know how much just one of these rooms costs in rent?"

Before Lu Chang’sheng could answer, he raised a hand.

"One month, fifty low-grade Spirit Stones. Without a way to earn, just the rent is enough to make a typical mid-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator feel pain."

Lu Chang’sheng touched his own clothes, suddenly feeling that even the Immortal Insect from the treasure vault in his chest had lost its charm.

At most, his entire net worth was maybe two hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, if he was lucky.

Of course, that’s not counting the magical artifacts he carried.

Soon, Zhu Er found the manager here—a Supreme Profound Sect outer-sect steward—and got him registered.

"Nowhere in the Spirit Realm is completely safe, especially out in the wild. You might run into evil cultivators or monsters. Some strong monsters even attack Immortal Cities. So if you want to live in a city, you have to register your information."

Lu Chang’sheng nodded in understanding.

The three of them wrote their names in a big record book and pressed their handprints.

When it came his turn, Lu Chang’sheng hesitated for a moment.

Zhu Er knew what he was worrying about and whispered, "Just do it. It’s the rules. Otherwise you’ll have to stay in an inn, and even the cheapest one here costs ten low-grade Spirit Stones a night."

Lu Chang’sheng finally pressed his handprint.

Usually, these things just let certain cultivators with special magic have a handle on you, but given the situation, he could only compromise for now.

"A handprint isn’t deadly. At least it’s tolerable."

If they asked for blood essence, Lu Chang’sheng would have left, no questions asked.

Very soon, he understood why the rent here was so expensive.

Platinum Immortal City was built atop a Spirit Vein. Cultivating on the vein had countless advantages.

Cultivation is about seizing more time from Heaven and Earth—so every cultivator dreams of ways to improve their own training conditions.

"Isn’t this just another variable in the path of cultivation?"

With Zhu Er’s help, Lu Chang’sheng settled in.

Before leaving, Zhu Er, feeling he’d done Lu Chang’sheng a favor by finding the place, brought up persuading the two women again.

’You take someone’s favor, you owe them.’

Suppressing his distaste, Lu Chang’sheng said, "Fellow Daoist Zhu Er, to be honest, I did try to talk to them, but you know—they’re both outstanding people. Why would they waver just because of something an ordinary friend like me said?"

Hearing this, Zhu Er had no choice but to give up pressing the point and sighed, "Those ladies are a bit headstrong. They must understand, Master Lu just wants them to submit willingly. Otherwise, they might spend their whole years in Bamboo Elegance Garden."

Lu Chang’sheng’s eyebrows rose. "They’re still my friends. Does Fellow Daoist Zhu Er have any ideas for making Master Lu let them go?"

Zhu Er chuckled, "Can’t help with that, I’m afraid."

Watching him leave, Lu Chang’sheng turned and went inside the house.

The place wasn’t big—about two courtyards’ worth. It had three floors. Only the first floor was vacant; the second and third already had other tenants.

The first floor had two tiny rooms and a cultivation chamber.

Just as Lu Chang’sheng was about to check out the cultivation chamber, a cold voice drifted down from upstairs.

"Somebody’s already using the cultivation chamber. Fellow Daoist, best not get too close."

Lu Chang’sheng stopped in his tracks and answered back.

"So this is what it means to be living under someone else’s roof. I still need to move out of here as soon as I can."

Zhu Er only charged him a token twenty low-grade Spirit Stones a month for rent. But the most valuable thing about this place was, obviously, the cultivation room.

There was a Spirit Gathering Array inside. Training here was far more efficient than outside.

"Zhu Er definitely knew what it was like here, but didn’t say a word."

So, even at twenty low-grade Spirit Stones a month, this place was hardly cheap.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Chang’sheng glanced at the stairs to the second floor, then turned and left.

Lu Ziyou and Lu Chang’an were tidying up the rooms.

Two rooms—eventually, Lu Chang’sheng took one, and the two brothers shared the other. Still, none of them could sleep that night. They stayed together and discussed their plans for the future.

Of course, they wrote everything down instead of talking out loud.

"Tomorrow, we’ll go out and look around Platinum Immortal City, and then try to get in touch with your mother."

Writing this, Lu Chang’sheng felt a swell of emotion in his chest.

He hadn’t seen Li Nangua in decades. He only believed in her because he trusted her character. In his previous life, there’d be no question a woman would’ve run off long ago.

Thinking this, Lu Chang’sheng grew more certain that the Immortal from Fuyun Mountain truly meant to keep him and Li Nangua separated forever.

Back in Bamboo Elegance Garden, he’d once overheard from Zhu Er that the merging of the two realms had been delayed at least another ten years.

That was much later than what the Immortal from Fuyun Mountain claimed before.

"Your mother’s master is also a great Foundation Establishment cultivator—if she steps in, this should be easily resolved."

"It shouldn’t be hard. As long as we find a channel, with the means of a cultivator, we should be able to contact Fuyun Mountain."

The next morning, Lu Chang’sheng ran into a cultivator coming down from another set of stairs.

He was a scruffy-looking Taoist, face still showing signs of a hangover. When he saw someone on the first floor, he paused, then said, "New folks? Won’t be so convenient around here from now on."

The voice was different from the one he’d heard yesterday.

Lu Chang’sheng said, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist!"

They introduced themselves. The other’s surname was Niu, single name Xi, a cultivator living on the third floor.

"From what I know, this is one of the Zhu Family’s long-term rental places. Fellow Daoist Niu, how did you end up staying here?"

After chatting for a while, Lu Chang’sheng finally asked.

Niu Xi replied, "I’m also with the Zhu Family, just not from the main line. Want a drink? I’ve got decent wine up there."

Lu Chang’sheng shook his head, suddenly got an idea, and said, "This is my first time in Platinum Immortal City. There’s a lot I don’t understand. Could I ask for your advice on something?"

He told Niu Xi about wanting to send word to faraway family and friends.

But thinking it would sound too high-profile and attract unnecessary attention, he didn’t mention he wanted to contact a disciple of Fuyun Mountain.

Niu Xi said, "There’s not much you can do about that. For one-way Sound Transmission Shells, if you want to crack the array, you need to be at least a Foundation Establishment Spirit Array Master. As far as I know, there’s barely two in Platinum Immortal City."

"I’d appreciate your advice!"

With that, he handed over a Spirit Stone.

Niu Xi immediately grinned, "Easy enough! It’s a small world—there’s Master Baiyun from White Cloud Cave Mansion, or the old ancestor of the Gu Family."