Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 230 - 157: Favors and Foundations

Just out of the furnace?

Lu Chang’an’s pupils contracted slightly, then he looked at Lu Chang’sheng with a hint of surprise and delight.

Although both brothers naturally admired and trusted Lu Chang’sheng, unlike Lu Ziyou, the more rational Lu Chang’an understood how difficult alchemy and pill refining were. He knew that expecting their father to pass the White Cloud Cave Mansion’s trial in such a short time was almost impossible.

This whole time, it’s basically been all input, no output.

This was the first time.

Lu Chang’an took a few deep breaths, looking at Lu Chang’sheng with a trace of awe in his eyes.

He knew their father would never joke about something like this, so this had to be real.

"I’m telling you this in advance so you’ll be prepared. If you run into any trouble, don’t just tough it out."

Lu Chang’sheng spoke with rare gravity.

The Qu family mother and daughter didn’t exactly leave him with a good impression, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on why. He could only let Lu Chang’an handle it on his own.

······

"Once you pass the trial and have the White Cloud Cave Mansion behind you, you’ll finally have a solid foothold. Then, you’ll have room to maneuver with other things."

Lu Chang’sheng temporarily rented a room near the housing complex, and it didn’t come cheap.

But this is the Immortal City after all—with the cultivation room’s Spirit Gathering Spirit Array, his cultivation speed really did jump up a notch.

"This Spirit Gathering Spirit Array is also a variable for cultivation. Unlike Martial Dao, the Immortal Dao demands a much higher and more complex environment."

"Pills, Spirit Veins, arrays, magical artifacts—any of these can speed up my cultivation."

He took a glance at the Light Curtain Panel and continued cultivating inside the training room.

Once his whole body filled up with that sense of fullness, he finally exited the training room and checked the Light Curtain Panel, where the entry time for the Five Wood Immortal Technique had already changed.

"Immortal Technique: Five Wood Immortal Technique:

First level requires 2 days.

Second level requires 12 years.

Third level requires 39 years.

The first level is considered entry, corresponding to Qi Cultivation, stage one.

Immortal techniques in the Qi Cultivation stage usually have nine levels, each matching one level of the Qi Cultivation realm.

Since Lu Chang’sheng had already entered the first stage of the Immortal Dao’s Qi Cultivation realm with the Five Elements True Body Skill—the Root Source Technique—it made training the Five Wood Immortal Technique’s first level twice as effective with half the effort.

"Without using this training room, the first level took 8 days. Now, it’s been slashed by this much."

Lu Chang’sheng was quietly impressed.

As for the second and third levels, limited by his Spirit Root Talent, they were still out of reach for now.

"A mid-tier talent that needs fifty years for just a minor grade... that’s honestly a bit too long."

Lu Chang’sheng went back to diligent training.

As the trial day approached, a unique buzz stirred up in the Platinum Immortal City. It was common to see people in hats walking along the streets.

Lu Chang’sheng wasn’t a rookie anymore. He knew those were alchemist hats—at first glance, they looked like wrapped headscarves, with a tuft of fine tassels trailing down the back to the waist.

"Alchemy will make your hair fall out!"

Lu Chang’sheng went quiet for a moment, then stepped into a restaurant.

Today, Niu Xi had arranged to meet him here, along with a dozen or so fellow alchemy candidates.

Lu Chang’sheng, however, was the first to arrive.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, over here!"

Niu Xi stood at the private room’s door. Spotting Lu Chang’sheng, he quickly raised his hand to wave him over.

Lu Chang’sheng poked his head inside. Nothing worthy of note within—just a few musician officials, all with good looks, gently strumming their pipas.

"The others aren’t here yet?"

"No rush, it’s still early."

Lu Chang’sheng and Niu Xi chatted at the doorway. This time, Niu Xi’s attitude had clearly shifted, all because Zhu Bei gained a lot from the previous trial, which had really pushed him. So he pulled out all the stops for this dinner, hoping to switch things up just like Zhu Bei.

"Let me tell you, you need to be sharp for this. Among these people attending, a dozen or so are actually middle-tier in the assessment. If you network well, you’ll definitely benefit a ton in the future."

Lu Chang’sheng nodded in agreement.

Alchemists basically create resources—any leftovers they toss out can help ordinary loose cultivators a lot.

These folks aren’t quite alchemists yet, but they’re absolutely promising.

As time went on, more and more people showed up.

Niu Xi made introductions all around, and everyone was having a good time.

But before long, Lu Chang’sheng sensed something was off. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

By the meeting time, only about half of the dozen-some people Niu Xi mentioned had actually arrived. A few others in the room started to give him disgruntled looks.

But hey, you don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

The food and wine were all served—the drinks, not quite spirit wine, but definitely top-shelf stuff.

Lu Chang’sheng even tasted something like fruit wine. For ordinary True Qi Martial Artists, it would do wonders for their cultivation.

The dishes were top tier; a few main courses were made of exotic beast meat, mouthwatering in color, smell, and taste.

There was even a special green veggie dish, trailing mist, famous across the White Mirror Immortal City—Evergreen Vegetables.

Value: 66 pieces of lower-grade spirit stone.

This meal easily cost Niu Xi at least a hundred lower-grade spirit stones—a major splurge, no question.

With food like this, even the most annoyed could choke down their complaints.

Lu Chang’sheng figured most of the attendees came not just for the food and drink, but more for those few alchemists. He couldn’t help but sigh, casting a glance at the now clearly upset Niu Xi.

If they hadn’t arrived by now, odds were, they weren’t coming.

"If fate brings you together, great; if not, don’t force it. Fellow Daoist Niu, let it go. In my eyes, everyone here is a top-notch alchemist. Even if you fail this trial, the Alchemy Dao is still open to you in the future."

"Haha, thanks for the kind words, Fellow Daoist Lu."

Nobody objects to a little flattery.

The mood in the room instantly lightened; no use brooding when you could be enjoying yourself.

During the banquet, conversation naturally drifted to the upcoming trial.

Lu Chang’sheng listened quietly, occasionally adding a word or two to dig for more info.

Soon enough, the party broke up and Lu Chang’sheng left with Niu Xi.

"Thank you for speaking up for me just now, Fellow Daoist Lu."

Niu Xi said earnestly.

Just now, missing his main guests nearly led him to neglect everyone else, but Lu Chang’sheng’s timely reminder saved him. Otherwise, all his effort would have gone up in smoke.

"This opportunity was something a senior from my clan got for me. If I’d completely botched this, it might’ve dragged that elder down too."

Niu Xi looked glum.

The main targets tonight were the ones who didn’t show. The others—Lu Chang’sheng included—were just supporting cast.

After all, flowers need green leaves to make them stand out. Having wandered the Spirit Realm for years, Niu Xi knew these rules well.

That’s why banquets always have social tiers.

If everyone’s on the same level, it’s not a banquet—it’s a strategy meeting.

"No need to be so formal, Daoist. You’ve helped me a lot lately, too."

Lu Chang’sheng grinned.

He had a hunch why Niu Xi invited him, but didn’t think it was a big deal.

Their relationship wasn’t close; naturally, their interactions were about mutual benefit.

What pleased Lu Chang’sheng, though, was that Niu Xi had solid boundaries—worth getting to know better.

"By the way, where are you living right now?"

Niu Xi suddenly asked.

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t think much and gave him the address.

"I might swing by and chat with you soon—is that alright, Fellow Daoist Lu?"

"Of course." Lu Chang’sheng was a bit curious; judging by Niu Xi’s look, he apparently had something to say.

That made Lu Chang’sheng even more interested.

But an hour later, when he saw Niu Xi again, the other man told him something that left him pleasantly surprised.

"In a couple of days, it’ll be the trial. Since you’re going too, I’ve got some experience from past years. Don’t know if you’d mind me sharing?" Niu Xi looked unusually serious—nothing like the messy, laid-back guy from before.

After what happened earlier, he’d fully accepted Lu Chang’sheng as a friend.

"Perfect!" Lu Chang’sheng smiled.

The two of them sat right down on the floor and started sharing alchemy tips.