Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 259 - 171: Hundred Flowers Immortal Technique

Chapter 259: Chapter 171: Hundred Flowers Immortal Technique

The letter from Guilan Institute ended up in the hands of several senior alchemists at White Cloud Pharmacy, then passed into the Mountain Gate of White Cloud Cave Mansion, stirring up a bit of commotion.

There aren’t many Grade B alchemists in White Cloud Cave Mansion; each of them is a pillar of the sect’s alchemy lineage. Now that a direct disciple has been accepted, it’s natural that many within the sect have their eyes on the matter.

Yet, once they learned of Lu Chang’sheng, most simply shook their heads and remained silent.

At dawn the next day, some late-stage Qi Cultivation disciples from the sect came to pay visits, each recommending their own talented ones.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, your alchemy skills are well known throughout Guangnan Domain. To take in someone at the end of their years as your disciple is truly a waste. I have a disciple whose talent in alchemy may not match Lu Chang’sheng, but she’s excellent in cultivation. Why not consider taking her in—"

If it were just an ordinary disciple, these late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators wouldn’t care, but a direct lineage is different; in the future, they’re likely to inherit their master’s legacy.

"I also have a disciple with fine cultivation talent. Might Fellow Daoist consider her for your direct lineage?" Lin Yan was incensed, but before a late-stage Qi Cultivation expert, he held his temper in check.

When he heard this, the other man’s face darkened immediately, "How can that be the same?"

"What’s different about it?"

Soon after, the person left, dark clouds across their face as they flew away.

This was only the beginning. Over the next few days, Lin Yan received a barrage of messages, some even from trusted fellow Daoists.

The words were tactful, hoping he would reconsider.

Though Lin Yan’s anger nearly reached its limit, he still barely kept from exploding, scolding those few friends harshly in his reply.

······

"End of their years?"

Thanks to certain people spreading the tale, now all of White Cloud Pharmacy and even the Mountain Gate knew of it, and Lu Chang’sheng’s name had grown prominent.

When Lu Chang’sheng heard about it, he simply smiled, not taking it to heart.

White Cloud Pharmacy had its own rules; as long as his alchemy wasn’t interrupted, the rest were trivialities.

The next day, he calmly went before Lin Yan’s courtyard to wait. In no time, Lin Yan appeared.

"Rumors are unpleasant to hear; you must learn to ignore them." Lin Yan counseled.

No one understood Lu Chang’sheng’s talent better than he did, and he didn’t want Lu Chang’sheng confined by gossip.

"Don’t worry, Master."

Lu Chang’sheng replied.

Seeing his expression was genuine, Lin Yan grew even more satisfied.

His outlook was steady, better than Lin Yan had anticipated, and it made him even more hopeful for Lu Chang’sheng’s future.

The two left White Cloud Pharmacy and arrived at Elegant Bamboo Garden.

Upon learning that alchemists from White Cloud Pharmacy had arrived, Elegant Bamboo Garden attached great importance, and soon a beautiful lady appeared leading several female cultivators.

"Greetings, Alchemist Lin."

The lady bowed serenely, perfectly poised.

Lin Yan returned the bow, and the two were invited into the main hall, where female cultivators served spirit tea and set it before them.

Lin Yan first inquired after Master Lu, then explained the reason for their visit.

"Those two women?"

The beautiful lady paused, her brows furrowing.

She appeared somewhat troubled.

Seeing this, Lin Yan was surprised. With his status, for her to hesitate at such a small matter?

Could those two women his disciple mentioned have something special about them?

Thinking this, he quietly placed a flask of pills on the table, "This is a bottle of Giant Yang Pills—Master Lu should find it of interest."

Lu Chang’sheng’s brow twitched, eyes glancing at his master.

Giant Yang Pills were as famous among Grade One pills as the Qi Storage Pill.

He hadn’t expected his master to have these stashed away.

The beautiful lady’s eyes lit up, smiling, "Alchemist Lin, your skills are truly something—my husband has been trying to get these pills for ages. Since it’s your gift, I certainly won’t decline."

Lu Chang’sheng let out a silent sigh of relief.

With her accepting the gift, the matter was settled.

"Forgive my curiosity—may I ask what makes these two so interesting to Alchemist Lin?" the lady asked.

She knew those two women came from a Mayfly World, and apart from some connection to the Zhu Family, they had no other background. Why were they suddenly worth a Grade B alchemist’s attention?

Lin Yan smiled, "My disciple Lu Chang’sheng also hails from that Mayfly World, and is on close terms with both women."

Saying this, he glanced at Lu Chang’sheng.

Lu Chang’sheng knew this was a kind of acknowledgment, and stepped forward to bow, "Greetings, Elder Ruan."

The beautiful lady finally turned her gaze from Lin Yan to Lu Chang’sheng, studying him for two breaths before she seemed to recall something, her eyes widening in surprise, "It’s you!"

She had recognized Lu Chang’sheng and felt a twinge of astonishment.

"If I’m not mistaken, you and Qin Wan and Zhuqing have only been in the Spirit Realm for about two years, correct?"

"You’re correct, Elder."

"Tsk tsk, looks like Alchemist Lin has chosen well."

She sighed, inwardly wondering if she’d missed something all along.

This one also holds alchemy talent? Had she kept him back then, wouldn’t she—

No one ever dislikes having more alchemists under their wing. Though Master Lu regards himself as a loose cultivator, even he needs manpower.

If Lu Chang’sheng had stayed, Bamboo Elegance Garden would certainly have benefited.

"Since Alchemist Lin has come in person, the matter of those two women is settled. However, I’d advise you both not to go through with this." The lady said.

"Why not?" Lin Yan frowned.

"It’s true that Zhuqing and Qin Wan were attractive in their youth, but now they’re both well on in years. My husband’s interested in women, sure, but he doesn’t go for just anyone." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her fair neck. "The reason they were kept wasn’t as outsiders might think—not for their looks, but to cultivate direct lineage disciples and give them a stroke of great fortune."

Seeing Lin Yan and Lu Chang’sheng remain silent, the lady guessed they doubted her, and said, "If you don’t believe me, you can come with me and see for yourselves."

For this, Lu Chang’sheng and Lin Yan had no objection.

With Master Lu yet to return, Lin Yan’s power might not be enough to guarantee safety in Elegant Bamboo Garden, but he’d have time to notify White Cloud Cave Mansion.

So, unless the lady was a fool, she’d never dare anything nefarious.

Soon, the two arrived at a courtyard and saw several female cultivators practicing, among them Qin Wan and Xu Zhuqing.

The beautiful lady sent someone to fetch the two, then left with Lin Yan, giving Lu Chang’sheng time to speak with them.

After two years apart, the two women did not look aged—if anything, younger than before.

You could see it in their hair.

Seeing Lu Chang’sheng, both women were delighted. In their conversation, once they heard Lu Chang’sheng was now a White Cloud Cave Mansion disciple, and a direct disciple to a senior alchemist, they were equally shocked.

"You really are still the same Lu Chang’sheng I know!" Xu Zhuqing said after a pause, with feeling.

Back in Great Yuan’s territory, she was always chasing Lu Chang’sheng’s footsteps, thinking she might outpace him this time—rise to greatness before he did—but she lost out again.

Compared to Zhuqing’s conflicted feelings, Qin Wan’s feelings were simpler.

Her gaze, soft as water, kept settling on Lu Chang’sheng’s chest.

"Still wearing Qin Ruo’s Peace Blessing, I see?"

Lu Chang’sheng was slightly taken aback, then smiled, "Still am. Credit must go to that blessing for my achievements, I suppose."

Qin Wan’s smile suddenly bloomed, making Lu Chang’sheng feel a bit lost.

Soon, the three turned to business.

Lu Chang’sheng quickly learned why the lady had said what she did before.

Soon after they arrived, Elder Ruan came to see them, gifting them a cultivation method and telling them that if they could stand out while cultivating it, they might obtain a great fortune.

"Master Lu’s cultivation hit a bottleneck, so he worked hard to open a path to a major Immortal Sect—he hopes to slip a few disciples in."

Lu Chang’sheng felt something was off, "Do you know which Immortal Sect?"

"No idea, I suppose Master Lu is being careful, so he didn’t tell us. But cultivating this Hundred Flowers Immortal Technique feels wonderful."

Qin Wan said.

Both women, and the other disciples in the courtyard, were cultivating the same technique: the Hundred Flowers Immortal Technique.

Since it concerned the secrets of cultivation methods, Lu Chang’sheng didn’t ask further.

In the end, neither woman chose to leave Elegant Bamboo Garden.

Evening.

Lu Chang’sheng bid farewell to the two women as Elder Ruan approached with her attendants.

Suddenly, Lu Chang’sheng asked, "There’s something I’m curious about, Elder Ruan. Could you answer it for me?"

"Certainly," Elder Ruan smiled.

"Is there something unusual about those two?"

"No, not really. If I had to say, they’re simply particularly suited to the Hundred Flowers Immortal Technique."

"There was another among us back then, her spirit root talent better than both of them—why didn’t you keep her?" Lu Chang’sheng was talking about Emperor Zhu Qing.

Elder Ruan shook her head, smiling, "We have our own standards for judging who’s fit to cultivate the Hundred Flowers Immortal Technique. The girl you mention didn’t meet them. And the Zhu Family has connections to Supreme Profound Sect—we have our reservations."

Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself: Seems I was overthinking it.