Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 232 - 158: Contest of the Examination

Lu Chang’sheng nodded.

"Honestly, Fellow Daoist, I advise you to come back next time." Niu Xi said.

This was already the third time Niu Xi had told Lu Chang’sheng this.

Lu Chang’sheng was, after all, getting on in years. If he failed this time, his record would be left in the White Cloud Pharmacy, and future attempts at the examination would be affected by even more factors.

"The White Cloud Cave Mansion is also split into outer and inner sects. The outer sect mostly works through partnerships, and you have to complete various tasks assigned by the sect."

"The inner sect, however, is different. Though there are still tasks, there aren’t many, and you have far more autonomy. If your potential is high enough, you might even be accepted as a student by another alchemist."

"Fellow Daoist, if you pass on your first try, you’ll be marked as high potential. But if you have to come multiple times, I’m afraid—"

Lu Chang’sheng understood Niu Xi’s meaning.

When it comes to repeat examinees versus first-time candidates with equal scores, people always see the latter as better.

Moreover, Lu Chang’sheng’s age and cultivation weren’t so promising; his moldability was naturally much lower.

If you pass on your first try, you might be able to slip through a loophole, but show up multiple times after that, and you’ll be just a familiar face— even if you pass, it’s only a low-level assessment.

But—

"Fellow Daoist Niu, I appreciate your concern. Chang’sheng knows what he’s doing."

Niu Xi said nothing more. Taking advantage of the moment, he started mingling, looking to make connections— perhaps among the crowd there was an alchemist the Zhu Family needed.

"Without strength or status, you’re just another face in the crowd, wherever you go."

Watching Niu Xi’s back, Lu Chang’sheng’s heart grew heavy.

Once registered, you’d receive a temporary token, allowing you entry into the White Cloud Pharmacy for the examination.

Every token came with a number, matched to its corresponding alchemy room.

The White Cloud Pharmacy was certainly large, but it couldn’t have everyone doing their alchemy test at once.

Time slipped by, minute after minute.

Soon enough, night had fallen.

Cultivators weren’t bothered by the darkness.

Martial Dao practitioners who succeeded could treat night like day; Immortal Dao cultivators above Martial Dao were even less troubled.

As night arrived, Lu Chang’sheng sat cross-legged, rotating his magical power to circulate through his body.

The fatigue that had just begun to form vanished completely after a full cycle.

No one could be sure when their turn would come, so you had to be ready, keep yourself in peak condition.

At last, right before dawn, a cultivator from the White Cloud Pharmacy emerged and called out names.

"C-26, Lu Chang’sheng!"

Lu Chang’sheng stood up and followed him inside.

They walked all the way along the corridor. Soon, he reached an unusually shaped alchemy room.

The alchemy room was open at the top; around it were high walkways, so anyone could watch all his alchemy moves in full view.

Looking around, there were plenty of alchemists of varying ages, all dressed in the White Cloud Alchemist Robe, strolling beneath the eaves, occasionally glancing over at Lu Chang’sheng.

"It seems every other alchemy room is set up the same. White Cloud Cave Mansion really makes use of everything— even the exam is an opportunity for their cultivators to observe on the spot."

"Of three who travel together, one can be my teacher."

No matter how low level an alchemist might be, each could have some unique method to their craft.

Ordinarily you’d never reveal your secrets to a crowd. But here and now, unless your alchemy Dao realm is truly strong, you can’t avoid showing a bit of your special technique.

Draw upon the strengths of others, and fuse them into your own approach.

Such a realm— that’s already the mark of an alchemy master!

At the very least, Master Baiyun already understood this principle.

"This person’s skill with Spirit Arrays barely reaches Foundation Establishment, but I never expected his real prowess to be in alchemy. No wonder even the Gu Family treats him so respectfully."

The Gu Family handled Supreme Profound Sect’s interests in Platinum Immortal City, and surely one mountain can’t hold two tigers.

If it were another power, conflict would be inevitable. Only White Cloud Cave Mansion qualifying as such a presence could make Gu Family so wary.

In the walkway beneath the eaves, there were three viewing platforms. Several cultivators sat above, and even the youngest looked fifty years old.

You could never easily judge a cultivator’s age.

But Lu Chang’sheng could feel a daunting aura coming from them.

This was something Zhu Er, a mere Qi Cultivation third-layer cultivator, simply did not possess.

"At least Qi Cultivation middle-stage cultivators."

He tensed internally, adjusting his mindset.

Mental state— it’s a vital trait for any qualified alchemist.

During alchemy, minor mishaps are normal. Without a steady mind, you’ll never handle them efficiently.

The three Qi Cultivation middle-stage cultivators on the platform secretly nodded.

As senior alchemists, they knew exactly which qualities a promising alchemist must have.

Talent, naturally, comes first— but you can’t ignore the other strengths.

After all, those truly gifted in alchemy are extremely rare, so they often must settle for the best among the ordinary.

Thus, character becomes one of the requirements.

If this were a major sect or great clan, they wouldn’t worry about it here. Given the long lifespans of cultivators, they could always nurture the right mindset in the talented ones.

"Character is temporarily rated Upper Grade C."

On the leftmost platform, the alchemist had silver hair, his loose alchemist robe making him look cross-legged, though truthfully there was a chair under him.

"Well, esteemed alchemists? What do you think?"

After jotting down his notes, he turned to the other two alchemists.

Alchemy goes best in silence, so between Lu Chang’sheng’s testing area and the viewing platforms, there was a Sound Insulation Spirit Array.

None of the conversation here could reach Lu Chang’sheng’s ears.

Unless Lu Chang’sheng’s cultivation far surpassed the limits of that grade-one Sound Insulation Spirit Array.

"Middle Grade C!"

"Lower Grade C!"

The two other alchemists replied gravely.

Their voices startled several of the White Cloud Cave Mansion members wandering under the eaves.

Many among them had reached this level in terms of character; some had even surpassed it. But C rank was a hurdle— at this level, you’ve gained genuine insights into the Alchemy Dao.

They hadn’t only come here to fulfill sect duties; many hoped to learn by watching others practice alchemy.

They’d watched for twenty-four hours straight, and had grown mostly disappointed— none of the candidates had earned a C rating yet, the best had only been Upper Grade D.

Now, with a C rating announced, the news spread: one told two, two told four, four told a hundred... soon, nearly all the idle sect members wandering the halls of White Cloud Cave Mansion knew about it.

"Immortal Lin gave an Upper Grade C rating?"

"That— is he really that good?"

"Even the other two alchemists gave at least a Lower Grade C? Let’s go see!"

······

When Lu Chang’sheng looked up from his alchemy, he was shocked to find the corridors and viewing platforms packed with people.

He cupped his hands respectfully to those around; many returned the gesture warmly, though some frowned, feeling he was getting ahead of himself.

"It’s just a character rating— does he think he’s the real deal?"

Mental state was just a basic requirement; what really decided whether you passed was your actual alchemy skill.

Among the options given by the White Cloud Pharmacy, Lu Chang’sheng chose the Qi Storage Pill.

It was also the most popular choice among testing alchemists.

"Qi Storage Pill really is a prole elixir!"

The scene made everyone chuckle and shake their heads.

No one held a real prejudice— most here had, at some point, invested serious effort into Qi Storage Pills.

Why was this pill so favored among alchemists? Market demand was a factor; so was cost— making its value for effort extremely high.

······

Once all preparations were complete, Lu Chang’sheng began his alchemy.

But as he approached the final phase, the three senior alchemists on the platforms began to quarrel.

The reason: Lu Chang’sheng’s style was unique. Nothing especially dazzling, but one word summed it up— steady!

Alchemist Lin had high praise for this, immediately awarding a Lower Grade A.

But the other two alchemists objected.

Especially Alchemist Lei.

"Steady? All I see is following the rules. This man’s thinking is rigid— no way he’ll ever make great pills!" Alchemist Lei shook his head, refuting Lin’s opinion.

This won broad agreement among the crowd.