Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 263 - 173: Everlasting Pill

Wan Yu and Qu Feng were overjoyed at his words, immediately asking who it was.

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t answer directly, lest he stir up unnecessary trouble; it would be much easier to come clean once the results were out.

"However, that means the two-year agreement we made earlier will need to be postponed by three months."

Originally, the deadline had already been pushed back a few months, but none of the families had pressed him, since Lu Chang’sheng had already proved his worth.

Namely, by becoming Lin Yan’s direct disciple.

That alone was enough to cover the Minor Achievement in alchemy, as stated in the agreement.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Lu, you must be joking. We’re not fools—even just being valued by Alchemist Lin Yan is as good as attaining Class B results," Wan Yu laughed.

Lu Chang’sheng nodded, thinking there was no need to quibble over this.

Just as he was about to leave, Qu Feng suddenly said, "The next time our elder returns, would you be available to visit the Qu Family?"

Lu Chang’sheng’s heart gave a slight stir.

"Just let me know when the time comes."

Walking out the door, he shook his head and smiled.

Had he really caught the Qu Family elder’s eye?

"Most likely, I have my teacher to thank for this!"

Lu Chang’sheng was well aware of himself; in the eyes of outsiders, he was no more than an alchemist of minor achievement—a first-grade, barely qualified. Meanwhile, his teacher Lin Yan was already a top-tier first-grade alchemist, and one step further would be second-grade.

The gap was massive.

"But after this time, things should look completely different for me, right?"

Lu Chang’sheng smiled to himself.

He didn’t head straight back to Yun’an Institute. Instead, carrying a batch of spirit stones he’d borrowed from the Qu Family, he entered the market.

Honored with Lu Chang’sheng’s promise, the Qu Family had been plenty generous. Different from the last investment, where Wan Yu’s branch had taken the lead, this time the family’s late-stage Qi cultivation elder’s life was at stake, so of course they spared no expense.

There were thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones, no less.

Enough for Lu Chang’sheng to purchase a whole lot of supplies.

······

Qu Family.

Deep within the secluded compound.

A heavy medicinal aroma filled the room, but just as it was about to seep out, it was blocked by a spirit array.

"Elder, this is Divine Doctor Mo whom I invited from Southwest Market. He’s especially skilled in treating injuries to cultivators."

A female family member led an elderly man and knelt before the elders.

Up ahead was a spacious daybed, where several middle-aged men sat cross-legged.

Of the two Qu Family elders, one had been called away by the Supreme Profound Sect, heading to Purple Ice Lake and yet to return.

The other had suffered severe injuries during the last incident, now recuperating within the clan, hoping to restore his health.

A lot of people had seen the elder’s condition firsthand, so the Qu Family hadn’t bothered to hide anything.

Once back, everyone in the clan was tasked with seeking out masters of the Alchemy Dao.

As for "divine doctors" and the like, no one really had much hope.

The art of medicine and alchemy are, in essence, the same; when medical skills reach a certain point, that’s the Alchemy Dao.

Anyone called a divine doctor must have some talent for healing cultivators, but compared to a true alchemist, they’re far behind.

Still, since it was out of goodwill from the family, the cultivators guarding the elder couldn’t really scold them—so they just sent everyone out.

"The people downstairs are getting less and less reliable. Even dragging in these so-called divine doctors—truly speechless,"

grumbled a particularly hot-tempered elder.

With the elder in distress and the acting clan leader urging everyone to seek healers, those without the ability but eager to show their faces would try anything to get noticed.

If you can’t earn merit, at least earn credit for effort.

"Qu Family is worthless now. If the elder goes, then—"

"Enough! The elder’s fortune will see us through!" the leading clansman snapped.

Someone else knocked and entered.

"Wan Yu pays her respects to the elders."

Wan Yu was the elder’s concubine, so it was only proper to address these men as uncles.

But they didn’t think much of her.

Wan Yu was notoriously controlling; back when she had the elder’s affection, she’d offended quite a few people. Though she’d toned it down since falling out of favor, they still believed that "a leopard can’t change its spots." Her current compliance was nothing but forced.

So they didn’t look at her, instead turning to Qu Feng.

"Qu Feng, what’s going on? Did that Lu fellow help out or not?"

Qu Feng was the acting clan leader, but a generation younger than these cultivators. He nodded and said, "Just as the elder predicted, nearly every late-stage Qi cultivator in Platinum Immortal City has been sent to Purple Ice Lake, so he couldn’t find a suitable alchemist for us. But Alchemist Lu did mention another suitable candidate."

"Good, that’s great!" Their faces lit up with joy, and even their looks toward Wan Yu softened.

"If we can save the elder, Wan Yu, you’ll deserve the greatest credit."

Connecting with Lu Chang’sheng had all been Wan Yu’s branch’s doing; the Qu Family itself hadn’t paid much attention, only giving tacit approval for her actions.

They hadn’t expected it would pull them out of darkness today.

"Did he say how long it’d take to make the pill?"

"Three months."

"Great! In three months, we’ll pay a visit to Lu Mansion in person."

If they didn’t have their hands so full and Lu Chang’sheng didn’t need time for alchemy, they’d have gone immediately.

Wan Yu felt a surge of joy, thinking to herself, Looks like I made the right call after all.

If I save the elder, it’ll be a tremendous favor. Even if the other elder’s feelings for me fade completely, I’ll never lose my standing in the Qu Family.

Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, suddenly there was a knock at the door. A woman dressed like a matronly cultivator glided in, bowed to Qu Feng, saluted the elders up front, but looked straight past Wan Yu as if she wasn’t even there.