Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 347 - 213: Soul Gathering Pill

Because he’d been handling the pill shop business in the city all this time, he managed to escape the disaster that befell the family estate.

The people from the Five Families were well aware of his existence, but it was hard to make a move inside the Immortal City, so all they could do was wait for an opportunity.

Zhu Er and some of the remaining Zhu Family cultivators holed up in Immortal City day after day, using the shop’s profits to eke out a living.

"If only I hadn’t suggested abandoning Fellow Daoist Lu back then—maybe the Zhu Family wouldn’t have been wiped out."

"We might even have gone further, become the leading clan of Qi Cultivation."

Zhu Er cursed silently in his heart.

Back when the Zhu Family was gathering info on Lu Chang’sheng, most of it was handled by him—so no one understood Lu Chang’sheng’s capabilities better than he did.

Sadly, what’s done is done.

Who could’ve guessed that the little nobody who ran out of the Mayfly World would rise to this level so fast?

The next day, Lu Chang’sheng returned to Yun’an Institute, continuing his alchemy practice.

The effects of the Spirit Recovery Pill had grown much weaker.

Still, after cultivating with Spirit Recovery Pills for some time, his magical power had improved somewhat.

Unfortunately, he was still a ways off from reaching the sixth layer.

"My root bone is just too poor—even with top-tier pills like the Spirit Recovery Pill helping, once you hit Fifth Qi Layer, getting stronger just gets harder and harder."

Lu Chang’sheng sighed inwardly.

To be fair, some of this was due to the pill’s diminishing returns, but the real issue was the limit set by the Immortal Dao Spirit Root.

He took a few deep breaths to steady himself.

"The longer I live, the better my talent gets; what more am I supposed to wish for?"

Days passed in a blur, and before he knew it, winter had deepened.

The assigned alchemy tasks had finally changed in a big way.

The mountain gate registry was submitted a month ago, and not long after, White Cloud Cave Mansion made new adjustments to the ranks of alchemists.

No longer using the four levels—A, B, C, and D—they reorganized all alchemists under a single peak, overseen by Liu Jiu.

The other disciples were split up and assigned to other peaks.

As expected, resource quotas were redistributed too—and Lu Chang’sheng, who hadn’t made the mountain gate list, along with Sima Qi and a few others, got the lowest allotment.

Now, they only received about five hundred low-grade spirit stones each month.

This left Sima Qi and the rest completely disheartened; one by one, they accepted White Cloud Pavilion’s offer, paid their art learning fee, signed an Immortal Contract, and left.

Lu Chang’sheng was the only one left.

He wasn’t in any rush.

His monthly alchemy assignments were still at least mid-level.

He could still pick up some new pill formulas here.

But over at White Cloud Pavilion, there weren’t many new formulas to be had; before Elder Xiao Feng departed, he hadn’t paid much attention to the pill formulas.

If Lu Chang’sheng went over there, it wouldn’t be long before he lost access to free new pill formulas.

So Lu Chang’sheng was content, living each day happily—unlike Steward Yang and Luo Ming.

They’d received orders to drive Lu Chang’sheng and the rest out, making them cough up a hefty art learning fee.

Which was why these days, Lu Chang’sheng and the others were hit with a greater workload.

Just like they’d hoped, everyone but Lu Chang’sheng cracked under the pressure, paying the spirit stones and leaving, rather than sticking it out at White Cloud Pharmacy.

Only Lu Chang’sheng seemed completely unmoved.

Both of them started to feel that maybe Lu Chang’sheng was getting attached to the place?

Steward Yang tried many times to persuade him—after all, it was obvious no one wanted him here. Why keep hanging around, shamelessly refusing to leave?

But Lu Chang’sheng showed no resentment at all, which actually sent a chill down Steward Yang’s spine.

"What do we do now?"

Luo Ming asked.

They both felt the same way; neither wanted to really offend Lu Chang’sheng, but they couldn’t refuse the tasks ordered by Thunder Cauldron Alchemist and the others.

It was giving them both a headache.

"If he doesn’t know what’s good for him, then we can’t be blamed," Steward Yang decided, putting his foot down.

He figured he’d already given Lu Chang’sheng plenty of courtesy; but when the other guy seemed not to get it and kept making things tough, then fine—let it be tough.

But Luo Ming wasn’t that bold. "Alchemist Lu’s got several late-stage Qi Cultivation clans behind him. And he’s a late-stage Qi cultivator himself; if we really piss him off, those ’immortal elders’ in the mountain gate might not be scared, but us—"

Steward Yang understood, of course.

He’d even privately alluded to this issue with Alchemist Lei, only to be frightened by Lei’s reply.

"A real hassle, huh?"

What more could he say?

Thunder Cauldron Alchemist hadn’t spelled things out, but Steward Yang read between the lines.

The good thing was, Thunder Cauldron hadn’t made things absolute—instead, he reassured, "You really don’t have to worry so much. I know Lu Chang’sheng’s situation better than you; his natural talent for alchemy is fine, but because of his Immortal Dao Spirit Root, breaking through late-stage Qi Cultivation is basically impossible for him. If he can’t advance his cultivation, then no matter how high his alchemy talent, there’s no way he’ll break past that level."

Master Baiyun came from Heaven-Burning Valley, famous for its expertise in alchemy, so he knew some secrets about the art.

Alchemy isn’t just about talent; your own cultivation is crucial too.

That’s why nearly all the alchemy experts in the Spirit Realm have strong cultivation.

To progress in alchemy, you need to refine pills. With Lu Chang’sheng’s current alchemy skills, making normal pills doesn’t do much anymore.

If he wants to break into the second grade, he’ll have to refine second-grade pills.

But to make second-grade pills, you need at least late-stage Qi Cultivation.

And even then, it’s mostly theoretical—very few actually manage it.

At least, Thunder Cauldron and the rest had never heard of such a thing.

So, Lu Chang’sheng had pretty much hit the peak of his alchemy; for him, there was almost no chance to rise any further.

"In that case, there’s nothing much to worry about."

Hearing Thunder Cauldron Alchemist’s whole analysis, Steward Yang thought privately, Then why don’t you go do it?

Of course, he couldn’t say that out loud.

"Whatever, I’ll just stay inside Platinum Immortal City from now on."

Steward Yang figured he was basically Thunder Cauldron Alchemist’s lackey now; if he didn’t carry out his orders, he’d be cast out for sure.

······

"Alchemist Lu, here’s your pill-making assignment for this month." Two days later, as the new month started, Luo Ming handed the list to Lu Chang’sheng.

"Hmm? Only four tasks?"

Lu Chang’sheng’s brow furrowed.

And just four.

The lists he used to get always included some tasks picked by other alchemists, but now all those were gone.

"You know, those alchemists registered on the mountain gate list—the tasks assigned to you are separate now."

Luo Ming replied carefully, hinting at Lu Chang’sheng leaving.

But Lu Chang’sheng just nodded, said nothing more, and entered the alchemy room.

Leaving Luo Ming standing there for a moment, not knowing what to do.

"Alchemist Lu—if you decide to leave, I can spot you some spirit stones to help," Luo Ming said suddenly.

Lu Chang’sheng, about to vanish down the corridor, paused, turned, and shot him a surprised look.

"I’ll give it some serious thought."

Lu Chang’sheng replied.

Watching Lu Chang’sheng leave, Luo Ming sighed inwardly; he really meant what he’d said.

For him, landing the steward post in a B-level institute had taken a lot, and if this blew up and his superiors got annoyed, he’d be kicking himself.

Better to spend some money and avoid trouble.

Too bad Lu Chang’sheng wasn’t planning on leaving any time soon.

Among the pill-making assignments just sent over, one had caught his attention.

"Soul Gathering Pill."

This was a high-grade pill formula—and not just any high-grade.

The soul is vital for every cultivator; any harm to it is a big deal.

"Who’d submit a Soul Gathering Pill order to White Cloud Cave Mansion?"

Lu Chang’sheng wondered.

Though it was just idle curiosity.

Master Baiyun was a second-grade alchemist with widespread connections in life, often approached for such alchemy favors.

Many ordinary pill orders ended up here, for the various alchemists to handle.

This one, concerning the soul itself—was Lu Chang’sheng’s first time seeing it.

"Most cultivators won’t ever need this pill, but if possible, most will keep a few just in case."

"The Spirit Realm is full of dangers; with a few made, I can stash some for myself too."

Lu Chang’sheng smiled, then sent someone for materials and started prep for making the pill.