Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 349 - 214: Departure

As time went on, it had already spread that Lu Chang’sheng was not favored by the upper echelons of the White Cloud Mountain Range.

Some people once valued Lu Chang’sheng’s background, so they tried to return the favor and stand up for him.

After all, the Lu Mansion still had some clout, and was on friendly terms with several late-stage Qi Cultivation families who were at their peak.

If they could tie themselves to this connection, it would clearly be far better than working as a low-grade alchemist in the White Cloud Pharmacy.

Unfortunately, such contact with hidden motives had not received Lu Chang’sheng’s approval. Instead, it made him a target.

So, no one dared approach him anymore.

At dusk, Lu Chang’sheng returned to Yun’an Institute, and from afar he saw Luo Ming standing in front of the courtyard, as if he’d been waiting for a while.

"Alchemist Lu, this is next month’s task list. Steward Yang asked me to bring it to you."

Lu Chang’sheng gave Luo Ming a meaningful look.

Luo Ming instantly felt as if his thoughts had been seen through. He gave a sheepish laugh and lowered his voice, saying, "Maybe Steward Yang’s gone a bit mad, but... I don’t want to offend you, Alchemist Lu, so—"

In the end, he decided to follow his heart.

Lu Chang’sheng smiled and glanced at the list in his hand.

It was all the old alchemy tasks, with just one new pill formula—but it was only medium-grade, and quite mediocre in terms of use.

These alchemy tasks... not worth doing!

"Alchemist Lu, the people above are already getting very impatient with you. If you keep staying here, it’ll just get more troublesome."

"What I said before about fronting you some art learning fee still stands."

"Thank you for your kindness." Lu Chang’sheng smiled.

Luo Ming sighed helplessly in his heart, thinking his attempt at persuasion had once again failed. Unexpectedly, Lu Chang’sheng said, "I’ll handle my own affairs."

Seeing Lu Chang’sheng pressing the list onto the stone table in the courtyard, Luo Ming was stunned for quite a while before he realized what had happened.

He chased after Lu Chang’sheng as he walked out of the courtyard, and when he saw Lu Chang’sheng heading off into the distance, he bowed respectfully on the spot.

"Thank you, Alchemist Lu."

With the evening glow behind him, the tall figure raised a hand and waved.

For some reason, Luo Ming suddenly felt vaguely lost inside.

"Could someone like him truly be stuck at second-rate?"

In the past, he believed it without doubt—after all, that was the consensus within the sect, and among most people in the Guangnan Domain. But now, he started to have his doubts.

······

The corridor twisted and turned, exotic flowers and rare potted plants, as well as the fragrant herb gardens, receded bit by bit.

Lu Chang’sheng walked down the corridor. He didn’t control his sword, but before long, he reached the platform that led to the mountain gate.

Several people had already rotated through as guards here; the current one was a cultivator at Qi Cultivation level three.

After Master Baiyun’s fall, even the cultivators guarding this place were of a lower rank now. Upon seeing Lu Chang’sheng, the man immediately greeted him respectfully.

Now, within the White Cloud Cave Mansion, Lu Chang’sheng was definitely a celebrity—probably even more famous than Liu Jiu.

With such a reputation, his connections and background had naturally been thoroughly investigated, so even the sweeping servants knew that Alchemist Lu, spurned by the current upper management, was a clan leader from a late-stage Qi family, and had deep friendships with people like Fang Yuan.

No matter what the higher-ups thought, little people like them definitely wouldn’t put on airs in front of Lu Chang’sheng.

That would be suicide.

Lu Chang’sheng nodded, had the man fetch a sword talisman, injected magical power into it, and flew off controlling his sword.

In a flash, he arrived at the mountain gate, first reporting to the designated office, and then heading to White Cloud Hall.

Ordinarily, art learning fees would be paid over at the pharmacy, but since this concerned a class B alchemist, it couldn’t be handled so carelessly.

He had to pay at the White Cloud Hall within the mountain gate.

This system was originally set up by Master Baiyun, meant to foster ties with B-class alchemists.

They could settle feelings before parting, so the other party would still count as part of the White Cloud Cave Mansion’s network in the future.

Unfortunately, Lu Chang’sheng felt none of that warmth here.

The great hall was completely empty.

He waited for quite a while, before several cultivators walked in. None of them sat down, but stood right in front of Lu Chang’sheng.

"I’m Wang Li. Pleased to meet you, Fellow Daoist Lu," said the leading cultivator.

Judging by his polite tone, Lu Chang’sheng assumed there wouldn’t be any trouble this time, but soon realized he was wrong.

Wang Li sighed deeply and said, "Right now, White Cloud Cave Mansion is in dire need of talents. Why, Fellow Daoist Lu, are you so intent on leaving?"

Lu Chang’sheng fell silent. He’d just thought the man’s attitude was decent, but clearly it was just for show.

He didn’t want to haggle further, so he took out the prepared spirit stones.

Sixty thousand lower-grade spirit stones.

No more, no less.

Wang Li glanced at them, still shaking his head with a bitter smile, "This really is—"

"Fellow Daoist Wang, if you really think I should stay, how about I stick around for a few more decades?" Lu Chang’sheng said flatly.

Wang Li forced an awkward laugh and replied, "You really are something, Fellow Daoist Lu. But since you’ve made up your mind, so be it."

"But—these spirit stones aren’t enough."

A glint flashed in Lu Chang’sheng’s eyes as he stared calmly at the man.

"Don’t be upset, Fellow Daoist Lu. You know, sixty thousand was the agreed amount, but now you’ve stayed here for a few extra years, so naturally it can’t go by the old numbers."

Lu Chang’sheng lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Sixty thousand lower-grade spirit stones was already far beyond the typical fee—for example, Nangua had cultivated at Fuyun Mountain for decades, had even been targeted by Fairy Yunxia, and only had to pay about thirty thousand at most. The final number changed, but it still proved how outrageous the sixty thousand was.

B-class alchemists had daily alchemy tasks for the White Cloud Cave Mansion—there was some level of cooperation involved.

In over twenty years, Lu Chang’sheng had brought substantial value to the Cave Mansion.

To pay several tens of thousands more now—that was already the limit.

He said nothing more, as he could tell Wang Li wasn’t finished yet.

Sure enough, Wang Li continued, "The higher-ups originally wanted to ask for at least a hundred thousand. But the elders, considering their friendship with Alchemist Lu, decided not to raise it higher."

With that, he put the spirit stones into the treasure vault immortal insect, cupped his hands and said, "Now you’re a free man, Fellow Daoist Lu."

Lu Chang’sheng fixed Wang Li with a deep gaze, then turned and left.

Before leaving, he retrieved the Immortal Contract he’d originally signed, tucked it into the treasure vault immortal insect, and rode his sword away from the White Cloud Mountain Range.

······

That evening, he went home and told Li Nangua he had left the White Cloud Cave Mansion.

Word of his situation at the White Cloud Pharmacy had already spread some time ago. Now that Li Nangua was a high-level cultivator in Platinum Immortal City, she naturally knew all about it.

"So what are you planning to do now?" That night, the two lay together in bed, bodies pressed close.

Feeling the softness of Nangua’s skin, Lu Chang’sheng felt utterly relaxed inside.

"Probably head to White Cloud Pavilion," Lu Chang’sheng thought out loud.

This was something he’d considered long before.

"Elder Xiao Feng probably has some pill formulas. Joining the White Cloud Pavilion would also give me access to a few new ones."

"The most important thing is that Elder Xiao Feng might have the secret to advancing to second-grade alchemist."

That was precisely what Lu Chang’sheng was missing.

"Compared to a lot of factions, our foundation is way too thin. If I only cared about the Qi Cultivation level, I’d have no need to join any other force. But if I want to take another step forward, this is a must."

Whether it’s the Foundation Establishment or Alchemy Dao inheritances, trying to get them from an auction house is nearly impossible.

Such legacies are incredibly precious—Foundation Establishment inheritances are almost as valuable as Golden Core treasures.

If you wanted to buy one, the price would be sky high—even if no one in the Lu Mansion ate or drank for a decade, they’d barely manage to scrape together enough spirit stones.

But compared to the risks of bidding for such things, the price almost doesn’t matter.

After all, who knew how many late-stage Qi cultivators were eyeing those items right now?

That’s why Lu Chang’sheng always wanted to move outward.

If he just lay low at home like Lu Ziyou, who knew if he’d ever make it to Foundation Establishment?

After some tender time with Nangua, the next day Lu Chang’sheng was just getting ready to find Huo Zun and the others—when they showed up at his door first.

News really does travel fast!

Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself.