Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 358 - 219: Envoys from Heaven-Burning Valley
Within the Supreme Profound Sect, the status of alchemists is much higher than that of other cultivators of the same level.
After all, talisman papers can be replaced with magical artifacts or magic, but there’s nothing that can truly take the place of pills.
Even if something could, it would be something far more precious than pills.
Scarcity dictates value—such is the way of things.
Lu Chang’sheng shook his head. Though his understanding in some areas might not be as deep as Yu Hai’s, his breadth of knowledge was certainly greater.
"Refining top-grade pills is just a small path. If their quality was truly that outstanding, they wouldn’t be in this position, waiting to be chosen by others."
Lu Chang’sheng said.
The Spirit Realm is boundless and strong cultivators are countless; he believed that only by maintaining a humble heart could one travel further down the Immortal Dao.
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Back at his residence, Lu Chang’sheng took out the Alchemy Dao Jade Scroll gifted by Master Baiyun and began studying it in earnest.
Though his cultivation was still limited and he couldn’t accelerate variables by much, the knowledge recorded on the Jade Scroll was solid and reliable.
Once he fully mastered its contents and reached the late stages of Qi Cultivation, his progress would leap significantly.
So, there’s nothing wrong with learning and reviewing as much as possible.
In the blink of an eye, two days passed. Finally, Lu Chang’sheng received a notice from Wang Futian to head to the sect’s Mountain Gate.
At the center of Supreme Profound Immortal City stood a massive marketplace. Under Yu Hai’s guidance, they reached a tall building within the bustling bazaar.
The building was like a small mountain, over ten zhang high, its surface covered densely with runes—it was obviously no mundane construction.
Inside, it wasn’t long before they found Wang Futian. He was speaking with a cultivator and soon received a token from the other’s hand.
"You can’t take sword flight freely within the Supreme Profound Sect’s Mountain Gate. Only with a flight permit crafted by a Foundation Establishment True Man may one fly,"
The three of them chatted merrily as they walked.
Up on the second floor, they opened a door to reveal an open-air platform.
"Please get me a sword talisman."
The smile faded from Wang Futian’s face.
There was a flicker in Lu Chang’sheng’s eyes; he hadn’t expected to see a temple priest here.
The person was draped in a low-grade magical robe, their dwarfish frame completely hidden so that even their toes couldn’t be seen, making them appear rather peculiar.
"Yes, Immortal Elder."
The temple priest replied respectfully.
Soon, a sword talisman floated from behind the temple priest and landed in Wang Futian’s hand.
Lu Chang’sheng was puzzled, not understanding why the usually genial Wang Futian was so indifferent toward this priest.
He glanced at Yu Hai, whose eyes also betrayed a trace of displeasure.
Lu Chang’sheng was no longer as ignorant as before; over the past years, he’d read information about the temple priest clan in the Library Pavilion of the White Cloud Pavilion.
They typically carried a hu—a ceremonial board—either in their hand or at their waist, engraved with visible spirit patterns.
Each spirit pattern represented a level of cultivation; for example, this priest at hand had seven spirit patterns showing on his hu at the waist.
Clearly, this priest was equivalent to the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation.
Given what Lu Chang’sheng knew about Wang Futian, it seemed unlikely that he would treat a late-stage Qi Cultivator with such coldness.
’Finally, he couldn’t help asking Yu Hai, "I noticed you’re not exactly friendly with that temple priest. Why is that?"
Before Yu Hai could answer, Wang Futian snorted lightly, "The priest clan is nothing good. In Guangnan Domain, they blend in because there are more cultivators. But in monster-infested regions, you’ll understand why they’re unwelcome."
Yu Hai added, "Indeed. I’ve heard these priests are bullies, feared but not liked. If it weren’t for their usefulness, no Immortal Sect would keep them around."
"I see."
The conversation continued as they ascended into the clouds. Meanwhile, Lu Chang’sheng felt an unusual sense of danger nearby—he had a hunch that if they didn’t stick to the prescribed flight path, they’d be attacked by the surrounding clouds.
"This is the Mountain Protection Array we purchased at great cost: the Cloud Array. Even a Golden Core cultivator would be helpless here."
Yu Hai explained with obvious pride.
Wang Futian smiled, "It’s not that unstoppable—the Cloud Array would only hold off a Golden Core master for a short time."
He didn’t seem worried about leaking such information; if the enemy could deploy a Golden Core cultivator, they’d surely discover this anyway.
A Golden Core cultivator isn’t a small player in any domain.
Soon, the three landed on a spacious platform. A guard approached, inquiring about their identities. Learning that someone was here for entry, he gazed at Lu Chang’sheng in surprise.
"Senior Brother Wang, is this accurate?" The guard’s brows showed visible doubt.
Joining the sect always involves a screening, usually held at the Supreme Profound Tower below the Mountain Gate.
To bring one directly inside the Mountain Gate was uncommon.
Wang Futian laughed, "This fellow Daoist is something special, so I brought him directly for the elders of Alchemy Peak to examine him."
"I see!" The guard’s expression cleared, and his attitude toward Lu Chang’sheng became much more amicable.
He even introduced himself, hoping to make connections with this promising alchemist.
Alchemists are highly sought after, especially capable ones. If you want rare pills refined, you have to come knocking at their door.
Lu Chang’sheng responded with a humble smile, politely assuring them they were too kind, making it impossible to find fault with his demeanor.
He was a bit moved; he hadn’t expected Wang Futian to think so highly of him.
After all, he didn’t know Lu Chang’sheng possessed a Golden Finger.
"Perhaps it’s also related to the abundance of techniques within the Immortal Sect. If my Immortal Dao Root Bone can truly be improved, reaching the late Qi Cultivation stage won’t be difficult. At that point, Supreme Profound Sect will gain itself another Grade-Two Alchemist." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
A Grade-Two Alchemist is already extraordinary.
A sect on the level of Supreme Profound Sect wouldn’t take a Grade-Two Alchemist lightly.
"The Immortal Sect truly is a place not to be missed."
Everything he saw along the way made clear the immense gap between the sect and those so-called factions in the Immortal City.
If he could cultivate here, it would surely benefit his growth immensely.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, please wait here. I’ll go fetch Steward Hu."
On the way, Wang Futian had already briefed Lu Chang’sheng on the process.
He would call for the steward and several deacons of Alchemy Peak. Lu Chang’sheng would simply need to refine some pills for everyone to see.
"With Alchemist Lu’s strength in Alchemy Dao, it shouldn’t be hard. Of course, the more impressive your performance, the better."
Wang Futian said thus.
Lu Chang’sheng naturally had no objections.
Yet, things didn’t go as smoothly as expected.
Once Wang Futian left, a long time passed without his return.
Standing out front, Lu Chang’sheng waited and waited until he finally saw Wang Futian hurrying back.
"Sorry about the wait, Fellow Daoist Lu. They’ve run into some business and will only be able to see you in a couple of days."
Wang Futian quickly explained the situation: someone from Heaven-Burning Valley had arrived ahead of schedule at Alchemy Peak, and all alchemists at deacon rank or above were presently accompanying them.
"It’s no problem."
Lu Chang’sheng replied.
He could tell Wang Futian meant no slight. For a second he’d suspected Zhu Qing of mischief, but after thinking about it, that seemed unlikely.
If Zhu Qing were at Foundation Establishment, perhaps, but as merely a registered disciple under an elder, how could he influence the higher-ups of an entire peak?
Besides, he’d just seen servants bustling about, carrying all kinds of spirit fruit and Immortal Brew. Heaven-Burning Valley’s visit to Alchemy Peak was clearly no excuse.
"It’s normal for it to take a few days to receive guests from somewhere like Heaven-Burning Valley."
Lu Chang’sheng was perfectly patient.
Feeling apologetic, Wang Futian arranged for his lodging and had Immortal Servants deliver spirit fruit and spirit tea.
Lu Chang’sheng settled in for the time being—but what surprised him was that the alchemy demonstration would be required much earlier than he thought.
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Sitting upright on a stone chair while reviewing the Alchemy Dao Jade Scroll, Lu Chang’sheng wasn’t aware that in a great hall atop Alchemy Peak, a handsome young man was also flipping through a Jade Scroll sent up by a disciple of Supreme Profound Sect.
