Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 359 - 220: That’s Just the Kind of Person He Is!
"Master Kong truly lives up to his reputation as a legendary alchemist, once rivaling True Man Profound Turtle. This Alchemy Jade Scroll is truly extraordinary."
The young man was none other than Zuo Lin, a cultivator from Heaven-Burning Valley.
His words, of course, were a form of flattery.
Still, several stewards at the table couldn’t help but smile and replied, "If Master Kong knew that Alchemist Zuo Lin held him in such high esteem, he would surely be delighted."
Zuo Lin nodded slightly.
But internally, he didn’t care much. Master Kong’s fame was partly thanks to the Supreme Profound Sect itself, and compared to Profound Turtle Alchemist, he’d definitely had it easier. Still, it wasn’t the time or place to say such things—he knew better than that.
"I’ve heard Master Kong is now of advanced age. As a junior, I’d very much like to meet him for guidance." After looking around for a bit, Zuo Lin casually set aside the many Alchemy Jade Scrolls in front of him, and several stewards did likewise.
Only Master Kong’s Alchemy Jade Scroll was placed with proper respect before them.
The stewards seated below wore somewhat displeased expressions, but Heaven-Burning Valley was a Golden Core powerhouse. No matter how unhappy they were, they could only endure it.
"Just as Alchemist Zuo Lin said, Master Kong is in his twilight years now and no longer receives visitors."
"And what if I insist on seeing him?" Zuo Lin’s smile faded, and he spoke coolly.
The move made everyone present recognize firsthand the domineering nature of a Golden Core-level sect’s genius.
"Alchemist Zuo Lin isn’t an ordinary figure—naturally that makes things different. But even so, we must consult Master Kong about this."
Zuo Lin waved his hand dismissively.
The two stewards turned and walked out. Once outside, they couldn’t help but sigh.
"I’d always heard Zuo Lin was proud to the point of arrogance. At first I thought it was just rumor, but now I see it’s hardly baseless."
"Do you think he’s really here for Master Kong?"
"Doubtful. Heaven-Burning Valley is a major Golden Core sect, with even Nascent Soul-level alchemist legacies. Master Kong’s expertise in alchemy is notable, but compared with Heaven-Burning Valley, he falls far short. It’s said Zuo Lin ranks among the most gifted of his generation there. Why would he do something like this?"
"We’ll see! Oh, by the way—this morning Futian brought someone over, said he showed good talent in alchemy and wanted us to check him out." The steward to the left suddenly chimed in.
"Nothing serious. We’ll deal with it after this matter." said the other steward.
Such things happened now and then. It wasn’t uncommon for someone like Wang Futian from Alchemy Peak to bring talented people seeking admission.
Most of the time, the stewards gave them due respect.
Only this time, the left steward hinted, "Yesterday Steward Xiao mentioned: the person Wang Futian brought has terrible Immortal Dao Root Bone, and even his Qi Cultivation was built up by taking pills."
"Is that so?" The other fell into thought.
"What do you think, Fellow Daoist Bai?"
The steward on the left was surnamed Bai, given name Sheng. At this, he gave a light smile and replied, "If Steward Xiao’s right, then we’ll need to be extra careful in our consideration."
The other steward, Long Yu, immediately understood what Bai Sheng meant.
He saw clearly that the other wanted Steward Xiao to owe them a favor. By comparison, this alchemist whose future looked bleak—Lu Chang’sheng—wasn’t all that important.
"Let’s wait and see. If it really doesn’t work out, we’ll talk later."
Long Yu tended to be cautious—so before he knew Lu Chang’sheng’s situation for sure, he didn’t want to close the door completely.
He only sighed, saying, "Steward Xiao sure has his eye on Zhu Qing."
Bai Sheng chuckled, lowering his voice: "You don’t know, do you? Steward Xiao’s concubine is actually from the Zhu Family. No wonder he’s so invested—must be pillow talk."
The two exchanged a smile, not taking the matter too seriously.
Compared to Zuo Lin, and to Master Kong’s disciple recruitment, this was small potatoes.
······
On the third morning, Lu Chang’sheng finally received word from Wang Futian—the assessment would begin.
Lu Chang’sheng made ready, then followed Wang Futian toward the Alchemy Room, soon arriving at the special examination chamber.
"I am Gao Ming, from Black Rock Immortal City. How should I address you, Fellow Daoist?"
While waiting, Lu Chang’sheng encountered a gaunt cultivator dressed in gray robes with a matching alchemist’s hat. Judging by the bare patches at his temples, the man was nearly bald.
Lu Chang’sheng wore an alchemist’s hat too, though a few strands of hair showed at his temples.
"Lu Chang’sheng, from Platinum Immortal City."
After chatting for a bit, Lu Chang’sheng learned this person really had come to take the assessment.
Soon, both were notified and each entered a separate Alchemy Room.
Lu Chang’sheng instinctively glanced around, spotting several figures lurking at the edges, evidently acting as examiners and observers.
He thought to himself: Those must be the stewards of the Alchemy Peak here at Supreme Profound Sect. He exhaled deeply, steadying himself.
Though Wang Futian and Yu Hai had told him not to worry—that he had little to fear—Lu Chang’sheng knew his own biggest weakness. Until things were settled, anything was possible.
"Fellow Daoist, you may freely choose any pill that you are most skilled at and begin refining."
A servant responsible for the Alchemy Room quietly reminded him.
Lu Chang’sheng glanced about, inwardly marveling: This is truly the Immortal Sect—wealth beyond measure.
Numerous herb specimens gleamed like amber, embedded within jade cases and shimmering with protective spirit arrays.
And the booklet he’d received contained a great many pill formulas; among them, he could even spot top-grade Barrier-Breaking Pills, an extremely rare recipe at the Qi Cultivation level.
However, there were still some restrictions when choosing a pill formula—if someone tried to be clever and just learned the formula before leaving, Supreme Profound Sect would surely pursue the matter.
