Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 360 - 220: That’s Just the Kind of Person He Is!
After all, no matter how much of a genius you are, it’s impossible to completely memorize an entire Pill Formula in just a single day.
So, Lu Chang’sheng skipped over some of the formulas that looked extremely rare and precious, and chose the Spirit Recovery Pill.
Kindling the furnace, controlling the fire, adding the materials... the steps for refining the Spirit Recovery Pill were already second nature to him, not a hint of hesitation in his actions.
"This man truly has exceptional attainments in the Alchemy Dao."
At this moment, up on the surrounding platforms, several stewards watched the two people below working at alchemy.
Lu Chang’sheng had already finished all the preparations and started refining pills, while in the other Alchemy Room, Gao Ming was still getting ready.
The difference in skill was obvious at a glance.
"I heard this man came from Platinum Immortal City. It seems that place really does breed outstanding talent."
One of the stewards laughed heartily.
"Steward Jiang is absolutely right."
The other stewards echoed his words. After all, the Supreme Profound Sect itself started in Platinum Immortal City, so saying it produces remarkable people wasn’t wrong.
At this moment, a stern-faced steward brought the conversation back to the main topic, looking at Lu Chang’sheng who was refining, and said, "Just based on what we’ve seen so far, his cultivation in alchemy is indeed extraordinary. If he keeps up this level of performance, he’s certainly qualified for Entry."
"I don’t see it that way,"
Bai Sheng put away his smile and spoke.
"I’ve heard Steward Xiao mention this man—his talent is lacking."
Several cultivators’ faces subtly changed, and their looks toward Bai Sheng were tinged with uncertainty.
One of the stewards chuckled, turning to Bai Sheng, "Does Alchemist Bai Sheng have a grudge against this fellow Daoist?"
If there was no grudge, there would be no reason to bring up the man’s flaws at such a critical moment.
It was clear he was trying to sabotage him.
Of course Bai Sheng wouldn’t fall into the trap—even if that’s just what he was doing, he wouldn’t admit it.
"Steward Liao, you’re joking. I’m only trying to make sure none of you are deceived, and pay the price in the future."
No one spoke further. Even if there was some hostility among them, it hadn’t reached the point of falling out in public yet.
But as time passed, the previously serious steward finally couldn’t hold his tongue anymore.
Lu Chang’sheng’s pill refining techniques were so steady that even these veteran alchemists couldn’t pick out a single obvious flaw.
Therefore, he couldn’t help but speak up: "With such mastery in the Alchemy Dao, no matter how poor his strength, he has the qualifications for Entry."
Bai Sheng glanced around at the other stewards, smiled faintly, and said nothing.
To be honest, the man did qualify to enter the sect. But even if he did, he’d never be heavily cultivated. After decades, maybe a century, at best he’d end up as a steward.
For people like them, such a figure was of little use. However, blocking Lu Chang’sheng from entering could prove far more valuable—perhaps earning Steward Xiao’s favor.
They understood the value in that.
And sure enough, when Lu Chang’sheng finished his pill refining, the stewards began to deliver their judgments.
······
"Hmm? Just one passing grade?"
The cultivator waiting in back saw the verdict written on the paper and was slightly shocked inside.
Then he was visibly taken aback.
Seeing that both alchemists had already exited their respective Alchemy Rooms, he turned and walked over.
Outside the Alchemy Room, Lu Chang’sheng and Gao Ming stood together, quietly chatting.
Regret was clear in Gao Ming’s words.
"As soon as I started, I got anxious, and my control over the Pill Fire wavered badly."
"The design of this Alchemy Room is also rather strange. You can see the whole audience at a glance. For someone like me, who’s used to years of closed-door alchemy, it feels pretty unfair."
"By the way, how did you do, Fellow Daoist Lu?"
After a while, Gao Ming remembered Lu Chang’sheng and asked immediately.
"Not too bad, I suppose."
Gao Ming put on a look of utter dejection.
Just then, someone stepped out from the corridor beside them, token in hand, and gave it to Gao Ming.
Gao Ming let out a sigh of relief and laughed, "Not bad, not bad! Even if it’s just Grade D, it’s better than nothing!"
"Congratulations," Lu Chang’sheng offered his sincere congratulations.
Overjoyed, Gao Ming fastened the token to his waist. "Daoist Lu, you’re so calm, I bet you’ve got a Grade C Token at least."
Lu Chang’sheng knew that in Alchemy Peak, alchemists were ranked into four levels: A, B, C, and D.
Grade A meant a second-tier alchemist—there were only a handful even in Supreme Profound Sect these days.
But strangely, no one else came out for a long time.
Gao Ming’s expression shifted, taking on a strange twist as he looked at Lu Chang’sheng. He gave a fake smile and said, "Guess I’ll go register myself."
With that, he walked off with an air of ease.
"So, it’s because of the Immortal Dao Root Bone—I got cut after all," Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself, without much bitterness.
He’d been prepared for this from the start; it was just that Yu Hai’s encouragement made him want to give it a try.
"Looks like I’ll just have to tough it out."
Lu Chang’sheng turned to leave, and soon ran into Wang Futian hurrying over.
When he heard that Lu Chang’sheng failed the entry exam, he was utterly shocked.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
He told Lu Chang’sheng to wait while he went to ask what happened, but as he took a step, Lu Chang’sheng stopped him.
"Thank you for your intentions, Fellow Daoist Wang, but I have no wish to make enemies. Kicking up a fuss will only bring needless trouble."
"You—"
Seeing Lu Chang’sheng’s resolve, Wang Futian knew that no amount of persuasion would bring him into the sect now, so he could only give up.
"I truly don’t know what they’re thinking." He stomped his foot, a loud rumbling sound ringing out, almost attracting the attention of the patrolling cultivators.
Fortunately, after some explanation, disaster was averted.
"I’ll have to trouble you to see me off, then,"
Lu Chang’sheng said.
"Of course." Wang Futian sighed, then went to get a Sword Talisman and a Flying Order, and escorted Lu Chang’sheng to the main peak—Supreme Mysterious Peak.
Yu Hai was cultivating here.
When Lu Chang’sheng landed his Sword Talisman, he noticed a familiar silhouette—it was Zhu Qing.
At that moment, Zhu Qing sensed something and turned to glance at Lu Chang’sheng, her eyes cold as ice.
For a moment, he seemed to see the shadow of the Female Ruler in her.
"That woman is truly something," Wang Futian remarked.
"Why do you say that?"
"Her talent isn’t top-tier, just above average in Supreme Profound Sect, but she managed to win over Steward Xiao and get him to consider her a future Dao companion. That tells you how clever she is."
"You know, Steward Xiao is obsessed with the fairer sex, but no other female cultivator has ever gotten him to consider a Dao companion—"
"Zhu Qing did it. Isn’t that impressive?"
Wang Futian didn’t know the details between Lu Chang’sheng and Zhu Qing, so he could only share what he’d heard here and there.
"She used to be a mortal empress who ended the chaos of the world—a woman of real ability," Lu Chang’sheng said with a touch of awe.
He knew there was still a big gap between himself and the Female Ruler in some respects.
Fortunately, these days a few other cultivators were holding the Female Ruler’s attention, so he didn’t have to worry about her making a move.
And since Steward Xiao had yet to be promoted to elder, his cultivation was still at the Qi Refining Stage, so there was no need for much concern.
"But she’s definitely a hidden trouble,"
Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself.
When he reunited with Yu Hai, Yu Hai’s reaction was even more intense than Wang Futian’s, but seeing Lu Chang’sheng’s determination, he let it go in the end.
That evening, as a guest of Yu Hai, Lu Chang’sheng dined in the sect and then left together with Wang Futian.
Yu Hai watched the two leave, a determined look in his eyes.
When Wang Futian returned, Yu Hai asked, "Brother, what went wrong?"
During the time he’d been gone to see Lu Chang’sheng off, Wang Futian had learned the basic outline of events, and with a wry smile he answered, "It was your fellow townsfolk who pulled strings."
"Zhu Qing? That bitch. I’ve always hated her—hell no, I’m not letting this go."
Yu Hai spoke in frustration.
"What are you thinking? Don’t be rash—this was the stewards’ decision, and besides, Fellow Daoist Lu isn’t a Grade A alchemist prospect. Blowing this up wouldn’t help him at all," Wang Futian tried to dissuade him.
Yu Hai gritted his teeth. "Grade A prospect?"
He took a deep breath, recalling all his days with Lu Chang’sheng.
He said, "Brother, do you know there are people you simply can’t judge by common standards? Chang’sheng is one of those people!"
