Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 370 - 227: Elder Position

Time slipped quietly by as Fan Shou and the others waited anxiously.

Five days later, a cultivator intentionally passing by the Alchemy Room suddenly saw its tightly closed doors thrown wide open, his heart skipping a beat as he immediately looked over.

However, upon seeing the expressions on Elder Li and the others, the cultivator couldn’t decipher anything from their faces.

Elder Li and company looked completely calm, no different from usual.

"Looks like the outcome wasn’t as good as expected."

He thought to himself, quickly turning and leaving.

But he didn’t realize, this move made him look suspicious in the eyes of Elder Li and the others.

"I know that kid, I think he’s called Ma Nian."

Elder Li watched his departing figure, a hint of coldness in his eyes.

With all these Elders here, and yet he pretended not to see them—if that’s not guilty conscience, what is?

The other Elders had more or less the same idea, keeping that cultivator Ma Nian in mind.

"Let’s keep quiet about Alchemist Lu for now, just in case any accidents happen," Xiao Feng said.

This was a decision they’d made together.

At this moment, within Xiao Feng’s Treasure Vault Immortal Insect, sat a Perfect Pill, refined by Lu Chang’sheng in the past few days out of several dozen sets of Guiyuan Pill materials.

With the White Cloud Pavilion just starting out, several elders felt it was perfect to have a Perfect Pill as a showpiece. If in the future Lu Chang’sheng could become a second-rank alchemist, then their lineage, split off from White Cloud Cave Mansion, could count as orthodox in its own right.

If they further managed to earn the approval of those coming from Heaven-Burning Valley in the upcoming meeting, then White Cloud Pavilion would truly have established itself.

"Although White Cloud Pavilion looks to be doing well right now, in truth, it’s just a castle in the air—one good hit and it’ll collapse,"

Xiao Feng spoke. Compared to the other Elders, he cared more about White Cloud Pavilion and understood all too well the faults they currently faced.

"However, if Alchemist Lu succeeds, those faults will disappear."

At this, everyone couldn’t help but smile.

Just then, Elder Guo suddenly spoke up: "Recently, that Red Cloud Daoist has been lurking around Immortal City and has destroyed a good few Qi Cultivation families’ businesses. Should we consider pulling our people out of Baiqi Medicine Garden as well?"

"Baiqi Medicine Garden is one of the few assets we have left now. If we pull out, whatever’s inside will probably be trashed."

Xiao Feng and the others all frowned.

When White Cloud Pavilion split off from White Cloud Cave Mansion, they didn’t leave empty-handed—they brought over a fair number of their old businesses.

With Red Cloud Daoist rampaging outside, they’d already pulled back forces from most of their holdings, only keeping a skeleton crew at key sites.

The rest of their people were concentrated at their main strongholds.

"That Red Cloud Daoist isn’t afraid of inviting public wrath, huh."

Elder He, temper short as ever, sharpened his thick eyebrows, a murderous glint in his eyes.

Of all the elders, Elder He was the best at fighting—by far the most bloodthirsty of the bunch.

"We need to come up with a plan—do we lay low for now, or assign guards to hold the medicine garden?"

Elder Guo asked.

"Red Cloud Daoist may be powerful, but he’s not invincible. With one more man, I wouldn’t be afraid to face him,"

Elder He said.

The other three elders were still worried. Red Cloud Daoist had a fierce reputation, and while Elder He was strong, a ninth-layer Qi Cultivator, he couldn’t claim to be able to duel a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Even among ninth-layer Qi Cultivators, there was a gap.

But Baiqi Medicine Garden was now White Cloud Pavilion’s main source of medicinal herbs. If anything happened to it, White Cloud Pavilion wouldn’t survive long.

In the end, with Elder He insisting, they decided to maintain control over Baiqi Medicine Garden. Elder He would guard it long-term, and the other three would rotate in shifts.

Of course, a risky job like Elder He’s came with benefits—the matter of distribution would be left for the elders to discuss.

During the discussion, Xiao Feng suggested: should Lu Chang’sheng be brought into the Elder Council?

This made the others a little tempted. Currently, there weren’t many in the council, but with his late-stage Qi Cultivation skills and outstanding performance in alchemy, Lu Chang’sheng definitely qualified.

"I say not yet; let Alchemist Lu keep a low profile for now, so as not to attract attention,"

Elder Li proposed.

"Of course, Alchemist Lu’s treatment can be improved."

At this point, Elder Li showed none of his previous dislike for Lu Chang’sheng, just appreciation.

After all, he was the hope of all White Cloud Pavilion.

······

On his way back, Lu Chang’sheng received several messages through Sound Transmission Shell from the elders.

They asked if he was willing to become an Elder of White Cloud Pavilion.

Then Xiao Feng explained the perks of being an Elder.

The main one being resource allocation.

Each Elder controlled about 30,000 spirit stones’ worth of resources annually.

It might not seem as much as a Grade-B Alchemist in White Cloud Cave Mansion, but in fact, the two systems are different.

The twenty thousand spirit stones’ worth of resources here would go straight to one’s own pocket, with no obligation to the sect.

Meanwhile, the quota for White Cloud Pharmacy is mostly consumed by alchemy tasks, and whatever gets into the alchemist’s pockets depends on their skill.

Back at White Cloud Pharmacy, Lu Chang’sheng made about ten to twenty thousand spirit stones a year, tops.

That’s counting the extra profit from having Lu Chang’an sell pills outside.

Another thing that mattered to Lu Chang’sheng was gathering herbs.

As an Elder, a core member of White Cloud Pavilion, he’d theoretically have access to mobilize any sect resource.

Including manpower, materials, and social connections.

Due to being so newly established, White Cloud Pavilion barely had any factional squabbling—especially among the elders, who were all on the same side. Joining such a group meant he didn’t have to worry about wasting energy on pointless politics.

"Becoming an Elder is Chang’sheng’s good fortune!"

Lu Chang’sheng accepted without hesitation.

After that, Xiao Feng added that the matter wouldn’t be announced just yet—they’d wait until after the meeting with Heaven-Burning Valley.

"The current situation is still uncertain, and Red Cloud Daoist is a threat. Once things are resolved, we’ll throw a banquet for you."

Xiao Feng said.

Lu Chang’sheng replied, "No problem, it’s no big deal."

His attitude only made Xiao Feng happier—clearly, their trust was not misplaced.

As for Red Cloud Daoist, which Xiao Feng mentioned, Lu Chang’sheng didn’t worry too much.

Red Cloud Daoist was only late-stage Qi Cultivation. As long as he stayed in Immortal City, he’d be fine.

Now, all he needed to do was wait for Heaven-Burning Valley’s people to arrive.

······

"Sure enough, sometimes you just have to fight for things."

If you don’t, they won’t even notice you.

And none of this would’ve happened.

Lu Chang’sheng let out a quiet sigh of relief in his heart.

After refining the Perfect Pill in the Alchemy Room, Xiao Feng and the elders finally told him the real secret behind the True Seed candidates.

It had been tasked before True Man’s death—he’d made contact with his own master’s line in Heaven-Burning Valley.

And from his master, heard about the desire to take on a new apprentice.

As a senior second-grade alchemist famous throughout the surrounding regions, that master was highly selective about his disciples.