Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 106 - 98: Pioneer

"Don’t take it tonight—wait until early tomorrow, right at dawn. That moment is when a Martial Artist is at their absolute peak, and swallowing it then will be more effective than at any other time."

Lu Chang’sheng nodded, a warm feeling rising in his heart.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, Lu Chang’sheng called out.

"Teacher, wait!"

Hong Yuan turned his head, puzzled.

"I have some problems in my cultivation that I wish to consult you about, Master!"

Lu Chang’sheng said.

He originally thought that Hong Yuan already knew he’d entered the True Qi Realm, but to his surprise, that wasn’t the case.

It seemed those other guys didn’t want this getting out.

Remembering how his teachers always had a bit of a competitive atmosphere, as disciples, they could only go along. If he spoke out, who knew what kind of unexpected situation he might face.

For instance, Brother Yu Hai—he’d probably get dragged in for a late-night "helping hand."

That Elder Guan Hongxiu, when it came to his own disciple and son, never held back. The family had plenty of pills for injuries anyway—might as well use them to vent some feelings.

The others were better, but their daily routines for cultivation would probably get shook up as well.

Some folks—the older they get, the more competitive they become.

So, he could only handle this himself.

A moment later, the calm on Hong Yuan’s face suddenly vanished—his eyes widened as he looked at Lu Chang’sheng.

"The True Qi Realm?"

"Yes!"

Lu Chang’sheng nodded and began circulating True Qi in his body, making his garments flutter with its power.

Hong Yuan’s expression became just as animated.

He took a deep breath, still unable to calm down.

He couldn’t help thinking, "This boy really is a rare genius!"

Though, of course, my Buddha Pill played its part, too.

After Hong Yuan asked Lu Chang’sheng about the details, his heart was truly comforted.

How could a guy like me get so lucky as to take in such a prodigy at this moment?

"Tomorrow morning, come see me first. I’ll stand guard for you!"

He spoke with utmost seriousness.

Standing guard—for protection—wasn’t any light matter. It meant sealing off an area with your own True Qi, isolating the cultivator inside from the outside world. Usually, this was only done when swallowing a Pill or Exotic Fruit for cultivation.

The whole point was to keep as much of the Pill or Fruit’s energy from escaping as possible.

It put huge demands on the one standing guard—not only exhausting, but a serious strain that could easily leave you aching for days.

The next day.

Lu Chang’sheng and the others all made their way up to the mountain peak.

They wanted to seize the morning, when purple spiritual energy was at its densest, to swallow the Vermilion Fruit and level up into the True Qi Realm.

Now that they knew Lu Chang’sheng had already advanced, the rest of them were fueled by a competitive fire.

"We’re all taking Vermilion Fruit, but everyone’s physique is different, and absorption varies. I’ve toughened my body with all sorts of Pills—I’ll definitely absorb more than anyone else!"

To keep it safe, they all kept a good distance between each other.

Yu Hai sat cross-legged atop a stone, glancing over at the others with a silent thought.

But just then, he suddenly noticed a figure appear behind Lu Chang’sheng.

"Whoa!"

Yu Hai jumped and then realized what was happening. He twisted his head and called out in another direction, "Master, I want a protector too!"

The others were startled as well, looking over—then instantly fell silent.

Hong Yuan was actually standing guard for Lu Chang’sheng!

They quietly put their Vermilion Fruits away, glancing back toward their own teachers’ spots on the mountain.

Soon, a few figures hurried over—including Kong Yuzhen, Guan Hongxiu, and the others, who couldn’t bear to lose face to each other.

"Haha, these kids sure are more entertaining than we were back in the day!"

Out in front of the house, Elder Gu sat in her chair, with Ancient Mountain massaging her shoulders and smoothing her energy and blood. Hearing this, he chuckled, "You’re right, Grandmother."

"Everything’s ready?"

"All set!"

"This will probably be the last time. After this, you can go wherever you wish!"

Ancient Mountain paused, eyes growing red, and said, "Grandmother, you don’t have to do this again. After all—"

"After all, I’ve tried so many times already, right? Heh! But this time is different. The two items they found this time are the best ever. Maybe... this time, it’ll really work!"

Elder Gu was a little excited, even thrilled.

Ancient Mountain sighed inwardly. Every time, Grandmother’s attitude was exactly the same.

But in the end, not once had it succeeded.

Seeking Immortality—the ancient pursuit. Countless people had tried since time immemorial, but who had ever truly made it?

······

A ray of morning sun climbed into the sky.

A gentle warmth swept over him, and in Lu Chang’sheng’s eyes, a purple sun seemed to rise.

"It’s time!"

Hong Yuan’s voice rang out.

Lu Chang’sheng swallowed the Vermilion Fruit. A warm sensation slowly spread through his belly, then fused with the warmth flowing through his whole body, making him let out a moan he couldn’t suppress.

He rooted himself on the Divine Power Stake, circulating both the Divine Power Stake technique and the Five Treasures True Skill, guiding his True Qi into a perfect Celestial Cycle.

"Pop!"

Who knows how long passed—the warmth in his abdomen suddenly rose to a new level, blazing like the sun at dawn, unbearably hot.

A surge of energy rapidly expanded, enveloping him in a circle a dozen feet across.

Every tendril of Vermilion Fruit energy that escaped was gradually absorbed, transforming into his own True Qi.

After a long while, as the morning sun threatened to become a blazing noon, the Vermilion Fruit’s power was completely depleted within him.

Lu Chang’sheng rose to his feet and bowed to Hong Yuan. "Thank you, Master, for your protection!"

"How did it go?"

"The True Qi has taken root and circulates flawlessly!"