Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 148 - 118: Problems and Solutions

At this moment, Lu Chang’an and Lu Ziyou stepped forward to talk with Li Nangua.

Lu Chang’an was a little better at it.

When Lu Ziyou called her "Mother," there was always a tinge of awkwardness to it.

Lu Chang’sheng felt helpless in his heart.

Back when Li Nangua left, Lu Ziyou was only a few years old, and it’s been over a decade since; it’s normal for him to feel some estrangement.

Tonight was, once again, the time to communicate with Li Nangua.

Lu Chang’sheng tidied up the pill furnace.

This time, he tried using his Great Success-level alchemy to analyze and replicate the Longevity Pill, but failed yet again.

Still, he had a hunch: after his alchemy broke through to a new level, he’d probably start gaining some insights from the Longevity Pill.

This was a feeling that often came to him when his Root Bone was about maxed out.

"Father!"

As Lu Chang’sheng walked toward the back mountain, he saw Lu Chang’an coming over to greet him.

"You’re back!"

"Yes."

Lu Chang’sheng looked at Lu Chang’an.

Ever since his eldest son set foot in officialdom, he’d become much more steady. And as the years went by, he’d accumulated an air of authority too.

On this, Lu Chang’sheng was fairly satisfied.

The only thing that made him feel regret was his eldest son’s lack of talent for the Martial Dao.

Even with Lu Chang’sheng’s personal guidance, to this day he still hadn’t reached the True Qi Realm.

"You should put more effort into martial arts; the Martial Dao has many benefits. It not only prolongs life, it’ll help you go further on the path of officialdom."

"I know, Father, but my Martial Arts Root Bone is only so-so. No matter how hard I work, I fear I’ll never achieve much in martial arts."

Lu Chang’sheng let out a small sigh in his heart and didn’t push it further.

Lu Chang’an knew what his father expected from him.

Compared to being an official, Lu Chang’sheng was even more devoted to the Martial Dao, or maybe even the Immortal Dao.

But these things aren’t decided by human will.

Lu Chang’an had tried cultivating martial arts, even entering the Martial Artist Institute for it, but after wasting a year, he pretty much gave up the practice.

Just as he’d said—his own talent for it was middling. Even if he poured most of his time into martial arts, it’d be hard to ever reach the Innate level.

If he couldn’t reach Innate, then he might as well focus on his official career.

"I’ve let you down, Father. It’s a shame I didn’t inherit your talent."

Lu Chang’an looked dejected.

He did enjoy being an official, but he also knew the benefits of the Martial Dao far surpassed the path of officialdom.

Lifespan, personal strength—these weren’t things an official career could bring.

Lu Chang’sheng’s expression froze for a moment.

He patted his son on the shoulder, "Don’t say that, you’re not worse than anyone else!"

After all, he couldn’t very well say, "You inherited almost all my talent"—could he?

First-rate for reading, but for martial arts, the talent’s really not much to look at.

"Father, Big Brother!"

Just then, a loud, full-throated voice sounded.

A round-faced young man came hurrying over.

Lu Chang’sheng could tell at a glance that he’d trained his Five Elements Stance Skills to Great Success, which made him feel old but very comforted inside.

Lu Ziyou looked more like Li Nangua, with a round face and the puffiness of baby fat. Naturally, he’d inherited Li Nangua’s talent as well.

In martial cultivation, he was also outstanding.

When it came to reading and writing, though—well, not terrible, but not great either.

"Bad news, Master!"

Suddenly, an anxious voice sounded.

"What is it, Lucky?"

Lucky was a steward they’d hired from the Prefecture City a few years back, now in charge of managing the servants.

"The Old Master just said he was tired and wanted to rest. But when he woke up, he couldn’t get out of bed!" Lucky reported.

When he’d learned this, he’d rushed straight over to tell Lu Chang’sheng.

Lu Chang’sheng’s heart jumped; he hurried over with his two sons.

Soon enough, Lu Haozi’s branch of the family got wind of it too, and everyone came running.

"This is just how it is at my age. It’s nothing serious."

In the courtyard where Mr. and Mrs. Lu lived, Mr. Lu’s weak voice rang out.

Lu Chang’sheng checked him over. He knew it was a decline in body functions—something that could only be improved with medicine, not reversed.

Of course, maybe the Longevity Pill on hand could do it. But Mr. Lu’s condition hadn’t gotten so bad yet, so there was no need to use up a whole Longevity Pill on this.

At this thought, he turned and left, then used his True Qi like a knife to cut off a fingernail-sized corner of the Longevity Pill, and gave it to Mr. Lu to take.

Just one day later, Mr. Lu looked much better.

He could even get up and walk a little.

Still, Lu Chang’sheng had an increasing sense of urgency in his heart.

That night, Lu Chang’sheng and his two sons waited in the cultivation room for the Sound Transmission Shell to activate.

He planned to ask Nangua a few questions about the Longevity Pill when she contacted them.

Unfortunately, to his dismay, the agreed-upon time came and went—and the shell remained still. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Sitting on the table, the Sound Transmission Shell didn’t move at all, not even by dawn the next day—no sign of its usual glow when it’s in use.

"Father!" Lu Chang’an looked at Lu Chang’sheng anxiously.

"I’m fine. The Spirit Realm is so vast, and there are so many cultivators—it’s entirely possible your mother’s been caught up in something," Lu Chang’sheng took a deep breath and smiled.

When they saw him smile, Lu Chang’an and Lu Ziyou clearly felt much calmer.

Another day passed. Lu Chang’sheng closed his eyes for a moment, then said to Lu Chang’an, "You two go back for now. If I hear anything from your mother, I’ll let you know."

"All right, Father!"

After the two boys left, Lu Chang’sheng could no longer hide the worry in his eyes.

Staring at the Sound Transmission Shell in his hand, he clenched his fist.

"Let’s hope nothing has happened..."

Li Nangua’s sudden disappearance made Lu Chang’sheng panic for just a moment. But he was no longer the man he used to be—he quickly regained his composure.

Just like he’d said, it was perfectly normal for Li Nangua to be delayed by something.

So, after that, he practically kept the Sound Transmission Shell with him at all times, waiting for a reply from Li Nangua.

Unfortunately, all the shell did was stay silent.

Half a month later, he tucked the shell into his clothes and walked out of the Lu Mansion, face dark as thunder.

Other than telling Master Mo and his parents, he didn’t really mention to anyone else that he was planning to leave the Lu Family Manor.

Dusk.

The back mountain behind Lu Mansion.

Lu Chang’sheng took Lu Ziyou and Lu Chang’an with him into the woods.

"Oo oo~"

A little monkey dropped down from a tree, making faces at Lu Chang’sheng.

Lu Chang’sheng chuckled and beckoned; the little monkey jumped down, landing on his shoulder.

"Oo oo~"

Not far in, they started hearing several monkeys chattering, with a tone that almost sounded scolding.

One monkey ran over, bowed to Lu Chang’sheng, and then bared its teeth jealously at the little one on his shoulder.

"It’s all right, this little fellow is pretty cute."

Lu Chang’sheng smiled.

Over the years, he’d visited often, drinking with the White Ape, and became quite familiar with the monkeys here.

At first, the monkeys the White Ape brought were afraid of Lu Chang’sheng. But with time, and countless visits, they learned he was close to their "king"—and over time, their fear turned into respect.

But for the little monkeys born in recent years, it was different. With them, it was mostly fondness and affection for Lu Chang’sheng.

Soon, Lu Chang’sheng spotted White Ape by a spring at the foot of a hill.

Compared to twenty years ago, White Ape now had a long, lush coat that could hide almost its entire body when it sat on a rock. Less fierce, more calm and wise.