Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 253 - 167: Ruthlessness

Thinking this over, he skipped past the magical artifacts that restored magical power and chose the other two types, purchasing them on the spot.

Several tens of thousands of Spirit Stones—ten percent of it was gone instantly. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Magical artifacts were a kind of luxury, especially those tied to the Four Arts of Immortal Cultivation, even more so.

Lu Chang’sheng returned to Yun’an Institute and started alchemy right away in the neighboring Alchemy Room.

"Now, of all the variables I know that can shorten alchemy time, they basically fall into two categories. One is the number of times I’ve performed alchemy."

"Whether I use the Sandalwood Prayer Beads or the Fire Suppression Magical Artifact, they’re both for speeding up alchemy time—somewhat different from Martial Dao cultivation."

"The other aspect is experience exchange in alchemy, and this is actually quite similar to Martial Dao cultivation."

Martial exchanges can also raise the cultivation variable in Martial Dao, shortening the time required for progress.

"By the same logic, Immortal Cultivation should be the same."

Lu Chang’sheng mused.

"But right now, the most urgent thing is to first achieve some results in the Alchemy Dao."

He hung the Sandalwood Prayer Beads around his neck, and a coolness surged to his brow, making him more refreshed, as if he could never grow tired.

The Fire Suppression Magical Artifact, on the other hand, improved his Fire Control Ability.

This just happened to be Lu Chang’sheng’s weak spot.

Because his Root Bone talent was just too poor, his practice of Immortal Techniques was also extremely difficult.

Magical techniques and cultivation are the root of Fire Control Ability, so he always struggled with fire, but with this artifact, managing fire had become much easier than before.

Correspondingly, the consumption of magical power and Essence, Qi, and Spirit was notably lower.

The number of times he could perform alchemy each day increased dramatically.

Every month, Steward Mo would send him some corresponding alchemy assignments.

Most were to refine Qi Storage Pills, since that was Lu Chang’sheng’s specialty—once in a while there were other kinds of pills, but much less frequently.

At first, Steward Mo also worried Lu Chang’sheng might not complete the tasks on time.

White Cloud Pharmacy’s alchemy assignments often supplied some large allied forces, or were for Inner Sect disciples to use in their cultivation.

If he couldn’t deliver, inventories would drop fast. Sure, things could be coordinated and shifted, but it was still a headache, right?

"Tasks assigned to me lately have gotten tricky,"

Steward Mo muttered, holding the assignment list sent from above.

Most Alchemists refined the common, high-demand pills: Qi Storage Pill, Qi Blood Pill, Spirit Recovery Pill, etc. Things like Calming Pill, Geng Metal Pill, and others were rare—only a few cultivators, when practicing metal-element magic, would ever use them.

Refining those pills was effort with little reward. Sure, White Cloud Pharmacy offered extra compensation, but there wasn’t an alchemist willing to give it a try.

Better to study deeply than broadly.

Knowing just one or two Pill Formulas is enough. Picking up more is just a waste of time.

Steward Mo knew this was likely the sect’s way of suppressing Lu Chang’sheng, though such methods stayed within the rules—so no one’s going to say anything.

It just made his area of responsibility that much more of a headache. As the steward, he’d take the heat. Plenty of well-connected types were eyeing his position, and if he fumbled the assignments a few times, those people could just pull a few strings and he’d be out on his ass...

Naturally, he felt some resentment toward Lu Chang’sheng over this.

Except, apart from the first month, every month since had been completed earlier and earlier.

This really shocked Steward Mo. On one occasion, he deliberately kept an eye on Lu Chang’sheng’s Yun’an Institute.

But for several days in a row, aside from going to Teacher Lin Yan’s for the morning lecture, Lu Chang’sheng spent all other hours in his room doing alchemy.

"Either he’s got someone helping with the alchemy, or he’s doing it himself."

These last few days, Steward Mo had seen Lin Yan and some other disciples, so they clearly weren’t hanging around Lu Chang’sheng’s place to help him with alchemy.

"They say, ’Mastery of one method brings mastery of all,’ but isn’t this a bit too quick?"

He calculated the time since Lu Chang’sheng joined White Cloud Pharmacy—barely more than a year.

More time passed, and eventually the assignments on the list eased up. Apparently, those pulling strings above realized that keeping things this way would cause trouble.

So, those oddball pill refinement tasks were shifted elsewhere, to other alchemists.

Steward Mo’s mind finally relaxed.

This whole while, plenty who were in the know had watched his struggles with some glee. Next time he saw them, he wondered what their reactions would be.

"Really, I should thank Alchemist Lu."

Steward Mo, of course, didn’t dare invite Lu Chang’sheng privately. Instead, he took some Spirit Tea and delivered it in person.

He’d worked this post for years—and had managed to save a little something up.

"Steward Mo, what’s this—" A few days later, with all the herbs Lu Chang’sheng had bought used up, he headed over to ask Steward Mo to help purchase another batch. Instead, after agreeing, Steward Mo simply handed him the Spirit Tea.

"I have no other motive, just deep respect for Alchemist Lu as a person. Please, don’t refuse it."

Then, he brought up the sticky situation he’d faced previously.

Lu Chang’sheng smiled: "I’m afraid this trouble started because of me. The one who should apologize to Steward Mo is me."

Steward Mo hurriedly waved it off.

Lu Chang’sheng said, "I’m actually running low on Spirit Tea, so I’ll accept this gift. But, I couldn’t help but notice, your under-eyes are swollen and your Essence, Qi, and Spirit aren’t full. I expect you haven’t rested well lately. I happen to have a few pills that restore and nourish, so I’ll send them your way."

With that, he produced a jade bottle and handed it to Steward Mo.

The pills weren’t nearly as valuable as elixirs, but good enough for a return gesture.

Steward Mo grinned from ear to ear—his opinion of Lu Chang’sheng instantly improved.

Despite being able to arrange all sorts of business, in reality his status was nowhere near any alchemist ranked D or higher.

Quite a few D-ranked or above alchemists acted all arrogant around him.

But with Lu Chang’sheng, he never got that feeling.

"If Alchemist Lu needs anything, just send someone to come find me anytime."

Steward Mo left, setting about procuring herbs for Lu Chang’sheng.

Meanwhile, Lu Chang’sheng left White Cloud Pharmacy to send messages to several other families.

Soon, the family representatives arrived, escorting Lu Chang’sheng out of Platinum Immortal City like personal guards.

Just recently, he’d gotten word from the Qu Family that those cultivators who had ventured into Great Yuan would be returning to the Spirit Realm today.

"Great Yuan’s territory is basically Zhu Family’s turf. Our Qu Family doesn’t get along with them, so we’ll bow out this time,"

Wan Yu said with a smile.

"The Qu Family has gone over and above. No need to trouble yourselves any further,"

Lu Chang’sheng replied, parting ways with Wan Yu as the cultivators from four other families guarded him out of Platinum Immortal City.

Several days later, the group entered Zhu Family territory.

But before they’d flown far, several streaks of light shot toward them, landing a hundred feet ahead to reveal Zhu Family cultivators.

"What brings you all to Zhu territory?"

Damn, just his luck—to run into Zhu Family cultivators.

Everyone was a bit baffled, but they’d prepared for this.

"We’re traveling from Platinum Immortal City. Earlier we submitted a calling card to the Zhu Family’s representatives in the city," said the head of the Fang Family, seasoned in such matters, stepping forward.

He circulated magical power, gently sending the visiting card to the lead Zhu Family cultivator.

The other man glanced at it, his face darkening a shade, "Which one of you is Alchemist Lu?"

"That would be me!"

Lu Chang’sheng stepped forward.

The Zhu Family cultivator gave him a look, then squeezed out a smile. "Our clan leader asked me to greet you on his behalf."

"Patriarch Zhu is very thoughtful. Next time I have an opportunity, I’ll be sure to pay my respects in person."

Lu Chang’sheng smiled as well.

After a minor delay, the group set out again.

This time, the place they needed to go was deep in Zhu territory. Rumor had it, because of some changes from the merging of the realms, only a late-stage Qi Cultivator’s power would be needed to bring someone over from the Great Yuan boundary.

As Lu Chang’sheng’s party continued on, the Zhu Family cultivator’s expression grew grim.

"This guy—making such a fuss just to pick up some mortals."

He took out a small Sound Transmission Shell and sent a message to the clan.

"There’s a bit of trouble—this guy’s way too cautious. Beside him, there’s one late-stage qi cultivator and as many as six mid-stage ones."

"Plus, the Qu Family isn’t here at all—I suspect they’re hiding in the shadows."

If they’re talking like that, Zhu Family must be planning to make a move on Lu Chang’sheng!