Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 392 - 247: Clarity Pill

Arriving at the Wu Mansion, Lu Chang’sheng, Xiao Feng, and a few others were given a rather grand welcome. The newly-appointed Wu Family Patriarch kept his head bowed, glancing at Lu Chang’sheng and the others every now and then, a humble smile pasted on his face.

The Wu Family’s backbone was gone, and the situation was dire. Though they still boasted late-stage Qi Cultivators, there was no one to truly manage things, so they’d acquired some resources solely by virtue of strength. Among those who’d shown up, some were cultivators with previous connections, while others harbored less honorable intent.

If not for a few "well-meaning" people offering support, the family might have no choice but to hand over whatever they had.

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t show much reaction to this; after all, he wasn’t familiar with Wu Feng. Elder Li, unable to turn a blind eye, spoke with the Patriarch for a while after the formal rites concluded.

"There are ties between the Wu Family and the Li Family. Now that Fellow Daoist Wu is gone, Fellow Daoist Li can’t just stand aside and watch."

Xiao Feng explained to Lu Chang’sheng.

The group took the chance to look for other acquaintances in the courtyard.

Compared to Xiao Feng and the rest, Lu Chang’sheng’s network was much less extensive. On this occasion, it was mostly Xiao Feng, Elder Guo, and Elder Li who introduced him around.

Many present had crossed paths in the previous campaign against Red Cloud Daoist.

"Fellow Daoist Li, Fellow Daoist Xiao!"

Just then, a hearty laugh rang out. A blue-robed cultivator with three wisps of goatee strode over, grinning from ear to ear.

Xiao Feng smiled and introduced the man to Lu Chang’sheng: his name was Gao Shan.

"Gao?" Lu Chang’sheng’s heart gave a faint stir. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Xiao Feng, knowing of his past friction with the Gao Family, explained, "Fellow Daoist Gao here is not from the Gao Family you have in mind—he’s a loose cultivator, seeking a carefree life."

Gao Shan shook his head and chuckled, "Without Foundation Establishment, where’s this so-called carefree life? Unlike you gentlemen—true masters of alchemy—you could go anywhere and never lack for food."

Lu Chang’sheng secretly frowned. The man seemed to carry an air of the Immortal, but there was an undercurrent of crudeness in his tone.

Not something you often saw among loose cultivators either.

"And this one is—?" Suddenly, Xiao Feng looked over at a man standing behind Gao Shan, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

The man was an unfamiliar face; Xiao Feng hadn’t met him before.

"This is Qin Ming, Fellow Daoist Qin!"

Gao Shan quickly turned and made introductions.

Qin Ming’s gaze lingered on Lu Chang’sheng’s face for a moment, then he nodded expressionlessly. "Greetings, Fellow Daoists."

His tone was a bit gruff.

"Fellow Daoist Qin Ming is just like that—please, don’t hold it against him." Gao Shan wore an apologetic smile, embarrassed on Qin Ming’s behalf.

Of course, nobody took offense at this.

Soon, everyone sat down for the banquet. Determined not to be poor hosts, the Wu Family had put considerable effort into the spread—Spirit Tea and Spiritual Food were set on every table.

However, most of those present were quite wealthy already; such delicacies had long lost their novelty, so few bothered to pick up their chopsticks.

After drinking, Gao Shan turned to Xiao Feng, "Would Fellow Daoist Xiao spare me a few moments?"

Xiao Feng nodded and rose with Gao Shan, walking off together.

What could that be about?

Lu Chang’sheng lifted his tea cup, taking a light sip of Spirit Tea, then flashed a faint smile and raised his cup toward Qin Ming.

"Care for a drink, Daoist?"

······

By afternoon, most guests had taken their leave, and Lu Chang’sheng and his party also rose to say farewell to Wu Feng’s younger kin.

While on the road, Elder Li finally couldn’t resist asking about what had just transpired.

Seeing everyone’s curiosity, Xiao Feng hesitated briefly before finally saying, "I agreed to something for Fellow Daoist Gao Shan, and it’s not really my place to share the details, but—it should be nothing serious. Gao Shan wanted a private word to ask my help refining a certain pill."

At this, Lu Chang’sheng clearly caught a flicker of unease on Xiao Feng’s face.

"I bet whatever pill he’s asking for is no simple matter."

Lu Chang’sheng guessed to himself, and seeing Xiao Feng’s reluctance, he didn’t press for more.

The next day, a subordinate brought word: someone from the Gu Family had come to visit.

Lu Chang’sheng assumed it was about the matter Gu Shuang had promised him, yet when he went out, he was met by a servant whose face was utterly calm.

"Greetings, Patriarch Lu." The visitor didn’t waste words, but simply relayed, "Regarding the other day’s matter, my lady has decided to withdraw. Patriarch Lu need not concern himself any further."

Lu Chang’sheng felt a twinge of foreboding. "Was this Gu Shuang’s decision?"

"Yes."

The servant said no more, simply turned and left.

Lu Chang’sheng stood rooted for a moment, a faint trace of helplessness flitting across his face.

If there was any family in Platinum Immortal City likely to possess the techniques for cultivating a Spiritual Body, the Gu Family would be first in line.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t managed to pull it off this time.

With that thought, Lu Chang’sheng gave a rueful smile to himself.

An entry-level alchemist may still find it hard to make waves among high-level Foundation Establishment cultivators, especially with the Gu Family backed by an Immortal Sect and no shortage of alchemists to call on. So, someone of his rank rarely gets much attention from them.

"Now, there’s nothing to do but wait for Heaven-Burning Valley." Lu Chang’sheng took a deep breath, refusing to be discouraged. The Gu Family had always been an unexpected bonus—if the surprise vanishes, he simply finds himself back where he started.

······

Compared to Lu Chang’sheng’s calm resignation, things at the Gu Family were anything but peaceful.

Early that morning, a servant passing by the Patriarch Gu Long’s courtyard sensed a suffocating atmosphere.

"Why did Uncle make this decision for me?"

In the courtyard, Gu Shuang’s face was icy as she fixed her gaze on the middle-aged man seated upon a stone chair. He was none other than the current Gu Family Patriarch, Gu Long.