Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 87 - 88: Five Treasures True Skill

"Anyone who passes the assessment is at least at Great Success in Pile Skills. According to the rules of the Martial Artist Institute, they can use this letter of recommendation to join the county soldiers, starting as Ninth Grade Renyong or Captain!"

There’s something odd about this.

Lu Chang’sheng’s heart skipped a beat—this outcome was different from what he’d expected.

In his mind, passing the assessment should mean gaining both options, but from the look of things, one must choose between the two. Was there some hidden meaning behind this?

The flicker of surprise in Lu Chang’sheng’s eyes just happened to fall into Hong Yuan’s sight, making him silently admire him.

From something that seemed unrelated, he could glean valuable insight.

For example, by observing Lu Chang’sheng’s behavior, he could tell the young man had a clear grasp of all matters related to the assessment.

Among so many nobles, though some relied on an extremely high root bone to pass, when facing him—the Dean of the Martial Artist Institute—they would automatically trust and never think to question either their previous understanding or what they see now.

In short, their minds would be blank, dominated by his authority.

"Even with the best root bone, these types often fall by the wayside. They’re not the ones I favor!"

After two seconds with no reaction from Hong Yuan, Lu Chang’sheng immediately knew his answer.

Hong Yuan was clearly doing this on purpose.

In that case, the decision between these two clearly represented two entirely different futures.

The path of the military official!

Or pure Martial Dao!

The two share much in common—both are rooted in the martial—but pure Martial Dao is more straightforward.

"I choose True Qi Martial Arts!"

Lu Chang’sheng replied from the heart.

The Martial Artist Council didn’t provide much information about Hong Yuan, but enough. Even so, Lu Chang’sheng couldn’t say for sure which way the man leaned.

He enjoyed fostering pure martial artists, yet spent years as Dean of the Institute, raising wave after wave of officials, issuing countless recommendation letters himself.

But if you claimed he favored officials, he never actually held a military post himself.

Still, from the moment he stepped inside and took in the surroundings, Lu Chang’sheng was ninety percent certain: between the two, Hong Yuan preferred the pure Martial Dao.

Even if he was wrong, he wouldn’t be disappointed.

"With a True Qi Martial Art, that counts as a satisfactory reward!"

Hong Yuan’s face was without joy or sorrow, as if he hadn’t even noticed Lu Chang’sheng’s decision.

"A True Qi Martial Art is precious anywhere and, by the Institute’s rules, must not be passed around. Otherwise, I couldn’t protect you either!"

Lu Chang’sheng nodded in acknowledgment.

Next, Hong Yuan asked in detail about last night’s excursion to Lei Mansion; Lu Chang’sheng responded to each point.

The key questions were about weapons carried, lime packets, and his conduct on the journey.

Lu Chang’sheng’s answers aligned closely with those he’d given to Instructor Qin earlier—just with more detail here.

Once he finished, Hong Yuan’s expression grew meaningful. "Such things are rarely taught in the Institute. Who taught you?" he asked.

The Institute prided itself on noble birth; those from the upper class cared too much for status to stoop to the tricks of the lower ranks, upholding only the most honorable path.

Lu Chang’sheng forced a smile. "I’m from the countryside—struggled at the bottom all my life. If it means staying alive, face doesn’t matter."

Hong Yuan fell silent at that.

After a moment, he waved his hand, showing a trace of fatigue.

"Go on now. Come back again the night after tomorrow!"

When Lu Chang’sheng had departed, Hong Yuan’s tightly held countenance finally revealed a small smile.

"Cautious, but not timid at critical moments—these kinds, even if their root bone is a bit lacking, can be accepted. What’s more, his root bone seems much improved... Could he really be one of those once-in-a-century late bloomers?"

So-called late bloomers grow their talent through bitter cultivation or chance encounters—rarer even than true prodigies.

"No matter. Whatever the case, it doesn’t much alter my plans."

"Still, his root bone falls short. Looks like I’ll have to see those old friends—just about time, anyway."

Hong Yuan mimicked a bird call, and moments later a shadow dropped to his shoulder. Back inside, he readied ink and paper, wrote a note, tied it to Cang Ying’s leg, then patted its back.

"Go."

As his words fell, Cang Ying shot upward and soon vanished into the sky.

······

Xu Mansion.

Xu Zhuqing stepped from the training room, her delicate face streaked with sweat.

The tight-fitting outfit accentuated the sensual fullness of her slender frame.

But once she changed clothes, she seemed almost thin again.

A woman in green of nearly thirty approached; behind her, two maids stopped at the doorway, knowing to remain behind.

She crossed the corridor, rounded the corner, and stopped in front of Xu Zhuqing.

"Soaked through and looking even more curvaceous than before—seems you aren’t far from the True Qi Realm! I just wonder which lucky man will benefit in the end."

Qin Wan let out a sigh of mock regret.

Xu Zhuqing shook her head and tidied her clothes. "You talk oddly. What’s my figure got to do with reaching the True Qi Realm? You, on the other hand—getting old and still not married off?"

Qin Wan blinked, a hint of distraction in her gaze; for some reason, the image of Lu Chang’sheng came to mind.

"Oh, come on—my Advanced Scholar sister, why make things so hard on yourself? That Lu Chang’sheng isn’t anything special; there are plenty better. At your age, you’re still sought after, but give it a few years and you might be too late!" said Xu Zhuqing.

"It’s all for my brother’s sake," Qin Wan replied, her expression void of any smile.

Her heart lay with Lu Chang’sheng, but alas, Lu Chang’sheng had another in mind.

Back that year, when a child scholar named Du Meng solved the set of math questions Qin Wan had left behind, she’d lost her composure and plunged in without looking back.

She set a string of ten questions, and all were solved by Du Meng—she was duly convinced. That year’s Lantern Festival, she invited Du Meng out, only for him to admit: he hadn’t solved them himself—it was his friend, Scholar Lu.

So, Qin Wan thought back to that year—to the youth at the Lantern Festival, who stood among the crowd, answering lantern riddles one after another.

Few knew that every year at the Lantern Festival, she’d stroll the streets with friends, seeking literature and amusement, occasionally mocking arrogant scholars with biting words.

Her brother Qin Ming became an Advanced Scholar, so she was exposed to literary excellence from a young age—so much so, she even surpassed him in some respects.

Even the instructors at the Academy whispered in private: If only Qin Wan were a man, the Qin family would have another Advanced Scholar yet.

Clearly, this was no ordinary girl—a well-educated woman, unimpressed by the showboating scholars along the Ruilong River.

That night, when she heard that a child scholar named Lu Chang’sheng had challenged himself to solve every lantern riddle on the river in two days, she’d crafted a crop of fiendish riddles herself—yet couldn’t stop him from succeeding.

Since then, she’d often mention Lu Chang’sheng when speaking.

Later, when Lu Chang’sheng left his essay at the Literary Academy, shocking all of Black Mountain Prefecture, the sensation grew even stronger.

Back then, Xu Zhuqing already felt uneasy—but the two were both unmarried, so she let it be.

With Lu Chang’sheng’s literary talent, as long as he kept his head, his official career would be bright—surpassing even Qin Ming. Her friend marrying him would be a blessing.

But time and again, Qin Wan sent invitations to Lu Chang’sheng—without reply. And so, here they were now.

Xu Zhuqing sighed inwardly, unable to fathom her friend’s true thoughts.

Lu Chang’sheng had already married. To go as a concubine would be possible, but even Qin Ming objected, and Qin Wan herself refused.

Proud souls hide their pride in unspoken ways—it’s hard to let go, no matter how one tries.

Xu Zhuqing wasn’t the nagging sort. Seeing Qin Wan unwilling to discuss it, she said nothing more.

Soon, Qin Wan changed the subject. "Is this True Qi Martial Art you’ve been training difficult?"

Xu Zhuqing nodded. "Among all the True Qi Realm martial arts, it’s the most difficult, but also the most powerful, with many hidden benefits."

"Really? Then is it hard to get one? The Protector my brother hired always says it’s tough to find a good True Qi Martial Art to train!"

Xu Zhuqing shook her head. "It’s not that easy. These are the core secrets of every school—take this Five Treasures True Skill; even in the Institute, you need to pass the assessment to obtain it. Your brother might get a rare style for himself, but those are only meant for direct family. Giving it to a Protector would break the rules."

"Fine!" Qin Wan dropped it, then smiled at Xu Zhuqing. "With your talent, it won’t be long before you make it. Once you’re a True Qi martial artist, we won’t need guards whenever we go out!"

"It’s not so easy. Even in the Institute, mastering Five Treasures True Skill takes four or five years at least. I’m still missing plenty," Xu Zhuqing said coolly.

She didn’t mind. The Martial Artist Institute was founded with the Great Yuan—after so long, geniuses are inevitable.

No need to compare; as long as she was the best of her generation, that was enough.

The two lingered in the courtyard, then headed out—the Child Examination was nearly over. Soon, it’d be the Lantern Festival. Qin Wan wanted a stroll; since Xu Zhuqing had trained, she wanted to relax too.

At the doorstep, she suddenly remembered something and turned to the guard. "Has Scholar Lu come by?"

"No, Miss!"

As a duty guard at the Xu Mansion, skill was optional, but eyes and sense required—naturally he knew who Scholar Lu was.

Xu Zhuqing frowned and shook her head.

"What, was Scholar Lu supposed to see you?" Qin Wan asked.

"I sent him a message the day before yesterday, but he hasn’t come."

Xu Zhuqing replied blandly, neither pleased nor upset.

She’d thought that if Lu Chang’sheng failed the assessment, he’d choose an alliance, and Xu Mansion was a fine choice.

But as it stands, Lu Chang’sheng has not chosen the Xu Mansion.

"At least he has backbone," Xu Zhuqing said, shaking her head.

Just then, a Jixia Academy Junior Official hurried over, handing an invitation to the guard.

"Wait!" Just as the guard was about to enter, Xu Zhuqing stopped him.

"Who’s the invitation for?"

"For Qingfeng Residence."

The guard responded.

Xu Zhuqing hesitated, then handed back the invitation.

Qingfeng Residence was especially important within the Xu Mansion—it was her master, Daoist Ruyi’s, abode.

But who sent the invitation, and for what reason?