Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 98 - 94: The Terror of Genius

Ever since Lu Chang’sheng passed the exam and became Dean Hong Yuan’s disciple, rumors had been quietly circulating through the Martial Artist Institute, all doubting Lu Chang’sheng’s background. But Lu Chang’sheng was too focused on his cultivation to pay much attention, and honestly, even if he heard, it wouldn’t bother him—in fact, it was a pretty good thing for him.

On the road home, Lu Chang’sheng eyed the newly unlocked martial art on his Light Curtain Panel—his whole face lit up with joy.

"Divine Power Stake: (Method)"

"Entry Requirement: 0.1 years (Entry)"

"Minor Achievement Requirement: 0.3 years (Minor Achievement)"

"Great Success Requirement: 0.8 years (Great Success)"

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Way less time than he’d thought. When training with the Flood Stake before, even entry level used to be calculated in years.

Once home, Lu Chang’sheng got right to studying Divine Power Stake. Just as Teacher Hong Yuan said, reaching the True Qi Realm first before circling back to improve Pile Skill gave a huge advantage.

For example, someone at the True Qi Realm could master other Pile Skills much, much faster than if they followed the usual order.

Easy enough to explain—it’s like a top scholar going back to take the Child Scholar exam; may not be effortless, but it’s still a breeze.

Some at the True Qi Realm, when they get hopeless at reaching the Innate Realm, turn to other Pile Skills instead. But really, that’s just a last resort—the payoff isn’t great.

That’s exactly why Lu Chang’sheng’s time from entry to Great Success with Divine Power Stake was so short—he was catching up with True Qi Realm backing him.

Of course, there’s a catch. If your talent isn’t good enough, the time to break into the True Qi Realm ends up way longer. That’s why hardly anyone takes this path.

Even Hong Yuan had thought carefully about follow-up support when he urged Lu Chang’sheng to cultivate the Five Treasures True Skill—otherwise, advancing to True Qi would have taken him even longer.

From Lu Chang’sheng’s perspective, folks like Niu Dazhuang and Xun Zimo probably had root bone talents grading from medium to upper level—still a bit worse than his before he’d swallowed the Buddha Pill.

And Xu Zhuqing’s talent and root bone was probably a little above excellent.

"Mine’s the kind that jumps a whole stage every time. So even at top level, I’m still stronger than Xu Zhuqing."

Lu Chang’sheng made his own assessment in his heart.

Excellent root bone—already a rare thing. His kind of prodigious root bone? Even looking back hundreds of years, you might never see another.

"Once in a thousand years!"

Lu Chang’sheng chuckled to himself.

With his talent and root bone growing, the road of martial cultivation was getting smoother and smoother.

"I just wonder, what things will look like when I hit 10 points!"

While practicing, Lu Chang’sheng kept tabs on Black Mountain Prefecture and the surrounding areas through the Martial Artist Council. He wanted peace and quiet, not chaos in the world. The trouble was, he needed martial arts, herbal cuisine, and silver coins for cultivation, otherwise, he wouldn’t even need to stick around Prefecture City.

Lately, disputes between the Prefecture office and the noble families were getting more open. Noble families are a pain because they’re tangled up with the authorities—lots of high-rank officers among the Prefecture Soldiers are related to them.

If you’re the Prefect and you want to avoid shaking up the place, you gotta sort the loyal from the traitors and put things right in one go—otherwise, you risk getting overthrown completely.

Lu Chang’sheng already had a feeling—the Prefect was probably sharpening his knives, but who knew when he’d make his move?

That’s why Lu Chang’sheng was glad he’d landed a cushy job as a clerk. Otherwise, he’d be stuck in the same boat.

Word had it, folks working at the Prefecture office were busier than the dogs kept out back.

Who could have it as good as he did, practicing martial arts in peace?

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"Dragon and Tiger Eight Treasures Herbal Cuisine’s strictly regulated nowadays. No way I’m giving you any! Nope, not happening!"

Guan Fu shook his head furiously. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Ever since the chaos of the war a few years back, the herbs for Dragon and Tiger Eight Treasures have gotten more and more scarce, so they just stopped supplies altogether.

Only a handful of genius nobles could get an allotment. Now, even those talents only get one serving a week.

"You already got Great Success in Pile Skill—why do you still need this? Or are you trying to double up?"

Guan Fu glared. "Forget it! If the Dean found out, he’d chew you out six ways from Sunday! Root bone talent my ass, you wanna cultivate two at once? What, you think you’re Xu Qingzhu?"

Old Guan Fu had grown pretty familiar with Lu Chang’sheng lately—he didn’t hold back when cussing him out.

Lu Chang’sheng knew he meant no harm, just smiled, "Old Guan, this isn’t right—you know who I am? Dean’s disciple—how could I rank below those nobles?"

"Absolutely not—such a waste! You’re still young, just focus on True Qi Martial Arts, okay? Why waste time dabbling in more?" Guan Fu shook his head hard.

He was determined not to let Lu Chang’sheng stray off course. Next time he saw Dean Hong Yuan, he’d make sure to bring it up—couldn’t let Lu Chang’sheng mess around on the sly.

Guan Fu thought Lu Chang’sheng was keeping things from Dean Hong Yuan, so he felt pretty confident.

Seeing that Guan Fu couldn’t be talked around, Lu Chang’sheng had no choice but to turn and leave.

"Looks like Dragon and Tiger Eight Treasures Herbal Cuisine really is in short supply!"

Otherwise, with his status, even if Guan Fu suspected he was double-training with Divine Power Stake, he’d still spill at least a hint.

No choice—Lu Chang’sheng had to pull out the ace up his sleeve.

"Senior Brother Long, Teacher’s not here?"

"Right. Went out a few days ago," replied Junior Official Long Fan.