Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 212 - 148: Ascension Conference, Yu Hai’s Self-Satisfaction!
"Fellow Daoist Lu, would you care to join me in rooting out the evil cultivators?"
On this day, Zhu Er came to invite him in person.
"If you’re willing to go with me, what do you think of dividing the spoils twenty-eighty?"
Zhu Er’s terms were fair enough.
After all, he was a third-stage Qi Cultivator, and would certainly play the leading role against the evil cultivators.
Still, Lu Chang’sheng declined outright.
"Daoist Zhu Er, you’d be asking for my life—I’m barely at Qi Cultivation Stage One, and my techniques are pitifully few. If I join you, I’ll likely only hold you back."
Lu Chang’sheng said with a bitter smile.
Seeing this, Zhu Er did not insist, but simply turned and left.
"After what happened last time, those evil cultivators are bound to hide as best they can. I’ve no idea what tricks Zhu Er might have for finding them!"
No matter what, since Zhu Er dared to go alone, he must be thoroughly prepared; Lu Chang’sheng could only wait in peace.
Sure enough, just over three months later, while Lu Chang’sheng was training in the courtyard, word came from Zhu Er.
"Prepare to journey to the Spirit Realm!"
Lu Chang’sheng drew a deep breath.
The messenger was none other than Yan Yun.
Among those granted passage to the Spirit Realm, he was one of them.
"Junior Brother Lu, you’d best prepare well. Places are limited—we can’t possibly bring all our family with us. You’ll have to arrange everything in the mansion."
"You speak true, Brother Yan."
Lu Chang’sheng replied.
He guessed Zhu Er must have tied up his affairs, though likely not in the best shape, so he wouldn’t risk facing him directly.
"That Zhu Family cultivator is still a bit wary of me."
Lu Chang’sheng knew that the previous exposure of the evil cultivator Zhao Xing was still casting a shadow, but paid it no mind.
Sure enough, the very next day, Zhu Qing spread the word: all the evil cultivators rampaging in Great Yuan’s lands had been subdued at last, setting off an uproar in the Shi Mansion.
Many were grateful to Immortal Zhu Er—and, naturally, Lu Chang’sheng, the Black Snake Scholar, also received a share of the credit.
But neither Lu Chang’sheng nor Zhu Er really took it to heart.
At this moment, he was troubled by whom to bring to the Spirit Realm.
"Family ties matter. Though my eldest brother shares Lu Family blood, he simply cannot compare to Chang’an or Ziyou."
Lu Chang’sheng stood before the courtyard, watching the household gather their belongings.
When they’d first come fleeing, only blood kin and a few vital relatives had been brought along.
Brother Lu Haozi’s dozens of concubines, for instance, had not been included.
But as the family prepared to return, the relatives needed to buy some supplies—and along the way, hired some new servants.
The first batch of servants had grown old. According to the mansion’s rules, they could not remain—the only ones allowed to stay were those truly diligent and indispensable to the family.
Call him cold-blooded or indifferent, but such were the rules.
If every servant in Lu Mansion had to be supported into old age, then after one or two centuries the mansion would need do nothing besides keep its retainers alive.
Some customs handed down among Great Yuan’s higher circles could truly stand the test of time.
Lu Chang’sheng had never thought to change this. Still, when it came to letting people go, he always ensured they received severance—enough to live out their days in comfort, if spent wisely.
So, when word spread that Lu Mansion was recruiting, folks in hardship hurried here from all around.
Unfortunately, by the time most arrived, the mansion had already filled its quota.
Three days later, everyone returned to Lu Family Manor.
That night, Lu Chang’sheng summoned Lu Haozi: "In a few years, I plan to take Ziyou and Chang’an up to the Spirit Realm. I’ll leave things here in your hands, Brother."
Lu Haozi’s brows knit together faintly.
Lu Chang’sheng wondered if his brother objected to the arrangement, a subtle tension passing through his heart.
The human heart is ever fickle.
His own talent in Martial Dao meant little for reading men’s intentions; who could say what Lu Haozi might think upon learning of all this?
Who wouldn’t crave longevity?
But instead, Lu Haozi replied, "With your gift, the Spirit Realm suits you best. Only—could you bring Mother along?"
Lu Chang’sheng’s tightly drawn brow relaxed, a hint of remorse surfacing in his heart.
He’d almost misjudged his brother.
"Regarding Mother, I’ll do what I can."
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What truly troubled Lu Chang’sheng wasn’t his brother.
He was certain the benefits he’d given his brother were more than sufficient; had his brother coveted a place, Lu Chang’sheng would have been unmoved.
The real difficulty lay with Mother.
"Mother’s grown old. If you take her to the Spirit Realm, maybe you’ll discover something to grant her greater longevity." As he spoke, Lu Haozi looked pleadingly at Lu Chang’sheng.
While Father was alive, he’d scarcely noticed, content to handle his own affairs. But after Father passed, most of his mind was devoted to Mother; even the things he’d once loved were left undone.
"As a son, it’s my duty to be filial." Lu Chang’sheng felt somewhat heavy-hearted.
He’d always acted decisively, with nothing left unresolved. Yet now, he found himself unable to reach a firm decision.
Granted, in a few years—or a decade or so—the two realms would merge. But he understood what it meant to seize the moment.
If he took Chang’an and Ziyou to the Spirit Realm now, in a dozen years, their cultivation might progress further—their futures that much brighter.
But by then, Mother might already be gone.
And bringing Mother to the Spirit Realm would, in turn, affect the prospects of Chang’an or Ziyou.
"There’s no need to hesitate, Father; I’ll stay in Great Yuan!" Just then, a calm voice spoke from outside.
A moment later, Lu Chang’an entered and said respectfully, "Father, Uncle, Chang’an will remain in Great Yuan. Please take Grandmother with you to the Spirit Realm."
