Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 231 - 158: Contest of the Examination

At first, Niu Xi came with the heart of a mentor, intent on teaching Lu Chang’sheng; it was Lu Chang’sheng’s previous actions that had moved him and finally made up his mind.

Most alchemists’ experience in alchemy is piled up with resources.

Beneath every trick and secret is a pile of spirit stones.

Unless it’s a blood relative, or an exchange of benefits, such methods are never shared with outsiders.

Though Niu Xi was good-natured, he knew well the saying: Teach your apprentice everything, starve your master.

When he first set foot in the world of the Immortal Dao, he held tightly to this belief, but now, it’s become rare.

If it weren’t for Lu Chang’sheng’s righteous words and actions, he wouldn’t have considered repaying him in this way.

However, not long after, he realized that in the study of the Alchemy Dao, Lu Chang’sheng was no weaker than himself.

His attitude shifted rapidly.

Two days later, Niu Xi’s face was lit up with delight.

Because in his exchanges with Lu Chang’sheng, he’d gained a great deal; returning home to study further would certainly bring huge rewards.

Glancing at Lu Chang’sheng again, he was already full of astonishment.

"I didn’t expect Fellow Daoist Lu to have such insights into the Alchemy Dao!"

Niu Xi remarked with emotion.

"During my time in the Floating World, I also studied it a little."

Lu Chang’sheng replied.

Niu Xi, being backed by the Zhu Family, surely knew all about the Great Yuan territory, so there was no point hiding anything.

"What a pity. If you could have come to the Spirit Realm sooner, you might have made your mark already."

Niu Xi sighed.

Cultivation depends greatly on talent and root bone. Without it, one can only persevere with time.

Lu Chang’sheng’s understanding of the Alchemy Dao was clearly high, but he was too old; even with talent in alchemy, it was hard to turn it into true power.

Lu Chang’sheng neither agreed nor disagreed.

The Alchemy Dao is different from cultivation itself; in the end, only actual results speak for strength.

He couldn’t very well refine a batch just to prove his ability.

"Tomorrow is the day of the assessment. It’s essential to adjust your state of mind,"

Before leaving, seeing Niu Xi a bit downcast, Lu Chang’sheng said, "Don’t worry too much, my friend. In the end, there are some things that can’t be changed."

"Sigh, I’ve lived in those communal quarters with Zhu Bei for years; that guy’s had it in for me for a long time. Now that he’s gained power, he’ll probably kick me out."

Niu Xi sighed, forced a smile at Lu Chang’sheng, and turned to leave.

Lu Chang’sheng watched his figure fade into the street before returning to his own quarters.

Though Niu Xi’s predicament earned his sympathy, there was no need to go out of his way for it. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"After tomorrow, daylight will come," he muttered, pulling out his Sound Transmission Shell and staring at it for a long time. In the end, he took a deep breath and carefully put it away in his clothes.

"Nangua, just wait a little longer!"

A soft murmur broke the silence.

······

The next day, Lu Chang’sheng rose early and started by cultivating the Five Wood Immortal Technique.

Streams of magical power flowed through his body, filling him with vigor and spirit.

Immortal Techniques are a level higher than Martial Dao cultivation arts, so their effects are naturally extraordinary.

For those who tread the Immortal Path, fatigue doesn’t touch ordinary life—unless, of course, they’ve exhausted themselves in other immortal arts.

That includes talisman-making, alchemy, artifact refining, and a hundred other crafts.

By the time everything was done, it was already near 5:00 AM.

Lu Chang’sheng washed his face and left the inn.

Along the way, he often saw cultivators wearing alchemist hats heading toward White Cloud Cave Mansion.

Though called a cave mansion, it was in fact a mountain peak within Platinum Immortal City.

Master Baiyun, being a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a sect as backing, was by no means less than Master Lu.

Compared to Bamboo Elegance Garden, Master Baiyun’s White Cloud Cave Mansion was even more majestic and imposing—a mountain peak hundreds of meters high stood here, surrounded by the Panlong River, auspicious dragons spiraling skyward.

Lu Chang’sheng made his way to a dock.

This was a famed site of Platinum Immortal City—White Cloud Pharmacy.

White Cloud Cave Mansion was self-contained; its in-house alchemists cultivated and practiced alchemy inside, while White Cloud Pharmacy was its external face, the place to earn spirit stones for White Cloud Cave Mansion.

This assessment would take place at White Cloud Pharmacy.

Originally, Lu Chang’sheng intended to find his way to White Cloud Pharmacy to register himself, but Niu Xi arrived early and insisted on guiding him there.

Seeing that his spirits were not high—he hadn’t even changed clothes, still in yesterday’s attire—Lu Chang’sheng surmised that Niu Xi was only going through the motions.

"Why aren’t you seeing off Fellow Daoist Fu and the others?"

He was referring to those who had attended the banquet a couple of days ago.

Niu Xi sighed and said nothing more.

When they reached the front of White Cloud Pharmacy, Niu Xi guided Lu Chang’sheng to an entrance and said, "This is where you register. Just wait in line."

Lu Chang’sheng thanked him politely.

A huge number of people came for the assessment; "crossing the river as officials" would not be an exaggeration.

"No wonder this is the Spirit Realm. There are so many people on the path of immortal cultivation and alchemy."

Lu Chang’sheng was deeply moved.

Thanks to Master Baiyun’s influence as a powerful cultivator, even White Cloud Pharmacy was surprisingly empty and spacious—yet everywhere he looked, the dense crowd left a strong impression.

Even if not everyone here was taking the assessment, it showed just how competitive the Spirit Realm really was.

By afternoon, he finally wrote his name and information into the Jade Scroll under a pharmacy disciple’s watchful eye.

All that was left now was to wait.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, have you finished registering?"

Niu Xi came over.

Having participated in many assessments before, he had no need to register again; he merely showed up and spoke to one of the pharmacy disciples.