Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 246 - 164: A Choice Between Two

Lu Chang’an’s face stiffened slightly, responding with a hint of helplessness.

It wasn’t that he was resistant to cultivation, but cultivation was the most practical thing—no miracles, if it worked, it worked; if not, there was nothing to be done.

He had practiced for years, but his progress in Martial Dao was slow.

Seeing Lu Chang’an’s expression, Lu Chang’sheng too sighed inwardly, saying: "Don’t be afraid to waste Spirit Stones in the future. Remember, people are the foundation. Only roots can grow into a strong tree."

"Your child will keep this in mind."

Lu Chang’an replied respectfully.

As for Lu Ziyou, he didn’t have any particular thoughts, just quietly cultivated by Lu Chang’sheng’s side.

This second son was quite gifted in cultivation, but what Lu Chang’sheng regretted was that his Spirit Root Talent was only Grade D, lower rank.

In less than a hundred years, these two sons of his would probably be separated from him by life and death.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but feel a bit wistful.

This was also his real concern back when he considered the Nangua marriage alliance.

But what was done was done; he couldn’t run from it now and could only try his best to change things.

The next day, the Qu Family arrived as promised.

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t want to receive them at Yun’an Institute—it would look too ostentatious—so he hosted the Qu Family at Qingfeng Building near White Cloud Pharmacy instead.

This time, not only did Qu Yan and Wan Yu, mother and daughter, show up, but also two cultivators whose identities he couldn’t quite place—maybe Qu Clan Elders, maybe others.

The Qu Family’s Patriarch, that cultivator at late-stage Qi Cultivation, hadn’t come.

Maybe he had something to do, or maybe Lu Chang’sheng just hadn’t caught his eye.

Compared to their last meeting, Wan Yu’s smile seemed much more sincere.

She pulled Qu Yan over to him.

And Qu Yan was far less brash than before, obediently calling out, "Mr. Lu."

Lu Chang’sheng nodded, not wanting to act presumptuous.

As for an Upper Grade C Alchemist’s potential, it was just that—potential. Until he’d truly become a second-rank Alchemist, everything was still fleeting. To those already at late-stage Qi Cultivation, it was something to respect, but not required.

Qu Yan and Wan Yu—one the daughter of the Qu Family’s ancestor, the other his concubine—their status wasn’t beneath his at all.

Both sides sat at the table, with the Qu Family first congratulating Lu Chang’sheng on his achievement as an Alchemist, then turning to discuss the marriage between Qu Yan and Lu Chang’an.

Lu Chang’sheng had already discussed it with Lu Chang’an in advance, so there was no objection. The wedding was set for the sixth day of June this year.

The Qu Family also brought gifts.

A pile of Spirit Stones—about two thousand in total—and a Pill Furnace.

"Back again, huh." Seeing that Pill Furnace flickering with Spiritual Qi, Lu Chang’sheng couldn’t help but show a bit of joy.

This kind of Pill Furnace was crafted with much better materials than ordinary Magical Artifacts, and the price was just on another level. This one, at least, was four or five times the value of a standard first-rank Artifact.

Valued between five thousand and ten thousand lower-grade Spirit Stones.

His teacher might have money, but most of it was spent on his own cultivation; there was no way he’d just equip him with a first-rank Pill Furnace on a whim.

Previously, the Zhu Family also gave him a first-rank Pill Furnace as a meeting gift, but he hadn’t collected it yet. He planned to wait until the Zhu Family made a final decision.

Now two days had passed since he last met with Niu Xi, but the Zhu Family still hadn’t appeared. Guess their cooperation had fallen through.

So being able to get another Pill Furnace made Lu Chang’sheng genuinely happy.

Even the Qu Family folks looked much more pleasing to him now.

"What does Fellow Daoist Lu think of the Zhu Family?" As they were about to part ways, Wan Yu and several Qu Family cultivators suddenly asked.

"I have no particular entanglements with the Zhu Family. May I ask what you mean, fellow Daoists?" Lu Chang’sheng felt a stir in his heart.

He really didn’t know the Qu Family’s viewpoint toward the Zhu Family—if he answered rashly, he could easily end up in a passive position.

So he gave a vague answer.

But Wan Yu let out a sigh of relief, smiling, "If there’s no connection, that’s good. I’ve heard some news these past two days. The Zhu Family seems quite prejudiced against you, Fellow Daoist. Be careful when dealing with them."

"What’s the Qu Family’s stance toward the Zhu Family?" Lu Chang’sheng asked.

Wan Yu’s face darkened instantly. "Oh, the Qu Family and the Zhu Family do have some old grudges. If you end up working with us, that partnership’s probably doomed anyway. Luckily—"

Lu Chang’sheng’s heart leaped.

This was exactly the limit of his understanding of Platinum Immortal City and the various powers around it.

"Still lacking in strength. If I was a second-rank Alchemist, I wouldn’t need to worry about any of this."

He thought to himself.

Second-rank Alchemists could refine Foundation Establishment-grade pills. Their status wasn’t even comparable to Qi Cultivation level anymore.

If he had that kind of standing, families at the Qi Cultivation stage like Zhu or Qu wouldn’t dare act this way.

"And there’s another matter—about Niu Xi."

Wan Yu smiled charmingly as she revealed how Niu Xi had been kicked off his managerial post at Bai Ze Medicine Garden by the Zhu Family.

Lu Chang’sheng thought deeply for a while, then said, "The Zhu Family truly doesn’t show any mercy at all."

"Do you know why, Fellow Daoist?"

"Why?"

"Because working with you will likely attract hostility from Alchemist Zhou. Even if he hasn’t clearly targeted you, those under him all have their own suspicions and concerns."

Lu Chang’sheng suddenly understood.

He’d thought the Zhu Family abandoned cooperation because of his bone age and cultivation, and since he cut off their hopes, they’d given up. He hadn’t expected this kind of reason. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"And the Qu Family?"

Lu Chang’sheng chuckled.

"Isn’t the Qu Family worried about angering Alchemist Zhou?"

Wan Yu shook her head bitterly, saying, "The Qu Family has no ties to Alchemist Zhou, so naturally, we don’t have to worry about it."