Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 285 - 182: Sacred Heart Spring Water

"If you don’t mind, Fellow Daoist, shall we go together?"

"That’s fine."

Lu Chang’sheng replied.

Of course, he wouldn’t easily believe just one person’s word; after leaving Wei Zhen’s place, he sought out people from the Qu Family and Fang Family to inquire about the matter.

"I’ve not heard of this," Wan Yu said, looking at Lu Chang’sheng, her eyes shimmering like water.

"But maybe my status isn’t high enough to get the news. You, in-law, go on inside and have a seat—I’ll ask our Ancestor."

The Ancestor she mentioned was, of course, Qu Guang.

According to what Lu Chang’sheng knew, Qu Sheng had only managed to save his life for now thanks to the new Longevity Pill he’d personally refined, but he was still gravely ill, and unless absolutely necessary, would not easily leave home.

Soon, Wan Yu returned and said, "There is indeed such a matter, but in my Qu Family, only the Ancestor got the message."

Lu Chang’sheng then headed to the Glazed Glass Trading House to confirm.

Before he could even explain, Liu Yun was already smiling: "I was just about to send for Fellow Daoist Lu—never expected you’d come in person."

As he spoke, he took out a jade invitation—the auction invitation from Liuyun Immortal City.

With this invitation, you could get a seat in a more comfortable area, without having to squeeze with everyone else in the main hall.

"Does Fellow Daoist Liu happen to have the auction item list?"

"I do."

After getting the list from Liu Yun, Lu Chang’sheng went back to look it over; to his surprise, it did contain something he wanted—not a pill formula or anything else, but a finished Barrier-Breaking Pill. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"It’s said that Barrier-Breaking Pills, like Foundation Establishment Pills, are rare resources, so they don’t circulate widely on the market."

Not even the Baiyun Cave Mansion has them.

Of course, it’s possible some folks have a stash but are hoarding them, unwilling to show their hand.

The thing that truly shocked Lu Chang’sheng, though, was that this time, the list actually included Golden Core-level items.

"Cyan Nether Thunder Heart Bamboo: third-grade material, can be refined into a Golden Core magic artifact."

"Sacred Heart Spring Water: said that a single drop can bring the dead back to life and regrow flesh on bones."

"Top-tier goods, all—pity the price will be absolutely outrageous."

A man knows his own limits; facing resources that so far surpass his current cultivation, he could only look, not buy. Not to mention he couldn’t afford them, even if he could, it would be courting disaster to take them.

Rules only ever restrict those at the bottom. For those powerful Foundation Establishment cultivators and Golden Core masters, even killing on the street, the Supreme Profound Sect would weigh the pros and cons carefully before stepping in.

Afterwards, Lu Chang’sheng began his own preparations for the auction—selling off the pills he’d accumulated and exchanging them for a sizable pile of spirit stones.

A few days later, before the auction even arrived, the Lin Family came knocking.

Patriarch Lin Yu looked utterly exhausted.

He was also a bit heartsick.

With Lin Yan’s passing, the clan instantly lost its backbone. Some of those previously mild-mannered clan members immediately popped up, demanding that their branch share some of the family resources.

Of them, Lin Ruo was making the most scene. She’d always been Lin Yan’s favorite child, and now, with the Ming Family backing her, her appetite was considerable.

"Lin Ruo’s a married woman now, after all. If her demands weren’t too excessive, I’d grit my teeth and agree—but she wants half of what the Ancestor left behind."

Lu Chang’sheng knew Lin Yu wanted him to step in—if he did, it would give Lin Yu the strength to deal with the Ming Family behind Lin Ruo.

"I know what’s happened. Go back and wait," Lu Chang’sheng thought for a moment and said.

He didn’t want to get involved in a family inheritance dispute, but he owed Lin Yan a personal debt. Besides, with his teacher barely buried and Lin Ruo rushing to split the family estate like this, Lu Chang’sheng felt a bit disgusted.

After a while, he called for Lu Ziyou to explain the matter.

Lu Ziyou instinctively wanted to refuse and tried to get Lu Chang’sheng to keep his distance, but, mindful of the debt, could only agree with a troubled face.

"I’m the master’s disciple, but it’s still not my place to get involved in their family affairs. So, let Lin Yin go back for a visit instead."

"This is a headache," Lu Ziyou was getting more and more steeped in Gou Dao-style cautiousness, but couldn’t figure out a way to wiggle out, his brows nearly knotted.

"Another thing—when are you two having kids? It’s been over two years," Lu Chang’sheng said seriously.

"Their abilities are too poor—having kids right now isn’t good. If something happens, we might not be able to keep them safe."

Lu Ziyou hurried to explain.

"Not even Foundation Establishment; no stability. How do you expect to start a family?"

"Besides, didn’t Father take ages before he and Mother had us?"

Lu Ziyou shot back, full of conviction, but in the very next moment, was verbally smacked by Lu Chang’sheng.

Lu Chang’sheng said, "I had you when I was only at Martial Dao True Man level, but you’re already about to hit Immortal Dao level."

Lu Ziyou couldn’t stand up to his old man’s pressure and fled in a panic.

The next day, the smoky, chaotic Guilan Institute was suddenly visited by someone turning heads.

It was Lin Yin, married into Lu Mansion.

Seeing Patriarch Lin Yu personally lead people out to welcome them, Lin Yin felt a pang of emotion—this was the benefit of having strong backing.

The patriarch who once controlled her future had to bow his head and smile, his manner gentler than ever before.

She felt extremely gratified, all at once.

But behind her, Lu Ziyou was not so comfortable. He was supposed to stand in front of Lin Yin, but step by step fell back, and with his plain, simple clothes—if Lin Yu and the rest hadn’t attended his wedding, they’d think he was just a Lu Mansion servant.

"No need to be so formal, Patriarch. We’re here just to visit family," Lin Yin said, calm and dignified, her bearing very different now with her elevated status.

Far away, Lin Ruo saw Lin Yin shining in front of the crowd, and a look of jealousy—and regret—passed through her eyes.

"If only I’d agreed to marry Lu Chang’sheng back then—"

The maid behind her bowed slightly, not daring to speak.

In her heart, though, she quietly sighed.

The woman before her had been beautiful just years ago, but now she was a picture of bitterness—truly pitiable.

Even sadder, she was still trapped and lacked any self-awareness.

Only today’s events gave her the faintest sense of realization.

From the maid’s perspective, Alchemist Lu was right not to choose her.

Lin Yin’s visit threw the whole Lin Family into an odd state, and those arguing didn’t dare to make trouble anymore.

The presence of Lin Yin and Lu Ziyou reflected Lu Chang’sheng’s stance.

No one dared ignore the attitude of a Grade B Alchemist.

Of course, the Ming Family behind Lin Ruo might be wary, but they weren’t truly intimidated—still, after much consideration, they decided to watch and wait for now.

After all, they didn’t want Lu Chang’sheng involved, either.

If Lin Ruo got the inheritance, wouldn’t Lin Yin be eligible for a share too?

Besides, Lu Chang’sheng was Lin Yan’s direct disciple.

After handing the matter off to Lin Yin and Lu Ziyou, Lu Chang’sheng only checked in occasionally and stopped meddling.

Meanwhile, the Ming Family went quiet too.

They figured Lu Chang’sheng was only helping out because of Lin Yan, and would gradually let things slide over time.

······

Half a month later, Lu Chang’sheng left home, journeying with Wei Zhen to Liuyun Immortal City.

Originally, Wei Zhen had arranged for a small trading house ship, but since Lu Chang’sheng knew the manager of the Glazed Glass Trading House, he dropped the small ship for the Glazed Glass Trading House’s Dragon-Head Ship with Lu Chang’sheng.

The river often has water demons lurking about—the big ships are much safer than small ones.

This trip felt different to Lu Chang’sheng.

As he boarded, he saw several Supreme Profound Sect disciples led by a deep-auraed middle-aged cultivator landing on the deck.

The sight made Lu Chang’sheng’s heart skip a beat. He guessed this probably meant trouble.

Otherwise, the Supreme Profound Sect wouldn’t show up unannounced—they’d have sent word first.

And sure enough, by dusk, several Supreme Profound Sect members flew off, turning into streaks of light that vanished into the horizon.

Liu Yun came over to Lu Chang’sheng, shaking his head. "They’re checking the ships. Word is some well-disguised demons escaped from Purple Ice Lake and are probably hiding among the crowd."

"Demons can disguise themselves?" Lu Chang’sheng asked in shock.

"Of course; these types are pretty unique though—not exactly common."

Liu Yun suddenly remembered something and said, "Right, if Fellow Daoist comes across such a demon, even if you spot something wrong, don’t show it. Most of these creatures have decent cultivation, at minimum Foundation Establishment level."