After that, Yu Hai told Wang Futian everything he knew about Lu Chang’sheng.
Wang Futian was also taken aback upon hearing this. Though he had his doubts and wasn’t sure how much of Yu Hai’s story was true, he didn’t want to miss out on soone of Lu Chang’sheng’s talent because of his own reservations.
So he said, "I’ll go back and discuss this with Elder Lei Ming."
Elder Lei Ming was one of the few respected Grade Two Alchemists on Alchemy Peak, definitely capable of resolving the issue.
"I’ll go with you."
Yu Hai said.
He was very invested in Lu Chang’sheng’s situation.
But Wang Futian shook his head and said, "I can handle it alone. If you co along, it might stir up unnecessary trouble."
Wang Futian felt he might have underestimated Zhu Qing—the man had a lot more influence than he’d imagined.
Yu Hai could only nod in agreent.
······
Shortly after Lu Chang’sheng returned to his residence, Fang Yuan and Qu Guang ca walking in at the door.
Upon seeing Lu Chang’sheng, they hurriedly asked how things had gone.
They’d beco deeply tied to Lu Chang’sheng’s fortunes; especially Fang Yuan, who’d even parted with his most treasured magic techniques.
If Lu Chang’sheng could beco a disciple of the Supre Profound Sect, their future prospects would improve dramatically.
But unexpectedly, Lu Chang’sheng shook his head. "No luck."
"That’s really a sha, but Fellow Daoist Lu, don’t worry. With your skills, you’ll make it even if you don’t join an Immortal Sect."
Fang Yuan and Qu Guang offered their comfort.
After all, Lu Chang’sheng was already a Grade B Alchemist. Even if he didn’t enter the Supre Profound Sect, he could still offer trendous support to their clans.
"Thank you both, Fellow Daoists."
Lu Chang’sheng cupped his hands in thanks. He wasn’t bothered much—he had his own trump cards. And being able to see his lifespan was a useful advantage; as long as it was sufficient, nothing else mattered.
They planned to spend a few more days in the Supre Profound Immortal City, and take part in the upcoming auction.
That evening, Lu Chang’sheng suddenly received news from Yu Hai.
"Is there a breakthrough?"
Lu Chang’sheng felt both joy and gratitude towards Yu Hai and Wang Futian.
If he could get into the Supre Profound Sect and obtain the spiritual body condensation technique, that was much safer than just waiting for the years to pass.
But since he’d already been rejected by the stewards of Alchemy Peak, getting invited back would be much harder.
Even though Wang Futian was seeking out an elder, the elder would still want to give face to the stewards involved and probably wouldn’t overturn things just for him.
Just as Lu Chang’sheng expected, when Wang Futian found Elder Lei Ming to explain the situation, Lei Ming thought for a mont, then shook his head and said, "Since several stewards decided this, it’s not my place to dispute it."
Wang Futian sighed inwardly, raised his eyes to look at Elder Lei Ming, and said, "That Alchemist Lu has made great progress in the Dao of Alchemy. If we go all out, maybe we could gain another Grade Two for the Supre Profound Sect."
Just then, another person approached—it was Zuo Lin, Heaven-Burning Valley’s prodigy, visiting the Supre Profound Sect. He couldn’t help thinking: If Alchemist Lu had Zuo Lin’s talent for cultivation, he probably wouldn’t fall short of Zuo Lin.
"Nonsense! Go all out? If we were truly willing to go all out, wouldn’t any one of our countless alchemists have a shot at Grade Two? If we really gave him that much, what about everyone else?" Elder Lei Ming scolded.
Elder Lei Ming was clearly irritated.
The Supre Profound Sect was full of alchemists able to refine supre-grade pills. In theory, such people should already qualify to reach Grade Two. So why did most of them never advance?
It’s all about resources!
Their talent was sufficient—it was just the lack of resources that held them back.
To reach Grade Two, the sheer amount of resources needed was staggering.
This was why Elder Lei Ming thought Wang Futian’s comnts were off the mark.
"That’s not it—Alchemist Lu really is extrely gifted in alchemy."
Wang Futian tried to continue, but Elder Lei Ming just waved him off and walked away, heading toward the handso cultivator Zuo Lin.
As Wang Futian left, his face full of gloom, Zuo Lin’s eyes sparkled with interest.
"If I may ask, Senior, who is that alchemist you spoke about?"
Zuo Lin gave due respect to any Grade Two Alchemist.
Lei Ming shook his head. "Just a loose cultivator. He’s sowhat talented in the Dao of Alchemy, but in cultivation he’s only a little better than a commoner."
"As you know, even alchemy requires a solid cultivation base—otherwise, there’s no way to handle the higher-tier ingredients."
Zuo Lin nodded humbly, showing a willingness to learn—totally unlike his attitude toward the stewards before.
To reach Grade Two Alchemist was proof of unique insight in alchemy. Even if Zuo Lin was confident he could do it himself, he was still only equals with this person.
He’d always respected true talent.
"No wonder Senior Lei Ming isn’t interested in him," Zuo Lin said. He stopped asking and changed the subject. "By the way, Senior—do you happen to know soone nad Bai Qing?"
"Who?"
"Bai Qing!"
Seeing Lei Ming’s confusion, he added, "He was brought in as a disciple by one of Heaven-Burning Valley’s stewards out on an excursion. A few years ago, he sent word to our sect, so my master sent here this ti to establish contact."
"Heaven-Burning Valley, eh?" Lei Ming seed to realize sothing. "I don’t know anyone nad Bai Qing, but there is a Baiyun. Maybe that’s who you’re looking for."
Zuo Lin slapped his forehead, as if recalling sothing. "Almost forgot—my senior is also nad Baiyun. Seems like it’s him then."
"In that case, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed." Lei Ming explained that Master Baiyun had already died.
Zuo Lin felt the unpredictability of fate, then continued to chat with Lei Ming.
He was no longer much interested in his so-called senior. If his master hadn’t ordered it, he wouldn’t have co at all.
······
The next morning, Yu Hai and Wang Futian arrived together. Seeing Lu Chang’sheng, Yu Hai’s face was filled with indignation.
"Fools! Those stewards are fools, and the elders too!" Yu Hai stamped his foot, itching to curse them to their faces.
Wang Futian didn’t stop him. He just sighed, looked at Lu Chang’sheng, and said, "Sorry to disappoint you, Fellow Daoist. Here, please take back the spirit-patterned pills."
No rit, no reward. Wang Futian loved to collect pills refined by different alchemists, but he had his principles.
Lu Chang’sheng smiled—he’d expected all this—and said, "No need for formalities, Fellow Daoist Wang. You know, making these pills isn’t difficult for . You’ve gone out of your way for days on my behalf, did your very best. It didn’t work out this ti, but it’s not your fault. Please, just keep them."
Wang Futian wanted to insist, but Lu Chang’sheng’s smile faded. "What—is Fellow Daoist Wang saying we’re not friends anymore?"
Wang Futian imdiately accepted the gift, feeling a surge of goodwill toward Lu Chang’sheng.
Three days later, Lu Chang’sheng and Fang Yuan and the others returned to Platinum Immortal City.
The Supre Profound Sect’s auction had plenty of good things; he’d acquired so superb Barrier-Breaking Pill materials, plus components for crafting puppet beasts.
All these years, he’d been searching for the perfected-grade puppet beast—the Five-Hearted Child.
This was puppetry’s pinnacle: He’d need to craft five child puppets, each with the power of a peak Qi Cultivator; when all five united, they could stand against Foundation Establishnt masters.
But the requirents for refining such fearso puppet beasts were very strict, so he had to prepare far in advance.
"It takes decades just to progress from mid-stage Qi Cultivation to late stage; and going from late stage to Foundation Establishnt could take a century."
So he needed a formidable ans of protection for that entire century.
With several late-stage Qi Cultivators supporting him, Lu Chang’sheng reached Platinum Immortal City without incident.
As soon as he returned, he heard the news: Red Cloud Daoist had failed at Foundation Establishnt, clashed with the Foundation Establishnt Ancestor of the Wang Family from Liuyun Immortal City, and was badly injured in escape. Not long ago, soone saw him outside Platinum Immortal City.
Lu Chang’sheng reflected—no wonder Red Cloud Daoist was regarded as a minor legend among local cultivators. To survive an encounter with a Foundation Establishnt cultivator truly took extraordinary skill.
At the sa ti, he was surprised at the Wang Family’s tenacity.
It had been many years since Red Cloud Daoist last stole from the Wang Family, yet they never forgot it; year after year, they kept searching for Red Cloud Daoist’s whereabouts. Clearly, for cultivators, ti wasn’t so easy to forget as it was for ordinary folk.
On the bright side, Fang Yuan and the others were much relieved by the recent events.
They had hunted Red Cloud Daoist before, even inflicting serious damage. If he had reached Foundation Establishnt, Fang Yuan and the others would be living in constant fear.
"Without Foundation Establishnt, it’s still hard to protect oneself."
Lu Chang’sheng mused.
He couldn’t help but think of the Supre Profound Sect again: If only he could have joined—obtaining the spiritual body condensation technique would push his Immortal Dao Spirit Root further.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t a matter he could control.
He kept himself buried in alchemy work, also asking friends to watch for any spiritual body condensation techniques or treasures that could improve his Immortal Dao Root Bone.
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