Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

’I just hope Fellow Daoist Hu can get a clear look at who left Danqiu Mountain after me this time...’

’It’ll make it easier to deal with them in the future.’

’After they used Disguises, even I can’t determine their True Identities.’

Wei Tu narrowed his eyes.

When he killed the masked Female Cultivator moments ago, he hadn’t interrogated her. He was worried about wasting time and inviting trouble, but the most important reason was that it was simply unnecessary.

Tribulation Cultivators are all vicious and far more ruthless than common Mortal bandits. When they know they’re about to die, they won’t just easily spill their secrets.

Besides.

Cultivators at the Middle-Stage of Qi Cultivation possess divine sense. His Realm was lower than the masked Female Cultivator’s, so he was also afraid that if he got too close, she might capture his mind with her divine sense and kill him in a final, desperate act.

(Note: It was mentioned in Chapter 85 that divine sense can only be developed at the Middle-Stage of Qi Cultivation. With divine sense, one can better draw Level 1 Talismans.)

...

After leaving Danqiu Mountain.

Wei Tu wasted no time and reached Jade Dragon Prefecture as quickly as possible.

Although the Cultivation Realm strictly forbids Cultivators from slaughtering Mortals, to Tribulation Cultivators, such rules were nothing but empty words.

Wei Tu didn’t dare bet on the conscience of a Tribulation Cultivator.

Now, only his and Fu Zhizhou’s families remained in Jade Dragon Prefecture. His sworn brother Kou Liang’s family had been moved out long ago and settled near the Bai Shihu Marketplace.

That night, Wei Tu returned home and told everyone of the approaching danger. Unsurprisingly, the entire Wei Family raised no objections, all of them agreeing to his plan to move to Bai Shihu.

What surprised Wei Tu slightly was how quickly the Fu Family acted. Just as the Wei Family finished packing, the entire Fu Family arrived at the Wei Mansion’s gate, ready to leave with only the bare essentials, having abandoned most of their wealth and property.

"Fu Lin, you’ve done well."

"Very decisive."

In the Wei Mansion’s main hall, Wei Tu looked at the Fu Family’s eldest son, who bore a strong resemblance to Fu Zhizhou, his face showing a hint of approval.

Many people would rather die clinging to their gold.

For Fu Lin, as the eldest son of the Fu Family, to be able to persuade his entire family to abandon their assets and shops and leave with so little... that kind of courage and eloquence alone was far beyond that of an ordinary person.

’A pity he only has a Lower-Grade Spirit Root.’

Wei Tu sighed to himself.

He believed that if Fu Lin had the aptitude of a Middle-Grade Spirit Root, with his capabilities, he would surely shine brightly in the Cultivation Realm.

"Third Uncle, my father... he didn’t come back with you again this time?"

Fu Lin glanced beside Wei Tu, and when he didn’t see his father, Fu Zhizhou, his face fell.

"Your father is busy."

Hearing this, Wei Tu fell silent for a moment before forcing out the words.

He couldn’t exactly say, ’Your father, Fu Zhizhou, saw that the aptitude of you and your six siblings was poor and not worth supporting, so he’s deliberately avoiding you.’

"I understand."

Fu Lin didn’t press Wei Tu on the matter. After receiving a direct answer, he nodded and left the main hall to help the Fu and Wei family members board the carriages.

「An hour later.」

The Wei Mansion and Fu Mansion were empty. Even the maids and servants had been dismissed.

At the same time, for safety, Wei Tu also created a diversion. He paid a hefty sum to a few servants to carry the Wei and Fu Family banners out of the southern gate and head in the opposite direction.

...

The journey was tense but without any real danger.

After seven or eight days, Wei Tu and the others arrived at Nanhang Prefecture in Qujiang Dao, in the southern part of Zheng Country.

The Bai Shihu Marketplace, similar to the Danqiu Mountain Marketplace, was located in a sparsely populated area of Nanhang Prefecture in Qujiang Dao.

「Half a day later.」

Wei Tu arrived alone near the Bai Shihu Marketplace.

The dense fog laid by a Forbidden Technique slowly parted under his Spiritual Power, revealing a vast, mist-covered lake...

In the lake, Spirit Fish of all colors swam freely, and several different types of Cranes soared with outstretched wings.

On the outskirts of the lake, to the south, clusters of buildings had been constructed.

The buildings in these clusters varied in height, but what surprised Wei Tu was that there was no Shantytown inside the Bai Shihu Marketplace.

"Jingshui Pavilion is mostly composed of Female Cultivators, and they appreciate beauty... That’s why the buildings constructed in the Bai Shihu Marketplace are mostly stilt houses, with very few shanties..."

Kou Liang, who had hurried over after hearing of his arrival, answered Wei Tu’s question.

Wei Tu’s confusion vanished.

Whether it was a Shantytown or stilt houses had nothing to do with the low-level Cultivators. What mattered were the thoughts and decisions of the top-level Cultivators.

The low-level Cultivators of the Bai Shihu Marketplace were able to live in stilt houses that looked much grander than shanties, not because of their own strength, but mainly because the Female Cultivators of Jingshui Pavilion didn’t want ugly buildings ruining the scenery of Bai Shihu.

Next.

Wei Tu followed Kou Liang to the stilt house where he lived after settling down.

"The Mortal relatives of Jingshui Pavilion’s Disciples mostly live in the western district of Nanhang City..."

"These people are all secretly protected by Jingshui Pavilion."

"Third Brother, you can buy a residence near the western district and then, under some pretext, have your family live with my Kou Family."

"This way, even if those Tribulation Cultivators are targeting you, they wouldn’t dare to make a move."

Kou Liang suggested.

"Thank you, Big Brother." Wei Tu nodded, accepting Kou Liang’s proposal and expressing his gratitude.

After discussing their families, Wei Tu brought up his need for Earth Essence Pills for his Cultivation.

"My skill in the Talisman Dao is decent, so I’ve managed to save up a good number of Spirit Stones over the years."

"However, to be cautious, I didn’t dare to go to the shops in the Danqiu Mountain Marketplace and buy Earth Essence Pills in large quantities, for fear of being targeted."

"But I never expected that even though I was so careful, I’d still be targeted by Tribulation Cultivators... They planned to ambush and kill me when I returned to the mortal world."

Wei Tu sighed.

As he spoke, he took a white cloth pouch from his waist and handed it to Kou Liang.