Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

P.S. In the previous Chapter, the name of the Fu Family’s eldest son, Fu Liang, was too similar to Kou Liang’s, so it has been changed to Fu Lin.

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"For Foundation Establishment."

Kou Liang met Fu Zhizhou’s gaze. He dispensed with empty words about sentiment and directly stated what was on his daughter, Kou Hongying’s, mind.

The atmosphere in the private room grew silent for a moment.

Ten years ago, they had renewed their three great pacts, the second of which was the one concerning the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The pact stipulated that if any one of the four showed promise of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, the others were to do everything in their power to support that person.

After successfully reaching Foundation Establishment, that person would, in turn, be required to help the other three.

The four of them had similar aptitudes, so this pact was beneficial to everyone involved.

However, the addition of an Immortal Sect Disciple with a Middle-Grade Spirit Root would change everything.

Before the other three could ask, Kou Liang cleared his throat thoughtfully and recounted what Kou Hongying had previously told Wei Tu.

"Hongying’s participation will be mutually beneficial for her and my three brothers. Before taking any action, she will make the potential gains and losses clear and will never treat you as her subordinates..."

"If, one day, Hongying should ever break this promise, I... will take my own life."

Kou Liang had made a solemn vow.

The four of them had supported each other to this day; they were sworn brothers who had been through life and death together. Even though he always put his daughter first, Wei Tu and the other two held second place in his heart.

"Since Big Brother has put it that way."

"Then I... agree to Hongying joining our Yee Society, to form this Cultivation Alliance together..."

Upon hearing Kou Liang’s oath, Fu Zhizhou could only suppress his dissatisfaction, no matter how strong it was. ’I’ll just have to wait and see,’ he thought, nodding in agreement.

"I agree as well."

Weii Fei glanced at Wei Tu. Seeing his calm expression and lack of any intent to object, Weii Fei let out a few laughs and readily agreed.

’They had been together for so long; he knew how cautious Wei Tu was. If Kou Hongying were truly a lost cause with nothing to offer, Wei Tu would never have sent for them to discuss this.’

The discussion concluded.

Kou Liang stepped out and led Kou Hongying into the private room.

Kou Hongying made her entrance.

Fu Zhizhou was resolute in his pursuit of cultivation and had been hostile toward her from the start, so his reaction was muted.

Weii Fei, however, was a different story. His expression froze, unable to hide the stunned admiration on his face.

The blue-gowned young woman’s hair was styled in a single topknot. She wore a narrow-sleeved indigo dress, and though her face was unadorned with cosmetics, it was as pure and lovely as a lotus blossom—radiant and captivating.

He recalled that ten years ago, his niece had been scrawny, like an unopened bud, and her looks had been unremarkable.

He never would have imagined. It was true what they said—a young girl can change so much as she grows.

The Kou Hongying of today, in her status, Cultivation, appearance, and bearing, now seemed completely ’out of his league’.

After a long moment, Weii Fei pinched his thigh to snap himself out of it and regain his composure.

"Hongying greets her three uncles."

Kou Hongying’s smile was captivating, as pure as an Ice Lotus on a snow-capped mountain, making it impossible for anyone to feel the slightest aversion to her.

Wei Tu and the other two returned the courtesy, showing no disrespect just because she was their niece.

Soon, Kou Hongying took her seat.

"I have not been on the Immortal Path for long and don’t have many resources to my name. A few years ago, my master gifted me three taels of Spirit Tea. Please, allow me to give one tael to each of you as a greeting gift."

Lifting her sleeve, she took out three palm-sized tea packets and placed one on the table before each of the three men.

At this display of courtesy, even the "hostile" Fu Zhizhou found himself feeling a bit of goodwill toward Kou Hongying.

...

A ten-year reunion.

The group began to discuss their insights on Cultivation.

At first, with Kou Hongying now present, Wei Tu and the other two felt a bit reserved and awkward.

But as Kou Hongying began to share her Cultivation Experience without reservation, along with the advice Master Qin had given her for each Realm of Cultivation...

The men’s reservations quickly vanished.

Kou Hongying’s inclusion,

in effect, gave them a "Foundation Establishment" teacher to guide their path forward.

A few casual pointers from someone at the Foundation Establishment Stage could save them from years, even more than a decade, of taking the wrong path.

For Kou Hongying, consulting a Foundation Establishment Master was a simple matter of asking, but for them, it was a near-impossible task.

"A few months ago, I asked my master about Uncle Wei’s Cultivation..." Kou Hongying’s red lips parted slightly as she spoke. "Master said that after Uncle Wei enters Tier Four of Qi Cultivation, it would be best for him to switch to the Little Spring and Autumn Technique. In conjunction with a Spirit Seed, he can then condense a Spirit Body with the Earth and Wood Attribute."

"That would also allow Uncle Wei’s Wood Spirit Root to be used to its fullest potential."

After offering Wei Tu this guidance, Kou Hongying gave corresponding advice regarding Fu Zhizhou’s Spirit Root situation.

Although she hadn’t consulted Master Qin about Fu Zhizhou’s Cultivation, her experience as a Sect Disciple gave her a broader perspective, allowing her to offer genuine and profound insights.

「Half a day later.」

When the conversation ended, Wei Tu and the other two men had all benefited greatly.

They suddenly realized that while Kou Hongying might not be able to help them with Cultivation Resources, the wealth of knowledge represented by Master Qin and Jingshui Pavilion could help them go farther and last longer on their Immortal Path.

...

All good things must come to an end.

After the gathering ended, everyone departed one by one.

"Third Brother, let’s travel back to Danqiu Mountain together. We need to be on guard against that fugitive Tribulation Cultivator, Ying Bing," Fu Zhizhou said grimly.

He felt responsible for Wei Tu’s encounter with the Tribulation Cultivator. How could he possibly stand by and watch Wei Tu face danger again on the way back to Danqiu Mountain?

"Alright."

Wei Tu gave a nod of assent.

Of course, he wasn’t going to refuse the offer. Traveling back to Danqiu Mountain together was far safer than returning alone.

"Let me go home first to say goodbye to my family, then I’ll set off with you, Fourth Brother."