Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

「A short while later.」

Led by a maid, a broad-faced, long-bearded man dressed in white martial attire arrived at the Pill Room.

Seeing Helian Xiong dressed like a Martial Artist and exuding a somewhat brutish aura, Geng Wen’s brow furrowed in displeasure. But considering the man’s Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer cultivation, he quickly suppressed the feeling and kept it hidden.

"Fellow Daoist Helian, for what Elixir have you come to see me?"

Geng Wen asked with a smile, stroking his beard.

Most of the unfamiliar Cultivators who sought him out came asking for Elixirs.

Upon learning that Helian Xiong had sought him out, he had automatically lumped the man into that same category.

"I’m not here for Elixirs."

Helian Xiong shook his head.

He didn’t wait for Geng Wen to inquire further, stating his purpose directly.

"I hear that Alchemist Geng and Talisman Master Wei have had a bit of a conflict? Talisman Master Wei is an old acquaintance of mine, and I’m willing to act as a peacemaker between the two of you..."

"Would you be amenable, Fellow Daoist Geng?" he asked.

"Talisman Master Wei?" Upon hearing the familiar name, the smile vanished from Geng Wen’s face, and his expression darkened.

’With his experience, how could he not understand the implication? It was a warning—don’t harbor any ill will toward Wei Tu.’

’This was a blatant threat.’

Geng Wen narrowed his eyes. He glanced at Chu Yinn beside him and used his Guardian Map Divine Sense to ask about the relationship between Helian Xiong and Wei Tu.

Understanding the signal, Chu Yinn immediately relayed everything she knew about the relationship between Wei Tu, Fu Zhizhou, and Helian Xiong to Geng Wen.

A few moments later, Geng Wen had the information he needed and understood the situation. He waved his cattail fan and laughed. "To offend me, a Pill Master, for a mere Tier One Lower-Grade Talisman Master... Fellow Daoist Helian, that seems rather unwise."

Among the four main categories of the Hundred Cultivation Techniques, Pill Masters enjoy a status a cut above that of Artifact Masters, Talisman Masters, and Array Masters of the same Level, and they receive the most deferential treatment.

Moreover, he was a Tier One Middle-Grade Alchemist, whereas Wei Tu was merely a Tier One Lower-Grade Talisman Master.

The disparity between them was obvious at a glance.

At this point, Geng Wen concluded that Helian Xiong hadn’t come to his Cave Mansion to back up Wei Tu at all. ’He’s just using this as a pretext to squeeze me for benefits.’

’After all... no one would make such a losing bargain—offending a Late-Stage Qi Cultivation Pill Master like him for a mere acquaintance.’

When Helian Xiong remained silent, Geng Wen grew even more certain of his suspicion. He mulled it over for a moment before saying, "Fellow Daoist Helian, if you need something, just say the word. As long as the price is right, you may choose from any of the Elixirs I have here."

However, to Geng Wen’s surprise, Helian Xiong still did not respond, even after the offer of potential benefits.

Instead, his brow was deeply furrowed.

A few moments later, Helian Xiong finally spoke.

"I’ve long heard that Pill Masters are arrogant. Today, I finally see it for myself," Helian Xiong said bluntly, a cold sneer on his face.

"What is the meaning of this, Fellow Daoist Helian?" Hearing Helian Xiong’s hostile words, Geng Wen finally understood his true purpose. Even a complete fool would have realized it by now.

"Fellow Daoist Helian, you’d do well to remember these four words: words can cause disaster!"

Geng Wen threatened coldly.

Here on Danqiu Mountain, thanks to his Pill Technique, his status was second only to the Foundation Establishment Masters and the few disciples from the Supreme Profound Sect. One could say he held a lofty position.

Furthermore, he was the second disciple of Alchemist Shu, a Tier Two Alchemist.

On the strength of that status alone, even some Foundation Establishment Masters had to treat him with courtesy.

This time, Helian Xiong had a swift response to Geng Wen’s threat. With a cold snort, he took a Token from within his robes and slapped it onto the table in the Pill Room.

The single word "Assassin" was boldly carved onto the Token.

"We Assassins have another duty besides hunting Demon Beasts in the Yaolang Mountain Range. We also take on missions from the Marketplace."

"And I recall seeing a mission posted in the Marketplace to apprehend a Tribulation Cultivator."

At this, a smile touched the corners of Helian Xiong’s lips. "All these things you do in secret, Fellow Daoist Geng... do you really think you’ve left no trace? That no one has ever found out?"

’Of course, he wouldn’t risk offending a Tier One Middle-Grade Alchemist at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer just for Wei Tu’s sake.’

’It’s one thing to offend a Pill Master; it’s another thing entirely to offend their connections.’

’But with this concrete evidence of his crimes, Helian Xiong was confident Geng Wen would choose to swallow his pride and endure the humiliation.’

’Conflict wasn’t only about life and death; there was also the option to compromise.’

’The price Geng Wen would have to pay to oppose him now was far from small.’

"Your investigation was quite thorough, Fellow Daoist Helian." Geng Wen’s expression was grim, and it took him a long moment to force out the words.

"But... Fellow Daoist Helian... are you really going to oppose me over a mere Tier One Lower-Grade Talisman Master?"

His threat having failed, Geng Wen felt helpless. He hesitated for a moment before repeating his earlier attempt to win Helian Xiong over.

He simply couldn’t understand why Helian Xiong would be so foolish as to make such a terrible bargain.

Hearing the familiar words, Helian Xiong shook his head. He glanced at the elderly Geng Wen, a flicker of contempt in his eyes.

"Do you happen to know your own age, Fellow Daoist Geng?"

"If not, you can ask the Fairy beside you."

With that, Helian Xiong lingered no longer. He flicked his sleeves, strode out of the Pill Room, and left Geng Wen’s Cave Mansion.

"Age?"

Back in the Pill Room, Geng Wen was stunned for a moment when he heard this, before his expression became utterly grim.

In that instant, he finally understood why Helian Xiong wasn’t afraid of making an enemy of him and was so determined to protect Wei Tu.

’It’s because I’m old.’

’I have no potential left.’

If he failed to make another breakthrough, for the remaining forty years of his life, his rank as a Pill Master would be forever locked at Tier One Middle-Grade.

Wei Tu, on the other hand...

Although he was only a Tier One Lower-Grade Talisman Master now, given time, there was no reason he couldn’t reach Tier One Upper-Grade by the time he was Geng Wen’s age.