Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

The Blood Food Pill was an Elixir he had taken back when he broke through to the Innate Realm.

At the time, he had yet to embark on the Immortal Path and was too inexperienced to know it was a Demonic Elixir, so he took it.

’If it was only one Blood Food Pill... If Uncle Fu had just spent more time consolidating his foundation during Middle-Stage Qi Cultivation, the pill’s negative aftereffects should have been significantly diminished...’

Kou Hongying sighed softly.

In her eyes, Fu Zhizhou was far too impatient for quick gains. He had been like that before reaching the Innate Realm, and he remained so after entering the Cultivation Realm.

While this method led to rapid breakthroughs in his Cultivation, he was likely to lose steam later. Once he reached a certain Realm, he would hit a self-imposed bottleneck and then stagnate for many years.

Fu Zhizhou’s current predicament—being stuck at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, unable to break through to the Seventh Layer even with a Tier-Breaking Pill—was related to these hidden issues from his past.

You reap what you sow.

Thinking this, Kou Hongying instinctively glanced at Wei Tu. ’Uncle Wei is the complete opposite,’ she thought. ’He’s steady and methodical, always prioritizing his foundation.’

After their last gathering, she had also sent a letter suggesting a Cultivation Technique suitable for Fu Zhizhou’s condition.

But ten years had passed...

Upon meeting again, only Wei Tu had followed her advice and switched to the Little Spring and Autumn Technique.

The two of them had made completely different choices.

Kou Hongying was certain.

Although Fu Zhizhou’s Cultivation was currently a step ahead, she was certain that in another ten or twenty years, Wei Tu would leave him far behind.

After pondering for a moment, Kou Hongying suggested a solution, "Jingshui Pavilion has Pharmacists. I will consult with one to help Uncle Fu eliminate these negative aftereffects as much as possible."

Pharmacists are different from Pill Masters. They are experts in pharmacology and focus more on healing injuries, treating illnesses, and regulating the body’s yin-yang and five elements.

They specialize in treating difficult and complex conditions within the Cultivation Realm.

For example, Fu Zhizhou’s "cultivation bottleneck," caused by the Pill Poison from consuming too many Elixirs, was considered one of these complex conditions in the Cultivation Realm.

Ordinary Elixirs can’t easily resolve such a condition.

The cheapest and most effective method is for a Pharmacist to diagnose the specific condition and prescribe the appropriate remedy.

"Thank you so much, Hongying."

Upon hearing this, Fu Zhizhou looked as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He cupped his hands and thanked Kou Hongying.

...

Finally, among the five members of the Yee Society, it was the junior, Kou Hongying’s, turn to speak about her Cultivation and insights.

Kou Hongying smiled faintly and said, "Early this year, I broke through to the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, putting me a step ahead of you three uncles."

’Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer?’

Hearing of this Realm, Wei Tu couldn’t help but feel a surge of astonishment, even though he had been mentally prepared.

After all, he and Fu Zhizhou had reached the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer several years before Kou Hongying.

Fu Zhizhou’s breakthrough to the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer was already considered hasty and impatient.

’So what does it mean for Kou Hongying to break through from Middle-Stage to Late-Stage Qi Cultivation in such a short time, crossing three Small Realms in a row?’

’So this is the power of a Middle-Grade Spirit Root and being an Immortal Sect Disciple,’ Wei Tu reflected silently.

Even though Kou Hongying had no skill in the Talisman Dao and hadn’t come across any great opportunities, her Middle-Grade Spirit Root, her acceptance into an Immortal Sect, and her apprenticeship to a Foundation Establishment Master... all but guaranteed she would pull far ahead of them within the Qi Refining Realm.

In other words, Kou Hongying being accepted into Jingshui Pavilion was itself the true Great Opportunity.

It far surpassed any gains they had made during the same period.

"Congratulations, Hongying."

After a moment, Wei Tu and the other two recovered from their shock, cupping their hands to congratulate Kou Hongying.

At this moment, whether it was Wei Tu, Weii Fei, or Fu Zhizhou, all of them now believed that accepting Kou Hongying into the Yee Society ten years ago had been an absolutely correct decision.

After finishing her talk on cultivation insights, Kou Hongying paused thoughtfully. She glanced at Wei Tu and the other two before speaking in a sincere tone, "I have an impudent request, and it concerns my Foundation Establishment... I wonder if you three uncles would be willing to agree?"

As her words fell, the atmosphere in the private room grew still for a moment.

"Hongying, if you have something to ask, just say it directly."

Wei Tu broke the silence, speaking up.

He was the backbone of the four brothers, and he was the one who had first agreed to let Kou Hongying join the Yee Society, their Cultivation Alliance.

Therefore, it was up to him to take the lead.

It was his responsibility.

"If you have something to ask, Hongying, just say it. No need to be coy."

Weii Fei chuckled.

He remembered the promise Kou Hongying made when she joined the Yee Society: before asking for anything, she would clearly explain the pros and cons and would never order the three of them around.

"Feel free to speak your mind, Hongying."

Fu Zhizhou nodded emphatically, chiming in.

He still needed to rely on Kou Hongying’s connections to heal his injuries, so he certainly wouldn’t refuse her at a time like this.

Seeing the three of them nod, Kou Hongying took a deep breath and said in a solemn voice, "I have now reached the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer. Before long, I will face the hurdle of breaking through to Foundation Establishment..."

"Unlike Independent Cultivators, it is easier for us Jingshui Pavilion Disciples to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill. We only need to complete Sect missions and earn enough Contribution Points to exchange for one..."

"On my own, it would take at least forty years to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill. But if... I have the help of you three uncles, that time... could be cut in half."

She said slowly.

Upon hearing her words, the expressions on Wei Tu and the other two men flickered with different emotions.

For an ordinary person at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer to plot for a Foundation Establishment Pill would be a fool’s dream, but for an Immortal Sect Disciple like Kou Hongying, it was simply planning ahead.

If things went according to plan, in twenty years, Kou Hongying would likely have just reached Qi Cultivation Perfection, or perhaps only a few years would have passed since her breakthrough.

If she began her attempt at Foundation Establishment at that point and succeeded, Kou Hongying would have essentially wasted not a single moment of her cultivation time.

By doing so, after becoming a Foundation Establishment Master, her potential would increase significantly, putting her far ahead of her peers.

But—

The crux of the matter was that doing so would inevitably affect the cultivation of the three of them.

Twenty years.

It was no small amount of time.

Even if they only helped a little, the time commitment over twenty years would turn that ’little favor’ into an enormous undertaking.

"After I achieve Foundation Establishment, I will also help you three uncles plan for your own."

Kou Hongying promised.

As soon as she said this, the heavy mood of Wei Tu and the other two lightened somewhat.

If Kou Hongying could fulfill her promise, then in twenty years, having the help of an Immortal Sect Master would undoubtedly reduce the difficulty of their own Foundation Establishment attempts considerably.

That much was predictable.

"Hongying, since you mentioned Sect missions, I assume you already have specific missions from Jingshui Pavilion in mind..."

"Show them to us first. After we’ve had a look, we’ll decide whether to agree."

Wei Tu said in a serious tone.

Twenty years was basically one-tenth of his lifespan.

He was already sixty years old, with sixty years left before he reached the Age of Two Armors.

These next twenty years were far more precious than an ordinary twenty years.

If the Sect missions Kou Hongying mentioned were too demanding, he would have no choice but to refuse.

Sticking together for mutual support was better than struggling alone.

But that didn’t mean the rest should sacrifice themselves completely for the sake of one person.

Cooperation had to be based on mutual benefit.

That had been written with perfect clarity in their alliance pact.

"Please take a look, uncles." Kou Hongying didn’t hesitate, immediately taking out three Jade Scrolls from her sleeve and handing them to Wei Tu and the others.

Wei Tu took the Jade Scroll and looked at it. His expression relaxed slightly, and he nodded inwardly.

Inside the Jade Scroll, Kou Hongying had listed over a dozen missions, but there were only two assigned for him to complete.

The two tasks were of the same type.

Talisman Painting!

The first was one hundred Tier One Lower-Grade Talismans—"Earthquake Talismans."

The second was fifty Tier One Middle-Grade Talismans—"Illusion Wood Talismans."

"If Uncle Wei agrees to accept this mission, I am willing to give you the Talisman Making Techniques for these two types of talismans."

Seeing that Wei Tu’s interest was piqued, Kou Hongying immediately added this.

"This matter..."

Wei Tu fell into thought, not giving an immediate answer.

One hundred Tier One Lower-Grade Talismans and fifty Tier One Middle-Grade Talismans—their combined value was at least fifteen hundred Spirit Stones.

Even considering only the cost of materials, not labor, he would still have to invest at least four or five hundred Spirit Stones.

In other words.

For Kou Hongying’s Foundation Establishment, he would have to provide four to five hundred Spirit Stones and sacrifice several years of his cultivation time...

Even though Wei Tu considered himself a loyal person, he still hesitated at the prospect of such a huge sacrifice.

"I disagree."

Just then, Weii Fei was the first to speak.

He placed the Jade Scroll on the table and crossed his arms. "My goal is a life of leisure," he said frankly. "I’ll take on small tasks, no problem. I’ll even help you out this once, Hongying. But a mission this time-consuming? I’m not willing."

Unlike Wei Tu and Fu Zhizhou, he had no hope of Foundation Establishment, so in his eyes, Kou Hongying’s promise was nothing but empty words, completely useless.

"If Uncle Weii is unwilling, I won’t insist." Kou Hongying pressed her lips together and retrieved the Jade Scroll Weii Fei had placed on the table, seemingly unsurprised by his refusal.

After Weii Fei was done speaking, Fu Zhizhou turned to Wei Tu. "What are your thoughts?" he asked.

His "ailment" still required the help of a Jingshui Pavilion Pharmacist, which was impossible without Kou Hongying’s connections.

Therefore, he wasn’t in a position to refuse Kou Hongying.

Kou Liang, standing to one side,

also began to nervously await Wei Tu’s reply.

He knew that among the missions detailed in his daughter Kou Hongying’s Jade Scrolls, the one for Wei Tu was the ’most important’ and would yield the most Sect Contribution Points.

If Wei Tu didn’t agree,

Kou Hongying’s plan would come to nothing.

Furthermore, if Wei Tu refused, the wavering Fu Zhizhou would also follow Wei Tu’s lead.

At that point,

Kou Hongying would be all alone.

She would have to follow the normal path for a Jingshui Pavilion Disciple to reach Foundation Establishment.

"I can agree, but... I need Hongying to agree to one condition."

After a moment’s thought, Wei Tu said in a grave voice.

The Cultivation Realm was different from the mortal world; Cultivators were generally more selfish.

Moreover,

Kou Hongying was not Kou Liang.

His trust in her was limited.

It was easy enough to help, but what if Kou Hongying went back on her word after he was done?

What if after she reached Foundation Establishment, she decided that helping him with his own Foundation Establishment was too troublesome and just gave him fifteen hundred Spirit Stones to repay the favor?

He’d have no one to turn to and nowhere to plead his case.

"Please speak freely, Uncle Wei."

Kou Hongying’s expression turned serious.

"I require Fairy Kou to write a contract, and it must be a Spirit Contract."

"The contract’s terms are as follows: After Fairy Kou achieves Foundation Establishment, you must, within twenty years, repay me with one Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object."

Wei Tu said seriously.