Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

A single Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object had a market price of around three to four thousand Spirit Stones. Moreover, while they had a price, they were rarely for sale. They could only be chanced upon, not sought after, making them incredibly difficult to obtain.

Of course.

This was true for Independent Cultivators and Qi Cultivators like them.

If Kou Hongying successfully reached Foundation Establishment, with her status as a Foundation Establishment Master from an Immortal Sect, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to acquire a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object within twenty years.

"As for the missing portion, I am willing to make up the difference with Spirit Stones. I won’t let Fairy Kou suffer a loss."

Wei Tu added.

On the surface, it seemed as if he were investing one thousand five hundred Spirit Stones to receive a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, effectively doubling his profit.

But in reality, he was still the one at a disadvantage.

Because during Kou Hongying’s attempt at Foundation Establishment, there were potential complications and risks, such as failure, Dao Fall, or her breaking the contract.

If any of these occurred, it would mean the Spirit Stones he invested would be down the drain.

By proactively offering to cover the price difference for the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object now, he was also trying to minimize the chance that Kou Hongying would renege on the deal after successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.

Spirit Stones were easy to earn.

Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects were hard to come by.

Acquiring the latter required not only financial resources but also a certain level of status.

’Dad was right... Uncle Wei values our relationship, but before doing business, he always draws clear boundaries and clarifies the interests of each party...’

’Settle the terms first, then act.’

After hearing Wei Tu’s words, a smile slowly spread across Kou Hongying’s slightly stiff face.

When she heard Wei Tu call her "Fairy Kou," her heart had sunk, thinking he wanted to sever ties with her.

"Uncle Wei is right. For a matter of such importance, we should indeed sign a Spirit Contract."

Kou Hongying nodded with a smile.

Far from feeling any aversion to Wei Tu’s approach, she actually approved of it wholeheartedly.

Loyalty based on mere friendship doesn’t go far.

It’s very difficult to maintain.

Especially in the treacherous, dog-eat-dog Cultivation Realm.

"This is a Spirit Contract. I brought it with me before coming to the gathering."

As she spoke, Kou Hongying took out a sheet of cyan-vine paper and placed it on the table.

Then, she channeled her Spiritual Power and wrote the contract’s terms on the cyan-vine paper.

Once finished,

Kou Hongying bit the tip of her finger and let a drop of her blood fall onto the cyan-vine paper.

Seeing this, Wei Tu didn’t hesitate. With a flick of his right hand, he drew the cyan-vine paper from the table into his palm.

After carefully reading the contract’s terms, he noticed that Kou Hongying hadn’t included the clause about him "making up the price difference" that he had mentioned. He couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, and his trust in her integrity grew.

—Spirit Contracts were a unique item of the Cultivation Realm; at the Qi Cultivation Stage, it was impossible to forge one.

Just like Kou Hongying, after Wei Tu finished reading the contract, he also dripped a drop of his own blood onto the cyan-vine paper.

Once the contract was sealed,

The cyan-vine paper flashed with Spiritual Light, automatically split into two copies, and fell into the respective palms of Wei Tu and Kou Hongying.

"Since that’s the case, I am willing to help young Hongying this time as well."

Fu Zhizhou chimed in, seizing the opportunity.

"Alright." Kou Hongying nodded, took out another sheet of cyan-vine paper, and signed a corresponding Spirit Contract with Fu Zhizhou.

However, the reward for Fu Zhizhou was much lower. She didn’t promise a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, offering only a single Foundation Condensation Pill as payment.

The Foundation Condensation Pill was one of the essential elixirs a Qi Cultivation Perfect Practitioner had to take when attempting to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Although it wasn’t as rare or expensive as a Foundation Establishment Pill, it was still a rare elixir among Independent Cultivators.

After Fu Zhizhou had signed the Spirit Contract,

Kou Hongying glanced over at Weii Fei again. Seeing that he remained unconcerned, she couldn’t help but shake her head and think, ’Weii Fei will never amount to anything great.’

...

The gathering ended.

The five of them emerged from the private room.

Wei Yan and Wei Xiuwen, who were standing outside the door, heard them and moved. They walked forward, bowed in unison to Wei Tu, and called out, "Father."

Fu Zhizhou, walking behind Wei Tu, saw the scene of the Wei father and his children reuniting. His lips quivered for a moment before he let out a sigh.

He didn’t see his eldest son, Fu Lin, among the Wei children.

—’Ten Spirit Stones should have been enough for Fu Lin to set foot on the Immortal Path.’

"Father, since you’re here in Bai Shihu Marketplace, why not stay a while longer? In half a year, it’ll be Xiaomei’s and my wedding day."

As they walked, Wei Xiuwen glanced at Wei Tu’s back, paused his steps, and spoke.

"Also—"

"I have another surprise for you and Mother..."

he said.

"What surprise?"

Wei Tu was slightly surprised.

He had never received a single gift from Wei Xiuwen in his entire life.

His eldest daughter, Wei Yan, on the other hand, had occasionally sewn some clothes, boots, and socks for him.

"In half a year, you’ll find out."

"Now that you’re back, spend more time with Mom. She’s getting old."

Wei Xiuwen said in a low voice.

He understood that a perfect life was a rare thing. Since his father, Wei Tu, was already pursuing the Immortal Dao, it was difficult for him to return to the mortal world often, no matter how much he cared for his family.

It was inevitable that his mother would be neglected.

He couldn’t be blamed for that.

After all, since he himself had entered the Cultivation Realm, he also rarely returned home unless it was for something important.

"Your mother’s love for you wasn’t wasted." Hearing this, a smile touched Wei Tu’s lips. He walked to Wei Xiuwen’s side, ruffled his son’s hair, and chuckled.

The last few times he had returned to the mortal world, he hadn’t yet secured his position, so he didn’t dare waste any time and had to rush back to the Cultivation Realm to strive for his future.

But now, Foundation Establishment was within reach.

A small indulgence of half a year to spend time with Xinghua and watch his children get married was certainly not out of the question.

"Yann’er, is there someone special in your life?" Thinking of this, Wei Tu looked at the serene, yellow-dressed young woman before him and asked curiously.

Wei Yan was four years older than Wei Xiuwen. If not for her path of Cultivation, according to mortal customs, a "spinster" like her would have been married off long ago.