Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

This information wasn’t some big secret in the Zheng Country’s Cultivation Realm.

Of course,

if one looked back through time,

it wasn’t as if no Independent Cultivators who joined a Foundation Establishment Family ever reached the Golden Core stage.

However, Wei Tu wasn’t willing to bet on such a minuscule probability.

Joining a Golden Core Family might offer less favorable treatment and less say than a Foundation Establishment Family, but it had one advantage: the platform was large enough to see a path to the Golden Core stage.

...

At this point in the conversation,

seeing Wei Tu looking down at his tea with a distinct lack of interest, Shen Yao chose an opportune moment to announce his departure and rose to leave.

Unlike when he saw Helian Xiong off,

Wei Tu did not escort his visitor, Shen Yao, out.

Helian Xiong was a friend, whereas he and Shen Yao were mere acquaintances.

To personally see Shen Yao out would be beneath his status as a Foundation Establishment Master.

Shen Yao walked out of Luoxue Courtyard with his body still bowed. Only after stepping out of the Cave Mansion’s entrance did he straighten up and take a deep breath.

However, just as he looked up, a young woman in a white dress suddenly appeared before him...

Subconsciously, Shen Yao bowed his back again.

"I pay my respects to Elder Zhao."

Shen Yao said, wincing in pain.

The sudden movement nearly broke his old back.

"Wei Tu has come out of seclusion?" Zhao Qingluo asked in an indifferent tone, glancing at Shen Yao.

Half a year ago, news of Wei Tu’s Foundation Establishment had spread from Danqiu Mountain to the Qiyue Zhao Family.

Because she had a history with Wei Tu, the family had conveniently entrusted her with the task of his recruitment.

But times had changed.

She was visiting Wei Tu to win him over and recruit him, so she couldn’t just barge into Luoxue Courtyard carelessly. She could only wait patiently outside the Cave Mansion.

"Elder Wei has come out of seclusion."

Shen Yao nodded and quickly replied.

...

After Shen Yao left,

Zhao Qingluo thought for a moment. Instead of immediately knocking to request an audience, she took out a message Talisman and sent it into Luoxue Courtyard.

After the Talisman entered,

a quarter of an hour later,

Zhao Qingluo saw Wei Tu come out to greet her. Only then did she reveal her concealed form and stand before him.

"It seems this princess has arrived at just the right time, just as Talisman Master Wei has come out of seclusion..."

Zhao Qingluo said with a smile on her face.

"My humble abode is rather crude. I would like to be the host... and invite Princess Qingluo... to dine in a private room at Jingyun Inn..."

Wei Tu gestured with a cupped hand salute.

Inside his Cave Mansion, the Sky-Splitting Carving that had stolen Zhao Qingluo’s Storage Bag all those years ago was still hidden.

Wei Tu didn’t know if Zhao Qingluo possessed the same ability as him to use a Xiangluo Nose to identify scents and track enemies.

He naturally had to be careful about this.

Although he was confident that even if Zhao Qingluo knew what had happened back then, she wouldn’t pose a significant threat to him, it was best to avoid the issue if possible.

Wei Tu’s words sounded somewhat familiar to Zhao Qingluo, as if he had said the very same thing when he first met her decades ago.

"After you, Talisman Master Wei."

Zhao Qingluo gave a slight nod and stepped forward to lead the way. "This time, I shall be the host. There is no need for Talisman Master Wei to do so."

’I?’

Hearing Zhao Qingluo’s humble self-address,

Wei Tu couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. He remembered how, decades ago when they interacted, she was constantly saying "this princess" this and "this princess" that, her arrogance plain to see.

Now, she was taking the initiative to refer to herself humbly before him.

This behavior couldn’t help but remind Wei Tu of the various embarrassing scenes after Zhao Qingluo had been affected by the Aphrodisiac Powder. The contrast was immense.

The two arrived at a private room in Jingyun Inn.

Zhao Qingluo ordered a table of the finest dishes.

"Talisman Master Wei, I will not beat around the bush. I have come to find you this time for the purpose of recruitment... to have you join my Qiyue Zhao Family..."

After they were seated, Zhao Qingluo got straight to the point, directly stating her purpose.

"If Talisman Master Wei is willing, the Qiyue Zhao Family can not only give you a complete Tier Two Talisman Master Inheritance..."

"Concubines, a Tier Two Cave Mansion, Cultivation Techniques, Magical Artifacts, and so on—everything needed for Cultivation will be provided to you accordingly."

Zhao Qingluo laid out her terms.

The offer was very generous. One could say... as long as Wei Tu joined the Qiyue Zhao Family, he would possess all the "companions, wealth, location, and techniques" of the Cultivation Realm.

But Wei Tu remained calm.

Even without Kou Hongying’s reminder, the Qiyue Zhao Family and the Chisong Jia Family were the first two Golden Core Families he would rule out joining.

He had no desire to die in the conflict between these two families.

The higher the Qiyue Zhao Family’s offer,

the more he felt he had to refuse.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

"My aptitude is poor. I was merely fortunate enough to reach Foundation Establishment by a stroke of luck from Heaven... I do not wish to drag down the Zhao Family because of this..."

Wei Tu chose his words carefully, politely refusing.

Unexpectedly,

Zhao Qingluo didn’t seem to understand the meaning behind Wei Tu’s words.

Her fine brows furrowed slightly as she said, "Talisman Master Wei, you reached Foundation Establishment at a hundred years old. In terms of aptitude, even if you are not a Celestial Pride, you are still considered quite promising among the Golden Core Families..."

"There is no need to be overly modest about such things."

Zhao Qingluo waved her hand dismissively.

As her voice fell,

Wei Tu was left speechless.

He thought for a moment and decided to be more direct.

"The Commandery Princess’s family is on bad terms with the Chisong Jia Family. The years of frequent conflict have made it a place of turmoil."

"It is not just I. For other Foundation Establishment Independent Cultivators looking to join a Cultivation Power, the very first ones they rule out... are your family and the Chisong Jia Family..."

As soon as these words were spoken,

a thoughtful expression appeared on Zhao Qingluo’s face.

"I see."

After a long moment, Zhao Qingluo sighed.

’Before I came, I was still wondering why the Clan Leader made such a generous offer to Wei Tu. Now I understand. It’s because in the eyes of Independent Cultivators, our Qiyue Zhao Family has reached a "precarious" state.’

"Which family does Talisman Master Wei plan to join in the future? I can help you with your plans."

Zhao Qingluo’s eyes shifted as she recalled the Clan Leader’s instructions before she left.

—If she couldn’t convince Wei Tu to join the Qiyue Zhao Family, she could convince him to join a family on good terms with them.

"I have not yet decided."

Wei Tu shook his head, unwilling to reveal his true intentions.

Speaking intimately with a casual acquaintance was a major taboo.

"What about the Hee Mountain Huang Family? That Golden Core Family is on good terms with my Zhao Family, and there have been no conflicts for many years."

Zhao Qingluo said bluntly.

"I will give that Golden Core Family much consideration," Wei Tu said perfunctorily.

Their conversation quickly caused the atmosphere in the private room to grow cold.

The two ate in silence.

A quarter of an hour later,

Zhao Qingluo took the initiative to speak. "Talisman Master Wei, as long as you do not join the Chisong Jia Family’s camp... I can decide on behalf of my family to purchase more of your Tier Two Talismans in the future."

Hearing there was a profit to be made, Wei Tu’s tone loosened. He said, "I and Princess Qingluo are old acquaintances, so I naturally have no wish to stand opposite you. If I were to join a Cultivation Family, I would certainly not choose the Chisong Jia Family’s camp."

After receiving this reply,

Zhao Qingluo did not linger in the private room at Jingyun Inn and left, satisfied.

...

After Zhao Qingluo left,

Wei Tu met with several other Envoys sent by major Cultivation Families in succession.

Although the terms offered by these Cultivation Families were not as generous as the Qiyue Zhao Family’s, they were still quite good.

The Tier Two Talisman Master Inheritance and Tier Two Cultivation Technique that Wei Tu desperately needed were merely the basic conditions offered by these major families.

But without exception,

Wei Tu gave no clear answer to any of them.

Instead, he was waiting for the highest bidder, holding out for a Cultivation Family that would offer him a better, more generous package.

Time passed.

Soon, it was time for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s quinquennial auction.

At this auction,

the Foundation Condensation Pill that Wei Tu had obsessed over before his Foundation Establishment appeared.

This Foundation Condensation Pill was being auctioned as one of the final treasures of the event.

"One thousand, one hundred Spirit Stones."

Wei Tu called out a bid from his private room on the third floor.

Seeing a Foundation Establishment Master place a bid,

the atmosphere in the second-floor hall fell silent. The Cultivators looked at each other, and the few who had been bidding showed hesitation.

If they continued to bid against a Foundation Establishment Master, they would undoubtedly risk offending him.

If this particular Foundation Establishment Master was petty, they might even find their lives in danger.