Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

’In another three years, the Yunze Secret Realm will open. With my Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation... I won’t be considered weak inside.’

At this, the tension in Wei Tu’s heart finally eased a little.

After reaching Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment, he would have a certain ability to protect himself, whether in the Yunze Secret Realm or in the Battle of Righteous and Demons.

Whether among Golden Core Powers or the Three Immortal Sects, Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators were the backbone of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

’In the remaining few years, after stabilizing my realm, I should focus on improving my life-saving abilities and mastering more techniques.’

Wei Tu pondered for a moment, his thoughts turning to the Tier Two Puppet inheritance Gong Shulan had given him, as well as that piece of a Tier Three Demon Beast’s Demon Bone.

Compared to ordinary puppet inheritances, the Ghost Puppet Sect’s puppet inheritance was more bizarre and unpredictable, making it nearly impossible to guard against.

Among them, there was a refining method for something called a "Mirage Puppet" that he found particularly appealing.

This "Mirage Puppet," as its name implied, was a puppet specifically designed to deceive other Cultivators.

By simply placing materials from a Cultivator or Demon Beast of a corresponding level inside the Mirage Puppet, it could simulate the pre-death aura of that Cultivator or Demon Beast to intimidate enemies.

This function was rather useless.

However, Wei Tu believed that if used in the right situation, its effect would not be insignificant in the least.

’Three years isn’t enough time for me to refine a Tier Two Puppet from scratch, but I can just buy one of Yu Kui Master’s puppets and modify it.’

Wei Tu mused.

The last time Master Qin had tested Yu Kui Master’s strength, he had noticed that Yu Kui Master’s Swordsman Puppet was similar in size and structure to a Mirage Puppet, making it a suitable type of puppet to modify.

...

「Seven days later.」

Wei Tu, having stabilized his realm, walked out of the Cultivation Room.

The three Tributors from the Sacrificial Hall came one by one to congratulate him and present him with gifts.

When receiving Yu Kui Master, Wei Tu took the opportunity to propose his plan to purchase one of his Swordsman Puppets.

Yu Kui Master readily agreed, selling the Swordsman Puppet to Wei Tu for the price of eight hundred Spirit Stones.

"I’ve heard that Talisman Master Wei... has already decided to go to the Yunze Secret Realm. I wonder if, for this trip to the Secret Realm, Talisman Master Wei would be able to team up with me?"

After presenting her gift, Si Qing approached Wei Tu’s side with a faint smile and graceful steps, performing a curtsy.

The beautiful woman’s faint, fresh scent instantly wafted around Wei Tu’s nose. When he looked up, his gaze fell upon the full, pale softness revealed as Si Qing bowed.

Wei Tu averted his gaze, instantly becoming highly wary of Si Qing. Of the female cultivators he had met, only Hu Yao and Chu Yinn had acted this way toward him, and it later turned out that neither of them was a decent person.

Now, Si Qing was trying to charm him; she likely had ill intentions as well.

"Fellow Daoist Si, you’re too late."

"I have already agreed to explore the Yunze Secret Realm with several other fellow Daoists."

Wei Tu refused her outright.

"I see. It was presumptuous of me." Si Qing nodded with a smile, bade Wei Tu a graceful farewell, and left Talisman Heart Residence.

Seeing this, Wei Tu was a little puzzled. ’Could I have misjudged Si Qing?’ Whether in the mortal world or the Cultivation Realm, there was no shortage of beautiful women who used their looks as leverage to make men concede.

Perhaps Si Qing was just one of these beautiful women, with no truly malicious intent.

Afterward, after meeting with a few of the Huang Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Wei Tu began a new round of life in seclusion.

...

「Three years passed in a flash.」

On this day, upon seeing the Talisman from Talisman Heart Residence, Wei Tu’s expression shifted. ’It’s finally time,’ he thought.

He stuffed the Sky-Splitting Carving into his Spirit Beast Bag, then summoned Huang Chengfu and ordered him to guard the Cave Mansion well. After that, he took to the sky, transforming into a streak of Escape Light and rushing toward the Clan Affairs Hall.

Arriving at the Clan Affairs Hall, Wei Tu looked up and saw that most of the Hee Mountain Huang Family’s Foundation Establishment Elders had already arrived.

Of the three Tributors, aside from Artifact Master Xia who was not present, the other two were there.

’Hasn’t Yu Kui Master given up on joining this trip to the Secret Realm?’ Wei Tu raised an eyebrow.

Although Yu Kui Master’s strength was not considered weak for the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, it was nothing special among the Cultivators participating in the Yunze Secret Realm.

Wei Tu knew the list of the seven people from the Hee Mountain Huang Family who would be participating in the Yunze Secret Realm.

Of these seven Huang Family Foundation Establishment Cultivators, besides Huang Caiyu, who was at Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, the other six were all at the Middle-Stage or Late Stage Realm.

Among these seven was Huang Changkong, the "Guide" who had brought him into the Hee Mountain Huang Family.

However, Wei Tu suspected that the Second Miss, Huang Caiyu, must possess an extremely powerful Life-Saving Magical Artifact, and her true combat strength was not necessarily weaker than a Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

After about half a day, all of the Hee Mountain Huang Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators had arrived.

Just then, a Crane-Robed Elder suddenly appeared in Clan Leader Huang Changshun’s main seat. This elder had a wooden hairpin stuck in his hair, and his slightly graying topknot was combed so that every strand was perfectly in place, meticulously neat.

The moment the Crane-Robed Elder appeared, the faces of the Huang Family Foundation Establishment Cultivators present immediately took on a reverent expression as they greeted him, "Ancestor."

The Hee Mountain Huang Family had two Golden Core Ancestors in total, but the only one addressed simply as "Ancestor" was the eldest, the Tier Three Array Master who served as Cloud Crane Mountain’s Sea Stabilizing Needle—Huang Xinglie.

The other Golden Core Ancestor was referred to within the Hee Mountain Huang Family as the "Second Ancestor," to distinguish him from Huang Xinglie.

Huang Xinglie exchanged a few words with Clan Leader Huang Changshun, then his gaze swept over the area where Wei Tu and the other Tributors were standing. In an indifferent tone, he said, "Cultivators participating in the Yunze Secret Realm, stand to my left."

Everyone moved at once, scrambling to get into position, afraid of displeasing the Golden Core Ancestor.

Seeing that everyone was in place, Huang Xinglie nodded slightly, flicked his sleeve, and walked out of the Clan Affairs Hall.

Reaching the entrance of the hall, Huang Xinglie slapped the Spirit Beast Bag at his waist and summoned a massive Spirit Crane, over a hundred feet in size.