Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

Wei Tu’s expression was grave.

’Months ago, upon returning to the Hee Mountain Huang Family and learning of the rebellion led by their Second Ancestor, Huang Juzhi, he had already considered leaving to serve another family as a Tributor.’

’He was a Tributor to the Huang Family, not one of their Death Warriors. There was no reason to stay aboard the sinking ship that was the Hee Mountain Huang Family.’

’However, considering the benefits the Hee Mountain Huang Family had provided him, and the difficulty of avoiding the Battle of Righteous and Demons even if he left... he had chosen to remain with the family for the time being.’

’But if the Hee Mountain Huang Family intended to treat him as they had Artifact Master Xia—sending him to his death on the battlefield just to ensure the survival of their own Foundation Establishment Cultivators—’

’—then his departure from the Hee Mountain Huang Family would become imperative. It would have to be his top priority.’

「Half a day later.」

Wei Tu arrived at the Clan Affairs Hall.

"Talisman Master Wei, please, take the seat of honor." Seeing Wei Tu arrive, Clan Leader Huang Changshun enthusiastically ushered him to the most distinguished seat.

Wei Tu was taken aback by the honor, but a quick glance at the handful of Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the hall was all it took for him to understand.

All seven of the Huang Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators who entered the Yunze Secret Realm had perished.

The Second Ancestor, Huang Juzhi, had betrayed the clan, taking two more Foundation Establishment Cultivators with him.

Now, the number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Huang Family had plummeted from a peak of twelve to a mere three—a truly tragic state of affairs.

If not for the support of their Golden Core Ancestor, Huang Xinglie, the Huang Family would now be considered little more than a slightly powerful Foundation Establishment Family.

Of the three remaining Huang Family Foundation Establishment Cultivators, only Clan Leader Huang Changshun had reached Late-Stage Foundation Establishment; the other two both had Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation.

It was no exaggeration to say that with his current strength, Wei Tu was firmly ranked among the top three combatants in the Hee Mountain Huang Family.

’From that perspective, how could Clan Leader Huang Changshun not be welcoming to him?’

"Our Huang Family suffered heavy losses during this expedition to the Secret Realm. In addition to the Dao Fall of Changkong and the others, Yu Kui Master also tragically perished."

"Now, our only Tributors are Artifact Master Xia and you, Talisman Master Wei."

"I’m sure Talisman Master Wei has noticed our family’s weakness..." Clan Leader Huang Changshun paused, his gaze fixed on Wei Tu. "As they say, great rewards attract valiant men. The Huang Family is willing to improve your compensation, Talisman Master Wei, in exchange for your wholehearted support to help us weather this storm!"

Hearing these words, Wei Tu’s tense expression eased slightly.

’However, he didn’t let his guard down.’

’The number of their Foundation Establishment Cultivators had plummeted, and their mid-level strength was severely damaged. It made no sense for the Huang Family to send their own clansmen to their deaths first while letting an outsider like him enjoy a comfortable life in the rear.’

’There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.’

"When Changkong was still with us, he once suggested setting you up with Caiyu. Unfortunately, Caiyu was also among those who perished this time..."

After a few more exchanges, Clan Leader Huang Changshun finally got to the point.

He said, "A few days ago, my fifth daughter successfully reached Foundation Establishment. She is still young, having reached this stage before her hundredth year, and is not yet betrothed. I wonder if you, Talisman Master Wei, would be willing to be joined in matrimony with her? It would, in a way, fulfill one of Changkong’s final wishes."

Huang Changshun knew that Huang Changkong had been the one to bring Wei Tu into the Huang Family. Correspondingly, he was also the person Wei Tu was closest to in the Hee Mountain Huang Family.

That was why he chose this moment to invoke Huang Changkong’s name in proposing the marriage alliance.

’Wei Tu wasn’t fundamentally opposed to marriage. If, back when he first joined the Hee Mountain Huang Family, Huang Changkong had tried to set him up with this fifth daughter instead of Huang Caiyu, he probably would have agreed on the spot.’

But now things were different.

’The Hee Mountain Huang Family was in peril. If he were to marry into the family now and become too deeply involved, he might just be inviting disaster upon himself.’

’Wei Tu didn’t have to think hard to know that the number of Cultivators coveting the Huang Family’s "fortune" must be endless, like a river teeming with fish.’

’As a Tributor to the Huang Family, he wouldn’t draw too much hostility from any Foreign Race. But as a son-in-law of the Huang Family? That was another story.’

’Furthermore, after his trip to the Yunze Secret Realm, he was now carrying quite a few secrets of his own. It was not a good time to marry a strange Female Cultivator from the Huang Family and have her by his side constantly.’

After a moment’s hesitation, Wei Tu replied tactfully, "This is all very sudden. I am unprepared and cannot agree to this right away. I ask that the Clan Leader give me some time to consider."

’Unless the Hee Mountain Huang Family could offer him benefits substantial enough to be worth the risk. Otherwise, there was no way he was boarding their sinking ship.’

’But he already had his Core Formation Opportunity. Beyond that, it was highly unlikely the Huang Family could produce any "Treasure" that would be enough to sway him.’

’Of course, a promise not to send him to the front lines would also work.’

’But Wei Tu knew that was impossible.’

’When it really came down to it, there would be little difference between being the Huang Family’s son-in-law and being their Tributor.’

’He knew perfectly well that the Huang Family was trying to win him over not so he could live a life of leisure, but so they could saddle him with heavy burdens. The marriage proposal was just a way to tie him down and prevent him from leaving.’

"Since Talisman Master Wei is unwilling, then... let’s just drop the matter."

Hearing this, the smile on Clan Leader Huang Changshun’s face vanished. His earlier warmth evaporated, replaced by a certain coldness.

Wei Tu had said he would "consider" it, but how could the Clan Leader not understand that this was just a polite refusal?

Therefore, he couldn’t be bothered to waste any more time on false pleasantries with Wei Tu.

After all, in a crisis, you could only rely on your own family. Empty courtesies would do nothing to improve the Huang Family’s current predicament.