Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

But once he left, the Cultivation Resources and Spiritual Land he currently enjoyed would likely be gone forever.

"A new Tributor?" Hearing this, Wei Tu thought to himself, ’Just as I thought.’

Times were different now.

Before, when the Zheng Country Cultivation Realm was peaceful, Alchemist Shu could rely on his skills to steadily earn Cultivation Resources for himself.

But things were different now.

Danqiu Mountain had been occupied by the Demon Dao.

And the Three Immortal Sects were covetously eyeing Independent Cultivators who reached Foundation Establishment.

Therefore, if Alchemist Shu wanted to maintain his previously comfortable cultivation environment amidst these drastic changes, he needed the protection of a Major Influence.

However, what Wei Tu didn’t understand was why Alchemist Shu had chosen the Hee Mountain Huang Family and planned to become their Tributor.

He refused to believe Alchemist Shu was a fool, unaware of the dangers surrounding the Hee Mountain Huang Family.

To have reached his current Cultivation and status, Alchemist Shu had to be one of the most astute Independent Cultivators.

’Could it be that the Hee Mountain Huang Family promised Alchemist Shu some great benefit? The Huang Family is currently short on Foundation Establishment Level cultivators, so this is precisely when they need a Pill Master’s assistance...’ Wei Tu mused.

As a Tier Two Alchemist, Alchemist Shu was capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills and a range of Tier Two Elixirs for increasing one’s Cultivation in the Foundation Establishment Realm.

With Alchemist Shu’s help, as long as the Hee Mountain Huang Family could hold out for a few decades, its former glory from three years ago would return to Cloud Crane Mountain.

’But Talisman Master Yang...’ Wei Tu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Now, he finally understood why Clan Leader Huang Changshun’s attitude had changed so suddenly after he refused the marriage alliance.

As the saying goes, it’s best to part on good terms.

Tributors were not expected to serve their patron family to the death; this was the norm in the Cultivation Realm, not a sign of his ingratitude.

Therefore, even if he were to leave the Huang Family, most clans would not push him too hard or try to squeeze every last drop of value from him. Instead, they would part on good terms, knowing that another friend meant another path.

Yet that was exactly what Huang Changshun had done. At first, Wei Tu had simply assumed it was the Clan Leader’s personality.

But looking at it now, it was likely inseparable from Alchemist Shu and Talisman Master Yang.

Huang Changshun’s harsh treatment of him back in the Clan Affairs Hall must have been a deliberate attempt to force him out of Cloud Crane Mountain to make way for the Tier Two Talisman Master, Yang Image.

After all—

A little over a month was not enough time for the Hee Mountain Huang Family to so "precisely" locate Alchemist Shu and his companion after they left Danqiu Mountain, negotiate terms, and hire them as Tributors.

’In that case, there’s no need for me to tell the Hee Mountain Huang Family about Alchemist Shu’s connection to Old Monster Jia.’

’Whether they’re letting a wolf in the door or inviting a Buddha, that will depend on the Huang Family’s own Creation.’

Wei Tu sneered.

If the Hee Mountain Huang Family had parted with him on good terms, he might have remembered their past kindness and offered a word of warning.

But no, the Hee Mountain Huang Family was deliberately trying to drive him out of Cloud Crane Mountain to welcome another Tributor, "Alchemist Shu," whom they considered far more valuable.

He certainly wasn’t going to offer a kindness only to be snubbed.

It would just be inviting their contempt.

...

After thinking all this through, Wei Tu’s expression returned to normal. He glanced at the uneasy Huang Chengfu, knowing his grandnephew had likely guessed that he was about to leave the Hee Mountain Huang Family.

He reassured him, "Chengfu, you’ve been with me for over twenty years. In that time, you’ve learned a great deal about the Talisman Dao. After I leave, your skills will be enough to open a shop and earn a living. You won’t need to worry about future Cultivation Resources."

In his eyes, Huang Chengfu now had a marketable skill. As long as he proceeded step-by-step, relying on the "resources" at his disposal, Cultivation to the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer would not be difficult.

As for the Foundation Condensation Pill and Foundation Establishment Pill that came after, acquiring those would require a stroke of good fortune.

And even if Huang Chengfu had remained by his side, he would not have provided those for him.

Therefore, whether he left or not wouldn’t have a significant impact on Huang Chengfu’s future.

"Yes, Grand-uncle." After receiving a clear answer, Huang Chengfu hung his head, his spirits clearly dampened.

Besides learning a skill, the most important benefit of staying with Wei Tu was being able to absorb the Spiritual Qi in Talisman Heart Residence.

The Spiritual Qi in Talisman Heart Residence was equivalent to that of a Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Vein.

"You are dismissed for now." Wei Tu waved his hand.

If Huang Chengfu’s performance was commendable during his final days with the Huang family, he might consider leaving some Opportunity for the junior.

...

「At the same time.」

Outside the Sacrificial Hall.

A white-haired elder and a middle-aged man in gray walked side by side, led by a young woman in a colorful dress, as they made their way toward the Sacrificial Hall.

If Wei Tu had been there, he would have immediately recognized the white-haired elder as the "Alchemist Shu" he knew well, and the middle-aged man in gray as his professional counterpart, the Tier Two Talisman Master "Yang Image."

"Miss Xuewei, I heard your father wanted to betroth you to Wei Tu a month ago, but Wei Tu refused?" Yang Image suddenly stopped, glancing at the young woman leading the way, and spoke with a knowing tone.

Hearing Yang Image’s words, Huang Xuewei’s face flushed red. "Talisman Master Yang, you should be aware that was just my father’s way of testing Wei Tu... a deliberate tactic to see if he was willing to live and die with our Huang Family and remain on Cloud Crane Mountain."

She didn’t know if the marriage alliance was genuine or not, but now, The Die is Cast. Her father, Huang Changshun, had given up on Wei Tu in favor of Alchemist Shu and Yang Image. She couldn’t possibly belittle herself and her family just to make Wei Tu look good.

"Oh... so that’s how it is." Yang Image sighed with feigned regret. "And here I was thinking that with the Huang Family arranging a marriage... I might get to benefit as well and be wed to Miss Xuewei. It seems... Clan Leader Huang has no intention of arranging a marriage for you after all."

The moment his words fell, Huang Xuewei’s face turned beet red. She didn’t even dare to look at Yang Image, terrified that the Talisman Master would say something else that would make her want to "die of shame and indignation."

"That’s enough, Fellow Daoist Yang. You’re a man of your years; stop teasing Miss Xuewei."

"In terms of a suitable match, a genius Talisman Master like Talisman Master Wei is far more fitting for Miss Xuewei."

Alchemist Shu said this as he stroked his beard, a sharp glint in his eyes.

As soon as he said this, Huang Xuewei, who had just been overwhelmed with embarrassment, saw her expression turn ugly. Her eyes filled with resentment as she glared several times in the direction of Talisman Heart Residence, where Wei Tu resided.

Even though she had barely met Wei Tu and was far from harboring any affection for him, how could she be happy when he had rejected her so casually?

"Miss Xuewei, since we’ve only just arrived, would you please... introduce us to Talisman Master Wei..."

"After all, Talisman Master Wei is still a Huang Family Tributor. We’ll inevitably have to deal with him in the Sacrificial Hall."

Alchemist Shu and Yang Image exchanged a glance. Yang Image instantly understood the alchemist’s train of thought and spoke up to rouse the dazed Huang Xuewei, pressing his point.

"What? Go see Wei Tu?" Huang Xuewei asked, stunned and confused.

Alchemist Shu was one thing, but Yang Image and Wei Tu were competitors.

"Just a small exchange on the Talisman Dao," Yang Image said, revealing his true intention.

Hearing this, an idea began to form in Huang Xuewei’s mind.

She wasn’t an idiot; she knew the "Talisman Dao exchange" Yang Image spoke of was not born from good intentions. But after his earlier provocations, she desperately wanted to see Wei Tu get taken down a peg. How could she refuse such a request?

’This way, even if Wei Tu tells them the Shuyun Alliance has ties to the Chisong Jia Family, the Hee Mountain Huang Family won’t be quick to believe him,’ Alchemist Shu commented to Yang Image via voice transmission, a smile on his face.

Over a decade ago, after Fu Zhizhou had rejected the Shuyun Alliance’s invitation to join the Qiyue Zhao Family, the Alliance was secretly targeted by the Zhao Family and suffered considerable losses.

This experience made Alchemist Shu suspect that word of the Shuyun Alliance’s pact with the Chisong Jia Family had been leaked.

Now that he was joining the Hee Mountain Huang Family as a Tributor, he had to do everything he could to keep them from discovering... the relationship between the Shuyun Alliance and the Chisong Jia Family.

And a crucial part of that plan involved targeting Wei Tu.

By targeting Wei Tu and making him their enemy, any truth he might speak later would be dismissed as mere slander against them.

...

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The next moment, Huang Xuewei, the fifth young miss of the Huang Family, was pounding on the gate of Talisman Heart Residence.

"Fifth Miss, my grand-uncle is in secluded Cultivation! If you have business with him, please tell me, and I will pass on the message!" Huang Chengfu paced about anxiously as he tried to dissuade Huang Xuewei.

Allowing Huang Xuewei to cause a disturbance at the entrance to Talisman Heart Residence would be a dereliction of his duty as its "Steward."

"Fifth Miss, not even the Clan Leader would disregard protocol and deliberately disturb a Tributor!" Seeing that he couldn’t persuade her, Huang Chengfu gritted his teeth and played the etiquette card.

"Are you calling me impolite? Unreasonable?" Huang Xuewei huffed and unleashed her Foundation Establishment pressure, directing it straight at Huang Chengfu.