Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

Huang Chengfu was only at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.

This pressure forced him back several steps, and he nearly fell to the ground.

His face paled, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

In the Hee Mountain Huang Family.

Huang Xuewei surpassed him not only in cultivation but also in status.

At this moment, even if Huang Xuewei were to kill him, she would at most receive some trivial, token punishment meant only for show for the other clan members.

Right now, he could use the status of his ’cousin-uncle,’ Wei Tu, to resist Huang Xuewei, but what about afterward? What would happen after Wei Tu left?

Huang Chengfu hesitated.

He didn’t know if he should continue to block Huang Xuewei, a Foundation Establishment Master, and bring disaster upon himself and his family.

He was afraid of future retaliation.

"Fifth Miss, this is Talisman Master Wei’s Talisman Heart Residence. I must ask you to leave. After Talisman Master Wei comes out of seclusion, I will inform you, and you may come then." After thinking of Wei Tu’s kindness to him, Huang Chengfu, despite his hesitation, decided to risk it all.

Having spent many years together, he knew the character of his ’cousin-uncle’ Wei Tu. He was by no means a heartless or disloyal person; he wouldn’t just stand by and watch him wait for death in Cloud Crane Mountain after offending Huang Xuewei.

"How bold!" Seeing Huang Chengfu block her again, a murderous glint appeared in Huang Xuewei’s eyes. She channeled Magical Power into her right palm, preparing to kill Huang Chengfu with a single strike.

Among the Huang Family Members at Cloud Crane Mountain, there was a clear distinction between the noble and the lowly. She was of the Huang Family’s Direct Lineage and a Foundation Establishment Master, while Huang Chengfu was merely from a Concubine Lineage, working as a servant in the Talisman Heart Residence.

For this "disrespect" alone, she could kill Huang Chengfu with a palm strike, and absolutely no one in the clan would dare to question it.

However, as she was about to strike, Huang Xuewei still had to consider Wei Tu. She didn’t use lethal force, intending only to severely injure him.

However—

Just then.

The cry of a carving rang out.

The Sky-Splitting Carving, which Huang Chengfu cared for, emerged from the inner courtyard of the Talisman Heart Residence. It swatted at Huang Xuewei with a wing, taking the blow for Huang Chengfu and sending her flying several dozen feet away.

In terms of physique, a Tier Two Demon Beast was far stronger than an Early-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like Huang Xuewei.

"A Tier Two Demon Beast!" Huang Xuewei landed awkwardly, a look of apprehension in her eyes as she stared at the Sky-Splitting Carving hovering in mid-air.

She had never imagined that Wei Tu would have a Tier Two Demon Beast by his side.

"Fifth Miss, you honor us with your presence. Forgive me for not coming out to greet you sooner." Just then, Wei Tu also emerged from the Talisman Heart Residence. He was all smiles as he casually handed an Elixir to Huang Chengfu, then cupped his fists and greeted Huang Xuewei.

A quarter of an hour ago, after sending Huang Chengfu out, he had gone to the Talisman House to focus on Talisman Painting.

The Talisman House was equipped with a Sound Insulation Array, so he had been completely unaware of what was happening at the entrance.

It was the Sky-Splitting Carving that came and "woke" him, which was why he had hurried over.

"May I ask what business brings the Fifth Miss to the Talisman Heart Residence?" Wei Tu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He couldn’t help but feel relieved that he hadn’t agreed to Huang Changshun’s proposal for a marriage alliance with Huang Xuewei. Given the personality she was displaying now, the rest of his life would have been anything but pleasant.

"It is not the Fifth Miss who seeks Fellow Daoist Wei, but I." From behind Huang Xuewei, Yang Image emerged from the small courtyard that once belonged to Si Qing. He cupped his fists in a salute to Wei Tu and spoke with a smile.

"And you are?" After seeing Yang Image’s face and studying it for a few moments, Wei Tu feigned ignorance and asked aloud.

He had only found out by chance that Alchemist Shu and Yang Image had come to Cloud Crane Mountain; he had never met either of them before.

Officially, he, Alchemist Shu, and Yang Image were complete strangers who had never met.

"Yang Image, a Tier Two Middle-Grade Talisman Master," Yang Image said after a moment’s thought, introducing himself.

"It’s quite a coincidence, actually."

"Talisman Master Wei and I both cultivated on Danqiu Mountain. We both achieved Foundation Establishment there, so you could say we share a bond as people from the same place."

Yang Image smiled.

"A Talisman Master?" Wei Tu raised an eyebrow. He looked at Huang Xuewei beside him and said, "Fifth Miss, I have not yet left Cloud Crane Mountain, and the Huang Family has already found a new Tributor?"

Huang Xuewei was rendered speechless.

It had been less than a month since Wei Tu submitted his resignation, yet the Hee Mountain Huang Family had already found a new Tier Two Talisman Master. No one would believe there wasn’t something shady going on.

Ultimately, the Hee Mountain Huang Family had not handled this matter honorably.

But the Huang Family had no other choice.

One of Alchemist Shu’s conditions for joining the Hee Mountain Huang Family as a Tributor was that the Huang Family also had to hire his good friend, the Tier Two Talisman Master Yang Image, as a Tributor.

Thus, it was all a "coincidence."

Seeing Huang Xuewei lower her head in silence, Wei Tu turned his gaze to Yang Image. "I wonder, Talisman Master Yang, for what reason did you have the Fifth Miss try to break down the door to my Talisman Heart Residence?"

"I simply wish to have an exchange with Fellow Daoist Wei regarding the Talisman Dao, to see who is more qualified to serve as a Tributor for the Hee Mountain Huang Family."

"After all, I am only being considered for the Tributor position because of Fellow Daoist Shu’s kind words."

Yang Image chuckled dryly.

Hearing these "provocative" words, Wei Tu immediately frowned. He grew suspicious, wondering what game Alchemist Shu and Yang Image were playing.

"I will be leaving Cloud Crane Mountain soon, so an exchange on the Talisman Dao is quite unnecessary. I shall take my leave now. Forgive me for not seeing you out." Wei Tu refused bluntly, not agreeing to Yang Image’s request.

With that, Wei Tu motioned for Huang Chengfu to enter the Talisman Heart Residence with him, indicating there was no need to linger at the entrance.

Yang Image watched Wei Tu leave and did not provoke him further.

His earlier provocation could be excused as him feeling indignant and wanting to compare his Talisman Dao skills with Wei Tu’s.

But if he continued to provoke him, it would mean making a mortal enemy of Wei Tu.

It would be going too far.

"Wei Tu must be scared. It seems Talisman Master Yang’s attainments in the Talisman Dao are a cut above," Huang Xuewei remarked from the side, flattering Yang Image.