Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

"He is young, after all."

Yang Xiang shook his head.

"Young?" Hearing this, Huang Xuewei thought to herself, ’Yang Xiang chose his words well. He didn’t offend anyone.’

...

Back at the Talisman Heart Residence, Wei Tu rewarded Huang Chengfu and promised that if Chengfu was willing to leave Cloud Crane Mountain with him, he would help arrange a new home for his family.

Upon hearing this, Huang Chengfu immediately nodded in agreement, declaring his willingness to follow Wei Tu.

After all, on Cloud Crane Mountain, he was no different from an Independent Cultivator.

The clan’s benefits would never reach a distant side branch like his.

After waving for Huang Chengfu to leave, Wei Tu resumed painting talismans, trying to complete the commission from the Hee Mountain Huang Family as soon as possible.

These three hundred talismans varied in level, but most were Tier Two Lower Grade. Only a few dozen were Tier Two Middle Grade.

Furthermore, the types of talismans he had to paint were mostly ones he was already skilled at, so he wouldn’t have to learn anything new from scratch.

Therefore, although completing this task would take up a significant amount of his Cultivation time, he figured that with some effort, he could finish it all within two years.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, half a year was gone.

On this day, Kou Hongying’s reply finally reached Wei Tu at the Talisman Heart Residence.

’She’s on the expedition list too?’ Wei Tu was slightly surprised after reading Kou Hongying’s letter.

After their trip to the Secret Realm, it stood to reason that as Master Qin’s disciple, Kou Hongying would be prioritized for development by Jingshui Pavilion—after all, Master Qin himself was on the verge of Core Formation.

Expeditions like this were usually assigned to older Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Sect who had no prospects for advancement and no powerful backing. They were sent to the battlefield to be expended for the cause.

It should never have fallen to someone like Kou Hongying.

’Could it be factional strife?’ Wei Tu considered the possibility.

Only factional strife could force a disciple with a promising future like Kou Hongying onto the front lines.

Although Kou Hongying hadn’t mentioned it, Wei Tu was able to figure it out after a moment’s thought.

Wei Tu continued to read the letter.

While it was unfortunate that Kou Hongying was headed to the front lines of the Battle of Righteous and Demons, the news wasn’t entirely without its upsides for him.

At the very least, when it came to gathering intelligence, Kou Hongying would have access to firsthand information, and that firsthand information would be beneficial to him.

Compared to Fu Zhizhou’s reply, Kou Hongying’s letter was, as expected, far more detailed. She had even included the general deployments of the Three Immortal Sects.

Kou Hongying also subtly mentioned Wei Yan. She wrote that Wei Yan had been clever, borrowing the Mei Family’s Spiritual Land outside the Marketplace to achieve her Foundation Establishment. Because of this, when Jingshui Pavilion conscripted Foundation Establishment Independent Cultivators from the Bai Shihu area, Wei Yan wasn’t on their list.

At the end of the letter, Kou Hongying mentioned that she would be stationed at Hongyan Mountain Marketplace starting next September. She would be passing through Cloud Crane Mountain on her way and hoped Wei Tu could prepare a batch of talismans to trade with her.

’Next September?’ Wei Tu stroked his chin as he read the date.

That was still a year and seven months away. If he sped up his Talisman Painting, he should have enough time to finish the Huang Family’s commission.

’When Hongying arrives at Cloud Crane Mountain, I’ll submit my resignation to the Huang Family directly.’

Wei Tu made up his mind.

Kou Hongying would be arriving with the full weight of Jingshui Pavilion behind her. When that time came, the Hee Mountain Huang Family wouldn’t be foolish enough to go back on their agreement and refuse his resignation.

’The cost of materials for three hundred talismans is no small sum. If the Huang Family were to default on the payment, there’s nothing I could do.’

By now, the relationship between him and the Hee Mountain Huang Family had already subtly fractured.

At the same time, with Jingshui Pavilion’s protection, even if someone had designs on robbing and killing him, they would have to reconsider due to Jingshui Pavilion’s might.

’As for the Huang Family’s business, it has nothing to do with me!’ Wei Tu’s gaze shifted to the small courtyard next door, a wary look in his eyes.

He had a gut feeling that the arrival of Alchemist Shu and Yang Xiang at Cloud Crane Mountain did not bode well.

Cloud Crane Mountain was now a giant whirlpool, drawing the gazes of many who were waiting for the "whale fall" of this Golden Core Family.

One whale’s fall brings life to all.

For thousands of years, the Cultivation Families of Zheng Country had risen and fallen. Barring any miracles, the Huang Family would likely face its own day of decline within the century.

...

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, it was September of the next year.

As promised, Kou Hongying arrived at Cloud Crane Mountain to trade for talismans with Wei Tu.

Wei Tu then told Kou Hongying his plan.

"Things are different now. The current Hee Mountain Huang Family... its Clan Leader is corrupt, and his heirs are mostly fools. Even with a Golden Core Ancestor, the family will be difficult to sustain. This is a dangerous place."

"Even if you weren’t planning to leave, Uncle Wei, I would have to persuade you to go..."

Kou Hongying said gravely.

Back when she first came out of the Secret Realm, she had thought Huang Xinglie was a decent man and that the Huang Family didn’t deserve such a calamity. Now, however, it seemed that no matter how much good karma an Ancestor accumulated, unworthy descendants would eventually squander it all.

Not to mention events long past, just look at what happened a few years ago.

A few years ago, it was bad enough that the Second Ancestor, Huang Juzhi, betrayed the clan to join the Demon Dao. But how was he also able to take two Foundation Establishment clansmen with him when he left?

This point alone showed that there were major problems with how the Hee Mountain Huang Family governed its clan.

"I’ve already packed my things. The sooner we do this, the better. I’ll have to trouble you for your help, Hongying."

Wei Tu said, cupping his fists.

"We’re uncle and niece; there’s no need to be so formal." Kou Hongying smiled, stroking the head of the Sky-Splitting Carving perched on Wei Tu’s shoulder.

With that, the two of them left the Talisman Heart Residence and headed for the Clan Affairs Hall.

When Kou Hongying had first arrived at Cloud Crane Mountain, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Hee Mountain Huang Family had already been put on alert.

Thus, by the time Wei Tu and Kou Hongying reached the Clan Affairs Hall, Clan Leader Huang Changshun had already been waiting inside for some time.

"Clan Leader Huang, these are the talismans you commissioned me to create." Wasting no words, Wei Tu took a Talisman Box from his Storage Bag and handed it to Huang Changshun, who had come forward to greet them.

"And as per our agreement, now that I have finished painting these talismans, I may submit my resignation... and leave the Hee Mountain Huang Family."

Wei Tu added.

"Talisman Master Wei, why be in such a hurry to leave? You’ve been on Cloud Crane Mountain for decades..." Huang Changshun opened the Talisman Box. Seeing that the talismans were all Upper Grade, a hint of delight touched his features, and his tone toward Wei Tu became noticeably more polite.

Wei Tu’s skill in the Talisman Dao was clear from his ability to paint so many talismans in under two years.

Even he could see that Wei Tu’s skill in the Talisman Dao was leagues beyond Yang Xiang’s.

"An arrow, once loosed, cannot be recalled."

Wei Tu shook his head and said only that.

Hearing this, Huang Changshun knew Wei Tu’s decision was final. He sighed. "In that case, the Huang Family wishes Talisman Master Wei an evergreen Immortal Path and further progress on the Talisman Dao after leaving Cloud Crane Mountain."

With that, he pulled a Storage Bag from within his robes and handed it to Wei Tu.

The Storage Bag contained the payment for the three hundred-odd talismans Wei Tu had painted.

"Farewell, Clan Leader Huang." After counting the Spirit Stones in the Storage Bag, Wei Tu glanced at Kou Hongying, gave Huang Changshun a final salute, and departed with a flick of his sleeve.

His departure was clean and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

’He’s gone?’ Huang Changshun watched Wei Tu’s receding figure shrink into a black dot against the sky, his expression complex.

At that moment, he had a gut feeling that he had mishandled the situation with Wei Tu.

’He’s just a Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment Independent Cultivator, nothing to speak of. Him? He’ll be lucky to ever form a Golden Core in his entire life.’ Huang Changshun shook his head, suppressing the unease in his heart.

He didn’t believe a mere Independent Cultivator had any hope of becoming a Golden Core True Monarch.

After all, Golden Core Loose Cultivators in the Zheng Country’s Cultivation Realm were exceedingly rare, less than one in ten thousand.

...

After leaving the Clan Affairs Hall, Wei Tu and Kou Hongying landed at Huang Chengfu’s home.

"Once you leave, I’m afraid you’ll never be able to return to Cloud Crane Mountain again."

Wei Tu said, looking at Huang Chengfu.

Unlike his father, Huang Peng, Huang Chengfu and his sister had been born, raised, and established their lives on Cloud Crane Mountain.

Cloud Crane Mountain was their homeland.

Huang Chengfu said nothing. He simply pulled his younger sister, Huang Fang, down with him to kowtow three times before Wei Tu.

"Good. Since your minds are made up, then I will help you this once." Wei Tu nodded, took out the Huang Yanzhou, and had Huang Chengfu and his sister climb aboard.

"I’ll be staying, Uncle. I don’t want to be a burden to them." Huang Peng sat on a bluestone slab by the door, chuckling as he watched the scene and took two puffs from his long pipe.