Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Wei Xiuwen, like Wei Yan, chose to conceal his breakthrough and maintain a low profile to avoid the Immortal Sects’ recruitment order. He didn’t announce it to his friends or hold a Foundation Establishment celebration.

Other than the direct lineage members of the Mei Family who had witnessed the anomaly of his breakthrough, Wei Tu, and Wei Yan, no outsider knew of Wei Xiuwen’s successful Foundation Establishment.

The Mei Family also guarded this secret closely, forbidding their direct lineage from speaking of the matter to anyone outside the family.

The Xiaya Mei Family had a total of two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but with one having already fallen in the Battle of Righteous and Demons, Wei Xiuwen now represented a new hope for the family.

If not for this, Wei Xiuwen would not have chosen this moment to shoulder the infamy of being "unfilial" just to remain with the Mei Family as a live-in son-in-law and protect the Xiaya Mei Family.

However, although there was no formal Foundation Establishment celebration, Wei Tu and Mei Yuanfeng’s family held a small private gathering to celebrate Wei Xiuwen’s success.

After the banquet.

Wei Tu did not rush to the Jiuyun Commerce Association to request an invitation to the next Underground Auction. Instead, he returned to his Cave Mansion to continue his seclusion.

This time, Wei Tu entered seclusion not for Cultivation, but to study the creation methods for the Tier Two Upper-Grade Talismans in his possession: the Water Thunder Talisman and the Wood Thunder Talisman.

Generally speaking, only Talisman Masters at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment could successfully create Tier Two Upper-Grade Talismans.

This was inextricably linked to a Talisman Master’s Cultivation.

The reason was simple: the purity of Magical Power required to create a Tier Two Upper-Grade Talisman could only be met by cultivators at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Realm or higher.

But Wei Tu was different.

After purifying his Magical Power with the Primordial Forbidden technique, its purity was on par with that of a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

He had a chance of successfully creating Tier Two Upper-Grade Talismans.

In terms of power, Wei Tu estimated that both the Water Thunder Talisman and the Wood Thunder Talisman were roughly equivalent to a full-force strike from a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

If he could create these two types of Talismans, his combat options within the Foundation Establishment Realm would be significantly enhanced.

Time flew by.

「A year passed quickly.」

On the table in the Cultivation Room lay two pale cyan Talismans, their surfaces covered in intricate patterns.

"The Wood Thunder Talisman... I finally succeeded in creating one. Even though the success rate is less than five percent, it’s a good start." A look of delight appeared on Wei Tu’s face as he picked up a Wood Thunder Talisman between two fingers, carefully observing the patterns on the Tier Two Upper-Grade Talisman.

This Tier Two Upper-Grade Talisman resembled a cyan Jade Talisman. As its Talisman Power circulated, the faint sound of thunder echoed from it, enough to make one’s heart tremble.

’As long as my opponent isn’t too troublesome, I can deal with them using the Ice Flood Dragon Sword and the Wood Thunder Talisman. There’ll be no need to use the Demon Buddha Bell,’ Wei Tu thought.

The Ice Flood Dragon Sword, combined with the Primordial Forbidden technique, was his primary killing move. The two cultivators from Qingzhu Mountain had fallen to it.

The Demon Buddha Bell, an Incomplete Treasure, was his ultimate trump card—something he wouldn’t use under normal circumstances.

First, activating the Demon Buddha Bell consumed an immense amount of Magical Power. With his current power as a Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, a single use would drain more than half of his reserves.

Second, the Demon Buddha Bell was a Demon Dao Magical Treasure. It had come from Si Qing and was connected to the Celestial Maiden Sect.

If he used this treasure and failed to eliminate every enemy present, the consequences of the secret getting out would be disastrous.

After all, Si Qing had entered the Yunze Secret Realm in search of the Nanhua Sect’s Spiritual Treasure, the Heaven-Mending Bowl.

In the eyes of others, if he possessed the Demon Buddha Bell, he might also have the Spiritual Treasure, the Heaven-Mending Bowl.

Therefore, if the secret ever got out, the enemies he would face might not be from the Foundation Establishment Realm, but the Golden Core Realm.

...

「Several days later.」

A disguised Wei Tu appeared in a Marketplace not far from the Xiaya Mei Family, his cultivation suppressed to the Qi Cultivation Realm Ninth Layer.

He found the shop with the "Hundred Treasures Pavilion" sign and went inside.

"Fellow Daoist, please stop. The third floor is only for Foundation Establishment Elders." Seeing Wei Tu ignore the restriction and head directly for the shop’s third floor, the attendant following him grew anxious and called out in a hurry.

"Fellow Daoist, if you run into a Foundation Establishment Elder, they might not kill you, but you’ll surely be taught a lesson..." the attendant warned.

As the attendant’s voice fell, Wei Tu, who had reached the stairs, paused and went no further.

Seeing that Wei Tu had heeded his warning, the attendant secretly sighed in relief. "If you need any Elixirs or Magical Artifacts, Fellow Daoist, you can tell me. I will be happy to assist you..."

In his many years as an attendant at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, he had seen at least a hundred Qi Cultivation Realm Cultivators like Wei Tu who had wandered onto the wrong path.

Of course, some cultivators weren’t lost at all but were hoping to go to the third floor to "network" with the Foundation Establishment Elders and gain some benefits.

In the attendant’s eyes, Wei Tu was probably another one trying to "network," but had stopped after his warning for fear of being punished by an Elder.

But soon, the attendant’s assumption was proven wrong.

Shopkeeper Fann came walking down from the third floor, and upon seeing Wei Tu, she performed a slight curtsy and greeted him with "Fellow Daoist," instead of shouting at him to leave.

The attendant knew that the notoriously proud Shopkeeper Fann only behaved this way when facing someone of the Same Realm.

Hearing her words, the attendant stepped aside and didn’t dare to call out to Wei Tu again.

"I wonder which sect Fellow Daoist hails from? I don’t seem to recognize you..." After her polite gesture, Shopkeeper Fann inquired about Wei Tu’s origins.

She knew most of the cultivators in the vicinity, or at least recognized their faces, even if she didn’t know them personally.

But she was sure she had never seen Wei Tu before; his face was completely new to her.

"The times are perilous. For an Independent Cultivator such as myself, it would be difficult to visit the Hundred Treasures Pavilion of the Jiuyun Commerce Association without a disguise," Wei Tu said evasively.

He didn’t know if the Three Immortal Sects were aware that he had left the Hee Mountain Huang Family and had issued a Recruitment Order for him.

That was why he had disguised himself and hidden his identity before entering a public place like the Marketplace—to avoid any trouble.

Hearing this, Shopkeeper Fann immediately understood. Wei Tu was a Foundation Establishment Independent Cultivator hiding in the shadows, trying to avoid being sent to the Righteous Demon Frontline.

"This is no place to talk. Please, Fellow Daoist Wei, follow me to a private room on the third floor where we can speak freely." Shopkeeper Fann stepped aside and gestured for him to proceed.

Once inside the private room, Wei Tu didn’t hesitate. He immediately removed his disguise, revealing his true appearance.

The Jiuyun Commerce Association generally only invited Independent Cultivators with traceable origins to its Underground Auction.

Old Monster Jia, who had appeared at the previous auction, was a rare exception.

Therefore, if Wei Tu wanted to obtain an invitation to the Underground Auction from the Jiuyun Commerce Association, revealing his true identity was a necessary step.

Besides, Wei Tu was hiding his identity to evade the Recruitment Order from the Three Immortal Sects, not to deceive the Jiuyun Commerce Association.

"So, it is Talisman Master Wei." Despite never having met him before, Shopkeeper Fann recognized Wei Tu’s identity the moment she saw his true face. Her tone carried a hint of surprise.

Not many in the upper echelons of the Zheng Country Cultivation Realm knew of Wei Tu, but among Foundation Establishment Cultivators, quite a few were familiar with this Tier Two Talisman Master.

A few years ago, in the Yunze Secret Realm, all seven Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Hee Mountain Huang Family had perished, leaving only their Tributor, Wei Tu, as the sole survivor. News of this had spread like wildfire throughout the Zheng Country Cultivation Realm.

For a mere Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator to survive in the Yunze Secret Realm—a place with an incredibly high death rate, teeming with Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators—could not simply be explained away by "good luck."

Wei Tu wasn’t surprised that Shopkeeper Fann recognized him. He gave a slight nod and stated the purpose of his visit.

"An invitation to the Underground Auction?" Shopkeeper Fann smiled. "With Talisman Master Wei’s reputation, you are of course qualified to receive an invitation."

"However... the situation in the Cultivation Realm has changed drastically, and we must increase the privacy of the Underground Auction..." she said, a troubled look on her face.

Wei Tu was not surprised by this.

Commerce and trade are built upon a foundation of stable order.

After the Demon Dao’s invasion, the old order of the Zheng Country Cultivation Realm was shattered. It was only natural that events like the Jiuyun Commerce Association’s Underground Auction would be affected.

"Since you say I am qualified to enter the Underground Auction, Shopkeeper Fann, then... please tell me how I might do so." Wei Tu pondered for a moment before taking a Spirit Stone Bag from his robes and handing it to her.

Things were different now.

When the Zheng Country Cultivation Realm was at peace, the Jiuyun Commerce Association had to court Foundation Establishment Independent Cultivators for their patronage. But now, the supply and demand had shifted.

The tables had turned.

Like him, most Foundation Establishment Independent Cultivators needed to find a channel to "sell" their unneeded Spirit Stones and purchase Elixirs, Magical Artifacts, Talismans, and other Spiritual Objects. They needed to increase their strength by any means possible to improve their chances of survival in the Cultivation Realm.

Spirit Stones were now the least valuable thing a cultivator possessed.

"An invitation to the Underground Auction costs two hundred Spirit Stones," Shopkeeper Fann said with a smile.

"Of course, if Fellow Daoist Wei is willing to become a Tributor for our Jiuyun Commerce Association..."

"...you wouldn’t need to purchase an invitation."

"In fact, the Jiuyun Commerce Association would even provide you with a stipend, Fellow Daoist Wei."

Shopkeeper Fann added.

"A Tributor? Surely you’re aware, Shopkeeper Fann, that I am currently a Tributor for the Hee Mountain Huang Family," Wei Tu replied, his expression turning slightly cold.

Four years had passed, and he was unaware of the rumors circulating about him in the outside world. He said this deliberately to probe Shopkeeper Fann and gather intelligence.

"Please don’t be alarmed, Fellow Daoist Wei. The Tributor position I’m referring to would simply require you to provide our association with a regular supply of Talismans..." Shopkeeper Fann replied hastily.

In the Cultivation Realm, poaching a Tributor from another family was considered a despicable act.

It would have been abnormal if Wei Tu hadn’t seemed alarmed.

Hearing this, Wei Tu’s expression softened. He nodded. "If it’s just a matter of regularly providing Talismans, then I can accept such a Tributor position."

After leaving the Hee Mountain Huang Family, he no longer had access to the Golden Moon Cliff exchange held every eight years. He had been looking for a new outlet to sell his Talismans.

Now, the Jiuyun Commerce Association’s offer to become a Tributor and purchase his Talismans was the perfect solution to his pressing problem.

"This is the invitation for next year’s Underground Auction. Please accept it, Fellow Daoist Wei." Upon hearing his agreement, Shopkeeper Fann didn’t hesitate. She took a gilt-edged invitation from her Storage Bag and presented it to Wei Tu with both hands.

"As for the Tier Two Talismans..."

"As for Middle-Grade Talismans and Upper-Grade Talismans, our Jiuyun Commerce Association is willing to purchase however many you have, Talisman Master Wei."

"For Lower-Grade Talismans, the Jiuyun Commerce Association will be more selective."

Shopkeeper Fann then began to discuss the terms of the Talisman trade with Wei Tu.