Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

Besides Wei Tu, one other person knew what happened in the Yunze Secret Realm. However, because of Kou Hongying's special relationship with Wei Tu, she couldn't bring herself to ask Kou Hongying about the matter.

"Elder Qin, about this… please forgive me, but I must refuse." Hearing her words, Wei Tu quickly shook his head. "My status is too low. I dare not disrespect Elder Qin."

He wasn't stupid.

The current Master Qin was only slightly suspicious of him, not certain.

If he helped Master Qin confirm her own suspicions, or worse, helped her regain her memories, he would be the one to suffer the consequences.

Even in the best-case scenario, where Master Qin's memories held no trace of greed and only the influence of the Shuangming Jade was at play…

But—

The gap in their current status was simply too vast. Master Qin might be reasonable now, asking him to touch her… but if she had a change of heart later, he would inevitably face a deadly calamity.

"You're right. I'm making things too difficult for you." Master Qin understood Wei Tu's predicament. She sighed and nodded.

However, just when Wei Tu thought the matter was settled, Master Qin, who had been standing ten paces away, suddenly closed the distance between them once more.

This time, however, she didn't snatch his Shuangming Jade. Instead, she planted a light kiss on his face.

'I do feel a stir in my heart.' The contact was brief; Master Qin immediately returned to her original spot. She carefully perceived the changes within her body, thinking to herself.

At that moment, she couldn't be sure whether it was because of the Shuangming Jade that she regarded Wei Tu as someone important and had committed him to the depths of her memory.

Master Qin couldn't figure it out.

But she knew that this "farce" had to end. She couldn't, on a mere sliver of suspicion, actually perform Soul-Searching and Soul-Seizing on her disciple's elder—and her own guest.

If she did that, she would find it hard to maintain her own standing in Jingshui Pavilion.

Master Qin's demeanor turned cold. Her slender hand touched the "Shuangming Jade" tucked in her sleeve as her gaze fell upon Wei Tu. "Fellow Daoist Wei," she said, "I do not wish for a third person to know of today's events. I hope you can keep this secret."

"Otherwise, I will kill you."

She delivered the threat.

"I understand." Wei Tu cupped his hands in a salute, nodding in agreement.

"Revealing this matter would bring me no benefit at all. Elder Qin, you can rest assured. I will not utter a word."

Wei Tu added.

"It's good that you understand." Seeing Wei Tu agree so readily, Master Qin's expression softened slightly, and her gaze grew a little gentler.

She had spent her entire life in Jingshui Pavilion immersed in her Cultivation, with little experience in the affairs of men and women. Still, she wasn't so unreasonable as to harbor killing intent toward Wei Tu simply because she had forced a kiss on him.

They looked at each other, a wordless silence between them.

The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wei Tu saw that Master Qin was no longer being so aggressive and knew he had finally navigated this Perilous Pass.

"Elder Qin, I have one more favor to ask, and I hope you might agree." After some thought, Wei Tu decided to go ahead and make his request to trade for Elixirs.

In her current state of mind, it was unlikely Master Qin would agree to help him and his family avoid the "Immortal Sect's" draft. However, trading for Elixirs was mutually beneficial. He believed she would not refuse such a deal.

"Ice Crystal Pills and Golden Yuan Pills?" Upon hearing the names of the two Elixirs, Master Qin gave a slight nod and agreed to Wei Tu's request.

After her Core Formation, she was short on personal funds and was in urgent need of earning Spirit Stones.

By using her Contribution Points to make the exchange, she stood to profit handsomely from his Spirit Stones. It was a sound deal.

Through this transaction, the amnesiac Master Qin gained a new appreciation for Wei Tu's wealth.

She then recalled the congratulatory gift he had given her for reaching the Golden Core realm and had a sudden realization: aside from his plain appearance, Wei Tu's aptitude and potential would make him a prodigy even within Jingshui Pavilion.

After all, to create a Tier Two Upper-Grade Talisman, a Talisman Master had to meet the stringent requirement of possessing Magical Power with a purity comparable to that of a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator.

From this perspective alone, as long as his immortal fortune held and he found a complete Golden Core Opportunity, he had a chance to become a Golden Core True Monarch, just as she had.

At this thought, Master Qin's attitude toward Wei Tu shifted considerably, from cool indifference to cordiality.

After a moment's consideration, Master Qin weighed the Spirit Stone Bag Wei Tu had handed her and said in a gentle voice, "Wait here. I will go to the Merit Hall now and redeem the Elixirs for you."

With that, Master Qin transformed into a streak of ice-blue Escape Light and vanished over the horizon.

「Half an hour later.」

Master Qin returned and presented the "Ice Crystal Pills" and "Golden Yuan Pills" to Wei Tu.

"There are six Elixirs in total. Go ahead and count them," Master Qin said.

Wei Tu wasn't so tactless as to count the Elixirs in front of Master Qin. He thanked her and then took his leave.

...

After leaving Master Qin's Cave Mansion, Wei Tu saw Kou Hongying waiting for him in the distance.

"Uncle Wei, why did Master look for you? Was it something important?" Kou Hongying asked curiously.

She, too, was puzzled that Master Qin had kept Wei Tu behind. It wasn't in keeping with her master's usual behavior.

Master Qin had never even allowed her own nephew, Zhuu Renjie, to enter her Cave Mansion.

"It was nothing important," Wei Tu deflected, signaling for Kou Hongying not to press the issue.

They had known each other for many years; a single glance was all it took for Kou Hongying to understand his meaning.

Thus, as soon as he spoke, Kou Hongying understood immediately and didn't ask again about what he had experienced in Master Qin's Cave Mansion.

Next, Kou Hongying played the part of the Host and escorted Wei Tu out of Jingshui Pavilion.

When they reached the Sect's main gate, Kou Hongying pointed to Wei Tu's left cheek. Then, without waiting for him to respond, she flitted away and returned to the Sect.