Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

She knew that Wei Tu had also been at the Underground Auction, where he had witnessed the entire process of Alchemist Shu winning the bid for the Tier Three Demon Pill.

"The Tier Three Demon Pill is the main ingredient for refining the Green Flame Pill. After Alchemist Shu acquired the pill, he immediately returned to Cloud Crane Mountain to begin his alchemy."

"Once the Green Flame Pill was successfully refined, Alchemist Shu went into seclusion to prepare for Core Formation."

"Unfortunately, the Green Flame Pill is inferior to the Immortal Transformation Pill, so the chances of successful Core Formation are too low. Alchemist Shu's seclusion ended in failure, and he became a Fake Pill."

Shopkeeper Fann said slowly.

"Alchemist Shu failed his breakthrough. What does that have to do with me?" Wei Tu frowned.

"Everything!"

Shopkeeper Fann looked as though she'd thought of something amusing, covering her mouth to hide a smile. However, her smile was tinged with a cold sneer.

"Fellow Daoist Wei, you should know that the lifespan of a Fake Pill Cultivator is the same as that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. 'Fake Pill' is merely a euphemism cultivators use for those who have failed at Core Formation."

"Of course, compared to a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, a Fake Pill Cultivator is indeed quite a bit stronger."

Hearing this, Wei Tu vaguely guessed what was coming, but he couldn't be sure if his suspicion was correct.

He listened patiently for Shopkeeper Fann's explanation.

"After Alchemist Shu failed his breakthrough, he was left with less than ten years to live. He's in his final years."

"The Hee Mountain Huang Family's attitude toward Alchemist Shu took a nosedive, and they even cut his remuneration by half."

"There are even rumors that the Huang Family plans to send Alchemist Shu to the frontline to serve as a Substitute Ghost for the Huang Family Cultivators…"

Shopkeeper Fann said, enunciating every word.

At this, Shopkeeper Fann looked at Wei Tu with a faint, unreadable smile. "When Talisman Master Wei left the Hee Mountain Huang Family back then, the reasons must not have been simple. One can see a hint of that from Alchemist Shu's experience alone."

Wei Tu fell silent.

It was just as he had suspected. Alchemist Shu had been used and then discarded by the Hee Mountain Huang Family, suffering the same fate as him.

When he was still with the Hee Mountain Huang Family, he had thought that by welcoming Alchemist Shu and Yang Image as Tributors, the Huang Family was letting wolves into their den and would surely suffer for it later.

However, a well-intentioned reminder from Alchemist Shu at the Underground Auction had shattered Wei Tu's stubborn prejudice. Alchemist Shu might not be a good man, but he was far from being irredeemably evil.

Alchemist Shu and Yang Image had now been with the Hee Mountain Huang Family for ten years, and during that decade, no "major incidents" had been reported from the family.

Perhaps Alchemist Shu and Yang Image were plotting something in secret—a plot Wei Tu could not possibly know. But for the Hee Mountain Huang Family to act so disgracefully without any knowledge of this, they were undoubtedly more vicious than Alchemist Shu!

—After leaving the Huang Family, Wei Tu had learned through his correspondence with Zhao Qingluo that the Qiyue Zhao Family, an ally of the Huang Family, had never informed them of the Shuyun Alliance's past collusion with the Chisong Jia Family.

Zhao Qingluo had explained in her letter that the Chisong Jia Family was one of the Seven Golden Core Families of the Zheng Country, and countless powers had dealings with them. If they rashly told the Huang Family about this, not only would the Huangs show no gratitude, but they would likely suspect the Zhao Family of trying to sow discord.

…

After a moment of silence, Wei Tu gestured for Shopkeeper Fann to continue explaining what Alchemist Shu had to do with the Golden Core Opportunity.

"Alchemist Shu didn't just refine one Green Flame Pill, but a total of three. He took one himself and still has two in his possession."

"And currently, the Huang Family's Ancestor, Huang Xinglie, is at the Righteous Demon Frontline…" Shopkeeper Fann said with profound meaning.

Her words having reached this point, anyone could discern their unspoken meaning.

If Wei Tu didn't declare his stance, it would be inappropriate to continue the discussion.

"There is a Gap between the Huang Family and me. If Alchemist Shu is willing to offer the Green Flame Pills as the prize, then this matter… I am willing to lend a hand," Wei Tu said with a faint smile.

He didn't care about the grudge between Alchemist Shu and the Hee Mountain Huang Family, nor did he have any intention of getting involved. However, there was no harm in understanding the situation a little better.

Besides, after what Shopkeeper Fann had said, he was not in a position to refuse outright.

The consequence of an outright refusal would be Alchemist Shu leading other cultivators to target him first.

After all, Alchemist Shu and the others were risking their lives to deal with the Huang Family; refusing would not be easy.

"The reward Alchemist Shu is offering this time includes not only those two Green Flame Pills, but also his years of accumulated wealth and a Tier Two Alchemist's Inheritance."

Shopkeeper Fann smiled.

'Wei Tu never even revealed the Shuyun Alliance's collusion with the Chisong Jia Family, so why would he now leak Alchemist Shu's secret for the sake of the Hee Mountain Huang Family?'

The Wei Tu of today was naturally on the same side as Alchemist Shu.

"This is a Communication Talisman for the Shuyun Alliance."

As she spoke, Shopkeeper Fann took out a Talisman and handed it to Wei Tu.

"Within the next year, the Shuyun Alliance should take action against the Huang Family. At that time, this Communication Talisman will inform Fellow Daoist Wei of… the specific time and location of the Shuyun Alliance Cultivators' strike."

Shopkeeper Fann said in a low voice.

"Shopkeeper Fann, you understand the Shuyun Alliance so well, and you even have their Communication Talisman. Could it be that you've joined them?" Wei Tu asked casually, accepting the Communication Talisman with a raised eyebrow.

Hearing this, Shopkeeper Fann's expression revealed a hint of displeasure, but she did not turn hostile over Wei Tu's "rudeness."

She said, "I am merely a friend of Alchemist Shu. I've purchased some Elixirs from him before, but I have not joined the Shuyun Alliance."

"Then why… were you so insistent on inviting me to join, Shopkeeper Fann?"

"If all the Cultivators gathered for this are from the Shuyun Alliance, I, an outsider, won't be in a good position."

Wei Tu pressed.

At these words, Shopkeeper Fann's expression softened slightly. The more clearly Wei Tu asked, the more it proved he was genuinely interested in joining them against the Hee Mountain Huang Family, rather than just trying to brush her off.

"You are not the only one being invited, Fellow Daoist Wei. There are four others who are also not members of the Shuyun Alliance," Shopkeeper Fann revealed.

"The reason we are inviting you, Fellow Daoist Wei, is to add to our fighting strength, but also because you are familiar with Cloud Crane Mountain and the Huang Family Cultivators."

Shopkeeper Fann added.

With all his questions answered, Wei Tu took the opportunity to take his leave.

"I'll see you out, Fellow Daoist Wei," Shopkeeper Fann said politely as she rose to her feet.

"That won't be necessary."

Wei Tu refused with a wave of his hand.

As he reached the door of the private room, Wei Tu gave his sleeve a shake, releasing a thumb-sized moth.