Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

The Loose Immortal Alliance had a total of seventeen True Monarchs. Nine of them were from Jing Country.

And True Monarch Che was one of these nine True Monarchs from Jing Country.

True Monarch Che’s name was Che Gongwei, a Middle-Stage Golden Core Cultivator. Within the Loose Immortal Alliance, he had a reputation for his generosity and for supporting the younger generation, making him a highly respected elder.

In addition, Che Gongwei was also a Tier Three Talisman Master.

After hearing Li Daoyuan’s words, Wei Tu now had a good idea of why Che Gongwei was helping him.

Birds of a feather flock together.

True Monarch Che was the leader of the Talisman Masters in the Loose Immortal Alliance. If he could recruit a Tier Two Upper-Grade Talisman Master like Wei Tu, his own influence within the Alliance would surely grow significantly.

"I appreciate your help, Fellow Daoist Li." Wei Tu feigned ignorance. With a look of gratitude, he took a Spirit Stone Bag from his sleeve and pressed it into Li Daoyuan’s hand.

’It’s better to have a patron than none at all. Pledging myself to True Monarch Che is a good thing for me.’

’Especially since I’m about to have trouble on my hands.’

"You can leave this matter to me."

Li Daoyuan’s face lit up when he saw the Spirit Stone Bag. He patted his chest and assured him.

...

「One month later.」

After Wei Tu clearly expressed his intention to align with True Monarch Che, Zuo Kui’s investigation into him was closed with remarkable speed.

The Beast Taming Sect determined that Wei Tu’s Sky-Splitting Carving had been seized from a Demonic Cultivator, not stolen from a member of their sect.

Its origin was no longer in question.

"Over two hundred years ago, the Blood God Sect launched a surprise attack on our sect, plundering a large number of Spirit Beasts. At that time, we lost twelve Sky-Splitting Carvings."

"Of those twelve Sky-Splitting Carvings, five had Earth-Tier Bloodlines and seven had Profound Tier Bloodlines."

"After that battle, although our sect still had dozens of Sky-Splitting Carvings, their bloodlines were inferior. It would take at least a thousand years to breed them back to Profound Tier or Earth-Tier Bloodlines..."

Zuo Kui spoke these words a few days later, after finding Wei Tu and offering a sincere apology for the investigation.

"And what you mean is...?" Wei Tu raised an eyebrow, having already guessed Zuo Kui’s intention.

"The Sky-Splitting Carving in your possession, Fellow Daoist Wei, appears to have an Earth-Tier Bloodline, based on my observations. Therefore, I have a presumptuous request on behalf of my sect. We would like to have your Sky-Splitting Carving visit the Beast Taming Sect to sire offspring," Zuo Kui proposed.

"The Sky-Splitting Carving is a vital part of my combat strength. If your esteemed sect takes it away, I will inevitably face greater danger on the battlefield..." Wei Tu shook his head, offering a polite refusal.

As he refused, a doubt surfaced in Wei Tu’s mind. ’I remember the Sky-Splitting Carving’s bloodline is only Profound Tier. How can it be that in the eyes of Zuo Kui and the Beast Taming Sect, its bloodline level is Earth Tier?’

A Demon Beast’s bloodline is equivalent to a Cultivator’s Spirit Root. Therefore, even though Profound Tier and Earth Tier are only one level apart, the difference in potential is vast.

A Sky-Splitting Carving with a Profound Tier Bloodline has essentially exhausted its potential once its cultivation reaches the Late-Stage Tier Two.

’Could it be...’ Wei Tu’s thoughts turned to the Blood-Colored Vertical Mark that had abruptly appeared between the Sky-Splitting Carving’s brows over a decade ago, after it broke through to the Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment.

However, before Wei Tu could dwell on it, Zuo Kui immediately interjected, changing his approach. "If you do not wish for the Sky-Splitting Carving to leave your side, Fellow Daoist Wei, my sect can send someone to meet you at Chaning Cliff to have the beast sire its offspring..."

He was settling for the next best option, and Zuo Kui expected Wei Tu to agree.

After all, for a great Immortal Sect like the Beast Taming Sect to be willing to go this far was already a sign of immense goodwill toward Wei Tu. If he still refused, it would be... well, it would be a case of spurning a kindness.

"I have three years remaining at Chaning Cliff before my service from the Recruitment Order is complete. If something were to happen to the Sky-Splitting Carving during that time..." Wei Tu said with a troubled expression, seemingly refusing.

However, this refusal was very different from his last. While his words sounded like a rejection on the surface, they were, in fact, a form of tacit agreement.

The agreement was simply conditional on the Beast Taming Sect being willing to name its price.

For example, a guarantee that after "losing" the Sky-Splitting Carving, he would be able to live out his last three years at Chaning Cliff in peace, without encountering powerful enemies or suffering any mishaps.

After all, the higher the Level of a Demon Beast, the more difficult it is for it to produce "pure-blooded" offspring.

In some cases, siring offspring can not only severely deplete their Primordial Qi but also put their lives at risk.

The Sky-Splitting Carving’s Realm was not low; while siring one or two offspring might be easy, producing descendants that would satisfy the Beast Taming Sect would require a non-trivial amount of time, energy, and resources.

’"Transforming Crisis into Safety"... turning danger into safety. This man, Wei Tu, is not to be underestimated.’ Having understood Wei Tu’s implicit offer, Zuo Kui’s estimation of him instantly rose to a new level.

He had originally assumed that Wei Tu would demand riches and treasures in the matter of the Sky-Splitting Carving.

He never expected that the price Wei Tu would name was simply for the Beast Taming Sect to guarantee his safety during his final three years at Chaning Cliff.

Turning an "enemy" into an "ally."

Zuo Kui had never seen such a thing before.

And for the Beast Taming Sect, this price was not high; it was well within an acceptable range.

"Since you’ve put it that way, Fellow Daoist Wei, the Beast Taming Sect will approach you again in three years to discuss the breeding matter."

Zuo Kui cupped his hands in a salute, then rose and departed.

His words had neither explicitly refused nor agreed.

After all, as a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he could not make such a decision on behalf of the Beast Taming Sect’s leadership.

However, Zuo Kui believed that the sect’s leadership would find it very difficult to refuse Wei Tu on this matter.