Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

Back then, Red River Mountain Marketplace was just a small market, only half the size of Danqiu Mountain's.

The world had changed.

「Decades later.」

The Red River Mountain Marketplace was now practically the largest marketplace in Zheng Country, almost worthy of the title "Immortal City."

Wei Tu had heard that beyond the Great Cang Immortal Realm, other Cultivation Realms existed with vastly different customs. Their Cultivators did not live in Cave Mansions. Instead, they lived as neighbors, building one "Immortal City" after another.

Each Immortal City was a formidable power in its own right.

Cangqiong City in Jing Country was built in imitation of these external "Immortal Cities."

After arriving at Red River Mountain Marketplace, Wei Tu didn't rush to visit True Monarch Che. Instead, he took a detour to first call on the True Monarch's disciple, Gao Chen.

—Ten years ago, when Wei Tu first arrived at Chaning Cliff, it was Li Daoyuan who had introduced him to the Fake Pill True Monarch, Gao Chen, which led to him joining the Loose Immortal Alliance.

Afterward, regarding the matter of the Sky-Splitting Carving, it was again Li Daoyuan who reported to Gao Chen. Gao Chen then pulled strings within the Beast Taming Sect on his master's behalf, ensuring Wei Tu's safety.

True Monarch Che was a Golden Core True Monarch. At Wei Tu's current level, getting an audience with him would not be easy.

According to protocol, Wei Tu had to go through Gao Chen first. Only after Gao Chen reported to True Monarch Che would Wei Tu have a chance to meet him.

A short while later, Wei Tu arrived at Gao Chen's Cave Mansion and submitted his Visit Card.

After waiting for about half a day, Wei Tu received Gao Chen's reply.

...

Zheng Country.

Red River Mountain Marketplace, Gao Chen's Cave Mansion.

Gao Chen had prepared a precious Spirit Banquet and brought out a Tier Two Spirit Tea he had treasured for many years to entertain Wei Tu.

"What? Elder Che intends to take me as his disciple?"

「An incense stick's time later.」

Wei Tu, having finished his conversation with Gao Chen, exclaimed in astonishment.

It wasn't unheard of in the Cultivation Realm for someone to join a new master while already possessing significant skills.

But such occurrences were exceedingly rare. One might hear whispers of it, but few had ever witnessed it, let alone experienced it themselves.

After all, few people would treat a stepson as their own flesh and blood.

"When I learned of this, I was quite surprised myself." Seeing Wei Tu's astonishment, Gao Chen stroked his beard and smiled. "But after my master explained it to me, I understood why he wants to take you, Fellow Daoist Wei, as his disciple."

"We Independent Cultivators are not like the Immortal Sects; a good disciple is hard to find. For you, Fellow Daoist Wei, to be able to create Tier Two Upper-Grade Talismans at such a young age makes you a genius Talisman Master."

"Once you reach the Golden Core realm, you will surely become a Tier Three Talisman Master..."

"You could inherit my master's mantle."

"Furthermore, from what I've heard, you reached Foundation Establishment around your hundredth year. That kind of cultivation aptitude is on par with an average Disciple from an Immortal Sect."

"In terms of aptitude, you are quite outstanding among Independent Cultivators."

Gao Chen paused here.

He continued,

"Besides that,"

"There is another reason my master is willing to take you as his disciple... and that is the matter of the Loose Immortal Alliance's internal struggles."

"Internal struggles?" Wei Tu raised an eyebrow, waiting for Gao Chen's explanation.

Gao Chen didn't keep him in suspense and quickly explained the internal conflict within the Loose Immortal Alliance.

The internal struggle in the Loose Immortal Alliance was still the "regional conflict" between Jing Country Cultivators and Zheng Country Cultivators.

Even though the Independent Cultivators from Jing Country weren't necessarily better off, they were encroaching on the Zheng Country Cultivators' territory and seizing their Cultivation Resources.

Over time, this regional conflict grew more and more intense.

Thus, the far-sighted high-level leaders of the Loose Immortal Alliance wanted to resolve the conflict quickly, while the rift could still be mended.

So, a brilliant mind proposed a plan: have Golden Core Loose Cultivators from Zheng Country take disciples from Jing Country, and have Golden Core Loose Cultivators from Jing Country take disciples from Zheng Country.

Doing so would not only bridge the divide between the two factions and increase cohesion, but it would also cultivate a core force for the Loose Immortal Alliance, transforming the "alliance of independent cultivators" into a true Immortal Sect.

The proposal quickly gained the support of the Golden Core True Monarchs. The public-minded True Monarchs naturally wouldn't object, and even the self-serving ones saw it as an excellent strategy to expand their own influence, so the plan was enthusiastically adopted.

And Wei Tu was a beneficiary of this plan.

Compared to Immortal Sect Cultivators, Wei Tu was "mediocre," but among the Independent Cultivators of the Loose Immortal Alliance, Wei Tu, with his specialized skill, was outstanding—practically a crane among chickens.

In fact,

There was another reason that Gao Chen hadn't mentioned.

Namely, Wei Tu had excellent connections compared to other Independent Cultivators.

Qin Yuling, the True Monarch of Jingshui Pavilion who had already broken through to the Golden Core realm.

Zhao Qingluo, the Celestial Pride of the Zhao Family, who was currently in the process of Solidifying her Pill.

These two connections would be very beneficial for True Monarch Che and the other Golden Core True Monarchs from Jing Country to gain a deeper foothold in the Zheng Country Cultivation Realm.

This made Wei Tu a "hot commodity" in the eyes of the Loose Immortal Alliance's True Monarchs.

"I wonder what your thoughts are, Fellow Daoist Wei?" Gao Chen finished his explanation and looked at Wei Tu, inquiring about his intentions.

In his view, this was a tremendous, life-changing opportunity for Wei Tu—a chance to ascend to heaven in a single step.

Although the status of a Tier Two Upper-Grade Talisman Master was already impressive in the Cultivation Realm, how could it compare to being the successor of a Golden Core True Monarch?

There was no comparison between being True Monarch Che's subordinate and being his Disciple.

"This matter..." An interested expression appeared on Wei Tu's face.

Compared to the "clean slate" he had when he first entered the Cultivation Realm, he now harbored many secrets. If True Monarch Che discovered any one of them, it would be enough to get him killed.

In his opinion, the so-called "high prestige and virtue" of Righteous Dao figures was just a facade. They could appear sanctimonious when no real interests were at stake, but the moment their fundamental interests were threatened, they would turn ruthless in an instant.

Wasn't Alchemist Shu once famous throughout Danqiu Mountain?

But in the end, didn't he resolutely defect to the Demon Dao?

However, at this moment, Wei Tu was very clear about the consequences of refusing True Monarch Che's kind offer. Even if the True Monarch was magnanimous and chose not to hold it against him, the Beast Taming Sect would no longer be so benevolent. They wouldn't bother negotiating with him about breeding the Sky-Splitting Carving.

The so-called "closed case" could also be overturned with a single word.

'If it's truly as Gao Chen says, and True Monarch Che only wants to take me as his disciple because of the Loose Immortal Alliance's grand, long-term plan, then there's not much to worry about. I just need to be more cautious and make sure I don't leak any of my secrets,' Wei Tu thought to himself.