Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

Wei Tu's Cultivation had now reached Late-Stage Foundation Establishment. Once he cultivated to the Peak of Foundation Establishment, he could use that Ten Thousand Years Spiritual Medicine, the Three-Eyed Silver Toad, to attempt Condensing a Golden Core and break through to the Golden Core Realm.

In theory, he had no need to take a Middle-Stage Golden Core Cultivator as his master right now.

But—

If he had no Elixirs to aid him, progressing from the "Minor Success" of Late-Stage Foundation Establishment to the "Peak" was no simple task.

Normally, it would take Wei Tu at least forty to fifty years to cultivate to the Peak of Foundation Establishment. Even with ample Elixirs, the time to advance his Realm could only be cut in half at most, still leaving a "Cultivation Stage" of over twenty years.

—The Primordial Forbidden had the effect of purifying Magical Power. However, by Late-Stage Foundation Establishment, its purifying effect was much weaker compared to the Early-Stage and Middle-Stage, requiring far more effort.

This "Cultivation Stage" was also Wei Tu's "Weakness Stage."

Moreover, these were chaotic times.

Having a Golden Core True Monarch as a backer was better than having none.

Therefore, from this perspective, Wei Tu taking True Monarch Che as his master was mutually beneficial.

True Monarch Che could use this to advance the Loose Immortal Alliance's grand plan and extend his influence into the Zheng Country Cultivation Realm. Meanwhile, Wei Tu would gain a Golden Core master and a powerful backer, allowing him to cultivate in peace.

Besides that, taking a master had another benefit.

Namely, when Wei Tu underwent Core Formation, not only could he make use of the Loose Immortal Alliance's Tier Three Spirit Vein, but he could also receive protection from the Alliance's Cultivators.

Wei Tu valued this benefit greatly.

A stable cultivation environment could be considered a "Cultivation Resource" so precious that all Independent Cultivators in both Zheng Country and Jing Country sought it.

...

After weighing the pros and cons, Wei Tu didn't hesitate for long. He immediately stated his position, "It is my great fortune to be taken as a disciple by Elder Che. How could I possibly refuse?"

"I was momentarily overwhelmed and didn't reply immediately. I hope Fellow Daoist Gao won't take offense."

Wei Tu then added an explanation.

After all, when a Golden Core True Monarch accepted a disciple, most Cultivators would be ecstatic and agree immediately. People like him, who took a moment to think before making a decision, were few and far between.

In the eyes of outsiders, his current Cultivation was only Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment. To break through to the Golden Core Realm would take at least one or two hundred years. For True Monarch Che to accept him as a disciple was a clear sign of high regard, equivalent to "bestowing a great favor."

Gao Chen, however, didn't seem to mind much.

Taking a master was no small matter; it was a major life event that spanned a Cultivator's entire existence.

It could not be taken lightly.

Wei Tu hadn't agreed instantly, but had made his decision after some thought, which clearly showed his cautious nature. In Gao Chen's view, Cultivators with this kind of personality often had mature judgment and could be entrusted with heavy responsibilities.

"Master is currently in Seclusion. Once he emerges, I will immediately report this matter to him." At this, Gao Chen's gaze toward Wei Tu softened, and he changed his form of address.

He now addressed Wei Tu as "Junior Brother" instead of the previous "Fellow Daoist."

After all, Wei Tu had a "Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment" Cultivation, while he was at the Fake Pill Realm. Within True Monarch Che's sphere of influence, they were not in competition with each other.

"Junior Brother Wei, I have a Separate Mansion here that is currently unoccupied. You may stay there for the time being." After a moment's thought, Gao Chen took a Cave Mansion Token from his sleeve and handed it to Wei Tu.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Gao."

Wei Tu accepted the Token and also changed his form of address.

There were factions not only within the Loose Immortal Alliance but also among True Monarch Che's disciples. By accepting Gao Chen's goodwill, Wei Tu had effectively joined Gao Chen's faction.

...

The Separate Mansion Gao Chen mentioned was located in the secondary core area of Red River Mountain Marketplace.

It was a Quasi-Three Order Cave Mansion.

Wei Tu walked to the entrance of the Cave Mansion and looked up at the plaque nailed to the doorframe. 'Yunyan Residence?' he read to himself.

Wei Tu activated the Cave Mansion's Array and walked inside.

Since he was only borrowing the place, Wei Tu wanted to avoid any suspicion, so he bypassed the other rooms of Yunyan Residence and headed straight for the Cultivation Room.

Inside the Cultivation Room, Wei Tu narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Storage Bag at his waist. 'Soon, the Sky-Splitting Carving will be able to break through to Late-Stage Tier Two. But Late-Stage Tier Two is too conspicuous...'

After leaving Chaning Cliff, he certainly hadn't forgotten his agreement with the Beast Taming Sect.

If the Sky-Splitting Carving broke through to Late-Stage Tier Two before "leaving its seed," it would not be a good thing for him. The Spirit Beast's rapid Cultivation speed might expose the existence of the Ten Thousand Spirits Demon Infant.

No matter how monstrous the talent of an Earth-Tier Bloodline Spirit Beast, it couldn't possibly break through two Small Realms in a mere fifty years to reach Late-Stage Tier Two.

'For the time being, I'll stop giving the Sky-Splitting Carving Immortal Spirit Dew. After it has left its seed, everything can go back to normal,' Wei Tu thought to himself.

'Besides that, there's... the Pitch-Black Finger Bone...'

Wei Tu slapped his Spirit Beast Bag and took out the Sky-Splitting Carving, intending to use this opportunity to remove the Pitch-Black Finger Bone from its abdomen.

Back at Chaning Cliff, it wasn't that Wei Tu hadn't considered removing the "Pitch-Black Finger Bone" from the Sky-Splitting Carving's abdomen beforehand.

It was just that, by a strange twist of fate, the "Pitch-Black Finger Bone" had now taken deep root in the Sky-Splitting Carving's stomach. It had become parasitic within the creature's body, nourishing itself on the Sky-Splitting Carving's Flesh and Blood until it was a fair bit larger than before.

Therefore, if he had cut out the "Pitch-Black Finger Bone" from within the Sky-Splitting Carving back at Chaning Cliff, the creature would have undoubtedly suffered a great loss of Primordial Qi, which would have affected his own combat strength.

For safety's sake, Wei Tu hadn't acted rashly, instead postponing the matter until today.

「Three days later.」

Under Wei Tu's precise control, he successfully removed the parasitic "Pitch-Black Finger Bone" from the Sky-Splitting Carving's body.