Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

"Junior Sister Su."

Wei Tu returned the courtesy.

Just now, when Master Qingmei had pledged herself as a disciple, she had used her real name, Su Bing'er, not her title, "Master Qingmei."

In front of True Monarch Che, Master Qingmei had also stopped hiding her gender, frankly revealing that she was a woman.

"Junior Sister..." Hearing this, Master Qingmei felt a great sense of awkwardness.

Ever since she was born, aside from her own father, no man had ever addressed her so familiarly. Wei Tu was the first.

However, Master Qingmei didn't let her feelings show. She hummed lightly in acknowledgment, completing the greeting with Wei Tu.

...

After accepting Master Qingmei as a disciple, True Monarch Che did not immediately dismiss the other cultivators in the hall. Instead, he selected a few more with decent aptitude and strength and accepted them as ordinary disciples.

Although ordinary disciples couldn't compare to Inner Chamber Disciples like Wei Tu in terms of treatment or status, this title alone was a sweet prize for these cultivators.

In these chaotic times, the significance of having the protection of a Golden Core True Monarch was self-evident.

Next, True Monarch Che led his four Inner Chamber Disciples, including Wei Tu, to a side hall in the front palace.

"Except for Mu Die, the rest of you came to me already accomplished, each with your own unique skills." True Monarch Che said, his gaze sweeping over Wei Tu and the others.

Wei Tu and the others didn't understand his meaning and didn't dare to ask, so they all lowered their heads in silence.

After all, seeking a master while already skilled was not a popular practice in any sect.

Fortunately, True Monarch Che's next words dispelled their doubts, and they breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"As the saying goes, one must teach students according to their aptitude. Although my cultivation is higher than yours, I cannot give each of you tailored guidance."

"This is a Cultivation Technique Token for the Loose Immortal Alliance's Ten Thousand Books Pavilion. With this token, you can go to the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion and exchange it for one Tier Three Cultivation Technique, Divine Technique, or Secret Skill."

"The collections within the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion were all contributed by myself and the other True Monarchs. Therefore, when you choose your technique, you need not have any reservations. Just pick whatever you want."

"If there is anything you don't understand, you may go and seek guidance from the other True Monarchs. The Loose Immortal Alliance is different from other Immortal Sects; we have no sectarian divisions."

Then, True Monarch Che sat down cross-legged and began to explain the future arrangements for Wei Tu and the other three disciples.

These arrangements concerned their future cultivation techniques, treatment, and prospects.

Wei Tu listened intently, gradually letting go of some of his prejudices against True Monarch Che.

—Although True Monarch Che might have had ulterior motives for accepting them as disciples, in terms of fulfilling his responsibilities, he was already acting as a model master.

It was rare for a master to be so open and transparent with his disciples about these matters and to make such detailed arrangements.

'I hope... True Monarch Che and I can start and end on good terms,' Wei Tu sighed to himself.

Since stepping into the Cultivation Realm, he had encountered endless deception and intrigue. It had been a long time since he'd met someone who wasn't two-faced.

He worried that True Monarch Che, like Alchemist Shu, was a sanctimonious hypocrite who had other schemes hidden in the shadows.

"I will not take up any more of your time. If you have other questions, you may ask your Senior Brother." After finishing his arrangements, True Monarch Che glanced at the sky and spoke.

"Thank you, Master, for your diligent planning on our behalf."

As the "Eldest Senior Brother" among the new disciples, Wei Tu was the first to rise, bow, and offer thanks.

"We thank you, Master..."

A beat later, Hua Xianlong, Mu Die, and Master Qingmei also chimed in, echoing Wei Tu.

When the cultivators had finished bowing, True Monarch Che, who had been sitting on the meditation mat just moments before, had already vanished.

"Senior Brother Wei, I'll see you again in five years." After saying his farewells to Wei Tu, Hua Xianlong flicked his wide sleeves, transformed into a streak of Escape Light, and left the side hall.

"See you in five years." Master Qingmei nodded to Wei Tu and left, following behind Hua Xianlong.

Just now, one of the benefits for Inner Chamber Disciples that True Monarch Che had mentioned was this:

—Once every five years, True Monarch Che would hold a lecture in his Cave Mansion to answer his disciples' questions.

This was a benefit, not a requirement, so it wouldn't be a problem whether Wei Tu and the others attended or not.

However, generally speaking, no cultivator would dare to stand up their master on the very first occasion. That would be a grave sign of disrespect.

"Senior Brother Wei, I..." Mu Die's face flushed slightly as she looked up at Wei Tu, a little embarrassed.

Because she was only in the Qi Refining Realm, True Monarch Che's arrangement for her was for "a disciple to teach in the master's stead." She was to be instructed by Wei Tu, the "Eldest Senior Brother" of the new disciples.

This arrangement was a good thing for her, but for Wei Tu, it wasn't necessarily so.

"Senior Brother Wei, I already understand the basics of cultivation in the Qi Refining Realm. There's no need to teach me from the beginning. You only need to give me some pointers from time to time."

Mu Die was perceptive and knew that Independent Cultivators like Wei Tu disliked looking after others, especially a stranger like her.

Hearing this, Wei Tu's expression softened slightly. He nodded and offered a polite phrase, "If Junior Sister Mu has any questions, feel free to ask me. Don't be hesitant."

He who wears the crown must bear its weight.

From True Monarch Che's arrangements, Wei Tu could see that the True Monarch valued him more highly and intended to entrust him with important responsibilities, cultivating him as a true trusted confidant and disciple.

However, Wei Tu did not want to accept this goodwill from True Monarch Che.

Compared to becoming a core member of a major power, Wei Tu believed it was more important to increase his cultivation, reach the Peak of Foundation Establishment as quickly as possible, and then prepare for Core Formation.

Between becoming a core figure in a Golden Core power and becoming a Golden Core True Monarch himself, the choice was not difficult for Wei Tu.

In the eyes of other cultivators, Mu Die, with her Upper-Grade Spirit Root, was someone to be fawned over and curried favor with. But in Wei Tu's eyes, she wasn't particularly important.

Because, in a certain sense, Wei Tu's own aptitude was even more monstrous than hers.

...

After completing the important matter of "reporting in" to True Monarch Che, Wei Tu left Red River Mountain Marketplace and returned to the Xiaya Mei Family.

After a decade apart, Wei Tu found himself missing his son and daughter.

「Half a month later.」

Wei Tu arrived back at the Xiaya Mei Family's estate. However, compared to ten years ago, it was now in a much greater state of disrepair. Only broken walls and ruins remained.

'Two years ago, I received a letter from Yann'er. She and Xiuwen should be fine,' Wei Tu mused.

He guessed there must be another reason for the Mei Family's decline.

Wei Yan and her brother were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and they also had his Life-Saving Talismans. Unless they encountered an expert at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment or above, they wouldn't be in any mortal danger.

「A day later.」

Wei Tu used the Jiuyun Commerce Association to gather information about the Xiaya Mei Family.

The situation was more or less as he had expected.

Four years ago, after the Xiaya Mei Family's last Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Meilang, fell on the battlefield, their situation became the same as that of the Xuanhou Qir Family back then. They were targeted by numerous powerful enemies.

The difference, however, was that the Xiaya Mei Family did not activate their Clan Protection Array to defend their home like the Xuanhou Qir Family did. Instead, they moved the entire clan away, choosing to put down roots in a Tier One Spiritual Land.

They had been demoted from a Foundation Establishment Family to a Qi Cultivation Family.

This move greatly perplexed many of the powerful enemies who had been eyeing the Xiaya Mei Family.

After all, very few families would dare to voluntarily abandon their ancestral foundation.

But subsequent developments led many cultivators to believe that the decision made by the Mei Clan Leader, Mei Yuanfeng, was extremely wise.

Because, without the burden of the Tier Two Spirit Land holding them back, the Xiaya Mei Family was no longer targeted by powerful enemies.