Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

「A dozen or so days later.」

Through the eyes of the Sky-Splitting Carving, Wei Tu saw the magnificent border fortress that separated Zheng Country and Kang Country—Chishui Pass.

The fortress stretched for several hundred li, its entire structure a crystalline yellow. It was like a long dragon coiled upon the earth, glittering brilliantly under the light of the sun and stars.

Besides being the border between Zheng and Kang Countries, Chishui Pass was also the only safe passage through the treacherous borderlands known as the Black Blood Swamp.

Within the Great Cang Immortal Realm, the Righteous and Demon factions were divided by the Yaolang Mountain Range.

Countries such as Zheng Country and Jing Country were all located near the Yaolang Mountain Range.

In these territories of the Righteous Dao, the borders between nations were often defined by perilous lands or Spiritless Lands.

Normally, the border fortresses between countries were open to all, with no strict inspections.

But during the Great War of Righteous and Demons, these passes were closed to Cultivators.

It wasn’t impossible for Cultivators from Zheng Country to bypass the fortress and flee to the countries in the rear, but they had to brave treacherous areas like the Black Blood Swamp and forge a new path to safety from within.

However, escaping from such a perilous land was a difficult task, even for a Golden Core True Monarch.

It was precisely because of these perilous lands and border fortresses dividing the nations that the Righteous Cultivators of the Great Cang Immortal Realm had been able to repel the Demon Cultivators’ attacks time and time again.

’They’ve entered Chishui Pass.’

’Now, all I have to do is wait for Yann’er’s reply.’

After viewing the Sky-Splitting Carving’s memories, Wei Tu breathed a sigh of relief. He began to wait patiently at the Tao Family residence for good news from the smuggling party.

「Two months later.」

The leader of the group, Tao Family Elder Tao Fangde, returned successfully and handed a letter from Wei Yan to Wei Tu.

Wei Tu took the letter and carefully deciphered the secret message inside. After reading it, he felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders and let out a long, relieved sigh.

"After arriving in Kang Country, I arranged for Fellow Daoist Wei’s family to stay with my Tao Family Cultivators at the Zama Division."

"The Zama Division is in the interior of Kang Country, a considerable distance from Chishui Pass."

Tao Fangde waited for Wei Tu to finish the letter, then stroked his beard and said with a smile.

Customs and accents change every few miles.

The culture and customs of Kang Country were vastly different from those of Zheng Country. Apart from a few agricultural areas bordering Zheng Country, the rest of the country was home to a nomadic civilization of tribal communities.

The Zama Division was one such tribal power in Kang Country.

Hearing this, Wei Tu immediately expressed his gratitude and, without hesitation, took out the agreed-upon Five Thousand Spirit Stones and handed them to Tao Fangde.

Seeing Wei Tu act so decisively, Tao Fangde and the other Tao Family Cultivators nodded to themselves, their respect for Wei Tu’s integrity growing.

After all, Wei Tu’s family had already been sent out of Zheng Country. If Wei Tu had gone back on his word, the Tao Family would have had few countermeasures to use against him.

To an Immortal Sect, the Loose Immortal Alliance was a minor power, but to the Tao Family of Hann Mountain, it was a Major Influence they could not afford to offend.

"As for the two remaining spots, as long as my Tao Family’s smuggling route to Kang Country exists, Fellow Daoist Wei can come to us to make arrangements at any time."

Tao Shisheng swore to Heaven, offering his guarantee.

A smuggling route was a matter of utmost importance. The slightest mistake could lead to the annihilation of an entire clan.

For this reason, the Tao Family of Hann Mountain had not signed a Spirit Contract with Wei Tu over this matter, which would have left them vulnerable.

Therefore, it was quite necessary for him to swear an oath to Wei Tu now as a guarantee.

’The other two spots?’ A thought stirred in Wei Tu’s mind as his gaze drifted to the distance.

Fu Zhizhou had gone his own separate way.

As for the remaining Weii Fei and Kou Hongying, they had their own families and Sects and couldn’t easily slip away to be smuggled into Kang Country.

He had no idea when he would ever use these last two spots.

...

After receiving Wei Yan’s letter, Wei Tu no longer had any reason to linger with the Tao Family of Hann Mountain.

’Now that my family has been sent away, I have no more worries tying me to Zheng Country. It’s time to focus all my efforts on my Cultivation and break through to the Golden Core stage.’

Returning to Yunyan Residence, Wei Tu began to take stock of his belongings in preparation for Core Formation.

His Cultivation had already reached the Great Success level of the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment. It was only a matter of time before he reached the Peak of Foundation Establishment.

With the help of Elixirs, this time could be cut in half.

Therefore, at this point, it was indeed time to prepare for Core Formation.

A few hours later, Wei Tu had finished inventorying all of his possessions.

He had seventeen thousand Spirit Stones left.

He had over two hundred Tier Two Talismans: more than thirty were Lower Grade, over fifty were Middle Grade, and the rest were Upper-Grade Talismans.

’As for Magical Artifacts, Alchemist Shu has been dead for nearly twenty years. Aside from his signature Magical Artifact, some of the Low-Tier Magical Artifacts he carried can be sold off as needed...’

Wei Tu mused.

During the time it would take to push his Cultivation to the Peak of Foundation Establishment, he planned to not only buy Elixirs to boost his Cultivation, but also to do his utmost to collect Body Refining Treasures. He would use them to condense the third Blood Pill for his Hundred Veins Blood Refining Spell.

...

For his Core Formation preparations, Wei Tu’s first choices for trade were two channels: Jingshui Pavilion, where Kou Hongying was, and the reputable Jiuyun Commerce Association.

As for the official channels of the Loose Immortal Alliance, Wei Tu didn’t intend to use them. After all, he couldn’t reveal his current rate of Cultivation progress just yet.

The Red River Mountain Marketplace was now one of the largest marketplaces in Zheng Country, so the Jiuyun Commerce Association had naturally opened a branch there.

Wei Tu was a decisive man of action. Having made his decision, he didn’t hesitate and immediately set off for the Jiuyun Commerce Association’s branch on Red River Mountain.

This time, the Cultivator who received Wei Tu was a Shopkeeper from the Jiuyun Commerce Association with the surname "Ji."

"Fellow Daoist Wei wishes to collect Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for Body Refining? That’s no easy task."

"After so many years of the Great War of Righteous and Demons, the Spiritual Objects within Zheng Country have not only skyrocketed in price but have also become increasingly scarce."