Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

"If Fellow Daoist Wei had come a few decades earlier, things would be completely different."

After hearing the purpose of Wei Tu’s visit, Shopkeeper Ji took a sip of Spirit Tea. He shook his head back and forth like a rattle drum and said with a troubled expression,

Fearing Wei Tu wouldn’t believe him, he added, "Fellow Daoist Wei, are you familiar with hoarding and profiteering? Under normal circumstances, ten lots of goods might sell to ten different buyers. But since the Great War of Righteous and Demons began, not only is the consumption of Spiritual Objects increasing by the day, but countless Cultivators are also hoarding supplies..."

"In other words, those same ten lots of goods can now be sold to at most three buyers. Sometimes, even just one."

"All the other goods have been hoarded by major influences like sects, clans, and commerce associations."

Hearing this, Wei Tu nodded to himself, not doubting Shopkeeper Ji’s words.

He was a case in point. If it weren’t for the chaos caused by the Great War of Righteous and Demons, he wouldn’t be preparing for Core Formation this early.

He probably would have put it off for several decades.

Now that chaotic times had arrived, most Cultivators were not misers; they would all do their utmost to enhance their strength.

Thus, over time, the balance of supply and demand in Zheng Country was naturally thrown off.

However, Wei Tu also understood that Shopkeeper Ji’s main goal with this speech was to sell the Body Refining Treasure he needed for a high price.

"So, from what you’re saying, does this mean the Jiuyun Commerce Association has a Body Refining Treasure?" Wei Tu asked, cupping his hands respectfully. A sincere look appeared on his face. "Please, Shopkeeper Ji, name your price. As long as it’s reasonable, I have the means to pay."

To his surprise, Shopkeeper Ji simply shook his head instead of naming a price.

He said, "If Fellow Daoist Wei were purchasing other Spiritual Objects, you could still pay with Spirit Stones. But for a Body Refining Treasure... that’s a different story."

"I’m sure Fellow Daoist Wei understands what a huge advantage having a powerful physique from Body Refining is on the battlefield."

"Then what are you implying, Shopkeeper Ji?" Wei Tu asked, taken aback. He couldn’t figure out what game the shopkeeper was playing.

"The Body Refining Treasure must be traded for Upper-Grade Talismans of equivalent value," Shopkeeper Ji said, taking a sip of tea and smiling slyly at Wei Tu.

The Jiuyun Commerce Association had long been coveting a Tier Two Upper-Grade Talisman Master like Wei Tu.

If Wei Tu hadn’t been conscripted to Chaning Cliff, they would have made a great effort to win over this former Tributor more than a decade ago.

At these words,

Wei Tu breathed a sigh of relief.

He had expected the Jiuyun Commerce Association to leverage this to make some harsh demands. He never imagined they simply didn’t want Spirit Stones, but preferred to barter the Body Refining Treasure for his Upper-Grade Talismans.

’Tier Two Upper-Grade Talismans might be difficult for others to obtain, but for me, it’s a simple matter.’

"Upper-Grade Talismans aren’t easy to create, and I don’t have many on hand," Wei Tu said, maintaining a low profile. He planned to part with them gradually.

Unlike Spirit Stones, Tier Two Upper-Grade Talismans were a strategic resource. If he offloaded too many at once, he would not only arouse suspicion but also make himself a target.

Over the years, Wei Tu had heard of fellow Talisman Masters being imprisoned by major influences and forced to serve as "Talisman Slaves," endlessly creating Talismans.

If it weren’t for his decent network of connections,

he might have suffered such a miserable fate himself.

「Several hours later.」

After trading forty Tier Two Talismans and supplementing the deal with a thousand Spirit Stones, Wei Tu received two portions of Body Refining Treasure from the Jiuyun Commerce Association.

As he received the Body Refining Treasures,

Wei Tu was privately astonished by the Jiuyun Commerce Association’s current strength.

Decades ago, Earth Dragon Flesh was something sold only at the Jiuyun Commerce Association’s underground auctions.

Yet now, a mere branch of the association could casually produce two portions of Body Refining Treasure.

A Quasi Golden Core Power

would have a hard time mustering such financial resources.

After leaving the Jiuyun Commerce Association, Wei Tu gave it some thought and decided to make some discreet inquiries.

A few days later, Wei Tu got the information he was looking for and learned the reason behind the Jiuyun Commerce Association’s rapid growth.

At the underground auction before last,

the Jiuyun Commerce Association had auctioned the Blood Slaughter Banner, which Queyue True Monarch of Jingshui Pavilion had seized on the battlefield.

Wei Tu had been there himself. He had witnessed the Blood Slaughter Banner, an Incomplete Treasure, fail to attract a single bid. The Jiuyun Commerce Association had taken a "huge loss" on it.

But sometimes a loss is a blessing in disguise.

Through this incident, the Jiuyun Commerce Association successfully curried favor with the powerful Queyue True Monarch.

More than a decade ago, on Queyue True Monarch’s recommendation, the head of the Jiuyun Commerce Association, Chai Ping, married Songg He—the son of the True Monarch’s younger brother, True Monarch Songg. She became his second wife, and in doing so, became family with Queyue True Monarch.

True Monarch Songg was a Golden Core True Monarch of the Supreme Profound Sect.

Thus, with the powerful backing of True Monarchs from two great Immortal Sects—the Supreme Profound Sect and Jingshui Pavilion—the Jiuyun Commerce Association found its opportunity to grow.

In a short time, it became one of the top ten major commerce associations in Zheng Country.

’Unstable foundations are bound to lead to disaster.’ Wei Tu wasn’t optimistic about Chai Ping’s future.

In fact, Wei Tu doubted that the Jiuyun Commerce Association was still being run by Chai Ping and its original leadership.

’Their lack of real power is a critical weakness.’

Wei Tu reckoned that the Jiuyun Commerce Association had likely become nothing more than a front for the two True Monarchs, Queyue and Songg.

’Still, this is a good thing for me,’ Wei Tu thought, his eyes glinting.

The old Jiuyun Commerce Association would never have had the resources to provide him with two portions of Body Refining Treasure.

...

「Three years later.」

「Red River Mountain Marketplace, Yunyan Residence.」

Bolstered by the two portions of Body Refining Treasure, Wei Tu’s Body Refining Cultivation achieved a breakthrough.

Inside the secret chamber, Wei Tu’s skin was flushed crimson. His blood, thick as slurry, gurgled as it flowed through his meridians.

This state continued for half a month before a change finally occurred.

A powerful suction suddenly emanated from Wei Tu’s Dantian, drawing in all the crimson light that suffused his body.

The crimson light converged, gradually condensing into a Blood Pill the size of a longan.

This longan-sized Blood Pill resonated with two other, egg-sized Blood Pills. The three gathered together, constantly circling within Wei Tu’s Dantian.

With each rotation, the longan-sized Blood Pill grew a fraction more brilliant and a fraction larger.