Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

Otherwise, the cultivators of the Loose Immortal Alliance would lose heart.

"Even if Wei Tu is not a cultivator of the Loose Immortal Alliance, but from another power, as long as he bears us no ill will, our Alliance still has the duty to act as his Protective Daoist..." a Golden Core True Monarch said with a hearty laugh.

...

Breaking through to the Golden Core Realm.

It was not something that happened in a moment.

At its shortest, it would take seven or eight days; at its longest, three or four months.

Therefore, while Wei Tu was still in seclusion, the news of his breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm spread rapidly from the Red River Mountain Marketplace.

For a time, the world was in an uproar.

"Regret!" At the Hee Mountain Huang Family, Clan Leader Huang Changshun sat stunned on the main seat in the Clan Affairs Hall after hearing the news. After a long time, he finally uttered this one word.

Back then, he had been certain that Wei Tu would never form a Golden Core in his lifetime. So, in order to recruit Alchemist Shu as a Tributor, he had made things difficult for Wei Tu in every possible way.

Now, Wei Tu’s Core Formation was imminent. Even if he ultimately failed, he would still become a Fake Pill True Monarch.

A Fake Pill True Monarch who was also a Tier Two Upper-Grade Talisman Master harboring ill will toward the Hee Mountain Huang Family—Huang Changshun could not imagine what a disaster that would be.

’Wei Tu? He’s breaking through to the Golden Core Realm? Could it be that he took Junior Sister Si’s Illusion Crystal Bag, and that’s how he evaded Huang Xinglie’s detection?’

Far away in Jing Country, Left Envoy Liu once again directed his suspicions about "Si Qing’s Dao Fall" toward Wei Tu, who was in the middle of his Core Formation.

However, unlike last time, Left Envoy Liu was now almost certain that Wei Tu was the one who had murdered Si Qing.

Only this could explain why Wei Tu’s cultivation had progressed so rapidly after leaving the Yunze Secret Realm, and why he now had the confidence to attempt a breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm.

’With cultivators from the Loose Immortal Alliance acting as his Protective Daoists, the price for us Demon Cultivators to stop his Core Formation is too great. Besides... it would also risk leaking the news about the Nanhua Sect’s Inheritance Treasure...’

A worried expression crossed Left Envoy Liu’s face.

’In another twenty years, the Five Demonic Sects will gather their full strength to invade Zheng Country. At that time, the True Monarchs of my Celestial Maiden Sect... can seize the opportunity to capture Wei Tu and force him to reveal what happened in the Secret Realm all those years ago.’

A glint appeared in Left Envoy Liu’s eyes. He had quickly thought of an opportunity to make a move against Wei Tu.

In twenty years, the Five Demonic Sects would have completely digested all their gains from the invasion of Jing Country.

By then, the Five Demonic Sects confronting Zheng Country would be even more powerful than the one Jing Country had faced a century ago.

...

「Meanwhile, inside Qiyue Mountain.」

’Third Brother is about to form his Golden Core?’

A complicated expression appeared on Fu Zhizhou’s face as he walked through the Zhao Clan Territory and heard the news.

"Hehehe, he’s about to break through to the Golden Core Realm. And you? When are you going to break through? Your cultivation is still at the Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment?"

"Where’s that flair you used to have? Flicking your sleeves and leaving the Yee Society gathering—how utterly satisfying that was."

Just then, a demonic-sounding voice abruptly appeared in Fu Zhizhou’s mind.

At the same time, a bizarre, dark red marking the width of a thumb appeared on Fu Zhizhou’s neck.

The bizarre marking, like a living thing, slowly crept up his neck toward his face.

"Shut up!" Fu Zhizhou grunted, circulating his cultivation technique to suppress the Demonic Sound in his mind.

"Fuse with me. Borrow my power, and just like him, you can easily break through to the Golden Core Realm..."

As he suppressed it, the Demonic Sound in Fu Zhizhou’s mind gradually weakened. But even as it faded, it continued to tempt him.

When the Demonic Sound became almost inaudible, it finally stopped its temptations. It changed its tune and cursed, "If I hadn’t fallen, and if you weren’t the only decent Physical Body nearby, do you think I would have ever chosen a cold-hearted wretch like you?"

Fu Zhizhou was not the only cultivator in Qiyue Mountain to receive the news of Wei Tu’s Core Formation.

’After more than forty years... to think he’s also about to form his Golden Core.’

A young woman in a moon-white dress silently gazed at the Jade Talisman in her palm, a trace of longing in her eyes.

This young woman in the white dress was none other than Zhao Qingluo, who had successfully achieved her Golden Core a few years prior.