I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

"I'm just worried that the Purple Blood Demon Lord and the others will open the Dark Raven Secret Realm ahead of schedule..."

"Ahead of schedule? That's impossible. The Purple Blood Demon Lord has been guarding the Dark Crow Secret Realm for tens of thousands of years. It's impossible for him to suddenly make a move on the Dark Crow Secret Realm in the last thousand years."

As soon as these words were spoken, the voices inside the dark compass grew increasingly silent.

"It's time to go and greet that fellow Daoist. He's being hunted down by the Feathered Dragon Clan cultivators, and his situation is dire. Without our assistance, he'll likely be caught in their net..."

“He can kill Nascent Soul cultivators, but those Mahayana cultivators of the Feathered Dragon Clan are not easy to deal with.”

The bald old man muttered to himself, raised his finger and pointed, tearing through the void in front of him. Then, a dense black light emanated from his body, and in an instant, he disappeared from the desolate mountain.

……

Wei Tu, far away in the "Primordial Demon Source Realm," was unaware of Lou Boyang's tragic fate.

Eight years later, he successfully advanced to the late stage of the Void Refinement realm.

However, after his successful promotion, he did not end his reclusive life. He still rarely appeared in front of the Kui Dou Chamber of Commerce cultivators, giving them the impression that he was extremely busy with cultivation.

Of course, this is indeed the case.

After advancing to the "late stage of Void Refinement", he did not slack off in his cultivation. Instead, he continued to improve his cultivation with a diligent attitude.

Because of the "Dark Laws," he broke through the foundational "upper limit" of the Immortal Realm, making his foundation several times stronger than before... However, because of this foundation, he had to slow down his breakthrough speed considerably.

However, this was before he broke through to the seventh level of body refinement. After breaking through to the seventh level of body refinement, everything about him was comparable to that of a "fusion" level expert. For example, the most obvious thing was the efficiency of his cultivation technique and the breathing of spiritual energy.

Therefore, his current cultivation speed in the Immortal Realm is much faster than before he broke through to the "Seventh-Order Body Refinement" and before his foundation "upper limit" was raised.

Diligent practice can indeed lead to noticeable progress.

"After two cycles of sixty years, one should be able to reach the peak of the Refining Void realm in the Immortal Path..." Wei Tu made a specific judgment based on his own cultivation speed.

"But it's time to reveal my seventh-level body refinement realm."

Forty-three years later, when Gong Shulan knocked on his door to pay her respects with the fully repaired "Little Monkey Puppet," Wei Tu narrowed his eyes, took out the "Demon God's Blood Essence" to trade, and at the same time, this idea also sprouted in his mind.

He has now been based in "Tianyuan Holy City" for quite some time.

Under his subtle influence, many, including "natives of the Holy City" like Cai Xiaozhu, have come to know that he is working hard to break through to the Demon Lord realm...

Now, his appearance at the Demon Lord level still feels "abrupt," but it is more acceptable than when he first joined the "Kui Dou Merchant Guild" a hundred years ago.

Ultimately, the success of a Demon General in becoming a Demon Lord... aside from those of noble birth and contemporary heroes, would shock and even be hard for those around them to believe.

Compared to this.

He was actually considered "ordinary" among all the demon lords.

Secondly, the secluded cultivation grounds for breaking through to the "Fusion" stage are not as easy to find in this "Heavenly Abyss Holy City" as they were in the "Black Mist Swamp"—spatial secret realms similar to the "Lonely Spirit Mountain Secret Realm" are all the possessions of the various Demon Lords and Demon Ancestors, and are not easily lent out. Only those of equal strength can easily ask for them!
"Furthermore, it's about preparing for any potential counterattacks from 'Lord Pitying Centipede' in the future..."

Wei Tu's eyes flickered slightly as he thought to himself.

Certainly, he was confident that as the "pillar" of the Kui Dou Chamber of Commerce's alchemists, the Venerable Lianwu would have no way to deal with him.

However... if one could approach this matter from the perspective of a Demon Lord, one would undoubtedly have more leeway and a better grasp of the situation.

At the very least, it's impossible for Demon Lord Kuidou to abandon a fellow expert of the same level who comes from "one of their own" just for the sake of the so-called "friendship" of Demon Lord Lianwu.

……

Thinking of this.

Wei Tu wasted no more time. After hanging a "Seclusion" sign at the entrance of his cave, he secretly disguised himself and left "Tianyuan Holy City," flying away in a direction far from "Tianyuan Holy City."

His departure went unnoticed by others.

Firstly, his disguise technique was "exquisite." Apart from powerful individuals at the Demon Lord level who could see his "true" face, other ancient demons who were familiar with him would find it difficult to recognize him as "Master Kou Dan" even if they stood in front of him.

This was because he, as an outsider, had always kept a low profile in the "Heavenly Abyss Holy City," and apart from the matter of Gong Shulan, he had no opportunity to offend anyone...

Naturally, apart from the Demon Lord who happened to pass by taking a second look at his "clumsy" disguise, the other cultivators would not pay much attention to him.

time flies.

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Wei Tu, who had pretended to have advanced to the Demon Lord realm in the outside world, finally returned to "Tianyuan Holy City". He stood outside the gate of the Kui Dou Chamber of Commerce with his hands behind his back, a trace of vicissitudes appearing on his face.

"Master Kou Dan?" The two guards at the door looked puzzled, not quite understanding why Wei Tu would linger outside the Chamber of Commerce for so long without entering, and their expressions even carried a hint of emotion.

But soon, as their divine senses pierced through and touched the faint yet terrifying demonic pressure emanating from Wei Tu, their expressions changed drastically.

"Demon Lord?" The two guards exchanged a glance, their expressions immediately filled with surprise and uncertainty.

They had heard a little about Wei Tu's long period of seclusion in recent years, but even if they were beaten to death, they would find it hard to believe that in just a few decades, their former "peers" had become someone they could hardly look up to.

"Master Kou, we have overstepped our bounds..."

The next moment, the two realized that their probing of Wei Tu with their divine senses was a great disrespect to this powerful figure. Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads, and they quickly stepped forward to apologize.

"Master Kou... has advanced to the Demon Lord realm?"

A short while later, Cai Xiaozhu, having learned the news, also hurriedly came out from the backyard of the Chamber of Commerce. Her expression was very complicated, showing surprise, regret, but more than anything, disbelief.

Wei Tu was someone she was certain of, someone worth "hoarding like a rare commodity".

But... no matter how rare and valuable it is...

You also need to invest beforehand!

However, Wei Tu skipped this step entirely, becoming self-made and transforming himself into a dragon.

Fortunately, she treated Wei Tu with some courtesy and did him a lot of favors... Although these favors were far less than the investment in the breakthrough spirit item, she believed that with these prior "favors," she was no longer just an ordinary "passerby" in Wei Tu's eyes.

The "favor" bestowed upon the Demon Lord before his rise to power is priceless!

"That junior surnamed Kou... wasn't he a mid-stage Demon General cultivator? How could he suddenly advance to the Demon Lord realm?"

At the same moment, the Demon Lord of the Clan also flew out of his cave with a look of astonishment. He stopped his daughter, "Little Master Cai," and asked her in a telepathic message.

He had long since given up on the internal affairs of the chamber of commerce.

He only allowed his daughter, Consort Cai, and a few close confidants to do the work.

Therefore, one can imagine the shock he felt upon learning that a lowly alchemist under his command had suddenly become a "Demon Lord" at the same level as him.

"This matter..."

Consort Cai was speechless, unsure how to explain.

Bound by the "Oath of the Heavenly Demon," she found it difficult to tell the Demon Lord Kui Dou that she had discovered Wei Tu's immense potential by chance within the "Pitying Centipede Puppet Workshop"...

And—and for this very reason—a hundred years ago, she tricked the Demon Lord Kui Dou into giving her the breakthrough spirit item that would allow her to advance to the Demon Lord rank, intending to give it to Wei Tu as a "dowry" to bind Wei Tu to death.

But that's precisely why she was too ashamed to speak up.

In this matter, deceiving the Demon Lord of the Dipper was not a big mistake; the mistake was her "misjudgment"!
Admittedly, even without her gift of a breakthrough item, Wei Tu could still break through to the Demon Lord realm, but... which cultivator would complain about having too many of these "breakthrough items"?
Each additional item increases the chances of a breakthrough.

"Master Kou Dan had already begun preparations to break through to the Demon Lord realm a hundred years ago... but I thought the chances of success were slim, so I didn't tell Father..."

After hesitating for a moment, Consort Cai offered this explanation with difficulty.

"You already knew about his breakthrough?"

Upon hearing this, the Demon Lord Kuidou's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he looked at his beloved daughter with a slightly sinister gaze.

"The chances of success are slim?"

The Demon Lord of the Dipper asked in a cold voice.

As the Demon Lord and the ruler of the Kui Dou Merchant Guild, he most hated and feared the occurrence of things beyond his control.

Consort Cai, unfortunately, violated this taboo.

However, she is, after all, his daughter, and she has worked hard in managing the Chamber of Commerce over the years.

Therefore, after taking a deep breath, the Demon Lord of the Dipper's expression returned to calm, no longer as cold and gloomy as before.

"Now, I only have one question. What exactly is your relationship with this Master Kou?"

"The Demon Lord of the Dipper asked in a deep voice."

Upon hearing this, Cai Xiaozhu, who had been under immense pressure, immediately felt relieved and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"To be honest, Father, I... am quite close to this Alchemist Kou. When I learned that he was preparing to break through to the Demon Lord realm... I even considered investing in him with the breakthrough spiritual items I had..."

Consort Cai lowered her head slightly and spoke the truth without any lies.

"So you're considered one of us now?"

The Demon Lord of the Dipper raised his eyes, glanced at Cai Xiaozhu, and his tense expression relaxed considerably.

Giving a male cultivator a "breakthrough spiritual item" might seem "out of line," but... since Wei Tu has already proven himself by breaking through to the Demon Lord realm, this outrageous act isn't too outrageous.

However, the only drawback is that Miss Cai did not actually give away this "breakthrough spiritual item".

However, since the relationship has already been established, proving that Wei Tu is "one of us," that is enough.

The feelings and other investments that follow can be taken slowly; there's no need to rush.

"It's one of our own."

Seeing that the Demon Lord of the Dipper had "fallen for it," Cai Xiaozhu immediately confirmed it with an extremely confident tone.

She and Wei Tu have a good relationship, but it's far from being a case of "both parties having feelings for each other."

Sending a spirit item that allows you to advance to the next level...

It was an idea that had always existed in her mind.

However, she didn't mind "borrowing" power from Wei Tu to regain the trust and respect of the Demon Lord Kui Dou!
Among the ancient demons with long lifespans, kinship is often a "luxury." Unlike mortals, they do not devote themselves to cultivating the next generation and regard them as their "rebirth."

Once she makes a grave mistake, it's almost a certainty that the Demon Lord of the Dipper will raise other offspring to replace her.

……

"Master Kou..."

"No, Demon Lord Kou."

After a short while, Cai Xiaozhu and Kui Dou Mozun came out together and welcomed Wei Tu into the Kui Dou Chamber of Commerce.

When the two spoke, they no longer addressed Wei Tu as the common "alchemist," but instead used the more prestigious "Demon Lord."

"Senior Kui Dou, you are too kind. I am but a newcomer and do not deserve such treatment..."

However, Wei Tu took the initiative to "bow his head," showing great humility, and directly performed the junior's salute to the Demon Lord Kui Dou.

See this scene.

The Demon Lord of the Dipper subconsciously glanced at his daughter, nodded secretly, and unconsciously developed a greater appreciation for Wei Tu.

Although the newly promoted Demon Lord is not as formidable as a veteran Demon Lord in the "mid-stage Demon Lord" realm, given that Wei Tu is one of his own, he is naturally worthy of being courted and curried favor with.

"I have been in seclusion for many years, but I never expected that I would hear the good news of Fellow Daoist Kou's advancement to Demon Lord as soon as I emerged from seclusion..."

The Demon Lord of the Dipper said with a smile.

Although the term "fellow Daoist" is not used much in the "Primordial Demon Source Realm," the Kui Dou Merchant Guild, which deals in "spirit slave business," is naturally not unfamiliar with this equal title.

Compared to the cold and hard tone of the title "Demon Lord," the term "fellow Daoist" is clearly more likely to bring people closer together.

"This is all thanks to the Chamber of Commerce's help. If it weren't for Young Master Cai's strong support... I, Kou, would not have been able to achieve the Demon Lord realm in such a short time..."

People carry people in sedan chairs.

Since he had already decided to establish the "Kuidou Chamber of Commerce" as a base and take root in "Tianyuan Holy City," Wei Tu didn't mind praising Cai Xiaozhu at this moment.

"It seems that my daughter did not lie about her advancement to Demon Lord in this cultivation..." Upon hearing this, the observant Demon Lord Kui Dou's eyes flickered slightly, and he felt even more gratified.

However, after exchanging pleasantries...

The Demon Lord of the Dipper remained cautious and probed Wei Tu with words.

After all, as far as he knew, there were no unusual phenomena in the Heavenly Abyss Holy City during this period, unlike when the Demon General broke through to the Demon Lord.

Secondly, he was also curious about how Wei Tu, as a "rogue cultivator," had accumulated enough foundation to break through to the Demon Lord level.

And to this.

Having prepared in advance, Wei Tu's answer was naturally watertight.

He wasted ten years of his cultivation time and disguised himself to leave "Tianyuan Holy City" so that he would not make the slightest mistake when facing such questioning.

As for obtaining "breakthrough spirit items", this is not difficult to explain.

He slightly altered his account of the "Dinghai Immortal Ruins" experience, omitting key information, and it became a decent answer.

As far as he knew, there were quite a few "high-level secret realms" like Dinghai Immortal Ruins, whether in the "Primordial Demon Source Realm" or the other "Five Minor Realms".

That's why.

The Demon Lord of the Dipper nodded in relief, acknowledging Wei Tu's answer.

Although he had never heard of the "secret realm" mentioned by Wei Tu, it was normal for a demon lord like him to have a secret realm he had never heard of in such a vast world, and there was no need to doubt it too much.

The Demon Lord realm is indeed the domain of powerful figures.

But compared to the vastness of heaven and earth, it is still far too boundless. (End of Chapter)