I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

However, Qian Ying'er didn't take it to heart when she heard this. Wei Tu was new to the area, and his trust and affection for the 'remnants of the Zichen Realm' far exceeded that for her, a 'stranger'.

On the contrary, Wei Tu's current display of 'nostalgia' made her feel even more certain that she hadn't misjudged him.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, do you perhaps think that what I just said was a lie? Now that we are one family, why bother with the word 'accommodation'?"

Qian Ying'er shook her head slightly and said reproachfully.

At this point, she paused for a moment, then pointed her fingers and sent out a talisman.

A few breaths later, from the depths of Longyan Immortal City, a blinding golden light suddenly rose up, like lightning from beyond the sky, accompanied by a sharp explosion that tore through the air, and arrived in front of Wei Tu.

"Your subordinate greets the Princess."

As the light faded, a middle-aged cultivator wearing silver armor and a dragon-headed helmet emerged from within the golden light. He exuded a powerful aura and glanced at Wei Tu before respectfully bowing to Qian Ying'er.

"Hidden Dragon Guards?" Wei Tu raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding why Qian Ying'er would suddenly summon these hidden guards of the Feather Dragon Clan, who were known as protectors of the Feather Dragon Clan, at this moment.

"Could it be..."

But soon, he realized his unusual identity and began to have some guesses.

With Zi Chi Jun, a fellow townsman and a Mahayana practitioner, present.

His current status is basically equivalent to that of an ordinary prince or princess within the Feathered Dragon Clan.

Otherwise, Prince Yin would not have been so polite to him.

Therefore, it is unlikely that the Feathered Dragon Clan would treat him like a criminal and directly "imprison" him.

The excuse of "protector" is undoubtedly perfect, as it can both show the Feathered Dragon Clan's high regard for him and allow them to reasonably monitor his every word and action.

"Uncle Thirty-Two, I'll be relying on you from now on."

Qian Ying'er nodded, and as Wei Tu had expected, she gave the Hidden Dragon Guard in front of her the order to protect him.

"Hidden Dragon Guards at the Integration Realm are standard equipment for our princes and princesses. Fellow Daoist Lin is now considered a member of my Feather Dragon Clan, and a descendant of Lord Zi Chi... He should rightfully receive this treatment."

"Uncle Thirty-Two is an elite member of the Hidden Dragon Guard, a peak mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. With him around, unless a Mahayana cultivator intervenes, no one in the Spirit Realm should be able to threaten Fellow Daoist Lin's life..."

"Secondly, with Uncle Thirty-Two here, Fellow Daoist Lin will not be hindered from going to the Dark Dragon Domain."

"However, for the sake of Fellow Daoist Lin's future, it is not advisable for Fellow Daoist Lin to spend too much time with Fellow Daoist He and the others..." Qian Ying'er glanced at Wei Tu with her beautiful eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then added this reminder.

After that, Qian Ying'er didn't offer any further explanation. She believed that with Wei Tu's intelligence, he should be able to understand the meaning behind her words.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically mentioned the word "accommodation" when requesting a meeting.

They are all thousand-year-old foxes.

Perhaps it's a weakness in some areas.

But it's by no means stupid.

She can give you a few pointers, and that will suffice.

"I understand this matter. I thank the Great Princess for her guidance."

Wei Tu nodded, and as he looked up at Qian Ying'er, a hint of gratitude appeared in his eyes.

Benefits and status can be easily promised by Princess Qian Ying'er.

But only this "truthful statement" truly represents that this woman is willing to consider him a confidant.

He wouldn't be so foolish as to not even bother offering emotional support at this moment.

"You should first go with Uncle Thirty-Two to the Dark Dragon Domain to see Fellow Daoist He... After this matter is over, I will take you to Immortal Dragon City to meet Lord Purple Dragon..."

Seeing this, Qian Ying'er's face immediately showed a hint of satisfaction. She flicked her jade sleeve, left those words, and then soared into the air, disappearing outside the Dragon Blood Palace, leaving only a wisp of fragrant breeze behind.

But at this moment, Wei Tu also saw that Qian Ying'er's rosy cheeks, hidden by the veil, not only showed more satisfaction, but also regained their previous indifference and aloofness.

The "gentleness" of the touch I had just used on his hands had completely vanished.

It was as if everything before had been a dream.

"The art of managing people?"

Wei Tu suddenly realized what was happening and breathed a huge sigh of relief.

After all, ordinary transactions involving mutual interests are much easier to resolve than marriage alliances. Such politicians are never lacking in rationality; they are not swayed by other factors when making decisions.

……

"My surname is Qian and my given name is Jing. Fellow Daoist Lin, you don't need to address me as Uncle Thirty-Two like the Great Princess did..."

"You can call me Fellow Daoist Jing."

After the Great Princess left, the taciturn Hidden Dragon Guard did not immediately take Wei Tu to the Dark Dragon Domain, where the remnants of the Purple Chen Realm were 'imprisoned'. Instead, he spoke these words in a cold and hard tone.

"Fellow Daoist Jing."

Wei Tu was not surprised. He bowed with a calm expression, seemingly unaware of the hidden hostility in the cultivator's expression.

The reason why Prince Yin and the Grand Princess have "goodwill" towards him is because they are vying for the next Dragon King's throne. Winning him over would be more beneficial than harmful.

However, when it comes to the Hidden Dragon Guards, or even individuals within the Feathered Dragon Clan, they don't analyze so many pros and cons.

They will only act according to their own preferences.

And precisely... the "refusal to assimilate" of the remnants of the Purple Palace Realm is the most unbearable thing for the Feathered Dragon Clan, a race that values ​​bloodlines.

With little say and actions that made him disliked by the Feathered Dragon Clan cultivators, it was natural that this "newcomer" among the remnants of the Purple Palace Realm was easily targeted.

This was a "bitter consequence" that came with the benefits he received from the remnants of the Zichen Realm.

"However, the reason why I arranged for Qian Jing to be my protector is probably more due to the 'art of controlling people'..."

"I wonder whether this arrangement came from that Mahayana phantom or from the Great Princess herself..."

Wei Tu's mind raced as he pondered.

In fact, this arrangement is quite ingenious.

A powerful being like him, who has grown up to be a fusion master, cannot be cultivated to be loyal according to the logic of "born into the family". The best way is to isolate him as much as possible, so that his only way of obtaining resources is "to benevolent to his superiors"... thereby constantly forming an alliance of interests with his lord, either actively or passively.

Qian Jing is a pawn in this strategy.

In other words.

That Mahayana phantom, or the Great Princess, preferred him to be close to her own lineage rather than the entire Feathered Dragon Clan.

"If I am like this, then that Purple Dragon Lord must also be a lone minister within the Feather Dragon Clan." Wei Tu shook his head secretly, having some understanding and personal experience of the 'desolation' of the Purple Chen Realm's survivors after losing their homes.

Fortunately-

Unlike the isolated and helpless survivors of the Purple Palace Realm who were forced to "integrate" with the Feathered Dragon Clan, this native of the Spirit Realm had the support of the human race behind him.

The Feathered Dragon Clan is only a temporary refuge.

After the name was changed.

The Hidden Dragon Guard named Qian Jing said nothing more, tossed Wei Tu a token for entering and exiting the 'Dark Dragon Domain', and then began to fulfill his duty as a protector: concealing himself in the void and closely following behind Wei Tu. He would not appear unless Wei Tu was in mortal danger.

"His aura is completely concealed. It's reached a point where it's difficult for ordinary cultivators to detect."

Wei Tu was secretly shocked, and once again gained a clear understanding of the vast resources of the Feathered Dragon Clan.

He did not know the exact number of Hidden Dragon Guards.

But he knew exactly how much resources it would take to train such a powerful guard team, specifically responsible for protecting the princes and princesses.

"A corner of the Heavenly Palace is nothing more than this."

Wei Tu thought to himself.

Having ascended to the Spirit Realm for so many years, he seemed to be thriving and his cultivation level had greatly improved, but in reality, he had always been lingering at the bottom of the Spirit Realm... He had only encountered the Great Princess and others in the Dragon Refining Sea at Dinghai Immortal Ruins, but it was just a fleeting glimpse before he hurriedly fled for his life, and he had no chance to know the daily life and specific environment of these "second-generation immortals".

Now, thanks to the "generous gifts" from the Great Princess, I have finally come into contact with the social class of these nobles.

"Compared to the Feathered Dragon Clan, even those at the Integration Realm are pitifully insignificant. While not quite as small as ants, easily destroyed with a flick of the finger, they are no different from stray dogs on the roadside..."

Wei Tu took a deep breath and completely suppressed the restlessness he had developed during this period of breaking through to the seventh level in both realms.

Qian Jing, who was hidden in the void, was unaware of Wei Tu's changing state of mind. However, when he saw the thoughtful look on Wei Tu's face, his own expression became more serious.

"The second Purple Dragon Lord..."

He frowned slightly, recalling the memories of how Zi Chi Jun had transformed from his peer to his senior.

The two people do not look alike.

But they have similar personalities.

They are all people who like to take a half-step and think things through.

Just a few days ago, the Dragon Lord's evaluation of Wei Tu was exactly the same: a second Zi Chi Lord with the potential to attain Mahayana enlightenment.

……

Strictly speaking, the Dark Dragon Domain isn't exactly a "prison." At least, it wasn't always like that.

It is the location of the "spatial node" between the Spirit Realm and the Zi Chen Realm, and it is also the first place that Zi Chi Jun and other descendants of the Zi Chen Realm arrived at when they came to the Spirit Realm.

However... after some of the survivors broke the agreement, severed their dragon bloodline, and returned to this place, it gradually became a prison for the survivors of the Purple Palace Realm by the Feathered Dragon Clan.

"The Feathered Dragon Clan did not blame us, but it is not appropriate for outsiders to know about our existence... That is why they set up a barrier around us to prevent us from entering or leaving without permission."

"...With that being there, we can come out whenever we want."

Half a day later, Wei Tu returned to the Dark Dragon Domain and learned from the scholar-robed man and others the whole story of how the remnants of the Purple Palace Realm were imprisoned by the Feather Dragon Clan.

He had no doubt about it.

If the Feathered Dragon Clan truly wanted to go to extremes, the cultivation levels of the scholar-robed man and others wouldn't have remained at their original levels for so many years...

It was impossible for the Great Princess Qian Ying'er to single-handedly venture into the Dark Dragon Domain and directly bathe him in dragon blood.

Clearly, the Feathered Dragon Clan and the remnants of the Purple Palace Realm have reached a tacit understanding that is not explicitly stated by either side.

"Lord Zichi, are you good or evil?"

Wei Tu asked the question he had most wanted to ask when he left the Dark Dragon Domain a few months ago.

This Zi Chi Jun, whom the Confucian man referred to as "that person," was undoubtedly a traitor who betrayed the people of the Zi Chen Realm.

There may be many unavoidable reasons behind this.

But Wei Tu, as an "outsider," didn't want to concern himself with so many grudges and affections. He only wanted to know whether his meeting with this Zi Chi Jun was a disadvantage or an advantage.

—Although the attitudes of Prince Yin, the Great Princess, and others have already proven that Zi Chi Jun is a huge backer behind him.

But... human nature is unpredictable.

Therefore, his question was more of a inquiry to the scholar-robed man about whether Zi Chi Jun was trustworthy and could be a reliable figure within the Feathered Dragon Clan.

"he……"

Upon hearing this, the man in the scholar's robe remained silent for a moment before carefully choosing his words and replying:
"He and we are simply on different paths. He helps those of us in the same realm whenever he can. The fact that we can sit here waiting to die is also thanks to his help from the Feathered Dragon Clan."

However, before the man in the Confucian robe could finish speaking, the hunchbacked old man named Lin Yongsi, who was nominally Wei Tu's ancestor, spoke up directly, saying in plain language with a chuckle:

“Zi Chi Jun is his nephew. His nephew doesn’t listen to what he says. This old scholar just lost face… If you need anything, just go to Zi Chi Jun. He is still someone you can trust.”

"Before his mother was pregnant and gave birth to him, she suffered a demonic injury, which caused him to be deficient in his essence after birth. It was your great-grandmother... who is my Daoist partner and his Daoist partner, and several of their Daoist partners, who used their essence and blood to stimulate milk production and feed him."

"He has to call your great-grandmother 'godmother'."

"He has no choice but to repay this debt of gratitude for being born and raised."

The hunchbacked old man spat out a "Pah!"

Hearing this, Wei Tu, despite his worries, breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had been given a reassurance.

It's just that he's overthinking things.

These survivors of the Zichen Realm, who survived the "demonic calamity" and successfully escaped to the Spirit Realm, are fundamentally different from cultivators raised in a "normal environment"... There is less treachery and the survival of the fittest. Instead, there is more mutual help and support among them.

Perhaps there were selfish cultivators, but under the "demonic calamity," most of them perished.

It was through mutual assistance that these people had a glimmer of hope and successfully escaped to the spirit world.

However, for safety reasons, he turned his attention to the more authoritative scholar in the Confucian robe. After all, one-sided listening could lead to ignorance, and since it involved his life and future, he needed to be more cautious.

“Brother Yongsi is right. That person did indeed receive great kindness from your families before he was born…”

The man in the scholar's robe nodded slightly in affirmation.

As soon as these words fell.

Wei Tu breathed a sigh of relief.

This relationship is already very close. Closer than some blood relatives.

Because as long as one has wealth and power, offspring are not such a rare thing. And... this kindness of nurturing is no less than the kindness of saving one's life and giving birth to another.

As long as Zi Chi Jun still wants to hang out with the Feather Dragon Clan.

It is impossible not to repay this old kindness.

"This kindness is a gift from our ancestors to us... If we have the opportunity, we will never forget to repay them."

After a moment's thought, Wei Tu solemnly promised.

He still vividly remembered the tragic fate of the twelve Dong families in the Purple Palace Realm, especially the Lin family.

Previously, he was too lazy to help, after all, there were far too many tragedies like this in the cultivation world, and he couldn't save them all, and it would also bring unnecessary danger to himself.

But now, by chance, he has benefited from the legacy of these people from the Purple Palace Realm... so he wouldn't mind helping their descendants after returning to the Purple Palace Realm.

Upon hearing this, the hunchbacked old man smiled wryly and secretly shook his head. He did not know that Wei Tu was not a descendant of the Lin family, and he only took it as a sign of goodwill from a younger generation of the family to his ancestor.

But after laughing...

He seemed to have thought of something, and sighed softly:

"It's good that you meant well."

"After we old folks pass away, it would be good if you young ones could give birth to a few more children for the Zi Chen Realm. Remember, change your surname after giving birth... consider it helping to continue the lineage..."

“Oh, right, there’s no need for Scholar He. He’s the head of a sect, just remember to inherit his lineage. Although… his nephew has already inherited most of that lineage,” the hunchbacked old man joked.

"Taoism?"

"May I ask what lineage you have cultivated, senior?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu couldn't help but glance at the man in the Confucian robe with surprise. After all, the other survivors of the Zi Chen Realm all belonged to one family and one surname, but this cultivator had become a lineage, which seemed rather unusual.

"Taoism?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of reminiscence flickered in the scholar's eyes, as if he were recalling the days when he dominated the Purple Palace Realm.

"I am He Sanyao, the unworthy one, the leader of the Nanhua Sect!"

The man in the scholar's robe rose and bowed to Wei Tu. (End of Chapter)