I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

"The 'Secret Scripture of the Spirit Zombie' that I hid in the underground palace... you must have taken it."

“Back then, when I placed this secret scripture in the underground palace, I already had the intention of finding a successor. It’s just a pity that, due to unforeseen circumstances, you and I have formed a certain enmity… However, my words still stand. Hand over the secret treasure passed down by Fairy Xuanling, and all past grievances will be wiped clean. I can still regard you as my disciple!”

The Purple-Faced Hermit continued speaking slowly.

At that moment, he couldn't help but think to himself, "What a pity."

In fact, he also greatly admired Wei Tu.

A thousand years ago, when Wei Tu stole the 'Toad Water Corpse' deep in the underground palace, he noticed Wei Tu. At that time, although he had malicious intentions, he also had some plans to take him as a disciple... However, due to the limitations of the 'human realm rules', he could not 'revive', so the matter was put aside.

After all, he was sealed in the human realm as the foundation and backup of the human race, and it was impossible for him to ruin important matters because of a junior like Wei Tu.

More than 500 years ago—before his master, Iron Head Monk, lost his mind, he was 'resurrected' as a member of the human race and had considered finding Wei Tu and taking him as his disciple.

However, that slight admiration ultimately couldn't outweigh his covetousness for the Mahayana inheritance treasure that Wei Tu possessed after communicating with the human race's higher-ups and learning about Wei Tu's situation...

Subsequently, he went on to exterminate the Great Snow Mountain Sect, Sword Fire Palace, Holy Buddha Temple, and other sects, and pursue Luqiu Qingfeng, among others, thus becoming an enemy of Wei Tu.

Otherwise, at this moment, when he meets Wei Tu, they would not be 'enemies' but rather seniors who have a 'teacher's grace' between them.

However, the Purple-Faced Hermit didn't seem to regret it much.

The great opportunities contained in the Mahayana tradition are enough to turn fathers and sons into enemies and husbands and wives into estrangement!

Let alone Wei Tu, a junior in the human realm, he would probably harm even his closest relatives!
Because after achieving Mahayana enlightenment, one attains true immortality, enough to live for countless lifetimes, rather than the 'pseudo-immortality' of being trapped in a tomb for hundreds of thousands of years and sealed away.

……

"It seems that in the eyes of the human race's higher-ups, Fairy Xuanling is indeed dead. Whether she faked her death is still unknown. But at least we can rule out the possibility that she faked her death to escape the world and secretly colluded with the human race's higher-ups."

"In other words, even if Fairy Xuanling is up to no good in the Venerable King's Palace, I am only facing Fairy Xuanling alone, not the entire human race."

After hearing what the Purple-Faced Hermit said, Wei Tu, who was facing a formidable enemy, had a different thought and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

After escaping from the human race, he had a premonition that he would be hunted down by some treacherous high-ranking human figures because of the Xuanling Fairy's Mahayana inheritance...

But this is a 'premonition,' not a certainty.

Because, in his eyes, the Mysterious Fairy is shrouded in mystery regarding her life and death.

Now, even the disciple of the Iron-Headed Monk, the Purple-Faced Hermit, believes that Fairy Xuanling is dead and has begun to seize the Mahayana inheritance she possesses without any scruples... Therefore, the credibility of Fairy Xuanling's death and dissipation has suddenly become extremely high.

Compared to the Purple-Faced Hermit's 'Combined Cultivation'...

In his eyes, the Great Ascension Immortal, Xuanling Fairy, whose fate was uncertain, was even more threatening!

"However, before we make a move, there is one more thing that needs to be confirmed by Ci Xiu."

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

next moment.

A look of hesitation appeared on his face, as if he was really considering whether to agree to the Purple-Faced Hermit's request and hand over the Mahayana inheritance treasures and resources in his possession.

“Senior Ling Jiang is a direct disciple of the Mahayana lineage of my human race, and I trust his reputation… However, since Senior Ling Jiang is on good terms with the Ming family… this is something I cannot help but be wary of…”

Wei Tu took a deep breath, his voice full of hesitation.

As soon as these words fell.

A hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the purple-faced hermit, as if he couldn't believe that Wei Tu really intended to make peace with him after hearing his words.

Just now, although his words were intended to persuade Wei Tu to surrender, at the core, they were still expressions of 'arrogance' towards Wei Tu's strength. He believed that Wei Tu, a mere junior, could hardly cause any trouble under his control.

also--

Tens of thousands of years of 'slumber' had left him feeling quite lonely.

Although the human realm is vast, with billions of living beings, to him, these people are nothing more than weeds. In the entire human realm, only Wei Tu is truly qualified to speak to him on equal footing.

That's why I seemed a bit talkative just now.

"Is he cheating, or is he afraid of my strength?" The Purple-Faced Hermit gave Wei Tu a deep look, his mind racing as he pondered this question.

"The Ming family's relationship with me is only so-so. If you were to surrender to me, I would personally step in and help you make peace. At the very least, the Ming family would still give me this small favor."

"The purple-faced hermit replied casually."

"The interests of the human race's high-ranking members are intertwined. I, Wei, am an ascended cultivator, not belonging to any particular faction. Even if Senior Spirit Zombie is willing to protect me, I'm afraid I will find it difficult to obtain a high position within the human race..."

"If you, senior, are also an ascended cultivator from my mortal realm, then I, Wei, will truly have someone to rely on."

Wei Tu narrowed his eyes and sighed.

The implication of his words seemed to be that he genuinely intended to seek refuge with the Purple-Faced Hermit and make plans to return to the human race.

But a pity.

In the instant these words were spoken.

The shrewd and experienced Purple-Faced Hermit quickly realized what was going on. His face turned cold, and he sneered, "Junior, I knew you were dishonest and not someone to be trifled with. I never imagined you would actually try to... trick me into revealing information."

Whether or not one is an ascended cultivator has little impact on the battle situation, but it can greatly deter Wei Tu, who is unaware of his background.

Purple-Faced Hermit could easily figure this out.

With a cold laugh, the purple-faced hermit flicked his sleeve, and a dozen or so beams of spiritual light instantly flew out from his sleeve, transforming in the air into hideous corpses that extended their sharp claws and shot towards Wei Tu in the distance.

These refined corpses had similar auras to the refined corpses Wei Tu had seen in the 'Underground Palace' of the Corpse-Sinking Evil Land, but their cultivation levels were exceptionally high, all above the sixth-grade upper level.

What's even more terrifying is that after these dozen or so sixth-order refined corpses were summoned by the Purple-Faced Hermit, their auras actually condensed together, and the baleful aura on their surfaces reached the level of fusion in an instant.

See this scene.

Wei Tu's expression hardened slightly. He tapped his toes and retreated rapidly, not intending to take the attack head-on.

But at that very moment, the speed of these dozen or so sixth-order refined corpses suddenly increased, and they merged into one in an instant, transforming into a flying zombie with red eyes, a blue face, and covered in white bristles. With a roar, it appeared in front of Wei Tu using the Instantaneous Movement Technique, raised its fan-sized claws, and slammed them down on Wei Tu's head.

Claws tore through the void, creating numerous spatial rifts. It's not hard to imagine the terrifying power contained within.

But what surprised the Purple-Faced Hermit was...

At this moment, he did not see any panic on Wei Tu's face.

This doesn't seem like the behavior expected of a newly formed duo.

"I won't shed a tear until I see the coffin." The man with the purple face sneered inwardly, using his divine sense to control the refined corpse and continue attacking Wei Tu.

The next moment, just as the giant claw of the flying zombie was about to strike Wei Tu's head, a 'dragon's roar' resounded through the sky.

Just then, at this critical moment...

Wei Tu, who had just been in human form, suddenly transformed into a black dragon several dozen feet in size. Accompanied by the dense demonic energy gathered on his body, he fearlessly raised a claw and directly met the seventh-order flying zombie.

A series of loud booming sounds followed.

The seventh-order flying zombie, which appeared to be about the same size as the demonic dragon and had an astonishing presence, was quickly torn apart by the demonic light of the dragon's claws and scattered back into the original dozen or so sixth-order refined corpses.

Even three or four sixth-order refined corpses couldn't even last half a breath before being torn into pieces and falling directly from the sky.

"An ancient demon? No, a seventh-tier magical artifact?"

Upon seeing this scene, the Purple-Faced Hermit's eyelids twitched, and the composure on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a deep sense of solemnity.

As a senior member of the spirit world, he had also encountered the Demon Lord among the ancient demons and the seventh-tier magic weapon he used during the 'Two Realms War'.

But... that was at the height of his power.

After more than 500 years of seclusion, although his cultivation level had recovered to most of its previous level, it was still far from the peak of his strength as a 'Great Body Integration Cultivator'.

Moreover, he could also see that the 'seventh-order magic treasure' that Wei Tu was activating was not an ordinary item, but a superior magic treasure that could be integrated into the body and used for both offense and defense!

Under the suppression of the laws of heaven and earth in the human realm, it would be far more difficult for him to break through this magical treasure that combines offense and defense and kill Wei Tu than it would be in the spirit realm.

—His Integration Realm cannot be maintained for long before it is forcibly suppressed by the laws of heaven and earth, causing him to fall to the Nascent Soul Realm.

"It's much more complicated than I expected."

"However, this is normal. This junior carries the inheritance of the Mysterious Spirit Fairy, so how could he not possess a few life-saving treasures?"

The purple-faced hermit's gaze sharpened, but after sensing that Wei Tu's current level of magical power was still at the 'early stage of the Fusion Realm', his expression softened again.

He sneered, flipped his hand, and two emerald green talismans instantly appeared in his palm. After saying "Hurry," they flashed and fell into the group of corpses in the distance.

The next moment, the seventh-order flying zombie that had just been torn apart by the 'demon dragon' that Wei Tu had transformed into was reassembled under the power of the two emerald talismans, and its realm also advanced significantly in that instant.

Admittedly, it was suppressed by the rules of the human world and quickly fell down, but the magical power it contained instantly surged by several levels.

Immediately afterwards, he roared, raised one arm, and threw several punches at Wei Tu's location.

The air exploded with a 'bang' under the tremendous force of the hammer blow.

However, Wei Tu showed no intention of engaging in a prolonged battle with this 'seventh-tier flying zombie'.

With a flick of his tail, he withstood the corpse's attack and then soared into the air once more, fleeing into the distance.

However, despite the speed of the escape, it was not difficult for the Purple-Faced Hermit to see the bright red blood hanging from the corner of the mouth of the 'demon dragon' that Wei Tu had transformed into.

"Youngster, don't even think about escaping."

Seeing this, the Purple-Faced Hermit's confidence increased even more, and his fear of the 'unknown treasure' of the Mahayana inheritance that Wei Tu had obtained also lessened.

As a former 'native of the human realm,' the human realm was not only a 'shackle' that suppressed his cultivation as a Nascent Soul cultivator, but also a tremendous geographical advantage for him.

He urged the incantation again, and the two emerald green talismans that had just been injected into the seventh-level flying zombie's body immediately shone brightly.

The next moment, the seventh-tier flying zombie suddenly became much faster. Its figure blurred, leaving behind a series of afterimages, and it blocked the 'demon dragon' that Wei Tu had transformed into, and began to fight it again.

Immediately afterwards, the Purple-Faced Hermit took a deep look at Wei Tu, who was struggling to cope, and as if he had made up his mind, he reached into his mouth with lightning speed and took out a small blue dagger about an inch in size.

He bit his tongue, spitting out several mouthfuls of blood essence from the cyan short sword. Instantly, the cyan short sword flashed with bloody light and swelled into a giant, cyan blade several meters in size.

"This sword has not been used for tens of thousands of years since it was sealed in the Corpse-Sinking Evil Land."

"Killing you, a prodigy of our own kind, today would not be an insult to it."

As he spoke, the Purple-Faced Hermit rapidly formed hand seals, continuously thrusting them into the giant blade.

Before long, the giant blade trembled with a 'hum' and emitted a deafening sword cry, slashing out several millstone-sized cyan sword energies in the direction where Wei Tu was located.

Susu!

The sword energy ripped through the sky, creating several terrifying spatial rifts, and in a flash, it landed on the 'demon dragon' that Wei Tu had transformed into.

A loud 'clang' was heard.

Under a burst of spiritual light, Wei Tu, who had transformed into a 'demon dragon' using the [Demon Dragon Scissors], finally couldn't hold on any longer and transformed back into human form. With a pale face, he spat out several mouthfuls of blood with a "pfft," looking like he had suffered a severe blow to his vital energy.

Then, surrounded by cyan sword energy and seventh-order flying zombies, Wei Tu turned his head fearfully to glance at the purple-faced man in the distance, then gritted his teeth and, ignoring his injuries, once again activated the [Demon Dragon Scissors] and continued to flee.

In an instant, the 'demon dragon' that had escaped the encirclement was covered in blood and riddled with wounds.

However, this time, Wei Tu seemed to have used some secret technique while desperately trying to escape, and his escape speed was so fast that even the seventh-level flying zombie and the cyan sword energy that were chasing him from behind were several steps slower.

As a result, neither of these two methods succeeded in intercepting the attack.

This scene immediately caused the naturally suspicious Purple-Faced Hermit to frown deeply.

Although he believed that Wei Tu's strength was as it should be, and that his performance was already much stronger than that of a typical 'newly promoted Integration' cultivator, it was still somewhat inferior to the strength he had anticipated from Wei Tu, who possessed a Mahayana treasure.

"That's true. This cultivator's advancement to the Integration Realm is still shallow, so he probably doesn't have time to refine the Mahayana treasure left by Fairy Xuanling... Secondly, Fairy Xuanling's advancement to the Mahayana Realm is only a matter of ten thousand years. In terms of wealth accumulation, she is destined to be inferior to Mahayana immortals of the same level... It's not unimaginable that this young man, as the inheritor, hasn't inherited any powerful treasures."

Seeing this, the purple-faced hermit hesitated for a moment, then his gaze turned cold as he made up his mind. He continued to relentlessly drive the seventh-tier flying zombie and the 'cyan giant blade' floating in front of him, disregarding the power of his magic, and chased after Wei Tu.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, even if not at his peak, his magical power far surpasses Wei Tu's... He has no fear of this junior. (End of Chapter)