I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

"This was merely... a forced action by Wei."

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu, who was already prepared for it, was not stumped by these words.

He shook his head and spoke his mind.

"...Sang Yao seemed to know that I was the enemy who killed her brother, the Divine Official Sang. At that time, I had just ascended and had not yet broken through to the Integration stage; I was only a newly promoted Void Refining stage cultivator. I was accidentally injured by this woman, and by a miscalculation, she severed my wrist, which contained the 'Earth Character Dao Seal'..."

"Later, Wei fled to the Ancestral Temple and luckily escaped with his life."

"And then—" Wei Tu hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "And then, under Fellow Daoist Duan's pursuit, Sang Yao leaked information and was suspected of being cursed to death by the 'bloodline curse power' left by the fairy in the Sang family bloodline..."

Wei Tu did not explain where the wrist, which contained the 'Earth Character Dao Seal', went.

There's no other reason than that saying too much will only lead to more mistakes.

As long as Fairy Xuanling is sincere and truly willing to keep her promise, and bestows upon him the complete 'Mahayana Inheritance' after he breaks through to the Integration Realm... the gain or loss of this 'Earth Character Dao Seal' is not important!
That's why.

Upon hearing this, Fairy Xuanling nodded slightly without asking any further questions, as if she believed what Wei Tu had said.

"You can explain the gains and losses of the Earth-Character Dao Seal. But how do you explain your killing of the Purple-Faced Hermit?"

Xuanling Fairy looked intently at Wei Tu, her almond-shaped eyes revealing a hint of killing intent, and asked in a deep voice.

As soon as these words fell.

Wei Tu's expression changed slightly.

He had planned everything meticulously, but he hadn't considered this aspect. He never imagined that Fairy Xuanling would also be aware of this major event that had occurred in the 'Great Yan Cultivation Realm'.

As for the Purple-Faced Hermit... although this cultivator was 'extremely wicked', in the eyes of the human race's higher-ups, he was one of the human race's foundations, and was sealed in the human realm.

But in an instant, Wei Tu calmed down.

the reason is simple.

Regardless of whether Fairy Xuanling was secretly monitoring the 'Great Yan Cultivation World', the fact that he killed the Purple-Faced Hermit is itself full of 'suspicious points'.

Even if he truly harbored rebellious intentions against the human race, why would he be so presumptuous as to confront the Purple-Faced Hermit, a master cultivator at the peak of the Integration Realm?
"Does the fairy intend to break her promise and no longer bestow the Earth Emperor Pearl upon me?"

"I, Wei, will make my own judgments regarding matters concerning the human race. If I achieve the Great Ascension of the human race and receive the grace of the fairy, I will surely repay the human race in the future... I can swear to guarantee this."

Wei Tu said calmly.

After speaking, he turned the tables and, with a flick of his sleeve, summoned the Corpse-Binding Rope he had obtained from the Purple-Faced Hermit, as if he were about to start a fight with Fairy Xuanling at the slightest disagreement.

"Moreover—at this moment, I also want to know whether the legendary Fairy Xuanling is dead, or whether she is truly a remnant soul."

Wei Tu's face was cold as he spoke these words in a highly disrespectful tone.

If it is the former, whether he is disrespectful to this woman or not will not change the predetermined outcome.

But if it's the latter, no matter how 'tough' he is at this moment, he can still put up a fight with the remnant soul power of the Mahayana stage.

As for whether this would be disrespectful to Fairy Xuanling, the senior who had given him this opportunity, it was no longer something he could consider at this moment.

Because, after he killed the Purple-Faced Hermit, no matter what reasons he had, in the eyes of the human race's higher-ups, he was the kind of person who harbored rebellious intentions and was unruly.

This is the price of killing an official!
—And ironically, the reason why Fairy Xuanling cultivated him a thousand years ago was to select a 'cultivator for ascension' for the human race who had the potential to break through the tribulation.

Its purpose is for the human race, not for itself!

……

Wei Tu's sharp and outspoken words came out.

The atmosphere suddenly became stagnant and cold.

A moment later, the icy killing intent contained in Fairy Xuanling's clear eyes subsided somewhat.

"As expected of an ascended cultivator, your temperament is even calmer and more ruthless than that of human cultivators in the Spirit Realm," Fairy Xuanling chuckled softly, praising her.

But a pity.

After these words of praise, Wei Tu did not retract the [Binding Corpse Rope] he had summoned. Instead, he continued to stare coldly at the illusory figure of Fairy Xuanling.

It seemed as if they were waiting for the Fairy Xuanling to reveal the "truth"—whether she was merely a remnant soul or still lingering in the world.

The meaning is already quite obvious.

They did not believe that what Fairy Xuanling had said before was that she had set up this inheritance secret realm within the human realm in order to cultivate human cultivators and to cultivate a 'Tribulation Transcending Immortal' that the human race lacked.

"It seems you came here prepared for me all along?" The Xuanling Fairy, suspended in the air, lowered her head. The serene yet gentle demeanor on her fair face vanished completely, replaced by an intense coldness.

At this moment, he is truly a supreme Mahayana immortal, not a so-called 'elder of the clan' who aims to cultivate the next generation.

however--

Wei Tu, whose 'thoughts' had been guessed, remained calm and composed, his expression unchanged.

It's nothing serious that one's guard is being "seen." Any normal cultivator would be wary of a "strange senior" who is a level above them.

Moreover, Fairy Xuanling is a Mahayana Immortal, whose realm is far superior to his.

His true trump cards are the Longevity Immortal Lamp, the talisman formed from the Great Ascension Power of the Purple Dragon Lord, An Liangcai's 'Indestructible Demon Body'... and the 'safety' of his true body not being here!
These are things that Fairy Xuanling could not easily perceive.

"Compared to empty words of mentorship, Wei prefers to believe in written terms of benefits..."

Wei Tu remained calm and spoke frankly.

"Of course, there are cultivators in this world who would disregard everything for the so-called greater good of humanity or to nurture others. But I, Wei, will not easily believe... that a pie will fall into the lap of a rogue cultivator like myself..."

"As for that Crimson Dragon Ancestor, I still have the relationship of father-in-law and son-in-law, and master and disciple with him. For the sake of freedom and the opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, he would still choose to betray me and his own daughter... I don't know if Fairy Xuanling is the same, but it is still necessary to be vigilant about this." Wei Tu paused for a moment before continuing.

"But you still chose to come here." At this moment, the Xuanling Fairy's gaze towards Wei Tu finally showed a hint of visibly greater importance.

"Is it just luck, or... is there really a way to deal with me?" Fairy Xuanling frowned slightly, her heart filled with uncertainty.

"However, you underestimate me. Although my purpose in setting up this secret realm was not for the sake of humanity, but for myself, I was not so narrow-minded as to plot against you, the younger generation of humanity."

Fairy Xuanling spoke calmly. At this moment, her words were more peaceful, no longer as 'high and mighty' as before, but with more of an equal dialogue.

"However, like most cultivators in the world, they give themselves a high-sounding reason before they act... I am no exception in this matter."

"Being honest with each other is good, but it can also make people take advantage of your kindness."

Fairy Xuanling smiled coldly.

At this moment, the look she gave Wei Tu, though devoid of any disdain, clearly conveyed her meaning.

—A cultivator as 'cold-blooded' as Wei Tu is definitely the kind of person who tries to 'repay kindness'.

But upon hearing this, Wei Tu felt a sudden sense of relief.

He was afraid that the Great Vehicle cultivator, Fairy Xuanling, might have designs on him, but... since what this woman was plotting could become an excuse for others to 'repay kindness', then it must not be something as evil as seizing a body or devouring a Dharma body, but rather a difficult matter that only benefits 'herself'.

However, this statement seems to indirectly prove that this woman did not perish and is still alive?

"Furthermore, if I hadn't been aggressive and shown that I was wary of her... this matter of 'repaying a debt of gratitude' would probably have become something that this woman forced and coerced me to do."

Wei Tu narrowed his eyes, secretly guessing what Xuanling Fairy had just said about her cold threat and murderous intent.

As he thought, he was not some great 'philanthropist'.

The matter of the Purple-Faced Hermit was merely a bargaining chip used by this woman to force him to submit obediently.

However, this woman wasn't extremely wicked and resorted to force; instead, she first sought out this reason and this excuse to act...

However, once he succeeds, it is quite possible that he could then use this opportunity to place a 'restriction' on him and take him as a 'spirit slave'.

"Could this matter only be handled by a 'life cultivator' at the Integration Realm?" Wei Tu asked, a thought stirring in his mind.

If the woman's polite farewell to him a thousand years ago was neither out of 'kindness' nor with the intention of 'possessing' his body later, then there is only one possible reason.

The reason why no restrictions were placed on him a thousand years ago is not hard to guess. It was nothing more than the fear that the human race of the spirit world would see through something. After all, the time when the Xuanling Fairy rose to power and broke through to the Mahayana realm was only a few thousand years, and her foundation in the human race's upper echelons was not solid.

For some high-ranking members of the human race, a weakened Mahayana immortal is not someone who must be saved, but rather someone to seize the opportunity to take advantage of and usurp the 'Mahayana Realm' in their hands.

The fact that the Purple-Faced Hermit dared to attack him, the undisputed successor of the Mysterious Spirit Fairy, speaks volumes.

But Fairy Xuanling seemed to have guessed what Wei Tu was thinking. She frowned slightly and said indifferently, "Verbal coercion is something that is dispensable... It's just that I can see that your intentions are not pure, and I am worried that you will 'repay kindness'."

However, Wei Tu scoffed at this. He wasn't so foolish as to lower his guard and become wary simply because of a few hypocritical words.

Even when they reached the negotiating table, this woman's stubbornness was merely a result of her fear that she would have to pay an even higher price to get 'returns' from him.

"As for life cultivators at the Integration Realm..."

"Your guess is correct on that point."

"My true form is currently trapped in a forbidden zone. And that forbidden zone is only accessible to cultivators at the Integration Stage or higher..."

"The Mysterious Spirit Fairy spoke again."

"Only those who can merge with the life force?" Upon hearing this, Wei Tu raised an eyebrow, and his gaze toward Fairy Xuanling changed instantly.

At the same time, he muttered to himself, "Just as I expected."

Upon seeing the severed arm of the Demon Ancestor Jialan, he naturally understood that he was not the only one among the world's cultivators of destiny.

And Fairy Xuanling... is very likely one of them.

This can be seen from the rapid rise of women in the human and spirit realms.

He is truly a Mahayana immortal who, at the age of ten thousand years, has broken through to the Mahayana realm!

In terms of the 'special nature' of his life force, it is no less than that of a 'cultivator who has ascended to immortality'.

Secondly, since this woman set up the 'secret realm' in the Great Cang Cultivation Realm to help him, the special nature of her selection of the 'successor' is naturally in line with his 'predicament'.

Only those who are both cultivators of destiny will choose another cultivator to go to the perilous place and save them from danger!

"This forbidden land is difficult for cultivators who are not at least at the Integration Stage to enter. Only those who have broken through to the Mahayana Stage have an absolute guarantee that they can save my life..." Fairy Xuanling sighed softly and said slowly.

"The realm of Mahayana..."

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu fell silent for a moment.

He, a Nascent Soul cultivator, was well aware of the difficulties of this realm. Even with his confidence, he didn't believe he could definitely break through it.

"What is that forbidden zone?" Wei Tu pondered for a moment before asking.

There are many immortal traces and ruins in the spirit realm, but he has never heard of any that can trap a Mahayana immortal.

"The bridge to immortality in the spirit world."

The Fairy Xuanling's clear eyes flickered as she replied in a calm voice.

"The Bridge to Immortality?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu was slightly taken aback, and was greatly surprised.

Firstly, based on his knowledge, he had never heard of any forbidden place called the Bridge to Immortality in the Spirit Realm.

The two are the names of this forbidden land, and one can almost hear the meaning behind this "forbidden land".

"The Seventh Mountain is right there, situated in the same World Sea as the Spirit Realm, the Primordial Demon Source Realm, and other realms. And where there's a mountain, there are naturally bridges and roads leading to it..."

Fairy Xuanling explained simply.

At this point, Fairy Xuanling's gaze sharpened, and she looked at Wei Tu again, saying in a cold tone, "Although I don't know what gives you the confidence to dare to come to the Venerable King's Palace again while you are on guard..."

“However, you and I are not enemies. Since you are more confident than ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators, you should have hope of saving me from the ‘Ascension Bridge’.”

"This page of the 'Blood Curse Secret Book' was personally crafted by me using my own blood essence. Even if you break through to the Mahayana stage, it will be extremely difficult for you to break the blood oath's restriction..."

"After dripping your essence blood onto this 'Blood Curse Secret Book' and swearing a blood oath, I will give you the [Earth Emperor Pearl] that is due to you. Otherwise, with the power of my remnant soul, dealing with a mere Fusion Realm cultivator like you... even if I can't kill you, it's not difficult to severely injure you and make your path to enlightenment difficult."

"Illusory Spirit Fairy threatened in a cold voice."

As she spoke, she flipped her jade palm and took out a ghostly gold page, which she handed to Wei Tu.

"This……"

Upon seeing this, Wei Tu frowned and hesitated slightly.

Firstly, this was the first time he had been threatened into making a blood oath.

Secondly, the threat mentioned by Fairy Xuanling is negligible to him and not worth fearing. Even if he were to kill this 'avatar,' it would only cause him to lose thousands of years of hard work.

Moreover, the outcome is still uncertain.

He also possesses Mahayana Buddhist power and a heaven-reaching spiritual treasure!

Compared to that, going to the 'Ascending Immortal Bridge' to rescue Fairy Xuanling is far more dangerous for him!

If... instead of the 'verbal threats' from Fairy Xuanling, she had openly and honestly made demands of him, he might have still considered their past relationship and agreed directly.

But now that things have fallen apart, this 'old friendship' is naturally over.

"I am unaware of the dangers that Fairy Xuanling spoke of. If you want me to sign this Blood Curse Secret Book... the Earth Emperor Pearl alone is far from enough."

Wei Tu shook his head, politely declining. (End of Chapter)