I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

Seeing that Venerable Huoshi hesitated to advance, the remaining ancient demons also became more cautious, frowning as they released their puppets and carefully stepped forward to test the waters.

But soon.

A strange scene unfolded.

As soon as these puppets entered the 'secret chamber,' they seemed to be controlled by some strange spiritual barrier, involuntarily plunging headfirst into the blood pool, where they were instantly 'swallowed' and disappeared without a trace.

Upon seeing this, the demons' expressions changed slightly, and they all took a few steps back.

"Is there something strange about this secret room?" Upon seeing this, Wei Tu felt a surge of fear, and his gaze toward the Crimson Feathered Ghost Insect King turned cold.

If it weren't for these puppets testing the waters, and he had rashly entered this place considering his cooperation with the Crimson Feathered Ghost Insect King... the outcome probably wouldn't have been good.

These puppets serve as a cautionary tale for him!

Whether unintentional or deliberate, the king of the red-feathered ghost insects had not warned him about the dangers inside the 'secret chamber' just now.

It's not as simple as it seemed!
At this moment, the Crimson Feather Ghost Insect King seemed to have sensed Wei Tu's dissatisfaction, and its spiritual communication with Wei Tu became noticeably more impatient.

"The strangeness of this blood pool has nothing to do with me. I was also trapped inside it... There seems to be something else hidden inside this blood pool. According to my estimation, it is very likely the remnant souls of those immortals who fell in this Radiant Realm..."

The Crimson Feather Ghost Insect King explained, pointing once again to the source of the danger: the very possibility that Wei Tu and the others had been so wary of when they first entered the hall.

These words made Wei Tu's heart sink.

The remnant soul of an immortal is far more difficult to deal with than a mere Crimson Feather Ghost Insect King.

What puzzled him was why this 'remnant soul of an immortal,' hidden deep within the blood pool, had only managed to trap the Crimson Feather Ghost Insect King and devour the puppets that had gone to test the waters...

All of this seems more like an instinctive action than a conscious manipulation.

If it were him, he would be even more patient, waiting until Venerable Firestone, Demon Lord Illusion Arm, and others approached the 'blood pool' before launching a sudden attack, giving them no chance to test him.

"Suspected remnant soul of an immortal? Fellow Daoist seems to know little about everything in this Burial Immortal Temple?" Wei Tu narrowed his eyes, noticing the problem with the Crimson Feather Ghost Insect King's wording.

It seems that the blood pool and secret chamber hidden inside this hall existed long before the Crimson Feather Ghost Insect King set foot there.

"Ha! Fellow Daoist Wei is quite clever to have noticed this. However, there's nothing I can't say about it..."

"That's right, I am the Insect King who was born after the ancient demon army destroyed this place."

“Fellow Daoist Wei, having experienced that illusion, should remember the goal of those ‘remnant spirits’ cultivation—to break through their previous realm and then enter this ‘Burial Immortal Temple’.”

"Coincidentally, I am one of the lucky ones among these hundreds of millions of remnant spirits. I was fortunate enough to break through my original realm and enter this Burial Immortal God Palace... and transformed from an ordinary red-feathered ghost insect into the insect king among this group of red-feathered ghost insects..."

"A hundred years after I entered this hall, I discovered this secret chamber and blood pool. I thought that the 'supreme spiritual energy' stored here would allow me to break through to the eighth rank and become a celestial being... but I never imagined that I would be trapped here for ten thousand years..."

"The reason why this blood pool spared me and did not immediately devour me is because I am the insect king who can control the Crimson Feather Ghost Insects... For the past ten thousand years, it has been trying to wear down my consciousness and try to control me!"

"Fortunately, because of the characteristics of this Red Feather Ghost Insect as a 'Reincarnation Wonder Insect,' my soul is exceptionally resilient and has never been successfully eroded by it."

The Crimson Feather Ghost Insect King explained everything to Wei Tu with a tone of great relief.

However, after hearing this, Wei Tu no longer trusted the insect.

However, out of consideration for the 'cooperation' with this insect, I still said a few words of agreement, 'I see.'

……

same moment.

Outside the secret chamber, the demons began discussing new methods to spy on the area.

After the puppets, demonic beasts, and corpse refiners became useless, these ruthless ancient demons naturally turned their attention to another person traveling with them—Madam Wanmiao.

Unlike Wei Tu, this woman was 'useless' from the start. It was only because Venerable Huoshi and the others were worried that Wei Tu's resistance was too strong that they added Wei Tu, who was originally intended to be their companion in exploring the 'Hundred Spirits Demon Realm', to their kidnapping and house arrest...

Now that we've encountered this difficulty, we certainly won't feel too much pity for this woman.

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu frowned and then remained silent, tacitly agreeing to the matter.

Nothing else—

He knew very well that within this group, he was the second person, after Lady Wanmiao, who could be sacrificed.

No matter how great his potential value as an alchemist is, it cannot surpass the obvious value of his 'strength'.

The consequence of being talkative is that you anger these ancient demons and end up like Lady Wanmiao.

—Although Venerable Huoshi, Demon Lord Huanbi, and others swore oaths not to harm him, the price for a spiritual cultivator like Venerable Huoshi to break his oath was far less than that for an ancient demon to break the 'Oath of the Heavenly Demon'…

This can be seen from the fact that the Heavenly Crane Ancestor broke the agreement back then.

After reaching a consensus.

After exchanging glances, the three Phantom Arm Demon Lords immediately looked at the composed Firestone Venerable to the side, their meaning clear without needing to be explained.

—It is to make Venerable Huoshi play this evil role.

After all, the three of them, at Wei Tu's request, made a 'Heavenly Demon Oath' that included Lady Wanmiao as one of the protected individuals.

However, it was this simple decision.

Surprisingly, Venerable Huoshi, who was least likely to refuse, frowned deeply and shook his head in refusal.

"This woman is close to Alchemist Kou, and I even intend to invite Alchemist Kou to join the Qilin Fire God Clan. How can I possibly harm such a good friend as Alchemist Kou now..."

The reason why Venerable Huoshi couldn't bring himself to do such a ruthless thing was blamed on Wei Tu.

Unfortunately, none of the cultivators present could believe this nonsense.

They didn't believe that the dignified Venerable Firestone would care about such a trivial matter.

"Whatever——"

"Since it's impossible to hide it, we might as well reveal our identities now."

At this moment, Lady Wanmiao, who was still outside the hall and trapped in the 'illusion', suddenly opened her almond-shaped eyes, smiled, and looked directly at the demons inside the hall, including Wei Tu.

As soon as these words fell.

Instantly, the demons' expressions changed drastically.

At this moment, although Lady Wanmiao's realm still appears to be at the 'early stage of Demon Lord,' everyone should understand that her realm is far more profound than it appeared before.

"So... it wasn't a coincidence that this woman and I were both taken hostage by Venerable Huoshi." Wei Tu's eyes narrowed slightly, also somewhat unable to believe what was happening before his eyes.

He found it hard to believe that, with his keen eyesight, he hadn't noticed anything unusual about the woman after walking with her for so long.

"Is this... a coincidence, or an accident?" Wei Tu took a deep breath, a subconscious tremor creeping over him.

You see, from the very beginning, he thought that his current predicament was due to the 'invitation' of the Demon Lord Lianwu...

But now it seems that this is not the case.

He had been targeted by this woman long before he traveled to the Hundred Spirits Demon Realm with his companions!
"A truly invincible person has appeared." At this moment, Wei Tu heard the voice of the Demon Lord Lianwu once again.

The demon spoke these words as if mocking himself.

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu was slightly taken aback, but then suddenly realized this 'reality'!
Indeed, in a sense, Lady Wanmiao is now invincible.

Previously, at his request, the three members of the Phantom Arm Demon Lord's Heavenly Demon Oath included this woman as one of their protected beings...

Now, this woman is clearly aligned with Venerable Huoshi's faction...

So, among this group of people, apart from him and the Demon Lord Lianwu, it seems that no one else can 'attack' him.

Unless the three members of the Illusionary Arm Demon Lord can withstand the consequences of violating the Heavenly Demon Oath.

"Fellow Daoist Lianwu, are you also unaware of this matter?" Wei Tu frowned and asked quickly.

At this moment, some of the mysteries seem to have been clarified.

"Ha! This Venerable Firestone also deceived me in this matter... If there are no surprises, this Lady Myriad Wonders is likely an ancient demon of the Qilin Fire God Clan, the true master of this 'Venerable Firestone'..."

The Demon Lord Lianwu sneered.

"What a clever plan. First you deceived me, then you, deceiving me layer by layer. If I had known this would happen, I would never have dragged you into this mess when we were outside the Hundred Spirits Demon Realm."

"It's going to be tough for the two of us later." As she said this, the woman's tone became more wry.

As for this 'prediction', Wei Tu could easily imagine it.

The most easily bullied Lady Wanmiao is gone.

Without a doubt, he and 'Lord Lianwu' became the weakest people in the arena.

One person's change of position can bring about a change in the entire situation!
Compared to him, the Demon Lord of the Centipede is far more dangerous.

The three Phantom Arm Demon Lords would not stand idly by and watch this significant change in their strength... They would almost certainly target the Pity Centipede Demon Lord, the easiest target to deal with.

Ironically, the Demon Lord Lianwu, who had been deceived by the Venerable Huoshi, no longer had the support of this cultivator behind him and had become a true 'lone wolf'.

"He had planned everything, but he hadn't anticipated this turn of events..." Wei Tu sighed inwardly, feeling that the scheming Demon Lord Lianwu had fallen into this predicament, a twist of fate indeed.

Skilled in scheming, yet ruined by the schemes of others.

"only……"

"Why would Madam Wanmiao target me? Is it simply because I am a seventh-level alchemist with a past relationship with Demon Lord Lianwu?"

At the same moment, Wei Tu also had this question in his mind.

At this moment, Madam Wanmiao seemed to see through Wei Tu's doubts. A smile appeared on her lips as she said softly, "The reason I've drawn you into this situation is because of the [Boundary-Severing Stone] you possess. When the time comes, all you need to do is take me with you when you use the [Boundary-Severing Stone] to escape in times of crisis..."

"This is all that is needed, Fellow Daoist Wei..." Madam Wanmiao parted her red lips slightly and softly uttered Wei Tu's name in front of him.

As soon as these words fell.

Wei Tu could no longer remain calm. He stared intently at Madam Wanmiao, as if trying to discern something from the woman's charming appearance.

This woman is already the second person in this realm of reincarnation to recognize his true identity and know his real name.

The king of the Red Feathered Ghost Insects is relatively easy to deal with.

He manipulates the 'illusionary realm' of the afterlife, and controls the remnant spirit that is suspected to be Junior Sister Su. From the remnant spirit's memories, he knows that it may be Wei Tu...

But what about Lady Wanmiao?
Everything was like a mystery to him.

“No wonder, no wonder, that Venerable Firestone deliberately released the forbidden array while the Illusionary Arm Demon Lord was healing... allowing the Weeping River Demon Ancestor to arrive here... This woman calculated correctly, I have the [Boundary Severing Stone] on me, even if the Demon Ancestor arrives, I can use it to escape immediately..." Wei Tu sneered inwardly.

This woman's plan was accurate, but unfortunately, she miscalculated in this one matter.

He was not carrying the [Boundary Stone] at the moment.

When this wondrous treasure was inside the [Treasure Sun Divine Tower], he tricked it and threw it somewhere on the fourth floor using a 'demon body clone'.

However, he would not tell this woman the whole secret at this moment.

After all, this [Boundary Stone] was also a protective charm for him here, a 'weak point' that could threaten this woman.

The reason this woman didn't attack him along the way was probably quite significant; she was likely worried that a failed attack would alert him, allowing him to escape using the [Boundary-Severing Stone]...

The reason we are discussing cooperation with him now is largely due to this.

However, while this was not a good thing for the woman, it was also quite 'tragic' for him.

He needed to make plans early and try to escape from here before the Weeping River Demon Ancestor and other demon ancestors arrived, so that he could make a quick getaway.

"When exactly did I expose my identity? Was it because of... the Reverse Demon Cultivator?" After the initial shock, Wei Tu regained his composure and pondered this question.

As a cultivator who defies demonic forces, he only knows the lineage passed down by the 'Seven Treasures Demon Ancestor'...

Similarly, the only place where he might reveal his 'true name' is on the 'Yin Crow Ranking' of the Lingyan Heavenly Palace.

The strange laws governing that list directly revealed his true name on that spirit tablet.

Before him, no one had ever been to the Lingyan Heavenly Palace since then, so he didn't need to worry about this being exposed...

But after that battle sixty years ago.

This matter... is almost inevitable.

"Was this woman a witness to that battle?" Wei Tu wondered.

“Fellow Daoist Lianwu, I would like to know when you discovered that I am a cultivator who practices both immortality and demonism, and what methods you used to discover this…” Wei Tu suppressed his surprise and asked.

Logically speaking, even if his 'real name' was leaked from within the Lingyan Heavenly Palace, it's unlikely that anyone would connect this real name with his identity as 'Alchemist Kou'...

"Fellow Daoist Wei concealed this very well; generally speaking, no one would be able to see it. But... inside Venerable Huoshi's 'Heavenly Mystery Spiritual Chamber,' it became impossible to hide it..."

“That ‘Heavenly Mystery Spirit House’ is a treasure of the Qilin Fire God Clan, capable of seeing through the illusions of Yin and Yang. Originally, Venerable Firestone and I intended to use it to see your true strength, since you, as a seventh-level alchemist, are extremely important to this trip… but we never expected that you would be the legendary Demon-Reversing Cultivator.”

Upon hearing this, the Demon Lord Lianwu hesitated for a moment, paused, and then explained.

Originally, she didn't intend to say much about the details of this matter. Wei Tu had already asked her about it outside the realm of the dead...

But now, betrayed by Venerable Huoshi, she can only stick together with Wei Tu for warmth, and she can only explain the reasons for this matter in detail.

"So, at first, Venerable Huoshi didn't know... that I was a cultivator of the Reverse Demon..." Hearing this, Wei Tu finally put down his worries and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

This reason is much easier to accept than the fact that he was seen through by Madam Wanmiao from the beginning and then plotted against all the way.

If he hadn't been careless and entered the 'Heavenly Secrets Chamber,' it would have been extremely difficult for anyone to discern his true nature.

In other words.

From the very beginning, there was only one reason why he was targeted by Madam Wanmiao—he was a seventh-level alchemist.

Later, by sheer coincidence, the woman guessed that he was "Wei Tu" based on some "guesses".

“However, if this woman is also a participant in that battle, it makes no sense that the Illusionary Arm Demon Lord and the others don’t recognize her…” Wei Tu frowned slightly.

Suddenly, a chill ran through him as he thought of a name on the Lingyan Heavenly Palace list, ranked second only to An Liangcai.

Based on the earliest timeline.

The Dark Raven Tower is a secret realm controlled by An Liangcai.

After this demon fell, it was taken over by the Purple Blood Demon Lord.

However, another name appeared on the list besides An Liangcai and his wife.

This means that this demon either appeared in the Dark Raven Tower by 'accident' like him, or its strength has become so great that it can evade the Purple Blood Demon Lord's notice and 'silently' enter the Dark Raven Tower...

Judging from the current situation, this woman is undoubtedly the latter.

"Then, after learning that I possessed the [Boundary-Severing Stone], this woman deliberately lured the 'Weeping River Demon Ancestor'..."

Thinking of this, Wei Tu narrowed his eyes. It wasn't hard to guess that this woman definitely had other plans in this 'Rebirth Realm'.

For most people, a treasure hunt can be kept secret if possible; nothing has ever caused such a huge uproar as this woman's case… (End of Chapter)