I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

The spirit world, however, is quite different.

He had offended quite a few cultivators in the spirit world, but in terms of background, the highest level among them was basically only the Mahayana stage...

Once he breaks through to Mahayana, he will be no longer a threat.

The only danger lies with the Feathered Dragon Clan, but the conflict between him and the clan is not insurmountable. At least the Feathered Dragon Clan is unaware that he once attacked and killed their Prince Qing... and lived with the clan for a period of time as a remnant of the Purple Palace Realm.

On the surface, he has no conflict with the Feathered Dragon Clan.

"here it is……"

While Wei Tu was pondering his future plans, Ruan Shui'er, who was lying on the cliff, slowly woke up.

But soon, she recalled the past, and as soon as she stood up, she immediately became wary, activated her magic power, and flew away into the distance.

However, after flying away for a short while, Ruan Shui'er realized that she seemed to have escaped danger.

Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to leave so 'freely' at this moment.

"Senior is..." She stopped her escape light, first glancing worriedly at the middle-aged beauty who was also on the cliff, unconscious, before tentatively asking Wei Tu.

But after saying that, Ruan Shui'er felt it was inappropriate. She respectfully bowed to Wei Tu and then directly thanked him for saving her and Aunt Liu's lives.

As soon as these words fell.

Wei Tu, who was sitting cross-legged, slowly opened his eyes and nodded slightly to accept Ruan Shui'er's thanks.

"However, you don't need to be grateful to me for this. I saved you this time just as I was doing it... When I fought with that Liu family patriarch, I used your body as bait, which made you suffer a lot..." Wei Tu smiled faintly and did not hide what had happened in the 'Reincarnation Cave'. He told the truth directly.

The same is true.

From the moment he began spying on the 'Snake-Scaled Old Woman's' plan to possess his body within the Deer Mountain Dojo, he had no concern whatsoever for Ruan Shui'er's life.

After the situation was settled, he spared Ruan Shui'er's life, preventing her from going to the Yellow Springs with Yu Linzi and the Snake Scale Old Woman.

However, Ruan Shui'er did not agree with Wei Tu's words. She shook her head and said seriously:
"Senior and junior are not related. In the cultivation world, it is normal for you to sit idly by and watch me be killed... To be able to show compassion and help me out of danger is already something that ordinary people cannot achieve."

At this moment, Ruan Shui'er's expression had lost the 'innocence' or 'simplicity' she had shown in the Deer Mountain Dojo, and instead showed a clearer understanding of the cultivation world, as if she had seen through the ways of the world.

This is normal, though; no one can maintain their original mindset after being betrayed by their closest relatives.

It's already quite impressive that he can remain calm, react quickly, and understand the underlying principles.

"You're quite clever." Upon hearing this, Wei Tu's face immediately showed a hint of satisfaction, and he nodded, once again accepting Ruan Shui'er's gratitude.

“Right now, I have killed the Liu family patriarch, but the ‘Clan Chief Liu’ is not dead, and the ‘Nine Serpents Liu Clan’ still exists in the world… In addition, the two combined-body helpers who assisted the Liu family patriarch in his possession are also not dead. If they find out, you will still be alive in the world…”

After a brief chat, Wei Tu brought up the serious matter.

This is also a major reason why he deliberately stayed here, waiting for Ruan Shui'er to wake up.

The reason is simple: for Ruan Shui'er, a Golden Core cultivator, there is practically no safe place left in the entire 'Black Cloud Minor World'.

Of course, this is also closely related to the "dreamy talk" that Ruan Shui'er uttered when she was "reincarnated and possessed".

Although this statement was of no benefit to him, he didn't mind accepting a small favor in return.

Otherwise, given his personality, he would at most save Ruan Shui'er once on a whim, and would not give her safety much consideration afterward.

"I hope you can give me some guidance, senior..." Upon hearing this, Ruan Shui'er immediately realized the danger. She wisely looked at Wei Tu and curtsied.

"It's not really about giving guidance."

"In my opinion, you only have two paths to survival right now."

"Firstly, you followed that female cultivator to the Feather Saint Sect. Your identity was originally that of a disciple chosen by the Feather Saint Sect in the Cloud Mist Desert... It was just that by a twist of fate, you were targeted by the Liu family patriarch and became a 'possessed body'..." Wei Tu pointed to the unconscious middle-aged beauty and said succinctly.

"The Feather Saint Sect?" Upon hearing this, Ruan Shui'er's heart stirred, realizing that this was indeed a good place.

The person who possessed her was merely the 'Snake-Scaled Old Woman,' and had nothing to do with the Feather Saint Sect... Now, the Snake-Scaled Old Woman has died after possessing her, and they are almost 'one with' each other. With this 'legacy,' her aptitude has also risen accordingly. If she goes to the Feather Saint Sect, there is a good chance that the sect will value her and nurture her.

Furthermore, with the protection of the Feather Saint Sect, there's no need to worry about the two combined-level helpers of the Serpent Scale Old Woman.

"Please tell me, senior, what exactly is the second way out?" But soon, Ruan Shui'er seemed to have thought of something, and she had some guesses about the second way out that Wei Tu had not mentioned.

Her talent is valued by the Feather Saint Sect, so there is a good chance that she will also be valued by the cultivator in front of her.

“That’s right. The second way out is for you to become my disciple, and I will take you away from this ‘Black Cloud Minor Realm’ to another realm… At that time, you will be safe.”

"However, this path is not as wonderful as you imagine. I will not waste my time to carefully guide your cultivation... In addition, you may very well be frozen in my 'Qiankun Bag' for decades, or even hundreds of years... or even die along with me before you are unsealed." Wei Tu glanced at Ruan Shui'er and said indifferently.

Cultivating alongside him is a path that, for a cultivator like Xue Qiongyu who is 'without worry about lifespan,' is basically all benefits and no drawbacks.

But for Ruan Shui'er, a Golden Core cultivator, it was a different story.

Golden Elixir Lifespan: Eight Hundred...

If he were to fall into a desperate situation or become engrossed in cultivation and forget about this woman, given his lifespan, it is highly likely that he would die when his lifespan comes to an end.

That's why he told this woman that the 'Feather Saint Sect' was her first way out.

"This..." Upon hearing this, Ruan Shui'er's face immediately showed a struggle, and she hesitated in her heart.

Becoming an apprentice of a powerful being is indeed a good thing.

But the prerequisite is that the 'combined power' has stabilized.

However, Wei Tu, a 'combined powerhouse'... clearly does not fall into this category, and the risks he brings are generally far greater than the benefits he brings.

Given her current foundation and aptitude, becoming an apprentice of the 'Feather Saint Sect' would clearly offer her a brighter future.

Within the Feather Saint Sect, she also has a considerable chance of becoming a disciple of one of the sect's powerful cultivators at the Integration Realm.

"This junior is willing to become your disciple, senior..." After much deliberation, Ruan Shui'er gritted her teeth and chose the second path to survival that Wei Tu had suggested, becoming his disciple.

Simply put, she trusted Wei Tu more.

A stranger's act of kindness is far better than any help from a close relative, because it is based entirely on 'goodwill' and without any calculation or entanglement of interests.

His purpose in taking her as his apprentice was more to help her find a way to survive than to gain anything from her.

"However, the premise is... this cultivator never intended to take me as his disciple in the first place, and saving me was truly just a matter of convenience..." Ruan Shui'er was conflicted. At this moment, after experiencing the 'danger of possession', she found it difficult to have 100% trust in any cultivator.

This also includes satellite imagery.

After all, investing in a future 'fusion cultivator' is a sure-fire way to make money.

At this moment, Wei Tu seemed to have sensed Ruan Shui'er's thoughts. He narrowed his eyes and then flicked his sleeve.

The next moment, his face changed, reverting to the appearance he had at the Deer Mountain Dojo.

"Senior Brother Fu..." Upon seeing this scene, Ruan Shui'er was immediately stunned, her expression filled with shock.

"How is this possible? You are Senior Brother Fu?" Ruan Shui'er couldn't believe it. The powerful cultivator who saved her was the same cold-hearted senior brother from the Deer Mountain Dojo who had ignored her.

But Wei Tu wasn't done yet. He patted the spirit beast pouch at his waist and released the Bloodwing Mo, which revealed the terrifying aura of a seventh-tier great demon.

After this terrifying aura was released.

Immediately, Ruan Shui'er had no more doubts about Wei Tu.

The reason is quite simple.

Apart from powerful cultivators within the Fusion Realm, very few people can raise a seventh-tier great demon within the same Fusion Realm.

Moreover, the aura of the 'Bloodwing Mo' was not simple. With her knowledge, although she could not see the origin of its bloodline, the strength of its bloodline was beyond doubt.

In this respect alone, 'Bloodwing Mo's' aptitude far surpasses hers.

As for Wei Tu, the master of the Bloodwinged Demon, he did not specifically take her as his disciple because of her value as a 'future fusion'.

At this moment, Wei Tu also spoke up, reciting the words Ruan Shui'er uttered in her sleep when she was 'reincarnated and possessed'.

If Ruan Shui'er chose the first path to survival, then he wouldn't mention this matter much—after all, it was foreseeable that he and Ruan Shui'er would likely never see each other again. They would simply be strangers who met by chance.

But since this woman had chosen the second path to survival—becoming his disciple.

Therefore, he needs to explain the whole story clearly; there's no need to hide anything or be wary of each other.

"So that's why..." Ruan Shui'er's expression changed as she murmured to herself.

She never imagined that the reason for all of this was simply her 'sudden act of kindness' in her dream.

As for Wei Tu, a powerful being at the Integration Realm, accepting her as a disciple was merely a fleeting thought.

It was a coincidence, but there was also a hidden cause and effect.

"But Senior Brother Fu's kindness is beyond doubt..." Ruan Shui'er thought to herself.

Acting spontaneously reveals one's true nature.

In comparison, her 'dreaming' sounded more like an unconscious remark.

"Disciple greets Master."

Thinking of this, Ruan Shui'er immediately stopped hesitating, respectfully knelt on the ground, and performed the formal apprenticeship ceremony to Wei Tu.

"Does Master have any other disciples?"

After the formal apprenticeship ceremony, seeing that Wei Tu had not yet discussed the order of seniority and lineage, Ruan Shui'er hesitated for a moment before asking this question again.

"Other disciples?" Upon hearing this, Wei Tu seemed slightly lost in thought.

"There was indeed one such person, but he passed away long before I ascended to immortality," Wei Tu shook his head and sighed softly.

When he was in the human realm, he did indeed have a disciple named Tao Zhongjing, who was a "nominal disciple" who studied alchemy under him.

It's a pity that his talent was limited, and he passed away before he had lived for several hundred years.

At that time, he could be considered to have died of old age.

However, given that he has already reached the level of a 'Combined Body Great Power' at this moment, it is hard not to feel a sense of regret.

"Ascension..." Upon hearing this, Ruan Shui'er was deeply shocked.

These two simple words reveal a far more complex meaning.

Although cultivators in the Black Cloud Minor Realm also refer to going to the Heavenly Demon Realm as 'ascension,' this is quite different from actually ascending from the lower realm to the upper realm.

The latter is more than ten times more difficult than the former.

"He's actually a cultivator who ascended from the lower realm. No wonder... Senior Brother Fu is so powerful that he could kill the Liu family's patriarch." Ruan Shui'er swallowed hard, becoming very curious about Wei Tu's master's past experiences.

However, seeing that Wei Tu did not want to talk about it, she did not dare to ask any more questions and could only suppress her curiosity in her heart.

"If nothing unexpected happens, you will be unsealed from my Qiankun Bag a hundred years from now..."

"But it's not too late for you to regret it now. I can also sever the relevant memories in your mind."

After the apprenticeship ceremony, Wei Tu did not want to stay any longer. He pondered for a moment and looked at Ruan Shui'er, indicating that she could reconsider.

If he could, he wouldn't want to bring another 'burden' along.

Certainly, in the future, it can also serve as his 'wings' to help him develop his own power.

But right now, as a rogue cultivator, he doesn't really need this woman's help.

“Now that I have already become your disciple, how could I go back on my word at this moment? Being able to become your disciple is already a great fortune that countless cultivators dream of.”

Ruan Shui'er shook her head slightly, insisting on her own opinion.

Seeing this, Wei Tu no longer hesitated. He pointed with his fingers and used a secret technique to freeze her. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he threw her and the middle-aged beauty into his 'Qiankun Bag' and carried them with him.

He didn't linger, and with a flash of light, he quickly flew away from the cliff.

However, Wei Tu, who had flown away, was not in a hurry to return to the 'Heavenly Demon Realm' and go to the 'Misty Forest' to retrieve the interdimensional teleportation array recorded on the 'Silver-White Stone Tablet'.

After leaving the cliff, he went straight to the "Liu Clan Immortal City" where the "Nine Serpents Liu Clan" was located.

The old woman with snake scales is dead, but the spirit crystals and treasures accumulated by her family over the years are still there.

However, soon after he arrived at the 'Liu Clan Immortal City', an unexpected scene unfolded before his eyes.

The once bustling 'Liu Clan Immortal City,' spanning thousands of miles and frequented by merchants, has now been reduced to ruins. Only a handful of cultivators are searching through these ruins for any remaining spiritual items.

“Is it… Madam Wei?” Wei Tu’s eyes turned cold as he immediately thought of the most likely person to make the move.

Although Chief Chai had already fled, this scoundrel was unaware that Jade Unicorn and the Snake-Scale Old Woman were already dead...

As a respected elder of the Black Wind Clan, it is highly unlikely that he would completely offend Yu Linzi and the Snake Scale Old Woman in this matter, thus becoming their mortal enemy.

Only Lady Wei, who knew that Yu Linzi had been ambushed by him, and who knew that the Nine Serpents Liu Clan would have no one backing them in the future, dared to take such a ruthless action. (End of this chapter)