I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

But just as Wei Tu was politely declining the offers of these powerful clans, Geng Qiaozi, who was seated in the hall, suddenly sent him a telepathic message.

What he said was not an attempt to win Wei Tu over, but rather an inquiry about another matter.

"Are you the mysterious fusion master who offered a high reward for collecting seventh-tier ghost clan soul pills within the City of Ten Thousand Spirits?"

The woodcutter, dressed as a woodcutter, narrowed his eyes slightly and asked Wei Tu about this.

"A mysterious fusion?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu showed a slight surprise in his eyes, but he was not surprised at all.

The sudden appearance of a 'Cultivation Realm Master' would naturally arouse the vigilance and awareness of the nearby major clans, not to mention that his actions in the Myriad Spirits Immortal City were 'closely related' to the Mist Ghost Clan... It is only natural that this would attract the attention of the Mist Ghost Clan's enemy race—the human race.

Right now, his purpose in coming to the Heavenly Fox Clan to participate in the 'Alchemist Conference' is to obtain the seventh-tier Ghost Clan Soul Pill, so there's naturally no need for him to disguise himself again...

Therefore, it was entirely within his expectations that his identity would be discovered by this human 'woodcutter' or other cultivators.

“Fellow Daoist is right. I am indeed the one who collected seventh-tier ‘Ghost Clan Soul Pills’ in the City of Ten Thousand Spirits.”

Wei Tu nodded slightly, responding with a smile that remained unchanged. It was impossible to tell that he had once been a human cultivator and had considerable conflicts with the current high-ranking members of the human race.

"Hmm... that person really is Fellow Daoist Ruan. It seems my memory hasn't gotten any worse." Geng Qiaozi smiled faintly, chuckled, and ended the topic without engaging in any further conversation with Wei Tu.

It seems that they were merely curious about Wei Tu's identity, without any other ulterior motives.

Upon seeing this, Wei Tu raised an eyebrow slightly but did not pursue the matter further.

Just now, the fact that Geng Qiaozi took the initiative to contact him telepathically meant that he intended to have in-depth contact with him.

The reason for not saying much at this moment is either because I have reservations and don't intend to discuss things too deeply with someone I don't know well, or because I think this is not the place to talk and I'm worried that someone might be overheard...

But whatever the reason, it means that he has some 'value' and is worth it for this cultivator to take the initiative to contact him.

He only needs to wait patiently to find out what his intentions are.

There's no need to rush.

……

This alchemist conference of the Celestial Fox Clan is a grand gathering of alchemists open to the entire Spirit Realm, and its timing differs from ordinary conferences.

It spanned a full sixty years.

Even though Wei Tu arrived at the 'Fox Hill Great Tomb' more than ten years later than other seventh-level alchemists, he still waited for several months in this 'Alchemist Hall' before the hall closed—that is, the day the 'Alchemist Conference' began.

And on the last day of the temple's closure.

Besides Wei Tu, there were also eighteen seventh-level alchemists from various races in the Spirit Realm who came to participate in this grand event.

"Nearly twenty seventh-level alchemists... This is probably the essence of most of the great realm of the Spirit World..." Wei Tu clicked his tongue in amazement, and at the same time understood how precious the reward, that promise, the Heavenly Fox Clan had made at this alchemist conference was.

The Ten Spirit Races may seem unremarkable in the Spirit Realm and other realms, but in reality, they are a colossal force that weighs heavily on the heads of the billions of cultivators in the Spirit Realm! They are not to be underestimated.

However, Wei Tu also secretly looked forward to what he would gain here.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this will be an excellent opportunity for him to fill the last gap in his 'Mahayana opportunity'.

"Ten days from now, the Alchemist Conference hosted by our clan will officially begin. At that time, it will be time for all of you fellow cultivators to compete on the same stage... And during these ten days, our Heavenly Fox Clan, as the host, will also provide a grand feast for all the alchemy masters..."

With a smile on his face, Lord Red Fox clapped his hands, and in an instant, groups of handsome men and beautiful women poured out of the hall.

They were all cultivators of the Heavenly Fox Clan, and with spring in their eyes, they walked toward the group of seventh-level alchemists seated beside the hall, their willingness to serve them evident in their words.

However, the vast majority of seventh-level alchemists remained unfazed, glancing at the scene casually before continuing to sit in their seats with serious expressions, resting with their eyes closed.

For them, who had already reached the pinnacle of the cultivation world as powerful beings at the Integration Realm and grandmasters of alchemy, lust was no longer of any interest.

At least, it's difficult to reach the point of being lured by it.

Only a handful of slightly younger seventh-level alchemists casually gestured to a few beautiful women, and with a burst of light, they flew away from the 'Alchemist Hall' and went straight to the rented cave dwelling they had arranged in the 'Fox Hill Tomb' long ago.

It is worth mentioning that.

These young alchemists all belonged to the three major powerful clans. Given their noble backgrounds, they were not worried that the Heavenly Fox Clan would play any tricks here.

However, after those lustful seventh-level alchemists left, the remaining seventh-level alchemists, seeing that the Crimson Fox Lord had given no further instructions, exchanged glances and flew away from the alchemist hall in twos and threes, awaiting the official opening of the 'Alchemist Conference' ten days later.

"These ten days should also be the time that the Heavenly Fox Clan has left for themselves and the envoys of these powerful clans to win over these seventh-level alchemists..." Wei Tu thought to himself as he flew away from the 'Alchemist Hall'.

Before competing on the same stage, they had no idea of ​​each other's alchemy skills... This indirectly provided these 'envoys' from the three major hegemonic clans and the ten spirit clans with some room for negotiation.

"If I could take this opportunity to trade for a seventh-tier 'Ghost Clan Soul Pill' or a rare treasure from the cultivation world to advance to the Integration Realm... that would be quite good." Wei Tu's mind stirred, and he secretly looked forward to the specific conditions that the Great Princess and the others would offer to win him over.

Several months ago, in the Alchemist Hall, the Great Princess and others also presented conditions to win them over, but those conditions were extremely formulaic... In most cases, they could not compare with the 'specific conditions' negotiated in the past ten days.

And precisely because he is suspected of coming from a 'minor clan and family', he is very likely to be courted by the Celestial Fox Clan and the envoys of these powerful clans with the highest possible conditions.

Under these circumstances, there is a considerable possibility that treasures such as the 'Divine Ape Grass' and seventh-tier Ghost Clan Soul Pills might be promised by these powerful clan envoys...

The only concern is whether the conditions proposed by these powerful envoys, while being wealthy and powerful, will be so harsh as to be unacceptable to him.

"However, just like the purpose of this trip to the Heavenly Fox Clan... we can turn this opportunity to win them over into a chance to trade spiritual items... With an exchange of equal value, there should be a good chance of success. After all, this is a risk-free way to gain the goodwill of a seventh-level alchemist..." Wei Tu, back in his room at the Immortal Inn, had already made up his mind.

soon.

Just as he had expected.

The invitations from envoys of various tribes, led by the Great Princess, arrived like snowflakes at his doorstep.

The contents of their talismans differ, but their core meaning is the same: the conditions for further negotiation and courting can be discussed in detail.

however--

Unfortunately.

After he contacted the 'envoys' of the three most powerful clans, he did receive promises from the Great Princess, Zou Yueshan, and Lei Bao. However, without exception, the conditions were all extremely harsh.

Wei Tu must immediately join the three major clans and swear a blood oath to pledge allegiance to them.

Of course, in reality, this condition isn't exactly 'harsh'. This is often the first hurdle for non-human cultivators joining major powers...

The reason why Wei Tu was able to avoid this requirement as a remnant of the Zi Chen Realm was not only because he was a "lone wolf", but also because of He Sanyao, Zi Chijun and others.

Now that the Purple Dragon Lord's 'protection' is gone, the Great Princess and the others will naturally have to deal with the matter at hand.

What truly troubled Wei Tu was that, seemingly because the three major clans did not have a large stockpile of seventh-tier 'Ghost Clan Soul Pills,' the Great Princess and the others were unwilling to engage in an 'equal exchange' with him, directly rejecting the possibility of such a deal.

The same applies to the opportunity to combine, including the 'Divine Ape Grass'.

—In the eyes of the three major clans, a seventh-level alchemist is not as valuable as one might imagine.

At the very least, it is very difficult to trade for such a crucial core resource without paying a high price.

but--

Just as Wei Tu was having a major headache over this.

An unexpected yet perfectly logical monk came to visit him.

This cultivator was none other than 'Geng Qiaozi', who was also a seventh-level alchemist and a member of the human race!
He still vividly remembered the lingering emotions the other person had when they communicated with him telepathically in the Alchemist's Hall months ago...

His sudden visit now can be seen as a way of making sense of the beginning and the end.

"Although Fellow Daoist Ruan has already stated in the City of Ten Thousand Spirits that the required seventh-tier Ghost Clan Soul Pills do not include those from the Mist Ghost Clan... I would still like to try it out and see if Fellow Daoist Ruan said this to avoid suspicion, or if he truly refuses the seventh-tier Soul Pills from the Mist Ghost Clan simply because of their medicinal properties..."

"After all, as the sworn enemy of the Mist Ghost clan, our human race's treasury contains quite a few seventh-tier Soul Pills originating from the Mist Ghost clan..."

As Geng Qiaozi entered the guest room of the Immortal Inn, he bowed to Wei Tu and said these words with a smile.

"This..." Upon hearing this, Wei Tu was greatly surprised, and his heart couldn't help but stir.

The reason was simple: the resolute refusal of the Great Princess and others had made him realize that the seventh-tier 'Ghost Clan Soul Pill' was not as easy to obtain as he had imagined... let alone three of them.

Admittedly, the Great Princess and the others had the intention of deliberately raising the price and coercing him to agree... but this also indirectly proved how difficult it was to obtain this item.

“That’s right. The seventh-tier Ghost Clan Soul Pill that I need is not limited to the so-called Ghost Clan. It only needs to be a seventh-tier Ghost Clan Soul Pill…” Wei Tu nodded slightly, his eyes flashing as he acknowledged this fact.

As a human cultivator, he was able to discern the truth in what Geng Qiaozi had said.

In terms of accumulating seventh-tier 'Ghost Clan Soul Pills', the human race is indeed more advantageous than other powerful races, as they can collect them from the Nascent Soul cultivators of their nemesis, the Mist Ghost Clan.

Upon hearing this, Geng Qiaozi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and a smile visibly appeared on his face.

“However… contrary to what Fellow Daoist Ruan thought, I have come here not to recruit Fellow Daoist Ruan to join my human race, but to discuss another opportunity with you…” Geng Qiaozi stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before continuing.

"An opportunity?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu was surprised. He had only met this woodcutter once. If he had the opportunity, wouldn't it be better to find other human cultivators? Why would he need to find an outsider like him?

He instinctively became alert.

But at this moment, the woodcutter seemed to have seen through Wei Tu's thoughts. After hesitating for a moment, he explained, "It's not that I don't want to find fellow cultivators, but... if I were to find fellow cultivators to plot that opportunity together, it would inevitably carry considerable risks for me..."

"Very well, I'll put it more bluntly."

"The treasures hidden in that sacred land will be of great use to me in my future tribulations."

"Anyway, most of the cultivators in the Spirit Realm have already guessed that I was born as a member of the human race and that my lifespan is about to end and I will soon die..." Geng Qiaozi sighed softly, his face showing a hint of emotion as he said this.

After finishing his speech, he directly explained the reason.

The reason is simple, and there is no other reason than that the opportunity was a 'treasure land' that only human cultivators could plan for... Inviting other human cultivators to accompany them would inevitably attract their covetousness.

Conversely, Wei Tu, this 'alien cultivator,' is not only powerful, but can also be lured and manipulated by him with treasures...

Therefore, naturally, we would choose Satellite Image as our first choice.

In other words.

The reason for inviting Wei Tu to accompany them was not to invite Wei Tu to plan this "treasure land" together, but simply because Wei Tu's strength was extraordinary, as he was a "Great Cultivation of Integration", and they wanted Wei Tu to help protect their path.

"A treasure land that only human cultivators can plot against?" Upon hearing this, Wei Tu frowned secretly, wondering if what Geng Qiaozi said was true or false.

Because it was just too much of a coincidence.

He was chosen from among a group of alien cultivators, this 'human cultivator' who was hiding his identity.

However, if this treasure trove is indeed real, then the 'dilemma' it speaks of certainly exists.

Although he was a high-ranking member of the human race, as the 'human race's foundation' that had been sealed away before, after many years of being unsealed... he was basically a 'lone wolf' with few fellow cultivators he could trust.

Even if it exists, it is other 'human resources' that are also sealed away.

This is precisely why the danger of 'competition for the same position' exists.

"The reason I met Fellow Daoist Ruan this time was because Fellow Daoist Ruan needed this seventh-order Ghost Clan Soul Pill... So I had a sudden idea to facilitate this transaction."

"Because this seventh-tier ghost clan soul pill is, in fact, the least precious item among treasures of the same tier within our human race."

Geng Qiaozi once again explained with a sincere expression.

In short, it wasn't a premeditated plan; it was simply because he happened to have resources that made it easy to control Wei Tu, this 'Combined Body Cultivator'... It was all by chance.

But Wei Tu remained frowning and silent.

He had a gut feeling that this matter was far from simple and that there was a considerable possibility that other dangers were lurking beneath the surface.

It's not as simple as Geng Qiaozi described.

However, just as he was about to refuse, Geng Qiaozi revealed a new piece of information.

This time, he was accompanied not only by "Geng Qiaozi" but also by another helper.

Wei Tu had personally witnessed this helper in the Alchemist's Hall.

"However, due to the blood oath, I cannot reveal that fellow Daoist's true identity..."

“However, if Fellow Daoist Ruan is willing to swear a blood oath with me, agreeing not to reveal what happened today, I can also reveal the identity of that fellow Daoist… Once Fellow Daoist Ruan knows the true identity of that fellow Daoist, the possibility of him agreeing to this matter is not small.” Geng Qiaozi offered this compromise.

As soon as these words fell.

Wei Tu hesitated.

If possible, he would not want to cause any more trouble in this spirit realm, but if the risks were manageable... the seventh-tier 'Ghost Clan Soul Pill' right in front of him was a naked temptation.

The promise from the Celestial Fox Clan, though it offered the possibility of obtaining a seventh-tier 'Ghost Clan Soul Pill'...

However, for him, it was still uncertain. He was not sure if he could refine the seventh-order pill needed by the Heavenly Fox Clan, nor was he sure if the Heavenly Fox Clan had enough seventh-order Ghost Clan Soul Pills for him to trade.

The fact that the Great Princess and others refused to trade proves that the major clans do not have as abundant reserves of seventh-tier 'Ghost Clan Soul Pills' as he initially imagined.

In addition, he is confident in his own abilities.

Even if Geng Qiaozi has some schemes against him, they are still at the 'fusion' level... As long as he is a little careful, with the strength of 'Owl Demon Yin Ghost', he can still escape unscathed.

“I, Ruan, can sign this blood oath before I hear Fellow Daoist Gengqiao recount this secret… However, before that, Fellow Daoist Gengqiao must also guarantee that after I agree to this, the required seventh-tier Ghost Clan Soul Pills must be paid immediately, without delay…” Wei Tu said after a moment of contemplation. (End of Chapter)