I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

"It's natural."

Upon hearing Wei Tu's demanding request, Geng Qiaozi hesitated for a moment, then seemed to have made up his mind and nodded in agreement.

The blood oath made by the 'Blood Curse Secret Book' is a powerful weapon against any cultivator, especially those who are qualified to glimpse the 'Great Vehicle' and are at the Integration Stage.

Once the oath is broken, under normal circumstances, only the assistance of a Mahayana immortal can barely eliminate the 'blood pact backlash' caused by violating the oath.

However, Wei Tu, being from a humble background and lacking any Mahayana background, faces a far greater price to pay for breaking his oath than Wei Tu...

On this point, Wei Tu agreed to swear a blood oath, which made him more trustworthy than Wei Tu.

……

A moment later, just as mentioned earlier, after Wei Tu swore a blood oath with the 'Blood Curse Secret Book', promising never to reveal this secret, Geng Qiaozi also revealed the identity of his helper.

After the cultivator's name was revealed, Wei Tu was surprised and astonished, but he also began to trust Geng Qiaozi's words more.

There was no other reason than that cultivator was none other than the wife of the Mist Ghost Clan Chief, Da Yuanfei, who was the mortal enemy of the human race in the Spirit Realm.

Since this woman believed what Geng Qiaozi said and agreed to become Geng Qiaozi's helper... then why would he, the 'third party', refuse?
"However, how can Consort Dayuan be so certain that Geng Qiaozi wasn't lying... that he really was plotting to seize that human treasure land?" Wei Tu frowned secretly, feeling puzzled.

"The reason I invited Fellow Daoist Ruan to be my helper and protect me this time is largely to guard against Consort Dayuan... and her clansmen."

Geng Qiaozi didn't keep Wei Tu in a state of surprise for long. Under the constraint of the blood oath, he directly explained the reason for the matter.

It turns out that the human treasure land they were planning was located within the territory of the four-armed ape clan.

For this reason, he approached Consort Dayuan and reached an agreement with her to explore the 'treasure land of the human race' together.

"Currently, due to the matter of Pei Hong's apprenticeship, there is considerable conflict between the Four-Armed Ape Clan and the Great Abyss Consort... However, although I know that this woman is estranged from her mother's clan, I still have to be careful and take precautions in this matter..."

"And you, fellow Daoist, happen to need a seventh-tier Soul Pill from the Mist Ghost Clan for alchemy... Just because of this, it's difficult for you to maintain any past relationship with the Great Abyss Consort and the Mist Ghost Clan..."

Geng Qiaozi slowly recounted and explained these doubts.

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu finally realized what had happened and understood why Geng Qiaozi had suddenly invited him.

This invitation, though seemingly sudden and abrupt—

But as he said, in terms of guarding against the cultivators of the Great Abyss Consort and the Mist Ghost Clan, he, who was collecting seventh-order 'Ghost Clan Soul Pills', did have a natural advantage and it was naturally difficult for him to stand on the side of the Great Abyss Consort and the Mist Ghost Clan.

Furthermore, in terms of identity, he is quite a unique figure among the group of 'fusion cultivators'.

—The identity of a seventh-level alchemist is not easy to fake. Inviting him can also indirectly dispel the concerns of Consort Dayuan.

He is a 'protector of the Way', not an ally of Geng Qiaozi who is targeting and plotting against Consort Da Yuan.

Or rather, among all the Nascent Soul cultivators in this Spirit Realm, although he was not a special person, due to these 'coincidences'... he just happened to become a 'middleman' that Geng Qiaozi and Da Yuanfei could both trust!

In this respect, he has a unique and irreplaceable advantage.

“But… that treasure land, which exists within the territory of the four-armed ape clan and can only be planned by human cultivators…” Wei Tu narrowed his eyes slightly, vaguely guessing what it was.

If he wasn't mistaken, this "treasure land of the human race" must be the "land of inheritance" of the human ancestor who existed in the "Illusory Mirage Realm," which he had learned about from the Fire-Haired Daoist hundreds of years ago!
The Fire-Haired Daoist once said that although the Spirit Realm's human race had deleted all records about the 'Illusory Mirage Realm', those high-ranking members of the human race, like the ancestors of the Heavenly Sea Sect, still had an impression of it and secretly remembered this history.

Now that Geng Qiaozi has been born, his cultivation level has not improved much and he is threatened by the 'Heavenly Tribulation of Life Expiration'. As a high-ranking member of the human race, how could he not have his eyes on this 'land of inheritance' of the human race?

And precisely because of the Great Abyss Consort, the Four-Armed Ape Clan now has this 'opportunity' to scheme against.

If he were a woodcutter, he wouldn't have let this opportunity slip by.

Hundreds of years ago, he had the same idea: to find a loophole in Da Yuanshuang's body and explore this 'Illusory Mirage Realm'...

However, because his cultivation level was too low at that time, he sensed that the danger was uncontrollable, so he gave up on it.

After all, the Four-Armed Ape Clan is no ordinary race; they are a genuine top-three of the Ten Spirit Clans, and are not to be easily bullied.

"I wonder if Pei Hong's apprenticeship to Zi Chi Jun is related to me... If it really is related to me, then this can be considered a coincidence by chance." At the same time, Wei Tu, who suddenly thought of the origin of this 'opportunity', couldn't help but feel strange.

"Fellow Daoist Gengqiao's reasons for inviting me are impeccable...and I trust them. However, the Four-Armed Ape Clan is no ordinary race...relying solely on a mere Great Abyss Consort may not be enough to avert all dangers..."

"Although we are cultivators at the Integration stage, no matter how many methods we possess, we can hardly withstand the Mahayana Immortals of the Four-Armed Ape Clan..."

After a moment's hesitation, Wei Tu asked the same question again.

This was his last concern.

If this core contradiction is not resolved, the current Geng Qiaozi is no different from the one he was back then in fact... At most, the Da Yuan Consort he has won over has a higher status than Da Yuan Shuang, and the relationship he has gained through this benefit is more stable.

Upon hearing this, Geng Qiaozi couldn't help but burst into laughter.

“Fellow Daoist Ruan is right. No matter how many methods we have, it is difficult to withstand the Mahayana Immortal of the Four-Armed Ape Clan.”

"But what if those two Mahayana immortals of the Four-Armed Ape Clan aren't in the Spirit Realm?" Geng Qiaozi chuckled.

"Not in the spirit world?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu was greatly surprised.

The Mahayana Immortal is the ancestor who protects the clan. Under normal circumstances, even if the Mahayana Immortal of the Four-Armed Ape Clan has something important to do, it is impossible for the two of them to leave together...

"Fellow Daoist Ruan need not doubt this. This is something that my clan's Mahayana cultivators have personally confirmed. Now, in the entire Spirit Realm, apart from the three major hegemonic clans still having Mahayana immortals, the immortals of the other major clans... have basically all gone to that place..." Geng Qiaozi said these words in an extremely mysterious tone, and made a gesture as if he could swear to these words.

However, the taciturn Geng Qiaozi did not reveal a single detail about the location of that place.

……

“Since this matter poses no threat to Mr. Ruan… then Mr. Ruan would have no reason to disagree…”

"However, the human treasure land that Fellow Daoist Gengqiao mentioned may not necessarily be something that only human cultivators can covet..."

After confirming that it was safe, Wei Tu did not immediately agree to Geng Qiaozi's request. Instead, after a moment of glint in his eyes, he said the words with a greedy look on his face.

However, after these words were spoken, Geng Qiaozi did not show any surprise on his face. Instead, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It is normal for cultivators to have greed.

If Wei Tu truly didn't covet that 'treasure land of the human race,' then he would be greatly worried.

"But what ability do these mere alien races have to covet my human race's sacred land..." Geng Qiaozi sneered inwardly. As a high-ranking member of the human race, he knew detailed information about this precious human land and was naturally not worried about Wei Tu's possibility of coveting it.

"As long as Fellow Daoist Ruan's 'blood pact' clearly states that he is protecting me... Whether or not you seek the opportunity in that human race's treasure land is entirely up to you, Fellow Daoist, and I will not interfere."

Geng Qiaozi smiled faintly, magnanimously agreeing to Wei Tu's small 'overstepping'.

Then, Wei Tu, seemingly worried about Geng Qiaozi's return, immediately took out a page of the 'Blood Curse Secret Book', made a corresponding blood pact on it, and handed it to Geng Qiaozi with his magic.

To this-

Geng Qiaozi had no doubts. With a graceful smile, he raised his finger and dripped a drop of his blood essence, thus making a new blood oath with Wei Tu.

"After this Alchemist Conference concludes, it will be time for us to travel to that 'treasure land of humanity'... At that time, I hope Fellow Daoist Ruan will not break his promise..."

After speaking, Geng Qiaozi bowed respectfully, calmly withdrew from the guest room, and disappeared into the Immortal Inn in just a few moments.

"What kind of change has occurred in the Spirit Realm that has caused so many Mahayana immortals to leave at the same time?" At this moment, Wei Tu couldn't help but ponder this question after taking a few deep glances at Geng Qiaozi's departing figure.

Unfortunately, limited by his perspective, he could hardly find an answer to this question no matter how much he pondered it.

Including An Liangcai, whom he imprisoned...

It is also difficult for them to know the reason why all the Mahayana immortals in the spirit world suddenly appeared.

“However, this is actually a good thing for me. Without the Mahayana Immortals… with my strength, both the Illusionary Realm and the 'Four-Armed Ape Clan's' territory are safe places I can leave at will…” Wei Tu thought to himself.

……

Meanwhile, ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

Soon, the day that Lord Red Fox had spoken of—the official opening of the Alchemist Conference—arrived.

Although only seventh-level alchemists were invited to this grand event, the hospitable Heavenly Fox Clan also set up a new venue to accommodate other alchemists from the Spirit Realm who came to inquire, offering additional rewards to attract these alchemists to compete for their rankings.

Therefore, by the time Wei Tu emerged from his guest room at the Immortal Inn and flew towards the 'Alchemist Hall', the area was already teeming with people and cultivators.

Fortunately, the 'Alchemist Hall' used to greet them was relatively quiet, with only eighteen seventh-level alchemists besides him, as well as envoys from those major clans.

"To be honest with you all, my Heavenly Fox Clan has attracted seventh-rank alchemists from the Spirit Realm to gather here with a great reward. The purpose of this is to refine the 'Jade Void Pill,' a top-tier seventh-rank spiritual pill that has been secretly passed down in the Spirit Realm since ancient times and is of great benefit to advancing to the Mahayana Realm."

"However, our clan has gone to great lengths to collect only six complete sets of the essential ingredients for refining this pill within the past tens of thousands of years..."

Inside the Alchemist Hall, a group of seventh-rank alchemists who were listening to Red Fox Lord's eloquent speech frowned upon hearing the words "six assistants".

With their abilities, it's not hard for them to see that the purpose of the Heavenly Fox Clan's invitation to the seventh-level alchemists of the Spirit Realm is most likely to refine high-quality and difficult-to-make top-level seventh-level spiritual pills... It's definitely not for goodwill, but to organize a so-called grand event.

In other words.

Unless it's a top-tier elixir like the 'Jade Void Pill,' they wouldn't be specially invited to refine it.

However... six batches of spiritual herbs for refining the 'Jade Void Pill' are far from enough to compete for the top five positions among alchemists.

The Celestial Fox Clan wouldn't be foolish enough to divide this hard-won 'Jade Void Pill' equally among them, leaving it only for practice.

Then, the matter becomes quite obvious.

The top five alchemists only have the qualification to refine the pill. Whether the second, third and subsequent alchemists can get their turn depends entirely on whether the top-ranked alchemist can successfully refine the 'Jade Void Pill'.

In other words, the so-called top five are only qualified for the order of alchemy... If they are unlucky, they will not even have the opportunity to come into contact with the alchemy of 'Jade Void Pill'.

as predicted.

Red Fox Lord's next words confirmed the guesses of these seventh-level alchemists.

This competition, which is not part of the Alchemist Conference, has only one purpose: to produce as many 'Jade Void Pills' as possible.

"Of course, besides the 'Jade Void Pill,' our clan has other pills that you fellow cultivators can refine. If you can successfully refine them, our clan's promise will still stand..."

Lord Red Fox said again.

After speaking, Red Fox Lord pointed forward with his finger, and nineteen blank jade slips flew out of his sleeve and landed in front of the group of seventh-level alchemists sitting on both sides of the hall.

"Fellow Daoists, you may now write down... the benefits you wish to obtain from my clan. I will then specify the grade and quantity of the pills required based on your written conditions. In this way, the transaction will be fair..."

As soon as these words fell.

The group of seventh-level alchemists who had just been frowning suddenly relaxed and smiled.

Previously, the benefits they wanted from the Celestial Fox Clan required competing for a top-five spot in the Alchemist Conference... But now, with this open, transparent, and quantifiable transaction, things are undoubtedly much simpler.

If you succeed, be happy; if you fail, don't hold a grudge.

"This Heavenly Fox Clan is no ordinary clan. As expected of a powerful clan that rose from the servant clan to become one of the Ten Spirits..." Upon hearing this, Wei Tu, whose eyes flickered slightly, couldn't help but admire the rule established by the Heavenly Fox Clan even more.

Other major powers are either domineering or ruthless, but very few are like the Heavenly Fox Clan, who consider the perspective of the group of seventh-level alchemists here.

"Hopefully, the conditions for trading such rare treasures as 'Divine Ape Grass' that help one advance to the Integration Realm won't be too harsh..." Wei Tu pondered for a moment, then condensed his magic power at his fingertips and wrote down the 'treasures' he wanted to trade with the Heavenly Fox Clan on the blank jade slip in front of him.

At this moment, he only had two treasures that he urgently needed: first, the three seventh-tier 'Ghost Clan Soul Pills' he needed for cultivation; and second, the rare treasures of heaven and earth that Xue Qiongyu needed to break through to the Integration Realm.

The former has already been successfully 'implemented' in his deal with Geng Qiaozi—now, all that's left is for Geng Qiaozi to return to the Human Race's 'Holy Emperor Domain' so that he can abide by the blood pact and hand over the three seventh-tier 'Ghost Race Soul Pills' to him.

Therefore, in this transaction with the Celestial Fox Clan, the only treasure he needed was the latter.

Half an hour later.

After briefly scanning the contents of the blank jade slip with his divine sense, the Crimson Fox Lord nodded slightly and returned it to Wei Tu and the others with a flick of his sleeve. (End of Chapter)