I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

Having confirmed that there was no danger around the 'Stone Cocoon Secret Realm' and that it was indeed a paradise for rogue cultivators, Wei Tu naturally wouldn't waste any more time outside.

Within this market, he lightly touched the ground with his toes and, following his memories from a thousand years ago, secretly flew to the 'Stone Cocoon Forest' of the Stone Cocoon Secret Realm, where he found the giant stone cocoon that contained the 'turtle belly space' and resembled a black tortoise.

Over the course of a thousand years, the rise and fall of external forces have changed dramatically, but this 'mysterious tortoise stone cocoon' and the various stone cocoons standing around it are almost identical to their appearance a thousand years ago.

"Go!" Wei Tu didn't hesitate. With a flick of his hand, he took out the token that opened the 'turtle belly space' and placed it on the shell of the Xuan Turtle Stone Cocoon.

This token is a dark blue tortoise shell.

Back then, after he killed Ye Ya, he obtained this treasure from her storage artifact, but he had always treated it as miscellaneous items and never really valued or used it.

Currently, only he and Xue Qiongyu possess this item in the entire spirit realm. From this perspective, this 'turtle belly space' is indeed what Xue Qiongyu described—an extremely safe place suitable for his seclusion.

Soon, as the azure tortoise shell fell, a dazzling five-colored light instantly appeared on the shell of the Xuan Turtle Stone Cocoon. At the same time, one after another, exquisite silver runes also surged out from these five-colored lights.

In an instant, these silver runes formed a dazzling runic light barrier, and after the 'Azure Tortoise Shell' shot out a dazzling cyan beam of light, a 'spatial passage' large enough for one person to pass through was slowly revealed.

Before long, that familiar scene appeared before Wei Tu, accompanied by the omnipresent 'fusion spiritual pressure' of this place.

The land is flat and the sky is round, a 'narrow land' only a few thousand miles wide, and a sea of ​​lava in front of us... and a huge '几'-shaped building on the distant shore.

"Leaving the Mountain Mansion." Wei Tu flicked his sleeves, and his powerful body immediately ignored the powerful spiritual restriction on the 'Lava Sea' that was strong enough to bind those in the Refinement and Integration realms.

Then, in just a few breaths, he appeared at the "U"-shaped building on the opposite bank and arrived near the tall archway with the three characters "Lishanfu" written on it.

This place is where the powerful true spirit of the Taoist Lishan passed away, and it was the cave dwelling he lived in before his death... It was also a place of opportunity that he encountered not long after he advanced to the Void Refinement stage.

Behind the archway are rows of fortresses built of huge black stones. Silver plaques on them indicate the functions of these black stone fortresses, such as pill refining rooms, weapon refining rooms, and other living areas familiar to cultivators.

What Wei Tu cared about most was a dark silver tower standing among these black stone fortresses, a dangerous place called the 'Dragon-Trapping Tower'.

Unlike the 'Blackstone Fortresses' that have been explored and looted, the outer spiritual barrier inside this Dark Silver Tower has not changed much, and the roars of the beasts inside are still terrifying, inspiring fear.

Zhuang Changyou, whom he was hunting down back then, risked his life to escape into this place in order to avoid dying at his hands.

Later, according to Xue Qiongyu, the Xueying Clan cultivators who monopolized this 'turtle belly space' explored the 'Dragon Trapping Tower' several times, but due to the great dangers within, they often only scratched the surface and did not continue to delve deeper.

After all, the Snow Infant Clan is only a medium-sized powerful clan in the Spirit Realm. There are not many Nascent Soul cultivators in the entire clan, so they dare not waste their lives here and invite unforeseen dangers.

Moreover, the secrets of this place should not be known to too many cultivators.

The only person who could come here to explore was Xue Qiongyu's biological father—the chief of the Xueying clan.

"The Dragon-Trapping Pagoda is the true tomb within this 'turtle-belly space,' where the corpse of Daoist Lishan is placed... According to my father's observations, these roars of beasts should be the 'evil thoughts' formed from the corpse of Daoist Lishan after his death..."

"There should be no treasure inside."

"Furthermore... when I was about to marry Pei Hong, the evil spirit of the 'Dragon-Trapping Pagoda' was a good opportunity for him. That's why my father entrusted me with the token to open the 'turtle belly space,' intending to give this pagoda as a dowry to curry favor with Pei Hong..."

At this moment, Xue Qiongyu, who had been released from Wei Tu's 'Qiankun Bag', after sensing the general situation of the 'Dragon Trapping Tower', uttered a sentence with a slightly strange expression and a look of emotion.

In short, it wasn't that they didn't want to, but rather that by sheer coincidence, the Snow Infant Clan lost the opportunity to open the 'Dragon-Trapping Tower'.

If things proceeded according to the normal plan, even if the 'Dragon-Trapping Tower' was dangerous and contained no treasures, a thousand years would have been enough time for the Snow Infant Clan to slowly advance and completely open up this 'unknown land'.

Even if the Snow Infant Clan lacked this ability, the Mist Ghost Clan, to which Pei Hong belonged, would not find it difficult to completely unravel the secrets of the Dragon-Trapping Tower.

However, at this moment, just as Xue Qiongyu finished speaking, she opened her 'Hun'e Evil Eye' and carefully examined the 'Trapping Dragon Tower'. Suddenly, she let out a soft 'Eh' and a look of surprise appeared on her face.

"Husband, have you discovered something inside this Dragon-Trapping Tower?" Seeing this, Xue Qiongyu was also filled with curiosity.

She knew Wei Tu's strength and understood that he was already a top-tier Nascent Soul cultivator in the world. The 'Dragon-Trapping Tower,' which the Snow Infant Clan could hardly conquer, was no challenge for him.

There's no other reason than that Li Shan Dao Ren's highest cultivation level before his death was only at the 'half-step Mahayana' realm, which is not much different from Wei Tu's current realm, belonging to the same level of cultivators.

"Just as your father discovered back then, there are indeed no treasures inside this Dragon-Trapping Pagoda. All that exists is the malevolent spirit within the corpse of the Taoist Lishan that has already become a spirit..."

"However, after years of cultivation within the 'Dragon-Trapping Tower,' this evil thought has actually developed the potential to re-enter the 'Half-Step Mahayana' realm," Wei Tu exclaimed in amazement.

After speaking, Wei Tu said no more, and in a flash, he flew into the 'Dragon-Trapping Tower'.

Soon, Xue Qiongyu, who remained in place, could no longer hear the terrifying roar of the beast that used to emanate from inside the 'Dragon-Trapping Tower'.

Then, in just a quarter of an hour, Wei Tu flew out of the tower, holding a spirit that resembled a black tortoise in his hand.

Its entire body was blood red, its eyes were filled with rage, and it exuded a terrifying pressure comparable to the late stage of the Integration Realm. With a man-eating gaze, it stared intently at Wei Tu, who was imprisoning it with great magic power.

“Since this place is the dowry that the Snow Infant Clan gave to Qiongyu, then… I, as her husband, cannot forcibly take it. So I will give it to you in this way as a wonderful protective item.”

Wei Tu's lips moved slightly as he simplified the forbidden techniques for refining the [Owl Demon Yin Ghost] and passed them on to Xue Qiongyu.

At the same time—his large hand followed closely behind, rapidly forming hand seals and imprinting a series of restrictions on the 'Mysterious Turtle Soul' for refining and controlling it.

Half a month later, after the 'Mysterious Turtle Soul' had gradually revealed its unique 'Owl Demon Yin Ghost' aura, Wei Tu finally let go and handed the item to Xue Qiongyu, instructing her to continue refining it patiently and completing the follow-up matters.

Immediately afterward, he gave Xue Qiongyu a few instructions, then turned around and flew back into the 'Dragon-Trapping Tower' in front of him, disappearing from her sight.

Upon witnessing this scene, Xue Qiongyu felt a mix of surprise and helplessness.

It should be noted that when she met Wei Tu here, her cultivation level was far superior to Wei Tu's.

However, today...

Her fall behind was no longer a matter of a step or two, but a massive, insurmountable gap.

Although they appear to be at the same level of Integration, she has only just advanced to Integration... while Wei Tu is already in seclusion in this 'turtle belly space,' preparing to plan for the Mahayana realm, which is hailed as a fairyland.

The 'Mysterious Tortoise Soul' that she casually grabbed, and the refining method she gave her... were rare and extremely precious treasures to her and to the former 'Snow Infant Clan'.

"Using one's looks to please someone is only temporary, but such a person... is beyond my reach even with all my efforts."

Xue Qiongyu sighed inwardly, a complex expression gradually appearing on her face.

However, such emotions come and go quickly.

Having a treasure in hand is more precious than any thought.

After glancing at the 'Dragon-Trapping Tower' in front of her, she casually found a nearby 'Black Stone Fortress' and used it as her dwelling, happily refining the 'Mystic Turtle Soul Spirit' given to her by Wei Tu.

……

At the same time.

Wei Tu, who was watching Xue Qiongyu cultivate peacefully, also withdrew his gaze at this moment. He glanced at the 'coffin' containing the body of Daoist Lishan beside him, shook his head inwardly, and then closed his eyes and began to meditate.

There are good reasons why he chose the 'Dragon-Trapping Tower' as his place of seclusion at this moment.

Because it is not only the 'tomb' of the Taoist Li Shan, but also the place where he secluded himself to cultivate and break through to the Mahayana realm before his death. Although the cultivation environment inside cannot compare with the cultivation treasures of those powerful clans, it is not much different.

He didn't understand the meaning of the words "trapped dragon" when he first came to this place a thousand years ago, but now, how could he not understand the complex feelings of "Taoist of Lishan" when he wrote the name of this tower?

However, since the person has passed away, there is no need for him to mourn too much at this moment. The most important thing is to take advantage of this treasure land to cultivate to the peak of the Integration Realm as soon as possible, and then break through to the Mahayana Realm.

"Leopard-Colored Pill!"

Several months later, after refining the residual medicinal power from the second 'Leopard Glow Pill' he had previously consumed, Wei Tu began to take the third 'Leopard Glow Pill' without hesitation.

Unfortunately, perhaps due to drug resistance, his cultivation speed did not increase significantly compared to the beginning when he consumed the third and fourth 'Leopard Glow Pills'.

He is still stuck at the late stage of the Fusion Realm, unable to break through to the peak of the Fusion Realm.

"Fortunately, besides the 'Leopard Glow Pill,' I also have the 'Earth Mother Divine Medicine' that I seized from the 'Holy Emperor's Palace'..."

Wei Tu took a deep breath and took out the 'Earth Mother Divine Medicine' that he had sealed in the jade box.

The moment he opened the jade box, the 'Earth Mother Divine Medicine' that resembled ginseng and was made entirely of glass appeared before him once again.

At the same time, in the brief moment when its branches and leaves swayed slightly, he smelled the fragrance of the medicine, and his body instantly felt his blood and qi boil, and his muscles and bones began to itch.

This medicine is indeed a sacred medicine for body refinement.

However, in cultivation, the three treasures of 'essence, energy, and spirit' complement each other, greatly benefiting one's physical cultivation realm. Conversely, they can also be used to help one break through to the spiritual cultivation realm at this moment.

At least, it's not difficult to break through the 'peak of the Fusion Realm' barrier.

"Furthermore—although this treasure is valuable, it is insignificant compared to the 'Peak of Integration' and the future 'Great Ascension'. Taking it now, even though it may seem a bit wasteful, is still better than having your cultivation stagnate."

Wei Tu narrowed his eyes, then without further hesitation, he plucked a leaf from the 'Earth Mother Divine Medicine' with his fingers, slowly placed it in his mouth, and began to refine it.

And at this very moment.

His blood and qi instantly boiled, and his 'True Spirit Immortal Bone' shone brightly. The body refinement realm that had plagued him for so long finally showed signs of loosening.

Of course, what Wei Tu is most concerned about is...

As this branch and leaf were refined, the barrier to the 'Peak of Integration' realm was also slightly breached, no longer as unshakeable as before.

However, Wei Tu still felt it wasn't enough at this moment.

His eyes flickered slightly before he flicked his sleeve and took out the "Five Wonder Corpses" that he had been refining for a long time and which had already broken through to the seventh rank from the "corpse-nurturing bag".

Soon, under the influence of his magic incantation...

The five strange corpses immediately formed a five-element formation, each holding a formation flag, and exhaled their essence, which interacted with the 'Scorched Earth Drought Demon Dharma Image' behind him, helping him break through the barrier.

This is why Wei Tu chose the Corpse Stiffness Secret Technique as his main cultivation method after killing the 'Purple-Faced Hermit'.

Besides being compatible with the 'Five Elements Law' he possesses, these 'Five Strange Corpses' can also serve as nourishment for his breakthrough when necessary, giving him a helping hand.

One year.

Two years...

In the blink of an eye, a century has quietly passed within this 'turtle-belly space'.

On this day, Wei Tu, realizing that his Fusion Realm had completely loosened, immediately began to break through the barrier with all his might.

"Break!" His eyes gleamed, and with a thought, he used his magic to pluck a branch of the 'Earth Mother Divine Medicine' and put it in his mouth. Then, taking advantage of the tremor, he used his surging magic to charge towards this realm barrier with all his might.

Soon, accompanied by a slight 'crack' sound, his dantian seemed to break through some kind of shackle, and his sea of ​​mana began to expand rapidly.

Strangely, at this moment, his 'Nascent Soul,' which was already as strong as a child, began to collapse, shrinking significantly at a visible rate.

But at the same time.

A wisp of ethereal mist suddenly emerged from the mouth of the 'fair-skinned infant'.

“This is the ten immortal auras…” Wei Tu was enlightened and recognized the origin of this wisp of immortal aura.

Ordinary cultivators at the peak of the Integration Realm do not exhibit such 'extraordinary phenomena' during their breakthrough. Only cultivators like him, who have refined a complete strand of immortal energy early on and possess 'immortal appearance', can extract a wisp of immortal energy unique to themselves from their Nascent Soul body at the very beginning of their breakthrough to the peak of the Integration Realm.

This wisp of immortal energy is the beginning of immortal foundation, and is also recognized by the world as—the true potential for Mahayana cultivation! (End of Chapter)