I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

This means that the newly promoted Mahayana immortal inside the 'turtle belly space' is acquainted with the Snow Infant Clan Chief, and their relationship may be even closer than they imagined.

"Qiong Yu? Could it be Xue Qiong Yu? The fiancée of the Holy Son of the Mist Ghost Clan?"

"A thousand years ago, wasn't this woman abducted by demonic cultivators in public and her whereabouts unknown? How could she suddenly appear here?"

"Could it be..."

The cultivators had their own suspicions and were full of complaints.

The abduction of Xue Qiongyu a thousand years ago was a sensational event at the time, but it was not enough to reach the ears of these powerful cultivators at the Fusion stage.

Therefore, most people only know a little about it and have not delved into the details.

"Impossible! The demonic cultivator who abducted Fairy Qiongyu back then was merely a mere Void Refinement cultivator, and he was already no match for the higher-ups of the Snow Infant Clan... How could he suddenly attain Mahayana status today? How many years have passed?"

"That Fairy Qiongyu must have been someone this senior saved on a whim."

But at that moment, the 'elder' of the Yang family's two saints suddenly realized something. His eyes flashed, and he quickly spoke up to refute the cultivators, saying this in front of everyone.

This scene shows how urgently the repair was done.

This inevitably surprised all the cultivators.

It should be understood that any discussions they may have were only internal and spiritual, and they would never dare to bring them up in public to discuss the private affairs of this great Mahayana senior.

It's quite audacious of him to say it so openly.

Of course, considering that this practitioner 'offended' that newly promoted Mahayana practitioner half a year ago, such behavior is understandable.

However, the wind direction changed so quickly...

It still felt a little strange, after all, they had vividly witnessed the arrogance of the "Two Saints of the Sheep Family" in the face of the Bloodstone Sect and the Snow Infant Clan.

However, at this moment, Xie Liao, the Heavenly Rat King, quickly grasped the true meaning of this.

"Could it be that this old sheep-headed man... has already guessed the identity of this newly promoted Mahayana cultivator? Is he trying to defend him and distance himself from the demonic cultivator who abducted Xue Qiongyu?" Heavenly Rat King Xie Liao pondered to himself.

However, the eagerness to defend oneself only made it seem like a case of protesting too much.

Moreover, if he is a 'demonic cultivator' who is wanted by the authorities, then it would be reasonable for him to hide in the Stone Cocoon Secret Realm to break through to the Mahayana stage.

"However, if it's a 'demonic cultivator'..."

"His surname is Wei, and he has a past connection with the Snow Infant Clan. Just now, the Blood Stone Sect of the Human Race also seemed to be trying to obstruct them..."

"It's him!"

In an instant, Xie Liao, the Heavenly Rat King, having sorted out the relationships here, immediately recalled a piece of information he had previously obtained from within the 'Eight Fierce Sea Clan'.

Coincidentally, the "demonic cultivator" secretly wanted by the "Eight Fierce Sea Clan" mentioned in that intelligence report also had the surname Wei.

“If this newly promoted Mahayana cultivator is indeed that person, then he must have a grudge against the ‘Eight Fierce Sea Clan’… This might be my chance to survive…” Heavenly Rat King Xie Liao’s heart pounded, and his mind immediately became active.

……

Unlike the Twin Saints of the Sheep Family and Xie Liao, the Heavenly Rat King, the Snow Infant Clan Chief and the Blood Stone Sect Master were quite certain of Wei Tu's identity.

There's no other reason than that both the human race and the Mist Ghost race were participants in the battle of the Illusionary Realm, and they, whether in the human race or the Mist Ghost race, belonged to the "higher ranks," so they naturally knew a great deal about this "great enemy."

However, upon hearing Wei Tu's words and seeing him emerge from the 'turtle belly space' with Xue Qiongyu and Ruan Shui'er, they finally felt relieved and put their worries to rest.

"I, Fu, have met Senior Wei. Congratulations to Senior Wei on attaining Mahayana enlightenment and becoming the second immortal of our clan in this era."

The Bloodstone Sect Master did not hesitate.

He immediately led the group of human cultivators behind him to bow to Wei Tu in congratulations.

At this moment, the Snow Infant Clan Chief, the Two Saints of the Sheep Family, and Xie Liao, the Heavenly Rat King, who arrived a little later, also hastily offered their congratulations, but their expressions inevitably showed their own awkwardness and unease.

Although the former understood that Wei Tu was no longer accusing him, their relationship was inevitably awkward.

Of course, the main reason was that he didn't understand what kind of relationship Wei Tu and Xue Qiongyu had at this time.

The latter, however, is a situation where life and death are entirely in Wei Tu's hands, and it's normal to feel uneasy.

"The second Mahayana cultivator of our clan in this era?" Wei Tu, who had instantly arrived outside the 'turtle belly space', paused and frowned slightly after hearing the Bloodstone Sect Master's words.

He does not reject his human identity or human bloodline.

However, due to the negative impressions left by Ming Kun, Geng Qiaozi, Zi Mian Sanren, and others, he had no goodwill towards the current high-ranking members of the 'Spirit Realm Human Race', let alone any sense of belonging.

Moreover, from the perspective of interests...

At this moment, the human race in the spirit realm could hardly offer him, a Mahayana immortal, any benefits.

In short, since he did not rely on it for growth, he was unwilling to be bound by its power after achieving success.

"I am a cultivator who ascended from the lower realm. Although I am indeed a human, I am no longer a noble cultivator back when Master Tianyan was chasing me."

Wei Tu's eyes turned slightly cold as he glanced around at the Bloodstone Sect Master and the group of human cultivators behind him, publicly stating his position.

As soon as he said this...

The smile on the Bloodstone Sect Master's face froze instantly.

"Not a cultivator of our race?" The Bloodstone Sect Master looked astonished, seemingly not expecting Wei Tu to say such a thing.

Even more unexpectedly, Wei Tu's grudge against the 'high-ranking human race' had become so deep.

They can even say things like "we are not of the same race" now, and state their position in front of everyone.

He looked slightly dazed, because in his memory, the last time he saw Wei Tu was more than two thousand years ago at the 'Sword Fighting Tournament'... At that time, Wei Tu was a junior cultivator of the human race, competing on the same stage with other races like Xue Qiongyu.

Unexpectedly, only a few thousand years have passed.

Not only did he attain the Mahayana path, but he also relinquished this 'family identity'?
"Tianyan's pursuit was only due to personal grudges, not the intention of our human race... Back then, Senior Brother Duan also stood up for Senior Wei, but later Senior Wei disappeared without a trace, and the matter was left unresolved..." The Bloodstone Sect Master swallowed hard and forced himself to explain.

"A hundred years ago, after Senior Wei's battle in the Illusionary Realm, our clan, in order to protect Senior Wei, also informed the three major clans and the ten spirit clans to protect Senior Wei... strictly forbidding these great clans' immortals from attacking Senior Wei..."

The Bloodstone Sect Master paused for a moment, then added.

It seems that he wanted to change Wei Tu's impression of the human race's high-ranking officials with these words.

But upon hearing this, Wei Tu remained unmoved.

He raised an eyebrow slightly and transmitted his voice:
"This time, Fellow Daoist Fu acted in time to stop the trespassers. Although I appreciate it, this favor... doesn't seem to be of much use."

Upon hearing this, the Bloodstone Sect Master swallowed back the prepared remarks he had been about to make, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face.

The meaning is quite clear.

While the human race's high command genuinely appreciated their efforts to protect them, this "better late than never" approach didn't constitute a significant act of kindness.

At least, it's not enough to make a Mahayana immortal forget his grievances and reconcile.

At the same time—his telepathic message also contained a warning to him: if things really come to the table, this personal grudge won't be so easily resolved, and it won't be brushed aside as lightly as it was done to him.

"How could this be! We are clearly of the same race..." The Bloodstone Sect Master was indignant, not understanding why Wei Tu would have such a strong prejudice against the 'high-ranking members of the human race'.

However, he also knew that the mere mention of "Heavenly Flame Immortal" was not enough to make Wei Tu so decisively abandon this kinship, preferring to hide in the "Stone Cocoon Secret Realm" for seclusion rather than seek the protection of fellow cultivators.

This move must indicate that some changes have occurred between the 'higher-ups of the human race' and Wei Tu that he is unaware of.

It may be sordid, or it may be the accumulated bad habits of a powerful family.

Because people naturally admire strength and yearn for help and protection from their own kind, before achieving Mahayana enlightenment, who would truly be like a stray dog, wandering aimlessly for thousands of years without returning to their clan?
Secondly—also intimidated by the power of Mahayana, he quickly recognized reality, took a deep breath, said "It was my mistake," bowed to Wei Tu, and then took the initiative to end the topic.

"Not of the human race..."

However, upon hearing this, the other cultivators' minds began to stir. A Mahayana immortal who was 'unclaimed' was undoubtedly a hot commodity in the entire Spirit Realm.

However, they were practically Wei Tu's prisoners at the moment. Even though they knew some powerful forces, they were not qualified to help him win over this Mahayana immortal at this time. Therefore, after thinking for a moment, they could only keep this thought deep in their hearts.

As for Chief Snow—

The next moment, when Wei Tu spoke again, they immediately turned their attention to the Snow Infant Clan Chief, who was of equal status to the Bloodstone Sect Master but whose treatment seemed to be different.

His daughter, Xue Qiongyu, is now closely following Wei Tu, and she acts as if she respects him and is very intimate with him, which is enough to make them think a lot.

"Back then, I, Wei, made a blood pact with Fairy Qiongyu, agreeing to explore the 'Sea-Stabilizing Immortal Ruins' together... It's just a pity that I, Wei, am weak and powerless, and fearing the nobles' fickle intentions, I had no choice but to resort to such a low tactic, kidnapping Qiongyu in front of Chief Xue..."

"I hope Chief Xue will not take offense at this matter."

Wei Tu smiled slightly and said generously.

Before he attained Mahayana enlightenment and broke through the 'Unity Realm', such a matter was a matter that could cost him his life.

But at this moment, it's just a trivial matter that nobody cares about.

There is no need to make a fuss like the Twin Saints of the Yang Family did, claiming that the 'demonic cultivator' was not himself.

As for the blood of the Feathered Dragon Clan's "Prince Qing" that stained his hands in the Dinghai Immortal Ruins, he had his own way of dealing with it. There was no need to deliberately conceal it.

Furthermore, the 'wanted' warrant issued against him by the Qihuo Divine Clan hundreds of years ago, and the Heavenly Crane Ancestor's escape from the 'Bao Ri Divine Tower'... these pieces of evidence are sufficient to prove that he has an unclear relationship with the 'Ancient Demon', and there is a considerable possibility that he is the 'Demon Cultivator' who attacked and killed Prince Qing.

In the cultivation world, killings do not require evidence. With this suspicion, the Feather Dragon Clan had an excuse to take direct action against him.

Therefore, frankly admitting it is a trivial matter that will not harm him at this moment.

Moreover, Wei Tu didn't believe that the Feather Dragon Clan would actually hunt down a Mahayana Immortal like him just because of the death of a mere Prince Qing... They didn't even do that when he was in the Integration Realm, let alone now.

Having reached the Mahayana realm, he already possessed the ability to directly communicate with the Feathered Dragon Clan.

The Feathered Dragon Clan, a powerful clan, is not one to be overly petty.

Once equals are reached, it is common for cultivators to fight each other, resulting in death or defeat; no one can be blamed for that.

The only thing worth caring about.

The question then becomes his identity: is he a pure spiritual cultivator, an 'ancient demon,' or a 'dual cultivator of immortality and demonhood'...?

"Senior Wei, you are too kind. I am already grateful to be able to see Qiongyu again in my lifetime.

Upon hearing Wei Tu's apology, the Snow Infant Clan Chief subconsciously looked up at the petite figure standing beside Wei Tu. Although she and Wei Tu were not in love, she did not appear to have suffered any humiliation. Therefore, after hesitating for a moment, he sighed and said this.

In the cultivation world, the strong are respected.

This is not just a sentence, but a doctrine engraved in the very bones of all cultivators.

Within the same faction, morality might be upheld, but among different races and factions, especially hostile groups, the most common practice is to use despicable means to maximize profits.

However, cultivators like Wei Tu, who, after abducting Xue Qiongyu, did not kill her but instead helped her reach the Integration Realm, are undoubtedly very rare.

"father."

Upon hearing this, Xue Qiongyu's expression was also complicated.

But after she called out softly, she did not leave Wei Tu's side. She remained in the same place, exchanging a brief glance with the Snow Infant Clan Chief.

Everything... can never be the same again.

However, even if things had gone according to plan, after marrying into the Mist Demon clan, she would have had little connection with her own clan.

Nowadays, being able to serve as a concubine of the Mahayana cultivator, following behind the promising cultivator Wei Tu, is already a great blessing.

"These odds and ends are of little use to me for the time being, so I will give them to Chief Xue." Upon seeing this, Wei Tu pondered for a moment, then took out a storage bag from his robes and handed it to Chief Xue Ying with his magic.

Because of his love for Xue Qiongyu, even though she was only his concubine and not his Daoist partner, he did not mind and used the name of Mahayana Buddhism to protect the Xueying Clan.

This gift was his way of expressing his stance.

"Thank you, Senior Wei."

Upon seeing the storage bag in front of him, the Snow Infant Clan Chief, who had been feeling somewhat disappointed, was immediately overjoyed and quickly cupped his hands in thanks.

The value of the gift is secondary.

The important point is Wei Tu's friendly attitude towards the Snow Infant Clan in front of all the cultivators.

This is enough to give the Snow Infant Clan some breathing room in their current perilous situation, and perhaps even allow them to advance further.

"As for the three of you..."

At this moment, Wei Tu, who had finished exchanging views with the Bloodstone Sect Master and the Snow Infant Clan Chief, turned a cold gaze to the two saints of the Yang family and Xie Liao, the Heavenly Rat King, who looked uneasy.

"Surrender, or die!"

He spoke coldly, offering the three only these two choices. (End of Chapter)