I am a late bloomer in the world of cultivating immortals

"In other words, with this treasure in hand, we will basically not miss the Corpse Immortal Embracing the Moon phenomenon that occurs once every twenty years in the 'Corpse Immortal Ancient Tomb'..."

"Once the Body Refinement Realm is raised to the eighth level and that evil power is suppressed, it can truly be regarded as a treasure land for cultivation within the Mahayana Realm."

He pondered to himself, what his assessment of its value was.

Indeed! The hidden place he was thinking of was none other than the "Holy Emperor's Tomb" left by the former Emperor Danyang in the "Corpse Immortal Cave".

That hidden place, that mysterious place, is his fundamental reliance for surpassing other Mahayana realms in the future, apart from the Golden Purple Destiny!

"Although this treasure is severely damaged, it is still a fine item for me..."

"Thank you for the gift, Senior Penghuang."

After a moment, Wei Tu suppressed his thoughts, put the 'Thunder Roc Token' in his hand and the damaged [Shifting Heaven Demon Palace] into his sleeve, then bowed and solemnly thanked the old Roc Emperor.

Seeing that Wei Tu remained so humble, the old Peng Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. He bowed back to Wei Tu and then, under Wei Tu's hospitality, returned to his previous seat of honor.

All of this seemed like a minor incident.

Soon, the Sendai Grand Ceremony was back on track.

However, apart from a few individuals, everyone present, whether Mahayana or Nascent Soul, cast a glance toward the main seat with a hint of awe.

Or rather—at this moment, they have truly taken Wei Tu, a powerful Mahayana cultivator, seriously, rather than giving any further thought to his background as a Feathered Dragon Clan.

……

One month later.

The Sendai Grand Ceremony concluded as scheduled.

After all the guests had left, Pei Laogui once again invited Wei Tu to visit the Mist Ghost Clan and secretly spoke about the 'Bao Ri Divine Tower'.

Upon hearing this, Wei Tu's heart stirred, realizing that Old Ghost Pei was inviting him to join his gang.

According to the memories of the Heavenly Crane Ancestor, the reason why the Purple Dragon Lord took Pei Hong as his disciple was to use the Mist Ghost Clan cultivators as 'henchmen' to clear the obstacles to entering the higher levels of the Treasure Sun Divine Tower.

Therefore, three forces joined the plan from the very beginning: the Purple Dragon Lord who learned of the matter, the Eight Fiends Sea Clan who joined forces with the Purple Dragon Lord to devise this 'plan', and the Mist Ghost Clan who were used as 'consumables'.

However, times have changed.

Back then, this "iron triangle" that could guard the secret to the death had one more major variable: him!

There are two reasons:

Firstly, like the Heavenly Crane Ancestor, he had personally visited the 'Precious Sun Divine Pagoda' and knew its secrets.

Secondly, he is no longer someone that can be easily dealt with by any of the three forces: Zi Chi Jun, the Eight Fiends Sea Clan, or the Mist Ghost Clan.

Once he intends to leak this secret, none of these three forces will likely be able to restrain him.

Therefore, compared to this, bringing him into this 'alliance of interests' is undoubtedly safer and offers more guarantees, after all... he is also a Mahayana powerhouse, who can be of great use in the 'Treasure Sun Divine Tower' tribulation-crossing secret realm!

“However, I’m afraid that Old Ghost Pei and Mr. Cloud Falcon and Mr. Divine Elephant of the Eight Fiend Sea Clan are unaware that the secret of this ‘Precious Sun Divine Tower’ is also well known to the Dragon Lord of the Feather Dragon Clan…” Wei Tu’s eyes flickered slightly as he pondered to himself.

This can be seen from the fact that the Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan devised a plan to capture the Heavenly Crane Ancestor and handed this fiend over to him without reservation.

That's why he felt comfortable joining the Feathered Dragon Clan back then.

There's no other reason than that, having obtained information from the Heavenly Crane Ancestor's soul and learned about this 'tribulation opportunity,' he has indirectly bound himself to the Purple Dragon Lord and the Feather Dragon Clan's Dragon Lord, forming an 'iron triangle' that is no less powerful than the Purple Dragon Lord, the Eight Fiends Sea Clan, and Old Ghost Pei.

Or rather, a real, more covert alliance of interests targeting the 'Baori Divine Pagoda'.

Because... he, Zi Chi Jun, and the Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan are all Mahayana cultivators who are truly from the same clan!

"It's not impossible for me and fellow Daoist to explore the 'Precious Sun Divine Tower' secret realm together... However, since Ancestor Tianhe also knows about this Tribulation Transcending Secret Realm, it's hard to guarantee that the two 'Fierce Immortals' of the Eight Fierce Sea Clan are unaware of this matter."

Wei Tu narrowed his eyes and pretended to refuse.

It seems that he was unaware of his secret dealings with Zi Chi Jun and the Eight Fiends Sea Clan.

"Fellow Daoist Wei can rest assured about this. The reason why Mr. Yun Jun and Mr. Shen Xiang traveled a long way to congratulate you is also related to this matter..." Upon hearing this, Old Ghost Pei smiled slightly and immediately revealed the consensus he had reached with the two great evil immortals without reservation.

"With the great war between the two realms imminent, we cultivators of the Spirit Realm should immediately send troops to the Purple Chen Realm... That Treasure Sun Divine Tower is our chance to achieve Mahayana!"

Pei Laogui paused for a moment, then added.

After speaking, without waiting for Wei Tu's consent or refusal, he directly handed Wei Tu a communication artifact that resembled a compass and was entirely emerald green.

"Once we reach the Purple Palace Realm, when the 'Azure Pivot Dharma Plate' shines brightly... Fellow Daoist Wei can decide for himself whether to join us."

Then, without saying anything more, Pei Laogui waved his sleeve and used his magic to wrap Pei Hong behind him, and in that instant, he disappeared into the horizon.

And from beginning to end, it didn't mention even a fraction of the enormous 'weight' of Zi Chi Jun in this plan!
"This Xiu is quite adept at using overt strategies."

At this moment, Wei Tu, who had just received the 'Azure Pivot Dharma Plate', understood the certainty that Old Ghost Pei had about his intentions.

—Because no Mahayana practitioner can refuse that opportunity to transcend tribulations that can be seized.

Especially someone like him, who personally experienced the 'Precious Sun Divine Pagoda' and has the potential to reach even higher realms, is an extraordinary Mahayana practitioner.

"only--"

"With so many Mahayana practitioners involved, it's hard to say who will emerge victorious..."

Wei Tu shook his head secretly.

His visible alliances include the overt "iron triangle" of Pei Laogui, Zi Chi Jun, and the Eight Fiends Sea Clan, as well as the covert "iron triangle" of himself, Zi Chi Jun, and the Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan...

Conversely, how many of his unseen alliances of interest must he have?

He seems to have the upper hand, but who knows if he, like Pei Laogui, is also being schemed against by other Mahayana practitioners.

“But it would be a pity to give up this secret realm here.” Wei Tu stroked his chin, glanced at Xue Qiongyu who was attending him at the side table, and immediately thought of that cultivator who had been ignored by the cultivators of the Spirit Realm, but could become a great help to him.

That cultivator was none other than the Fairy Xuanling, who could be called half a master to him on the path of cultivation!
It has been trapped in the Death Realm for many years, and has not emerged even when humanity was in peril...

Today, the entire cultivation world has long forgotten its existence, believing that it had perished unexpectedly ten thousand years ago.

If they could get his help, their journey to the Bao Ri Divine Tower with Pei Laogui and the others would undoubtedly be much safer.

Moreover, this woman's power is not like that of the old Peng Emperor, which is completely 'uncontrollable'...

"In that case, it seems it's time to fulfill our promise and rescue this woman from that 'deadly place'."

Wei Tu's eyes flashed as he glanced at the 'Thunder Roc Token' in his hand, and he immediately made up his mind.

Back then, after successfully advancing to the Mahayana stage in the 'Stone Cocoon Secret Realm,' the reason he didn't immediately fulfill his promise and rescue Fairy Xuanling was largely due to the 'uncontrollable' nature of her.

But now, the situation is completely different.

During his sixty years of cultivation in the 'Feather Immortal Ancient Land', he not only thoroughly solidified his Mahayana realm, but also learned the nameless technique from the 'Remnant Soul of a True Immortal'.

They now possess the power to contend with a mid-stage Mahayana expert!
Secondly, he now has the Old Peng Emperor as another reliance outside of the Feathered Dragon Clan.

His extraordinary speed was enough to allow him to rescue her in time if she changed her mind and turned against him.

"However—before rescuing Fairy Xuanling, I must first go to the 'Ancient Tomb of the Corpse Immortal' and use the 'Space Shifting Array' of the [Shifting Heaven Demon Palace] to establish the 'Holy Emperor's Tomb' as another safe place for me in the Spirit Realm..."

"Furthermore, after sixty years of cultivation, the evil power of the Corpse Immortal within me has been removed. It's time to steal the Cold Marrow from the Corpse Immortal Cave again to enhance my cultivation..."

Wei Tu's heart stirred, and he thought to himself.

Of course, on the surface, his actions weren't as swift, and his statements weren't as straightforward.

After all, with a major war between the two worlds imminent, his hasty departure would inevitably cause controversy.

After returning to the Xuan Snake Palace and remaining in seclusion for several years, he finally sent out a talisman to inform the Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan that he needed to continue his travels.

Besides settling some old scores, another reason for this trip was to visit the Lei Peng clan and congratulate Yang Yujun on his successful advancement to the Mahayana realm.

Regarding this reason.

The Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan had no reason to refuse.

No sooner had the old Peng Emperor presented Wei Tu with a generous gift than now. It would be only right and proper for Wei Tu to make a trip to the Lei Peng clan to solidify their friendship.

Moreover, the old Peng Emperor's combat power is indispensable in the 'War Between the Two Realms'... Wei Tu's going to befriend the old Peng Emperor will be of great benefit to the Feathered Dragon Clan who will participate in the war in the future.

Of course, when issuing the talisman to grant Wei Tu permission to leave, the Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan also secretly instructed Wei Tu to return to the Feathered Dragon Clan before the war began.

Through this, Wei Tu finally gained access to crucial intelligence regarding the war between the two realms, as devised by the three dominant clans.

"Forty years later..."

"That day marks the beginning of the war between the two realms, and also the official start of the Spirit Realm's invasion of the Purple Chen Realm..."

While pondering the contents of the talisman, Wei Tu flew away from Immortal Dragon City, heading in a direction far from the Wind and Fire Continent.

And it was shortly after he left Immortal Dragon City.

Within the Feathered Dragon Clan, the 'spatial magic bridge' leading to the 'Ancient Feathered Immortal Land' was once again opened by the Feathered Dragon Clan's Dragon Lord.

However, the cultivator who entered this time was not a Mahayana cultivator, but the Great Princess who had already been designated as the next Dragon Lord within the clan.

"This war between the two realms is indeed a case of 'immortals attacking and demons retreating,' far less dangerous than the one hundreds of thousands of years ago... but once the great war begins, mountains of corpses are nothing new..."

"At that time, there will be no distinction between humble cultivators and nobles."

"Although I am the Dragon Lord of the clan, I cannot protect you completely. Now, by using this opportunity to break through to the Mahayana stage and seclude myself within the clan, I will have one of the few chances to avoid this calamity..."

"This is also one of the main reasons why I tried to win over Wei Tu and allowed him to join my Feather Dragon Clan as a guest elder."

On the spatial bridge, gazing at Wei Tu's departing figure, the Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan sighed softly and whispered to the Great Princess standing behind him.

"Father, by doing this... wouldn't that be sending your daughter to desert? This is against the clan's rules, and... if this is done, who will be truly convinced when your daughter succeeds as Dragon Lord?"

Upon hearing this, the eldest princess, understanding its meaning, subtly furrowed her brows, her face filled with resistance.

She understood the principle that "if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight."

For thousands of years, as the Great Princess, she has always protected her peers in the clan and has never shown the slightest weakness.

At this moment, seeing the Great Princess so stubborn, the Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan couldn't help but show a hint of relief on his face.

She nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with what the Great Princess had said.

"But the real main event of the war between the two realms is the battle between cultivators at the Mahayana level and above... Having only a surge of courage is useless."

"Sixty years ago, there was a crisis at the [Moving Heaven Demon Palace]. Does Ying'er perhaps want to experience it again?"

"Once you reach the Purple Palace Realm and the Ancient Demon Realm, neither your father nor your fellow Daoist Wei will be there to save your life."

"As for prestige, it can be established after advancing to the Mahayana stage. There is no shortage of people with prestige in this world, but only those who have reached the Mahayana stage can succeed to the position of Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan."

The Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan stood with his hands behind his back and spoke calmly.

"what?"

"The crisis at the [Moving Heaven Demon Palace] sixty years ago... was actually Wei Tu's daughter who saved it?"

Upon hearing this, the Great Princess was stunned, a look of disbelief flashing across her face.

At this moment, she finally understood why Wei Tu's gaze towards her had carried a hint of strangeness when he arrived in Xianlong City decades ago.

It wasn't that she found this 'old friend' strange, but rather that she kept avoiding talking about the life-saving grace.

"Indeed, it was this cultivator who saved you."

"But... Ying'er, with your keen eyesight, can you tell whether this cultivator is cowardly or bold?"

"Moreover, if you are saved by this cultivator again, how will you face yourself, Ying'er?"

The Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan nodded in agreement, and then suddenly asked this question.

Then, the Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan turned his head again to look at Wei Tu's disappearing figure.

It was as if to say that, with the current level of the Great Princess, she could hardly even catch a glimpse of Wei Tu's back.

The one who went to offer her congratulations was Yang Yujun, a Mahayana cultivator at the same level... while she was still at the Integration stage, and could not be compared with him.

Seeing this scene.

The struggle on the Great Princess's face vanished instantly. After taking a deep breath, she gritted her teeth and obediently began to fly towards the 'Feather Immortal Ancient Land'.

There's no other reason than that, given her intelligence, it wouldn't be difficult for her to understand the unspoken meaning behind her father's words.

A single life-saving act can be ignored.

But what if there's a next time, or the time after that...? How should she repay him?
In the Feathered Dragon Clan, a powerful clan that values ​​marriage alliances, a female cultivator of her level, even as a Grand Princess, would likely find it difficult to remain uninvolved.

Only by seizing this opportunity to break through to Mahayana Buddhism can one truly take control of one's own destiny.

They won't become pawns, or like sixty years ago... waiting for someone else to rescue them.

"There are no seniors who last forever..."

"Back then, I was able to surpass Wei Tu by a margin. Even if I were inferior after breaking through to the Mahayana stage... I could still be on the same level as him and stand on the same stage with him once again..."

"At that time, I will be able to repay that life-saving grace with my own strength!"

Half a day later, after arriving at the 'Sacred Longevity Mountain' in the Feather Immortal Ancient Land, the Great Princess looked at the 'opportunity to become an immortal' prepared for her by her clan. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes, and she closed her eyes slightly, focusing on her breakthrough.

……

the other side.

Wei Tu was unaware that the Dragon Lord of the Feathered Dragon Clan had deliberately delayed mentioning the rescue favor until today in order to provoke the Great Princess and ensure her successful seclusion.

After leaving Immortal Dragon City, he turned his escape light around and secretly fled towards the location of the 'Corpse Immortal Ancient Tomb'.

"Is this cultivator still in the Corpse Immortal Ancient Tomb?"

At this moment, having arrived at the Corpse Immortal Ancient Tomb, he once again sensed Feng Qing's aura near the entrance of the 'Corpse Immortal Cave'.

It seems that he has never left this dangerous place in the past sixty years.

"Fine, it's none of my business. The strange phenomenon of 'Corpse Immortal Embracing the Moon' lies deep within the Corpse Immortal Cave... Even with cultivation techniques like this, there's absolutely no way I could break in..."

He shook his head inwardly, flicked his sleeves, and used his life cultivation technique to completely conceal his aura. Then, with a flash of light, he once again followed the 'old method' and entered the 'Holy Emperor's Tomb' located inside the entrance of the Corpse Immortal Cave. (End of Chapter)