"The timing of the Demonic Dao’s invasion… coincides exactly with the opening of Cloud Ze Secret Realm."
"Golden Core clans are also responsible for resisting the Demonic Dao. With Hengshan Huang Clan’s Foundation Establishnt cultivators already stretched thin… I, as a talisman master, might also be sent to the battlefield."
Wei Tu’s expression darkened.
Hengshan Huang Clan had only twelve Foundation Establishnt cultivators.
After sending seven into Cloud Ze Secret Realm, only five Foundation Establishnt cultivators would remain in the clan.
Compared to preserving the family’s legacy, his value as a second-rank talisman master was far less significant.
Patriarch Huang Changshun would undoubtedly deploy him and the other offerings who weren’t going into the secret realm to the frontlines to make up for the lack of Foundation Establishnt cultivators.
This was entirely predictable.
"The information from Fu Lin… Hengshan Huang Clan probably doesn’t know about it yet."
"I need to secure a spot in Cloud Ze Secret Realm as soon as possible before the clan changes its mind."
Wei Tu silently weighed his options.
He wasn’t the first person to know about the Demonic Dao’s invasion, but he was confident that Hengshan Huang Clan didn’t know before him.
Within Zheng Kingdom, Hengshan Huang Clan was an influential force, but within the Seven Kingdoms' Righteous Alliance, they were far from having real authority.
Only the Three Great Sects had the reach and power to infiltrate the Demonic Dao with spies and obtain first-hand intelligence.
Golden Core clans like Hengshan Huang Clan?
They were local powers at best, with little influence outside Zheng Kingdom.
Unless… Hengshan Huang Clan also had a “nephew” who had defected to the Demonic Dao and reached Foundation Establishnt—just like Fu Lin.
Previously, Wei Tu had been hesitant about whether to enter Cloud Ze Secret Realm.
But after reading Fu Lin’s letter, his resolve solidified.
Compared to the brutal slaughter on the righteous-demonic battlefield… family conflicts were far more tolerable.
Wei Tu vividly rembered that just one female demonic cultivator from Ghost Puppet Sect, Gong Shulan, had been able to butcher two mid-stage Foundation Establishnt cultivators and even escape a Golden Core cultivator’s pursuit into Demon Wolf Mountain.
The re thought of Gong Shulan made Wei Tu’s expression harden.
The Demonic Dao’s invasion this ti wasn’t just an ordinary war.
The Five Great Demonic Sects had coordinated with Demon Wolf Mountain’s beasts, using the Beast Tide as cover for their assault on Jing Kingdom.
This was clear evidence that the Demonic Dao had struck so kind of deal with Demon Wolf Mountain’s demon beasts.
If that was the case…
Then four years ago, Gong Shulan’s escape into Demon Wolf Mountain might not have been her last stand—she might have survived and even gained powerful backing.
Which ant—
Wei Tu now had a dangerous enemy lurking in the shadows.
"Life is never smooth sailing. Instead of despairing, I should be grateful—the Demonic Dao’s invasion has given a choice."
Wei Tu took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent thoughts.
There was no point in cursing fate.
He would simply do everything in his power at each stage of his cultivation path.
That was enough.
Worrying about things beyond his control was pointless.
Compared to most cultivators…
He was already incredibly fortunate.
A few days later.
Kou Hongying sent a ssage.
Her master, Qin Zhenren, had agreed to enter Cloud Ze Secret Realm.
Wei Tu imdiately wrote back, asking Kou Hongying to arrange a eting with Qin Zhenren so they could discuss the details.
After two or three days…
Qin Zhenren and Kou Hongying left Baishi Lake Marketplace and arrived at Kou Residence.
Qin Zhenren was graceful and elegant, dressed in a flowing pale moon-colored robe.
Like Kou Hongying, she possessed a striking beauty.
However, compared to Kou Hongying’s youthful charm, Qin Zhenren’s beauty was more mature, carrying an air of poise and wisdom.
"Talisman Master Wei?"
"Over the past hundred years, I’ve heard Hongying ntion you many tis. eting you in person now… you are indeed extraordinary."
As she stepped into the hall, Qin Zhenren sized up Wei Tu with a thoughtful gaze.
She could tell at a glance that his cultivation was deep and refined—his aura was well-contained, and his eyes held a steady, sharp focus.
Such traits were rare among Foundation Establishnt cultivators.
Seventy years ago, Kou Hongying had consulted her about Wei Tu’s technique-switching.
And now—
Wei Tu had successfully established his Foundation, standing as her equal.
The three took their seats.
Kou Hongying personally served tea to both Wei Tu and Qin Zhenren.
"Daoist Qin, Hongying has likely already explained the situation regarding Cloud Ze Secret Realm to you."
"However, there are certain hidden details that even Hongying is unaware of. I will share them with you now…"
Wei Tu took a sip of tea and smiled.
"Hidden details?"
Qin Zhenren was slightly surprised.
Given Wei Tu’s status as an offering of Hengshan Huang Clan, how could he possibly know any inside information about Cloud Ze Secret Realm?
"Please, Talisman Master Wei, do tell."
Qin Zhenren composed herself and prepared to listen attentively.
With her status, she could easily ask fellow sect mbers for information about Cloud Ze Secret Realm.
However—
To avoid competition for a spot, she had deliberately refrained from doing so.
Seeing her reaction, Wei Tu gained a deeper understanding of her personality.
He nodded slightly before revealing what he knew about the Three-Clan Agreent.
"This Three-Clan Agreent… I learned about it from Zhao Clan’s patriarch, Zhao Tinghai. Please, Daoist Qin, keep this confidential."
"Additionally, in exchange for this information, I made a promise to Zhao Tinghai—once inside Cloud Ze Secret Realm, I will assist Zhao Clan’s cultivators… within reason, of course."
Wei Tu added.
This ti—
He was leveraging an information advantage.
First, he used Qin Zhenren, a late-stage Foundation Establishnt cultivator, to approach Qiyue Zhao Clan and seek cooperation. Then, he presented Qin Zhenren with the conditions for collaborating with Qiyue Zhao Clan.
It was essentially a fait accompli.
"This condition is not unreasonable." Qin Zhenren finished reading the copied jade slip and smiled faintly. "Having an ally is always better than having none. After all, Mirror Water Pavilion and Chisong Jia Clan are not exactly on friendly terms."
In Zheng Kingdom, the three great sects were Mirror Water Pavilion, Tai Xuan Sect, and Qingzhu Mountain Sect.
Just as Foundation Establishnt families relied on Golden Core families, the seven major Golden Core clans were also affiliated with the three great sects.
Chisong Jia Clan was affiliated with Qingzhu Mountain Sect.
Qiyue Zhao Clan was affiliated with Tai Xuan Sect.
However, powerful Golden Core clans like Chisong Jia Clan had a semi-independent relationship with their sects—they were not re pawns of Qingzhu Mountain Sect.
Mirror Water Pavilion, on the other hand, had long-standing tensions with Qingzhu Mountain Sect. Though they weren’t sworn enemies, they were far from allies.
This rivalry trickled down—Chisong Jia Clan and Mirror Water Pavilion had few dealings with each other.
"Daoist Qin is truly discerning."
Wei Tu praised Qin Zhenren.
"Ti is of the essence. Hengshan Huang Clan is only offering eight slots. If we delay too long, other cultivators may have already claid them."
After concluding their discussion, Qin Zhenren urged Wei Tu to set off imdiately for Cloud Crane Mountain.
Unlike Wei Tu, who still had limited experience, Qin Zhenren, as an elder of a great sect, understood how precious the opportunity to enter Cloud Ze Secret Realm was.
Hengshan Huang Clan had always distributed these slots fairly, extending invitations to Mirror Water Pavilion in every cycle. However, the number of slots granted to Mirror Water Pavilion was always limited. Only Golden Core elders could secure them—soone like Qin Zhenren had never been considered.
Three people departed from Nanhang City.
"Talisman Master Wei, you actually own a flying boat?"
When Wei Tu released the Huang Yan Boat, Qin Zhenren’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.
Even she, a late-stage Foundation Establishnt cultivator, had never been willing to spend spirit stones on a flying boat.
Was being a second-rank talisman master this profitable?
He could even afford a flying boat?
Qin Zhenren reevaluated Wei Tu’s financial strength and ability. She set aside the mild condescension she had initially held toward him.
She had always known that talisman masters and alchemists were extrely lucrative professions.
However, Wei Tu had only been at Foundation Establishnt for a little over ten years.
Even if he earned well, it shouldn’t have been so easy for him to balance cultivation expenses and still afford an expensive flying boat.
"I have a bit of talent in talismans." Wei Tu smiled modestly.
Most talisman masters, no matter how skilled, still occasionally failed while crafting talismans.
But Wei Tu was different.
Not only did he grasp the fundantals of talismans quickly, but once he mastered a specific type of talisman, his failure rate beca almost nonexistent.
This advantage multiplied his earnings—his efficiency was equivalent to two or three talisman masters of the sa rank.
"A bit of talent…"
Qin Zhenren’s lips twitched.
Based on his demonstrated wealth, she estimated that his potential in talismans was at least at the third-rank level.
Before reaching third-rank, his progress in talisman mastery would likely be smooth and unhindered.
"If he gets the right opportunities, Wei Tu might even reach the Golden Core stage soday."
Qin Zhenren’s eyes flickered as she thought to herself.
Having strong financial resources could compensate for lacking innate talent.
If Mirror Water Pavilion recognized his third-rank talisman potential, they might nurture him and grant him a chance at forming a Golden Core.
As they traveled to Cloud Crane Mountain aboard the Huang Yan Boat, Wei Tu asked Qin Zhenren if she had any Foundation Establishnt-stage pills that could increase mana—he was willing to purchase them at market price.
Since his Foundation Establishnt breakthrough, he had never used any cultivation-enhancing pills.
The reasons were twofold.
First, he wanted to maintain the purity of his mana, which would improve his chances of forming a Golden Core in the future.
Second, he wanted to avoid pill toxins and potential poisoning.
The first issue could now be addressed.
Wei Tu had the Yuan Gravity Technique, which could purify his mana.
As long as he didn’t overconsu pills, any impurities introduced could be slowly refined and purified, ensuring they wouldn’t harm his foundation.
As for the second issue—
Mirror Water Pavilion was a renowned righteous sect, and its alchemy departnt had never been known for producing poison-laced pills.
Compared to rogue alchemists, Wei Tu trusted the alchemists from Mirror Water Pavilion more.
That said—
Unlike buying pills from the outside world, obtaining Mirror Water Pavilion’s pills required sect contribution points.
Wei Tu didn’t ask Kou Hongying to purchase them for him because she hadn’t cultivated long enough to have extra contribution points to spare.
Only veteran Foundation Establishnt cultivators like Qin Zhenren, who had accumulated plenty of contribution points, could exchange pills and trade them privately with others.
"Foundation Establishnt-stage pills?"
Qin Zhenren raised an eyebrow.
"Mirror Water Pavilion has three commonly used pills for increasing early Foundation Establishnt mana."
"I happen to have one of them. It’s called the Jade Marrow Pill."
"Its effects are extrely pure, with almost no pill toxins."
"This bottle was originally prepared for my nephew. But if Talisman Master Wei is interested, I can sell it to you at a fair price."
Qin Zhenren spoke with a calm deanor and flipped her palm, producing a jade bottle labeled "Jade Marrow Pill."
"Nephew?"
Wei Tu’s expression shifted slightly.
He imdiately recalled the arrogant ‘Senior Brother Zhu’ whom he had encountered years ago at Kou Hongying’s Foundation Establishnt ceremony.
If he wasn’t mistaken—
The Jade Marrow Pill in Qin Zhenren’s hands was likely prepared for Senior Brother Zhu.
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