“Qin Zhenren?”

Wei Tu nodded slightly.

Compared to Kou Hongying’s other sect members, Qin Zhenren was undoubtedly the most reliable choice.

In the world of cultivation, the bond between master and disciple was just as strong as that between father and son.

“I didn’t expect Qin Zhenren’s cultivation to have reached the threshold of forming a Golden Core.” Wei Tu’s voice carried a hint of surprise.

Seventy years ago, when Qin Zhenren had taken Kou Hongying as a disciple, she was only around one hundred and fifty years old and had just entered mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Now, in less than a century, she had advanced from mid-stage to late-stage Foundation Establishment. Even among the great sects, this was considered an impressive cultivation speed.

“Kou Hongying, based on the timeline, you’ve been at Foundation Establishment for over forty years now. You should be nearing a breakthrough to mid-stage Foundation Establishment soon, correct?”

Wei Tu calculated the time and asked.

Kou Hongying had reached Foundation Establishment at the age of fifty-six, which meant she possessed greater potential than most cultivators of similar aptitude. Advancing from early-stage to mid-stage Foundation Establishment should only take thirty to fifty years at most.

And that was a conservative estimate.

After all, Kou Hongying had spent over a decade assisting him and Fu Zhizhou, which had delayed her own progress.

However, the spoils from hunting spirit beasts four years ago, along with the wealth obtained from Chen Tang’s storage bag, had more than made up for the resources she had lacked.

“Uncle Wei, your estimation is correct. In another year or two, I’ll be ready to attempt a breakthrough to mid-stage Foundation Establishment.”

Kou Hongying smiled warmly.

Reaching mid-stage Foundation Establishment before the age of one hundred was an exceptional achievement.

Even if her breakthrough to late-stage Foundation Establishment took another hundred years, she would still have two centuries left in her lifespan to seek the chance for forming a Golden Core.

Wei Tu analyzed their situation carefully.

“Although my cultivation is weaker, my combat ability is not. With talismans and a flying sword, I can fight on par with mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. And Kou Hongying… before the Cloud Ze Secret Realm opens, she’ll reach mid-stage Foundation Establishment.”

“If we can also persuade Qin Zhenren to join…”

“That would mean one late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and two mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. In the Cloud Ze Secret Realm, that would be a formidable team.”

Wei Tu’s voice was calm and analytical.

With Kou Hongying and her master joining them, they could operate under the name of Mirror Water Pavilion—one of the Three Great Immortal Sects.

Even Chisong Jia Clan wouldn’t want to provoke Mirror Water Pavilion lightly.

“Third Brother is right.”

Hearing Wei Tu’s reasoning, Fu Zhizhou’s expression showed interest.

The Cloud Ze Secret Realm only opened once every two hundred years.

It was an extremely rare opportunity.

This time, due to the unexpected circumstances, outsiders like them had a chance to purchase an entry slot for two thousand spirit stones.

If they let this opportunity slip, it was possible that they would never encounter such a chance again in their lifetime.

If one wished to walk the path of cultivation without taking any risks, then they were doomed to die nameless, buried among countless forgotten bones.

If not for the rebellion years ago, the four brothers would have spent their entire lives trapped in the mortal world, never setting foot in the cultivation world.

Compared to the battle between the Jia and Zhao families, this Cloud Ze Secret Realm expedition, with Qin Zhenren’s participation, was significantly less dangerous.

Seeing that both Kou Hongying and Fu Zhizhou had expressed interest in entering the Cloud Ze Secret Realm, Wei Tu began making arrangements.

He glanced at Kou Hongying and said:

“Kou Hongying, let’s divide our efforts. Fu Zhizhou and I will travel to Qiyue Zhao Clan and investigate their plans for the Cloud Ze Secret Realm. We’ll see if we can form an alliance.”

“Meanwhile, you will seek out your master, Qin Zhenren, and ask if she is interested in exploring the Cloud Ze Secret Realm.”

“If we find that the situation is too dangerous, the three of us will withdraw and instead sell the intelligence we gather to your master, gaining a favor in return.”

“Understood, Uncle Wei.”

Kou Hongying nodded in agreement.

Wei Tu’s strategy was the best course of action for their current circumstances.

To shrink back at the first sign of danger was a coward’s path, ensuring mediocrity for a lifetime.

But to charge in recklessly, without weighing the risks, was a fool’s path, one that inevitably led to destruction.

Using the Huang Yan Boat, Wei Tu and Fu Zhizhou departed from Nanhang City and reached Qiyue Zhao Clan’s territory in less than five days.

With Fu Zhizhou being an offering member, it was relatively easy for Wei Tu to secure an audience with the Zhao family patriarch, Zhao Tinghai.

After some polite conversation, Wei Tu shifted the discussion toward the Cloud Ze Secret Realm.

He subtly hinted that he planned to enter the secret realm alongside a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from Mirror Water Pavilion.

Once inside, he could work with this cultivator to assist Qiyue Zhao Clan.

Then, he spoke frankly, asking how Qiyue Zhao Clan intended to handle the threat posed by Chisong Jia Clan within the secret realm.

“Since Talisman Master Wei has asked, I won’t keep secrets.”

Zhao Tinghai tapped his fingers lightly on the tea table.

“Hengshan Huang Clan contacted me about this a year ago.”

“As a result, Hengshan Huang Clan has decided to remain neutral, neither siding with Zhao Clan nor Jia Clan.”

“Furthermore, Hengshan Huang Clan initiated a discussion between the three great clan ancestors and True Monarch Wanhai, leading to the signing of certain agreements.”

With just a few short sentences, Zhao Tinghai had revealed several crucial details that Hengshan Huang Clan had not disclosed to their offering members.

For example, the existence of this three-clan agreement.

And Hengshan Huang Clan’s ambiguous stance between Qiyue Zhao Clan and Chisong Jia Clan.

Upon hearing this—

Wei Tu was not particularly surprised.

Even though Hengshan Huang Clan was an ally of Qiyue Zhao Clan, everyone knew that alliances between powerful factions were rarely built on deep trust.

Such relationships were based purely on mutual benefit—not the lifelong brotherhood that many naïve cultivators hoped for.

The reason these two clans had formed an alliance in the first place was only because it was advantageous to both sides.

Their loyalty to each other had limits.

As for why Zhao Tinghai was willing to share these secrets with him…

That was easy to understand.

Compared to Hengshan Huang Clan’s cultivators, Wei Tu and Qin Zhenren were the true allies of Qiyue Zhao Clan inside the Cloud Ze Secret Realm this time.

“This is the agreement between the three clans.”

Zhao Tinghai turned his palm over, revealing a jade slip containing a copy of the agreement, and placed it in front of Wei Tu.

Wei Tu nodded, accepted the jade slip, and used his divine sense to examine the contents carefully.

A few moments later, he exhaled a long breath and placed the jade slip back on the table.

The contents of the agreement were simple and not particularly complex.

It only stipulated the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators that Jia Clan and Zhao Clan could send into the Cloud Ze Secret Realm, as well as the restrictions on cultivation levels.

According to the agreement, both Jia Clan and Zhao Clan were limited to six Foundation Establishment cultivators each, and among them, no more than two cultivators could be late-stage Foundation Establishment.

For Wei Tu, this was excellent news.

With Jia Clan’s late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators capped at two, it meant that his team wouldn’t be facing overwhelming pressure.

—— In normal circumstances, late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators did not possess absolute dominance over early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Winning a fight took time—sometimes dozens or even hundreds of exchanges before the early-stage cultivator was defeated or captured.

As long as there wasn’t an extraordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with overwhelming abilities, early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators stood a fighting chance.

However…

For Fu Zhizhou, this wasn’t good news at all.

Fu Zhizhou was a Qiyue Zhao Clan offering member, meaning he was considered one of their Foundation Establishment cultivators.

According to the agreement’s terms, Fu Zhizhou was not eligible to enter the Cloud Ze Secret Realm—unless Qiyue Zhao Clan chose to allocate one of its six spots to him.

But—

That was practically impossible.

For every Foundation Establishment cultivator in Zhao Clan, the Cloud Ze Secret Realm was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and no one would give up their chance so easily.

“If Talisman Master Wei is willing to assist Zhao Clan inside the Cloud Ze Secret Realm, once you leave the secret realm… Zhao Clan will reward you handsomely.”

Zhao Tinghai smiled, offering his assurance.

Even without considering Mirror Water Pavilion’s late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, just having Wei Tu, a second-rank talisman master, helping Zhao Clan’s cultivators inside the secret realm would significantly improve their survival chances.

“That goes without saying.”

Wei Tu nodded in response.

Half a day later.

Seeing Fu Zhizhou’s disappointment, Wei Tu sighed inwardly and patted him on the shoulder as a gesture of comfort.

This time, he didn’t offer words of consolation. Instead, as Fu Zhizhou watched, he boarded the Huang Yan Boat and flew away from Qiyue Zhao Clan’s territory.

When passing over Zijing Forest, Wei Tu glanced toward Wei Residence in the distance.

He shook his head and did not land to visit, merely pausing for a moment before continuing on his way.

Wei Fei had failed his Foundation Establishment attempt.

Right now, he was likely feeling disheartened—if Wei Tu, who had succeeded, showed up at this time, it would only remind him of his failure.

“I’ll visit him after some time has passed.”

“Second Brother must grow stronger on his own.”

Wei Tu thought to himself.

Upon returning to Nanhang City, Wei Tu planned to contact Kou Hongying, who had returned to Mirror Water Pavilion.

At that moment, Wei Yan knocked on his door.

“Father, Fu Lin sent a letter a few days ago.”

Wei Yan entered and handed a sealed letter to Wei Tu.

“Fu Lin?”

Wei Tu was slightly surprised.

Other than the funeral at Apricot Blossom Mountain, Fu Lin had only sent him a letter once—when he had sent a congratulatory gift.

Aside from that, they had not exchanged correspondence.

Fu Lin had sent a letter to Wei Yan once before, but it was only to ask about her marriage prospects.

“This time… did you see who delivered the letter?”

Wei Tu asked as he opened the envelope.

Fu Lin had never used official city courier services to send his letters. Instead, he always found another method, sending them discreetly and secretly.

“No, I didn’t.”

Wei Yan shook her head.

“Just like last time, the letter suddenly appeared in my room without any trace of spiritual energy or presence.”

Hearing this, Wei Tu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

By now, Wei Yan had reached late-stage Qi Refinement.

For Fu Lin to deliver a letter into her room undetected, his abilities were not to be underestimated.

“Could it be that after switching to Demonic Dao cultivation, Fu Lin has already reached Foundation Establishment?”

Wei Tu speculated.

Unlike orthodox cultivation methods, Demonic Dao techniques prioritized rapid results over solid foundations.

This meant that demonic cultivators had a slightly higher chance of achieving Foundation Establishment than ordinary cultivators.

However—

Once they reached higher realms, Demonic Dao cultivation became much more difficult.

Not only was advancing in cultivation exponentially harder, but each breakthrough also came with harsh heavenly tribulations.

After reading Fu Lin’s letter, Wei Tu’s brows furrowed deeply, and his expression darkened.

“The Five Great Demonic Sects are gathering at Tianyun Mountain, preparing to launch a full-scale invasion in fifteen years. They plan to use the Beast Tide in Demon Wolf Mountain as a diversion to attack Jing Kingdom.”

“Zheng Kingdom is not their primary target, but since it borders Jing Kingdom, it will inevitably be caught in the crossfire…”

The Demonic Dao’s periodic invasions of the Seven Kingdoms were something Wei Tu had read about in Hengshan Huang Clan’s records.

But he hadn’t expected the next invasion to come so soon, right on the heels of the Beast Tide.

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