“Clan Leader, are we really letting Wei Tu leave?”

As soon as Wei Tu left the Clan Affairs Hall, a Huang Clan Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn’t help but speak up as he watched Wei Tu’s departing figure.

Once Wei Tu was gone—

First, the Huang Clan would lose another replacement for the battlefield, just like Master Xia before him.

Second, his departure would further expose the Huang Clan’s weakened state to outsiders.

“Wei Tu is different from Master Xia and the others. If he wants to leave, there’s not much we can do to stop him.”

Huang Changshun shook his head and sighed. “When a tree falls, the monkeys scatter. This is unavoidable. But as long as the ancestor is still here, our Huang Clan will not fall.”

His voice was firm and resolute.

Hearing this, the Huang Clan cultivators present visibly relaxed.

Huang Xinglie, their Golden Core ancestor, was the pillar of He Mountain Huang Clan. As long as he was still alive, the damaged Foundation Establishment ranks could be rebuilt in time.

Back at Fuxin Residence, Wei Tu did not immediately start making talismans.

Instead, he picked up a brush and began writing letters to Fu Zhizhou, Kou Hongying, and others, seeking intelligence on the warfront in Zheng Kingdom.

With the war between righteous and demonic factions, every Foundation Establishment cultivator in Zheng Kingdom—whether rogue cultivator or from a clan—was at risk of being drafted by the Three Great Sects.

Gaining military merits from this war could earn rewards from the sects, but for someone like Wei Tu, those rewards weren’t worth the risk.

He already had more than enough Golden Core-grade spiritual items—there was no need to gamble his life for more.

Right now, he was still officially a guest elder of the Huang Clan, meaning the Three Great Sects would have to consult the Huang Clan before drafting him.

But once he left the Huang Clan, he would be treated as a wandering cultivator, which meant the Three Great Sects could summon him directly.

At that point, he wouldn’t even have the right to refuse—he would be forced onto the battlefield.

Of course, he could go into hiding deep in the mountains, avoiding cities and cultivation grounds to escape the draft.

But running and hiding wasn’t in his best interest.

It would affect his cultivation and limit his ability to gather resources.

That meant he had to carefully time his departure.

And that timing depended on how the warfront in Zheng Kingdom developed.

A month later, Fu Zhizhou sent a reply.

“Zheng Kingdom’s righteous forces are struggling. Just a single detachment from the Blood God Cult and Heavenly Maiden Sect has been pushing the Three Great Sects back.”

Reading this part of the letter, Wei Tu’s expression turned serious.

The Blood God Cult and Heavenly Maiden Sect were both part of the Five Great Demonic Sects.

Thinking back, he had encountered the Blood God Cult back when he was in the Qi Refinement Realm.

The old demonic cultivator from back then… was also a Blood God Cult disciple.

“Could it be that the Three Great Sects are deliberately feigning weakness, allowing the demonic sects to invade deeper—so they can later wipe out rogue cultivators and weaken the Foundation Establishment clans?”

Wei Tu’s thoughts darkened.

Historically, whenever the demonic sects invaded, the biggest losses were always suffered by Foundation Establishment clans and rogue cultivators.

Meanwhile, the Three Great Sects rarely suffered truly crippling losses—they would take some casualties, but they would never be severely weakened.

At the end of the letter, Fu Zhizhou mentioned one more thing—

Two months ago, the Taixuan Sect lost control of Danqiu Mountain Marketplace, and it was completely overrun by the demonic sects.

“Danqiu Mountain is in Luonan Dao, which is located in the northeast of Zheng Kingdom. Meanwhile, He Mountain Huang Clan is in the southern region…”

Wei Tu analyzed the situation and determined that this war had only just begun.

It was far from over.

After storing away Fu Zhizhou’s letter, he continued waiting for Kou Hongying’s response.

Compared to Fu Zhizhou, who was a Foundation Establishment clan cultivator, Kou Hongying was a sect disciple—her information would be far more precise.

However, while waiting for Kou Hongying’s letter, an unexpected disturbance occurred in Cloud Crane Mountain.

Two uninvited guests had arrived.

Wei Tu recognized both of them.

One was Alchemist Shu, and the other was a Foundation Establishment talisman master named Yang Xiang.

Wei Tu was very familiar with Alchemist Shu.

Back when he was a rogue cultivator at Danqiu Mountain Marketplace, Alchemist Shu was already famous.

Even more importantly—

Seventy years ago, Wei Tu had personally killed Alchemist Shu’s disciple—Geng Wen.

As for Yang Xiang, Wei Tu had less direct contact, but he had looked into his background years ago.

Back then, when the rogue cultivator alliance “Shuyun Alliance” was formed, Wei Tu had never received an invitation to join.

The reason?

It was because Yang Xiang had blocked him.

Yang Xiang was worried that if Wei Tu joined, it would threaten his own business, so he had deliberately kept Wei Tu out.

Wei Tu wasn’t sure why Alchemist Shu and Yang Xiang had come to Cloud Crane Mountain.

Or rather—

He had some guesses… but he couldn’t be certain.

Thus, he sent his nephew, Huang Chengfu, to investigate.

After Huang Changkong’s death, most of Wei Tu’s connections within the Huang family were severed. His previous resignation had also offended several of the family’s cultivators.

Thus, at this moment, Huang Chengfu was far more useful than him in gathering information within the Huang family.

Half a day later, Huang Chengfu returned, panting from exertion. He bowed and reported, “Granduncle, I have found out. Pill Master Shu and Master Yang Xiang have come to Cloud Crane Mountain intending to become the new guest elders of the Huang family.”

After saying this, he cautiously lifted his head to observe Wei Tu’s expression, his eyes filled with unease.

From what he had heard from the clan and with Yang Xiang now applying to join the Huang family, he could already confirm that his Granduncle would be leaving the Huang family and Cloud Crane Mountain very soon.

Once Wei Tu left, the cultivation resources and spiritual land he currently enjoyed would likely be gone forever.

“A new guest elder?” Wei Tu muttered to himself, his suspicions confirmed.

Times were different now.

Previously, when Zheng Kingdom’s cultivation world was stable, Pill Master Shu could rely on his alchemy skills to earn enough resources for cultivation. But things were different now.

Danqiu Mountain had fallen into the hands of the demonic sects.

The Three Great Sects were eyeing all rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators like wolves.

So, for Pill Master Shu to maintain his previous privileged cultivation environment during this era of turmoil, he needed the protection of a powerful faction.

But why, of all places, had Pill Master Shu chosen the declining Huang family?

Wei Tu did not believe Pill Master Shu was foolish enough to be unaware of the risks.

To have survived this long and secured such a reputation, Pill Master Shu was undoubtedly a shrewd man.

“Did the Huang family offer him some sort of enticing benefits? With their lack of Foundation Establishment cultivators now, an alchemist’s support would be crucial…” Wei Tu thought.

As a Grade Two alchemist, Pill Master Shu had the ability to refine Foundation Establishment Pills and various elixirs that strengthened Foundation Establishment cultivators.

With Pill Master Shu’s assistance, if the Huang family could endure for several decades, they could return to their former strength.

“But Yang Xiang…” Wei Tu narrowed his eyes.

Now, he finally understood why Huang Changshun’s attitude had changed so suddenly after he refused the marriage proposal.

There was an old saying—Part ways peacefully.

A guest elder was not expected to give his life for the host family. This was common knowledge in the cultivation world; leaving did not mean he was ungrateful.

Thus, even if he resigned from the Huang family, most noble families would not go out of their way to make things difficult for a departing guest elder. Instead, they would part on good terms, keeping the door open for future alliances.

However, Huang Changshun’s behavior suggested otherwise.

At first, Wei Tu assumed that Huang Changshun was simply that kind of person.

But now, it was clear that it had everything to do with Pill Master Shu and Yang Xiang.

During that meeting at the clan hall, when Huang Changshun had deliberately pressured him, it was likely an attempt to drive him out of Cloud Crane Mountain to make space for Yang Xiang.

After all—

A single month was not enough time for the Huang family to precisely locate and recruit Pill Master Shu and Yang Xiang after they fled from Danqiu Mountain.

“Given this, I have no need to inform the Huang family about Pill Master Shu’s connections to Old Demon Jia.”

“Whether they’re welcoming a wolf into their home or inviting a helpful benefactor, that will be up to their own fate.”

Wei Tu sneered coldly.

If the Huang family had chosen to part on good terms with him, he might have still considered offering them a warning out of gratitude.

But since they had deliberately driven him away to welcome Pill Master Shu, there was no reason for him to extend any kindness.

He would not waste his breath trying to help them, only to be met with resentment.

…

After sorting through his thoughts, Wei Tu’s expression returned to calm.

He glanced at Huang Chengfu, who looked uneasy. Clearly, his nephew had already guessed that he would be leaving the Huang family.

He reassured him, “Chengfu, you have followed me for over twenty years now. During this time, you’ve learned much about talisman crafting. Once I leave, with your current skills, you’ll be able to open a shop and earn a living. You need not worry about resources for cultivation.”

In Wei Tu’s eyes, Huang Chengfu had already acquired a viable trade. As long as he followed a steady path, his current resources were more than sufficient for him to reach the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

After that, obtaining Foundation Establishment Pills and breaking through to Foundation Establishment would depend on fate.

Even if Huang Chengfu had continued following him, Wei Tu would not have provided him with Foundation Establishment Pills.

Thus, whether he stayed or left, the impact on Huang Chengfu’s future was negligible.

“Yes, Granduncle,” Huang Chengfu replied, lowering his head, visibly crestfallen.

Following Wei Tu had not only granted him knowledge but, most importantly, allowed him to benefit from Talisman Heart Residence’s abundant spiritual energy.

The spiritual energy there was equivalent to a mid-grade Grade Two spiritual vein.

“You may go now,” Wei Tu waved him away.

If Huang Chengfu conducted himself well in these last days, he might consider leaving him some opportunities before departing the Huang family.

At the same time, outside the Guest Elder Hall, a white-haired old man and a middle-aged man in gray robes walked side by side, led by a young woman in a colorful dress toward the hall.

If Wei Tu were here, he would instantly recognize the white-haired old man as the well-known Pill Master Shu, while the gray-robed middle-aged man was his peer, the Grade Two talisman master Yang Xiang.

“Miss Xuewei, I heard that your father wanted to arrange your marriage with Wei Tu a month ago, but he rejected it?” Yang Xiang suddenly stopped, glancing at the young woman leading the way with a meaningful look.

Upon hearing his words, Huang Xuewei’s face flushed slightly. “Master Yang, you should know that this was just my father’s way of testing Wei Tu… He wanted to see if he was willing to share life and death with our Huang family and remain in Cloud Crane Mountain.”

Whether the arranged marriage was real or not, she wasn’t entirely sure. But since the decision had already been made and her father, Huang Changshun, had abandoned Wei Tu in favor of Pill Master Shu and Yang Xiang, she certainly couldn’t downplay herself or her family just to give Wei Tu face.

“Oh… so that’s how it is.” Yang Xiang sighed, feigning disappointment. “I had thought that, with the Huang family’s marriage alliances, I might have a chance to bask in some of the glory and be engaged to Miss Xuewei as well. But it seems that the patriarch never intended to arrange a marriage for you.”

As soon as these words fell, Huang Xuewei’s face turned even redder. She didn’t even dare look at Yang Xiang, fearing that this shameless talisman master might say something even more embarrassing.

“Alright, Daoist Yang, you are quite old already. Don’t tease Miss Xuewei like that,” Pill Master Shu said as he stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming. “To be fair, Wei Tu, as a prodigious talisman master, would indeed be a more fitting match for Miss Xuewei.”

At these words, the previously flustered Huang Xuewei instantly looked displeased. She shot an angry glance toward Talisman Heart Residence, where Wei Tu resided.

Even though she hadn’t met Wei Tu often and couldn’t say she had any real feelings for him, the fact that he had rejected her so easily made her feel extremely insulted.

“Miss Xuewei, since we are new here, we would appreciate it if you could introduce us to Master Wei…”

“After all, Master Wei is still a guest elder of the Huang family. Inside the Guest Elder Hall, we will inevitably have to work with him,” Pill Master Shu and Yang Xiang exchanged glances, and Yang Xiang immediately understood Pill Master Shu’s intentions. He spoke up, snapping Huang Xuewei out of her thoughts.

“What? Go meet Wei Tu?” Huang Xuewei was momentarily stunned, confused by their request.

She could understand Pill Master Shu’s intent, but Yang Xiang and Wei Tu were competitors.

“It’s just for a little exchange regarding talismans,” Yang Xiang clarified his intentions.

Upon hearing this, Huang Xuewei became intrigued.

She wasn’t naive. She knew that Yang Xiang’s so-called “talisman exchange” likely wasn’t well-intentioned. However, after being provoked by Yang Xiang earlier, she was now more than happy to see Wei Tu suffer. How could she possibly refuse?

“This way, even if Wei Tu later claims that Shuyun Alliance has ties to Chisong Jia Clan, Cloud Crane Mountain’s Huang family won’t believe him so easily,” Pill Master Shu whispered telepathically to Yang Xiang, a satisfied smile on his face.

Over a decade ago, after Fu Zhizhou rejected Shuyun Alliance’s invitation and joined Qiyue Zhao Clan, Shuyun Alliance had suffered repeated setbacks at the hands of the Zhao clan.

That experience made Pill Master Shu suspicious—was it possible that the alliance’s connection with Chisong Jia Clan had been leaked?

Now that he was joining Cloud Crane Mountain’s Huang family as a guest elder, he needed to ensure that the Huang family remained unaware of the alliance’s relationship with Chisong Jia Clan.

And in doing so, targeting Wei Tu was essential.

As long as they antagonized Wei Tu and made him their enemy, then anything he said in the future—whether it was true or not—would be dismissed as slander against them.

…

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The next moment, Talisman Heart Residence’s courtyard gate was knocked upon loudly.

“Fifth Miss, my Granduncle is still in closed-door cultivation. If there is anything important, please allow me to relay the message to him,” Huang Chengfu, looking flustered, stepped forward and tried to dissuade Huang Xuewei.

Allowing her to make a scene at Talisman Heart Residence would be a major dereliction of his duty as its “caretaker.”

“Fifth Miss, even if the patriarch himself came, he would still observe proper etiquette and not deliberately disturb a guest elder,” Huang Chengfu gritted his teeth when he saw that Huang Xuewei wouldn’t listen and brought up the word “etiquette” as a final argument.

“Oh? Are you saying I’m being disrespectful? That I’m unreasonable?” Huang Xuewei sneered coldly, and in the next moment, she released her Foundation Establishment pressure, forcing it toward Huang Chengfu.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep