As a rogue cultivator, he had never enjoyed the benefits that came with being part of an Immortal Sect. Now that they were ordering him to guard Cicada Cry Cliff, it was nothing more than treating him like a conscripted grunt.

If the leader of the enforcement team had tried persuasion with kind words, Wei Tu wouldn’t have taken it personally.

But instead, this enforcement captain not only failed to offer any courtesy—he even mocked him repeatedly with a tone full of ridicule and disdain.

Naturally, Wei Tu took note of that in his heart.

After that, the enforcement team issued a punishment to the Mei Clan of Xiaya Cliff for harboring Wei Tu.

The penalty was three mid-grade second-tier magic tools, one thousand spirit stones, and a number of additional resources.

That punishment instantly wiped out over half of the Mei Clan’s foundation, which had taken hundreds of years to accumulate.

Mei Yuanfeng’s face turned pale on the spot. If not for Mei Zhen supporting him, he might’ve collapsed on the spot.

“Qingzhu Mountain, Sun Yu,” the captain said arrogantly before leaving, casting a final look at Wei Tu as he revealed his name.

Even though Wei Tu hadn’t shown a trace of dissatisfaction throughout the whole exchange, Sun Yu knew well enough—every rogue cultivator conscripted like this hated him to the bone.

Revealing his name and watching those rogue cultivators seethe with hatred—that was part of the satisfaction Sun Yu enjoyed as an enforcement officer.

And the rest of the squad didn’t even react to it anymore. They’d clearly seen Sun Yu pull this stunt many times.

Even if it had been his first time, no one would’ve found it strange. After all, most rogue cultivators sent to the frontlines ended up dead.

Very few ever made it back.

A second-tier talisman master like Wei Tu might rank high among rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators, but when compared to the demon cultivators of the Five Great Demon Sects, it meant nothing.

Even if Wei Tu managed to survive, none of them would care. The cultivators assigned to enforcement teams all came from elite Immortal Sect families. Who would fear a rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator with no background?

Still,

Sun Yu was slightly disappointed.

Even after hearing his name, Wei Tu’s face remained calm, as if that little provocation didn’t matter at all.

“Let’s go,” Sun Yu said, not bothering to say more. In all the years he’d been delivering summons, he’d seen plenty of rogue cultivators like Wei Tu. By now, most of them were long dead.

…

After the enforcement team left,

Mei Yuanfeng clutched his chest and wailed in grief. “It’s over. All of the clan’s savings are gone. These damned sect cultivators! My Mei Clan also had ancestors who died on the frontlines!”

“And they still show no mercy!”

He gritted his teeth, his face twisted with anger.

“Father, we can earn spirit stones again. The most important thing is that they didn’t discover Xiuwen’s Foundation Establishment.” Mei Zhen held her father upright and tried to console him.

Unlike Wei Tu, both Wei Yan and Wei Xiuwen had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm in secret during wartime. The outside world still thought they were just ordinary cultivators.

Compared to a few lost resources, Wei Xiuwen was far more valuable to the Mei Clan now.

“That’s true, that’s true. They didn’t discover Xiuwen…” Mei Yuanfeng finally let out a breath of relief and nodded in gratitude.

A few months ago, their clan’s last Foundation Establishment elder, Mei Lang, had also been summoned by the Immortal Sect and sent to the frontlines.

If Wei Xiuwen had been taken away too, the Mei Clan’s entire foundation might have collapsed.

“These are one thousand spirit stones and three mid-grade magic tools. It won’t cover all of the Mei Clan’s losses, but it’s Wei’s token of gratitude.” Wei Tu pulled out a storage pouch from his sleeve and handed it to Mei Yuanfeng.

Even though it was technically his fault that the Mei Clan got fined, the excessive amount they were squeezed for was clearly due to Sun Yu and the others’ greed.

His presence was just an excuse.

So he didn’t need to cover the entire fine—covering part of it was already a generous gesture.

Five hundred spirit stones was the usual penalty for harboring rogue cultivators.

But after killing Alchemist Shu, Wei Tu was now wealthy. Reimbursing the Mei Clan for most of their losses wasn’t difficult for him.

After all, the Mei Clan’s misfortune was connected to him.

And with Wei Xiuwen currently the clan’s only Foundation Establishment cultivator, this gift would also indirectly strengthen his son’s standing in the clan.

There was nothing to hesitate about.

“Many thanks, in-law.” Mei Yuanfeng's sorrow eased the moment he saw the storage pouch. He quickly bowed in gratitude.

Times had changed.

Just like the elder of the Xuanhou Qi Clan, Mei Clan’s two ancestors had taken most of the clan’s wealth with them when they left for the frontlines—hoping to secure their own survival.

Compared to decades ago, the Mei Clan’s current resources were nothing.

A hundred years ago, he could casually pay two hundred spirit stones just for a crafting method like the “Qi Pouch.” But now, he would never be so generous again.

“Father, when you go to Cicada Cry Cliff, you must be careful. Please, don’t take unnecessary risks.”

At this moment, Wei Yan and Wei Xiuwen came out from the depths of the clan residence.

Wei Yan had learned of her father’s new assignment from Mei Zhen. She wrung her hands around her sleeves, her eyes filled with worry as she looked at Wei Tu.

If nothing went wrong… this might very well be the last time she saw her father.

It wasn’t pessimism—it was reality. Rogue cultivators sent to the frontlines had a mortality rate over fifty percent.

And Wei Tu’s assignment was even longer than usual. He was being sent for ten full years.

His chances of coming back alive were extremely slim.

“Father, if something happens to the family while you’re at Cicada Cry Cliff, don’t try to come back. Xiuwen and I will take care of ourselves.”

Wei Yan's voice trembled with sadness as she spoke.

Most rogue cultivators had no chance of surviving fatal encounters.

But Wei Tu was different. As a top-grade second-tier talisman master, he had real skills. If he surrendered to the demon cultivators, there was a high chance he could survive.

So while her words seemed like she was telling her father not to worry about home, what she truly meant was—

If surrendering to the demons would keep him alive, then don’t hesitate—just do it.

The Mei Clan cultivators nearby turned pale when they heard her.

After all, if Wei Tu surrendered, it could implicate them as well.

Seeing this, the others immediately realized they had neither the authority nor the standing to speak on the matter and had no choice but to keep their mouths shut and remain silent.

Witnessing this, Wei Xiuwen also made his stance clear. “My Foundation Establishment owes much to Father’s support. If anything we do puts Father’s life at risk, I… I would no longer have the face to live in this world.”

Normally—

Wei Xiuwen might lean toward the Mei family’s side. But when it came to Wei Tu’s life and death, he knew exactly which side to choose.

“I understand.” Wei Tu nodded slightly at those words, a faint trace of sorrow flashing through his eyes.

If things truly came to that, he wasn't sure what he would choose either.

Surrendering to the demonic cultivators might spare his life, but the price would be far too steep.

Not only would Wei Yan and Yanyan lose their lives, but his own freedom would forever be in someone else’s hands.

“If I really must defect, I’ll make sure no one finds out,” Wei Tu thought to himself.

Although the demonic path was ruthless, he didn’t feel much moral resistance toward the idea of surrendering to them.

Everything was about survival.

Compared to the demonic cultivators, he—a rogue cultivator—was even more oppressed by the immortal sects.

…

The conscription order required Wei Tu to arrive at the frontlines of “Cicada Cry Cliff” within two months.

Not wanting to risk punishment for being late, Wei Tu quickly packed up his belongings after Sun Yu and the others left and set off on the “Huangyan Boat” toward Cicada Cry Cliff.

—The conscription order wasn't just a mission issued by the immortal sects; it also served as a battlefield spiritual contract signed with the sect.

This spiritual contract wasn’t the simple type he had encountered during the Qi Refinement stage—it was far more binding.

If Wei Tu breached the contract, failing to arrive at the designated garrison location on time or abandoning his post during his term of duty, the magic imprint embedded in the conscription order would immediately backlash against his spiritual power and report his current position directly to the immortal sects.

Thus—

Wei Tu had only two paths before him.

First: obey the rules, go to Cicada Cry Cliff as ordered, and after ten years or by completing three major merits, seek to have the conscription order revoked by the sect.

Second: abandon his kin and friends, defect to the demonic path, and use their power to nullify the conscription order.

But just thinking about it made the second option seem nearly impossible.

Just because the immortal sects were harsh didn’t mean demonic cultivators were any kinder.

If he defected like this, chances were high the demonic path would also force him to sign a spiritual contract, and theirs would no doubt be even more stringent than those of the righteous path.

Of course—

There was still a third option.

That was to break through to the Golden Core stage within the ten-year term, becoming a Golden Core True Lord.

The conscription order only targeted Foundation Establishment cultivators. If he became a Golden Core cultivator, the order would effectively become void.

…

On the way to Cicada Cry Cliff—

Wei Tu decided to make a stop at the Qiyue Zhao Clan.

Due to his limited cultivation level and connections, he knew very little about the cultivators stationed near Cicada Cry Cliff and the local demonic forces.

But the Qiyue Zhao Clan was different. As the leading clan among Golden Core families, half-dependent on the three great sects, they were bound to have far better intel than he did.

Also, he genuinely wanted to visit Fu Zhizhou and Wei Fei.

Since parting with Fu Zhizhou before the secret realm expedition, he hadn’t seen him in over twenty years.

And Wei Fei had just recently established his Foundation. No matter the circumstances, he should go congratulate him properly.

Over ten days later—

Wei Tu arrived at Mount Qiyue.

“It’s been years, but Princess Qingluo has already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment?” Wei Tu couldn’t help but feel surprised upon seeing Zhao Qingluo step out of the clan grounds to greet him.

Back during the secret realm trip over twenty years ago, Zhao Qingluo was only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

“All thanks to the clan patriarch’s favor.” Zhao Qingluo wore a flowing white dress and stood beneath the mist-shrouded peaks of Mount Qiyue, looking like an ethereal fairy.

She stared at Wei Tu for a moment, then quietly looked away.

Hearing this, Wei Tu suddenly understood—years ago, when they had exchanged letters, he had predicted that Zhao Qingluo might one day be valued by her family and chosen as a “Golden Core Seed.”

Otherwise, based on her previous status, she would never have had the power to gift him the Hundred Veins Blood Tempering Art for free.

And with her clan's full support—

It made perfect sense that Zhao Qingluo’s cultivation had soared to the peak of Foundation Establishment in just two decades.

“Thank you again, Princess Qingluo, for gifting me that body cultivation technique,” Wei Tu said, expressing his gratitude.

“You saved me more than once. A single Hundred Veins Blood Tempering Art is nothing in comparison,” Zhao Qingluo replied with a gentle smile and a slight bow.

Seeing her like this—

Wei Tu was slightly taken aback. This was far removed from the domineering princess he had first met in that small courtyard on Lark Street a hundred years ago.

A once headstrong girl had, after a hundred years, turned into a gentle and graceful woman.

“This time, I’ve come to the Zhao Clan to request a favor from you, Princess.”

Getting to the point, Wei Tu explained how he had been conscripted by the immortal sect.

“What? You were conscripted by the sect?” Zhao Qingluo was visibly startled. She clearly understood that once rogue cultivators were conscripted, it often spelled death.

Still, Zhao Qingluo didn’t linger on that topic.

This wasn’t something she could help much with. Even a Golden Core clan wouldn’t dare go against the will of the immortal sects.

Even if they wanted to help, the Qiyue Zhao Clan would never sacrifice too much for an outsider like Wei Tu.

“I’ll first ask my father about intel on Cicada Cry Cliff. If that doesn’t work… I’ll ask the patriarch,” Zhao Qingluo said.

“Thank you for your help, Princess.” Wei Tu cupped his fists in gratitude.

“There’s no need for such formalities between us,” Zhao Qingluo sighed softly.

If this were under normal circumstances, she could pretend they were just friends. But now that Wei Tu was about to head into danger, some of her emotions became hard to suppress.

Wei Tu pretended not to notice. He gave Zhao Qingluo a deep bow, avoiding her probing gaze.

Seeing this—

How could Zhao Qingluo not understand his thoughts?

But she wasn’t too disappointed. After all, back at the stone hall, Wei Tu had already told her bluntly he didn’t wish to bring up the past.

“Fu Zhizhou is stationed at Greenwater Bay and isn’t in the clan grounds. As for Wei Fei, he’s currently in the western sector of the compound.”

“This is my personal token. With it, you may move freely throughout the clan without being stopped.”

Zhao Qingluo flicked her cloud-like sleeve and stepped onto her light, flying away.

Before leaving, she removed the command token from her waist and placed it before Wei Tu.

A quarter of an hour later—

With Zhao Qingluo’s token, Wei Tu arrived at the western district where Wei Fei lived.

“Third Brother!”

“Second Brother!”

This reunion was nothing like the past. Wei Fei no longer acted hesitant. The moment he saw Wei Tu, he rushed up and gave him a strong bear hug.

“If it weren’t for your help again and again, I would never have had the fortune I do today,” Wei Fei said, wiping away his tears.

The first time he attempted Foundation Establishment, Wei Tu had given him premium Beast-Taming Talismans and the essence of a second-rank Scarlet-Eyed Python free of charge.

The second time, Wei Tu sold him a Foundation Establishment spiritual item at a low price and even tucked several second-rank talismans into the hidden compartment of the jade box.

But ever since stepping onto the path of cultivation, Wei Fei had barely been able to offer anything in return to Wei Tu.

He wasn’t as skilled in combat as Fu Zhizhou, who’d helped Wei Tu slay road-blocking bandits, nor was he as insightful as Kou Hongying, who had guided Wei Tu’s cultivation.

“We’re brothers—no need to bring up these things.” Wei Tu patted Wei Fei on the shoulder and smiled. “Back then, when you befriended me, you never looked down on me for being poor or abandoned by my family.”

There was one thing Wei Tu didn’t say aloud.

If he had abandoned Wei Fei back then just because he fell behind, people like Fu Zhizhou and Kou Hongying wouldn’t trust or respect him the way they did now.

It was precisely because of these repeated acts of loyalty that everyone in the Yi Society respected him deeply—so much so that they would risk their lives to support him.

“Xian'er, come out and greet your Uncle Wei.” Wei Fei wiped his tears and turned toward the house, calling inside.

At his words, a delicate girl in yellow robes with bright eyes and graceful brows walked out.

“Uncle Wei,” Wei Xian'er called timidly, clearly nervous around Wei Tu.

“Xian'er has pretty ordinary spiritual roots—same as me, all low-grade—but she can sense a cultivator’s strength…” Wei Fei explained. “Maybe she sensed how powerful you are and got scared.”

“Don’t mind her, Third Brother.”

Wei Fei looked apologetic. After all, the Wei family owed a great deal of their current fortune to Wei Tu, yet Xian'er had behaved somewhat improperly upon seeing him.

“Sensing cultivation levels?” Wei Tu wasn’t too surprised upon hearing this.

His Fragrant Silk Nose had also initially been misunderstood by Kou Hongying and others as a rare physical constitution.

These types of special physiques, while not helpful in cultivation itself, were uncommon—but not unheard of—in the cultivation world.

They showed up about as often as mid-grade spiritual roots.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Wei.” Wei Xian'er walked over and apologized for her earlier behavior.

“When I first saw you, it felt like looking at a spirit beast. Your blood energy was just too intense, and it scared me.” She looked at Wei Tu nervously as she explained.

With that, Wei Tu immediately understood—Wei Xian'er had a rare physique that could perceive blood energy.

He cultivated both body and energy. His body cultivation had already reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and his method, Hundred Veins Blood Tempering Art, was one that forged blood energy itself.

Given the intensity of his blood vitality, it was no wonder Wei Xian'er was spooked.

Even some Golden Core patriarchs might not possess such powerful blood energy.

“But this physique really is something. Even my aura-concealing techniques couldn’t hide from her eyes…”

Wei Tu was inwardly shocked.

Even Foundation Establishment experts like Alchemist Shu hadn’t seen through his disguise or sensed his body cultivation.

Now this girl, still only a Qi Refinement cultivator, had already perceived his blood energy—her sensitivity was clearly extraordinary.

“Second Brother, you must keep Xian'er’s special constitution secret. Don’t let anyone find out—not even the Qiyue Zhao Clan.” Wei Tu turned serious as he warned Wei Fei.

Though her ability didn’t aid her cultivation, to major factions, this kind of physique was a precious asset.

Much more useful than divine sense or common “Qi-watching” arts.

“I know.” Wei Fei smiled and said, “You’re the only one I’ve told. Anyone else—I’d keep it hidden.”

“In that case, since Xian'er has this sensing ability, I’ll gift her the Heavenly Fragrance Silk Technique as a meeting gift.” Wei Tu thought for a moment, then retrieved a jade slip from his waist and handed it to Wei Fei.

The Heavenly Fragrance Silk Technique was a method he had taken from the bandit cultivator Zhuo Yan.

Although it was a fairly common technique, when paired with someone with the right constitution, it could rival a divine art.

Without his Fragrant Silk Nose, Wei Tu’s own path would not have gone so smoothly.

Moreover, the version of Heavenly Fragrance Silk Technique he gave Wei Fei was not the original—it had been revised and improved by him.

“Thank you, Uncle Wei!” Wei Xian'er lit up with joy at receiving the gift and happily thanked Wei Tu.

After that—

Wei Fei invited Wei Tu inside and had his partner, Zhao Ting, prepare a few trendy dishes and pour a pot of wine.

During their conversation—

Wei Tu learned that the funds for Wei Fei’s Foundation Establishment items had been cobbled together by his father-in-law, who had borrowed from several relatives.

To his father-in-law, a Qi Refinement Tenth Layer cultivator like Wei Fei had a better shot at success with the Foundation Establishment Pill than others at the Ninth Layer.

Plus, with Wei Fei’s ties to Wei Tu, he had access to a rare Foundation Establishment spiritual item.

Those two points were enough for his in-laws to make the investment.

“Compared to the Huang Clan, the Zhao Clan is much more humane. Years have passed and they’ve never forced me to the front lines,” Wei Fei sighed when he heard Wei Tu was heading to Cicada Cry Cliff.

“Maybe.” Wei Tu nodded without saying more.

In his view, it wasn’t that the Zhao Clan was especially kind-hearted—they simply didn’t dare to send Wei Fei to die on the battlefield.

First, Wei Fei had racked up a large debt. If he died, those Zhao cultivators would likely never see repayment.

Second, weakness had its advantages. Wei Fei’s strength was too low—his chances of dying in battle were far too high.

—Yes, many cultivators had a high risk of dying, but compared to Wei Fei, their odds were still much better.

So rather than send him to the battlefield to die, the Zhao Clan preferred to keep him in their compound as a kind of “lucky mascot.”