Additionally, no risk, no gain.
Some opportunities can only be obtained through taking risks.
While acting cautiously may keep you safe, it also means missing out on certain opportunities.
Wei Xian'er's father, Wei Fei, had almost failed his Foundation Establishment years ago due to his lack of ambition. This delay almost led to his death. If it weren't for Wei Tu's help twice, Wei Fei would have long passed away from aging and exhaustion.
Thus, without great opportunities by your side, relying only on caution, one cannot go far on the path of immortality. Sooner or later, they will trip and fall somewhere.
Opportunities must be seized.
Of course, all of this relies on grasping the "degree" of danger carefully.
Charging in without caution is the behavior of a reckless youth.
"Xian'er, if you feel uncomfortable while wearing that wooden puppet, remember to come to me immediately..." Wei Tu thought for a moment and then cautioned Wei Xian'er.
At the same time, he sent a voice transmission, warning her about the potential dangers of the "Mourning God" statue.
With her father not present, as her uncle, Wei Tu felt it was his duty to help in any way he could.
"Yes, Uncle Wei," Wei Xian'er replied, her cheeks slightly flushed as she nodded.
Although she understood that her uncle meant well and was worried about her safety, the differences between men and women still made her feel somewhat awkward.
...
Upon arriving at Zhá Mǎ Tribe.
Wei Tu, as a guest and a Golden Core outsider, could not neglect to visit the leaders of Zhá Mǎ Tribe, High Priest Tì Yà and the tribe's chieftain, Hēi Gǔ.
Additionally, according to Wei Yan, there were signs that the Fén Shān Tribe had some available Spirit Grounds for rent or sale, specifically the "Yán Fén Shān" three-tier Spirit Ground.
Wei Tu planned to inquire further and gather specific information about it through the High Priest of Zhá Mǎ Tribe.
He had a good relationship with the Tao family of Hánshān, so he entrusted the matter of introduction to Tao Fāngdé, an elder of the Tao family in Zhá Mǎ Tribe.
— Tao Fāngdé was responsible for the Tao family's smuggling efforts into Kang Kingdom.
"The smuggling routes to Kang Kingdom have been cut off in the past decade, and our contact with the main family has dwindled. Zhá Mǎ Tribe has started to eye our Tao family's assets... Thankfully, with Senior Wei's breakthrough to Golden Core, it has helped us greatly," Tao Fāngdé said happily upon meeting Wei Tu.
Currently, the Tao family and Wei family, both cultivators who had smuggled into Kang Kingdom, were getting along relatively well. However, Tao Fāngdé knew that this peaceful situation wouldn't last forever.
Before arriving in Kang Kingdom, the Tao family had brought many of their family's treasures in order to rebuild the family here.
Without the protection of their ancestor, Tao Chóngzhōu's authority, the Tao family in Zhá Mǎ Tribe was like a child carrying gold through the market—vulnerable.
Tao Fāngdé, an elder who had seen many storms in his life, quickly sensed the danger hidden in this stable environment.
Fortunately, with Wei Tu's arrival, Tao Fāngdé and the Tao family could finally take a breath.
"Senior Wei, I wonder if my ancestor has come to Kang Kingdom with you..." Tao Fāngdé eagerly asked.
Wei Tu, being an outsider, could only temporarily use his reputation to intimidate Zhá Mǎ Tribe. However, for the Tao family to resolve their current predicament, it was best if their ancestor, Tao Chóngzhōu, personally intervened.
"Both my family and I came to Kang Kingdom with the help of a noble, not through the Chì Shuǐ Pass," Wei Tu casually deflected, keeping the existence of the "Secret Passage" a secret.
The secret passage was a hidden secret of the Qī Yuè Zhao family, and it was not appropriate to disclose too much about it.
Even though his relationship with the Tao family was close, it was not to the point of risking his life to help them.
"I see." Tao Fāngdé's face showed some disappointment when he heard this.
He had hoped that Wei Tu had come with Tao Chóngzhōu to Kang Kingdom.
"As for Tao Daoyou..." Wei Tu pondered for a moment and reassured him, "As a Golden Core cultivator, even without the smuggling route, Tao Daoyou could still make it to Kang Kingdom in three to five years."
Years ago, before leaving Kang Kingdom, Wei Tu had advised Tao Chóngzhōu to prepare in advance for smuggling into Kang Kingdom.
If Tao Chóngzhōu had taken his advice and found a way, the chances of his successful entry into Kang Kingdom would have been high.
— Dangerous places like the Black Blood Swamp and other spiritless regions, though perilous, could be crossed if a few Golden Core cultivators teamed up.
"As long as the ancestor is safe, that's a relief." Hearing this, Tao Fāngdé breathed a sigh of relief.
His greatest fear was that Tao Chóngzhōu, while crossing dangerous lands like the Black Blood Swamp with Wei Tu, had met an unfortunate end and thus had not joined them in Kang Kingdom.
As long as Tao Chóngzhōu was alive, their Tao family could continue to maintain their dominance over Zhá Mǎ Tribe, preserving their wealth and avoiding fatal danger.
...
After inquiring about the recent situation of the Hánshān Tao family, Tao Fāngdé took out a communication artifact. After contacting some important figures in Zhá Mǎ Tribe, he then led Wei Tu to the sacred lake of Zhá Mǎ Tribe, "Liú Yún Lake."
This lake was vast and boundless, like an endless sea, with no visible end.
A gentle breeze blew, and the surface of the lake rippled, creating waves that shimmered like silver scales, a beautiful sight.
"Liú Yún Lake is a three-tier Spirit Ground owned by Zhá Mǎ Tribe. The priests of the tribe live on an island in the middle of the lake, and the High Priest resides in a pagoda on the island," Tao Fāngdé explained.
"In the tribes of Kang Kingdom, when someone becomes the High Priest, the three major tribes send their mages to build a pagoda for the tribe. I've heard that the construction technique for these pagodas comes from the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple in Xiāo Kingdom, and inside, there are high-level Spirit Gathering Arrays..." Tao Fāngdé said, gazing at the island in the middle of the lake, his eyes resting on a grey tower standing there.
The grey tower had seven stories, each over ten zhang tall. It stood on the island, as if it connected the heavens and the earth.
The peak of the tower was obscured by the flowing clouds, and as the clouds rolled, the golden top of the pagoda, made of gold, sparkled brilliantly under the sun.
At that moment, Wei Tu sensed a divine awareness that landed on him.
"High Priest Tì Yà?" Wei Tu raised an eyebrow, then followed the direction of the divine awareness, focusing on a white-haired old man sitting on the clouds.
The old man wore a feathered crown, with strange patterns of black birds tattooed on his cheeks, and he wore a long robe of hidden colors.
"Comparable to the divine awareness of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator," Wei Tu thought in shock. His divine awareness far exceeded his realm, relying on his talismanic abilities and the strengthening of his soul after absorbing the ghost infant.
He was no ordinary Golden Core cultivator.
But what about High Priest Tì Yà?
"Wei Priest," High Priest Tì Yà noticed that Wei Tu had sensed his divine awareness, and his expression showed slight surprise. He nodded to Wei Tu, offering a greeting.
"In the terms of your cultivation, I should call you Daoist friend. However, since Daoist friend Wei has arrived in Kang Kingdom, in the land of our 'Kāng Jū people,' it is better to follow local customs," Tì Yà said in a calm tone.
The three major tribes of Kang Kingdom, Shè Rì Tribe, Yìng Dǐng Tribe, and Fèng Wū Tribe, though ruling independently and even having blood feuds, all referred to themselves collectively as the "Kāng Jū people."
Kang Kingdom was also known as "Kāng Jū Kingdom."
Standing by Liú Yún Lake, Wei Tu understood the underlying message in High Priest Tì Yà's words.
This was a subtle warning to him, a Golden Core cultivator from Zheng Kingdom, to avoid causing trouble in Kang Kingdom and Zhá Mǎ Tribe. Otherwise, the Kāng Jū people would unite against him.
Was this regional exclusion?
"A name is just a title; the High Priest may call me Wei Priest as well," Wei Tu smiled slightly and responded.
His purpose in coming to Kang Kingdom was to pursue a stable cultivation environment. He had no intention of causing trouble.
Moreover, to him, a cultivator, priest, or mage was just a title; there was no need to overemphasize it.
— Among the Kāng Jū people, "priest" simply referred to a cultivator.
It wasn't just a division of cultivation realms.
And the "High Priest" title not only referred to the Golden Core level but also the leader of a tribe.
"Please," High Priest Tì Yà said, showing a faint smile. He gestured for Wei Tu to come forward.
A person who understands the situation is a wise one.
Wei Tu could tell that Tì Yà was a smart person, and being smart himself, Wei Tu knew that it was best to befriend someone of equal strength, not oppose them.
"Thank you, High Priest," Wei Tu said, and with a flick of his sleeve, he summoned his escape light, flying up to the clouds to sit across from High Priest Tì Yà.
"Time waits for no one. I first heard of your name, Wei Priest, over thirty years ago when the Tao family and Wei family had just moved into Zhá Mǎ Tribe," Tì Yà said as he waved his sleeve, and a set of tea utensils appeared. While preparing the tea, he casually chatted with Wei Tu.
The Tao family and Wei family had only a few dozen members when they moved into Zhá Mǎ Tribe, but their quality was not low.
There were four Foundation Establishment cultivators among them.
To put it into perspective, Zhá Mǎ Tribe only had about a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Therefore, the combined strength of the Tao and Wei families could significantly influence the political landscape of Zhá Mǎ Tribe.
Now, with Wei Tu's presence...
Tì Yà and the other cultivators of Zhá Mǎ Tribe, if they weren't worried, it would be a lie.
"Wei Tu heard from my daughter that the Fén Shān Tribe's three-tier Spirit Ground Yán Fén Shān is available for rent or sale. If possible, I would like to go to Fén Shān Tribe to cultivate in seclusion," Wei Tu got straight to the point without beating around the bush.
"Yán Fén Shān?" High Priest Tì Yà's heart moved. If Wei Tu went to Fén Shān Tribe, it would not only be harmless to Zhá Mǎ Tribe but also make Zhá Mǎ Tribe an additional friendly ally.
Although the tribes of Zhá Mǎ Tribe and Fén Shān Tribe were both under the jurisdiction of Yìng Dǐng Tribe, that didn't mean the tribes were close-knit.
It is not uncommon for various affiliated tribes to engage in fierce battles over resources.
Even if there is no internal conflict within a tribe, they will still fight with the affiliated tribes of the "Sun Shooting Sect" and "Phoenix Crow Sect."
Of course, this does not mean that the Kang Ju people are not united; it's simply that the resources in Kang Country are insufficient to sustain so many "priests."
Only the "Great Priest" who stands out within the tribe can be considered the true pillar of the Kang Ju people.
At this level of cultivators, it is rare for them to engage in battles.
"The Great Priest of the Fen Shan Tribe, 'Mu Feng,' I know him as well. He is approaching the end of his life, and in less than thirty years, he will pass away," said Master Ti Ya.
"Currently, the Fen Shan Tribe is renting and selling the three-tier spiritual land. It is probably to seek powerful individuals to protect the tribe... This news should be accurate."
Master Ti Ya confirmed this.
Although the major tribes are strong, in terms of training "heirs," they fall short compared to cultivation sects like the Moon Condensation Palace, where many tribes struggle to establish a proper lineage.
Therefore, seeking external assistance has become a common strategy among these tribes.
"If Priest Wei truly wishes to go to the Fen Shan Tribe, I can contact them on your behalf," Master Ti Ya hesitated for a moment before replying in a deep voice.
"Is there a cost for renting the spiritual land?"
Wei Tu did not rush to respond but instead asked this question first.
After all, Wei Yan was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Due to his cultivation realm and identity, it would be hard for him to understand the related details.
If there were any hidden traps, it would be better for him to choose the three-tier spiritual land for rent and sale at "Di Jian Mountain."
"Cost?" Master Ti Ya thought for a moment and then replied, "If Priest Wei temporarily assumes the role of the Great Priest of the Fen Shan Tribe, he only needs to pay a small annual rent, and there are no additional costs."
"Even if the royal court summons you, Priest Wei still has the right to refuse."
"But if Priest Wei chooses not to pay the rental fee for the Fen Shan land and instead becomes the Great Priest of the Fen Shan Tribe, then it will be like my situation."
"You will have both rights and responsibilities."
"When under the rule of the royal court, you will also have the qualification to study advanced 'spiritual techniques' at the royal court. The more clan members who are sent to the royal court and become mages, the more rewards will be given..."
"Also, you can learn the spiritual techniques stored by the previous priests of the Fen Shan Tribe at the royal court, without any fees."
Master Ti Ya spoke slowly.
"I would suggest that Priest Wei becomes a true Great Priest. In fifty years, we will have the 'Sacred Spring Conference,' which happens once every two hundred years for the Kang Ju people."
"At that time, all the Great Priests can bathe in the Sacred Spring for three years. If they are fortunate enough to achieve a high ranking, the bathing time will be even longer."
"The longer you bathe in the Sacred Spring, the greater the increase in cultivation."
When saying this, Master Ti Ya's eyes showed a hint of excitement.
Clearly, he had been looking forward to the "Sacred Spring Conference" for a long time.
"Thank you, Master Ti Ya, for contacting the Fen Shan Tribe on my behalf."
Wei Tu was slightly moved upon hearing this. He bowed and expressed his gratitude.
However, he did not yet express his decision about becoming the Great Priest of the Fen Shan Tribe.
Fifty years is a long time, and a lot can change.
By then, there may be unexpected events during the "Sacred Spring Conference" of the three great tribes.
With such a long period, he would have time to make a decision, and there was no need to commit to becoming the Great Priest of the Fen Shan Tribe at this moment.
"Of course," Master Ti Ya smiled and casually agreed.
"I heard that Priest Wei is the uncle of Wei Xian'er? So, you're a senior to her!"
"Previously, I had planned to take Wei Xian'er as my disciple and teach her spiritual techniques, but she declined, saying that her elders were not present."
"I wonder if Priest Wei, as her guardian, could agree to this matter?"
Master Ti Ya changed the topic.
When meeting Wei Xian'er, Wei Yan had already mentioned that Master Ti Ya had planned to take Wei Xian'er as his disciple. Therefore, when Master Ti Ya brought this up, Wei Tu was not surprised, as he had already prepared for it.
"Xian'er's talent is rather shallow. I'm not sure what about her would attract the Great Priest."
Wei Tu's eyes flickered slightly as he inquired.
Both Wei Xian'er and her father Wei Fei had low-grade spirit roots, though her spiritual root was among the best of the low-grade ones.
This level of talent was not bad, but not particularly outstanding.
At the very least, it wouldn't catch the attention of a Golden Core cultivator.