On the battlefield, among the Ancient Sword Mountain group, only Su Bing'er was at early Golden Core stage. Che Gongwei, Wei Hua, and Yan Qing were all at mid-Golden Core. The sword cultivator couple from Earth Sword Mountain were also both at mid-Golden Core. In terms of numbers, the couple was at a disadvantage, yet by relying on their sword techniques and combined attacks, they completely suppressed Che Gongwei's group of four, forcing them into a desperate, chaotic defense.
In just the short time since Wei Tu arrived, Su Bing'er had already faced danger several times. If Che Gongwei hadn't been shielding his beloved disciple, Su Bing'er would've been dead by now.
"Master Che, take your disciple and leave first. I, Wei, and Master Yan will cover your retreat," Wei Hua suddenly stepped forward, summoning a dark green fan magic treasure to take on most of the battlefield pressure for Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er.
This sudden move surprised not only Wei Tu but also everyone else fighting; they nearly dropped their jaws in shock. Everyone knew the world of cultivation was full of treachery and schemes—Wei Hua's willingness to act as a rear guard for "unrelated cultivators" made him look like a complete oddball.
Of course, from another angle, Wei Hua's plan also happened to be the best way for their side to escape. Without Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er, Wei Hua and Yan Qing would face greater pressure, but if they handled it well, they still had a good chance of getting away alive.
"Hmph! This brat's playing a clever game…" Yu Gongshou, standing beside Wei Tu, sneered coldly and revealed Wei Hua's true intentions to Wei Tu and the other two Yu clan Golden Core cultivators. "This Wei Hua probably sensed our presence. Otherwise, in arranging who should stay and who should go, he should've had Master Che and himself stay behind, while the other took the disciple away."
"Stay behind? He might choose that for himself, but what right does he have to decide for others?" Yu Gongshou's tone was disdainful. "He wants Master Che's group to leave first so he can act like he's doing them a favor, hoping to force us to reveal ourselves and intervene."
Hearing this, Wei Tu had to silently admit: 'The older, the wiser.' He'd noticed something was off too, but it had taken him a bit longer to piece together what was really going on. Yu Gongshou, on the other hand, saw right through it immediately, not because of superior intellect, but because of years of experience. That accumulated experience had become second nature for Yu Gongshou.
'After all, Yu Gongshou is the second-in-command of the Guangyuan Yu clan, right after their Nascent Soul ancestor,' Wei Tu thought.
As for their presence being exposed, Wei Tu wasn't surprised. On his way here, he'd prioritized speed and hadn't bothered to hide his aura.
Since Wei Hua already knew they were there, Wei Tu and his group didn't bother staying hidden any longer. They immediately joined the battle against the sword cultivator couple from Earth Sword Mountain. But Wei Tu didn't want to make any unnecessary enemies or stir up trouble. Before entering the fray, he told Yu Gongshou and the others not to kill—just force the couple to retreat.
"Senior Brother Wei?" Su Bing'er, who was about to leave the battlefield with Che Gongwei, was overjoyed when she caught sight of Wei Tu. She couldn't help but think that maybe she really was fated with Wei Tu—every time she was on the brink of death, he appeared just in time to save her.
The first time, she was abducted by Liu Moqun.
The second time, by Hu Shan and Qi Chengchu.
And now, this was the third time.
Meanwhile, seeing Wei Tu arrive gave Che Gongwei a surge of confidence. He stopped retreating, feeling reassured.
"Retreat now!" The sword cultivator couple, who were driving their sword light fiercely at Wei Hua's fan treasure, turned pale when they saw Wei Tu's group of four appear. They didn't hesitate at all. Abandoning the magic weapons they'd been using to entangle Che Gongwei's group, they grabbed only the swords orbiting around them, transforming into two streaks of crimson sword light that fled into the distance.
Two against four still gave them a chance at victory. But two against eight—even if the others were as weak as Su Bing'er—would be hopeless. And these new arrivals weren't weak; their auras all showed they were at late Golden Core stage.
As Wei Tu had instructed, Yu Gongshou and the others didn't pursue. They let the sword cultivators go.
But Wei Hua didn't know Wei Tu's plan. Seeing the enemy fleeing and thinking they finally had the upper hand, he immediately charged forward in pursuit.
Halfway through the chase, Wei Hua realized he was alone and had no choice but to return, looking awkward and frustrated.
"May I ask how the two of you should be addressed?" Wei Hua flew over to Wei Tu and Yu Gongshou, pretending he didn't already know.
Wei Hua could tell the three late-stage Golden Core experts were clearly following Wei Tu's lead. Seeing this, he couldn't help but feel shocked. How had Wei Tu become so influential in just a few decades?
"Ying Ding Tribe, Wei Tu," Wei Tu replied calmly after a moment's thought, giving his origin and name directly. Yu Gongshou, meanwhile, stayed silent, showing no intention of answering.
Getting stonewalled like that made Wei Hua furious inside, but he kept his face perfectly calm, showing no hint of displeasure. "Alchemist Wei's timely arrival was truly a blessing. Recently, Earth Sword Mountain launched a massive attack on both the Loose Cultivator Alliance and my Ancient Sword Mountain. If we had Alchemist Wei's help… we could surely turn the tide."
Wei Hua forced a smile, trying to curry favor. He didn't care if Yu Gongshou ignored him—if he could convince Wei Tu to step in, he'd be the hero of Ancient Sword Mountain, the prime candidate to become the next Swordmaster.
In his mind, after he'd covered for Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er, Wei Tu would surely owe him and be willing to lend a hand.
"My disciple is an alchemist of Ying Ding Tribe. It's inappropriate for him to get involved in the battle between your sect and Earth Sword Mountain," Che Gongwei spoke up before Wei Tu could answer, politely rejecting the unreasonable request.
Unlike Yu Gongshou, who saw through Wei Hua's real motives, Che Gongwei was too close to the situation to realize Wei Hua had only offered help after sensing Wei Tu's arrival. He rejected the offer purely out of concern for Wei Tu, knowing getting dragged into a sect war would only bring trouble.
He didn't want his disciple to risk himself just because of a favor.
"Not bad, this man's character is commendable," Yu Gongshou and the others exchanged approving glances at Che Gongwei's words.
Wei Hua, though annoyed, didn't give up. He kept looking to Wei Tu, waiting for his answer, knowing Wei Tu was the one who could truly decide.
"A century ago, the Loose Cultivator Alliance and Ancient Sword Mountain signed a spirit contract agreeing to a mutual defense alliance…" Wei Hua hinted darkly. His meaning was clear: if Wei Tu refused to help, even though they were lucky enough to save Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er today, they might not be so fortunate next time.
His words weren't just a threat—they also revealed the harsh reality of Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er's situation. Without a strong ally, these two wouldn't be mere pawns, but prime sacrifices in a clash between the two sects. Everyone knew it.
As soon as Wei Hua finished speaking, the atmosphere grew icy. All eyes turned to Wei Tu, waiting for his response.
"So, according to Elder Wei, I have no choice but to accept?" Wei Tu's face turned cold.
"This…" Wei Hua was startled. He had meant his words as a push, not to force a complete fallout. He thought he'd done Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er a great favor by helping them earlier, and that his "warning" was just blunt honesty.
He never expected Wei Tu to flip so quickly, completely ignoring the supposed favor and treating him as an enemy over a single sentence. His perfect plan was suddenly in ruins.
'This Wei Tu is way too domineering. He's nothing like the rumors described,' Wei Hua thought bitterly, forcing a pained smile. "I only meant to discuss, to discuss…"
Under normal circumstances, as a direct elder of the Swordmaster's lineage, he wouldn't fear a lone loose cultivator like Wei Tu. But today was different. With Ancient Sword Mountain and Earth Sword Mountain at war, he couldn't risk adding more problems to his sect, so he had to swallow his pride.
Seeing Wei Hua back down, Wei Tu also eased his tone. "I have urgent matters to deal with right now and can't involve myself in the battle between Ancient Sword Mountain and Earth Sword Mountain. Once I'm done, we can talk again."
Wei Tu could tell Wei Hua probably didn't know he'd once refined pills for Situ You, Wei Hua's sworn enemy. Their relationship had long been sour, but Wei Hua was clueless, thinking he could use a trivial "favor" as leverage.
Still, it was best to leave things on a somewhat civil note. Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er were still tied to Ancient Sword Mountain; making an enemy of Wei Hua now could endanger them even more.
After showing his strength, Wei Tu gave Wei Hua just enough hope to keep him in check. Now, instead of bearing a grudge, Wei Hua would feel compelled to protect Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er even more carefully. After all, if something happened to them, the chance of Wei Tu helping in the future would become nearly zero.
"Of course! Of course! Helping my Ancient Sword Mountain naturally comes after Alchemist Wei finishes his own important matters… Once those are settled, and when Alchemist Wei has time, he can come assist us…" Wei Hua hurriedly agreed, letting out a sigh of relief and forcing a smile.
Next, Wei Tu signaled Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er to step aside with him for a private talk. Earlier, Wei Hua had sensed Wei Tu and Yu Gongshou arriving, showing his spiritual sense was strong. While Wei Tu's own divine sense was sharp enough to send voice transmissions that Wei Hua couldn't overhear, he couldn't guarantee Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er's transmissions would remain private. It was safer to speak face-to-face away from prying ears.
…
They flew to a desolate mountain outside the battlefield. There, Wei Tu quickly set up a soundproofing array and looked at Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er, explaining Wei Hua's little tricks and how he had once refined pills for Situ You.
"Right now, Wei Hua probably still doesn't know I once made pills for Situ You," Wei Tu warned calmly. "But you two should stay cautious around him, just in case."
He patiently reminded them. By now, even though Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er couldn't help him much in terms of power, what they had gone through together in the Great Void Realm made them closer than ordinary master-disciple ties—they were like family who had survived death together.
Since he had the ability, Wei Tu naturally wanted to look out for them as best he could. If it weren't for Wei Yan being on the verge of forming her core, he'd probably stay at Ancient Sword Mountain to help Che Gongwei and Su Bing'er himself.
"This was the Golden Flame Pearl you gave me back then, Master. You told me to keep it to save my life… But now, you need it more than I do." Wei Tu flipped his hand, taking out a purple orb the size of a fist, and sent it over with his spiritual power.
The Golden Flame Pearl was the life-saving treasure Che Gongwei had entrusted to Wei Tu during their time in the Great Void Realm. After they survived that ordeal, Wei Tu had planned to return it before heading to Xiao Kingdom, but Che Gongwei refused it back then, believing Wei Tu needed it more.
Seeing the pearl back in his hands, Che Gongwei's eyes grew complicated. This time, he didn't refuse.
'Time reveals a person's true heart,' Che Gongwei thought with a quiet sigh. Back when Wei Tu first joined him with impressive skills and secretly broke through to the Golden Core Realm, he once feared this disciple was an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing. He'd regretted accepting him.
But now, after Wei Tu returned the Golden Flame Pearl twice without a hint of greed, he realized how wrong he had been.
'Four hundred years ago, I misjudged Qi Chengchu. Two hundred years ago, I misjudged Wei Tu…' Che Gongwei couldn't help but lament the twists of fate. These two people had changed the course of his life completely.
"Wei Tu, there's something I want to ask of you." Che Gongwei hesitated for a moment before stopping Wei Tu just as he was about to leave.
"What is it, Master?" Wei Tu asked, surprised. Their time together hadn't been long, and they hadn't had many chances to deepen their bond. Che Gongwei had always tried not to trouble him unnecessarily, so hearing the word "ask" from him was rare and serious.
"This war between the two sects could decide the fate of the Loose Cultivator Alliance. I can't leave or hide elsewhere…" Che Gongwei paused, then looked earnestly at Wei Tu. "But your junior sister is different."
"If I fall in battle… I ask you to take care of your junior sister for me." Saying this, Che Gongwei bowed deeply to Wei Tu.