I am a Late Bloomer in the Immortal World
Chapter 20: The Subtle Applications of Fate

Later Shan Wuju further explained the cultivation stages that internal martial artists experience after reaching the Qi Perception Realm to Wei Tu.

"After reaching the Qi Perception Realm, there are three major stages of cultivation: True Qi, Innate, and Grandmaster."

"In the True Qi Realm, an internal martial artist gains the strength to contend with external martial artists. Weapons are imbued with True Qi, allowing them to cause harm even through actions as subtle as plucking flowers or picking leaves."

“However, attaining this realm is not feasible without at least thirty to fifty years of meditation, regardless of one’s inborn talent.”

“By that time, one may be advanced in age, rendering such strength essentially futile.”

“Fame must be sought in the youth!”

"As for the Innate Realm..." Shan Wuju's expression showed a hint of nostalgia as he continued, "The Innate Realm is attainable by both external and internal martial artists. External practitioners cultivate their bone marrow, nurturing an innate vitality… Your ancestral master once ventured far from Qingfeng Prefecture in an attempt to breakthrough to this realm, but his whereabouts became unknown."

"Later, an old acquaintance sent his golden blade, and only then did I learn that he had perished during seclusion."

“Historically, the Innate Realm has been difficult to attain. According to your ancestral master’s account, those who reach this realm may live up to two hundred years.”

"Two hundred years?!" Wei Tu, standing quietly beside him, was deeply shocked.

He had previously thought that martial artists, known for their bravery and fierceness, rarely lived to old age and mostly died prematurely. However, he was surprised to learn that achieving the Innate Realm could extend one's life to two hundred years, living what could be considered a "second lifetime."

“If martial artists can achieve such longevity in the Innate Realm, then perhaps immortality of the Daoist path is not merely a dream.”

“I have a late-blooming destiny. Perhaps I can reach the Innate Realm and live for two hundred years.”

Wei Tu instinctively touched his forehead, where his greatest secret—his golden-purple fate of ‘Late Bloomer’ was hidden.

“I have never heard your ancestral master mention the Grandmaster Realm beyond the Innate Realm. In later exchanges with peers in martial arts, they were also unaware of its mysteries.” Shan Wuju sighed.

Despite his esteemed position as a respected martial master, in martial arts, he was still like a novice, learning and stumbling.

Life is finite, but knowledge is boundless.

Now in his sixties, his body was gradually deteriorating, with persistent internal injuries. His frequency of intimate relations had decreased from three times a month to twice a month and then now only once a month.

Given his physical condition, living another twenty years would be considered a gain.

As for advancement in martial arts…that was no longer possible.

.......

Back in his room, Wei Tu immersed himself in contemplation, focusing on his ‘Late Bloomer’ fate. In his sea of consciousness, the golden-purple fate shone brightly, exuding an aura of boundless and distant time.

Beside it was the progress of Wei Tu's health cultivation practice.

[Turtle Breathing (83/100): Nine times a day, achieve mastery in five years]

"In the past three months, the progress of the longevity technique has only increased by 2%. Although this period has seen delays due to my studies in archery, equestrianism, and other areas, I have still persisted in practicing nine times a day.”

"It seems my speculation was correct. Achieving mastery in the longevity technique and progressing from external to internal cultivation to reach the Qi Perception Realm is not an easy task."

Wei Tu glanced at the progress of his longevity technique and sighed silently.

"Fortunately, in less than two years, the five-year deadline will be reached, and by then, I will be able to enter the Qi Perception Realm."

Thinking of this, Wei Tu’s sense of frustration vanished.

With the ‘Late Bloomer’ fate by his side, as long as he remains tenacious, he is bound to achieve success.

His master, Shan Wuju, had practiced martial arts for many years without transitioning from external to internal cultivation and reached the Qi Perception Realm. Yet he could achieve this within five years, so what more could he ask for?

"Now, with the manual for the 'Tiger-Crane Dual Form Fist' in hand, I can also test some of my speculations regarding the 'Late Bloomer' fate…such as that warm current"

Lighting the oil lamp, Wei Tu opened the yellowed book and carefully studied each posture of the Tiger and Crane Dual Form Fist.

Compared to the longevity technique, the postures of the ‘Tiger-Crane Dual Form Fist’ were more complex. In addition to the forty-five basic stances, there were one hundred and four minor stances subdivided according to the Tiger Form and Crane Form.

“According to my master, my stances are already well-developed, and my martial arts foundation is solid. Although these postures seem complicated, they are not difficult for me.”

Several hours later, Wei Tu finished reviewing the manual and began practicing the postures based on the illustrations provided.

First round.

Second round.

By the seventeenth round.

Similar to the Longevity Technique, the golden-purple fate also manifested the characters and progress of the Tiger-Crane Dual Form Fist.

[Tiger-Crane Dual Form Fist (1/100): Seven times a day, mastery in three years]

“Only three years? That’s two years shorter than the five years required for the Longevity Technique?”

Wei Tu was surprised.

The Tiger-Crane Dual Form Fist was Shan Wuju’s most treasured martial skill, far superior to the commonly practiced longevity technique among martial artists.

Given the complexity of these postures, it was apparent that the Tiger-Crane Dual Form Fist was difficult and intricate to learn. It seemed improbable that the time required to master this complex fist technique would be shorter by two years compared to the Longevity Technique.

“The only explanation is that after achieving proficiency in the longevity technique and establishing a martial foundation, practicing the Tiger-Crane Dual Form Fist becomes much more efficient. Therefore, the time required to reach mastery in it is two years shorter than for the Longevity Technique.” Wei Tu pondered.

.......

Over the next few days, aside from practicing archery and military strategy, Wei Tu devoted all his remaining time to practicing the Tiger-Crane Dual Form Fist.

Hard work indeed pays off.

This time, Wei Tu only spent a little over ten days before he again sensed the warm current in his body that had appeared during his practice of the longevity technique.

“This indicates that…this warm current is not unique to the Longevity Technique but originates from my body, or rather from my golden-purple fate ‘Late Bloomer’.”

“Although the ‘late bloomer’ fate will not make me achieve greatness instantly, as long as I persistently practice the relevant techniques, the golden-purple fate will emit this warm current to transform my body, making it more suited for the practice of this technique.”

In an instant, Wei Tu understood the role and application of his ‘late bloomer’ fate.

“In other words…for me, there is no concept of talent limitations or specific cultivation thresholds. My talent is not fixed; as long as I have sufficient lifespan, the golden-purple fate will transform me into the most suitable practitioner of this technique.”

Wei Tu’s expression was filled with joy.

The reason why external martial arts practitioners constitute the majority is not because external techniques surpass internal techniques in efficacy.

Rather, it is because internal techniques are too difficult, requiring practitioners to possess certain talents to perceive Qi and transport internal energy through meridians.

Even if one encounters opportunities and successfully perceives Qi, further advancements are challenging.

In contrast, external martial arts are tangible and perceptible, making them more appealing to the general populace compared to internal techniques.

However, Wei Tu was different.

With the support of the ‘late bloomer’ fate, as long as he acquires internal techniques and initiates practice, he will be able to continuously progress.