Isn't this a bit too shady

After the Giant Ape Clan of the Southern Wasteland fled in a sorry state, Nanming Qiwu deliberated again and again before finally deciding to lead the clan's other three Peak Half-Immortal ancestors to proactively pay a visit to Gu Changyuan.

Given Gu Changyuan's current strength and influence, he was already a pinnacle existence in the Nine Heavens Realm. If they could befriend him, it would bring nothing but a hundred benefits and zero harm to the Nanming Phoenix Clan.

Gu Changyuan's gaze slowly swept over the four of them. His face showed not the slightest hint of rejection, his expression calm and indifferent.

He had previously heard his disciples, such as Tushan Youyao and Lu Jiuyi, mention that when they went to the Southern Region to gain experience, they had encountered some minor troubles and received help from the Nanming Phoenix Clan.

Although it was just a trivial helping hand and could not be considered some massive life-saving grace, since the other party had helped his disciples during the days he was away from the Holy Land, Gu Changyuan would not give them the cold shoulder, much less turn a blind eye to them.

Gu Changyuan waved his hand, his tone casual.

"It was just a trivial farce not worth mentioning, hardly a display of divine might."

He paused and continued,

"I heard from my disciples that the Heavenly Demon Pavilion once received some help from the Nanming Phoenix Clan. If there is a chance in the future, I would actually like to pay a visit."

Hearing Gu Changyuan's words, a flash of surprise instantly crossed the eyes of Nanming Qiwu and the three ancestors beside her, their faces revealing a hint of bewilderment.

The Nanming Phoenix Clan had helped the Heavenly Demon Pavilion?

How come they didn't know about this?

However, on second thought, Gu Changyuan had specifically emphasized "my disciples said" and heavily highlighted "some help."

This meant it wasn't a huge favor. It was likely that some elders in the clan had chanced upon disciples of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion while traveling and casually lent a small helping hand.

They had all been in secluded cultivation before this. Although they had awakened midway, they had never left seclusion.

It wasn't until the last time when Gu Changyuan destroyed the Myriad Demon Alliance in the Demon Realm and used two great array formations to attract the attention of the entire Demon Realm that they chose to urgently emerge from seclusion.

Therefore, that little interaction between the clan elders and the Heavenly Demon Pavilion most likely happened during their seclusion, hence they were unaware of it.

But no matter how small the interaction was, it was still a connection.

Nanming Qiwu secretly rejoiced in her heart.

She slightly lowered her eyes, her tone humble,

"It was just a small favor, not worthy of Senior keeping it in mind like this.

When the members of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion were operating in the Southern Region back then, our clan merely fulfilled the duties of a host. It really isn't worth mentioning."

Gu Changyuan shook his head, his tone becoming a bit more serious,

"Even if it was a small favor, it was helpful to my disciples at the time."

"Back then, due to certain matters, I wasn't around. Now that I am back, I will naturally help them repay the kindness my disciples received.

Of course, if they were ever bullied, I will also help them settle the score one by one."

His earlier words were gentle and peaceful, but the tone of the latter half suddenly shifted, becoming icy and sharp, carrying an unquestionable coercion that instantly swept across the entire scene.

These words were like a clap of thunder, frightening the surrounding factions and making their hearts tighten.

They immediately began to recall whether they had ever unintentionally provoked the disciples of the Heavenly Human Holy Land or the Heavenly Demon Pavilion in the past, terrified of being remembered by Gu Changyuan and suffering retaliation in the future.

Nanming Qiwu's expression remained unchanged, but her heart also trembled slightly.

This senior was so righteously protective of his own.

She took a deep breath and said,

"If Senior insists on returning the favor, you might as well come to the Southern Region in the future and be a guest of our Nanming Phoenix Clan.

Although our clan has no precious treasures, we do have some modest tea and light wine to offer Senior for your leisure."

She did not directly mention returning anything, but instead invited Gu Changyuan to visit the Nanming Phoenix Clan as a guest.

This could not only avoid making a rash repayment seem too deliberate, but also take the opportunity to enhance the relationship between both sides.

If Gu Changyuan was willing to go, the connection between the two forces in the future would naturally become closer and closer.

Hearing this, Gu Changyuan nodded slightly, his tone softening a bit,

"Of course. After the matter of the Immortal Emperor Mystic Realm concludes, if there is still time, I will definitely head to the Southern Region and pay a visit."

"Then our Nanming Phoenix Clan will respectfully await Senior's grand arrival."

She paused and added,

"The mystic realm is about to open, so we will take our leave first and not disturb Senior's rest."

Gu Changyuan nodded.

Nanming Qiwu led the three ancestors, turned around, and flew back to their own ranks.

Gu Changyuan looked at their retreating figures, a flash of shrewdness passing through his eyes.

One of the reasons he chose to establish a relationship with them was to include them in his next plan.

Now, the Five Great Families of the Central Continent in the Human Realm had completely joined the Heavenly Human Holy Land, and their cultivation feedback system had also been fully established.

Gu Changyuan then turned his sights to the Demon Realm, wanting to subdue the top races of the Demon Realm to expand his own power.

And the Nanming Phoenix Clan was naturally on his list.

Today's chance encounter was just a beginning.

Thinking that there were still two days before the mystic realm opened, there was nothing to do since they arrived early.

Gu Changyuan waved his right hand, and an immortal boat appeared out of thin air in the sky above.

"Let's go. We'll head back to the immortal boat to rest first."

As Gu Changyuan spoke, his figure moved, landing on the deck of the immortal boat.

The group of disciples followed closely behind.

Twenty figures filed onto the immortal boat one after another.

Below, countless cultivators looked up at that silver-white immortal boat, their eyes filled with envy.

They had strength, prestige, and even an immortal boat.

This was the deep foundation of the Heavenly Human Holy Land.

At the top of the immortal boat, the room was spacious and bright, with windows open on all four sides.

Gu Changyuan sat in the main seat, and the disciples sat around him on both sides.

The twenty people filled the room completely, yet it did not seem crowded in the slightest.

Gu Xing'er did not return to her seat. Instead, she walked straight to Gu Changyuan's side and handed the four spatial rings extorted from the Giant Ape Clan to her master.

"Brother, I just took a look,"

She placed the rings by Gu Changyuan's hand, her tone casual.

"There doesn't seem to be anything I need in here. It's better to give them to you."

Gu Changyuan glanced at the four rings, raised his hand to rub Gu Xing'er's head, and wore a smile on his lips.

"Little girl, your acting just now was a bit too fake."

He teased, "You need to polish your acting skills more in the future."

Gu Xing'er pouted and was about to retort when Gu Changyuan continued speaking.

"Look at you, such a weak and pitiful little girl.

In the future, when you encounter an enemy, just pretend to be weak in front of them, and when they are caught off guard, launch a sudden sneak attack—isn't the success rate of this much higher than fighting them head-on?"

As his voice faded, the room fell silent for a moment.

The corners of all the disciples' mouths twitched in unison.

No, Master, isn't this a bit too sinister?

What kind of master teaches their disciple to pretend to be pitiful and launch sneak attacks?

This approach is way too unorthodox.