In the Phoenix territory, a maid who had been ordered by the Phoenix Emperor to monitor the situation finally saw signs of the teleportation array activating.
"Young Master Xuan Yang is finally back," the maid thought to herself with a sigh of relief. The Phoenix Emperor was unwilling to lower himself to go out and search personally, yet he was uneasy without news of Xuan Yang’s whereabouts. Thus, the burden had fallen entirely on her and her fellow maids.
After a flash of white light, the maid looked toward the center of the array with a smile. One, two, three, four... five. Weren't there only Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong when they left? How did they return with two extra people out of thin air?
Shen Yan’s expression was quite poor. He had no favorable feelings toward the Phoenix territory. Had it not been for Senior Jin’s presence, which prevented him from openly hiding in Nie Shiyun’s spatial realm, he would never have been willing to show his face here.
Upon seeing the old man’s face clearly, the maid’s expression also shifted. She hurriedly bowed and said, "Se—Senior Jin! Why have you come so suddenly? Please forgive our lack of preparation for your arrival! We haven't prepared anything..."
Senior Jin chuckled and waved his hand, telling her not to make a fuss. "I happened to run into them in a minor world and learned that I missed the banquet. So, I’ve come to offer my apologies to your Phoenix Emperor."
"How could you say such a thing, Senior? The Phoenix Emperor would never blame you," the maid said frantically.
"No need to be nervous. I can guess well enough—that brat Feng Guangji must be calling me a senile old fool behind my back, isn't he?" Senior Jin stroked his snowy white beard. There was no anger on his face; instead, he looked quite amused.
"How could that be..." The maid looked awkward. Nie Shiyun could practically read the words "The Phoenix Emperor definitely said that" right off her face.
Seeing her caught in a dilemma, Senior Jin stopped teasing her and stated he wanted to see the Phoenix Emperor. Only then did the maid breathe a sigh of relief.
"Young Master Xuan Yang, please come with me as well. The Phoenix Emperor heard about you impersonating him in the minor world and wishes to question you."
None of them were surprised that this news had reached the Phoenix Emperor’s ears. Previously, Xuan Yang would have been unwilling to see him. Today was different, however. After all, the Phoenix Emperor had yet to fulfill his agreement with Nie Shiyun. Xuan Yang was afraid the Emperor might turn his back on the deal and wanted to use this opportunity to finalize things.
"If you hate it, should I send you out first...?" Xuan Yang whispered into Shen Yan’s ear.
"It’s fine," Shen Yan shook his head.
When the group arrived before the Phoenix Emperor’s bedchamber, they were surprised to find that the usually haughty Emperor was actually waiting outside in person.
Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong exchanged a glance. They knew without even thinking that they didn't have that kind of face. This further illustrated Senior Jin’s standing.
"You senile old fool. The banquet ended eight hundred years ago. What are you doing here now?"
As soon as the Phoenix Emperor spoke, it was the same familiar tone.
Nie Shiyun thought to himself that coming out to greet them personally was likely the maximum amount of respect the Phoenix Emperor could muster.
"I heard I’ve missed more than one banquet. Since I didn't come, it seems the juniors of my clan didn't show up either. My apologies," Senior Jin said.
His first sentence made the onlookers feel that this senior was perhaps being a bit too polite to a guy like the Phoenix Emperor who looked at everyone down his nose. But then Senior Jin continued: "I remember that in the past, when the Xuanwu clan was absent, the allotted wine would be divided among the remaining three clans present. It should be the same this time, right? I’ve come to claim some to take back."
The Phoenix Emperor took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress the urge to roll his eyes. "What is there to dwell on over a bit of measly wine?"
Xuan Yang let out a surprised "Oh!" and said, "Senior Jin, you like wine too? I found this brew from the Flower Spirit clan recently to be particularly delicious—very sweet. I specifically asked for two extra jars... Ah, but I can't share them with you. I saved those specifically for my Dao companion."
Shen Yan: "Uh, I actually don't mind..." *This idiot Xuan Yang, what is he saying to such a senior!*
"You have good taste!" Senior Jin laughed heartily at Xuan Yang, his beard trembling. He turned back to the Phoenix Emperor and said, "Feng Guangji, when did you get such a likable young son? Even though he looks exactly like you, his personality is much more straightforward and adorable!"
Having said that, he patted Xuan Yang on the back in high spirits and invited him inside to sit and taste wine together.
Nie Shiyun saw the Phoenix Emperor’s face turn dark. Although there wasn't a hint of welcome on his face, he didn't stop Senior Jin from leading the happily grinning Xuan Yang into the inner chambers.
Just seeing this sight made today’s trip worth it.
Sensing Nie Shiyun’s "spectator" mindset, the Phoenix Emperor glared fiercely at him and Zhai Bairong. Ultimately, he didn't lash out, merely cold-snorting: "It seems you are more capable than I thought, and your luck is one in ten thousand. To think you’d stumble into an acquaintance with this old fool. You should know that many of the Yao tribes searched everywhere before the banquet and couldn't find a trace of him."
Nie Shiyun smiled and said, "It’s all thanks to the 'kind little joke' you played on us. Otherwise, we wouldn't have had this good fortune."
The Phoenix Emperor’s expression worsened.
Xuan Yang had already entered with Shen Yan and Senior Jin. It wasn't right for the three of them to just stand outside, so the Phoenix Emperor flicked his sleeve and, with a displeased look, allowed the two of them to enter as well.
Senior Jin said he came for wine, and the Phoenix Emperor wished he would just take it and get lost. However, the pride of the Phoenix clan was at stake; when a Yao of Senior Jin’s level visited, it was only proper to show some courtesy. Of course, one could tell how insincere he was just by looking at his sour face.
Senior Jin ignored this entirely, maintaining his smiling demeanor as he accepted the Phoenix Emperor’s "gracious invitation."
Thus, in addition to the spiritual wine, many maids soon hurried back and forth in the meeting hall, serving food and pastries that would be considered top-tier anywhere.
No matter how reluctant his attitude, the Phoenix Emperor wouldn't skimp on these details, as it would make the Phoenix clan look cheap.
For some reason, Senior Jin was not only friendly toward Xuan Yang but also toward Nie Shiyun and the other humans. The Phoenix Emperor was forced to include them as well, letting them hitch a ride on the meal.
Throughout the meal, the Phoenix Emperor occasionally glanced at the humans out of the corner of his eye, hoping to see the "country bumpkin" look of someone who had never seen the world.
However, he was destined to be disappointed.
Shen Yan naturally didn't care for eating, and being in this wretched Phoenix territory made his expression gloomy from start to finish; he barely touched his chopsticks.
Nie Shiyun admitted the food tasted quite good, but as a person originally from the modern world, what novelty had he not experienced?
As for Zhai Bairong, he was someone who never wore his emotions on his sleeve. Furthermore, he was often "fed" many magical dishes by Nie Shiyun in private—dishes that had never existed in the cultivation world. By comparison, he felt these exquisite items weren't even half as delicious as what Nie Shiyun made with his own hands.
Looking around, the expressions of the humans were all calm and unruffled. The ones eating most joyfully and making the most fuss were actually the other two Yao.
"Mmm, boy, the food here is as delicious as ever! If I were to give a rating, your place would be number one!" Senior Jin ate until his face was shiny with oil.
"Mmm, mmm-hmm!" Xuan Yang nodded vigorously with his mouth full. The Phoenix Emperor couldn't even hear what he was saying, but he could tell from the tone that he was also praising the high quality of the food.
The Phoenix Emperor had never seen such fellows who lost face for the Yao race in front of humans. Unfortunately, one was a senior he had to yield to, and the other was his own biological son.
The Phoenix Emperor’s expression was even uglier than before.
"I heard that at the banquet, you humiliated Ao Tu," Senior Jin began to chat idly after eating his fill.
The Phoenix Emperor glanced at Nie Shiyun and the others, thinking that in such a short time, this group had apparently told the old man quite a lot.
"It’s entirely because his son was born a waste; I didn't do anything," the Phoenix Emperor sneered. Thinking of Ao Fan’s pathetic appearance at the banquet, his mood improved slightly.
Having not seen each other for centuries, the two discussed the current state of the Yao tribes. It was mostly Senior Jin asking and the Phoenix Emperor giving measured answers. After all, Senior Jin had been fast asleep in a minor world all this time and hadn't even returned to the Xuanwu clan.
Hearing that Senior Jin intended to visit the Dragon and White Tiger clans next before returning home, the Phoenix Emperor remembered something and said to Nie Shiyun, "Two years ago, I said I would introduce you to the White Tiger clan. This deity is not one to make empty promises. Since this old man is going to the White Tiger clan anyway, I will send a message to them, and you can go along together."
Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong had both prepared for the worst-case scenario where the Phoenix Emperor wouldn't fulfill his promise. Hearing him say this, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
Xuan Yang, however, frowned and said, "How can you be so insincere! Just sending a message? What if they don't take Nie Shiyun seriously and the deal falls through in the end?"
"I only said I would introduce him. Whether the deal succeeds has nothing to do with me," the Phoenix Emperor criticized Xuan Yang displeasurably. "Furthermore, is this how you speak to your father? No respect for elders, such poor upbringing..."
Xuan Yang was impervious: "Yeah, yeah. That’s what happens when you grow up without a father to raise you."
The Phoenix Emperor choked on his words, causing Senior Jin to burst into laughter. "Aya, Feng Guangji, this son of yours is too interesting." He patted Xuan Yang and told Nie Shiyun’s group they could rest easy—going to the White Tiger clan with him, how could they possibly lose face?
"We have no such concerns," Nie Shiyun said gratefully.
With Senior Jin muddying the waters, the Phoenix Emperor, who had originally intended to punish Xuan Yang for impersonating him, dropped the matter.
The Phoenix territory was located in the mountainous forests of the eastern Upper Realm, not close to human territory. According to Senior Jin, the Dragon clan’s territory was even further from the humans, located in the northwestern coastal regions. Compared to them, the White Tiger clan was quite centrally located on the plains, and they had the most frequent interactions with human sects and families.
"What about Senior Jin’s Xuanwu clan?" Nie Shiyun asked curiously.
Senior Jin stroked his beard, reminiscing. "It seems to be in the southern ocean..."
"It seems..." Xuan Yang repeated Senior Jin’s wording helplessly. *Does he not even remember where his home is?*
"The Xuanwu Palace is near the southern coast, but only a few juniors are stationed there. The rest of our kin are usually scattered about, wandering everywhere. Territory isn't important to us."
Xuan Yang looked at the old man before him, who seemed to have a poor memory and no desires, and felt a sense of awe.
Before leaving, he had been pulled aside by the Phoenix Emperor for some indirect questioning. Only then did he learn that Senior Jin truly deserved his boldness in calling the Phoenix Emperor by his name—his cultivation had actually reached the level of an Immortal Emperor, one tier higher than the Dragon King and Phoenix Emperor.
Setting aside those ancestors who had been missing or in seclusion for thousands of years, this was already the highest cultivation level in the Upper Realm.
It was just that the Xuanwu clan was far too low-profile. Whether it was events, competitions, or the opening of rare secret realms, their figures were almost never seen. Gradually, the various tribes only viewed the Golden Immortal cultivators as the ceiling of cultivation, no longer including the Xuanwu clan in their calculations.
Not calculating them didn't mean not valuing them. When the group arrived at the White Tiger territory seven days later, they saw a large group of Tiger Yao cultivators waiting at the entrance from afar.
The group knew they didn't have that much face; the others were there to welcome Senior Jin.
The leader of the White Tiger clan was much younger than those of the Dragon and Phoenix clans. He had been chosen before the previous leader fell, and at that time, he had only just advanced to Golden Immortal for a few days. It was no wonder he felt somewhat unable to hold his head high before the Dragon and Phoenix rulers.
After the two sides exchanged pleasantries, the Tiger leader proposed a private banquet for Senior Jin, and Xuan Yang was invited along as well. Nie Shiyun knew he hadn't reached the level or status to converse with a leader, so he took the initiative to suggest speaking with the White Tiger manager.
Nie Shiyun didn't recognize the man, but the White Tiger manager had seen him at the banquet. Nie Shiyun had made quite a splash back then; it would be hard to forget him.
"Fellow Daoist Nie, Fellow Daoist Zhai. You two must have been very busy lately. I am surprised you had the time to pay us a visit."
Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong looked at each other, both showing a confused expression that said, *Have we been busy lately?*
Seeing their confusion, the Tiger manager was even more surprised. "So you two didn't know? Ever since the news of your close relationship with the Phoenix clan spread among the human families and sects, the grass in front of your cave dwelling has been trampled into a path. Many powers claim to have already made contact with you and are currently in negotiations."
One could tell at a hearing that these were just rumors spread by various factions to check and balance each other. Nie Shiyun said helplessly, "I didn't even know such a thing was happening. During this time, we have been staying in a minor world and the Phoenix territory, never returning to the vicinity of the towns. Where would these negotiations come from?"
"I see. It seems Fellow Daoist Nie has no heart for such things. The various sects and families are going to be disappointed," the Tiger manager observed his expression and concluded.
"To be honest, we plan to establish our own sect," Nie Shiyun said without concealment, generously sharing his plan.
"If it were any other cultivator of this age, I would certainly think it a pipe dream. But Fellow Daoist Nie is so young, yet already so accomplished in artifact crafting, inscriptions, and formations. Add to that a Dao companion who is an alchemist and a close relationship with the Phoenix clan—I don't find it strange at all when you say it," the Tiger manager praised.
"You overpraise me, Senior," Nie Shiyun said politely.
The White Tiger manager was a Mahayana stage cultivator, so he was worthy of being called "Senior." However, at the banquet, Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong had been very firm in their attitude toward the Dragon clan. He hadn't expected them to be so kind and humble toward the White Tiger clan, which ranked below the Dragons.
Similarly, Nie Shiyun felt quite good about this. The White Tiger manager was responsible for internal member allocation and external social business; these were areas Nie Shiyun excelled in. Communicating with him was much easier than with the Dragon or Phoenix clans.
Even the Xuanwu clan made Nie Shiyun feel a bit of a headache, because he found that although Senior Jin was kind and easy to talk to, his desires were too thin. When Nie Shiyun asked if he could help, the other party agreed readily. The lack of a relationship based on mutual interest actually made Nie Shiyun a bit uneasy.
"Fellow Daoist Nie is so young, yet you can master two auxiliary arts without delaying your cultivation. It is truly not simple. If only the juniors of our clan had half your talent."
"What are you saying, Senior? My cultivation is still far off. To be honest, it’s all thanks to my Dao companion, who has constantly provided me with various high-grade pills. That has helped my cultivation achieve twice the result with half the effort; otherwise, I would have bitten off more than I could chew long ago," Nie Shiyun laughed somewhat bashfully.
The Tiger manager nodded thoughtfully. Nie Shiyun’s words were very clever; he humbled himself while simultaneously informing the manager that his Dao companion was not just an alchemist, but one who excelled in many types of pills with a high success rate.
"You're exaggerating," Zhai Bairong interjected calmly, his voice carrying a hint of a smile.
Seeing Zhai Bairong’s unruffled appearance, the Tiger manager estimated that Nie Shiyun wasn't just boasting blindly as a partner; what he said was likely very close to the truth. He had originally thought he would just do the Phoenix clan a favor and give this human a treasure from the White Tiger clan to settle the matter. But after a few words, other ideas began to form in his mind.
Zhai Bairong sat to the side. Seeing Nie Shiyun and the Tiger manager chatting more and more enthusiastically, he knew the matter was settled. Not only was it settled, but there might even be extra gains.
***
