The next morning.

A gentle breeze blew in from outside the tent, carrying with it the fresh scent of grass. It lightly lifted the bangs from Lu Yao’s forehead, revealing her smooth skin.

At that moment, Lu Yao was sitting at a desk.

With an ink brush in one hand and a sheet of rice paper in the other, she was meticulously recording the names of the banquet guests and the gifts they had presented.

In truth, this wasn’t a task she needed to do. But with every name she recorded, she felt a growing sense of satisfaction.

As one of Fang Yang’s followers, the more powerful he became, the more she stood to gain.

For one thing, she had already managed to find nearly all of her beloved Cyan Deer kinsmen, freeing them from their lives as slaves!

"The Clan Leader of the Barbarian Bull Tribe presents a pair of Gold and Jade Ruyi."

"The Ten Thousand Birds Race Leader presents one Six-winged Flying Fish."

"..."

The announcements from the front continued unabated as one important figure after another made their entrance.

Suddenly, Lu Yao looked up, her brush pausing for a moment.

The Ten Thousand Birds Race Leader was her maternal uncle, who had always looked after her.

"Yao’er, don’t stop. Keep moving forward, keep going," a gentle, middle-aged man’s voice said just then, his words holding a double meaning.

"Mm," Lu Yao replied, her face breaking into a bright smile.

Lu Yao didn’t keep watching her uncle and her cousin Lingfang; instead, she lowered her head and returned to her work.

Before long, the announcer at the front gate suddenly faltered in his call.

Because Le Shiyu had actually come to pay a visit and congratulate Fang Yang!

Le Shiyu was pretty and cute, with a slender, graceful figure. A blue palace-style dress further accentuated her refined and otherworldly beauty.

With a touch of makeup on her face, she looked exceptionally radiant. Wherever she stood became a picturesque scene.

"Fang Yang, congratulations on becoming an Order-Executor," Le Shiyu said with a gentle smile.

"Thank you," Fang Yang replied.

Although Fang Yang was a bit surprised, he wouldn’t slight someone who came with a smile, especially since Le Shiyu had also brought a gift.

Under everyone’s gaze, Le Shiyu showed no stage fright. She stood quietly to the side, meeting the crowd’s polite stares with a faint smile.

No one could figure out her intentions, but thankfully, there were also outstanding young women among the Fang clan’s younger generation. They made sure not to neglect Le Shiyu, thus maintaining proper etiquette.

Fang Yang had thought Le Shiyu would be the only unexpected interlude of the day. To his surprise, just fifteen minutes later, Hong Qishang arrived with Wei Rubao, Chen Yuan, and Chen Xing, all bearing congratulatory gifts!

Among them, Chen Yuan and Chen Xing had not actually been on Fang Yang’s invitation list.

But now, it seemed they also intended to mend their relationship with him.

’Sucking up to the powerful and trampling on the weak? Heh, whatever the reason, it seems I’m finally on the right path...’ Fang Yang mused to himself.

The central area of the White Feathered Eagle Tribe’s encampment was bustling with people and filled with numerous guests.

And the sole focus of the event was Fang Yang!

At that moment, Hong Qishang watched the impressive figures gathering around Fang Yang, and the decision in his heart grew even more resolute.

Since he couldn’t be like Zhang Ye and drastically reduce his bad luck just by staying away from Fang Yang, then he would take the initiative to get closer to him!

Indirectly, of course.

Finally, seeing a rare moment when Fang Yang was alone, Hong Qishang decisively walked up to him.

"Fang Yang, I would like to serve as a guest retainer in your White Feathered Eagle Tribe. It can be in name only, or it can be official."

Hong Qishang’s expression was unnatural. "Don’t worry, I will definitely leave before the Xuan-Yu War ends. I won’t interfere in the internal affairs of the White Feathered Eagle Tribe."

In a way, for a dignified Tier Three expert like him to do this was a form of surrender to a junior like Fang Yang.

Hearing this, Fang Yang was rather surprised.

’What is with today? Everyone is acting so strange.’

’Even if my fortunes have truly turned around, it shouldn’t be to this extent, right?’

While Fang Yang hesitated, Hong Qishang decisively sweetened the deal. "My attainments in the Way of Enslavement are quite good, and the swarm of Fierce Beast bees under my command is formidable. I heard you’ve been looking for a suitable flock of eagles recently. I can help you with that."

"Brother Hong, your talents are extraordinary. I’m afraid the White Feathered Eagle Tribe cannot support your cultivation. In that case, please join us as a guest retainer in name only. You may leave whenever you wish." Fang Yang gave Hong Qishang plenty of face.

In that instant, a smile appeared on Hong Qishang’s face, and he looked at Fang Yang with gratitude.

’A guest retainer in name only is perfect.’

’If others find out, they won’t use it to mock me.’

’If I were to truly serve Fang Yang and the White Feathered Eagle Tribe, I’d probably be ridiculed by many.’

’Fang Yang is a prodigy, but I, Hong Qishang, am not far behind!’

In a way, Hong Qishang and Fang Yang were making a business deal, but he felt it was well worth it.

...

「That night.」

The White Feathered Eagle encampment was brightly lit as the bonfire celebration officially began.

Fang Yang first thanked his elders for their guidance and then took his seat at the head of the banquet.

Flanking him on either side were the White Feathered Eagle and the Small Frost Horse.

The Pet Beasts, who had been quarreling just last night, had now made up.

Not long after the bonfire celebration started, Le Shiyu gracefully walked over to offer Fang Yang a toast.

Coincidentally, Chen Yuan also came over at that moment to offer him a toast.

For a moment, the entire venue fell silent.

It was too bizarre.

Never mind the onlookers who didn’t understand what the two women were thinking; even Fang Yang himself felt shrouded in fog, especially concerning Le Shiyu.

If Fang Yang recalled correctly, Le Shiyu and Cyan Aura were on excellent terms. Not to mention how brutally he had treated her that day.

Under such circumstances, even if Le Shiyu didn’t glare at him with rage, she certainly shouldn’t be treating him with such courtesy.

"We are all serving the sovereign. Let’s drink to that. Everything else can be left unsaid." Fang Yang suppressed his confusion and raised his cup.

He nodded at the two women as if to say this drink would wash away all past grievances.

Seeing this, elders like Second Uncle Fang and Seventh Uncle Fang on the other side were very gratified and felt proud of Fang Yang.

It was just a pity that Fang Min and Fang Hao, the top two prodigies of the Fang clan, held important positions and couldn’t attend in person, only sending gifts.

Otherwise, Fang Yang’s power and status would have soared even higher!

The moon climbed above the treetops.

The night grew deep.

Suddenly, a strange event occurred outside the White Feathered Eagle Tribe’s encampment. A dazzling pillar of cyan and red light tore through the night, arriving with a thunderous roar.

In that instant, all the guests raised their heads, gazing at the distant pillar of cyan and red light.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the cyan and red pillar of light seemed to roar like a dragon and howl like a tiger, its presence immense and powerful.

It seemed as if it was about to extinguish the entire White Feathered Eagle Tribe, causing everyone’s expression to change drastically.

"This aura... is it Elder Hua?!" Fang Yang was shocked and uncertain.

With a final BOOM, the cyan and red pillar of light dissipated, revealing Elder Hua holding the Cyan and Red Pill Furnace in his left hand and a gift box in his right.

Seeing Elder Hua’s cheerful appearance, everyone instantly realized he was here to congratulate Fang Yang!

At that moment, Second Uncle Fang, Seventh Uncle Fang, the Ten Thousand Birds Race Leader, Lingfang, and the others were utterly astonished.

Lingfang, in particular, suddenly realized that the image of the naive and youthful Fang Yang was gradually fading.

In his place stood a powerful Order-Executor, one who held great authority and could stir up storms within the army!

"Little friend Fang, Xiaohui wanted to congratulate you on your promotion. Please accept this gift. Hehehe." Elder Hua’s eyes crinkled as he smiled, looking like a playful old man.

But Fang Yang’s pupils constricted sharply.

BOOM—

A massive thunderclap echoed across the mirror-like lake of his heart, sending colossal waves surging, impossible to calm...