279: Chapter 273 Joining the Ancient Spirit Clan

Passing through the valley stained red with blood and crossing over several towering, precipitous mountains, the scene before them suddenly opened up.

This was a massive basin, surrounded on all sides by natural, perilous peaks that formed an insurmountable barrier.

Within the basin, ancient trees towered into the sky.

Each of those giant trees was thick enough for dozens of people to join hands around, and their lush branches and leaves blotted out the sky, as if they were propping up an independent world.

Between the branches of these giant trees, countless exquisite treehouses were built in an orderly fashion.

This was the ancestral land of the Ancient Spirit Clan of the Southern Wilderness.

Compared to the slaughter and chaos of the outside world, this place unexpectedly exuded a rare sense of tranquility and peace.

"Senior Chen, please!"

Grand Elder Gu Feng stood before the massive totem gate of the village and respectfully made a gesture of invitation.

His face was filled with the joy of returning home, as well as infinite reverence for this savior.

Chen Zhiwen nodded slightly and stepped inside with a calm expression.

His gaze swept across the surroundings seemingly at random, but in reality, his Divine Sense had already silently spread out.

He could feel that in this seemingly primitive tribe, there were several rather strong auras hidden.

Even in the deepest part of the tribe, there was an ancient protective formation; although it was dilapidated, it still emitted a heart-palpitating fluctuation.

This Ancient Spirit Clan truly possessed some foundations.

When Chen Zhiwen and his party walked into the plaza in the center of the tribe, the Ancient Spirit clansmen who had already received the news gathered around one after another.

They looked at this outsider dressed in green robes with curiosity and awe.

In this Southern Wilderness, a Human Race Cultivator like Chen Zhiwen, with his delicate skin and scholarly temperament, was a rare sight.

Before long, a burly middle-aged man, draped in animal skins with muscles bulging like granite, strode out to meet them.

A mysterious cyan totem was tattooed on his face, his eyes were bright and piercing, and every gesture he made carried the majesty of someone in a high position.

This was the Clan Chief of the Ancient Spirit Clan, Gu Shan.

"So you are Your Excellency who righteously took action to save our clan's Grand Elder and the clansmen?"

Gu Shan came before Chen Zhiwen, his voice as loud as a bell, causing the surrounding leaves to rustle.

Although he was asking a question, his gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, as if he wanted to see through Chen Zhiwen's depth.

Chen Zhiwen wore a smile and met the other's gaze without being servile or overbearing.

He did not speak, but merely released a trace of the aura belonging to a Nascent Soul Stage expert.

Boom!

This aura flashed and vanished, but it was like a raging wave in the deep sea, causing Gu Shan's originally sharp gaze to instantly freeze.

Nascent Soul Cultivator!

And a Nascent Soul Cultivator with an extremely profound aura!

The trace of scrutiny on Gu Shan's face instantly vanished, replaced by immense solemnity and enthusiasm.

"Hahahaha! Truly, heroes come from the youth!"

Gu Shan laughed heartily, and the totem on his face seemed to come alive with his smile.

He slapped his chest hard and performed the highest etiquette of the Ancient Spirit Clan toward Chen Zhiwen.

"I am the Clan Chief of the Ancient Spirit Clan, Gu Shan, and on behalf of the entire clan, I thank Senior Chen for your life-saving grace!"

"Tonight, I will host a grand banquet to welcome you, Senior! The whole clan shall celebrate together!"

Night fell.

A massive bonfire burned fiercely in the center of the plaza, illuminating the entire tribe as bright as day.

The aroma of roasted meat mixed with the mellow scent of Spirit Wine permeated the air.

Young maidens of the Ancient Spirit Clan, dressed in exotic attire, danced gracefully around the bonfire, the silver bells on their ankles emitting crisp and pleasant sounds.

At the seat of honor, Chen Zhiwen sat cross-legged, with Spirit Fruits and delicacies unique to the Southern Wilderness spread out before him.

Gu Shan lifted a beast-horn cup the size of a large bowl, filled with amber-colored fine wine.

"Senior Chen, this cup of 'Monkey Drunkenness' is a secret concoction of our clan, buried underground for a hundred years before being unearthed. Please!"

After speaking, he tilted his head back and heroically downed that bowl of strong liquor.

The spicy liquid rolled down his throat, making him unable to resist letting out a satisfied low roar.

Chen Zhiwen also smiled and raised his wine cup, taking a light sip.

The wine felt soft upon entering his mouth, but like raging fire down his throat, and immediately transformed into a stream of pure Qi that instantly flowed through his entire body.

Good wine.

"Clan Leader Gu is too kind."

Chen Zhiwen set down his wine cup, his gaze sweeping across the lively crowd.

"I merely saw an injustice and offered a helping hand; it was a trivial matter, and I do not deserve such hospitality."

"Hey! Senior, that is incorrect!"

Gu Shan set down his wine cup, his expression becoming a bit more serious.

He waved his hand, signaling the clansmen serving them to withdraw, leaving only Grand Elder Gu Feng to keep them company.

"In this Southern Wilderness, human life is as cheap as grass. People willing to step in against injustice are rarer than the Phoenix in the sky."

Gu Shan sighed, and under the influence of the wine, a trace of worry appeared in his eyes.

"Senior has also seen that the current situation in the Southern Wilderness is chaotic, with various forces constantly fighting and killing to compete for resources."

"Although my Ancient Spirit Clan has resided here for generations, we are gradually declining. If not for Senior's intervention today, I fear the Grand Elder and the others would have..."

Speaking to this point, he paused, looking at Chen Zhiwen with burning eyes.

"I wonder how long Senior intends to stay during this visit to the Southern Wilderness?"

The main topic had arrived.

Chen Zhiwen's heart stirred slightly, but he remained calm on the surface.

He gently turned the wine cup in his hand, appearing to be deep in thought.

"I am merely a free spirit, with no fixed destination. If I encounter a place I like, staying for a while is not an issue."

Hearing this, a burst of brilliance instantly erupted in Gu Shan's eyes.

He exchanged a glance with the Grand Elder Gu Feng beside him, both seeing a glimmer of hope in each other's eyes.

"Since that is the case, this Gu has a presumptuous request."

Gu Shan took a deep breath, leaned forward slightly, and his tone became incomparably sincere.

"I wonder if Senior would be willing to lower yourself and serve as a guest elder for our Ancient Spirit Clan?"

Chen Zhiwen did not answer immediately.

He continued to fiddle with the wine cup, his eyes deep and inscrutable, making it impossible for others to guess his thoughts.

Seeing this, Gu Shan felt a tightening in his heart and hurriedly threw out the chips he had already prepared.

"Senior, please rest assured; although it is only a Guest Elder position, our clan will absolutely not restrict Senior's freedom. Whether Senior wishes to leave or stay is entirely up to your own will."

"In return, you may freely choose three items from our clan's treasure vault!"

"Additionally, the tribe will provide you with one hundred thousand Spirit Stones annually, along with various cultivation resources unique to the Southern Wilderness."

For a tribe that was declining, this offer was already a sign of immense sincerity.

One could even say it was a bit of a "bleeding" expense.

But Gu Shan knew clearly in his heart that having a Nascent Soul Stage powerhouse seated here, even if they did nothing, the mere reputation alone would be enough to deter those petty, restless villains in the surroundings.