Gu Yuan looked at the young man before him and nodded slightly.
He had heard the name Han Feng more than ten years ago, right when Han Feng first came into contact with Gu Xun'er.
For this reason, Gu Yuan had specifically conducted an investigation and gained a preliminary understanding of the matters between Han Feng and Venerable Yao.
However, he did not pay attention to deeper investigations.
After all, Han Feng had only been in contact with Gu Xun'er for a few days and had not appeared again for ten years after that.
It wasn't until two years ago, when Han Feng reappeared in the Xiao family, that Gu Yuan officially began to take the name Han Feng seriously.
All of this had nothing to do with Han Feng's own fortunes, but was entirely because of his daughter's special attitude toward Han Feng.
Although Gu Yuan had not personally visited Gu Xun'er during the dozen years she boarded at the Xiao family, he kept track of his daughter's situation at all times.
During that period, Gu Yuan sent out many Gu Clan spies to thoroughly investigate Han Feng's information.
Born in the Black-Corner Region, grew up in the Falling Star Pavilion, disappeared suddenly after coming of age, adventured in the northwestern seas of the Dou Qi Continent, and when he reappeared in the Black-Corner Region, Han Feng was already a Dou King expert.
Much of the information that even Feng Xian hadn't found was known by the behemoth that was the Gu Clan.
Although the Gu Clan usually did not interfere in matters on the Dou Qi Continent, once they took action, no one could evade their search unless they were of the same level.
Coincidentally, Venerable Mu Gu of the Hall of Souls, who knew about the evil deeds of the previous "Han Feng," had already been killed by Han Feng before the Gu Clan noticed him. His soul was extracted for body refining, leaving not even dregs.
Otherwise, the Gu Clan would probably have known about Han Feng's bad past record.
Of course, Han Feng disappearing in the same year as Venerable Yao remained very suspicious.
So Gu Yuan still hadn't given up on the investigation. For others, this kind of thing might require a huge price, after all, it was a secret from long ago. But for Gu Yuan, it was just a matter of a sentence or two; after giving the order, Gu Clan experts would naturally handle it for him.
But soon, an even greater coincidence occurred.
Because Han Feng searched overwhelmingly for clues about Yao Chen, the Gu Clan quickly intercepted this intelligence.
Later, Han Feng resurrected Yao Chen, and the doubts collapsed on their own.
After all, if Yao Chen's death back then was related to Han Feng and was malicious, how could he choose to resurrect Yao Chen?
Behind this matter, there had always been a mysterious force investigating in secret, which even Han Feng had never noticed.
Although Han Feng knew his actions would attract some people's attention, he didn't expect the Gu Clan to be involved as well.
"Come in and sit."
Han Feng led Lin Xian'er calmly into the bamboo pavilion.
Gu Zhen and the others quietly withdrew.
"Unexpectedly, in less than two years, you were able to break through Dou Venerate and become a true Dou Saint."
Gu Yuan said with admiration.
Even he had never seen such rapid promotion.
"I encountered some opportunities in the past two years, and this junior just happened to have the ability to seize them."
"Little friend Han Feng is too modest. No matter how great the opportunity, to break through the checkpoint of Dou Saint, one needs solid personal strength."
Even something as strong as the Dou God bloodline couldn't give clansmen a greater advantage over others at the threshold of advancing to Dou Saint.
Hearing Gu Yuan praise Han Feng like this, Lin Xian'er felt very happy.
This was her master; of course, he was amazing.
"Thanks to Clan Head Gu Yuan's praise. This junior is truly flattered by your personal reception today."
"Hehe, as a father, one always has to be extra careful."
Gu Yuan laughed.
Han Feng was slightly stunned.
"I investigated you long ago, more than ten years ago."
Hearing this, Han Feng smiled helplessly.
It seemed that his acts of concern for Gu Xun'er back then had directly brought him into the sight of the strongest person in the world.
Looking at it this way, his goal could be considered perfectly achieved?
Judging by how Gu Yuan seemed to know him like the back of his hand now, perhaps he had even overachieved?
"Given the Gu Clan's foundation, it seems I have no secrets left in front of Clan Head Gu Yuan."
"Haha, I said, Little friend Han Feng, you are too modest."
Gu Yuan laughed loudly.
"You are a Dou Saint now. Even in my Gu Clan, you would be a ranked expert."
"I just wanted to understand your life story to see what kind of person you are."
Han Feng nodded.
"Then Clan Head Gu Yuan, do you have your own opinion?"
"Of course."
Gu Yuan smiled gently.
"You are an excellent young man. If you cultivate step by step, there will definitely be a place for you among the peak ranks of the future Dou Qi Continent."
"However, I am very curious. Why do you have such great hatred for the Hall of Souls?"
Han Feng responded with composure, "The Hall of Souls commits many evils across the continent. Crushing it is just the general trend."
"General trend? If the trend were truly as you say, the Hall of Souls wouldn't possess such a powerful scale of influence today."
"Something even the Pill Tower couldn't do. How did you, a mere Dou Ancestor who wasn't even a Dou Venerate back then, dare to go alone to destroy an Earthly Hall?"
"Clan Head Gu Yuan even knows about this?"
"Just a guess. After all, in the entire Central Plains, no one had such guts before."
Gu Yuan looked into Han Feng's eyes and said slowly, "Moreover, I can see from your actions in the Central Plains that your goal is probably not just the Hall of Souls."
"Clan Head Gu Yuan is impressive."
Han Feng put on an expression of admitting defeat.
"However, does anyone else in the Gu Clan know about my affairs?"
"That, no. After all, this matter involves Xun'er and counts as my private affair. It's not appropriate to trouble the clan's forces."
Gu Yuan said.
Those he sent to investigate this matter were also his private troops.
Han Feng breathed a sigh of relief.
"Clan Head Gu Yuan keeps public and private matters separate. Fortunately, fortunately."
Gu Yuan's upright eyebrows frowned slightly.
"What does Little friend Han Feng mean by this?"
"There are no outsiders here, so I will speak frankly. If I am presumptive, I hope Clan Head Gu Yuan will forgive me."
Han Feng spoke words that shocked Gu Yuan's heart in a normal tone: "In the Gu Clan, there may be spies planted by the Hun Clan."
The atmosphere in the room fell into silence.
Lin Xian'er instantly tensed her body, having an urge to flee this place.
Is this something I can listen to?
Master, why did you say it in front of me!
Lin Xian'er quietly glanced at Gu Yuan sitting on the right, feeling the surrounding aura suddenly become heavy as a quagmire.
"Little friend Han Feng, why do you say this?"
Gu Yuan spoke slowly, and the oppressive atmosphere finally dissipated.
"Previously, I captured a Hall of Souls Protector in the Northwest Continent. He was very certain that the Xiao Clan of back then is now in the Northwest Continent."
"If it's just this, I'm afraid it's not enough to explain, right?"
After all, there is one other person who knows the information about the Xiao Clan, and that is Han Feng.
Since this news is not exclusive, if it leaks out, it naturally cannot be pinpointed as the Gu Clan's doing.
Perhaps it was information leaked inadvertently?
Han Feng remained silent.
The reason he had such a definitive judgment, apart from Wu Ying's memory, was actually the doubt from the Gu Clan's instant defeat in his previous life.
Adding the two together made him certain that there might be traitors of the Hun Clan within the Gu Clan.
But he couldn't explain this matter to Gu Yuan.
Without evidence, things carry no authority.
"Sorry, this junior was presumptive."
"Sigh."
Gu Yuan waved his hand.
"I understand your concerns. Rest assured, I won't tell anyone else about your intelligence."
"If you have further evidence to prove your point, please don't hesitate, Little friend Han Feng. You can tell me directly."
The implication was not to slander members of the Gu Clan without cause.
Han Feng nodded.
It was also thanks to Gu Yuan being a good-tempered person. Otherwise, just that one sentence from Han Feng just now could have angered this supreme expert of the continent.
"Alright, let's end today's conversation here. Xun'er is waiting for you outside. Take her to relax."
Gu Yuan said with a smile.
Han Feng stood up and bowed slightly to Gu Yuan.
"Thank you, Clan Head Gu Yuan, for fulfilling this wish. This junior will take his leave first."
Gu Yuan nodded, stood up, and saw Han Feng and Lin Xian'er out of the bamboo pavilion.
He watched the two walk into the forest path, then narrowed his eyes.
"Hun Clan..."
To be honest, if the Hun Clan had planted spies in the Gu Clan, Gu Yuan wouldn't find it strange at all.
Moreover, with so many people in the Gu Clan, having one or two spies was a very normal thing.
But the key issue was that Gu Yuan couldn't investigate the members of the Gu Clan one by one just because of Han Feng's speculation.
He was the Gu Clan Head and needed to consider the feelings of his clansmen.
When most of the clansmen were united, carrying out a purge was a difficult thing to do.
Unless Han Feng could bring him more important intelligence or clear evidence, Gu Yuan would not act rashly.
"Han Feng... this kid clearly has such strong talent, yet he chose the most difficult path."
Gu Yuan smiled gently.
"He has courage..."
Irrespective of the clan's stance, solely representing himself as an individual, Gu Yuan valued this young man very much.
That was why he agreed to let Xun'er go out with him to relax.
But standing from the perspective of the entire Gu Clan, he couldn't choose to stand in opposition to the Hun Clan because of this.
The balance of the eight ancient clans was currently the best choice.
All parties wouldn't cause too many casualties, and clansmen could live peacefully and stably.
If the Gu Clan started this, the balance would be broken by them, and Gu Yuan would inevitably have to bear the main responsibility for it.
As a leader for a thousand years, Gu Yuan's governing philosophy was relatively conservative.
Han Feng also realized this during the conversation, which was why he didn't continue the subsequent discussion.
To solve the Hun Clan, the most important thing was still to rely on himself.
Before the balanced situation was broken, the eight clans would not make major choices.
On the way down the mountain, Lin Xian'er whispered, "Master, that was a bit dangerous just now."
Han Feng glanced at his disciple's cautious expression and laughed dumbly: "I understand Clan Head Gu Yuan; he isn't that kind of person."
Lin Xian'er curled her lips.
She wasn't stupid. This was clearly the first time the two had met; it was just that Clan Head Gu Yuan had investigated her master beforehand.
But how could Han Feng understand the Clan Head of an ancient family?
Seeing Lin Xian'er didn't believe him, Han Feng patted her head.
Although this was his first meeting with Gu Yuan in this life, during the time of the Anti-Soul Alliance in his previous life, he had met this Gu Clan Head several times.
Thanks to the other party, the Anti-Soul Alliance was able to persist tenaciously.
Even though it was destroyed in the end, during the cooperation process, Han Feng could tell that Gu Yuan was a decent person.
It was just a pity that his nature was somewhat conservative.
Han Feng's initial lobbying also ended in failure.
To gain this person's support, on the one hand, he had to work hard himself, and on the other hand, he probably had to put effort into Xun'er.
Gu Yuan was a qualified Clan Head; he wouldn't do anything damaging to the Gu Clan just because of his daughter. But Gu Xun'er possessed the Divine Grade Dou God bloodline. As long as she awakened and was conferred the title at the Coming of Age Ceremony, her status would skyrocket, becoming the hope of the Gu Clan's next generation.
At that time, Gu Xun'er's voice would carry great weight.
Arriving at the foot of the mountain, a beautiful figure suddenly ran over.
"Mr. Han!"
Gu Xun'er came to Han Feng and breathed a sigh of relief seeing he was unhurt.
Hearing that Han Feng was taken directly to see her father, she thought her father was going to do something to Han Feng.
"Long time no see, Xun'er."
Han Feng said with a smile.
"Xun'er, how could you forget me?"
Lin Xian'er stepped forward and waved in front of Gu Xun'er's eyes.
"Sister Xian'er, how could I forget you?"
Gu Xun'er smiled sweetly and held Lin Xian'er's arm.
"I was just too worried about you guys just now. I didn't expect Father to meet Mr. Han directly."
Generally speaking, with her father's usual busy schedule, he wouldn't have time to see outsiders.
Gu Yuan choosing to receive Han Feng personally could only mean he valued him very much.
"Xun'er, we came this time to take you back to the Northwest Continent so everyone can gather."
"Yes, after being separated for so long, Qing Lin must miss you very much too."
Lin Xian'er chimed in.
"I miss you all too."
Gu Xun'er said.
Actually, she had wanted to go out for a long time, but Han Feng hadn't come to pick her up.
Therefore, Gu Xun'er had no reason to run all over the continent looking for Han Feng.
That would be too shameless.
"Mr. Han, I heard you broke through to Dou Saint?"
Gu Xun'er looked at Han Feng and asked.
"Yes."
Han Feng nodded and said, "If not for the Dou Saint cultivation, entering Ancient Saint City would probably have been a bit troublesome."
"You could have notified me, and I would have come out to pick you up!"
Gu Xun'er said.
"If there really was no way, I planned to do that."
Han Feng smiled.
But didn't he have other matters to deal with as well?
If it was just to pick up Gu Xun'er, there was no need for such a big fuss.
As long as Gu Xun'er knew Han Feng was outside the city, it would be very convenient for her to come out herself.
She wasn't imprisoned within the clan.
Going out for a few days appropriately was normal.
"Clan Head Gu Yuan has agreed for you to go back with us."
"Really?"
"Absolutely true, I heard it too!"
Lin Xian'er testified.
"That's great! Let's leave quickly."
Han Feng: ...
"Xun'er, aren't you going to say goodbye to Clan Head Gu Yuan?"
Han Feng reminded.
"Father manages thousands of things every day; he won't have time to spare to say goodbye to me. His agreement is enough."
Gu Xun'er said.
"Ahem."
A gentle cough came from behind Gu Xun'er.
"...Father!"
Gu Xun'er was startled and turned around hurriedly.
"It seems the girl still has some misunderstandings about me."
"Father, I..."
"Alright, go relax with Little friend Han Feng. Be safe."