Gu Rui quickened his steps, hurried forward to help Xie Yuan up himself, then cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Elder Zhuang beside him.
Everything had become clear to him now. Xie Yuan hailed from the Celestial River Demon Crab Tribe of Azure Sea Lake. For Elder Zhuang to have personally persuaded him, the two must have shared a deep connection, far beyond a casual acquaintance.
The Celestial River Demon Crab Tribe ranked among Azure Sea Lake's Top Three Clans, with deep reserves and firmly established influence.
With this tribe's support, his foundations amid Azure Sea Lake's tangled situation would surely become more solid, and his influence could advance another step.
At the thought, a flicker of delight slipped through Gu Rui's eyes. This truly was an unexpected windfall.
Xie Yuan was a middle-aged cultivator with an elegant, unworldly air, bearing the poise of an immortal. Once on his feet, he bowed solemnly to Gu Rui. "Today, I have resolved to enter the Second Prince's service. From this moment onward, I shall share Your Highness's honor and disgrace, fortune and calamity."
"Henceforth, if Your Highness prospers, I prosper. If Your Highness suffers, I suffer."
Gu Rui nodded slightly. He knew well that those who added flowers to brocade were everywhere, while those who delivered charcoal in the snow were few and far between.
Undercurrents surged through Azure Sea Lake's Heir Apparent Contest. The three princes were evenly matched, and the direction of events remained uncertain.
As a central figure of the Celestial River Demon Crab Tribe, Xie Yuan had dared to stake his entire tribe's fortunes and future on pledging allegiance to him. Such courage and loyalty were enough to make him one of Gu Rui's most dependable pillars and confidants.
Xie Yuan said, "From Hu Xiaozi's expression and