Hou Niao felt grateful because he knew it was inappropriate for him to personally explain to the surrounding Daoist factions.
As a sect leader, he should be the one to sign the agreement in negotiations, not to engage in bickering. If he were to step in and things didn't go well, there would be no room to maneuver.
When others are involved, at worst they can say: This is beyond my authority, I need to go back and discuss it with the sect leader, and so on.
Moreover, his realm is also a significant weakness, making it difficult to be treated as an equal.
Watching Master Wei walk away, for the first time in over a century of his cultivation, he felt the warmth of Daoism. It hasn't been easy all these years.
He also gained some insight, realizing there were many hidden mysteries in history of which he was unaware. Reaching this position, he should truly thank these senior Masters.
