"Haha, I have plenty of water here, all sent by my good disciple from a thousand miles away."
"It's just a few small things, I hope Senior Brother won't mind."
As Yimei spoke, he poured a cup of tea for Daoist Danhe.
Danhe was grinding his teeth so hard his gums were about to bleed.
This was no longer a matter of envy, but a question of whether he would even have eyes left.
"Then I thank you for your kindness, Junior Brother."
Though his heart was filled with bitterness, Danhe could only swallow it down.
Zhang Tian's expression was grim. Did these two have some ancient feud from a past life?
"Alright, Master, Uncle-Master, I'll be going now. If you're free tomorrow, Uncle-Master, come to the skyscraper at the foot of the mountain. I'll be waiting for you at the entrance."
After speaking, Zhang Tian didn't bother arguing with these two old children. He finished his tea and prepared to leave.
"Farewell, good disciple!"
"Senior Brother, would you like to stay for a meal? I have quite a bit of food."
Yimei said, then looked at Daoist Danhe.
"Naturally, it would be my honor."
Daoist Danhe smiled.
Zhang Tian knew that the conflict would begin after he left.
However, one was his master and the other was his uncle-master, so Zhang Tian couldn't say much.
He'd let them sort it out themselves.
Stepping out of the house, Zhang Tian shook his head. What was all this about?
"Notify the other families to have a meeting tomorrow."
Zhang Tian murmured, his figure heading towards the other large families in Beili.
At this moment, night fell, casting a mysterious aura over Dragon Soaring Mountain.
Looking up from the foot of the mountain, Zhang Tian could clearly see the reflections of magical energy fluctuations.
Those two must have started fighting.
"I wonder who the top genius disciple of Maoshan truly is."
Zhang Tian shook his head, his figure gradually disappearing at the foot of the mountain.
Here, at the Xia Country Archaeological Institute.
A group of soldiers were meticulously transporting cartloads of cultural relics.
This transportation was extremely secretive, known only to the archaeological team and no one else.
These relics would forever lie within the Xia Country's treasury.
As the trucks slowly arrived at the Beili Archaeological Institute, Professor Li and others alighted.
"Congratulations, Professor Li, for adding another significant stroke to our Xia Country's history!"
A leader from Xia Country said with a smile, filled with joy.
Acquiring over a thousand national treasure-level artifacts was enough to shock experts worldwide.
Moreover, this represented considerable wealth. Professor Li, who had managed to procure so many artifacts, was naturally due for favor and commendation.
Not to mention, Professor Li had continuously contributed countless relics to Xia Country, including the Guandong Army fortress, the underwater tomb, and the Jingjue ancient city, among others.
Professor Li's name had long been renowned throughout Xia Country.
"Comrade Wang, most of these items are not our accomplishment, so please do not attribute this credit to us."
Professor Li's hoarse voice emerged.
He genuinely did not want to take credit for Zhang Tian and the others' work.
He had merely gone to excavate some items, following Zhang Tian's map to unearth treasures, without truly undertaking the archaeological work himself.
If he were to claim Zhang Tian's credit, Professor Li would not be able to sleep soundly.
"Professor, please don't be so modest. Other than you, who else possesses such great capability? To locate three or four major tombs within a year and make outstanding contributions to Xia Country."
"We intend to award you with a First-Class Merit. You know how rare a First-Class Merit is, don't you?"
Officer Wang said.
"But, it's really not us."
Professor Li didn't know how to explain further.
Clearly, these people did not believe him.
"Then, Professor Li, who do you say it is if not you? Could it be tomb robbers?"
"No, they are good people, they are special agents."
Professor Li said. Officer Wang's interest was piqued. When he inquired further, Professor Li chose to remain silent.
"Although I don't know who these people are, this award is a must. Professor Li, please be present then."
Officer Wang finished speaking and waved his hand, and a group of soldiers in green uniforms began to depart.
Professor Li, having recovered so many valuable items, was naturally due for commendation.
Even if he hadn't retrieved them personally, as the leader, he was entitled to the award.
"Alas."
Professor Li sighed, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings.
Some cultural relics had already been moved, leaving the area somewhat empty.
"Teacher Li, should we really accept the award? We feel a bit guilty."
Xiao Guang said, listening to his conscience.
As a youth of this era, he possessed a strong sense of justice.
"I inquired. The award ceremony is in six months. So, let's use the first half of the year well to research the artifacts we've brought back."
"In the latter half, we'll go directly to Nanyun! To search for ancient tombs!"
"This time, we will prove ourselves, finding the lost ancient tombs through our own efforts. Does everyone have confidence?"
Professor Li spoke.
In a short time, he had already formulated a plan.
"Alright! Teacher, we'll listen to you! This time, we won't rely on special agents. We must prove ourselves!"
"If we genuinely find ancient tombs and artifacts, we'll be qualified to receive that First-Class Merit too!"
Xiao Guang said, and the other archaeological team members nodded in agreement.
If they received a First-Class Merit, they would at least become academicians in the future.
Who wouldn't be tempted?
"Good, let's go back and start researching immediately. The quantity of these cultural relics is vast, and they will surely solidify Xia Country's history."
Professor Li waved his hand, and everyone eagerly hurried back to the archaeological institute.
Time passed quickly.
The next morning.
Zhang Tian was standing early below the Group Building at the foot of Dragon Soaring Mountain.
Beside Zhang Tian, representatives from several major families had all arrived.
The Wu family, the Xie family, the Wang family, and even Er Yuehong had come.
It was evident that Zhang Tian's notification from the previous night had been effective, and these people were quite sensible.
"Sect Leader, who are we waiting for?"
Er Yuehong asked from the side.
Voicing the question on everyone's mind.
"My Uncle-Master."
Zhang Tian said slowly.
"Uncle-Master!"
Everyone was taken aback. They all knew Zhang Tian's master was very powerful; after all, it was widely known in Beili.
But they hadn't expected that Zhang Tian would have an Uncle-Master.
Upon further thought, if there was an Uncle-Master, there must be a sect. They dared not imagine how powerful the forces behind Zhang Tian might be.
"Sect Leader's Uncle-Master must be an absolute powerhouse. It's only right for us to wait a little longer."
The head of the Wang family said.
The crowd no longer had any complaints.
Soon, a figure in a yellow robe appeared.
Upon seeing the face of the figure, everyone's lips twitched.
Even Zhang Tian was stunned.
What was this appearance?
Daoist Danhe's skull-like face was a mixture of blue and purple, clearly having been in a fight.
Moreover, his clothes seemed to be hand-me-downs from Daoist Yimei, looking tattered.
Looking like this, Zhang Tian would believe him if he claimed to be a street beggar of a Daoist priest.
"A skeleton..."
Seeing that Daoist Danhe was actually a skeleton, everyone was dumbfounded.
Was Zhang Tian no longer playing coy and revealing his hand?
This skeletal physique truly shocked the various families present.
Although they had all seen zombie-like creatures (zongzi), Daoist Danhe's current form was exceptionally strange.
This made them think of the undying.
"Could this be the secret to eternal life?"
The Wang family patriarch murmured, and everyone fell into a moment of silence.