The Zhang family ancestral hall is located in a small mountain near Changsha.
Two days later, Zhang Xiangtian and Li Xueqin disembarked at the Changsha train station.
Without any delay, the two headed directly towards the small mountain.
Inside the small mountain.
An old courtyard appeared before their eyes.
In front of the gate, some traces of cleaning could be seen.
Although no one lived there anymore, ancestral worship was performed at regular intervals.
The Zhang family was so numerous that even if each person participated once a year, the rotation would take decades.
Entering the ancestral hall.
Zhang Xiangtian went directly towards the main tablets.
Soon, within the ancestral hall, ancestral tablets of countless Zhang family ancestors appeared before them.
"Zhang family descendant Zhang Xiangtian pays respects to Grand Ancestor."
"Grandson's wife pays respects to Grand Ancestor."
The two knelt and bowed.
The spiritual tablets above showed no change.
"Grand Ancestor, your descendant Zhang Tian is in trouble. Can you ascertain his whereabouts?"
Zhang Xiangtian knelt on the ground, looking at the spiritual tablets before him with devotion.
Seeing no movement from the spiritual tablets, Zhang Xiangtian spoke again.
"Zhang Tian carries our Zhang family's Qilin blood. He is your great-grandson, and his talent is exceptional. He might become the next sect leader."
As Zhang Xiangtian finished speaking, countless spiritual tablets before them began to shake.
Gradually, a faint glow emanated from each of the spiritual tablets.
But it was only a glow.
When the light subsided, cracks even appeared on the spiritual tablets.
"Bang!"
Immediately after, an apple on the table fell to the ground.
"Old Zhang, what's happening?"
Li Xueqin asked softly.
"An apple, this signifies peace. It seems Xiao Tian is alright."
Zhang Xiangtian was somewhat excited.
He quickly knelt and bowed again.
"Thank you, Grand Ancestor, thank you."
After Zhang Xiangtian spoke, just as he was about to get up, the Grand Ancestor's spiritual tablet suddenly shattered.
Gradually, the fragments of the tablet scattered across the floor.
"This..."
Li Xueqin was stunned. What was going on?
Why did the ancestral tablet always shatter when they tried to divine Zhang Tian's whereabouts? Did Xiao Tian possess something incredibly powerful?
"Let's try to piece this together."
Zhang Xiangtian was also a bit puzzled, and then he began to mend it.
After arranging the spiritual tablet and placing the apple back on it, they slowly left the ancestral hall.
After they departed, the door of the ancestral hall closed on its own without any wind.
"That's great, Xiao Tian is fine. But why do I still feel a sense of unease?"
Li Xueqin asked.
"Don't worry, we'll go to Longteng Mountain again."
"Let's see if Xiao Tian's master has any solutions."
Zhang Xiangtian spoke again.
Simply relying on the Zhang family's founding ancestor might not be enough.
As for Zhang Tian's master, Daoist Yi Mei, he was from Mount Mao, with a much more powerful background than the Zhang family's founding ancestor.
Therefore, for the sake of caution, they decided to make another trip.
The two soon began their journey.
It was evident that the couple attached great importance to Zhang Tian.
On Longteng Mountain.
Daoist Yi Mei was playing with some mala beads.
"This string alone can sell for a few thousand yuan. Hmm, master can go offer incense to the beautiful ghosts again."
Daoist Yi Mei thought with delight.
As for Zhang Tian's prolonged absence, he was not worried.
That kid Zhang Tian had a robust destiny; he should be fine.
Soon, a day later, on Longteng Mountain.
Zhang Xiangtian and his wife arrived at the entrance of the courtyard.
Before they could even enter, the door swung open.
"Haha, Brother Zhang, Miss Li, what brings you to my humble abode?"
Daoist Yi Mei greeted them with a smile upon seeing Zhang Xiangtian and Li Xueqin.
Since they were younger than him, this form of address was appropriate.
"It's like this, Master. Xiao Tian has been gone for a year. Please help us see if he is in any danger."
Li Xueqin's face was etched with concern.
Daoist Yi Mei listened and nodded seriously.
"Don't worry, that kid Xiao Tian, his fate has always been strong since childhood. He's most likely alright."
As Daoist Yi Mei spoke, he waved his hand and produced a compass.
He then began to divine based on Zhang Tian's destiny.
"Hmm, my dear disciple is fine right now."
"And I can see his destiny is flashing, indicating he has encountered something fortunate."
"I imagine he has already sensed my probing. Wait, there's a telepathic message from Mount Mao."
Daoist Yi Mei spoke, and with a wave of his hand, a formation made of yellow talismans appeared.
This was the Great Telepathic Communication Technique of Mount Mao, which used yellow talismans to form a formation, enabling communication over long distances.
"Master, why are you probing me?"
Zhang Tian, who was cultivating, felt a gaze exploring him. He guessed it was Daoist Yi Mei and decided to send a telepathic message back.
Hearing Zhang Tian's voice, Zhang Xiangtian and Li Xueqin breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good disciple, your mother and father are looking for you. Master just performed a divination.
"I didn't expect you to send a telepathic message back so quickly. It seems your years of cultivation have not been in vain."
Daoist Yi Mei was very pleased.
Zhang Tian was also surprised. Indeed, he could send a telepathic message back so swiftly.
Could this be the power of the Qilin?
However, thinking of his mother, Zhang Tian's heart ached. He hadn't even sent her a message.
But under these circumstances, how could he send a message back?
"Tell them not to worry. I will return soon."
Zhang Tian said gently.
"Alright, I understand."
Daoist Yi Mei smiled.
"Xiao Tian, come back soon and don't wander off again."
Li Xueqin said, and Zhang Tian agreed.
Having someone care for him warmed Zhang Tian's heart, but it also added a sense of pressure.
If he died in Kunlun Mountain, how heartbroken would his parents be? Therefore, Zhang Tian could only win this time, not lose.
After a short conversation, the formation-based communication ended.
The hearts of the two also settled.
"If I had known you had such a magical formation here, we wouldn't have gone to the Zhang family ancestral hall."
Zhang Xiangtian said with a laugh.
It was a roundabout way, and in the end, it was Daoist Yi Mei who proved useful.
"Haha, don't worry. My disciple's destiny is strong. He'll be fine even if I were to die."
Daoist Yi Mei jested.
The two also felt relieved.
As for Zhang Tian.
After breaking the connection, Zhang Tian cultivated with even greater focus.
Although he intended to return soon, Zhang Tian wanted to ensure his safety. He would only venture out again once he felt sufficiently confident.
Time passed again.
More than a month later.
Zhang Tian had become fully familiar with the power of the Thunder Qilin.
He had even integrated it.
Since it was his own power, integration was also very easy.
Following that, Zhang Tian began cultivating the Shangqing Thunder Art.
Once the Shangqing Thunder Art reached the second or third level, Zhang Tian intended to cultivate the Qimen Dunjia.
Only after completing all of these might Zhang Tian stop.
Although it would take a long time, for the sake of survival, being cautious was not shameful.
Thus, as spring turned to autumn, Zhang Tian had lost track of how long he had been in the illusory space.
But the one thing he knew was that his mother often had Daoist Yi Mei contact him.
Time had indeed passed.
One day.
The fiery essence of the Mu Chen Bead dissipated.
It wasn't that the Mu Chen Bead was unusable, but rather that the energy it produced had been absorbed.
Zhang Tian decisively jumped into the spiritual water pool.
At the same time, Zhang Tian noticed that his Shangqing Thunder Art was beginning to transition to the second level.