Zhang Tian considered for a long time. He felt it was best to leave Xiao Foye and Han Shao to their own devices for now.
He would deal with it when the opportunity arose.
The main reason was Zhang Tian's fear that with Wu Xie, who possessed an innate tomb-damaging attribute, he would end up destroying a tomb every time they went, which would be a sin.
He would never be able to clear his name then, forever branded a sinner.
With these thoughts in mind, Zhang Tian cast them aside and took out a blueprint.
Then, Zhang Tian drew a simple tomb layout on the blueprint.
If this were the original world, this would be the blueprint for the ancient tomb.
However, with the merging of the two worlds, Zhang Tian found this blueprint unreliable.
He had drawn this map based on tomb-raiding movies from his past life, but after so much experience,
Zhang Tian knew very well that this was extremely unreliable.
"Forget it, I'll worry about the map later. One step at a time. But Wang Canghai had many 'pets', especially the two tomb chambers that Wu Tianzhen hadn't explored before. Those should contain Wang Canghai's 'pets'."
Zhang Tian shook his head and tossed the map aside.
He then recalled the few tomb chambers that Wu Tianzhen and the others had not explored.
They were said to be Wang Canghai's "pet" chambers.
Zhang Tian was very interested in this. If he could find some good "pets," it would be beneficial for strengthening his own power.
With this thought, Zhang Tian became more determined to explore those two unexamined tomb chambers.
"Alas, if only I had a compass. Then I could cast a divination."
Zhang Tian sighed and then patted the table.
Xiao Bie scurried out from under the bed.
The creature seemed hungry, and its tail wagged more frequently lately.
"I'll get you a chicken later. You seem to have grown again."
Zhang Tian stroked Xiao Bie's head. Xiao Bie's large head rubbed against Zhang Tian's hand.
Xiao Bie looked frightening, with teeth that spanned half its face, but one got used to it.
While Zhang Tian was playing with Xiao Bie, Hu Bayi was elsewhere.
"You're saying that the underwater tomb is likely in this direction?"
Professor Chen looked at the map, a vast expanse of ocean, and was somewhat shocked.
He couldn't understand why Hu Bayi would say such a thing.
In just half a day, he had deduced the location of the underwater tomb, a location they had spent more than five days looking at without any results.
"Look, in this sea area, there are corresponding islands at the four cardinal points, north, south, east, and west. What does this signify?"
"It signifies that these four islands act as guards, gathering the vital energy of heaven and earth."
"Look, the four islands are like guards protecting this sea area. They not only serve a protective function but also gather surrounding schools of fish, forming a natural ecological cycle."
"In our Feng Shui, this is called a 'Living Dragon's Lair'."
"This architect was extremely skilled, using the surrounding islands to form a natural barrier. This is no ordinary feat."
As Hu Bayi spoke, the expert team was dumbfounded.
"Comrade Xiao Hu, you are truly an extraordinary person."
Professor Chen exclaimed with excitement.
He stood up and tightly grasped Hu Bayi's hand.
"If we can find the ancient tomb this time and locate the lost expedition team, you will have performed a great service."
Professor Chen's voice trembled slightly, his aged face alight with excitement.
Shirley Yang looked at Hu Bayi with a hint of shock. This scoundrel in front of her was more capable than she had imagined.
"Comrade Hu, if you don't mind, may I invite you to dinner?"
Shirley Yang said with a smile.
Hu Bayi glanced at the woman and smiled, then stood up.
He said casually,
"I don't accept rewards without merit. It's getting late. Professor Chen, everyone, I'll be going now. Keep in touch."
Hu Bayi then rose and left the research team.
"Professor Chen, since he has revealed the location, can't we just go directly?"
A young team member asked in confusion.
"No, the ancient tomb is too dangerous. Without an expert, we'd just be walking into our deaths."
Professor Chen seemed to know something and quickly waved his hand in refusal.
Since he had agreed to a month later, he wouldn't go back on his word. There was ample time, and they could simply rest for a month.
"Alright, Hu Bayi is indeed an expert. In just half a day, he could locate the tomb. Truly remarkable. If he were to raid tombs, perhaps..."
"Don't speak nonsense. People like him likely disdain tomb raiding," Professor Chen interrupted.
The others said no more, turning their gaze back to the map.
"It is said that the key to the Jingjue Ancient City is in the Xisha Underwater Tomb. I wonder if it's true,"
Shirley Yang said with a serious expression.
"Perhaps. But we have to go and see, don't we?"
Professor Chen said. Shirley Yang said nothing more, her gaze drifting out the window towards Hu Bayi's receding figure.
This person piqued her curiosity.
The sky gradually darkened.
Zhang Tian, who had been teasing Xiao Bie, abruptly stopped.
He looked towards the window and saw a figure in black standing by it.
Zhang Qilin arrived as silently as a ghost.
"Ding ding ding..."
Seeing Zhang Qilin, Xiao Bie vigorously shook the bell on its tail.
As if sensing danger, it was issuing a warning.
However, Zhang Qilin seemed unfazed by the sound, unaffected.
This put Xiao Bie under a bit of pressure.
"Xiao Bie, stop ringing it. He's a guest."
Zhang Tian stopped Xiao Bie.
If it were an ordinary person, Xiao Bie wouldn't be so agitated.
Seeing where Zhang Qilin entered and Xiao Bie's hostility towards him, Zhang Tian realized something.
"The one who entered my house last time must have been him. But why did he come to my house?"
Zhang Tian was filled with questions but still gestured for Zhang Qilin to sit down.
"Sit. I'll pour you a glass of water."
Zhang Tian said, getting up.
"Creak..."
Just as he stood up, the door opened.
Xiao Bie, being fast, scurried under the bed.
Zhang Qilin, however, stood still, appearing unhurried.
Outside the door, Li Xueqin looked at Zhang Tian.
"You brat, you haven't been out for days! Get out here and eat! Are you trying to die?"
Li Xueqin almost roared.
But upon seeing another young man standing in Zhang Tian's room, Li Xueqin immediately closed the door.
The next moment, the door opened again, and Li Xueqin's face was adorned with a cordial smile.
"Tian'er, it's time to eat. Is this your friend? That's wonderful, let's all eat together."
Zhang Tian...
Heh, 'The Changing Face'.
The sudden shift startled Zhang Tian. His mother's acting talent was wasted if she didn't enter show business.
"I know. Let's go eat something."
Zhang Tian said, standing up.
Although Zhang Qilin was immortal and ageless, he still needed to eat.
Perhaps during his time guarding the Bronze Gate, he ate small mushrooms.
Zhang Qilin hesitated, as he was not good at interacting with people.
"Let's go. Eat a little, or you won't blend in."
Zhang Tian whispered.
Upon hearing Zhang Tian's words, Zhang Qilin finally nodded.
Li Xueqin smiled and led them out of the room.
"Ah, my son is growing up and knows how to make friends. That's great."
"But why does his friend look so strange? And he's a boy. Oh well, it's better than having no friends."
She thought to herself, but Li Xueqin didn't dwell on it.
After all, Zhang Tian making friends was a good thing.
Soon, a peculiar scene unfolded.
Zhang Tian, Zhang Qilin, Zhang Yufei, and Li Xueqin sat at the dining table, the atmosphere somewhat awkward.