Chapter 721: The Secrets of the Tian Family

The grand hall seemed to be an integral part of Heaven's Peak, extending deep into the mountain itself. Following a long corridor, they arrived at a massive copper door.

"You two stay outside. The family head will come in with me," Tian Shenzi said indifferently.

"No, I won't go in with you!" Tian Ling'er immediately clung to Zhong Shan's arm.

The dark passageway had already frightened Tian Ling'er, and she wasn't about to go further with this 'big bad wolf.'

Zhong Shan shrugged, obviously not willing to let Tian Ling'er go alone either.

Tian Shenzi looked at the two, taking a deep breath. "Fine, Zhong Shan can come too, but the Vermilion Bird cannot enter."

With that, Tian Shenzi pointed at Tian Ling'er.

"Chirp!" The Vermilion Bird, Xiao Hong, was forced out of Tian Ling'er's body by Tian Shenzi's point.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!"

The Vermilion Bird screeched angrily at Tian Shenzi.

"Xiao Hong, wait for me here," Tian Ling'er soothed.

Tian Shenzi made a concession by allowing Zhong Shan to enter. Even as naive as she was, Tian Ling'er wouldn't push further.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp..."

The Vermilion Bird chirped indignantly but had no choice but to accept the situation, glaring at Tian Shenzi with resentment.

"Boom!"

The copper door opened with a thunderous sound, and a flood of golden light poured out from within, so intense that everyone had to squint against the blinding brightness.

Fortune light? Zhong Shan was amazed at the light emanating from behind the door.

Tian Shenzi stepped inside, and Zhong Shan followed, holding Tian Ling'er's hand.

"Boom!"

The copper door shut behind them, leaving the Vermilion Bird outside.

Inside, as Zhong Shan's eyes adjusted to the light, he finally took in the surroundings.

It was a cylindrical space, with the only door they entered through and another copper door on the opposite side. The cylindrical walls had eighteen recessed niches, with another copper door at the back.

Zhong Shan didn't know what lay behind the other copper door, but the sight in the eighteen niches was already enough to shock him.

Seventeen of the niches held black-robed figures, both men and women, each resembling a living corpse. They breathed but had no signs of life. Each of these living corpses had a gem-like small sun on their foreheads, identical to Tian Shenzi's.

Were these all ancient monsters who had integrated 'qi' into their bodies?

Seeing the empty niche, Zhong Shan glanced at Tian Shenzi. Was Tian Shenzi originally seated in that empty niche?

Eighteen in total. Was this the true depth of the Tian family's heritage? This was a terrifyingly powerful family!

Above, endless merit and fortune converged, continuously flowing into the remaining seventeen living corpses, as if solely for their absorption.

Below was a white stone platform, covered in intricate engravings, with a recessed slot shaped like the Tian Order. The Tian Order could be placed into it?

Zhong Shan was stunned by the scene, while Tian Ling'er curiously looked at the living corpses seated in the niches.

"These are our ancestors, like myself, members of the Tian family," Tian Shenzi said calmly.

Zhong Shan's eyelids twitched, taken aback by the terrifying power of the Tian family.

"Oh!" Tian Ling'er nodded.

"Let me tell you more about our Tian family, so you can understand," Tian Shenzi said.

"Mm!"

"The Tian family is divided into two branches," Tian Shenzi began.

"I know, the Tian family of the underworld and the Tian family of the mortal world," Tian Ling'er interrupted.

"The Tian family of the underworld?" Tian Shenzi showed a hint of disdain. "No, the underworld Tian family was once part of the Tian family, but ten thousand years ago, they severed ties. Their bloodline is no longer that of the Tian family, their souls are no longer innate souls, and their destinies are no longer those of the Tian family. They are not considered members of the Tian family."

"Oh?"

"Our Tian family is divided into two branches: the direct line and the collateral line. You are the last descendant of the direct line, so only you are qualified to be the family head," Tian Shenzi explained.

"What about the collateral line?"

"The collateral line includes people like Tian Lao. He belongs to the loyal collateral line. In the Grand World, there is also a collateral line Tian family. In the past, as the collateral line Tian family grew stronger, our direct line had to retreat into this small world," Tian Shenzi sighed.

"What? We were forced into this small world by the bad collateral line?" Tian Ling'er exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, the collateral line Tian family doesn't know we're here. If they find out, they will definitely send people to this small world to seize the 'Tian Order' from you," Tian Shenzi said.

Hearing this, Tian Ling'er quickly tightened her grip on the Tian Order.

"Then, what should we do?" Tian Ling'er asked, worried.

"The collateral line Tian family is very strong. In the past, our direct line couldn't confront them directly. That's why the ancestors here took a different path, forcibly integrating 'qi' into their bodies. If we succeed, we won't fear the collateral line. Unfortunately, by taking this different path, we've deviated from our ancestor's way," Tian Shenzi sighed.

"Ancestor?"

"The one who created the Tian Order you hold," Tian Shenzi said with a hint of reverence in his eyes.

"Our ancestor? What happened to him?" Tian Ling'er asked.

"He died. If he hadn't, our direct line wouldn't have been forced into this small world. He was a great person. Although he perished, he condensed his Dao into the Tian Order, leaving it for future generations. Only direct descendants can truly comprehend it," Tian Shenzi explained.

"This?" Tian Ling'er looked at the Tian Order in surprise.

Tian Shenzi extended his hand, and Tian Ling'er reluctantly, but at Zhong Shan's urging, handed over the Tian Order.

Holding the Tian Order, Tian Shenzi caressed it thoughtfully.

"The Tian Order is known only to the direct and collateral line heads. Even the so-called Tian family in the underworld knows its importance but not its true significance," Tian Shenzi said.

He gently placed the Tian Order into the recessed slot on the jade platform. It fit perfectly.

Suddenly, many of the hollow spaces on the jade platform were filled with a strange red energy, looking extremely brilliant.

On either side of the jade platform were two small gold pits, each the size of a fingertip.

"This is the inheritance platform. Place your index finger in the one in front of you," Tian Shenzi instructed.

"This one?" Tian Ling'er pointed to the small gold pit in front of her.

"Yes," Tian Shenzi confirmed.

Tian Ling'er, after a brief hesitation, pressed her index finger into the gold pit. Immediately, a stream of golden light surged up, enveloping her finger and gradually spreading up her arm, filling her with a warm, powerful sensation.

"The Tian Order contains the accumulated wisdom and power of our ancestors," Tian Shenzi explained. "By placing your finger here, you will receive the knowledge and strength of our lineage."

As the light continued to flow into her, Tian Ling'er's eyes widened with wonder. She could feel a connection forming, linking her to the long history of her family, and a sense of profound responsibility settled over her.

Zhong Shan watched with a mixture of awe and pride. He knew this moment was crucial for Tian Ling'er and the future of the Tian family.

Tian Shenzi stood by, observing the process with a solemn expression. "The knowledge you are receiving is vast and profound. It will take time to fully understand and integrate. Be patient and diligent."

"Yes, Ancestor," Tian Ling'er replied, her voice filled with determination.

As the transfer continued, Zhong Shan couldn't help but feel a deep respect for the legacy of the Tian family. This was more than just power; it was a sacred trust, a commitment to uphold and protect a heritage that spanned millennia.

Tian Ling'er curiously extended her right index finger and placed it into the golden pit. Immediately, she closed her eyes in comfort, enjoying the sensation.

"I will now pass on the 'Family Head's Inheritance' to you," Tian Shenzi said.

He conjured a golden orb in his palm, which slowly shrank until it rested on his fingertip. He then directed his finger towards the other golden pit, releasing a visible beam of golden light that traveled through the red grooves and into Tian Ling'er's finger.

"Whoosh!"

The golden light entered Tian Ling'er's body and disappeared instantly. Zhong Shan noticed that after transmitting the 'Family Head's Inheritance,' Tian Shenzi seemed much older.

As the golden light entered Tian Ling'er's body, a radiant glow enveloped her, causing her clothes to flutter as if blown by a gentle breeze.

Seeing Tian Ling'er surrounded by the glowing light, Tian Shenzi's eyes narrowed with surprise.

The process took an entire hour.

Suddenly, the 'Tian Order' on the inheritance platform vanished.

Tian Shenzi's eyes widened in delight. "Our ancestor's blessing, finally! Finally, a descendant with the same constitution and destiny as our ancestor."

The golden light around Tian Ling'er dissipated, and she opened her eyes, feeling refreshed. Noticing the 'Tian Order' was gone, she immediately exclaimed, "Where's my 'Tian Order'?"

Tian Shenzi's joy faltered for a moment. Seeing her accusatory look, he smiled wryly. "The 'Tian Order' has entered your body. You will discover its uses over time."

"Really?" Tian Ling'er looked skeptically at Tian Shenzi, then at Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan nodded, confirming the truth.

Reluctantly, Tian Ling'er accepted the fact. "Is my body an inn? First, Xiao Hong, and now the 'Tian Order'?"

"You've aged a lot," Tian Ling'er suddenly noted.

Tian Shenzi nodded. "I awoke early due to the 'Family Head's Inheritance.' Without it, I would be like the other living ancestors here, continuing to merge with the 'qi.'"

"Are you going to 'sleep' again?" Zhong Shan asked, frowning slightly.

"Yes, I must sleep again. The family head is innocent and carefree, but you are a man of great ambition. You must understand the importance of our family. During our sleep, you are responsible for our protection," Tian Shenzi said seriously to Zhong Shan.

"Rest assured, I will protect you," Zhong Shan promised.

"Good."

"I will move Heaven's Peak to my capital city. When will you wake again?" Zhong Shan asked seriously.

"The next awakening will be at least three thousand years from now," Tian Shenzi replied.

"Three thousand years?" Zhong Shan frowned. "That's a long time."

"Maybe even longer," Tian Shenzi said solemnly.

Zhong Shan sighed and nodded. "Alright."

Slowly, Tian Shenzi staggered to the empty niche and sat down like the other seventeen Tian family ancestors.

"One last reminder," Tian Shenzi said weakly.

"Speak," Zhong Shan said seriously.

"Do not provoke Ying," Tian Shenzi warned.

"I understand," Zhong Shan nodded.

"The 'Still Wave Pool' in the underworld belongs to our direct line of the Tian family," Tian Shenzi added.

"Got it," Zhong Shan acknowledged.

"And finally, beware of the collateral Tian family in the Grand World," Tian Shenzi concluded.

With that, Tian Shenzi closed his eyes.

"Boom!"

The next moment, a powerful force pushed Zhong Shan and Tian Ling'er out of the hall. The copper door opened, and the Vermilion Bird was also pushed out. They were expelled from the palace and out of Heaven's Peak.

"Rumble!"

The palace at the mountainside retracted, and the mountain restored itself as if nothing had happened.

Bowing deeply to Heaven's Peak, Zhong Shan and Tian Ling'er expressed their respect.

"Feng Shui branch Tian Lao, greets the family head!" Tian Lao immediately bowed respectfully to Tian Ling'er.