Facing Chen Fan's inquiry, the white-haired elder replied, curt and clear.
"Merely someone from beyond the mundane world."
The elder's words, to say the least, baffled Chen Fan.
For not only were his words strange, but he had also spoken in the language of Da Xia!
Initially, Chen Fan had paid him little mind.
But now, upon hearing him speak Da Xia's language, Chen Fan's heart could no longer remain at ease.
"Someone beyond the mundane world? And you speak Da Xia's tongue? Who are you? Where are you from?"
Thus, Chen Fan's brows furrowed tightly as he bombarded the ancient elder with a series of questions.
To Chen Fan's barrage of questions, the elder's expression remained placid. He opened his mouth and replied,
"My name is Ji Liu Zi, and I am from the Kunlun Secret Realm."
Upon hearing Ji Liu Zi's declaration, Chen Fan's already furrowed brows knitted even tighter. His heart grew increasingly unsettled.
This elder was from the Kunlun Secret Realm!
After all, in Chen Fan's understanding, the Kunlun Secret Realm and the Land of the Rising Sun were worlds apart!
Why would someone from the Kunlun Secret Realm be here?
Had he arrived long ago?
Or had he arrived recently, sent to capture him by the people of the Kunlun Secret Realm!
Chen Fan's demeanor instantly turned highly vigilant.
He cautiously appraised the elder and spoke coldly once more.
"Are you truly from the Kunlun Secret Realm?"
Chen Fan's question was to ascertain the truthfulness of the elder's words.
And to confirm if his presence had been discovered by the Kunlun Secret Realm.
Upon hearing Chen Fan's question, Ji Liu Zi's expression began to shift.
For Ji Liu Zi suddenly realized something was amiss.
He had lived in seclusion here for many years. In all that time, whenever he mentioned the Kunlun Secret Realm, no one had ever heard of it.
But the situation was different now.
Judging from the young man's expression, he not only knew of the Kunlun Secret Realm, but it seemed he had… a connection to it!
Ji Liu Zi's heart was filled with curiosity. He suspected that this young man before him might be of the same kind as himself.
He suspected Chen Fan was also a defector from the Kunlun Secret Realm!
"What? Are you also from the Secret Realm?" With this thought, Ji Liu Zi stood up, scrutinized Chen Fan with a serious gaze, and asked.
"No, I merely wish to go to the Kunlun Secret Realm." Upon hearing Ji Liu Zi's question, Chen Fan replied without hesitation.
After hearing Chen Fan's words, Ji Liu Zi's expression relaxed considerably.
However, alongside the relaxation, there was also a trace of disappointment in his demeanor.
After all, he had been living in seclusion for a long time and truly missed companionship.
Yet, Chen Fan's words made Ji Liu Zi shake his head and offer a wry smile.
"What for? It is dull and lifeless there, a place devoid of vitality, steeped in death."
"This world is truly strange. Some wish to escape, others seek to enter. A besieged city, a besieged city!"
As for Chen Fan, he paid no mind to Ji Liu Zi's melancholy when the Kunlun Secret Realm was mentioned.
He had his own matters to attend to and had no time for Ji Liu Zi's affairs.
However, Chen Fan was well aware that if Ji Liu Zi hailed from the Kunlun Secret Realm, his strength would undoubtedly be considerable.
Looking at Ji Liu Zi's ethereal and distinguished appearance, Chen Fan wished to avoid conflict for the moment.
Moreover, in Chen Fan's judgment, the more peacefully he interacted with Ji Liu Zi, the smoother his path to obtaining the Dragon Scale Compass fragment would be.
Therefore, he directly answered Ji Liu Zi.
"To find someone."
After Chen Fan's reply, Ji Liu Zi was taken aback.
At that moment, Ji Liu Zi had not expected this young man to approach him for a conversation.
He had been here for many years, and throughout that time, everyone who had come here, except for Mitsui Kenji, had feared him.
Let alone speaking, no one had even deigned to look at this old man.
Therefore, Chen Fan's earnest reply garnered him considerable favor in Ji Liu Zi's heart.
After a brief moment of surprise, Ji Liu Zi also wished to reciprocate and help Chen Fan find someone in the Kunlun Secret Realm.
While Ji Liu Zi's intention was admirable, he also knew that his current status made it impossible for him to return.
"I am truly sorry, but my current status is special. As a traitor to the Secret Realm, I do not possess the Two Realms Incense, and thus, I cannot help you go to the Kunlun Secret Realm."
Ji Liu Zi offered a wry smile with a tone full of apology as he spoke to Chen Fan.
Upon hearing Ji Liu Zi's words, Chen Fan shook his head and replied with a calm tone,
"Hmm, I do not need your help. Because, in fact, I have already been there."
"Oh? Which year's Chosen victor were you?" Hearing Chen Fan's tone, Ji Liu Zi surmised that he had likely been to the Secret Realm. Mortals wishing to enter the Kunlun Secret Realm had to be the Chosen victors. Thus, Ji Liu Zi posed this question to Chen Fan.
"I was not a Chosen victor; I was..."
Facing Ji Liu Zi's inquiry, Chen Fan shook his head, paused slightly, and then said, "I almost forced my way in. Because at the time, I fought to a draw with those three elders, Qu, Mo, and Luan."
"Elders from the Three Great Academies? When did they change their surnames? Interesting, interesting. It seems I am truly growing old!" Upon hearing Chen Fan's words, a hint of confusion flickered across Ji Liu Zi's face, but it quickly vanished, replaced by his usual cheerful and optimistic demeanor.
"I am unaware of the internal affairs of your Kunlun Secret Realm. However, you are unlike the people I have met from the Secret Realm before. I have enjoyed our conversation." After Ji Liu Zi finished speaking, Chen Fan addressed him.
Chen Fan said, "So, since we've had such a pleasant chat, there's no need for a fight, right? Old sir, please hand over the Dragon Scale Compass fragment."
Upon hearing Chen Fan's words, Ji Liu Zi's expression remained calm. He smiled and replied to Chen Fan,
"Absolutely impossible."