Hearing Huangfu Xi's words, Chen Fan's pupils contracted slightly.
Although he couldn't sense Huangfu Xi's presence, in Chen Fan's eyes, this Huangfu Xi was clearly no ordinary person.
The thin, tall man who called Huangfu Xi "Young Master" was not weak.
If the servant was like this, one could imagine the master's strength.
"What is your relationship with Wu Zhao?"
Chen Fan asked.
"If you don't mind, come up and have a drink."
Huangfu Xi gestured to his side and said, "To be honest, this is the first time I've seen such a large cruise ship, and the first time I've been on one."
He laughed, "I come from Kunlun. We have樓船 there, but nothing of this scale or specification. Moreover, it's entirely made of steel and can travel at speeds of over a hundred kilometers per hour."
"There are also airplanes and supercars; these are all eye-opening."
"The world of mortals is not simple. Its magnificence and splendor may not be inferior to the cultivation world."
Chen Fan leaped up and sat on the railing, smiling, "Young Master Xi, you come from Kunlun? I'm very curious, what kind of place is that?"
"There's nothing special about it."
Huangfu Xi gestured with the wine jar and said, "From a worldly perspective, it's a backward and desolate place, like the ancient times in the mortal world."
"However, the difference is that most people there start cultivating from a young age, hoping to transcend themselves and prolong their lives."
He said it lightly, "These are things that are not for outsiders to know."
Chen Fan was still shaken and said, "How many people are there in that place?"
"Not many, only a few thousand."
Huangfu Xi said, "In your modern secular society, it would only be considered an isolated tribe. Mr. Chen, are you very interested in this?"
"I have a friend who was taken to Kunlun."
Chen Fan said with some excitement, "I've never been able to find a way in. After this matter is settled, I must go to Kunlun."
Huangfu Xi laughed, "To enter Kunlun, one must wait for the right time."
"However, if Mr. Chen is determined, the timing will always come."
"But that depends on the outcome on the Mayflower cruise ship."
He said casually, "Mr. Chen, you have quite a few enemies."
"Young Master Xi, you know a lot about my affairs?" Chen Fan said.
Mi Xueqing, who had been listening nearby, her eyes sparkling, suddenly reached out to Chen Fan.
Chen Fan looked at her.
"Pull me up," Mi Xueqing winked and said, "Chen Tianjiao, you don't mind if I come up and sit for a while, do you?"
"This spot is a bit dangerous," Chen Fan said.
"But you're here, aren't you? You wouldn't just watch me fall, would you?" Mi Xueqing's tone was a little soft and coquettish.
"Mr. Chen is truly at ease," Huangfu Xi said. "In this current situation, you still have time for romance?"
Chen Fan smiled, "We've just met, Young Master Xi, please don't misunderstand."
He gently pulled Mi Xueqing's hand and helped her onto the railing to sit.
Mi Xueqing glanced down, her expression tense, yet a hint of excitement also appeared on her face.
Chen Fan ignored her and continued, "Young Master Xi, are you friends with Wu Zhao? Don't you know that we are on opposing sides?"
"Of course, I know."
After taking a sip of wine and wiping the wine from his beard, Huangfu Xi grinned and said, "But I am only his friend, not his subordinate, so I don't need to act according to his whims."
"On the contrary, I am very interested in your affairs."
"I heard you have a Dragon Pattern Luo Pan?"
He said, "May I have a look?"
Did he come for the Dragon Pattern Luo Pan?
Chen Fan looked at Huangfu Xi, who met his gaze with a candid expression.
He drank a large gulp of wine and laughed, "Just a look. I have no designs on this item."
Chen Fan said, "Brother Huangfu, I'm very sorry, I didn't bring the item with me."
"That's a pity then." Huangfu Xi paused upon hearing this, then laughed in surprise. "I was too presumptuous, thinking Mr. Chen, like me, carries everything with him. I didn't expect cultivators to be different from ordinary people."
"Then perhaps next time. I wonder if Mr. Chen would be willing?"
"We'll see after this is settled," Chen Fan said, neither refusing nor agreeing. "Brother Huangfu, did you invite me here just for this matter?"
Huangfu Xi nodded. "I am curious about that Dragon Pattern Luo Pan. Similar magical artifacts are rare even in Kunlun."
"Of course, such a precious magical artifact cannot be easily lent to outsiders. I have something here for Mr. Chen to play with as a show of sincerity."
He smiled, reached into his pocket, and pulled out an item, handing it to Chen Fan.
Chen Fan was greatly surprised.
Huangfu Xi's move was undoubtedly a gesture of goodwill, but he claimed to be Wu Zhao's friend. Although it was for borrowing the Dragon Pattern Luo Pan, it still felt a bit strange and difficult to understand.
His gaze fell on Huangfu Xi's palm, where a milky white bead lay.
The bead emitted a faint spiritual light in the night, appearing mysterious.
Inside the bead, wisps of cloud-like threads drifted and roamed, very agile, seeming to move, appearing extremely clear and pure.
"What is this?" Chen Fan asked in surprise.
"Conch God Pearl."
Huangfu Xi said, "It comes from the body of a Conch Beast and contains pure soul power. It is also a rare magical artifact."
"This pearl is very effective for the battle intent you've condensed on the battlefield. With the power of this pearl, your battle intent can be more refined and stronger."
Chen Fan still didn't take the bead, but instead asked, "Since this item is so precious, why are you giving it to me, Brother Huangfu?"
"It's just an exchange gift," Huangfu Xi said with a smile. "I'm only lending it to Mr. Chen to play with for a while, to show goodwill, and to borrow a trace of your battle intent!"
"What do you mean by that?" Chen Fan asked.
"When Mr. Chen plays with this item and concentrates his mind, a wisp of his mental will will be left in the Conch God Pearl. When I get the pearl back, I can sense and comprehend it, and I will gain something."
Huangfu Xi said frankly, "Observing the soul aura and martial will of others can be beneficial for one's own cultivation."
"Of course, Mr. Chen will gain even more by using the Conch God Pearl to refine his mental will."
Chen Fan took the Conch God Pearl and felt a pure aura contained within. As his spirit was invigorated, his soul seemed to be unconsciously drawn, giving rise to a mysterious feeling.
"Aren't you afraid that I won't return this item when the time comes, Brother Huangfu?" Chen Fan asked with a smile.
"You won't."
Huangfu Xi said, "You are not someone who covets treasures."
"Of course, the most important thing is, if you refuse to return it, I am confident I can forcefully take it back."
Chen Fan glanced at Huangfu Xi, knowing that he likely had other means hidden with this Conch God Pearl.
The methods of cultivators were, after all, extraordinary. It was difficult for outsiders like Chen Fan to fully understand.
"Thank you, Brother Huangfu."
"It's a mutually beneficial arrangement, no need for thanks."
Huangfu Xi jumped off the railing and said, "Now that things are settled, I'll take my leave."
"Brother Huangfu, do you know what Wu Zhao's true identity is?" Chen Fan asked again.
Huangfu Xi paused for a moment, then turned back to Chen Fan and said, "Wu Zhao's identity? He is a disciple taken in by an elder master of Kunlun. He has great talent and has been to Kunlun several times, which is why we are friends."
Chen Fan's heart trembled.
He had never expected Wu Zhao to have such a close connection to Kunlun.