"That manuscript map?" Zhuo Qunfeng gasped. "But that's the adventure journal you had painstakingly penned in! It has been your treasured possession for more than a decade now! How could you just give it to a buffoon like him? Why don't we just give him a copy…"
"Shut up! Don't you think the trouble you've gotten into this time is big enough?" Zhuo Yaolong said. "The person who can hurt you like that is in a class on his own! Even a moron would know that this is not a common man! If you bring him a copy, he might not believe it's real! And even if he did, because of your lack of sincerity, he might not cure you completely! Then, you would only be undermining yourself! If it was not for the fear of this happening, I would have already gone down the mountain and captured him myself! Do you understand now?"
Zhuo Yaolong looked at his grandson though narrowed eyes.
As an experienced old man who had lived hundreds of years, he was consummate in his thinking and understood the choice between sacrifice or gain.
He was willing to give up the precious manuscript map that he had treasured for over ten years so Chen Xiaobei would return his grandson to full health.
If Chen Xiaobei did not heal him completely, the person who would suffer the most damage was Zhuo Qunfeng!
"I understand! You're doing for me, Grandfather!" Zhuo Qunfeng said though gritted teeth. "When I'm healed, I will work harder to increase my cultivation! I will eventually surpass that buffoon and then I can take grandfather's manuscript back!"
"Sigh… Idiot!" Zhuo Yaofeng sighed. "You have to befriend powerful people like that, not make him your enemy!"
"Wh… Why…"
"The wise ones will always work towards their own benefits, and the fools will chase after things that might harm them!" Zhuo Qunfeng said. "It's just a manuscript! A dead object! Losing it won't cause us any physical damage! But if we make enemies with a powerful man, your injuries this time will become your death the next time!"
Zhuo Qunfeng lay stunned for a minute as he tried to digest what his grandfather was saying. "I will surely remember what you told me today!"
"Go now!"
Zhuo Yaofeng took out an old, tattered journal and shoved it into Zhu Qunfeng's pocket.
…
Nearby Mount Kunlun.
When the one hour was almost up, Chen Xiaobei and Luo Puti came back to the place they where they used the Returning Bracelet.
The only waited a short while, when Zhuo Qunfeng came running back.
"Mr. Chen! Ms. Luo! The map is in my pocket!" Zhuo Qunfeng said. "This is the journal that my grandfather had personally recorded during his expedition to the Black Desert! My grandfather himself wrote every single word and line in this book! There are even hand-drawn sketches and drawings of the landscape."
"Oh, the original manuscript?"
Chen Xiaobei and Luo Puti's eyes both lit up. They did not expect such sincerity to come from Zhuo Qunfeng.
"Puti, examine it and see if it's real!" Chen Xiaobei handed the journal to Luo Puti.
Luo Puti quickly flipped through the pages and confirmed with confidence, "This is an antique! You can't fake something like this! It's real! The things I've looked up on the internet correspond to the contents of the journal! In fact, the information in the journal is far more detailed that whatever I have found! This is great! With this book, the chances of finding the Black Desert have increased exponentailly!"
Zhuo Qunfeng chipped in, "Of course it's real. I wouldn't dare cheat Mr. Chen! I'm still hoping he would fix my injuries!"
"Heh, you don't need to insinuate anything. I, Chen Xiaobei, have never gone back on my words before! Brace yourself!"
Chen Xiaobei walked towards Zhuo Qunfeng's back.
Crack crack crack…
Both of Zhuo Qunfeng's arms were returned to their original places.
"Oh… Huh? Why doesn't it hurt?"
Zhuo Qunfeng was getting ready to scream when he realized that the pain in his arms had disappeared.
"Your injuries have fully recovered. That's why it doesn't hurt anymore." Chen Xiaobei replied lazily.
"My god… This is amazing… That was really fast…" Zhuo Qunfeng's eyes widened in surprise.
It was already frightening enough when at first, Chen Xiaobei bent and contorted Qunfeng's limbs like a clay doll. Even the few core elders of Kunlun Faction were unable to undo the damage that was done to him. Then just moments ago, Chen Xiaobei fixed his injuries like a walk in the park!
When Zhuo Qunfeng thought of this, he finally understood what his grandfather meant to teach him. Chen Xiaobei was an elite that was immensely powerful!
Befriending Chen Xiaobei could bring them unexpected advantages!
Challenging Chen Xiaobei, on the other hand, would only bring about destruction and danger!
Upon reaching this understanding, Zhuo Qunfeng mustered all his courage and asked, "Will the both of you be interested in joining us on our expedition to the Black Desert? The more we look out for each other, the better it is for all of us!"
Luo Puti looked at Chen Xiaobei for an answer.
Having been shaken by what she had just witnessed today, Luo Puti's opinion of Chen Xiaobei had now soared through the roof!
She would never again doubt Chen Xiaobei's strength. In fact, she had already decided to completely depend on Chen Xiaobei!
She was willing to go along with whatever decision Chen Xiaobei would make on this matter!
"Alright, since you're so earnest, we'll depart together!" Chen Xiaobei answered.
"Aright! That's decided then!" Zhuo Qunfeng looked excited.
He knew that Chen Xiaobei was an exceptionally powerful person, and his grandfather had also advised him to befriend Chen Xiaobei.
Kunlun Faction had organized the expedition to Black Dessert for their core disciples with the purpose of cementing bonds among them. It was hoped that as they watched out for each other, they would also endure hardships and danger together.
As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. After the expedition, they would all become good friends, or better yet, brothers! This would greatly improve the unity within the faction!
Zhuo Qunfeng had extended the invitation to Chen Xiaobei in the hopes of becoming good friends with him through the experience!
"If everything goes well, we will leave in seven days! Is that alright with you, Mr. Chen?" Zhuo Qunfeng asked.
"Yes!" Chen Xiaobei nodded.
"Alright! Then we'll meet in Xijiang airport in seven days! We'll depart together!"
After that, they seperated from each other's company.
"Xiaobei, why did you agree to go with them?" Luo Puti asked.
"Silly wife! Do you think that we can just explore the Black Desert empty handed? We need food, water, tents… and so much more! These are things we cannot go without! Let Zhuo Qunfeng worry about it so we won't have to, alright?"
"Yeah… If I was in charge of the preparations, I'm afraid seven days wouldn't be enough…"
"Alright! Let's set this problem aside and go!"
Chen Xiaobei grabbed Luo Puti's wrist.
"Go where?" asked a stunned Luo Puti.
Swoosh!
Luo Puti was suddenly lifted up into the sky. Unconsciously, she grabbed on Chen Xiaobei and gave him a really tight hug.
"Damn! I have never thought that the ice queen could show fear! Feel free to hug me tighter if you are really afraid! Tighter please!"
"You are a perv! What the heck is going on right now?"
Clearly, Luo Puti was scared out of her wits. Her surroundings were filled with clouds. The moment she looked down at the ground, she realized that she was thousands of meters up in the sky! As an ordinary human being, it was no wonder she was afraid of it!
"This is a flying Spiritual Item! The name is Somersault Cloud! The next time I bring to you to tour some other planets, you will get the chance to sit in a flying car!"
"Flying Spiritual Item? Flying Car?"
Luo Puti was taken aback, for there was just too much information flooding her mind all at once. If she had not personally witnessed the special ability of the Returning Bracelet, she would have thought that she had been dreaming.
"Don't be afraid! It's really steady. You won't fall down!" said Chen Xiaobei in a gentle manner.
"I'm not afraid of it at all! Where are you bringing me?"
"We are going back to Dragon City to celebrate Duanwu Festival!"
It was already dusk when they arrived at Dragon City.
Luo Puti ended up having dinner at Bei Xuan Faction. The moment Luo Puti stepped into the house, Zhang Chui'er and Chen Zhong cheered in joy. After finishing dinner, she went back to her house to visit her grandpa. It had been some time since she last saw him.
It was a peaceful night.
The next day was the Duanwu Festival!
Early in the morning, Chen Xiaobei accompanied Zhang Chui'er to the wet market to purchase some zhongzi. This time, Chen Xiaobei had informed Song Qincheng, Lan Mengcheng, and Luo Puti to bring their families along to Bei Xuan Faction to celebrate Duanwu Festival together. Even NeZha managed to convince Lin Nan to bring Professor Lin with him.
The Duanwu Festival turned out to be really exciting this time. After they came back from the wet market, they had to prepare a variety of dishes for dinner. It was definitely a busy day for all of them. In the midst of the flurry of activity, Chen Xiaobei took some time out to buy a large amount of zhongzi. There were at least ten thousand of it, and they were all really unique in terms of flavour. Usually, Chen Xiaobei would not buy stuff like this for his family members. The purpose of him buying them was for the Duanwu Festival that would be held at the underworld realm tonight.
...
As the sun set, the guests that Chen Xiaobei had invited, started arrivingat Bei Xuan Faction.
Song Qincheng brought Wenyuan, NeZha, and Hong Hai'er with her.
Lin Nan and Professor Lin arrived as well.
Luo Puti had brought Elder Luo with her.
As for Lan Mengcheng, she had brought Lan Zhengguo, Elder Qin, and her grandma with her.
Jiang Ziya and Six Ears Macaque came all the way from Japan to celebrate the festival together.
Lastly, Chen Xiaobei had managed to invite Jing Fei and Fire Boss to come here as well.
Jing Fei was still single. The moment he arrived at Bei Xuan Faction, he immediately started mingling around with Hong Hai'er. Seemingly, the two of them had a common topic to talk about – brothels!
Fire Boss had brought his wife and son with him. The little Fire Boss had grown up a lot this time. Now, he knew how to utter words like, papa and mama. Sooner or later, he would be able to make simple sentences. After Chen Xiaobei settled everyone down, he went to a quiet place and made two phone calls.
"Hello! Bro Yu? You told me that you will try to come back today. Do you think you can make it? I have prepared your favorite Hundred Fruits Dragon Dick moonshine for you!"
"I don't think I can make it! The mission will go through its most critical phase tonight! Drink more! You can have my share as well!"
"Bro Yu. Do you want to consider to quitting the Thunder Kirin Special Force? I have know the Norther Wilderness Starfield inside out. If you are interested, I can bring you to go there to further your career!"
"Haha! You're talking. Seems like you are in quite a good position! I think your combat power should be higher than me, right?" said Xiangyu while smiling.
Seemingly, he was genuinely happy for Chen Xiaobei.
"Bro Yu! You are an ultra-rare prodigy! I'm pretty sure that your combat power will soar after you travel to Northern Wilderness Starfield! You will definitely become more powerful than me!"
"I like what you said! However, I don't think I can quit Thunder Kirin Special Squad just yet! There are still a lot of things that I need to take care of! I have recently accepted a very important mission! No matter what, I have to complete it first before quitting."
"What kind of mission are you talking about? Why do you have to do so it slowly? I thought you should be able to complete any mission almost instantly?"
"Have you heard of the number one scientist of America?"
"Hou Sailei?"
Chen Xiaobei heard of this person's name before, when he fought with tan A-tier agent from S.H.I.E.L.D. Hou Sailei was supposed to be a Chinese that was born and bred in China. However, he chose to become a citizen in America the moment he became an adult.
"How did you know that? That was supposed to be a top secret of our country!"
Xiangyu was shocked that Chen Xiaobei knew about Hou Sailei. However, when he remembered that Chen Xiaobei was no ordinary person, everything then made sense to him.
"This man has committed treason! Thunder Kirin Special Force just assigned me to deport him to back to our country!"
"Treason? All he did was change his nationality. I don't think that would qualify as treason…"
"No one will care about him if all he did was change his nationality! However! Right after he became an American citizen, he used illegal methods to steal our technology and brought it back to America for research.
"Stealing our technology? How did he do it?"
"He planted a mole in our national research team! Last month, a USB drive with many secrets went missing in the research center! A week later, the USB drive appeared on Hou Sailei's desk!"
"This… How did you guys know that Hou Sailei had the USB drive with him?"
"Do you really think that we will let them bully us without us retaliating? We have planted someone to spy on Hou Sailei as well!"
"Damn! This is awesome! I have only seen all these spy business in movies!"
"Yea! Judging from current circumstances, it's a very serious matter that Hou Sailei has acquired some of our top secrets. Once he gets a full understanding of what's inside the USB drive, America will surpass us by at least 30 years in military technology."
"Damn! That's one really urgent matter!"
"If it's really that serious, we have to capture him as soon as possible!"
"Okay! This matter has to dealt with utmost care! I'm willing to help you in any way I can. Don't hesistate to let me know!"
"Okay… We'll talk again soon! I'm going to depart now!"
Right after Chen Xiaobei hung up the call and calmed his mind, he went on and made another call.
"Bro Ning! How are things over there?"
Chen Xiaobei had called Ning Yuchen.
The ability to travel back and forth between Northern Wilderness Starfield and earth was Chen Xiaobei's biggest secret.
If Ning Yuchen and the others returned to the base camp to find Chen Xiaobei missing, his secret would then be exposed.
"Everything is fine here!" Ning Yuchen said. "Which is strange. Zachara Grand Canyon seemed strangely peaceful recently! There was practically no Demonic Beast activity at all! The officers had gone in to investigate a couple of times, and every time they did, they were not able to find the slightest trace of a Beast Horde! It's was as if all the Demonic Beasts have disappeared!"
Chen Xiaobei smiled quietly on the other end. It seemed that White Fox and the other Wicked Beasts had already vacated the canyon.
At least before the Demonic Beasts sent their next King, there would not be any major wars between man and beasts.
"The Demonic Beasts' disappearance is a good thing! Then you can all come back early, right?" Chen Xiaobei asked.
Chen Xiaobei was trying to get confirm the time and day that Ning Yuchen and the others would return so that he could first return without raising suspicion.
"Oh, you think too much! We won't be back for a while! The officers suspect that the Demonic Beasts are up to some kind of ruse! Supplies have already been brought in from the Capital City to prepare for a long-termed station here in Zachara!"
"Oh, is that so…" It looked like Chen Xiaobei would now have to stay on earth for quite some time.
He would help Luo Puti first and if there was a need over at Xiangyu's, then Chen Xiaobei would be also be able to go over and lend a hand.
"Why? You miss us?" Ning Yuchen chuckled. "If you're bored, you can go have fun with Sister Hua or visit the forest near the capital city. But don't go too far, the further away you are from the capital city, the more dangerous Demonic Beasts you'll meet!"
Ning Yuchen clearly cared very much for Chen Xiaobei.
"Alright! I know what to do!" Chen Xiaobei smiled to himself. "Bro Ning, happy Duanwu festival!"
"Duanwu?" Ning Yuchen began to ask when he caught himself halfway. "Oh! Right! It's Duanwu festival back on earth! If you hadn't mentioned anything, I would've forgotten about it already! I wish you a happy Duanwu festival as well!"
After they said their goodbyes, Chen Xiaobei hung up and walked back to the banquet hall.
Everyone was already seated, waiting for Chen Xiaobei.
Every person in the room were people closest to him. With all the bountiful, mouth watering dishes laid out before them, and with laughter filling the room, the atmosphere was almost magical.
Chen Xiaobei felt that everything that he had worked so hard for, alone and by his unyielding will, was all too worth it.
Even though there were troubles, challenges and even life-threatening incidences, Chen Xiaobei was more than willing to continue pushing forward without rest. He would do it just to be able to sit and enjoy the company of the people that he loved!
With Hong Hai'er and Wenyuan helping to stir up the atmosphere, the mood of the party was on a constant high.
They toasted and gave blessings to each other.
Those who were already acquainted, made deep, merry conversations while those who were strangers quickly became friends.
After about three rounds of drinks, they were like a big happy family.
While everyone was occupied, Chen Xiaobei took the opportunity to excuse himself to the washroom but actually snuck back to his own room.
He had received multiple messages from his friends, hastening him.
The exciting Red Envelope Snatching Session was about to begin!
Yanwang: Bro Xiaobei! Why aren't you here yet? Our performance is going to end soon! If you don't come now, we won't wait for you!
Chen Xiaobei: Oh… No! I'm here! Oh, yeah! What was your performance?
Mengpo: The core members of our Little Apple Playground performed a plaza dance!
Wang Yizhi: Our calligraphy group performed a live ink calligraphy of tonight's inscription!
Zhao Yun: Our Wushu group performed a series of martial arts sequences!
Diao Chan: Our beauty queen group performed a song and danced!
Chen Xiaobei: No way! I missed so many interesting performances! I feel like I've missed out on a billion things!
Wu Daozi: Oh, our traditional Chinese painting team painted a picture of Qu Yuan jumping off the river!
Qu Yuan: It looked so real! I'll give it a like!
Chen Xiaobei: What! Qu Yuan! You're still in the underworld!? Thank you so much for your sacrifice. You have given us a three day holiday! 
Qu Yuan: God Chen, don't joke about this. I really can't think about what would happen after that…
Yanwang: Alright! Let's get down to business! We have all been waiting for Xiaobei's big Red Envelope!
Xiao Tianquan: Yeah! I've been waiting for ages! 
Goddess Chang'e: God Chen! Hurry up! I want to be the luckiest one tonight!
Monkey King: Let me do a count down! 3! 2! 1!
Ding
[You have just sent a big Red Envelope to the group!]
Chen Xiaobei had already prepared a big Red Envelope with a few hundred thousand zhongzi. As Monkey King finished his countdown, it was all sent out to the group.
The group was not the Three Realms Red Envelope group but Little Apple Playground group of the underworld.
The people in this group were spirits of the underworld, and a few members of the brotherhood group whom Yanwang had invited. There were less than 20,000 of them in the group.
So, that meant that everyone would receive two zhongzi, leaving nobody out. That way, everyone would be happier.
The Red Envelopes were all taken in a short ten seconds.
Chen Xaiobei opened his Red Envelope and saw that the luckiest one was a person called Ming He.
In his memory, there was no one with this name in history, right?
One should always know that there are two kinds of dead people.
Sinners were sent to hell to be punished and the sinless ones had two choices: to either reincarnate or to cultivate in the underworld!
Because cultivating in the underworld was difficult, most people chose rebirth. Only those who were extraordinary would choose the option of entering the underworld.
In other words, the spirits of the underworld were people with willpower that exceeded those of ordinary people; they were also mostly people who had achieved extraordinary accomplishments!
That was why nearly all the spirits in the underworld were people who had their names stamped on history books!
Compared to big shots like Zhaoyun or Qu Yuan, this person, Ming He was considered pretty ordinary.
Of course, as humans have hundreds of thousands of years of history, it was no surprise that there would be a regular people who chose to spend the rest of their lives in the underworld.
While Chen Xiaobei was musing on this, there was already a commotion in the group!
Perverted Spirit: I got a zhongzhi. The package said Holy Lady Filling but there was no holy lady, it was a little tomato!
Bull Headed Demon: Are you stupid? I got Lao Ganma filling. Am I supposed to look for a godmother?
Impermanence Black Officer: Stupid cow! Let me exchange a piece of my Zephyr Yin Stone with your Lao Ganma filling zhongzi! I got one as well, it's really delicious! It's so spicy it's awesome!
Bull Headed Demon: Zephyr Yin Stone? Let's do it then! I'm willing to make the exchange but I've already taken a bite out of my zhongzi…
Impermanence Black Officer: Shoo!
Xiao Tianquan: I have three five-kerneled zhongzi! I'm willing to exchange it with anyone who has a ham sausage zhongzi! 
Wei Xiaobao: I willing to exchange mine for a lamb kidney zhongzi! I feel like my body has been emptied out! I need to nourish it! 
…
After a few minutes of prattling, someone in the group finally said something Chen Xiaobei had been hoping for.
Monkey King: Everybody! Don't just care about yourselves! The person who had given us the Red Envelope, God Chen, is still empty-handed! Let's prepare some Red Envelopes! It's time for an exciting, hair-raising Red Envelope Snatching Session!
Ding
[Zhao Yun sent a red envelop in the group chat!]
Ding
[Impermanence White Officer sent a red envelope in the group chat!]
Ding
[Mengpo sent a red envelope in the group chat!]
Thanks to Monkey King's advice, there was a sudden flood of Red Enveloped in the chat!
"Oh yeah! It has started!"
Chen Xiaobei had been waiting for this moment, his fingers tapping the screen of his phone like a pair of needles on a sewing machine.
Red Envelopes poured down like rain.
But there were many people competing to grab the envelopes, and their yield would have to depend on their speed and luck.
Of course! Chen Xiaobei's luck had been pretty good all these while. Since he often punished the evil and practiced kindness, the value of his luck had been steadily increasing!
Only recently, Chen Xiaobei was rewarded 60,000 merit points for getting rid of Lu Yiju and Sister Lin's assassin. He even helped an old lady cross the road! These were all precursors for good luck!
Ding
[Congratulations! You have received Ming He's Red Envelope. A Hundred Ghosts Parade artwork has been deposited into your treasure chest!
"F*ck me! Who is this Ming He! He and I must be fated somehow! He was the King of Luck when I gave out the Red Envelopes and now, the first red envelope I receive is actually his!"
( NovelFull ) Chen Xiaobei's eyes lit up at that for a second but pushed it aside for now and kept tapping frantically on his phone.
Ding
[Congratulations! You have received Monkey King's Red Envelope. A top-tier Prosperous Monkey Fur has been deposited into your treasure chest!]
"Ooh! The second Red Envelope! Top-tier Prosperous Monkey Fur! I wonder how good is it? I can't wait! Mm, but I can't open it yet. I have to keep grabbing envolopes as fast as I can!"
Chen Xiaobei dared not relax. Dozens of Red Envelopes were zooming before his eyes every second!
Ding
[Congratulations! You have received Yanwang's Red Envelope. An Abyss Spiritual Crystal has been deposited into your treasure chest!]
"A third one! I have not gotten Yanwang's Red Envelope so long! He organized this party especially for me. There must be something really good inside it!"
Chen Xiaobei's excitement grew. The items he had received seemed to get better each time.
Ding
[Congratulations! You have received Impermanence White Officer's Red Envelope. Three Spirit Summoning Talisman have been deposited into your treasure chest!]
Ding
[Congratulations! You have received Mengpo's red envelope. A bowl of Mengpo's Soup has been deposited into your treasure chest!]
"Wow! Double-kill! Wahahaha… I've used Mengpo's Soup before! It's super effective! Spirit Summoning Talisman is something new though! I can't wait to try it!"
Chen Xiaobei's fingers were still dancing feverishly on the screen.
Without him realizing it, he had already received five Red Envelopes in total!
Bear in mind that this was Little Apple Playground, and not the Three Realm Red Envelope group. The number of Red Envelopes were definitely smaller in comparison. To be able to get five Red Envelopes was already an impressive feat.
Ding
Congratulations! You have received Ming He's Red Envelope. An Asura Divine Mirror has been deposited into your treasure chest!]
"No way! That's the sixth one! Oh, it's Ming He again! This really is fate! I have to talk to him in private when I have a chance later!
In his feverish excitement, Chen Xiaobei was also agog by this chance 'encounter' with Ming He. His mind was abuzz with questions – who is this person?
When the sixth and final Red Envelope was deposited, the Red Envelope Flood frenzy too, began to slow into a stop.
Once again, the chat group was a hive of activity. Everyone was showing off the contents of their red envelopes while some had even already began putting the items up for trade.
Chen Xiaobei joined the conversation for a while and then he exited the chat.
"Time to chat with this Ming He and find out who he really is!"
( NovelFull ) Chen Xiaobei was very intrigued by this mysterious person of whom he was so fortuitously affiliated with. He scrolled through the list of names in the group chat but could not find such a person!
"That's weird! Why isn't he in this list? I got his envelopes! It happened! I didn't imagine it!" Chen Xiaobei scratched his head.
If he was hallucinating, the red envelopes from Ming He should not even exist!
But the Red Envelopes were there and the person was wasn't!
This could not get any more bizarre!
"Looks like I'll have to ask Monkey King and the others!" Chen Xiaobei was really disturbed. He had to get to the bottom of this.
But just as he was about to consult the Brotherhood group, someone knocked on his room's door.
"Xiaobei! Are you in there?" A gentle middle-aged man's voice came from the other side of the door.
"Is that you Uncle Lim? I'm in here…"
Chen Xiaobei put his phone away and walked to the door.
It was Lin Xiang and Lin Nan's father, Professor Lin.
"Oh, it's good that you're here. There's something I'd like to discuss with you in private! Are you free to talk now?" asked Professor Lin.
"Yes, I am. Come in and take a seat!" Chen Xiaobei welcomed the professor into his room.
"There are two things I want to talk about… The first is about Lin Xiang."
"Xiang Xiang? What about her?"
"How should I put this… So, Lin Xiang went to an ancient faction overseas to cultivate, right? I mean cultivating is a really good thing. It can strengthen her health, and lengthen her lifespan but I feel like she's been too fixated on it! Ever since she went to that ancient faction, she hasn't been home for Chinese New Year and other festivities! And every single time I call her, it's always her Shijie who picks up. And the excuse she gives me is that Ling Xiang is cultivating in solitude! I believe that everything should be done in moderation, and it's important to strike a good balance between work and play… I'm worried that if she continues like that, she might become obsessed like in the movies."
Chen Xiaobei replied calmly, "Uncle Lim, you don't have to worry. Almost all cultivators are like that, the moment they get training, they will stay there for months and sometimes even years! It's nothing unusual! Lin Xiang just wants to get really strong!"
Chen Xiaobei understood this change in Lin Xiang all too well.
The last time when Xiang Yu sent Lin Xiang to Tidal Faction, they were attacked by pirates. Xiang Yu nearly lost his life protecting her. From that day onwards, Lin Xiang was determined to become stronger, so she would not burden Chen Xiaobei.
Working hard at cultivating was proof that her resolve could not be shaken. As for her becoming obsessed, Chen Xiaobei was not at all worried. Lin Xiang's Shijie was none other than the Leader of Tidal Faction, Lin Chaoyin.
Initially, this woman was Lin Xiang's Sifu. But after Chen Xiaobei had shaken her in Paradise Island, she made Lin Xiang her sister!
Lin Chaoyin was a Celestial Cultivation Elite, which meant that she had complete control over Lin Xiang's cultivation with no problem at all.
"Even so, I'm still very worried…" Professor Lim confided.
"I understand. Parents worry about their children. It's only normal that you do!" assured Chen Xiaobei.
"It's good that you do. There is something else, if I may be so bold to ask… I hope you'll agree to it…"
"Just speak your mind, Uncle Lim. There's no need to be so courteous with me!"
"I wanted to visit Lin Xiang together with Lin Nan but I've been very busy with my research, and I'm all tied up. Could you go in my place?"
"No problem!" Chen Xiaobei replied without even thinking. "I was already planning to visit her anyway. I might be able to go tomorrow!"
"That's great! I feel much safer with you taking Lin Nan!" Professor Lim paused for a while before he continued, "There is still another thing I want to talk to you about…"
"Uncle Lin, feel free to speak your mind!"
"The second matter is about my research. You should know that the Poseidon Operation was executed in Japan. But the true mastermind behind it all is America!"
"Yes. I know about that."
Earlier, an agent named Zaar was assigned by the CIA to travel to Japan to capture Chen Xiaobei in order to threaten Professor Lin. Through Nikkawa Uchu and Phantom Rain, Chen Xiaobei got to know that Japan was just a guard dog for America. The one that was going to yield the fruits of the labor was America!
"Recently, very important documents went missing from my research facility! After some investigation, we found out that America was the one trying to mess with us!"
"Uncle Lin, don't you worry! Thunder Kirin Special Force has already acted upon this matter. I believe that they will eliminate all threats. You will be fine!"
"No! I don't worry about myself! America has a lot of resources and they are really powerful! I'm afraid that they will find out the true identity of Lin Nan and Lin Xiang!"
"Your worry does make sense to me! I will pay more attention to it!"
"Okay! With your promise, I can finally let out a sigh of relief! Of course! You have to be more careful as well! I don't think you know how powerful America is!"
"Are they really that powerful? When I'm more available, I will travel to America and make their president my loyal hound!"
"Don't say things like that! One does not simply joke around with America's might!"
To Professor Lin, Chen Xiaobei was just like any other hot-headed teenager. People like them always liked to come up with exaggerated statements to prove themselves. There was no way he would believe that Chen Xiaobei could make America's president his loyal hound. He also never thought that Chen Xiaobei had already taken Japan into his possession!
Nikkawa Uchu was now Chen Xiaobei's loyal hound!
And the almighty emperor was actually Six Eared Macaque!
In other words, the nation of Japan had now became Chen Xiaobei's private garden.
As for America, they were definitely more powerful than Japan. Chen Xiaobei could actually feed Heavenly Dog Biscuits to the president if he desired to. Of course, he would have to plan properly before he could do it in the future. Right now, he still had a lot of pending matters waiting for him.
"Uncle, please don't worry. I know what to do. I will not mess this up!"
"Okay! With your good attitude and temperament, I'm not worried at all! So, those are the two things that I wanted to talk to you about! We should head out now. It's not nice for us to be absent from the party for too long!"
"Okay!"
…..
After that, the two of them returned to the party room. The atmosphere was still bright and cheerful. Everyone treated each other like families.
It was now eleven at night.
Elder Luo and Lan Mengcheng's grandma wanted to retire for the night. So, Luo Puti and Lan Mengcheng took their leave with their family members.
As for Song Qincheng, she had an important meeting that she had to attend tomorrow. It was about changing Ma Organization's name to Qincheng Organization. She too left with Wenyuan. Now that Wenyuan was the most famous actress of Qincheng Entertainment, her schedule was completely packed. It was close to impossible for her to have any holidays.
Hong Hai'er, NeZha, and Lin Nan had applied for leave together. That was why they could rest at Bei Xuan Faction tonight. Had they not, they would have to rush back to the company right after the party. The workload that they had was no less than Wenyuan.
Professor Lin left the place alone because he wanted Lin Nan to tag along with Chen Xiaobei to visit Lin Xiang.
Fire Boss and his families were resting in one of the guest rooms.
Lastly, Jing Fei went to visit a brothel with Hong Hai'er.
Finally, all the guests had left. Chen Xiaobei's parents headed back to their room to have a good night sleep as well. He then called three of his friends that came from the heavenly realm to sit down for a chat at the gazebo in his garden.
"Do you guys know a person named Ming He?" asked Chen Xiaobei.
"Ming He? I have never heard of this person before!" said Six Ears Macaque while shaking his head.
"I have never heard of this person as well. Xiaobei. Why do you ask?" said Jiang Ziya.
As for Old Wang, he did not respond to the question. All he did was pay attention to their conversation.
"When I attended the Red Envelope Snatching Session just now, I noticed that Ming He was the luckiest person in the group! I managed to snatch my first and last Red Envelope. And both Red Envelopes belonged to this Ming He!" said Chen Xiaobei.
"Damn! What a coincidence!" exclaimed Six Ears Macaque.
"You are right! That's why I want to know the true identity of this person! There's one more thing that baffles me! I can't seem to find this person on the member list in the group!"
"This is getting more and more interesting! What did you get from the Red Envelopes that you snatched from him?" asked Jiang Ziya, taken aback.
"The first Red Envelope contains a picture of Hundred Ghosts Parade and the second Red Envelope contains a Shura Mirror!"
"It seems like these two items can be categorized as Five-Star Spiritual Items. They are not that valuable. Most of the beings in the underworld realm can acquire them easily. This cannot help us to identify the identity of Ming He," said Six Ears Macaque.
Jiang Ziya then nodded his head indicating that he agreed with Six Eared Macaque.
"Erm… If it's fate, I'm pretty sure the person will not contact Xiaobei voluntarily. And if the person really wanted to avoid Xiaobei, we will never be able to know the person's true identity!" said Old Wang.
Chen Xiaobei continued, "Old Wang is right! I will not dwell on this issue since the person doesn't want to reveal his/her identity. Maybe I will cross paths with this person in the future! Let's change topics!"
Jiang Ziya went on saying, "Everything is really smooth in Japan! Basically, Nikkawa Uchu and Six Ears Macaque have all the power in their hands. The only problem is America keeps asking us to cooperate with them! It's really annoying!"
"America again! It seems like I have to take into consideration collecting America as my possession!" said Chen Xiaobei.
"Do whatever you need to do! We will definitely support you!" assured a smiling Jiang Ziya.
"You can start planning now. Sooner or later, America will be mine!"
"Understood! There's one more matter about Li Xiang!"
"Li Xiang? What about him?" Chen Xiaobei cocked his head.
"He met with some trouble during his search but he said that he didn't need my help. He said he could handle it but the opening of Emperor Qin's tomb will have to be postponed," said Jiang Ziya.
"Did you ask what the problem was exactly? Is Li Xiang in some kind of danger?"
"He didn't elaborate. But the Orochi scales are his best protective talisman. Whoever harms him will be completely stripped of the chance to venture into Emperor Qin's tomb. He should be very safe!"
"That's true!" Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Before the ninth Orochi Scale is collected, no one can afford a fallout! Without one of the scales, the other Orochi Scales would be useless!"
"Exactly! So, you don't have to worry about Li Xiang. It's just that the plan will have to be delayed!"
"It's alright. I've got my hands full anyway!" Chen Xiaobei smiled. "After all, the road to happiness is strewn with setbacks! Who knows, the surprise may be even better in the end because of the delay!"
"There would definitely be a surprise. Emperor Qin is the kind of person that is so powerful even the heavens are afraid of him! I believe that there has to be some really good treasure inside his tomb!"
"The heavens are afraid of him? What do you mean?"
"After Emperor Qin had conquered all of the Warring States in China, he declared that he was going to partake the Divine Pill and lead a million cavalry to attack the heavenly realm! That was impossible, of course. But the year when the Qin Empire was at its prime, a million skilled and valiant warriors gathered in the city of Xianyang, both gods and ghouls alike, all worshipping the devoted Emperor! All one million of them raised their swords to skies and roared to heaven! Their battle cries shook both heaven and earth! Their ruthless resolve pierced the heavens like invisible swords! The deities trembled; the Jade Emperor quavered! The merit points that Emperor Qin had now accumulated by unifying the whole of China was more than enough to allow him to become a deity, but because the Jade Emperor feared Emperor Qin, he secretly replaced the Divine Pill with a vat of poison. He would not allow the great Emperor Qin to ascend to heaven! That is how this extraordinary emperor died at the young age of 49!"
Chen Xiaobei was shocked to hear this.
This was the first time Chen Xiaobei had heard of this classified information. There was no record of such thing on earth!
This was in fact, highly classified information from the heavenly realms. Other than Jiang Ziya alone, Old Wang and Six-Eared Macaque knew nothing about this.
The Jade Emperor had poisoned to death a heavily-merited earthly realm Emperor!
If this matter was made public, the Ancestral Lord would hold his royal highness the Jade Emperor responsible!
After all, since Emperor Qin had united China by putting an end to the wars and bringing peace to millions, his merit points should definitely be in the hundreds of millions!
If Ancestral Lord knew about this, he would surely scutinize and investigate this matter!
"Xiaobei! Don't think too much! This thing happened such a long time ago and I only told you to demonstrate that there might be a lot of mind-boggling things hidden within Emperor Qin's mausoleum. Sooner or later, you will have to go and check it out!"
"I understand! That is for certain! Oh, yeah! Is Emperor Qin cultivating in the underworld? I could ask him privately about what's inside the mausoleum, right?"
"Of course not! Emperor Qin passed away with a lot of resentment in his heart. In all likelihood, he fell into the realm of demons and became a demon himself, forbidden to reincarnate!"
"Oh, that makes sense… He was framed. It's normal that he would choose to enter the realm of demons!"
Chen Xiaobei felt a little disappointed.
The great Emperor Qin was denigrated just like that. How sad and unfortunate!
"Alright, that's all for now. Do anyone else have any issues they want to bring up? If there's nothing else, I will be leaving Bei Xuan Faction with Lin Nan early tomorrow morning!"
The three other men shook their heads and returned to their respective rooms to rest.
…
Early the next morning, Chen Xiaobei brought Lin Nan with him to Dragon City airport.
Focker had already arranged for them to take a direct flight to Paradise Island on a private jet.
Because Focker mobilized 100 billion in funds to acquire the Ma Organization's shares, Chen Xiaobei had to pay a large sum of money to make up for the difference so that Focker would be able to answer his family's questioning about this substantial transaction. Besides that, Tidal Faction was also just a stone's throw away from Paradise Island.
…
After they landed, Chen Xiaobei brought Lin Nan to the commercial district of Paradise Island.
"Go explore the area on your own. I have to meet someone. I just need to pass him something and we'll be on our way to see your sister!"
"Oh… Okay…" Lin Nan was so overwhelmed by his surroundings he could barely speak. Everything seemed to fascinate him.
Paradise Island was not very big and if anything came up, they could always contact each other via cellphone. Lin Nan should be perfectly safe. With that in mind, Chen Xiaobei walked into a white castle in the center of the island.
Focker and Hades, both whom were Chen Xiaobei's loyal 'dogs', had been waiting for him in the mansion. If it was not for the fear of gossip, they would have already gone to pick Chen Xiaobei up from the airport.
Chen Xiaobei skipped the formalities and dove straight to business. "So? Were there any problems?"
"Oh, don't even start! I'm in trouble!" Focker said, his brows furrowed. "I don't know what's up with my family this time! They are coming down hard on me for a mere 100 billion! Not only are they are looking into my recent transactions, they are also reviewing all the other older transactions! They are even sending a team to check my account held in escrow by my eldest brother who I never saw eye-to-eye with! I'm afraid he might dig up problems that aren't even there!"
Chen Xiaobei frowned. "How did this happen?"
"My theory is… it must have something to do with Master Focker's sudden breakthrough in his cultivation!" Yan Wang said. "Remember how on New Year's Eve, Bro Bei, you gave Focker a present that helped him to break through his Qi refining stage? Master Focker's eldest cousin is the immediate heir to his family's fortune. He must have felt threatened by that and is taking the opportunity to subdue Master Focker!"
"Your theory makes a lot of sense!" Chen Xiaobei nodded. "What will happen if he succeeds in doing so?"
"The lenient punishment would be a reduction and limitation of the funds he was allowed to have access to. A severe punishment would be to return home in exile and repent for one year!"
"This is serious!"
Chen Xiaobei felt a pounding headache coming.
Focker was Chen Xiaobei's 'money-milking factory'. Without Focker's help, he would not have access to all that money in the future!
"I guess I will have to pay this cousin a visit!" Chen Xiaobei said. It appeared that things were not as simple as he thought it would be.
"Oh no… Master, something's happened…"
A beautiful woman dressed in a maid's attire ran into the room. She was no cosplayer but Focker's personal maid.
"What happened? You're normally not frantic like this!" Focker asked.
Good looks were not the only requirement to become Focker's personal maid. One would have to undergo a series of intensive training in temperament, character and cultivation! If it was not something out of the ordinary, she would have not lost her composure like this!
"Your eldest cousin has gotten into a fight!" The maid replied with a quiver in her voice.
"What?!" Focker and Hades cried in unison.
"Who is it? Don't they know who my brother is? These people are begging for trouble!" Focker said angrily.
Chen Xiaobei had a bad feeling about this.
Paradise Island had a very strict VIP system. People like Focker's eldest cousin were treated like gods. Whoever provoked him either did not know who he was or was deliberately looking for trouble!
On this Island, there was only one person who did not know the young master of the Rothschild household!
"He's a Chinese and from the looks of it, it's his first time on the Island. He doesn't seem to know any of our regulations," said the maid.
"Oh, a newbie? Then just ignore it. Let my cousin take care of it himself. I'd rather not give him a chance to lash out at me…"
The maid nodded, "Alright…"
"Bring me there now!" Chen Xiaobei cut in.
"Bro Bei! It's better for us not to get involved…" Hades advised.
"How could I not?! That guy is my brother-in-law!" Chen Xiaobei glared at Hades as he exited the mansion.
"Shit! A king versus a king…"
Focker swallowed nervously, as he followed behind.
...
Paradise Island's Central Business District.
The place was now packed with business magnates and high officials.
They had all huddled in one place, watching an unusual scene unfold before them.
Right in the center of the crowd, a group of Europeans, consisting both male and female, stood opposite a Chinese young man. They appeared to be confronting each other!
The term 'appeared' was used because, while the Chinese man was rattling off until his face and ears were beet red, the group was laughing loudly. Even the onlookers were convulsing with laughter. It did not look like a quarrel.
"Don't you laugh! When my brother-in-law gets back later, he will make you cry! Before you try to extort money from me, you should know who my brother-in-law is!" The Chinese youth said angrily.
"Hahaha…"
The laughter intensified.
"Hey idiot! Don't take this personally but your brother-in-law is way beneath our Master Ottle!"
A golden-haired girl with an alluring body looked at the youth like he was retarded.
"Give me a break! My brother-in-law is the most prodigious person alive! You guys are not even worthy of kneeling before my him!"
The youth was resolute.
"Hahaha…"
Every time he spoke, the crowd would explode into fits of laughter as if they had just been told the most hilarious joke in the world.
"Moron! Your stupidity really is quite cute!" the leader of the European group said. "Listen very carefully: My name is Ottle Rothschild! Do you still think that your brother-in-law is the best now?"
"I don't care who you are! Get ready to cry your eyes out when my brother-in-law comes!"
The Chinese youth refused to back down.
"Oooh… Hahaha…"
"This moron is really funny! He don't even know who the Rothschilds are! Ignorant fools really are fearless!"
"Oh, this kid is so stupid it's funny! He's blowing his trumpet in front of Master Ottle!
"Really, I wonder what kind of person his brother-in-law is. Maybe he has three eyes and six legs? How dare he claim his brother-in-law is more superior than Master Ottle?!"
"This is too funny! This has to be the biggest joke of the century! Hahaha…
The crowed guffawed.
In their eyes, Ottle Rothschild was the number one young master in the world!
Even the owner of Paradise Island was a rank lower than him! In comparison, the guests of Paradise Island were considered next to nothing!
Every time this Chinese youth opened his mouth, he would mention of how his brother-in-law would make Ottle cry. These people would never believe him!
That's why every word the youth said seemed like a joke a to them!
"Alright! Arguing with an idiot like you is way below me!" Ottle said coldly. "Enough nonsense! You broke my crystal cup, return me my 10 million yuan then you can leave! Or I'll send you to a water jail here in Paradise Island! I hear they say it's like hell there!
"Oh please! A stupid crystal cup is not even worth 1,000 yuan!" The Chinese youth argued. "It's not even a diamond! How dare you extort me! Just you wait for my brother-in-law! He'll teach you a lesson!"
"How terribly ignorant! My crystal cup was handmade by a famous crystal master in Finland! There's only one of it in the whole world! I took pity on you, retarded child, and only asked for 10 million! I will not sell it to you even if you offered me 30 million!"
"You're the one who is retarded! Your whole family is retarded!" The Chinese youth was so blurred in a rage he did not care who he insulted.
"Oh…"
The onlookers let out a sharp gasp!
Ottle's family! That's the Rothschild family!
All the Rothschilds are retarded… That was quite a ballsy statement!
All at once, the crowd looked in disdain at the Chinese youth with a mixture of shock, disgust, and pity.
Ottle would not take this insulting comment kindly!
"You bastard! I want you to take back what you said, and apologize to my family!"
Ottle's face darkened.
"I will take it back. But! You are the one who started it first! So, you should take what you said back and apologize first!" The Chinese youth said firmly.
It was true. If Ottle had not first scolded him, the youth would not have fought back.
The person at fault here was actually Ottle.
But Ottle refused to give in. "What is so special about you? How dare you try haggling with me! If you don't apologize to me, I'll make sure you won't leave this island alive!"
"You're the one who started this fight! Why should I apologize first?" The Chinese youth said stubbornly.
"Why? That's because my name is Rothschild!" Ottle gestured to his people. "Take care of this idiot for me! Since he refused to apologize, beat him to death!"
Three lanky Europeans came from behind Rothschild. They all looked like they were highly cultivated elites.
"Who dares!" A frightening voice roared.
Right now, challenging the already choleric Ottle was like kicking a tiger in the ass.
"Who are you? How dare you poke your nose in my business?! Do have a death wish?!"
The crowd parted to make way for the person who had spoken. It was another Chinese youth. Following closely behind him were Focker and Hades.
"Brother-in-law!" The other young Chinese man ran over to them.
Obviously, this young man was Lin Nan and his brother-in-law was none other than Chen Xiaobei.
"So, this is the idiot's brother-in-law? I thought he was some kind of big shot! But apparently, he's just another dumbass!"
"I told you! Ignorant fools are fearless. They hide in their shells thinking that they are the better than others!"
"Yeah! There are only few people who are as incredible as Master Ottle? These two Chinese are just a pair of phonies!"
"This is going to be one hell of a show! These two Chinese boys will get beaten up for provoking Master Ottle! If they don't apologize, they might even get beaten to death!"
…
The crowd began to gloat, eager to watch Chen Xiaobei and Lin Nan get pummeled to the ground.
"So, you're this dimwit's brother-in-law?" Ottle looked glanced mockingly at Chen Xiaobei. "I thought you have three heads and six arms! But you're just a commoner! Who are you to trumpet in front of me?"
"You are the one who's trumpeting! My brother-in-law's a real badass! He doesn't have to pretend to be one!"
Lin Nan adored Chen Xiaobei and would not take kindly to people badmouthing his idol.
"Badass? Hah!" Ottle smiled. "If he really is that badass, then ask him to pay me the ten million you owe me! If you can't even take out such a small amount of money then why are you here? Any one of these customers here are much more powerful than the both of you!"
"It's not we don't have the money!" Lin Nan's voice was seeped in poison. "I had just accidentally broken your crappy little cup and you're trying to extort us for money like we're fools!"
"Heh! What a joke! Why would I Ottle Rothschild need to extort you of your money?" Ottle let out a cynical laugh. "Ten million yuan is not even enough to place a bet! Why would I need to need to blackmail you?"
"I…" Lin Nan did not have an answer to that question.
Ten million yuan really was just a tiny amount of money to him. Even if there were ten million yuan in cash next to his feet, he might not even bother to strain his back just to pick it up.
Accusing him of extortion was not the most solid of arguments.
Even though ten million was nothing to Ottle, he refused to overlook this sum of money that Lin Nan supposedly owed him because he simply wanted to mess with Lin Nan. It was deliberately done to humiliate him! This was his twisted version of entertainment!
Lin Nan, on the other hand, locked horns with Ottle because he felt that the cup was not worth so much money,
"The truth is, I did not take you for a fool. In fact, I don't need you to pay me the money! I just want you to confess that you and brother-in-law are poor destitute urchins, and I want you both to beg me for forgiveness in front of all of these people. Then I will overlook the ten million yuan! What do you think? Sounds like a bargain, right?"
"I…" Lin Nan wanted to throw the ten million yuan at Ottle's face but he did not have that kind of money.
It was alright for him to confess that he was poor but he could not accept dragging Chen Xiaobei down with him!
The crowd hooted with laughter at Lin Nan's silence.
"Hehe! What a joke! They don't even have ten million with them. How the hell did they even get into Paradise Island?"
"That moron even said that his brother-in-law is a real badass! Now, he'll have to eat his own words!"
"Oh, how humiliating! If I were those two, I'd be looking for a hole to bury my face in!"
…
Lin Nan's face turned as red as a tomato. So red, it looked like it might burst out with blood.
"Who said we don't have money?" Chen Xiaobei took out a piece of low-grade Spiritual Stone and said, "Give me my change!"
"That… That's a Spiritual Stone! My god! That kid is paying with a Spiritual Stone!"
"One stone is worth one billion RMB! Not only would this kid be settling the debt, Ottle have to give him a change of nine hundred and ninety million!"
"Wow! This is one heck of a plot twist! He took out a Spiritual Stone just like that! This guy really is something!"
The crowd exclaimed in surprise. They now saw Chen Xiaobei in a different light.
Spiritual Stones were an extremely rare resource on earth. Even if you had one billion RMB, you might not be able to buy one! That was how priceless Spiritual Stones were!
Chen Xiaobei taking out a Spiritual Stone like that was equivalent to taking out a VIP card!
Even an idiot would know that Chen Xiaobei was no common man and ten million yuan was nothing to him!
"This…" It was Ottle's turn to be speechless.
Paying the nine hundred and ninety million in change was not a big deal to Ottle.
But he had just mocked Chen Xiaobei for being poor and now Chen Xiaobei had returned the favor with a slap to his face!
To Ottle, face and reputation was above everything, even money!
For the sake of humiliating Chen Xiaobei and Lin Nan, Ottle was willing to forgo the ten million RMB. But his ploy had backfired and he was the one now who had to eat the humble pie!
This could not get any worse!
"Brother-in-law! You're just too incredible!" Lin Nan cheered like a child high on a sugar rush. "Brother-in-law! You're my idol! My god! You are a transcendent superhero! I already told you that my brother-in-law is a badass! Who else dares to challenge that? Who? Else? Wahahaha…"
The onlookers too, had quieted down. None of them dared laugh at Lin Nan now.
Ottle's face darkened, his voice laced with anger as he asked, "Who are you?"
"You will know who I am later! But right now, you have to pay me the difference!" Chen Xiaobei raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me that the young master of the Rothschild family can't even take out nine hundred and ninety million. If you can't then all you'll have to do is admit that you're a poor bastard and you won't have to pay me back!"
"Huh…" Boiling blood rushed to Ottle's head. "Me? Ottle? Poor? Have you lost your mind?! Give me your account number! I will pay you every single cent!"
"Alright! My account number is…" Chen Xiaobei gave him the numbers.
"Transfer the money!" Ottle shouted.
Behind him, his secretary immediately transferred nine hundred and ninety million to Chen Xiaobei.
"Master Ottle, take a look at this…" After the secretary had transferred the money, she brought the laptop before Ottle. "The hundred billion Mr. Focker transacted yesterday was to this kid's account as well! It seems he's was the person of interest in our investigation!"
How did ten million become one hundred billion?
The crowd gasped.
"100 billion? What is that all about?"
The crowd asked with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.
10 million is nothing to these ultra-rich people.
But 100 billion, on the other hand, is 10 thousand times more! Not all of them could afford such a hefty sum!
On top of that, everyone knew who Focker, the owner of Paradise Island was.
100 billion was transferred from Focker's account to Chen Xiaobei's! And Ottle's secretary even mentioned that Chen Xiaobei was the person the Rothschild's were investigating!
Focker had also been implicated in transferring the money in secret!
Did that mean that there was some sort of covert business going on between the two?
All eyes were on the pair now. It was like watching a very intriguing thriller film.
"Oh, so you were the one Focker transferred the money to!" Ottle's eyes narrowed. "Do you know what happens to people who take the Rothschild's money?"
"I don't."
Chen Xiaobei shrugged, looking bored.
"Then I will tell you!" Ottle smiled. "We will sue you! We will use our connections to sue you! Not only will you be forced to spit out all of the money you owe us, you will also rot in prison! On top of that, the person who colluded with you, the traitor, my cousin Focker, will be imprisoned at home for three years!"
Gasps echoed throughout the crowd.
"There are really some shady deals going on! This kid is done for!"
"Isn't Ottle too heartless? He's not even letting his own cousin off the hook!"
"You know nothing about the Rothschilds! There's a power struggle for the next heir in the family! If Focker gets grounded for three years, then he's basically out of the game!"
"Oh, no wonder! This is really the next level of family feuds! It's like how the ancient emperor's family members fought for the throne! Blood brothers won't even show each other mercy, let alone cousins!"
"What was Master Focker thinking? He ruined his entire future for 100billion!"
"Yeah! The moment Ottle gets hold of something that Focker did wrong, he could twist the entire situation to his whim and fancy!"
…
The crowd continued to whisper amongst themselves.
It was pretty obvious that Ottle was taking this opportunity to get back at Chen Xiaobei and crush his cousin Focker, his competition for the family's throne!
"So, what do you have to say for yourself?" Ottle laughed as if he already had Chen Xiaobei and Focker eating out of his hands!
This was what Ottle thought: The money was transferred yesterday and it was all spent yesterday as well! There was no way Chen Xiaobei would be able to pay the money back overnight!
On top of that, Focker's account had been frozen. So, as long as this debt was unpaid, Ottle could mess with Chen Xiaobei and Focker as he pleased.
"What I want to say is that I borrowed that money to settle some of my personal matters. It's only 100 billion! Why would I want to embezzle such a small amount of money?" Chen Xiaobei replied.
"Wow! That's some big talk!" said a voice from behind the crowd.
An old European man with snow-white hair, accompanied by two intimidating bodyguards emerged from the crowd.
"Jiu… Uncle Jiu…! Why are you here?"
Ottle was as surprised as he was humbled, by the presence of the old man.
"Elder Jiu?!" The crowd gasped. "My god… That… That's the Rothschild family's Elder Jiu?"
"Who is Elder Jiu?" Someone asked.
"You're so ignorant!" The person next to him chastised. "Elder Jiu is the brother of the current head of the Rothschild family! He is a core member of the family of which the head of the family trusts most! You could say that he's the second most important person in the family!"
"My god! No wonder Master Ottle revered him!"
Elder Jiu had joined Ottle and the others in the center of the crowd. "I've been recuperating here in Paradise Island for quite some time already. Why? Didn't Focker tell you?"
"No… I just arrived. Focker didn't get the chance to tell me…" Ottle stuttered.
The truth was that, it wasn't that Focker did not get to inform him in time, but because he and Focker had never seen eye to eye, and therefore did not pay Focker a visit.
Of course, that was not something one would say in front of Elder Jiu.
The elders hated it when brothers started bickering with each other.
Elder Jiu made no comment but turned his attention to Chen Xiaobei and said, "Young man! Even to the people with means here, 100 billion is a large sum. Do you think that just because you claimed that it's too little for you to embezzle, we'll believe you?"
Chen Xiaobei merely smiled back at him. "Heh, it may be a large sum to them but to me, it's nothing!"
"You…" Elder Jiu frowned. "You really are arrogant!"
"Oh, he's not just that! He's also a big-mouthed fraud!" Ottle added, trying to fan the flames.
"You are the fraud! My brother-in-law will never try to pretend to be what he's not! He will use the truth to shame all of you!"
Lin Nan was very protective of Chen Xiaobei. He would not allow Ottle to ruin Chen Xiaobei with his outrageous claims.
"Humph! Your brother-in-law keeps saying that 100 billion is nothing to him. Then why did he have to borrow from us in the first place? Why can't he use his own money?"
"That…"
Lin Nan was bereft of speech.
"Hehe, don't have anything to say anymore, do you? This is very simple logic: if you brother-in-law had the money in the first place, then why borrow from Focker? This is proof that your brother-in-law is poor! If going around saying that 100 billion is nothing is not being pretentious, then what is?"
"I…"
Lin Nan's face reddened. He wanted to fight back to protect Chen Xiaobei, but he could not seem to find the words or reason.
The crowd began to mock Chen Xiaobei again. "He took other people's money and then claimed that he does not care about it! Isn't he contradicting himself?"
"Young man!" Elder Jiu spoke again. "We are not going to do anything to you if you explain to us properly on why you borrowed money from Focker! Now, I still don't see you trying to ask for our forgiveness!"
"What's wrong with my attitude?" Chen Xiaobei asked. "I was just telling the truth. 100 billion really is insignificant to me! I came here today to pay him back!"
"What? You're just going to pay back all that money you spent yesterday? Do we look like idiots to you?" Ottle said cynically.
"That's right!" Chen Xiaobei smiled. "You really are an idiot!"
"Motherf*cker! How dare you call me an idiot! Apologize now or you're dead!" Ottle barked.
As the young master of the Rothschild household, there was no one who dared not treat him with respect. Chen Xiaobei was the first person ever to call him an idiot!
The crowd gawped at Chen Xiaobei's audacity.
But Chen Xiaobei was calm as ever, and not the slightest bit intimidated at all. There was no way he was going to apologize.
"Uncle Jiu! Can you see it now? Birds of the same feather flock together! Just look at the kind of friends Focker makes!" Ottle said, putting on a grim look. "Let's settle this problem once and for all while Uncle Jiu is here! This bugger embezzled the Rothschild's property! He must be punished! And because Focker made friends with a thief and brought shame to our family, he is sentenced to five years of house arrest!"
Ottle was wanted to use this opportune time while Elder Jiu was present, to bring Chen Xiaobei and Focker down!
But Elder Jiu was cool-headed and unbiased towards Ottle.
"Ottle! Stop talking!" Elder Jiu said. "The young man said that he's here to pay us back! If he does, then we'll just forget about it!"
Ottle had accused Chen Xiaobei of embezzlement, but if Chen Xiaobei paid them back, then it would confirm that he was just borrowing the money from them. They were both entirely different matters altogether!
He did not believe that Chen Xiaobei had the money to pay them back, and still wanted to make his life more difficult even after Elder Jiu was willing to show mercy on him.
"Uncle Jiu! Don't believe his lies! This guy is only paying us back because he knows that we are investigating Focker. Why would he pay him back after just one day? He's bluffing!"
Ottle was like a mad dog who would not let go off the bone. Unless Chen Xiaobei died in his hands, he would never let go!
He was insinuating that if Chen Xiaobei did not pay them back, he would be a liar! And if Chen Xiaobei did pay them back, he would be then admitting defeat! Either way, he would never forgive Chen Xiaobei.
Even then, under such preposterous accusations, Chen Xiaobei remained unruffled. "I already said that 100 billion is nothing to me. It's not even worth embezzling!"
"Please! Stop your acting already! Let me ask you. If you are so rich, why did you borrow the money from Focker? Doesn't that negate everything you said?"
"Who told you that just because a person doesn't care for 100 billion RMB, he is a rich person? I borrowed Focker's money because I don't have cash…"
But before Chen Xiaobei could finish his sentence, Ottle cut in.
"Uncle Jiu! Did you hear that? Everyone heard that right? This person here just admitted that he has no cash!" Ottle's eyebrows and voice were raised as he announced, "I told you! This guy is a poor son of a bitch! He has stolen from us Rothschilds! This is conclusive evidence!"
The crowd nodded in unison, all agreeing with what Ottle had said.
Elder Jiu frowned. As he looked at Chen Xiaobei and Focker, he could feel the anger well up inside him. He had fallen for Ottle's claims.
Even Lin Nan's face had turned blue. Chen Xiaobei confessed that he had no money! Everything he had insisted about Chen Xiaobei was now defunct!
"Sigh… Never mind. I won't try to explain myself anymore…" Chen Xiaobei sighed.
Then he took out an item and said, "I'll need change for this!"
"What… What is that? Is that a Spiritual Stone? But why is it so big…"
Everyone's eyes were glued to the stone in Chen Xiaobei's hand.
The crystal was about the size of a fist. From the way it shined, it's quality, and Spiritual Aura, you could tell that it was a Spiritual Stone.
But the Spiritual Stones on earth were only as big as a coin. None of them had even seen such a Spiritual Stone of this size before. Because of that, they doubted its genuity.
"This kid really is a fraud! He's trying to pass a rock off as a Spiritual Stone? He thinks we're so easily fooled!" Ottle sniggered.
"You really are a fool!" It was Elder Jiu who scolded Ottle this time!
"Huh?" Ottle had not expected this. "Uncle Jiu, why'd you scold me for?"
"Move aside!" Elder Jiu shoved Ottle away from his path and walked towards Chen Xiaobei, bending down to examine the crystal.
Everyone's gaze turned to the crystal!
Elder Jiu's unusual reaction could only mean that this crystal was something extraordinary!
"My god…" Elder Jiu inhaled sharply. "This is a medium-grade Spiritual Stone!"
The crowd began to chatter.
"It's a real Spiritual Stone! I've never seen such a big one like this before!"
"You're not the only one! Even if you search the whole world, I don't think you'll ever be able to find another one like this! None of us has ever seen this before!"
"Elder Jiu mentioned 'medium-grade'! What does that mean?"
"Yeah! Elder Jiu, why don't you explain to us a little?"
They were all very eager to know about the Spiritual Stone in Chen Xiaobei's hands.
"Uncle Jiu… What is it?" asked Ottle, who had a pained expression on his face.
"I saw a medium-grade Spiritual Stone once in the house of one of the demigods we Rothschilds serve!" said Elder Jiu. "The Spiritual Stones we normally see on earth are low-grade Spiritual Stones! One medium-grade Spiritual Stone is equivalent to 100 low-grade Spiritual Stones! That would be equivalent to 1 trillion RMB!"
"What! 1 trillion!!"
The people gasped.
All eyes were on the stone in Chen Xiaobei's palm.
If this statement had not come from Elder Jiu's own mouth, no one would have believed that the crystal in Chen Xiaobei's hand was worth 1 trillion yuan!"
All at once, the people understood why Chen Xiaobei said that 100 billion was nothing. He was indeed boasting but he was telling the truth as well!
"Wow! Brother-in-law! You really are tooooooooo awesome…"
Lin Nan was completely taken aback, staring at Chen Xiaobei like he was looking at a god, adoration written all over his face.
Chen Xiaobei looked at Ottle and laughed, "Idiot! Stop staring and give me my change! 990 billion RMB. Pease transfer them now!"
"I…" Ottle's tongue refused to work.
He was not short on money but he did not have that amount of money sitting in his bank account! How could he possibly transfer such a ludicrous amount now?
"Why? Can't the young master of the Rothschild family fork out the money?"
Chen Xiaobei raised his eyebrows at Ottle. "Let me return the name you gave to me, you poor son of a bitch!"
"Urgh…"
Ottle put a hand on his chest, and stumbled backwards, feeling like his heart was going to explode! It was as if someone had stuffed a warm piece of turd into his mouth.
If he had so much cash in his account, he would already have transferred the money to Chen Xiaobei.
But who was stupid enough to keep 990 billion idle in their bank?"
The wealthy all use their money to get even more money.
If he was not able to fork out the money, then the 'poor son of a bitch' hat will be stuck with him forever!
Worse still, it might affect his reputation as the heir to the family's throne! Considering that Rothschild Family was the richest family on this planet, they would then suffer a great deal of humiliation for a very long time if their successor was being called the 'poor son of a bitch'. If Elder Jiu did not do something about it, they would become the laughing stock of the entire world.
"Mister, you don't have to return that 100 billion to us! See it as a gift from us to a friend!"
At this awkward moment, Elder Jiu finally managed to make a decision. Only an experienced elder like him could make such weighted decision. Ottle did not need to provide change to Chen Xiaobei if Chen Xiaobei was not asked to return the money.
Though Ottle would not be able to shake of the poor-son-of-a-bitch title, he still could salvage some reputation since he did not ask Chen Xiaobei to return the money. With that being said, Rothschild Family would not become the laughing stock of the world.
"It's only right for me to return the money! I don't like to owe someone's money! I really don't care about that 100 billion! It's nothing to me!"
Seemingly, Chen Xiaobei had no intention to take a step back. Knowing that the Dami Intergalactic cellphone cost 998 billion RMB, Chen Xiaobei would not allow Elder Jiu to dismiss the matter with only 100 billion!
"Well, you are actually wrong about that. Our family has a rule. When we meet someone that is worthy, we will always prepare a gift for them! Focker is not mature enough. It's a blessing for him to know someone like you! It seems like he has forgotten the family rules! That's why I have to give you a gift since he did not give you anything good!"
"Right now, I don't have anything valuable with me. This 100 billion RMB is nothing. I hope you can accept it! Though 100 billion is nothing to you, it's still a sincere gift from us! As long as you accept this small gift, you are a friend of the Rothschild Family! Wait! Not friend but a VIP! We will provide all the help you need in the future! That I can promise you!"
Upon hearing that, everyone was too shocked to say anything. One should know that Elder Jiu was the second most powerful individual in the family. His presence here was no different from the head of the family. Everyone knew that the promise that he had just made was more valuable than all the things in this world! Even Ottle and Focker were taken aback by the promise that Elder Jiu just made. Initially, Elder Jiu wanted to help Ottle get out from this sticky situation. Now, it seemed like he really wanted to be friends with Chen Xiaobei.
Actually, the decision made by Elder Jiu made perfect sense. The first time he saw a medium-grade Spiritual Stone was with a demigod. Seeing that Chen Xiaobei could come up with a piece of it, one should know that he was no ordinary person. It was only normal that Elder Jiu was desired to make Chen Xiaobei his ally. At that moment, not even Chen Xiaobei expected that Elder Jiu would make such sincere decision.
As the second most powerful person of the most powerful family on earth, it was rare for a person of such stature to lower themselves down to please a person. Chen Xiaobei had always been the kind of person that prefered a softer approach rather than a hard approach. If the person was willing to take a huge step back, he would never deliberately make their life difficult for them.
And, it was not a good idea for him to go against Elder Jiu. He knew that he still needed Focker's help in the future. If he had Elder Jiu on his side, it would be easier for him to get things done. And this was exactly the advice given by the Prime of Tongtian to Chen Xiaobei – one should never push a person to the edge of a cliff.
"Alright! I will be an asshole if I choose not to accept Elder Jiu's proposal!"
Chen Xiaobei then turned his wrist and kept away his medium-grade Spiritual Stone.
"I will accept this small gift from you!"
"Great! This is really great! From today onwards, you are the VIP of the Rothschild Family! Those who go against you would also mean going against our entire family!"
Upon hearing that, everyone around them took in a deep breath. No matter how brave they were, they would never make the most powerful family in the world their enemies. At the same time, they all turned around and looked at Chen Xiaobei in an envious manner. None of them dared to hold any more grudges against him.
"Damn! Brother-in-law! You are too damn cool! You only need say a few words and you are asked not to return the 100 billion! I don't think I can earn so much money even if I have ten lives!" said Lin Nan in an excited manner.
Again, the crowd looked at Lin Nan. At first, all of them treated him like an idiot. Now, they all wished that they had a sister for Chen Xiaobei to marry. On the other hand, Ottle was left in extreme shock after he saw how Elder Jiu had treated Chen Xiaobei.
Initially, Ottle wanted to make use of this golden opportunity to take down Chen Xiaobei and Focker. He had never expected that Chen Xiaobei could somehow turn the tide around and make himself the VIP of Rothschild Family. Logically speaking, Focker's position in the family would go up as well.
"Uncle Jiu! You are not supposed to be blinded by them! Lock them inside the water-jail now! I will make him admit to his own crime!" shouted Ottle in a furious manner.
Immediately, Lin Nan could feel a rush of anger running through his veins. However, he was stopped by Chen Xiaobei before he could do anything about it. Elder Jiu had just announced that those who chose to go against Chen Xiaobei would mean making the entire Rothschild Family their enemies!
"Idiot! I think your IQ has dropped drastically after you've been the young master of Rothschild Family for too long! Return home now! You are grounded for half a year to repent your sins!"
"What?! Uncle Jiu… Did you just say you want to ground me…?"
Hack!
Hack!
Ottle almost chocked to death by his own saliva.
"Get lost now!" shouted Elder Jiu.
"Yes yes yes… I'll leave…"
He was just a successor by law and had not been chosen by the family. That was why he would never dare to go against Elder Jiu.
"Mister!" Elder Jiu turned around and said amiably, "May I invite you to the palace to have tea and a chat?"
"There's no need for that. I still have some things I need to attend to!" Chen Xiaobei shrugged.
Did he just refuse Elder Jiu?
The crowd had lost count of how many times Chen Xiaobei gave them a shock.
People of money all over the world practically had to beg to be able to even have a one-line conversation with Elder Jiu, but this Chen Xiaobei refused Elder Jiu's invitation to sit down and chat like it was no big deal! All of those super rich men were put to shame when they compared themselves to Chen Xiaobei.
"What is it that you have to attend to? Will you need my assistance?" Elder Jiu was offended by the refusal but continued to speak amiably to Chen Xiaobei.
"Oh, you may be of help to me! I'm going to Tidal Faction but I don't know the way!"
Lin Nan was overjoyed to hear this. Chen Xiaobei rejected Elder Jiu's invitation because he was wanted to visit Lin Xiang! That was all he needed to know that Chen Xiaobei's feelings for his sister had not changed!
Lin Nan was very happy for his sister.
Speaking of Tidal Faction, Thunder Kirin was supposed to arrange Chen Xiaobei and Lin Nan's transportation there but because of Focker, Chen Xiaobei did not go with Thunder Kirin's people.
Chen Xiaobei's initial plan was to ask Focker to send them there but since Elder Jiu was so eager to do him favours, Chen Xiaobei granted him the chance.
"Tidal Faction? That's the ancient faction on the ocean, right?" Elder Jiu asked.
Because Tidal Faction was a lower medium-tier ancient faction, Elder Jiu was not too sure.
"Yes! It's on the Tidal Island not far from here!" Focker replied.
"Alright! The yacht will be ready! I will send you there myself!" said Elder Jiu.
Since the old man was so courteous, Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but to appreciate his kindness.
...
The yacht left the port.
After a long conversation, Elder Jiu and Chen Xiaobei got to know each other a little better.
Elder Jiu gave Focker a look when Chen Xiaobei was not looking to tell him to take Lin Nan to the deck to play.
The weather was excellent and when Focker mentioned fishing, Lin Nan practically ran out to the deck, leaving only Elder Jiu and Chen Xiaobei in the cabin.
"Whatever Elder Jiu wants to say, please just speak your mind."
Chen Xiaobei figured out that Elder Jiu sent Lin Nan away because he wanted to discuss something in private.
"I agree, Mr. Chen. Then I won't beat around the bush! There are no medium-grade Spiritual Stones here on earth! They only exist in high-tier starfields!"
Chen Xiaobei understood what Elder Jiu was insinuating.
"That's right. I have been to a high-tier starfield!"
"I knew it!" Elder Jiu slapped his own thigh excitedly. "May I know which demigod endorsed your journey to Northern Wilderness Starfield?"
When Elder Jiu saw that Chen Xaiobei knew about Northern Wilderness Starfield, he went on to say whatever he wanted to say.
But Chen Xiaobei shook his head and said, "I'm afraid I cannot disclose that information!"
The Tenshou had initially endorsed Chen Xiaobei's trip to Northern Wilderness Starfield, but he was later beheaded during the fight that broke out in Atlantis!
So, it did not count. But if he had to name an endorser, then it would be Demonic Fox!
It was because of her special ability that Demonic Crimson Lotus, while battling against the many demigods, tore a rift in space which brought Chen Xiaobei to Northern Wilderness Starfield.
Chen Xiaobei could never talk about this.
The Northern Wilderness Starfield was still searching for the person responsible for Atlantis' destruction. If Chen Xiaobei let the truth slip, he would be put to death before he even realized it.
"Mr. Chen, please don't take this the wrong way. I don't mean anything when I asked this question…" Elder Jiu explained earnestly. "I don't know if you've heard that the demigod we served had a fallout with the South Town Star Temple's Lu Gang, and was stripped of his referral authority! I just want to ask if your referral could endorse one person from our family to Northern Wilderness Starfield to boost his cultivation? We are willing to pay 30,000 low-grade Spiritual Stone for his service. We'll even pay Mr. Chen 10,000 low-grade Spiritual Stone!"
Phantom Rain told Chen Xiaobei about this before.
Elder Jiu was earnest and sincere in his request because the Rothschilds have been very distressed over the fact that the demigod they served did not have referral authority!
The answer to why Elder Jiu had humbled himself and desperately tried to please Chen Xiaobie was then uncovered!
It was all for a chance to go to Northern Wilderness Starfield!
Elder Jiu believed that Chen Xiaobei's relationship with his referral must have been pretty good since he was able to get the endorsement. If Chen Xiaobei was willing to pull some strings, there was a good chance that it would be made possible!
Even if it was just one place, the Rothschilds were willing to pay 40,000 low-grade Spiritual Stones!
It was all-in or nothing for them!
But what Elder Jiu did not know was that Chen Xiaobei did not have any referral.
Chen Xiaobei could travel to and fro the Northern Wilderness Starfield as he wished. In a way, he was his own referral!
40,000 low-grade Spiritual Stones! It would be a waste not to earn it!
"I cannot reveal the identity of my referral! That's is the most basic courtesy!" Chen Xiaobei said, his tone serious. "but I can pass on your request for you! If my referral agrees to do it, then I'm willing to act as the middleman!"
"Oh! That's great! That would be really really great!"
Elder Jiu slapped his thigh excitedly like an old bachelor who had finally found a wife to marry.
"When I get back, I will ask Focker to send Mr. Chen the Spiritual Stones!"
Elder Jiu was very eager.
"There's no need to rush!" Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "I don't know if my referral would agree to it yet! We'll talk about the Spiritual Stones some other time!"
Chen Xiaobei was a trespasser in Northern Wilderness Starfield. That would make whoever he brought in a trespasser too!
It would lead to a lot of problems if he told Elder Jiu about this uncertainty!
Chen Xiaobei would have to figure out how to permeate trespassers before he could bring people over.
Luckily, Chen Xiaobei had shared a meal with Dong Zhuo and solidified his identity as the new recruit of the 3rd Regiment. On top of that, Chen Xiaobei had also befriended Dong Xiaowu. If the 3rd Regiment could be rebuilt, then perhaps he could use the names of the missing new recruits as disguise for the trespassers.
Then Chen Xiaobei would be able to bring people over without a worry!
40,000 Spiritual Stones for one person! He would be insanely rich!
Of course, this was a topic for a later time. For the moment, Chen Xiaobei would not be going back to Northern Wilderness Starfield. This would have to be set aside for the time being.
He did not want to let Elder Jiu think he was cheating him of his money. So, Chen Xiaobei chose not to accept the Spiritual Stones just yet.
"Alright!" Elder Jiu nodded. "I will get the Spiritual Stones ready! When I receive the good news from Mr. Chen and I will send Focker over immediately!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded and said, "I can see that you're earnest, Elder Jiu. I will make sure to pass that on my referral!"
"Alright! Mr. Chen is a valued guest of the Rothschild family!"
Elder Jiu was so happy he could not stop smiling.
…
"We're here! We're in Tidal Faction! Brother-in-law! Come and take a look!"
Lin Nan ran into the cabin, shouting animatedly.
Tidal Faction
A lower-medium tier ancient faction, Tidal Faction's overall size was not very big. From top down, there were about only 200 to 300 people in total.
But, of course, these two to three hundred people were superior in caliber compared to the common faction.
Take China's number-one faction Xuanjian for example. They had a total of over 10 thousand disciples in their faction, but were no match for a mere 300 Tidal Faction disciples.
That was the true difference between an ancient faction and the average faction.
However, Chen Xiaobei no longer placed importance on this level of factions anymore.
Kunlun Faction! Rothschild family! Northern Wilderness Temple!
All these top-tier authorities were the ones Chen Xiaobei needed to prioritize!
Especially Northern Wilderness Temple! In the long run, this supreme power that ruled over Northern Wilderness was something Chen Xiaobei had to pursue, and maybe even overtake!
The heavenly realm that Chen Xiaobei's heart was set on was an even higher-ranking starfield than Northern Wilderness! To be able to get there, Chen Xiaobei would most probably havewhy to use Northern Wilderness as his launching pad!
If Chen Xiaobei's strength and power could not reach that of the Northern Wilderness Temple's, then he would not qualify for the heavenly realm!
Moreover, Chen Xiaobei had learnt through White Fox about the Northern Wilderness Temple's barbaric scheme to maintain their control over the planets. With a temple like this, there was a chance that Chen Xaiobei might precipitate a massive conflict! That was one of the main reasons why Chen Xiaobei had to surpass the Northern Wilderness Temple!
"Brother-in-law! What are you doing? Come out and take a look! This island is so beautiful! It looks like a fairyland! Come and see! Don't hide yourself in the cabin!" Lin Nan urged.
"Calm down, it's nothing to get all excited about." Chen Xiaobei got up slowly, as if the fairyland in which Lin Nan was all fired up over did not interest him at all.
Seeing this, Elder Jiu praised Chen Xiaobei in his heart for his disposition and sagacity!
Chen Xiaobei and Lin Nan were only a few years apart in age, but Lin Nan's reaction to Tidal Faction was childlike whereas Chen Xiaobei's reaction was sensible like a pragmatic old man!
By comparing the two, Elder Jiu was even more convinced now that Chen Xiaobei was a person who had seen it all! Firm in his disposition and perspicacious in his outlook! To be acquainted with a person so notable was fortuitous!
Once he stepped out of the cabin, Chen Xiaobei saw Tidal Faction being laid out before him.
It was a pretty decent moderately-sized island, covered in lush greenery. Under the radiant sunlight, dotted in between the overgrown trees were Chinese-style pavilions that had an ethereal appeal to them.
To a commoner's eyes, this was paradise!
But to Chen Xiaobei who had journeyed to Northern Wilderness Starfield which expanded his worldview, the island before him was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Leader of Tidal Faction, Lin Chaoyin, and the 216 disciples of our faction welcomes Mr. Chen to our island!"
As the yacht drew near the port, a middle-aged woman greeted them. Standing behind her in a neat formation were about 200 people. They had arrived earlier to prepare in advance for Chen Xiaobei's arrival.
"Mr. Chen! I didn't know that you have such prominence in an ancient faction!" Elder Jiu said, smiling.
"Elder Jiu, don't compliment me." Chen Xiaobei shrugged. "Lin Chaoyin is only afraid of me because she knows that I am friends with Focker. Frankly, the one she should be afraid of is Focker!"
"That's because Lin Chaoyin's judgement is impaired! She can't tell the difference between what's important and what's not!" Elder Jiu frowned. "How can Focker be placed on par with Mr. Chen? I'll teach her a lesson!"
"There's no need for that! Lin Chaoyin fears Focker but she has never treated me with disrespect. There's no need to make a fuss!"
"If that's the case, then I won't be getting off the boat. Lest, might Lin Chaoyin's common sense fail her and cause her to neglect Mr. Chen!"
Lin Chaoyin knew Elder Jiu. If Elder Jiu had disembarked with them, the odds of her placing precedence on him and slighting Chen Xiaobei was high.
"You have a point there, Elder Jiu. Then I'll have to trouble you to wait for me in the cabin!"
"That would be my pleasure!" Elder Jiu smiled as he made his way back into the cabin.
When the yacht finally reached the shore, only Chen Xiaobei and Lin Nan got off.
"Faction Leader Lin! You are too kind! This is such a big effort on your part! I'm feeling a little embarrassed by all this!" Chen Xiaobei said with a smile on his face.
This was the first time Lin Nan witnessed something like this. It intimidated him a little so he followed quietly and closely behind Chen Xiaobei.
"Mr. Chen is an honoured guest! If it were not for you, I wouldn't have been able to meet Master Focker and the esteemed Hades." Lin Chaoyin smiled back. "Please don't feel embarrassed, Mr. Chen. Treat this place as your own. Do as you please!"
"Then I'll just speak candidly. Bring me to see Lin Xiang. I haven't seen her for so long, I really miss her!"
"Distance makes the heart grows fonder! I understand what Mr. Chen means!" Lin Chaoyin said. "I knew that Mr. Chen is coming so I informed Shimei Lin beforehand. Let's head to Tidal Cave now, she'll be coming out soon!"
"Go ahead and dismiss your disciples! Xiang Xiang is very shy. She won't feel comfortable with so many people around!"
"Alright!" Lin Chaoyin waved at the group of men behind her. "You are dismissed! Go and continue your cultivation! Don't idle!"
Immediately, everyone made themselves scarce save one. The expression on her face was one of confusion.
"Wei Shenjing?" Chen Xiaobei recognized her.
"Mr. Chen has a such good memory! She is Wei Shenjing!" Lin Chaoyin said. "Jingjing! What are you doing just standing there? Is there something you want to say?
"Huh?" Wei Shenjing looked surprised, shook her head and said, "I don't have anything to say. I will leave now!"
"Mm."
Lin Chaoyin nodded, brushing it off.
Chen Xiaobei sensed that something was amiss but because there was no definitive proof and because he was eager to see Lin Xiang, he did not probe further.
After that, Lin Chaoying brought Chen Xiaobei and Lin Nan to Tidal Cave.
"The interior of this cave is the heart of the island's underground Spiritual Path. The Spiritual Qis in there are dense and very suitable for cultivation!" Lin Chaoying explained. "Previously, only the disciples who had contributed greatly to the faction and I are allowed to access it. But now, we've reserved it for Shimei Lin to use!"
"That is very generous of you, Faction Leader Lin. I want to thank you on behalf of Lin Xiang." Chen Xiaobei said.
"You are all one of us. There's no need to thank me!" Lin Chaoying replied politely.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Look! That's Shimei Lin!"