Xu Feibai didn’t pay attention to Lin Tian’s teasing and still smiled: "I know everything that’s happening on the island, like the grudge between that little girl and the female celebrity."

"However, you seem quite leisurely, having the time to concern yourself with these matters." Xu Feibai continued.

"I have friends, I have classmates, this is my life, vibrant and colorful. Unlike you, who, apart from running about for your missions, has nothing but eternal loneliness. You have no friends by your side." Lin Tian stated firmly, not swayed by his words.

Xu Feibai turned his head, looking down at the people coming and going on the first floor, as if he saw through everything: "In another hundred or two hundred years, when you watch the familiar faces of family and friends slowly pass away, and the world appears both familiar and strange, you will taste this loneliness."

"By then, will you make them zombies just like you? Once they turn into zombies, will they also turn their other relatives and friends into zombies, staying in this world together to avoid loneliness? In the end, the whole world would be zombies."

"Zombies are not scary, the scary thing is loneliness." Xu Feibai’s voice was ghostly, and Lin Tian found himself unable to respond.

The air seemed to grow heavy, but then Lin Tian laughed, breaking the atmosphere: "I almost let you mislead me. Whether or not to become a zombie, I won’t force others. Besides, in a few decades, who knows, maybe the apocalypse will come, and we’ll all be done for together, no humans, no zombies, the world will reboot. Who can say?"

"The end of the world? That’s indeed a possibility." Xu Feibai turned back and smiled.

"Stop dodging, honestly answer me, what are you doing at Coastal Villa? Don’t tell me you’ve got your eyes on some female celebrity." Lin Tian didn’t banter further and asked directly.

"I heard an old earl from England donated an Eye of the Creator, and I’m here for it." Xu Feibai didn’t avoid and directly admitted his purpose, causing Lin Tian to frown.

"Oh?" Xu Feibai was a bit surprised, then said: "Judging by your expression, it seems like you already know the secret of the Eye of the Creator. That’s even better; I need your help to get the Eye of the Creator. If we join forces, we have a ninety-nine percent chance to get the gemstone."

"Sorry, although we’ve cooperated before, I can only say I can’t agree to this." Lin Tian immediately refused because he was also there for the Eye of the Creator.

Now it was Xu Feibai’s turn to frown, puzzled: "This is about finding the true body of Jiang Chen. I must get the Eye of the Creator."

Lin Tian’s mouth twitched as he sneered: "You think I’m easy to fool? Zombies have no use for the Eye of the Creator, all it contains is the power of curses."

"Who said it’s for me? It’s for Yasuo. His army of Gu Worms has been wiped out by you all, and he needs to cultivate a new batch. Those Gu Worms have a capability for finding things that’s stronger than both of us." Xu Feibai explained.

"You’re letting him use it?" Lin Tian widened his eyes, displeased: "Do you know how powerful the Gu Worms cultivated by the Eye of the Creator can be? If they cause destruction, who will be responsible for the consequences?"

"Does how powerful they are matter? As long as I control their master, everything is fine. I know Yasuo is capricious and won’t truly be loyal to anyone, so I’ve placed restrictions on him. If he disobeys, he’ll die immediately." Xu Feibai said coldly.

"That still won’t work, because I also need the Eye of the Creator. I promised someone I would get the gemstone for her." Lin Tian continued to refuse, feeling that such an artifact would be safe only in one’s own hands. Leaving it with Yasuo could lead to unexpected trouble.

Xu Feibai spread his hands, quite helpless: "Then there’s nothing we can do. Since we both want this gemstone, we can only rely on our abilities, and whoever gets it owns it."

"Rest assured, not only will I get this gemstone, but I’ll also get the remaining one." Lin Tian said with great confidence.

"What a pity, the cooperation hasn’t even started, and we’re already competing. In that case, I’m leaving." Xu Feibai wasn’t angry or pressuring Lin Tian, and decisively turned to leave.

Watching his back as he walked downstairs, Lin Tian didn’t try to stop him. As Xu Feibai said, the next time they meet, it might be a battle.

The sound of a bell from below the auditorium drew Lin Tian’s attention back to the stage, where the host was coming up, beginning the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

As per tradition, important figures would speak first, and to Lin Tian’s surprise, the speaker was none other than Ou Qinglan. This competent woman of the Ou family wore a black dress that was both sexy and dignified, exuding a powerful aura. Even in the face of world-renowned figures, she shone, calm and composed, holding the stage firmly.

In such an important setting, it was most fitting for Ou Qinglan, being the organizer and the villa owner, to give a speech. Her status and reputation matched those of the influential figures in the audience.

After Ou Qinglan’s speech, the gala officially commenced. Unlike many major commercial occasions nowadays that mimic Western countries with cocktail parties, tonight there was no cocktail party. Instead, adhering to Huaxia traditions, performances were held.

In ancient Huaxia, for many significant events, besides banquets, there would be opera performances. Even in the royal court, operas were performed, which in today’s terms is a gala, especially since tonight is Huaxia’s Mid-Autumn Festival.

Lin Tian was very much in favor of this approach. As Huaxia becomes stronger, some regulations should follow our traditions, rather than everything imitating the West.

A male and female host took the stage, and the audience, full of prominent figures, naturally quieted down.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening..." The emcee announced in Mandarin, which made Lin Tian approve. In some settings, to accommodate foreigners, even events hosted by Huaxia people are conducted entirely in English.

However, events held abroad never accommodate Huaxia people. It’s quite sad to say. Therefore, the strength and confidence of this jewelry exhibition are unquestionable.

"Tonight, we have invited Tianxue Jewelry’s ambassador, Miss Tian Xiaotian, to perform the opening song for the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala," the male host announced brightly.

"That’s right. Tianxue Jewelry has emerged powerfully in recent months, becoming a leader in the domestic and international jewelry industry, and its achievements are widely recognized. Its ambassador is also not to be underestimated."

"She will be performing a solo, ’Moon in the Water,’ composed by Qu Yingyou..."

Ambassador? Opening song? Lin Tian was stunned, then emotionally cheered inwardly. Unexpectedly, Ou Qinglan went all out, arranging for the opening song.

The opening and the finale are the two most important performances. Lin Tian never thought about occupying these slots; getting a spot in the middle would have satisfied him. But unexpectedly, it turned out to be the opening song!

But what about this ambassador of Tianxue Jewelry? Lin Tian found himself puzzled.