Three hundred li south of South-Garrison Pass, inside an inn.
The startling slap on the tablet resonated crisply.
The aged storyteller, with his mustache twitching, began:
"Renowned heroes abounded in this world, plentiful as carps crossing the river, too many to count."
"But of late, a few have been truly noteworthy."
"Above all, the one who made waves - the Earthly List First Heavenly Pride - 'Little Sword Immortal' Chen Yi!"
"Ever since he descended the mountain to travel, he first slew a hundred demons and three Evil Demons outside Xijiang Prefecture."
"Later in the boundary of Chuan Mansion, he battled Zhang Li of the Bai Shen Sect, known as 'Bull Demon', and emerged victorious."
"Truly, with a sword traveled southward, he outshone all stars. His fame was so great that his name spread even through numerous monasteries within Buddha Country of the West Continent."
"And on the East Continent Islands, the name of 'Little Sword Immortal' was likewise touted by many alchemists, setting a benchmark against their local prodigies."
The storyteller paused, then held up two fingers, glancing around at the Martial World guests.
"Speaking of the East Continent, I must mention the second distinguished figure, 'Soul Chaser' Yuan Dingshan, a renowned name in the Heavenly List from Luofeng Island."
"Having arrived on shore in June, by July his name was already widespread throughout the Wei Dynasty."
"With his mastery over Yin Yang Techniques, snatching souls and stealing spirits, challenging and successively beheading numerous taoist prodigies..."
Before he could finish, the patrons of the inn began to stir with excitement.
"Old man, who is more formidable, 'Soul Chaser' or 'Little Sword Immortal'?"
The storyteller replied with a smile, cupping his fists apologetically, "This humble one merely makes a living, I dare not casually judge the two Heavenly Prides."
"Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me..."
The guests laughed, jesting that even making a living nowadays has its high standards.
"Continue, continue."
"The third is not from the Martial World, but from the Night Watch Department of Jiangnan Prefecture - Silver Flag Order 'Ice Beauty' Gu Ruoyu."
"This lady is the legitimate daughter of Golden Banner Order Gu Nansheng, steeped in the true teachings of the Night Watch Department. It's said that she also intends to come with the opening of the Southern Barbarian Secret Realm."
"There are also Liu Hong of Yuhua Immortal Sect, known as 'Three-eyed Demon Child'; the young Sect Master of South Pole Sword Sect, 'Sword Obsession' Chu Wang, among others.
"As you all venture southward, you're in for a rare and grand spectacle."
"Of course, what you're undoubtedly more concerned about is that secret realm, please wait just a moment..."
Saying so, the storyteller mopped the sweat from his forehead, then had a delicate looking girl beside him collect some tip money with a gong plate.
Sitting in the corner, Chen Yi took out two Silver Coins from his Sumeru Bag and placed them on the plate.
At this moment, he, just like Xiao Xuanzhen and Hua Xianzi, had also disguised his appearance.
Chen Yi originally had not intended to do so.
But since leaving Wangchuan County, at every village and town he passed through, people would run over to offer thanks, which was truly overwhelming for him.
He had to disguise himself to avoid being pursued by those ordinary folks.
Even Xie Changle, a man who took great pride in his appearance, was forced to don simple hemp clothing.
At that moment, Xiao Xuanzhen, looking at Chen Yi's lips adorned with a fake mustache, couldn't help but fill his eyes with mirth.
"Junior brother, with that appearance, you truly look dashing, haha..."
"If you weren't smiling, I might actually believe you," Chen Yi said, none too pleased.
But Hua Xianzi looked at him seriously and said, "Senior sister is right, senior brother, you do look quite dashing now."
Xiao Xuanzhen helplessly glanced at Hua Xianzi, hoping she was just teasing.
But clearly, she wasn't. Didn't she see how the "Little Sword Immortal" junior brother couldn't stop grinning?
"That secret realm has a long history, opening once every hundred years."
"Each opening attracts prodigies from various domains."
The storyteller, having received the money, relaxed a great deal and energetically proceeded to narrate about the secret realm.
"It is said that the secret realm was once the cultivation site of a mighty being of the Dragon Clan during the Dark Ages."
"The Dragon Clan, you know of them, right?"
The Martial World guests nodded in unison, claiming to know but admitting they've never seen one.
Laughing, the storyteller continued: "Since antiquity, there's been talk of pythons transforming into dragons, but those are pseudo-dragons, not of true Dragon Clan bloodline."
"However, within that secret realm lies the cultivation ground of a True Dragon, where various treasures are hidden."
"Rumors say that within are weapons that have developed spiritual awareness, demons that have weathered climates, and heaven-and-earth treasures."
"One of them includes a Dragon Transformation Pond, which can sever veins and refine the body, enabling Martial Artists to break through their limits."
"In short, it can increase the rank of those in Fourth Grade Spirit Aperture Realm, raise the upper limits of Body Cultivation, and even the corpses used by Corpse Cultivation can be imbued with Dragon Energy."
"This is what attracts so many Heavenly Prides to this place. Otherwise, do you think 'Little Sword Immortal' would have descended from his mountain?"
The guests listened eagerly, their expressions filled with excitement.
However, the storyteller dampened their spirits, adding: "But though treasures abound, they are not for everyone to take."
"After all, it is the True Dragon Dojo, comparable in legend to the Azure Dragon, not something an average person or demon can rival."
"Therefore, not only is it fraught with peril, but also infested with demons, and prodigies clashing amidst chaos."
"Weaklings entering there are simply courting death, and even a Heavenly Pride might perish within."
Some guests looked disappointed, while others, still emboldened, declared: "No fear, we traverse the world just for that slim chance!"
"Correct, Heavenly Prides are also human; we all have our opportunity."
At that moment, several cold laughs could be heard from another corner of the inn.
"With your meager Eighth or Ninth Grade Cultivation, you'd better not go."
"Otherwise, you won't be able to snatch any treasure, you won't witness the excitement, and all you'll get is a tragic death!"
"Who speaks with such arrogance?"
The crowd looked angrily in that direction, and Chen Yi also turned to look.
He saw in that corner three tall young men, one of them with his head held up disdainfully, eyes scornfully sweeping the surroundings.
"So what if I said it?"