Li Feng walked into Dragon Gate Town and found that this town at the foot of the mountain was completely from another era compared to the outside world.

Walking on the streets of Dragon Gate Town, there was a sense of time travel. The buildings on both sides of the street were two-story stone and wood structures, exuding an entirely ancient charm.

The street roads weren't paved with asphalt but were entirely made of bricks and stones. Observing the passersby, they were all dressed in traditional Hanfu attire, making the whole town resemble a large-scale cosplay event. Someone unaware might think they've wandered onto the set of a historical drama.

The Ancient Martial World has always been mysterious; even Li Feng didn't know much about it. As a force in the Ancient Martial World, the Lin Family is undoubtedly a microcosm of it.

Cloaked in stolen ancient clothing and disguised as Bai Yutang, Li Feng boldly walked the streets of Dragon Gate Town since he hadn't been recognized by those who had encountered Bai Yutang's adversary before, gaining insight into this unfamiliar Ancient Martial World.

Before delving into the Ancient Martial World, Li Feng imagined it would be lofty and ethereal, far removed from the mundane, as cultivating immortality should surely set one apart from ordinary people.

The result was…

"Buns, buns, freshly made meat buns, delicious and affordable, once you eat, you crave for more."

"Freshly fried chicken from the Descendants of the Sun series, just out of the fryer. Miss, would you like some?"

Listening to the street vendors' cries, Li Feng felt slightly disappointed, as if this wasn't what he had expected.

Moreover, from their selling calls, it seemed Dragon Gate Town wasn't completely isolated from the outside world. That passerby seemed to be holding a bottle of iced tea.

Li Feng felt a strong sense of discord, as if he had come to the wrong place and instead landed in a film city.

After walking for a while, Li Feng's stomach grumbled. After all, he had expended a lot of energy escaping from the lake, and now he was really a bit hungry.

Li Feng glanced at an inn at the street corner not far away. Without further ado, he walked over, deciding to fill his stomach first.

"Oh, Young Master Bai, please come inside."

Li Feng was surprised that the shop assistant actually recognized him, which made things much easier. Since he had no money, he'd rely on face value, given he wasn't actually himself anyway.

Not worried, Li Feng looked at the shop assistant and hoarsely said, "The usual."

"Sure thing."

"Young Master Bai, please head upstairs."

Li Feng ascended the staircase directly to the second floor of the inn, choosing a window seat. This kind of inn was naturally a good place to gather information, given the abundance of people and conversations.

"Have you heard? A bunch of country bumpkins recruited from outside is coming over this time."

"Oh, they're finally coming? I wonder how many there are in this batch. Heh, this should be entertaining."

"I heard there are up to ten this year."

"Really? Ten? In past years, two or three would have been good enough."

Someone nearby exclaimed in surprise.

The person who knew the inside details had a mysterious look on their face: "This year is quite special. There seem to be many outstanding talents, and moreover, our Divine Sword Manor is the leader among the Ten Great Families, naturally having more allure."

"Tsk, this year should be quite lively."

"Indeed, these people may be considered geniuses outside, but when they arrive here, genius is just that. Outside the manor, there are several hundred recorded disciples alone. Clawing their way into the Outer Sect will definitely be a fierce competition."

"Hmph, do they really think that being selected means everything is set?"

One person spoke with a tinge of bitterness.

"Hey, speaking of which, weren't we also considered geniuses back then? What happened in the end? We got stuck at that stage and couldn't progress."

Hearing one person's sigh, those nearby also lamented.

"The strongest outside is the Grandmaster, but here, a Grandmaster is just a beginner. How many entering the Outer Sect aren't Grandmasters?"

"Moreover, above the Outer Sect is the Inner Sect. It's said that to enter the Inner Sect, one must Open the Divine Acupoint and master Sword Control Technique to be promoted."

"It's tough. Just the basic Qi Refining and Breathing is extremely taxing, and according to the manor's rules, if you can't externalize Qi Gang by age thirty, you'll end up as an ordinary resident of Dragon Gate Town, spending your life here."

"Heh, if that's the case, so be it. After all, maybe our descendants will have more opportunities."

"Get lost, sure you found a wife, but here in Dragon Gate Town, men way outnumber women. Anyone with beauty strives to marry someone with potential, yet you somehow lucked out."

"Heard your wife came with a kid; you got a two-for-one deal."

"Who spread that rumor?"

"Tsk, does it need spreading? Dragon Gate Town isn't that big. It's just that out of respect, people keep quiet. Do you really think everyone is blind?"

"Hmph, even so, I have a woman, while you'll be lifelong bachelors."

Li Feng glanced at that table in the distance and then focused on another table.

At this point, the shop assistant served the dishes. The cuisine on the table was actually mainly Sichuan dishes, surprisingly not much different from the outside.

Picking up his chopsticks, Li Feng ate while eavesdropping on nearby conversations, gaining more understanding of Dragon Gate Town and the Lin Family's Divine Sword Manor.

"Hmm?"

As Li Feng listened, he glimpsed someone familiar out of the corner of his eye through the window.

Turning his head and squinting, Li Feng confirmed he wasn't mistaken — it was Huang Shuyao from the Xingyi Sect.

During the previous martial arts selection, Li Feng had a few run-ins with her. Though there was no deep animosity, their astrological signs clashed, so they weren't quite harmonious.

Unexpectedly, this girl had a certain charm in ancient attire, and at this moment, several people were attentively surrounding Huang Shuyao.

"Junior Sister Huang, though our Dragon Gate Town is isolated, you can find anything you want on this street, even things you can't find outside."

"Junior Sister Huang, we've been walking all morning, and it's noon now. Why don't we go have lunch at Yan Gui Building ahead? My treat."

While speaking, the group was already heading towards the inn where Li Feng was sitting.

"Waiter, give us a private room."

"Young sirs, it's quite unfortunate, but all the private rooms are taken."

"All taken? Can't someone make room?" one person said with a gloomy expression.

"Ahem, you must be Outer Sect disciples, not that I'm being unaccommodating, but everyone decided to eat out today for some reason. The few private rooms we have were all taken by some Inner Sect members, so there's nothing that can be done."

This comment from the shop assistant left the Outer Sect disciple, who wanted to show off, feeling as if he'd swallowed a fly but dared not utter a word.

In Dragon Gate Town, the hierarchy is clear. The Lin Family of Divine Sword Manor is undoubtedly the biggest boss, and everything falls under the Lin Family.

Besides the Elders and higher-ups, Inner Sect disciples have the highest status. They are the core force of Divine Sword Manor. Below Inner Sect is the Outer Sect, also a mainstay of the Lin Family, with the largest number of people.

Below the Outer Sect are the recorded disciples, usually required to be under thirty years old. Their origins are mostly new residents of Dragon Gate Town, plus talents recruited from outside.

Apart from the quadrennial Martial Arts Tournament, those above Elders have the right to recommend, but anyone accepted must start as a recorded disciple, and entering the Outer Sect depends on passing the assessment.