"Cough, cough, old brother, where's the invitation?"
Lu Datou reminded him awkwardly.
Old Tie slapped his forehead, only then remembering, "I almost forgot the main business!"
Then he tore a few pages from the magazine and took out a seal from his body, stamping it several times on those pages.
"Done!"
Old Tie handed the pages over, then continued to read the magazine, swallowing as he did.
Chen Xiao and the others were speechless, what was this? Was this an invitation?
Chen Xiao took the pages and saw that the seal was three ancient characters, which translated to 'Iron Fist Sect'.
What the heck was the Iron Fist Sect? Could a single seal be an invitation?
He couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Lu, will this work? Is it reliable?"
Lu Datou said truthfully, "I don't know, anyway, you can't get in, so just try it."
"..."
They were all speechless. This whole thing felt unreliable from start to finish, especially these two people.
However, the reality exceeded their expectations. The special envoys of the Pantheon took the pages with the seal and not only became more polite to them but also immediately let them pass.
Chen Xiao and the others were stunned. Who exactly was this Old Tie, and what kind of sect was the Iron Fist Sect, that the Pantheon's special envoys' expressions changed upon seeing it?
"Not bad, Old Tie, I didn't expect you to be so capable. I thought you were bragging to me before!"
Lu Datou patted Old Tie's shoulder, saying with admiration.
"Of course, I never brag!"
Old Tie said earnestly, his eyes never leaving the magazine in his hand.
"Alright, Old Tie, stop looking for now. Let me introduce you to some friends."
Lu Datou said, reaching out to snatch the magazine.
"Brother Datou, why the rush? I'll give it back after I finish reading!"
Old Tie, like a child, snatched the magazine away.
"What do you mean give it back? If you like it, I'll give it to you. You can read it yourself later!"
"Really, Brother Datou? You're too kind. We truly have a life-and-death friendship!"
Old Tie's face lit up with excitement, and he carefully put the magazine away.
"Uncle Lu, your friend is quite interesting. Could you introduce him to us?"
Chen Xiao had developed a strong interest in this Old Tie, not only because of the Iron Fist Sect matter but also because of his unfathomable strength.
His participation in the Martial Arts大会 indicated he was a martial artist, yet Chen Xiao couldn't sense any martial aura from him.
This situation could only arise from two possibilities: either he completely lacked internal energy and was merely an external martial artist, or his strength was so profound that he had completely concealed his aura.
Chen Xiao leaned towards the latter.
"Actually, Old Tie and I only met yesterday. How about we all introduce ourselves?"
Lu Datou suggested. He was familiar with Chen Xiao and Gongsun Yi, but he didn't know Qi Qingfei and Lin Zicong.
They ascended the steps towards the mountaintop, introducing themselves in turn as they walked.
When it was Old Tie's turn, he said, "Hello everyone, my name is Tie Xue, from the Iron Fist Sect."
No wonder Lu Datou called him "Old Tie" so affectionately; his surname was Tie!
However, his introduction was as good as no introduction, providing no useful information beyond his name.
"Brother Tie, I have a question. I'm not sure of the relationship between your sect and the Pantheon. Why did they let us in immediately upon seeing the seal bearing your sect's name?"
Chen Xiao, without beating around the bush, directly asked his question.
"Uh, this... Actually, I shouldn't be telling you these things, but since you are Brother Datou's friends, it's fine for me to tell you!"
A hint of hesitation flickered across Tie Xue's stern face. "Actually, our Iron Fist Sect, like the Pantheon, is an ancient martial arts sect, and both are considered first-rate ancient martial arts sects. On the surface, we are even equals, which is why the Pantheon disciples let you in immediately upon seeing the Iron Fist Sect's seal."
"Yesterday, when you said this, I thought you were bragging, but I didn't expect it to be true."
Lu Datou shook his head and sighed with emotion.
Chen Xiao then asked, "Brother Tie, what exactly are ancient martial arts sects? Would it be convenient for you to explain?"
Chen Xiao's question represented everyone's curiosity. They all looked at Tie Xue, awaiting his explanation.
Tie Xue pondered for a moment before finally saying, "The origins of ancient martial arts sects are vast and complex. It's not that I'm unwilling to speak, but it would take a long time to explain. Simply put, you can understand ancient martial arts sects as sects that are far removed from the mundane world. For example, the Pantheon. You know that the Pantheon disciples are very powerful, but they are rarely seen moving about in the martial world."
"As far as I know, there are still over seventy existing ancient martial arts sects, with the first-rate sects being the Two Halls, Three Sects, and One Valley."
"The Two Halls are the Pantheon and the Lingxiao Hall. The Three Sects are the Iron Fist Sect, the Great Saber Sect, and the Misty Rain Sect. The One Valley is the Carefree Valley."
"You just need to know these things. For ordinary people, it's very difficult to come into contact with them..."
As Tie Xue spoke, he appeared much more reliable.
However, Lu Datou directly refuted him, "That's not necessarily true, Old Tie. My nephew, Chen Xiao, is very formidable. Don't be so arrogant!"
Tie Xue wasn't angered. He smiled and said, "Brother Datou, I know I might sound arrogant, but that's the reality. We are people from two different worlds!"
Lu Datou snorted in dissatisfaction, "What do you mean people from two different worlds? If you keep talking nonsense like this, I won't take you for a spa treatment!"
"No, Brother Datou, you promised me. How can you go back on your word!"
Hearing Lu Datou's words, Tie Xue instantly switched back to his lecherous state.
Chen Xiao couldn't help but feel speechless. He quickly asked again, "Brother Tie, have you heard of the Imperial City's Embroidered Uniform Guard? Are they also an ancient martial arts sect?"
Chen Xiao, having found someone who knew a lot about ancient martial arts sects, naturally wanted to clarify things.
"Oh? You even know about the Imperial City's Embroidered Uniform Guard?"
Tie Xue's gaze towards Chen Xiao immediately changed. "That's right, the Imperial City's Embroidered Uniform Guard is indeed an ancient martial arts sect, but they are very weak, only considered a third-rate sect. Otherwise, they wouldn't be confined to a place like the Imperial City."
Qi Qingfei asked in confusion, "Isn't the Imperial City a good place? If it wasn't, why would the emperor of the previous dynasty establish the capital there?"
Tie Xue smiled slightly and began to explain.
"Young lady, you are unaware of this. Precisely because the Imperial City is where the emperor resides, ancient martial arts sects dislike it. The emperor is the True Dragon Heavenly Son, and all the spiritual energy in the Imperial City revolves around him. Others can only share in the leftovers."
"Therefore, in the ancient martial arts world, the Imperial City's Embroidered Uniform Guard has always been unpopular, regarded as a pack of stray dogs feeding on scraps!"
"Of course, even scraps are better than most other cities. Truly powerful ancient martial arts sects prefer to build their sects in famous mountains and great rivers, as these are the true places where qi gathers!"