At the same time.
In a region of Yan Kingdom bordering Chen Country, the largest teahouse within a marketplace under Medicine King Valley was exceptionally bustling.
A white-haired old man carrying an air of poetry and scholarship led a middle-aged cultivator with an honest-looking face, though several hints of greed flickered in his eyes, onto a performance stage.
"Old Li Head, is this the disciple you took in?"
Seeing the white-haired storyteller Old Li Head bring an unfamiliar face onto the stage, an old patron of the teahouse asked in surprise.
"Not at all, not at all. This fellow Daoist knows an earth-shattering piece of news concerning a Golden Core battle."
"Moreover, this fellow Daoist used a recording stone to preserve several scenes from that Golden Core battle."
"Golden Core battles are a rare sight indeed. Would you all like to hear this news and watch those battle scenes?"
Old Li Head spoke mysteriously to the several dozen guests present, smiling as he did.
"A Golden Core battle? And there are even recordings? Old Li Head, are you speaking the truth?"
An old patron asked in surprise.
Several other old patrons also voiced their doubts, while some guests expressed their desire to hear more.
"This old fellow would not dare deceive you all."
"But if you wish to hear it, each of you must order another cup of this establishment's Red Leaf Spirit Tea, worth two spirit stones."
With the bearing of a shrewd merchant, Old Li Head smiled broadly at everyone present.
"Fine. If we can witness even a moment of a Golden Core battle, perhaps it will aid our Dao Path. I'll have a cup of Red Leaf Spirit Tea."
An old patron said with a smile, though his expression carried a trace of pain at the expense.