"Shrill voices of the beast covered the continent, as the snow moon rose.
The continent trembled and the sky grew faint. The frontier collapsed, giving rise to a turbulent era.
Heroes rise in turbulent times, and as the continent feared the destruction that awaited them, he appeared.
Unmovable like a mountain and tranquil like the face of the ground, The earth overlord!"
The story went like this-
....
The Earth overlord, a historical figure, saved and protected the people of the continent till the snow month ended.
People respected him, both because of his overwhelming strength and overly righteous disposition. His fights and feat were presented, having been over-glorified.
However, that was not the main part of the story - 'The valiant earth overlord'
It was what came after the turbulent era.
In the brown month, the earth overlord noticed a terrifying fact that could shake the world itself. There were actually many mysterious realms right above everyone!
The different seasons, which are also known as the eight months, however, they were actually representing eight unexplored regions!
The story continued-
...
"The world grew shocked.
The eight new regions were filled with uncountable resources, respective to their path.
Cultivators flocked together, exploring the new region through the way the earth overlord found.
No free food is provided in this world, everything has a price to be paid.
Alas, a disaster befalls the mortal world, as if heaven were passing down divine judgement. The time of prosperity did not last for long.
An unprecedented beast horde suddenly descended from the sky, leaving the eight regions and entering the continent.
Bringing about another turbulent era, also known as — the sacrificial age."
The narrator stopped there, taking a close look at everyone around him. All had a mesmerized look, totally engrossed in the story. He continued with a smile.
"Hence the slogan — Heaven hates no man.
Deep within the ground and high above the sky, the path to success can never be with no price!
Everyone is equal in front of the cruelty of the world."
The narrator ended the story at the end of the heated atmosphere. The whole time, he followed the chronological order perfectly, it could be seen that he had practiced a lot for today.
Silence crawled into the plaza, however in no time, people broke out in admiration and cheered or praised the Narrator unceasingly. Claps and shouts came from all around the plaza.
Mangrel who stood motionless began clapping blankly with the others too.
The story 'The valiant earth overlord' gave out precious life lessons, instead of talking about a hero like in the fairy tale.
Mangrel agreed with the last line of the story too.
As the saying goes, death doesn't discriminate.
'No matter who the person is when faced with death, the outcome is the same. In this world, death, and life are in the hands of the strong, even killing by just blinking an eye is possible.' Mangrel who had experienced the attitude of being on the stronger side could tell how it felt.
It was absolutely exhilarating!
Being able to decide the fate of the people around with just a thought, just how exciting it was. It made his blood boil in the past. It was when he became a rank-six cultivator.
Mangrel mocked: 'Ha, in the end, that was just a fleeting moment of freedom too. Knowing the existence of the higher realm, I could never settle in that continent.'
From the crowd, a kid raised his hand and kept jumping to gather everyone's attention.
The boy spoke excitedly once he saw the narrator looking at him: "Do cultivators really exist? Why won't they appear before us?"
The innocent voice of the boy made the narrator hesitant, internally. He was a beginner cultivator himself, so he was more aware of the cultivation society than the normal folk.
The reason why the cultivator didn't appear before the common folk? Why would they bother?!
Most of the cultivators were cold and calculating, only eyeing benefits. Being on the righteous path did not change this fact, every being strives for benefits.
What could a cultivator, with strength far off from common sense, Gain from these people?
However, the narrator did not want to break the image of the cultivator in the boy's heart. Hence, he quickly began making up an answer.
"Of course, seeing cultivators is very hard. They have to fight against the beasts all around the city and protect everyone from harm after all. Don't feel sad, if you are fated, you will definitely meet a cultivator in your life." The narrator lightly explained it in a matter-of-fact tone.
Cultivators like him, who were just beginners, did not even have the right to call themselves a legit cultivator. Only once they advance to rank one in any aspect, their cultivation journey really begins.
In the eyes of common people, cultivators were beings who could create natural disasters with a wave of their hand. Like moving mountains or making a river in the blink of an eye.
A beginner can never do such a miraculous thing.
The boy who asked the question seems to have formed a new level of respect, the image of a benevolent cultivator in his mind just grew.
Mangrel's attention did not stay on these people for long, instead, he thought about the story.
The eight regions...
Mangrel looked at the purple sky above him. It was clear of any clouds, exposing a wavy purple sky.
'....Just how large is this continent's spherical realm?' Mangrel felt his brow form a knot thinking this, he relaxed the very next moment.
'I will know once I become strong enough.' Mangrel was never the type of person who wasted time on something like this. It would do him no good even if he thought his head off.
The next problem that Mangrel found in the story was — that beasts seem to have encroached on a large amount of area in this continent.
From the look of it, there was a high chance that it was true. The reason he believed this tale to be true was very simple.
Because Mangrel knew the existence of the earth overlord. He was one of the figureheads of the rank eight cultivator, in the higher realm. He was a member of the righteous path and loathed the demonic path cultivator.
'I originally was going to move around alone, but that seems impossible now. Moving with some group is the best choice.' Mangrel sighed and changed some of his plans.
The story might be a lie, but so what?
Even if by chance it turned out to be true, who would Mangrel complain to then? Thus, he put away traveling alone instantly. he never did anything that could be regrettable, not that he would regret it.
'Well, at least for the beginning that is. I can move freely once I am strong enough.'