"Ahem, Brother Shan, let's get down to business. You must have something urgent to ask me to call me over in such a hurry," Qin Xuan coughed lightly, changing the subject.
Upon hearing Qin Xuan's words, Shan Bende put away his smile, his expression solemn.
He gestured for Qin Xuan to enter.
"Brother Qin, the tea is ready. Let's chat while we drink."
Seeing the change in Shan Bende's demeanor, Qin Xuan felt that this matter was probably not that simple.
"Please."
He responded and followed Shan Bende into the house.
The two sat down, and Shan Bende poured Qin Xuan a cup of tea.
"Brother Qin, try it. This is the Yi Wu Man Song that I just found. Try it."
Qin Xuan picked up the teacup, blew on it, and took a small sip.
"The tea is good, but it's a waste on me. Brother Shan, just tell me what you need."
"Waste or not, it's good tea if it quenches your thirst, Brother Qin. Then I won't beat around the bush. Take a look, Brother Qin."
As Shan Bende spoke, he handed Qin Xuan a small red booklet.
Qin Xuan, not understanding, took the booklet and opened it.
Inside, on a piece of fine Xuan paper the color of pale yellow, were elegant clerical script characters.
Dragon Country Martial Arts Exchange Conference.
Qin Xuan raised an eyebrow. After reading it, he still didn't understand what Shan Bende was getting at.
"Brother Qin, you've seen it. The Dragon Country Martial Arts Exchange Conference will be held in the capital in five days."
"Martial arts exchange, isn't that a good thing? Brother Shan, why did you call me here..."
"Martial arts exchange is a good thing," Shan Bende said with a wry smile.
"But within the entire Dragon Country, it's not so simple."
"What do you mean?"
"It's called a martial arts exchange, but it's actually a martial arts competition. If I go, frankly, I'll just be looked down upon."
"Is that so?"
"Brother Qin, you don't know the situation," Shan Bende sighed.
"In Jiangbei, a Postnatal martial artist can achieve some status in Jiang Province. Otherwise, why do you think your elder brother is living so comfortably in Jiangbei? The overall environment for martial arts is not good. Before, no one from Jiangbei could even participate in this Dragon Country Martial Arts Exchange Conference. For some reason this year, we suddenly received an invitation."
"Jiangbei, has martial arts declined to this extent?" Qin Xuan frowned.
"But I've also encountered quite a few Hua Jin masters."
Shan Bende almost spat out his tea. He couldn't stand Qin Xuan's humblebrag.
"Ahem, Brother Qin, achieving the Xiantian realm is already a rare sight. Someone like you, there's probably not another one in the entire Dragon Country."
Upon hearing this, Qin Xuan awkwardly picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Then, are the older generation in Jiangbei not participating?"
"That's related to the situation in Jiang Province," Shan Bende explained slowly.
"Jiangbei is actually in a state of transition. As for the older generation, your elder brother is considered part of it. But honestly, I'm not really impressive. However, there are still a few masters. They no longer care about these matters and naturally wouldn't come out for such empty fame, which is why the situation is like this now."
"I see." Qin Xuan nodded.
"What do you want me to do, Brother Shan?"
"I want to ask Brother Qin to come out of seclusion and represent Jiangbei, represent our Jiang Province, in participating in this Dragon Country Martial Arts Exchange Conference."
"Me?" Qin Xuan raised an eyebrow and pointed to himself.
"Brother Qin, we are like family. There's no need for formalities," Shan Bende reached out and refilled Qin Xuan's cup.
"You know my situation, elder brother. To be honest, it's not enough. But you, Brother Qin, are different. I have some understanding of your strength. Attending this exchange conference will undoubtedly be a piece of cake."
Qin Xuan looked at the invitation in his hand from left to right.
He had to go to the capital anyway, so Shan Bende's request was merely a matter of convenience.
As for whether he would participate in a martial arts exchange, Qin Xuan was naturally not afraid. His current strength made it effortless to deal with Grandmaster realm experts.