The car fell into silence.
Ling'er's eyes were filled with pleading, while Qin Xuan felt a heavy stone pressing on his chest, leaving him speechless. Neither of them spoke.
"Um, Senior Qin," Wu San, who was driving, broke the silence.
"Our association has a rule that invited guests can bring others with them."
Qin Xuan's brows nearly knitted into a Sichuan character. Why speak now of all times? Wasn't he just creating trouble? He was still hesitating, and this person had already thought of the consequences of him staying.
However.
Qin Xuan's brows relaxed as he glanced at Ling'er. This fellow's suggestion seemed like a viable option.
"Tell me about it."
"It's like this: you are a Grandmaster martial artist. According to the rules, there's no limit to the number of people you can bring to the Martial Arts Exchange Conference. However, for any region, force, or individual martial artist participating for the first time, you can bring a maximum of five followers into the venue..."
Wu San stopped at a red light and explained to Qin Xuan, along with the rules and precautions of the Martial Arts Exchange Conference. It wasn't until they passed two or three more traffic lights that Qin Xuan got a general understanding.
However, Qin Xuan scoffed at these rules and regulations of the Martial Arts Exchange Conference. If things continued like this, even a promising newcomer would be hindered by the conference. It simply offered no opportunities for nascent forces. The established powers, on the other hand, guarded them fiercely. One could see this from the rankings. Even if a new force was strong, with only five members, it would be difficult to contend with other established powers. Thus, new forces rarely managed to secure a ranking in the exchange conference in their first attempt. Correspondingly, their ranking determined the resources supplied by the conference. Naturally, new forces were stuck in a vicious cycle. If any outstanding individuals emerged, they would be recruited by the established powers. Some, with unstable Dao hearts, or lacking conviction, would switch allegiance for fame, profit, or a better future.
Qin Xuan understood. It was less of a Martial Arts Exchange Conference and more of a harvest festival for the major powers. They were merely reaping what they had sown. This was an unspoken understanding. The major powers, as beneficiaries, actively promoted it, while the smaller forces sought protection and a share of the spoils. Emerging forces, even more so, needed a stage, a platform to make their debut in the Dragon Country. It was already difficult for emerging forces to have a Hua Jin realm expert.
Qin Xuan saw clearly, but not everyone did. Their perspectives differed, and thus their understanding was different.
Qin Xuan sighed. Honestly, he wanted to tell Dan Bende directly that this Martial Arts Exchange Conference wasn't worth attending. It was a place that sold dog meat under the guise of sheep's head. But Qin Xuan reconsidered. Perhaps Dan Bende had his own ideas. Maybe he wished to see the disciples of Yujing Tea House improve further. He didn't need to, nor was he qualified to, make decisions for others.
He then looked at Ling'er beside him, who seemed unfazed by all he had heard. Her eyes were as innocent and pure as ever, without a ripple. Of course, she was just a naive young girl; what did all this have to do with her? Qin Xuan chuckled self-deprecatingly. Ever since he met Xue Tian in Luochuan, he seemed to have become much more suspicious.
Suddenly, Qin Xuan's pupils contracted, his gaze fixed on Ling'er. At that moment, he felt a power that made his heart palpitate. But the fluctuation was fleeting. No matter how Qin Xuan searched, the power emanating from Ling'er no longer appeared, vanishing into nothingness. Qin Xuan was perplexed. Was it his illusion? That familiar feeling, coupled with the fleeting, heart-pounding fluctuation from Ling'er. Who exactly was this girl, Ling'er?