In modern society, how many people are willing to endure hardship to learn a craft?
Tan Tie's words echoed the hardship and helplessness of many martial arts masters.
It was easy to find people who practiced martial arts, but difficult to find true inheritors.
To ensure their lineage was passed down as completely as possible, these martial arts masters and grandmasters had to find ways to recruit disciples widely.
However, the country had regulations prohibiting the casual disclosure of any matters related to superhumans to ordinary people.
Helpless, they had to compromise with the secular world.
They promoted themselves as martial arts celebrities, using exaggerated and showy methods to attract disciples.
In this process, many masters and martial artists forgot their original intentions, becoming completely engrossed in showing off and accumulating wealth.
Yet, many still managed to persevere despite the temptation of money, focusing solely on inheritance and using tuition fees for their students.
Tan Tie was one of them.
"I apologize, Mr. Tan."
"Every day, various traditions in our Dragon Country are dying out. I'm just frustrated by the lack of progress!"
After a deep conversation with Tan Tie, Wan Lingqiu realized her words were problematic and quickly bowed to apologize.
Tan Tie was also forthright, returning the bow, "I understand your feelings, young lady. I was too harsh with my words just now."
As their words fell, the few exchanged smiles.
At this moment, Qin Hu and Li Hongyu had also tidied their clothes and were heading towards the competition arena below the stands.
"General Qin, the special forces are about to perform the opening ceremony. You should head over soon."
"All the matches will be conducted simultaneously later, so we won't be able to accompany you."
Yuan Mengqi knew Qin Xuan was unfamiliar with the proceedings and therefore meticulously explained the entire competition flow to him.
Upon hearing this, Qin Xuan immediately nodded.
He cupped his fist in farewell to Tan Tie and then gracefully departed.
"This young man, what is his cultivation level?"
Watching Qin Xuan's departing back, Tan Tie couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Although the young man appeared no different from an ordinary person on the surface, his steps were remarkably steady as he left.
Whether on narrow paths or uneven steps, he moved as if walking on flat ground.
This was not something an ordinary person could achieve.
Furthermore, before he left, the young lady had called him General.
If he had heard correctly, then this young man named Qin was definitely not an ordinary person.
After much hesitation, Tan Tie still did not inquire further.
After all, they had only met once, and it would not be polite to ask about someone's identity immediately.
A few minutes later, Qin Xuan slowly arrived at the area for the Grandmaster division.
The stands here were almost completely filled.
Each faction held up a nameplate belonging to their sect.
The scene was akin to the fan support for entertainment stars.
Below the stands were many elders with white hair and beards.
Most of them were gathered together, chatting and laughing, with only a few meditating with their eyes closed.
"Haha, Old Shi, you say every year there's a martial arts competition, and every year there's a performance."
"They never get tired of performing, and I'm tired of watching."
"What's the meaning of Old Ke and the others?"
"Are they really expecting us to pick disciples from these people?"
Zeng Shou, a successor of the Southern School's Nameless Fist, looked at the special forces' performance below, which he considered child's play, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.
Shi Chuan Gong, whom he called Old Shi, sighed and said understandingly, "Cough, isn't Old Ke considering us?"
"As technology advances, people become lazier."
"The soldiers here are the most physically fit among ordinary people."
"Picking disciples from them is better than trying our luck with millions of ordinary people."
"It's just a pity that my cultivation method focuses on internal strength rather than external."
"Compared to physical fitness, one's innate cultivation potential is the most important."
"Although these special forces members have good physiques, none of them meet the requirements. What a pity, what a pity..."
Shaking his head in resignation, Shi Chuan Gong subconsciously looked up.
But the moment he looked forward, his eyes immediately lit up.
"Hahaha, there's always a way!"
"There's always a way!"
"What's wrong with you?"
Zeng Shou, seeing Old Shi's sudden unusual behavior, quickly followed his gaze forward.
He saw a handsome man with a tall posture and well-defined features standing ahead.
Who else could it be but Qin Xuan?
"What excellent bones and outstanding aptitude! A truly good material!"
"Young man, are you willing to follow me and learn my Southern School's Nameless Fist?"
Having finally found a martial arts prodigy, Zeng Shou hurried forward.
After Zeng Shou asked his question, Shi Chuan Gong belatedly reacted and also quickly walked two steps forward to stand beside Qin Xuan.
"I apologize, esteemed sir, but I already have a master and cannot become your disciple."
Hearing their intentions, Qin Xuan politely cupped his fist in refusal.
He already had Chen Xuan as his personal master, so there was no need to learn these so-called martial arts techniques on Blue Star.
However, Zeng Shou was unaware of these matters.
Upon hearing that Qin Xuan had refused him, he assumed the young man had some reservations.
He let out a soft哼, smugly continuing, "Young man, I know what you're thinking."
"There's no need to be afraid."
"People strive for higher ground, and water flows downhill."
"I am Zeng Shou, a direct successor of the Southern School's Nameless Fist, and my cultivation has reached the level of a high-tier Martial Grandmaster!"
"No matter how strong your original master is, he cannot be stronger than me."
"When he returns later, I will speak on your behalf, and he will surely agree to your request."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zeng Shou began to rejoice in acquiring a talented disciple.
In his view, with such favorable conditions, no matter who the young man's master was, he would eagerly switch allegiance to him.
However, the subsequent development was completely contrary to his expectations.
Not only did Qin Xuan not happily agree to join, but his tone became even more resolute.
Emphasizing that he already had a master, he even adamantly stated that he would not switch.
This made Zeng Shou unhappy.
Here he was, a high-tier Grandmaster, humbly inviting this junior to become his disciple, and the junior dared to refuse him repeatedly?
Wasn't this slapping him in the face in front of others?
He let out a fierce, cold哼, his expression instantly turning grim.
His words were filled with threats and intimidation.
"Young man, don't mistake my kindness for weakness!"
"Without saying more, I have friends all over the Dragon Country's martial arts world. Perhaps your master is one of them."
"If you know what's good for you and follow me, you'll definitely be able to navigate the Dragon Country's martial arts world with ease."
"But if you remain stubborn, don't even think about whether your master will dare to keep you."
"Even if he dares to oppose me, I can ensure that you both will have no place to stand in the Dragon Country's martial arts world!"