Bang!
As Chen Lin finished reciting the final line of verse, the lantern atop the towering pleasure boat shot a beam of light straight into the heavens.
It burst into a dazzling firework high in the sky.
Bang, bang, bang!
Fireworks followed one after another, lighting up the entire sky.
Chen Lin also noticed something.
After those fireworks finished blooming, they did not go out. Instead, they turned into lanterns that drifted gently down onto the river.
The visitors on the river immediately scrambled to grab them.
Even the crowds farther away rushed over, as though fighting over precious treasures.
Chen Lin did not understand why.
But he paid them no mind and turned to Zhuang Shimei instead.
Smiling, he asked, "Poetry Fairy, does this count as meeting your requirement?"
"When the Poetry Lamp blooms, the requirement is naturally met. And this is the most perfect result possible. No one below can challenge you now."
Zhuang Shimei raised her hand to remove her veil.
Chen Lin reached out to stop her.
"My self-control is lacking. Once I see your peerless beauty, Fairy, I fear I won't bear to leave. It would be best if you remained mysterious. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
Zhuang Shimei's expression froze.
She gave Chen Lin a long look and said wistfully, "Is my beauty as fleeting as that of reeds and willows, too humble to catch your eye, Young Master Chen?"
"Please don't misunderstand, Fairy."
Chen Lin waved his hand.
"I'm not a Nightmare Realm creature, and I won't be staying in the Nightmare Realm for long. Seeing your face would only add to my troubles. Better not to look."
He truly did not want to look.
With a reward like this, he did not need to think to know