Everyone was bewildered.
He had composed a good Wisdom-Learning Poem in so little time? Shouldn't he at least have waited half a quarter-hour? How could he compare himself to a Great Scholar at a time like this? A Great Scholar's mind and divine sense were immensely powerful; he could think through more in the blink of an eye than a Metropolitan Graduate could in an hour.
Fang Yun's friends shook their heads with helpless chuckles. They had known him for almost two years, yet they still could not fathom his way of doing things.
"Fang Yun, are you serious?" Li Fanming asked again to make sure.
Before Fang Yun could answer, Tongue Blossoms Thunder sounded from fifty li away.
"Then let us hear Void Sage Fang recite his poem with that silver tongue. You mustn't go back on your word." Lei Longkuo's voice carried for hundreds of li.
Some scholars hurriedly shot Fang Yun meaningful looks. Unless he was absolutely certain, he must not let Lei Longkuo goad him. This was no time to put on a brave front.
Ignoring Lei Longkuo, Fang Yun said, "Of course I'm serious. I was thinking about how to write Wisdom-Learning Poetry, but when I saw Great Scholar Pine and Stone cleaving through wind and thunder in his lone little boat, and recalled all his deeds, I suddenly understood the highest realm of wisdom learning."
"Oh?" The worry in everyone's eyes vanished, replaced by intense curiosity.
"Could you explain?"
Fang Yun nodded and spoke with Tongue Blossoms Thunder. "The third round's theme is wisdom learning. At first, I only intended to write about cleverness or intelligence, but watching Master Pine and Stone forge ahead brought me a sudden realization. Wisdom learning is neither mere cleverness nor simple technique. The lowest form of intelligence is