Fang Yun lowered his head slightly and remained silent.
"I risk exposing myself by sneaking in here. I will give you only half a quarter-hour to consider!" Lei Tingzhen delivered his ultimatum.
After only a few breaths, Fang Yun raised his head and said with a bitter smile, "Do I have any choice? I will accept this Lake-Containing Shell."
As he spoke, Fang Yun put the Lake-Containing Shell into his bag.
Lei Tingzhen roared with laughter. "Good! A man who recognizes the tides of the times is a true talent. Your future achievements will surely tower over the entire Literary World, and you will certainly surpass even me!"
Fang Yun said, "You said earlier that we should discuss things one at a time. Now that we have finished discussing these treasures, could you explain what qualifies me to challenge Fang Yun to a poetry contest?"
Lei Tingzhen smiled. "That will not be difficult. Literary assemblies take many forms, and new methods of literary competition emerge endlessly. For now, we intend to have you write poems expressing 'concern for the nation and its people' or 'grief and indignation.' A few little tricks will suffice to make it impossible for Fang Yun to refuse. We have studied his poetry. Although some of it touches on concern for the nation and its people or grief and indignation, he falls far short of you. You have rich experience and have endured painful ordeals. In this respect, you far surpass Fang Yun! We believe that as long as you cooperate with us, you will certainly overwhelm him in literary competition!"
"From what you have said, my chances of victory could reach roughly sixty percent," Fang Yun said.
"Our goal is to raise your chances to eighty percent! If you defeat Fang Yun, not only will