The five of them were instantly struck dumb. They could criticize Fang Yun for other things, but when it came to his literary reputation and talent, they could not pick out the slightest flaw.
Shi Dehong then said angrily, "He dares try to seize my teacher's position as Poetry Lord? Yukong, you must give Qing Kingdom your all! If we lose this Dragon Boat Literary Gathering, Jing Kingdom will surely humiliate Qing Kingdom from now on. You and I will become sinners of Qing Kingdom."
Yan Yukong replied expressionlessly, "I came here having prepared only one poem. I thought it would be enough, but who knew I would encounter Fang Yun? My teacher taught me not to care about the gains and losses of a single kingdom or city, but to consider matters from above the entire Human Race. It is merely one Dragon Boat Literary Gathering. If Jing Kingdom wins, it will be a sign that a weak kingdom is growing strong. That would truly be a great fortune for the Human Race."
Shi Dehong immediately said, "Then if everyone says from now on that Fang Yun is more talented than you, Yan Yukong, that you are inferior to Fang Yun, would you still be so unconcerned?"
A subtle change appeared in Yan Yukong's gaze. He clasped his hands before his lower abdomen, and his body slowly straightened.
"I enjoy climbing lofty peaks; I do not enjoy standing beneath others, much less beneath a mere Academy Student. If he loses today, so be it. But if he wins, I will change the date of the Capital Examination. Whenever he heads to Jing Kingdom for its Capital Examination, I will participate in Qing Kingdom's Capital Examination. I will contend with him for the position of National Chief and cross the