In mid-air, an aura of Literary Talent Qi filled the air, with three streams of Literary Brilliance swirling around, exuding a dazzling and mesmerizing aura that elicited gasps of surprise.
Yang Zhen looked up and couldn't help but nod in approval. This person was able to gather qi with literature and condense three streams of Literary Brilliance, which was already quite remarkable. Although he failed to condense the Literary Talent Qi Inscriptions, it was still commendable.
" Young Master Bian is exceptionally talented. His casual scribbles actually condensed three streams of Literary Brilliance. He truly deserves to be a promising candidate for the Sea Pavilion."
"I heard that Young Master Bian and Young Master Sun made a bet, with their Literary Qi determining the winner. Now that Young Master Bian has successfully condensed three streams of Literary Brilliance, isn't he sure to win?"
"That's hard to say. It's said that Young Master Sun has been in seclusion since that day, one focusing on literary studies while the other on gathering Literary Talent Qi. We'll have to wait and see who wins after the competition."
The people around them were talking amongst themselves and rushed towards where Young Master Bian was, leaving the little girl who was painting bamboo completely oblivious.
Yang Zhen couldn't help but nod to himself. If he had been half as diligent as this girl when he was in school, he probably would have achieved great success and entered a prestigious university long ago.
"Well!"
The little girl looked up, smiled at Yang Zhen, and asked curiously, "Why did you sigh, big brother?"
Yang Zhen shook his head and said, "You still don't understand!"
The little girl pouted, somewhat displeased. " Yan'er is already very sensible, why do you always treat Yan'er like a little girl?"
Yang Zhen chuckled, then said with a serious expression, "Yes, Yan'er is very sensible, more sensible than all of them. They're all sycophants, clearly good-for-nothings."
Yan'er clapped her hands happily and said, "Big brother is indeed sensible. No wonder I can feel a sense of warmth from him."
Yang Zhen was taken aback and asked, "What kind of familiar aura?"
Yan'er tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said blankly, "I don't know, it's like... like family."
Yang Zhen opened his mouth, staring at the little girl. He had encountered someone trying to claim kinship. The little girl was so young, and she didn't seem like someone who would try to extort money.
Suddenly, Yang Zhen thought of Tian Rou. That girl seemed to be just like this little girl, almost completely unguarded towards him. She was very enthusiastic when they first met, making Yang Zhen almost think that something might happen.
Yang Zhen could also sense a trace of Literary Talent Qi in Yan'er, though not as strong as in Tian Rou. His expression turned strange; could it be related to this Literary Talent Qi?
A person with a wealth of knowledge naturally exudes elegance. Although there is no absolute first place in literature and scholars have been competing with each other since ancient times, the mutual appreciation among scholars may well stem from this very principle.
After bidding farewell to Yan'er, Yang Zhen also headed towards Young Master Bian. Before he even got close, he heard a hearty laugh followed by words of humility.
"I, Bian, have been fortunate enough to realize this, and I am deeply humbled. Please, everyone, refrain from praising me to the point of exhaustion."
Yang Zhen pursed his lips. This Bian guy didn't sound terrified at all; he was speaking so loudly that everyone could hear him.
At this moment, a soft snort suddenly came from the crowd, " Bian Liang, you're so smug about just three Literary Brilliance? Do you think you're set on becoming the top Literary Brilliance scholar?"
The crowd gasped and turned to look, immediately erupting in uproar.
"It's Young Master Sun! I didn't expect Young Master Sun to emerge from seclusion. This is going to be interesting. The two are evenly matched, seemingly natural rivals. It seems they won't let this go until a victor emerges."
"Hey, isn't that the person next to Young Master Sun the Master of the Long Moon Pavilion in Raging Fire City, Tower Master Hua Youyue?"
"I never expected the two of them to come together; it's truly enviable."
"I've heard that Tower Master Hua is interested in literature, and now that she's here to participate in the Overseas Trial, and has happened to meet Young Master Sun and Young Master Bian, she naturally wants to make their acquaintance."
"No, I feel that Young Master Sun's words and actions seem somewhat different from usual."
Upon hearing this, Yang Zhen looked up and indeed saw that Young Master Sun, who appeared to be a refined gentleman, had an expression on his face that was practically sticking out his tongue.
"Interesting!" Yang Zhen clicked his tongue in amazement, finally seeing the true face of this legendary creature, the simp.
Hua Youyue remained calm, her pale yellow dress exuding an icy aura. With graceful, lotus-like steps, she walked towards Yang Zhen and the Elder Yao. The surrounding crowd immediately parted to make way for her, and soon they reached Yang Zhen.
Seeing that Yang Zhen Yang Zhen didn't move and stood in the middle grinning like a fool, the people around him hurriedly pulled him back, saying, "Young master, you mustn't be rude. That's the Tower Master Hua of Yang Zhen Long Moon Pavilion, renowned throughout the East Sea. You mustn't offend her."
Renowned
Yang Zhen was taken aback and glanced at Hua Youyue with curiosity.
Upon seeing Yang Zhen, Hua Youyue, who had maintained a calm demeanor, was immediately startled, a complex expression flashing across her face.
"It's over! Could this young man be so captivated by the Tower Master Hua's unparalleled beauty that he's frozen in place, unaware that while this might attract the Tower Master Hua's attention, it will also offend her. This... it's all over!"
"Look, Young Master Sun's face is already showing anger; he's clearly dissatisfied with this young man."
"Where did this country bumpkin come from? He's so flustered in front of a pretty woman, it's truly laughable."
As everyone stared in disbelief, the anger on Young Master Sun's face suddenly vanished. He walked up to Yang Zhen, opened his folding fan, and said with a smile, "Young brother, do you know whose path you've blocked?"
Yang Zhen glanced at Young Master Sun and said, "None of your business!"
"What?" Young Master Sun looked bewildered, staring at Yang Zhen and asking, "What do you mean?"
Yang Zhen exclaimed, "Sorry, I gave the wrong code. What's it to me?"
"How absurd!" Young Master Sun snorted coldly and said, "Get out of my way, or don't blame me for being impolite."
Yang Zhen nodded and said, "Don't be shy, make yourself at home, please make yourself at home..."
"You!" Young Master Sun was stunned. "Where did this bumpkin come from, daring to be so unreasonable? Get out of the way!"
Yang Zhen stared at Young Master Sun, narrowed his eyes, and asked, "Do you know whose path you're blocking?"
Young Master Sun was completely taken aback, looking around blankly, clearly unable to keep up with Yang Zhen's pace.
Hua Youyue chuckled, her composed expression crumbling with a soft "pfft," eliciting gasps of surprise. She approached Yang Zhen and said, "It's been a few days, and you're still as impulsive and reckless as ever. This is Sun Yushi, this year's top scholar of the Water Spirit Kingdom."
Yang Zhen suddenly realized. "So it's Scholar Sun! I wonder if Brother Sun knows Lin Shilang?"
Sun Yushi asked in surprise, "You know Brother Lin?"
"We know each other well, and we were even having a good time together the other day, discussing national affairs, family matters, and world events. It's just that Brother Lin feels his knowledge is insufficient and he can't keep up with my pace, so he went to a faraway place. What a pity, what a pity."
"What?" Sun Yushi's surprise deepened, and he asked in astonishment, "It's truly a pity that Brother Lin didn't come to participate in the Overseas Trial. However, not knowing your name makes Brother Lin feel ashamed."
Yang Zhen humbly clasped his hands and said, "I am ashamed, I am Wutuo Gang. I am Yang Zhen, the head of the four great talents of the Wutuo Gang, and I am unworthy to serve as a Dark Gold-level guest elder under the Tower Master Hua."
"You're Yang Zhen?" Sun Yushi's eyes widened suddenly, and he subconsciously took a step back, looking at Yang Zhen with a wary expression.
Yang Zhen looked bewildered and stepped forward. "Brother Sun, what is the reason for this?"
"You... you stay away..."
Wow!
The surrounding crowd was shocked, staring at Yang Zhen and Sun Yushi in disbelief. Young Master Bian sneered, glancing at Yang Zhen with interest, a hint of curiosity flashing across his face, while he secretly became wary.
Hua Youyue chuckled softly, stepped forward, took Yang Zhen's hand, and said, "Come here, I have a few questions for you."
Yang Zhen, looking completely compliant, turned to Sun Yushi and said, "Um... Brother Sun, please wait a moment. Let me have a few private words with Little Yueyue before we come back to drink and chat!"
Little... Little Yueyue?
Everyone present froze, and Hua Youyue tensed up, turning around to glare at Yang Zhen.