"Welcome, Elder Ji!"
Amidst the crowd, Sun Yushi, with a solemn expression, shouted loudly, "The disciple's salute is performed flawlessly to the very end!"
Seeing this, Bian Liang quickly followed suit. "Welcome, Elder Ji!"
"Welcome, Elder Ji!"
The shouts were deafening; everyone was yelling at the top of their lungs, as if afraid that Ji Shulin wouldn't hear them.
In contrast, a little girl in the crowd, holding a piece of drawing paper, seemed somewhat flustered. She hurriedly put down the drawing paper and joined the surrounding cultivators in welcoming Ji Shulin.
Yang Zhen looked over in surprise and saw that it was Tian Rou, the sweet-smiling girl.
Tian Rou looked embarrassed. She wanted to lower her clasped hands and looked at the drawing paper next to her with some worry, but she didn't dare.
With everyone around her welcoming her, how could a young girl like her do something so outrageous? Her face was filled with unease and awkwardness.
Yang Zhen found it interesting, glanced at the scroll, and immediately showed surprise, becoming very interested.
There was a faint hint of Literary Talent Qi emanating from that painting, though it was rather weak, and it seemed as if it was not yet finished.
After landing, Ji Shulin nodded and said, "I will preside over the Literary Brilliance event today. You are free to act as you see fit. Those who gain insight may enter the Sea Pavilion and even come with me to Turtle-Snake Island."
Upon hearing this, everyone was overjoyed and hurriedly agreed.
Ji Shulin turned his gaze to Sun Yushi and Bian Liang, nodded with a smile, and then walked to the entrance of the Sea Pavilion and sat on the high seat.
A smug look flashed across Sun Yushi's face. He walked to Bian Liang's side and said loudly to the crowd, "Gentlemen, I, Sun, am not very talented, but I would like to offer my humble opinion as a starting point. Are there any fellow Daoists who would like to compete with me today?"
Everyone was startled and shook their heads.
Sun Yushi is extremely talented, especially in painting, where he has achieved a high level of skill. Even the Queen of the Water Spirit Kingdom praises him highly. Who would want to compete with him? Wouldn't that be asking for trouble?
Although it is called the Literary Brilliance Gathering, everyone present knows in their hearts that the leader of the Literary Brilliance Gathering will definitely be chosen between Sun Yushi and Bian Liang. No one wants to lose face in front of Elder Ji, so they simply sit alone in their seats and bury themselves in comprehending their own works.
Bian Liang, a prized disciple of the Calligraphy and Book and Sword Sect and equally talented, was unwilling to let Sun Yushi shine alone. He chuckled and said, "I have long heard of Brother Sun's profound attainments in calligraphy and painting. Why don't we have a contest here, with all the fellow Daoists present acting impartially and Elder Ji making the final judgment?"
Upon hearing this, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Bian Liang and Sun Yushi with excitement.
The two were like oil and water, and a grand competition was inevitable.
Sun Yushi laughed heartily and said loudly, "That's exactly what I was thinking!"
After speaking, Sun Yushi turned to face Ji Shulin and said respectfully, "I beg Elder Ji to grant this junior this opportunity!"
Ji Shulin nodded, stood up from his high seat, and said, "Since ancient times, there has never been a first in literature, but there has always been a second in martial arts. Since you two are willing to compete, then I will make the judgment!"
Bian Liang and Sun Yushi exchanged a smile and moved almost simultaneously.
The wolf-hair brushes in their hands flashed, each emitting a burst of light, and they exchanged a surprised glance.
"They're actually Law Treasure! These... the wolf-hair pens in their hands are both four-star Law Treasure! That's truly extravagant!"
"This is going to be interesting; we'll actually get to see a battle between two four-star Law Treasure!"
"Who do you think will win?"
"Without a contest, it's impossible to know the outcome. However, Bian Liang is adept at accumulating talent yet keeps a low profile, while Sun Yushi diligently studies literature yet exudes an air of arrogance. Between the two, Bian Liang seems to be more profound!"
The crowd discussed it animatedly, unanimously favoring the two. Everyone had their own reasons for their judgment, and the debate raged on for a time.
Just then, an inappropriate voice suddenly rang out. "Come on, place your bets now! The top scholar of the Water Spirit Kingdom is a man of exceptional talent, and the genius of the Book and Sword Sect is a master of literature. The two are evenly matched. To support your Child of Heaven's Selection, I've decided to open a betting shop. Place your bets now, or the house will pay out in a tie. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
Upon hearing this voice, everyone was stunned. Some people angrily searched for the source of the sound and saw Yang Zhen holding up a large sign with two baskets beside him. One basket was labeled Sun Yushi, and the other was labeled Bian Liang.
"Outrageous! Such a refined and elegant event, and you openly gamble on it? It's truly an insult to culture, an insult to culture... Wait, Bian Liang's odds are so high?"
"This is outrageous! It's a disgrace to the reputation of us scholars! Brother, don't push! I'm betting on Bian Liang. The odds are so high; if Bian Liang wins, I won't have to worry about Cultivation Resources for the next three years."
"Hmph, I have plenty of crystals, I'll bet on Sun Yushi!"
"My friend, don't blame me for not warning you, even if Sun Yushi wins, you won't make much!"
"I bet on Bian Liang!"
"You are shameless! I bet... Bian Liang!"
Yang Zhen smiled broadly as she watched the basket fill with more and more crystals, squatting on the ground, unable to contain her joy.
Hua Youyue, standing behind him, looked at Yang Zhen with a blank expression, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She wanted to stop him, but didn't know how.
Beside the high seat, Ji Shulin frowned, snorted coldly, and wanted to stop this absurd behavior, but seeing the crowd bustling about and scrambling to place bets, his face immediately turned ashen. He beckoned to a Sea Pavilion disciple who was watching the commotion and whispered, "Go, help me bet 30,000 crystal stones that Sun Yushi will win. Remember, absolutely do not tell anyone!"
Sun Yushi watched with a gloomy expression as the crystals in Bian Liang's basket piled up more and more, almost like a mountain. He glared at Yang Zhen and sneered repeatedly. When he looked up and saw Hua Youyue's curious gaze on Yang Zhen, his expression became even more gloomy.
when!
A pile of crystals landed in front of Yang Zhen. Bian Liang smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Yang Zhen, may I bet on myself to win?"
Yang Zhen chuckled and put the money away, "Great, great, Fellow Bian Liang, I'll bet 50,000 crystals on myself winning!"
Sun Yushi walked over with a grim expression, threw down a pile of crystals, and said, "Sixty thousand crystals, bet on myself to win!"
"No!"
No... you won't accept it?
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped, staring at Yang Zhen in stunned silence.
Why did Bian Liang accept it, Sun Yushi didn't?
This... Yang Zhen really holds a grudge, and the way he changed his attitude is truly despicable.
"Why... why?" Sun Yushi asked, equally bewildered, his face ashen.
Yang Zhen put away the paper recording the bets, looked up at Sun Yushi, and replied seriously, "You're too ugly."
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter, even Hua Youyue couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Bian Liang laughed heartily, patted Sun Yushi on the shoulder, and said, "Brother Sun, Brother Yang may have just been speaking his mind. Don't take it to heart. The competition is the most important thing. I'll go ahead and wait for you!"
Sun Yushi sneered, squinted at Yang Zhen, and strode away without a word.
Watching Sun Yushi's retreating figure, Yang Zhen suddenly felt a pang of regret. This guy had condensed four streams of Literary Brilliance, making his match against Bian Liang almost a certain victory. But now, seeing his exasperated state, what if he underperformed and lost? Wouldn't Yang Zhen have suffered a loss?
The next moment, Yang Zhen felt better.
Sun Yushi glanced at Bian Liang with disdain, then suddenly unleashed a terrifying burst of Literary Talent Qi from his body as he stood by the desk.
A rich Literary Talent Qi surrounded Sun Yushi, his imposing presence and upright posture exuding confidence and vigor.
Everyone gasped in surprise, staring at Sun Yushi in disbelief. Even Ji Shulin let out a soft "hmm" and glanced at Sun Yushi with some surprise.