How come the celestial technique I stole is so powerful?!

Fenghua Road was her creation.

The pavilion was her creation.

She even left a self-portrait in the pavilion.

Lin Xiaosu showed great interest: "Who is this person in the painting? Why leave this painting?"

The elder explained...

This painting was created by a legendary woman from Qingqiu three thousand years ago.

This woman was named Hu Ji.

Hu Ji had a twin sister named Li Ji. The two were inseparable from childhood, but three thousand years ago, Li Ji encountered a Cangyuan hero in the Jianghu and left with him. Hu Ji bid her farewell at the North Tower, playing a piece called "Boundless Sea of People," never expecting the song to become reality.

From then on, she never saw her sister again.

She inquired in many places and even entered Cangyuan, only to find out that the Cangyuan hero could not be traced, and her sister vanished from the world.

In despair, Hu Ji returned to Qingqiu and created Fenghua Road, built the Zuiyue Pavilion, and crafted a self-portrait to place there. Perhaps it was a beautiful anticipation, hoping that a guest visiting Qingqiu would see the painting and provide news of her sister, as she and her sister looked nearly identical...

The elder finished recounting the history of Fenghua Road and Zuiyue Pavilion and raised his hand, sending a stick of incense flying skyward and igniting in the wind.

The entire crowd was silent as night.

Everyone watched the performances of the two men.

Before the incense was half-burnt, Li Chengnian smiled lightly, walked to the mirror wall, and began to write...

"On Fenghua Road, the guest sleeps in Zuiyue at night. Regretting the shortness of a thousand autumns, exploring atop the Yin Yang. Who says farewell at North Tower, never to hear noise again in this life? Instead, accompany the flowing cloud, hand in hand to look towards the coming year..."

In five-word verses, the writing flowed rapidly.

Every word was a gem, every sentence substantial.

Filled with wishes for Hu Ji to find her sister.

And it was full of admiration for Hu Ji, the legendary fairy.

Everyone present nodded approvingly...

"A long poem encompassing Fenghua Road, Zuiyue Pavilion, and integrating 'North Tower,' truly a masterpiece worthy of a Beijing talent," the Second Elder said.

The Great Elder twisted his beard and laughed: "Lord Li comes from a scholarly family; his great-grandfather was once the imperial tutor of Great Wilderness!"

"For ordinary people, the imperial tutor is the pinnacle, but his great-grandfather left the palace and became a great scholar in Jiangnan, truly famous throughout the world..."

In the secret chamber, the Seventh Princess and her third sister's eyes also brightened.

Although the sisters each focus on different aspects when looking at men—for example, the Seventh Princess only looks at faces, while the third sister values a man's strength and firmness—being Fox Clan women, they still love poetry and prose.

Li Chengnian picked up the pen, and lines of expertly crafted poetry flowed naturally from the tip, with a fragrant elegance and overflowing talent that enchanted them.

Only the Saintess Qian Ling had doubt in her eyes...

Did he really write this on the spot?

Why do I find it unbelievable?

For example, there's a line: "exploring atop the Yin Yang"!

It refers to Hu Ji cultivating the Yin Yang Law.

And she seemed to have reached the peak.

Did the elders mention her cultivation laws?

No, right?

If you were hearing her story for the first time, if you didn't know her life, how would you know she cultivated the Yin Yang Law?

She suspected strongly that this was a duet between the Great Elder and him.

Leaking questions in advance, preparing in advance...

Then, what about him?

What could he write?

It's undeniable that he hails from Daxia, steeped in Daxia culture, with a mind full of ancient poetry, in this Ancient Wilderness Realm focused on cultivation, where poetry is mere leisure, there's theoretically no fear from others in this area.

However, this setting is somewhat special.

One is Mortal World, the other Immortal World; can they connect perfectly?

Li Chengnian withdrew his pen, ending with: "When can one cut the green wings and become a water-born immortal?" inscribed on the mirror wall.

The entire poem has sixteen lines, eighty characters.

It includes place names, history, admiration, wishes, and also a final piece of advice: let go.

The completeness is quite high.

The Great Elder sighed: "Lord Li's poem is said to be priceless in Beijing; seen today, it is indeed exceedingly brilliant. If Hu Ji knew, she would certainly thank the young lord!"

As his voice fell, the painting suddenly moved.

Amidst a rustling sound, the woman in the painting seemed to slightly bow.

Everyone was stunned.

Could this Zuiyue Pavilion truly be connected to the legendary woman?

Li Chengnian's poem was acknowledged by her!

This was something that had never happened before.

Li Chengnian was thrilled and gave a deep bow: "Thank you, Hu Fairy!"

"Young Master Su, now it's your turn!" the Great Elder said faintly, "Please!"

At this moment, the incense in the air was nearly burnt out.

Saintess Qian Ling lifted her gaze, her heart a bit tight.

Which poem will he write? Oh, no, which poem will he copy? In the collection of poems she held, there seemed to be nothing particularly fitting...

Lin Xiaosu lifted his gaze, and in that instant, the woman in the painting seemed to look at him too.

Her face was youthful like a 16-year-old maiden.

But her eyes were filled with endless age.

Carrying the regret of time gone by.

Bringing the worries that come with growth.

Lin Xiaosu spoke: "I will present a piece to Hu Fairy, titled: 'Tangduo Order'..."

A piece?

The crowd was slightly taken aback.

Though poetry was not widely known in the outside world, it was part of the tradition in Qingqiu because such works were suitable for singing, something the Fox Clan naturally enjoyed...

But what kind of poetry is "Tangduo Order"?

They hadn't heard of it.

Even Saintess Qian Ling, to be honest, didn't know. The collection of poetry she held was poetry; although she had seized the body of a modern person, she was a Western girl and lacked understanding of Daxia's culture.

"Reeds cover the islet shore, cold sand with the shallow flow, three thousand years later, yet another visit to the North Tower. The boat under the willow is still unsteady, how many days, and it's Mid-Autumn again?"

Li Chengnian's smile suddenly froze.

He indeed had a foundation in literature.

Hearing Lin Xiaosu recite just one line, he could easily judge whether the person was genuinely talented or a charlatan seeking fame.

Lin Xiaosu began to speak.

With just four or five lines, he was completely stunned.

This is what it means for every word to be a pearl!

This is what poetic imagery should be!

My heavens, who is this person?

A direct disciple of the Ancient Sect, with a robust body that crushed the Dragon Clan, now showing such proficiency in poetry...

Even more surprisingly, the woman in the painting suddenly changed. Her gaze slowly lifted, looking distantly at the North Tower over the misty waters, as if she too was calculating: how many days, and it's Mid-Autumn again?

Lin Xiaosu continued:

"Cranes fly off the cliff, are old friends still around? The old land thoroughly becomes new sorrow. Want to buy osmanthus and carry wine, yet it's never like, youthful travels!"

In the secret chamber, the Seventh Princess abruptly stood up, grabbed her third sister, and fiercely shook her: "Third sister, listen, listen... this is what poetry is! Brother Su, I..."

The third sister's eyes widened, her heart also in utter chaos, how could this poetry be so good? She was a regular at the brothel, accustomed to the literary dalliance, seen almost all of the most famous poets in the Great Wilderness, and even shared a bed with several, yet none could write poetry like this.

In the Zuiyue Pavilion, Li Chengnian's face turned pale.

Halfway through, his face already paled; by the time he finished, all color had drained from it.

This poem, from imagery to structure, is ten times stronger than mine!

Completely not in the same league.

Am I not seeing the calendar wrong, leaving the house? Did I really run into a ghost?

How could I possibly meet a poet of this level on the Cultivation Path?

Moreover, did I have to challenge him right in his strongest domain, thanks, Great Elder, are you doing this to me?

His gaze turned to the Great Elder at the other side of Fenghua Road, the Great Elder was also dumbfounded...

He felt so wronged!

Heaven bears witness, he had no intention of messing with Li Chengnian; he had always been helping Li Chengnian!

However, no one could have imagined that this person with immense physical prowess as his core trump card would have such literary prowess...

People might cross domains, but this kind of cross-domain should not be so vast, right? One moment, your physique surpasses the Dragon Clan, the next moment, your literary talent surpasses the world's scholars...

The Great Elder took a deep breath: "In a poetry contest, both young geniuses are a generation of Heavenly Prides; comparatively speaking, Lord Li's poetry is more fitting to the poetic essence of Zuiyue Pavilion, more layered, I believe, in this competition, Lord Li should emerge victorious!"

Saintess Qian Ling's eyes widened suddenly, hardly daring to believe her ears.

In the secret chamber, the Seventh Princess shouted loudly: "Great Elder, you illiterate..."

With a swoosh, the third sister's hand seemed to infinitely lengthen, covering her mouth: "I've already told you, this is a grand strategy, it won't change due to sudden variables."

In the scene, Saintess Qian Ling stepped out: "Great Elder, if your Qingqiu has already decided, regards of securing an alliance with the Heart Pavilion, then just say so! Arranging a poetry contest only to remain unfair, aren't you afraid that once word spreads, your Qingqiu will lose all its literary reputation, face included?"

Her words were objective.

The Great Elder's expression darkened: "Since ancient times, there's no first in literature, no second in martial arts; the path of poetry is also seen differently by everyone, Miss Ling's accusation is something I absolutely cannot agree with!"

"You..."

Suddenly, the painting in Zuiyue Pavilion lightly trembled.

Brilliant light flowed out.

Everyone's gaze dropped, greatly surprised.

The river in the painting moved, the water flowed, the clouds above shifted, leisurely in the air.

The woman in the painting moved, raising a hand gently.

In the blank space of the painting appeared lines of words...

It was exactly the "Tangduo Order" poem Lin Xiaosu had just recited.

Reeds cover the islet shore, cold sand with the shallow flow, three thousand years later, yet another visit to the North Tower. The boat under the willow is still unsteady, how many days, and it's Mid-Autumn again?

Cranes fly off the cliff, are old friends still around? The old land thoroughly becomes new sorrow. Want to buy osmanthus and carry wine, yet it's never like, youthful travels!

"Want to buy osmanthus and carry wine, yet it's never like, youthful travels!" The woman in the painting sang melodiously: "Young Master's talent is unmatched throughout the ages, with few strokes revealing the heart's dilemma of a mere girl over three thousand years, Hu Ji deeply admires!"

A bow was made on the boat, directed at Lin Xiaosu.

The scene fell into complete silence.

Two talented men entered the pavilion to compete, both unknowingly choosing this painting as the point to express their poetic spirit.

The Great Elder used his judging power to reluctantly declare Li Chengnian the winner.

However, the figure in the painting suddenly came alive, recording Lin Xiaosu's poem directly into the painting, then told Lin Xiaosu that his talent was unmatched throughout the ages.

What is this called?

A slap in the face.

The Great Elder's expression darkened: "Hu Ji! What do you intend to do?"

He was warning Hu Ji not to ruin the clan's major affairs.

Hu Ji said indifferently: "The Great Elder need not worry, I have not meddled in tribal affairs for three thousand years, and today will be no exception."

"That's good then! I hereby announce..." the Great Elder said, "Please Lord Li enter the Gui Hall, and also welcome Young Master Su and Miss Ling to rest in the guest room of Qingqiu!"

One side enters Gui Hall, one side enters the guest room.

This indicates the conclusion of the courtship request.

The one entering Gui Hall becomes the ideal son-in-law.

The one entering the guest room remains a guest!