As Jing Kun spoke, all the scholars focused intently.
After all, in recent years, the young man before them had been making waves.
With outstanding looks and unparalleled literary talent, he not only earned the recognition of Lin Scholar in just a few years but also had an ambiguous relationship with the Prime Minister’s Daughter.
Rumor had it that even the Third Princess favored him, and the Qingyi Workshop Master showed him special care.
Handsome, talented, and overflowing with luck in love—no wonder everyone envied him!
How unfair!
Indeed, people like this deserved to be punished by fire!
At that moment, another elder beside the Emperor, the current Qi Grand Tutor, though a sworn enemy of Lin Scholar, still acknowledged Jing Kun’s talent.
However, this brat’s sharp tongue had bested him several times, and remembering it made his teeth itch with resentment.
The personal eunuch by the Emperor’s side trembled slightly upon hearing Jing Kun’s words.
He glanced at His Majesty, whose expression remained unchanged, and then at the nearby Lu Sect Leader, who also appeared calm.
But… that poem’s title…
Qin Mu’s mouth fell open at Jing Kun’s words, and he didn’t even notice the chicken leg dropping from his mouth.
No way, brother, you really are from my hometown, huh?
Fortunately, though he had also recited , only Yan’er Aunt had heard him, so the problem wasn’t too big.
Qin Mu glanced at Yan’er Aunt beside him and his face instantly changed.
At this moment, Wang Yan’er’s gaze was locked onto Jing Kun, her brows tightly furrowed, and a murderous aura seemed to rise around her.
“Gulp.”
Qin Mu broke out in a cold sweat.
“Yan’er Aunt, calm down, there’s no need to be so angry.”
Wang Yan’er spoke sharply.
“This little thief definitely overheard your poem just now, Mu’er.”
“Ah, Yan’er Aunt, maybe it’s just the same name. What if the content is different?”
Qin Mu inwardly prayed that the guy wouldn’t recite Su Dada’s entire poem word for word—at least change a line or two.
“Hmph! Then let’s wait and see.”
Wang Yan’er found the reasoning sound and decided to watch for now.
However, seeing Jing Kun’s confident demeanor, Qin Mu feared he would copy it completely.
Sigh, better think of a way to stop Yan’er Aunt from exploding when the time came.
Opposite Jing Kun sat noble Dukes and Imperial Family members who had come to observe, among them two stunningly beautiful young women.
Their eyes sparkled with anticipation as they looked at Jing Kun.
Not far away, a beautiful woman in blue occasionally glanced at Jing Kun as well.
“Ahem, Your Majesty, this is a lyric I composed, and it even has a melody.”
As soon as he spoke, the hall erupted.
Composing lyrics on the spot was one thing, but adding a melody—brother, were you trying to make a cow fly to the sky?
“Let’s listen to the lyrics first.”
The Emperor spoke.
He wanted to hear for himself.
If the content truly matched the poem composed by Lu Sect Leader’s junior, then…
Jing Kun scanned the audience and fixed his gaze on Qi Grand Tutor.
“Grand Tutor, last time you said my writings were unworthy of the great halls. If this poem wins the top prize, does that mean your old eyes are dim?”
Everyone present was somewhat aware of the animosity between Qi Grand Tutor and Jing Kun, but to say this in front of the Emperor was a direct slap to Qi Grand Tutor’s face.
The scholars evaluated Jing Kun’s move—bold.
Jing Kun smiled triumphantly.
“Your Majesty, please forgive my humble offering.”
“‘When was the bright moon born—’”
As he began, the personal eunuch beside the Emperor felt a chilling cold.
Despite his own Soul Formation Realm cultivation, he shivered.
He turned and saw that Lu Sect Leader, who had appeared calm moments ago, now wore a frosty expression.
Beside Qin Mu, as Jing Kun spoke, Wang Yan’er’s gaze turned icy.
The terrifying pressure made Young Master Qin tremble.
With each line Jing Kun recited, the scholars in attendance were awestruck by the artistry—higher than a three-story building!
“‘May we all live long and share the beauty of the moon, even if thousands of miles apart.’”
As the words landed, the hall fell silent—terrifyingly so.
Then, thunderous applause erupted.
“Good! Good! Truly worthy of a genius youth—such talent is unattainable!”
“Of course, the title of genius isn’t given for nothing!”
At this moment, Jing Kun was immensely proud.
Looking at Qi Grand Tutor’s livid face, he grinned.
“Qi Grand Tutor, how do you rate my poem?”
Qi Grand Tutor’s forehead veins bulged, but he could do nothing.
After all, this poem was indeed excellent.
As everyone savored the poem, in a corner, a shadowy figure glared at Jing Kun, a thread of red killing intent winding around his fingertip.
None of the Soul Formation or even Lu or Wang Yan’er noticed anything amiss.
After a while, the Emperor spoke slowly.
“This lyric is excellent. In the future, such masterpieces will be rare.”
Jing Kun’s expression lit up.
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s praise!”
However, the Emperor ignored Jing Kun, lifted the teacup, took a sip, and looked at him.
“I ask you—is this poem truly your own creation?”
“Of course! Your Majesty, I composed this lyric tonight, inspired by the moon.”
Jing Kun declared confidently.
After arriving in this world, he had read the historical records.
Great literary figures like Li Dada and Su Dada did not exist.
So, he saw no harm in using their works—these days, literary plagiarists were everywhere; one more made no difference.
“You may step down first, and wait—”
Before the Emperor could finish, Bang!
A surge of true energy swept through the hall, the terrifying pressure striking fear into every heart.
Boom!
A stream of true energy shot toward Jing Kun.
Facing such a terrifying force, Jing Kun tasted death for the first time.
Swish!
A blue-clad figure appeared before Jing Kun, flipping her hand to reveal a Copper Mirror.
“Merge!”
With a clear cry, the true energy slowly dissipated.
The beautiful woman in blue looked grave.
She gazed in a certain direction.
“Senior, to strike without cause—can you give a reason?”
Shua!
The Nascent Soul Realm and Soul Formation Realm cultivators tasked with protecting the Dukes surrounded the woman, faces tense.
“Yan’er Aunt! Yan’er Aunt! Wait!”
A youth’s voice rang out.
A beautiful, imposing woman wearing a veil appeared before everyone, followed by a young man rushing after her.
Wang Yan’er glanced at the beautiful woman in blue, her gaze locking onto the Copper Mirror.
“A fine Fabao. To block my attack, it seems your Qingyi Workshop still has some foundation.”
The blue-clad beauty looked at Wang Yan’er.
She couldn’t sense her cultivation, but the other’s strength was at least a full major realm higher than hers.
The blue-clad beauty was a half-step out-of-body cultivator; a realm higher would be Crossing Tribulation!
Such a powerful being was as rare and elusive as a Divine Dragon.
How could she appear here?!