Chapter 69 The Art of Verbal Combat: "Whom do you wish to invite to join the battle?"...
He was an elderly man dressed in a yellow shirt, with gray hair in a bun, who looked very energetic.
A half-open window, just enough to reveal one of his eyes.
Lin Feiran had already been frightened by her master in her dream, so although she was surprised at this moment, it was only fleeting.
She stepped forward and bowed respectfully before Ru Xian, saying, "Good night, senior."
The Holy Spirit blinked but did not speak, yet a voice entered his ears: "Younger generation, turn around."
She looked at Lin Feiran, but spoke to the man behind her.
Ru Xian glanced at him thoughtfully, then at Lin Feiran, before turning away as instructed, without saying another word.
As soon as he turned his back, Lin Feiran's mustard seed bag began to shake. She reached out and opened it, and the Iron Khitan Book emerged from it with a few rustling sounds, turning to the last page on its own.
The ancestor, who resided within the scroll, stood up. The lines drawn with his ink brush were not smooth, but his movements were very agile. He turned around and wrote the four characters "Play for a while and then come back" on the page. Then, he turned into a blob of thick ink and flowed out. He waved to her and left with the Holy Spirit who was waiting outside.
Lin Feiran: "..."
What a dashing grandmaster!
As if hearing no sound for a long time, the obscured moonlight once again streamed into the room. He realized that the Holy Spirit had departed, so he asked, "Shall we go?"
He didn't ask any questions, nor did he turn around; he allowed Lin Feiran to have her own secrets.
Of course, that's because he also has it.
A moment later, Lin Feiran put away the alchemical book, turned around and said, "Let's go."
The two went downstairs together, only to find that the kind owner had disappeared and the servant was nowhere to be found. However, they were not the only two in the inn at this time; there were also many other cultivators who had returned to recuperate and heal their injuries.
The parties met briefly, but did not exchange pleasantries. They simply nodded to each other and then left the inn.
At some point, many houses in Spring City began to light up with ever-burning lamps, adding a few streaks of eerie blue to the moonlit, dark city. Several holy spirits wandered through the city, casting huge shadows that resembled the overturning of clouds.
Perhaps a day had passed, and most of the cultivators had already left the Heavenly Pillar. Therefore, on the four Heavenly Pillars, the four sacrificial officials, except for Murong Qiudi, had all returned to their positions.
It seems she went to investigate the matter of those three cultivators alone.
Thinking of the cultivators, Lin Feiran suddenly remembered the letter that Wei Changzai had sent. However, the letter bird had been burned, and she really didn't know how to reply to such a simple message, so she simply put it out of her mind and went with Ru Xian to a place where lamps were lit.
This place must have originally belonged to someone, with an ever-burning lamp hanging in front of the house, a grand gate, and high walls. A pomegranate branch that once peeked out from the top of the wall is now just a withered branch, devoid of flowers and fruit.
The inner courtyard is deep and secluded, but as you walk to the main hall, the number of people increases.
The place was brightly lit and bustling with activity. The cultivators who had come here to seek flowers gathered in a circle, their eyes fixed on the center, their expressions tense. Occasionally, a few shouts would break out, as if they had seen something.
Lin Feiran and Ru Xian exchanged a glance and stepped forward together. Fortunately, they were both tall, and with a slight movement, they were able to see the interior clearly.
They were fighting each other, or more precisely, fighting a tiny person who was only three inches tall.
In the center stood a sand table, where lifelike figures fought. The people controlling it sat facing each other on either side. The one on the left was refined and gentle, with a calm and composed expression. The one on the right was the cultivator who had come here to seek flowers, and at this moment he was sweating profusely and his lips were pale.
Lin Feiran was puzzled. If he had lost, why was he so afraid?
She spoke her thoughts aloud, and the cultivator beside her turned to look. Knowing that she had just arrived, he explained succinctly.
"Of course he's scared. The one fighting in the arena is his own sister. She's being overwhelmed right now, how could he not be anxious?"
Ru Xian raised an eyebrow and looked closely. No wonder these little figures were so lifelike; they were actually real people.
Lin Feiran couldn't help but ask, "How shall we compete?"
The two figures in the arena remained expressionless. The terrified cultivator seemed to remember something and shouted, "Spirit Rhinoceros Sword! I will use the Spirit Rhinoceros Sword to break your Nine Travels Formation!"
After saying that, the suppressed figure in the arena changed his movements and began to use the Lingxi Sword, moving up and down, flipping his wrist and turning over. Although he temporarily escaped defeat, he was still unable to turn the tide.
Lin Feiran frowned slightly and looked at the person on his left, but couldn't recognize who it was, so he had to ask again, "Could this person be a powerful figure from some sect?"
The cultivator scoffed upon hearing this: "Fellow Daoist, take a closer look. He has no spiritual veins whatsoever; he's just a mortal. I've traveled to many places, and I dare say that all the flower farmers in Spring City are mortals!"
But don't expect to chat with them much; they're practically like puppets, giving the same answer to every question—it's incredibly boring!
Lin Feiran's doubts deepened: "Then how does he know so many sword techniques and spells?"
The cultivator chuckled and pointed to the sky: "Those few who are stationed at Tianzhu are not just sitting around waiting to be arrested. I encountered Ghost Pipa in a brothel in Beishi before... I won't go into the details, it was heartbreaking. I didn't expect to run into Lord Hanshan here."
"The Ghost Pipa?" Lin Feiran was always an inquisitive person.
The cultivator clicked his tongue, seemingly dissatisfied that she didn't even know about the Ghost Pipa, but then suddenly stopped and said, "That's true, you look quite young, it's normal that you don't know. The Ghost Pipa is the guardian of the boundary, Xie Kanhua."
After saying this, he looked around and couldn't help but laugh, "Xie Kanhua plays the pipa, and Xie Kanhua grows on the pipa, bouncing with each strum."
Lin Feiran: "..."
What a vivid limerick!
She smiled silently, but Ru Xian couldn't help but smile, her eyes crinkling.
The stagnant atmosphere was somewhat dispelled by this witty remark, and the other cultivators also relaxed their shoulders and necks, taking a moment to calm their minds.
Lin Feiran looked into the sand table. The battle was fierce, with the two sides' figures exchanging blows, but they were not evenly matched. The figure on the left, acting on behalf of Hanshan Jun, made a move, and the figure he controlled pressed forward almost step by step. In the end, the figure was thrown out of the battlefield.
The elder sister of the cultivator on the right suddenly regained her form as she rose into the air, crashing heavily to the ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"Sister!" The cultivator rushed off, but in just a moment, the woman's figure scattered into specks of light and disappeared.
The mortal on the left rose, bowed, and smiled, saying, "Immortal, there's no need to worry. She's just returned home and will recover after a while."
Having said that, he stopped looking around and turned to the crowd, speaking again: "The competition here is a literary contest, with few flower-themed games, only the Danruo. Danruo is used for stealing hearts and lungs. If you do not need it for the time being, you may go elsewhere."
Apart from Lin Feiran and the other two, no one else showed any surprise. The enthusiastic cultivator beside him whispered, "I've heard this more than seven times. Every time someone falls, he says it again. Doesn't he get tired of it?"
Lin Feiran didn't pay any attention and only asked, "What is the purpose of stealing hearts and lungs?"
Fan Shi paused slightly, then smiled at her and said, "It is for the purpose of stealing. A single branch of Danruo can rival the others in the Flower Ranking."
Upon hearing this, those in the room who were unaware of the situation were stunned and began to whisper among themselves. While everyone was delighted, some worries also arose. They were happy to avoid detours, but also worried about being robbed.
Fan Shi walked back to his left and sat down. He slightly raised his hand, and the little figure in the room materialized and stood beside him with a sullen expression.
Lin Feiran's brow twitched upon seeing this: "Orange blossom?"
Who else could it be but Orange Blossom, the flower girl from the Demon Capital, standing beside the mortal?
She suddenly remembered that when she first entered the city, someone had spent a lot of money to obtain the Fusang Wood and smashed it to become the number one on the Golden List. That person was Qi Chen.
This makes sense. Since Qi Chen has arrived in the city, Cheng Hua must have followed. Moreover, now that everyone in the city has become a flower farmer, she has also become a warrior on the battlefield.
Ru Xian recognized her immediately and simply said, "It's her."
"You know her?" Lin Feiran turned her head to look, puzzled, but then suddenly remembered, "Yes, she suffers from a cold-related illness and sought your treatment before."
Ru Xian tilted her head slightly and said in a low voice, "Looking for me? They've never looked for me. The reason I know is because of Qi Chen. How could I ignore a Venerable of the Carefree Realm who has taken up residence in the Demon Capital?"
Lin Feiran was momentarily confused, but upon careful recollection, she couldn't recall the words: "I must have misremembered. But she suffers from a cold ailment; can she withstand such a competition?"
Fortunately, Orange Blossom didn't have too many injuries.
"Is there anyone else who wants to fight?" Fan Shi suddenly asked, interrupting everyone's thoughts and speculations.
No one answered. Lin Feiran was also slightly hesitant because of Chenghua's presence. Just then, a hurried footstep came from the outer courtyard.
Everyone turned to look and saw a man hurrying towards them. He was handsome but had a gloomy face, exuding an indescribable hostility and fear, which made people back away. Everyone made way for him.
Lin Feiran recognized him at a glance. This was Qi Chen, who had been full of vigor and spent lavishly on the day he entered the city. Although he looked obviously tired now, it was undoubtedly him.
His robes were loose, somewhat like theatrical costumes. When he walked quickly, his sleeves fluttered like butterflies. He hurriedly flew to Chenghua's side, the gloom on his face fading, leaving only relief. He raised his hand and gently embraced her, speaking carefully.
"I've finally found you."
Someone's eyes softened, and they said with empathy, "I also brought my younger brother to the city. I only found him recently, but he became a flower farmer and doesn't recognize me at all."
As he said, Orange Blossom did not respond to Qi Chen. She simply stood beside Fan Shi with a demure yet lifeless smile.
The mortal raised his eyes, his smile identical: "Would the immortal master like to engage in a literary contest?"
Qi Chen's expression turned cold. He grabbed Cheng Hua's wrist and demanded, "Why are you taking the flower farmer away?"
Fan Shi had not expected this question. He paused for a long time before slowly speaking, his intonation and rhythm making him seem like a completely different person.
"If you win here, you will be removed from the sand table, and another person will take your place in the sand table. However, she will do this until the Flying Flowers event ends."
Someone immediately recognized him: "Hanshan Jun? I knew it! He's the only one here who can win a literary contest against everyone else!"
However, Qi Chen did not hesitate or worry, and sat down directly. Although he had not even asked about the rules, he knew what the literary contest meant. As soon as he sat down, he raised his hand and said to begin.
Fan Shi's tone remained as slow as ever: "We need to invite an outsider into the sand table. Who would you like to call?"
Qi Chen didn't think for long before a servant entered the room as soon as he thought of someone.
"I don't have many friends, but I do have a very clever fellow. In a battle of wits, I'm sure he won't lose to you."
He himself was a Venerable of the Free and Unfettered Realm. Although Lord Hanshan was famous, he was far inferior to him in terms of realm.
The mortal, also known as Lord Hanshan, sat high on the Heavenly Pillar, holding an ancient book. He coughed twice, slowly turned the pages, and said, "Since your weakness is here, I will give you three moves to avoid accusing me of unfairness."
Everyone knows that Han Shan Jun has a sharp tongue, and upon hearing this, Qi Chen's expression immediately turned cold.
In an instant, Orange Blossom reappeared. The hands that used to pick flowers and pluck leaves were now holding two long swords, assuming a sword-wielding stance.
Hanshan Jun simply said, "Don't be reluctant. Win as soon as possible so that she can escape her suffering."
Qi Chen no longer hesitated and simply said, "The eighteenth move of the Three Autumns Sword Technique, Tranquil Water."
As soon as he finished speaking, the servant immediately drew his sword and stepped forward. He also wielded two swords, his left hand thrusting the blade downwards while his right hand slashed horizontally, executing the standard Three Autumns Sword Technique, his swords crossing like autumn scissors.
Every martial art has its flaws; there is no perfect method that can be universally applied. Just as stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade, when people study martial arts, they will try to find the weaknesses and then use other methods to overcome them. This is the origin of the literary competition.
Literary debate is another kind of theoretical strategizing.
Hanshan Jun didn't even look at it, and simply said, "Fufeng Step, this is your first move."
Orange Blossom sheathed her twin swords, took three steps to the left and three feet to the right, each step precisely avoiding the sword flashes.
Qi Chen breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing this, but was also a little scared.
After the first move, he became hesitant and timid, wanting to win but unwilling to hurt Chenghua. He was constantly on the defensive and retreated step by step. The servant was just one step away from leaving the battlefield.
However, his retreat was not entirely due to Chenghua. The main reason was Hanshanjun, who was weak but excellent in literary combat. He was well-read and could find flaws in any method.
If this were a real martial arts battle, Hanshan Jun would have been captured long ago. But this is a battle of wits, and the techniques are already set in stone, so they cannot be changed according to his will.
About half an hour later, Qi Chen was defeated. The servant was removed from the sand table, his figure disappeared, and he returned to the demon capital, leaving Qi Chen alone standing in the same place.
"You lost." Han Shan Jun's tone was firm, showing no surprise.
Qi Chen's expression was somber. He gripped the corner of the sand table tightly with one hand, looked at Fan Shi, and a chilling killing intent flashed in his eyes.
He was not actually afraid of this secret realm.
Orange Blossom had given him many kinds of flowers, all of which he carefully kept in his mustard bag. If anyone had the most complete collection of flowers at this time, it would undoubtedly be him.
Of the twelve flower patterns, he is only missing one: a winter plum blossom.
Moreover, if he wanted to kill Hanshan Jun, he had a way to break his own restrictions. However, he couldn't be sure that he could restore Chenghua's sanity after killing Hanshan Jun.
Fan Shi stood up and, just as before, calmly finished recounting the matter of the Danruo Flower Order. He then sat back down in his original seat with a smile on his face. Cheng Hua walked to his side and stood down. The two of them looked exactly the same as before.
"Is there anyone else who wants to fight?" Fan Shi asked again.
As everyone remained silent, someone suddenly said, "Perhaps I could give it a try."
Turning around, I saw Lin Feiran standing outside the crowd, her expression as usual. She walked to the opposite side of Fan Shi and sat down. In fact, she did not do anything arrogant, but her calmness was inexplicably convincing.
They were stunned to see such spirit in a young girl.
Han Shan Jun then looked away, slightly lowered his book, and asked, "Whom do you wish to invite to join the battle?"
Lin Feiran had already thought of this, and now she smiled and raised her hand, saying, "Him."
A flash of inspiration, and the person who was originally inside the viewing platform suddenly appeared before them.
Xuan Zhen stood up, looked around as if in doubt, then stared wide-eyed at Lin Feiran, pointing her right index finger at herself, and said incredulously, "Me, I'll fight?"
Inside the viewing platform, Biqing, who had already rolled up her sleeves, was extremely indignant: "Him?
Xun Feifei stood up, then silently sat back down. Her gaze swept over the demons looking behind her, she coughed lightly, adjusted her silver mask, and said only, "It looks like it's him."
A message from the author: Wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and a joyous family reunion!
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