Chapter 166: Lin Yang's Poem Debuts

At this moment, Lin Yang and Jiang Yuehuo clinked cups and finished their drink in one go.

Lin Yang closed his eyes, savoring the wine's sweet and mellow flavor, then glanced at the scene in the hall.

Immediately, moved by feeling, he let out a verse: 'You do not see, the waters of the Yellow River descend from the heavens, rushing to the sea never to return.'

The voice was neither loud nor soft, yet everyone in the hall heard it.

"Hiss..."

Upon hearing this line of poetry, the crowd felt as if struck by a sudden thunderclap.

In an instant, the atmosphere of the Heroic Wine Tower shifted dramatically; a mighty, vast righteousness of heaven and earth surged forth without warning from the room where Lin Yang was.

In the private room, Jiang Yuehuo's cheeks flushed slightly, a hint of intoxication, yet she heard Lin Yang's verse.

She gasped sharply, feeling instantly drawn into a wondrous realm.

In that realm, black and white intertwined into a grand scroll; she was immersed, truly feeling the shocking impact of Lin Yang's line of poetry.

She was unskilled at composing poetry and unskilled at appreciating it.

Yet this line, spoken from Lin Yang's lips, became a scene unlike any other.

She murmured to herself, then admiringly said, 'Brother, not only is your strength extraordinary, but your literary talent is also outstanding.'

"Such a realm—perhaps it has already reached the legendary state that Confucian Dao cultivators dream of, the realm of wielding the brush to depict heaven and earth!"

The shock of Lin Yang's verse continued; the colors between heaven and earth dimmed, emanating a terrifying righteousness of heaven and earth.

This astonishing commotion naturally drew the attention of many strong individuals in the Heroic Tower at once.

"Excellent poem!"

"What a fine poem!"

The crowd could not help but exclaim in awe.

Mo Jie was even more stunned, frozen like a wooden chicken, eyes wide, his face full of disbelief.

"You do not see, the waters of the Yellow River descend from the heavens, rushing to the sea never to return?"

"How could this person compose such an exquisite line of poetry?"

He was filled with doubt; having entered the martial path through study, such an exquisite poem ought to have come from his own hand.

Yet he never imagined that such a startling, vulgar-defying poem would be recited first by someone else.

Resentment filled his heart; he clenched his teeth, his fists whitening.

The shock showed no sign of fading; even the hot-tempered Northern King Blade stood frozen in place, stunned by the verse.

He slowly lifted a bowl of wine, tipped his head back, and downed it, his mind involuntarily conjuring fantasies.

If at this moment he could drink heroic wine together with Jiang Yuehuo, with such moving verses in his ears, how delightful that would be.

It's a pity, however, that he does not know where Jiang Yuehuo currently is.

At the same time, Jiang Suan, who was about to leave the neighboring private room, halted his steps upon hearing Lin Yang's verse.

He prick up his ears to listen closely, a smile curling his lips as he said, 'My friend's poetry really does have some merit.'

Yu Xian'er was likewise deeply shaken by this line of poetry.

Over these years, to pass her family's examination, she has used poetry to provoke resonance with the Azure Sword, having read countless poems.

Yet a poem as startling and world-shaking as Lin Yang's is something she has scarcely seen in her lifetime.

For a moment, she became utterly immersed, even forgetting the purpose of her journey.

Lin Yang paused briefly, downed a cup of heroic wine, then continued reciting: 'You do not see, the bright mirror in the high hall laments white hair; in the morning it is black as silk, by evening it turns to snow.'

"Boom!"

As soon as this line of poetry fell, the entire audience once again drew a sharp breath.

Someone even couldn't help but exclaim, 'What a fine poem, so beautiful—I almost couldn't breathe from its beauty.'

Mo Jie's body jerked violently, as if struck by a heavy hammer, his complexion growing ever uglier.

Yu Xian'er also felt a violent shock in her heart, silently marveling, 'Heavens, how could the world possess such a wonderful line of poetry?'

Lin Yang remained calm, as if detached from affairs, and continued reciting: 'When life is prosperous, one must enjoy it to the fullest; do not let the golden goblet face the moon empty.'

"Come!"

"Drink!"

Lin Yang raised his cup, and immediately clinked it with Jiang Yuehuo's.

The two drank heartily, yet they were unaware that these few lines of poetry had fallen into their hearts like a stone, once again stirring up tumultuous waves in the venue.

Even Hua Xiangxi, who had long held a bias against Lin Yang, could not help but be moved by this verse.

A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes as she wondered doubtfully, 'This person… actually possesses such talent?'

However, after only a brief moment of shock, she returned to her usual aloof demeanor.

Still, she harbored resentment toward Lin Yang for finding fault with the heroic wine.

Inside the private room, Jiang Yuehuo's face was full of admiration, her starry eyes never leaving Lin Yang, as she silently sighed, 'So imposing.'

"So handsome—such an excellent man, tonight… I absolutely cannot let him slip from my grasp!"

Lin Yang, however, did not continue reciting; instead, he turned his gaze toward the Azure Sword hovering above the hall.

He curled the corner of his mouth slightly and whispered, 'Azure Sword, quit sizing me up—why not reveal yourself so we can have a proper chat?'

He sent this remark via sound transmission, a method Lin Yang deliberately used, and those present noticed nothing.

Upon hearing Lin Yang's words, the Azure Sword's body trembled slightly, as if hesitating.

To be precise, it was the mysterious entity hidden within the Azure Sword that had fallen into a brief indecision.

Lin Yang seemed to see through the Azure Sword's thoughts, gave a faint smile, and continued the sound transmission: 'Don't be shy—there's good wine here!'

A few seconds later.

Only to see, the Azure Sword gave a soft 'hum,' as if pulled by an invisible force, rushing straight toward the private room where Lin Yang was.

The speed was such that only a blue afterimage remained.

Such a scene was naturally seen by everyone present, and they all couldn't help but whisper to each other.

Could it be that the poem recited by that person in the private room triggered the resonance of the Azure Sword?

Is there even a need to guess?

Listen to the poem they're reciting: "One does not see the Yellow River's waters descending from the heavens, rushing to the sea never to return. One does not see the bright mirror in the lofty hall mourning white hair, as black silk turns to snow by morning. When life brings joy, one must fully enjoy it; do not let the golden goblet face the moon in vain." Who hearing this would not resonate?

I, however, did resonate.

After that person finished speaking, the crowd followed suit, nodding in agreement.

At this moment, Yu Xian'er also came to her senses from the earlier shock.

She lifted her head and looked toward the private room where Lin Yang was, a flash of urgency and anticipation crossing her eyes.

Afterward, she subtly signaled to Huaxiang Xi beside her.

She then lightened her posture and leapt into the air, like a lively bird, swiftly weaving through the walkways of the wine tower, rushing toward Lin Yang's private room.

Seeing this scene.

With a bang.

That was the sound of Li Du's heart aching.

With a crack.

That was the sound of Han Feng's heart splitting.

With a crackle.

That was the sound of Mo Jie's heart breaking.

They all knew that they probably would never again have a chance to win a smile from Yu Xian'er.

………………

At this moment, inside the private room, a middle-aged man in blue robes resembling a scholar sat before Lin Yang.

This man had a fair complexion, without a trace of beard.

He exuded a rich aura of righteous scholarly virtue, as if he had stepped out of a thousand-year-old classic.

This person... is none other than the incarnation of that Azure Sword!

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