Chapter 35: Wei Cang's Unshakable Confidence!

Chapter 35: Wei Cang's Unshakable Confidence!

"Seems my senior brother couldn't wait a single day more."

Li Qingchen chuckled and shook his head, calculating the days.

Today was the last day of the two-year period.

"Well, it's time to conclude Changqing's two years of study with a perfect ending."

"Hopefully, Little Ling Si won't be too discouraged."

Li Qingchen sighed, wondering why anyone would challenge Changqing in a literary contest.

Even Shu Han, the embodiment of the Scholar Saint, couldn't hold his head high against Changqing. What chance did the newly apprenticed Ling Si have?

Without further thought, Li Qingchen closed his eyes, his divine consciousness connecting with the heavens and earth.

...

Central Continent, the Holy Academy.

In the Scholar Hall, the Immortal Child's token of longevity suddenly radiated with light.

Shortly after, a figure in a slightly ethereal green robe strolled out.

The scholars inside, who were reading, were all startled at his appearance. They then paid their respects with fervent reverence.

"Welcome, Mr. Li."

Li Qingchen smiled and nodded, then glanced outside the academy and softly said,

"Serve tea and prepare to welcome our guest."

Though no one could see the guest, the scholars did not dare to be careless. They quickly prepared the tea and stood by the door, awaiting the guest's arrival.

Moments later, the academy's entrance was filled with noise.

A white-haired elder with bright eyes strode in.

"Hmph! You sure returned quickly."

Seeing Li Qingchen, Wei Cang's expression was far from friendly as he took a seat.

Li Qingchen remained unperturbed; he understood his senior brother's resentment.

"Senior Brother, you're eager to see me just as the deadline arrives, aren't you?"

Li Qingchen smiled, pouring a cup of tea for Wei Cang.

"Eager? Of course I am!"

Wei Cang stared at Li Qingchen for a long time before speaking, "I've waited long enough to beat you."

"From my youthful black hair to these white locks, from my fiery youth to my weary old age!"

"How much longer do you expect me to wait? How much longer can I wait?"

Wei Cang laughed, "I know one victory won't prove much."

"But at least when I meet the old man in the afterlife, I can proudly say, 'I won!'"

Winning was Wei Cang's obsession, his rebellion against the unfair treatment he received from his father.

His voice was calm, but Li Qingchen heard the desperation in it.

He remained silent, unsure how to respond.

If it were just a simple win, he could have granted Wei Cang victory countless times over the years.

But he couldn't!

It was his master's final request on his deathbed.

Wei Cang must lose, must fail, only through continuous defeat could his path to greatness be realized.

Or perhaps, the truly terrifying legacy of the Wei family could only reach its peak through extreme suppression.

"Senior Brother, when you finally achieve your path, you'll understand."

"In Master's eyes, you are the most outstanding."

Li Qingchen sighed, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

He looked at his white-haired senior brother, hardened his resolve, and said,

"Senior Brother, since I agreed to the literary contest, I won't go back on my word. However, the contest must take place outside of Central Continent, in the Southern Region."

"Additionally, during the contest, no one can reveal their identity or cultivation level. We must all act as ordinary mortals."

The two-year period had ended, and Changqing was about to begin his cultivation.

He couldn't let a simple contest ruin the Su family's efforts.

Wei Cang waved his hand, curious but not pressing for details, and said,

"As long as you arrive on time, these conditions are not a problem."

"Today, I will invite the Great Scholar 'Mo Lan' and the Great Scholar 'Yi Xian' to be witnesses."

Seeing that the details were almost settled, Wei Cang stood up to invite the witnesses.

At that moment, Li Qingchen stopped him, "Senior Brother, this is a family matter. There's no need to involve outsiders."

"Whoever wins, we'll know the outcome, won't we?"

Mo Lan and Yi Xian might not be the strongest in cultivation, but their status in the Scholar path was extremely high.

They were even renowned before Li Qingchen, respected elders in the Scholar path.

Li Qingchen's intention was simple: a simple contest didn't warrant the trouble of involving others.

Secondly, he was also afraid that Wei Cang would lose too embarrassingly, which would be a laughingstock if it got out.

After all, Changqing and Ling Si were on entirely different levels.

“So what if we’re family? Fairness must be upheld in everything!”

Wei Cang looked at Li Qingchen, his face serious as he said, “I know your chances of winning this time are slim, and you want to save some face.”

“But sometimes, losing isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

“Even though I’m certain to win this time, if I were to lose, I would only come back stronger!”

With that, Wei Cang turned and walked away, his sleeves fluttering behind him.

Li Qingchen watched Wei Cang leave, musing over his words, a smile creeping onto his face. “My brother is about to achieve the Dao.”

...

Central State City.

After leaving the Saint Academy, Wei Cang directly invited two great scholars and headed to White Deer Academy.

Molu and Yi Xian, the two great scholars, though elderly with white hair, were highly interested in this literary contest.

After all, both participants were renowned figures in the Scholarly Dao, and they were eager to see the outcome.

Thus, Wei Cang didn’t need to say much to get them on board.

On the way, Scholar Molu asked with a smile, “I see you’ve been smiling all the way, Wei Chancellor. Are you very confident about this literary contest?”

“Ha ha ha, my disciple may have started late, but she has a natural talent. I believe she will have no trouble winning this contest.”

Hearing the question, Wei Cang couldn’t help but laugh heartily, his face beaming with confidence.

He felt that this time, his chances of winning against Li Qingchen were the closest they had ever been! For a moment, he felt the youthful exuberance of a young man.

After all, Li Qingchen had always been the one who had overshadowed him. How could he not be excited?

“Oh? Where does this confidence come from, Wei Chancellor?”

“That’s Li Qingchen’s disciple. Though she started a bit late, she’s certainly no ordinary person.”

Scholar Yi Xian, who was walking beside him, asked curiously.

“Haha, confidence, of course, comes from strength.”

Wei Cang didn’t hesitate to praise, “Ling Si has been practicing the Scholarly Dao since she was young, with a natural talent for literature. She has already achieved mastery in both music and chess!

Her calligraphy and painting recently entered the ‘Intent’ realm!”

“Tell me, do you think my confidence is misplaced?”

Hearing this, Scholars Molu and Yi Xian couldn’t help but nod in admiration. “To achieve the ‘Intent’ realm at such a young age, and in two different arts! She’s truly a prodigy, far surpassing her peers.”

“Li Qingchen’s disciple has always been relatively unknown, and he’s only been teaching her for two years. It will be difficult for him to win this time.”

In the Scholarly Dao, those who could grasp the ‘Intent’ were already remarkable figures.

Considering Ling Si’s age, even the two great scholars couldn’t find any fault. Calling her a prodigy was no exaggeration.

“Ha ha ha.”

Hearing the praise from the two great scholars, Wei Cang’s smile grew even wider.

“Actually, Ling Si’s strongest skill isn’t in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, but in poetry!”

“I once heard one of her poems by chance, and even I must admit that I can’t match her.”

The two great scholars’ eyes lit up at this.

Wei Cang was the head of an academy and a great scholar himself. For him to admit that he couldn’t match a poem was a significant statement.

Scholar Molu couldn’t help but ask, “Wei Chancellor, could we hear the poem?”

Wei Cang smiled and said, “I only heard the first two lines, and I didn’t ask for the full poem.”

“It seems Ling Si prepared it specifically for this literary contest.”

He cleared his throat and spoke slowly:

“To meet is hard, to part is hard, the east wind weakens as all flowers wither. The silkworm spins silk until it dies, the candle weeps until it turns to ash.”

He chuckled, “I only heard half of the poem, and the rest you’ll have to ask my disciple.”

Despite hearing only half of the poem, Scholars Molu and Yi Xian were visibly stunned, their minds lingering on the words.

After hearing Wei Cang’s words, Scholar Yi Xian immediately declared, “Even half of this poem is enough to be considered a masterpiece! There is no one among her peers who can match it!”

“This contest is as good as won for your disciple!”

With the affirmation from the two great scholars, Wei Cang laughed even louder.

At that moment, his confidence was at an all-time high!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end