Chapter 251 – The Startling Swan Banquet at Qian Court Peak (Five)

In an instant, the atmosphere on site shifted dramatically—one could aptly describe it as “the wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountains.”

The crowd’s gazes repeatedly swept over Ye Kuang and Shang Bai, and an inexplicable, terrifying thought emerged in their minds:

That Ye Kuang, seemingly at the Peak of the Empty Brightness Realm, might actually be able to compete with Senior Brother Shang Bai, who had reached the Dao Inquiry Realm!

The reason was simple: from beginning to end, he had remained neither haughty nor humble, exuding unwavering determination and confidence.

Just as everyone was lost in thought, a young man suddenly appeared in the Third Floor Hallway.

Dressed in elegant white robes, with a face as fair as jade and refined, dignified manners, he gently fanned himself with a folding fan as he walked, drawing countless hopeful gazes.

Among them were infatuated young women, their eyes intoxicated, almost rushing forward to confess their feelings on the spot.

Truly, it was as the saying goes: “Whose young master is this, so gallant and free? I’d gladly wed him and live contentedly.”

And this person was none other than the Little Poetry Immortal, Senior Brother Shang Bai!

“An ant trying to shake a mighty tree—this speaks of overestimating oneself. Do you think you have the capability?”

“Whether I have the capability or not, I neither know nor care to find out. Instead, I prove the meaning of being human through action: unswayed by wealth or rank, unmoved by poverty or obscurity, unyielding to power or force.”

“Self-righteous and arrogant—there are many like you. But in the end, how many ever achieve greatness?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but laugh heartily, declaring, “Each age brings forth new genius on this noble land, and each leads for centuries. Throughout history, who has remembered every single one of them? Do not belittle the people of this world with such narrow-minded views.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his resonant words struck like a sudden clap of thunder.

Shang Bai couldn’t help but feel a chill upon hearing this, realizing only then that the person before him was far more troublesome than he had imagined.

“Of course, I dare not belittle the people of this world. However, for those who think they can do as they please just because they have a bit of skill, that’s a different matter,” Shang Bai said.

Ye Kuang: “Ha! What a ‘different matter’! Tell me, are there few who act recklessly here? I am but a drop in the ocean, insignificant and expendable. Yet when I encounter injustice, I naturally must speak out.”

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but glance around, suddenly pointing at the two figures lying on the ground and demanding, “Since this banquet is said to be for disciples of the three academies, why have some committed such disgraceful acts? I ask everyone present: who among us did not grow step by step from Yuandao Academy? Yet now, we face discrimination. I ask: who gave them the audacity?!”

Upon hearing this, Shang Bai’s expression changed, as if he too had realized where the problem lay.

Thinking it over, Shang Bai naturally couldn’t speak bluntly.

After all, if he answered poorly, the consequences would be severe.

“What did they do?”

“What did they do? Go ask them yourself.”

Hearing this, Shang Bai pursed his lips slightly.

At the same time, two figures quietly appeared, lifting the two unconscious individuals and vanishing in the blink of an eye.

With no evidence left to confront, even someone as sharp-tongued as Ye Kuang nearly burst out cursing.

Truly, even if a deity descended to earth, they would have no proof.

Shang Bai: “They have already lost consciousness. We will question them after this matter is settled.”But as the words faded, he immediately countered with the same accusation: “Not only are you arrogant, but you also relied on your superior strength to severely injure two Junior Brothers from Kun Dao Academy. Am I wrong?”

The moment these words were spoken, Shang Bai’s skill in distorting the truth was executed flawlessly.

Shang Bai was clearly looking for an excuse to escalate the situation!

At this thought, Ye Kuang found himself momentarily speechless. Though he had never seen the Black and White Impermanence, he had truly witnessed the treachery of the Human Realm.

How could the turmoil in his heart be fully expressed in mere words?

“Senior Brother Shang Bai has already said it all. What else can I deny?”

“So, you admit that what I described earlier is true?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but tense inwardly and abruptly asked, “What do you intend to do?”

“It’s not about what I intend, but what you intend. Will you argue based on reason, debate the rights and wrongs, or resist to the end, even if it means mutual destruction?” Shang Bai said.

Upon hearing this, Ye Kuang narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly recognizing how troublesome this opponent was.

Not only had Shang Bai omitted the cause of the conflict entirely, striking directly at the heart of the issue, but he was also using it to force Ye Kuang into submission. If Ye Kuang were to nod and say “yes,” the two sides would completely tear off all pretenses, and the one who would become his opponent would naturally not be Shang Bai himself.

The answer to who his enemy was seemed ready to burst forth!

But if he yielded to this, it would create a shackle for his future Realm breakthroughs.

Understanding it wouldn’t necessarily mean his luck was flourishing, while failing to understand would lead him down the path of Qi deviation, resulting in immediate death.

It had to be said that Shang Bai’s words were exceptionally sharp, arguably the most formidable Ye Kuang had ever encountered in his life.

At this thought, how could he allow his opponent to lead him by the nose? So, he spoke clearly and confidently: “I am a person who has always been stubborn. Sometimes, if things are discussed amicably, everyone can coexist peacefully. But if someone schemes in the shadows, thinking they’re clever—well, then I’m sorry.”

“Do you have the capability?” Shang Bai said.

Ye Kuang: “Whether I have the capability or not, you can try and find out.”

Hearing this, Shang Bai, as if victory was already in his grasp, said straightforwardly: “Trying is a must. But since we’re speaking amicably, there’s no need for violence. The purpose of this banquet is to make friends through literature, and I cannot casually change the rules set by our ancestors. Why don’t we take this opportunity to happily compete in poetry and song, preserving the original intent of our scholarly pursuits?”

Then, shifting his tone, Shang Bai continued: “Of course, if you can best me, this matter will be dropped. But if you lose…”

Ye Kuang immediately replied: “I’ll accept any punishment!”

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Shang Bai couldn’t help but laugh heartily: “Excellent! Truly, heroes emerge from the young—swift and decisive.”

“Let the music begin!”

As he spoke, several dozen strong men rushed down from the second floor and swiftly cleaned and tidied the first floor.

“Zheng, zheng, zheng…”

At that moment, the gentle strains of a zither gradually filled the air, causing the tense atmosphere to seemingly dissipate.

The earlier war of words had left the crowd still unable to regain their composure.Some felt it was a pity, deeply regretting that the two sides hadn’t come to blows, while others breathed a quiet sigh of relief, thinking to themselves: if a fight had broken out, what would they have done?

In an instant, the entire Eight Directions Inn fell into profound silence, with everyone wide-eyed and alert, ready for the upcoming poetry and verse competition.