The water boiled gently, emitting a faint fragrance—neither too strong nor too weak, just right. It swirled slowly.
The old man's eyes brightened. Admiring the smooth and flowing tea preparation before him, he couldn't help but exclaim, "I've long heard of Mr. Er Xia's excellent tea brewing skills, and today I'm finally fortunate enough to taste it..."
Er Xia smiled, looked at Li Zhidong, and said, "Apart from taking on a disciple, my purpose for coming to Snow State was for a certain person."
Li Zhidong held up his tea bowl, gently blew on the steam, and took a sip. With bright eyes, he said, "Sword Sect?"
"Su Bei." Er Xia gently set down his tea bowl and replied.
Li Zhidong stroked his short beard, his gaze piercing as he scrutinized Er Xia. Then, with a thoughtful and gentle smile, he said, "Perhaps, ah, there's no need to go to the Sword Sect..."
Along the way, the number of passersby gradually increased. Many carried brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, seemingly intent on writing something. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on ɴovᴇl(F)ɪre.ɴet
As Su Bei observed these people, he noted their cultivation levels were generally not high. Most were at the Qi Cultivation or Foundation Establishment Realm; those above were remarkably few.
"Brother, are you also here to attend the Lantern Poetry Event?" Noticing Su Bei's uncommon appearance, a young man wearing a scholar's headband looked at him curiously.
"Lantern Poetry Event?" Su Bei paused. I was unaware that Luoxue City actually had such a festival? This is Dongfeng Ancient Country, isn't it? Why would there be a Lantern Poetry Event?
Seeing Su Bei's somewhat confused look, the young man smiled and said, "The Confucian Sage's direct disciple, Mr. Er Xia, has come to our Luoxue City. It seems he is an old acquaintance of the City Lord of Luoxue City."
"For some reason, as it coincided with today's Lantern Festival, he spontaneously organized this Lantern Poetry Event!"
"At this poetry event, any debut poem destined to become a classic will evoke a celestial phenomenon. The more spectacular the phenomenon, the finer the poem is considered!"
"It might also grant the opportunity to be taken as a direct disciple by Mr. Er Xia!"
Listening to the cultivator's excited description, Su Bei understood. After all, most attendees were ordinary people seeking entertainment. Even the cultivators present seemed to prioritize poetry and elegant literature over dedicated cultivation, which likely explained the generally low cultivation levels.
After waving goodbye to the cultivator, Su Bei squinted, gazing at the distant city towers.
A debut poem witnessed by the public that can evoke a celestial phenomenon? What if I were to write out that "Green Jade Case" poem? Wouldn't it confirm the suspicion in my heart? Have I ever actually written this poem? If so... Su Bei took a deep breath. I hope that all this... doesn't develop into something bizarre!
As he was thinking, suddenly, a wondrous sight occurred within the city. Countless carp emerged from the icy water, leaping fervently; the scene was utterly spectacular!
These carp continuously leaped above the water, their movements creating ripples like cresting waves!
"Look, the carp are surfacing!"
Amidst the clamor, countless eyes were drawn to this phenomenon.
"Has someone composed a great line of poetry?"
"I wonder who possesses such literary talent to evoke this 'Thousand Carp Shining Brightly' scene!"
"Indeed, indeed! Such a phenomenon is a once-in-a-century sight in Dongfeng!"
"Isn't it obvious? It must be Mr. Er Xia!"
The three women also stared wide-eyed at the scene before them, their hands covering their mouths.
And just at that moment, suddenly, the gate tower opened, bells rang out, and then a voice carried from atop the tower:
"Since Elder Su has already arrived in Luoxue City, why didn't you inform me?"
The voice was incredibly loud. Instantly, countless people began looking around, a buzz rippling through the crowd.
Perhaps there were many individuals known as Elder Su in the world. However, at this very moment, in Luoxue City, in Snow State—and fueled by the prevailing buzz—only one Elder Su came to everyone's mind: the Elder Su from the Sword Sect!
Su Bei exchanged glances with the three women and couldn't help but smile wryly. He hadn't expected to be discovered after all.
Why am I being summoned at this time?