374: Chapter 159: A Discussion of Dao Resulting from a Mix-up_3 374: Chapter 159: A Discussion of Dao Resulting from a Mix-up_3 Therefore, when Cao Zhen proposed they engage in a Dao debate it was his intention to do so in front of everyone, to best the Thousand Caves Door.
Seeing that Elder Huan Kong gave no response, Cao Zhen thought for a moment before continuing, “Elder Huan Kong, I don’t mean to disrupt your rules.
It’s just that we… we have urgent matters and need to hurry on our way.” Initially, he wanted to say that they were eager to go to the Capital City, but after some thought, he felt it unwise to state that overtly.
Others would think, what do they mean by that?
The envoys going to the Capital City can defeat them in a contest of spells—blatantly saying this would be a slap in their face, wouldn’t it?
So, he could only hint at it.
Upon hearing this, Elder Huan Kong sneered internally even more.
Were they trying to provoke him?
Did they truly believe they were destined to win?
Did they really think that winning against the Mad Grass Cave would mean they could surpass them, the Thousand Caves Door, in the Dao of Calligraphy?
Chang Tiance’s calligraphy was indeed not bad, but in previous years, it would not necessarily have been enough to outshine the most outstanding disciples of the Thousand Caves Door.
Not to mention, this year, the Thousand Caves Door has a disciple acclaimed to have the greatest calligraphy talent in a millennium, Shen Xing Hai from the Dark Ink Cave!
To think they want to best us in front of all the members of the Thousand Caves Door.
Fine, since they wish to embarrass themselves, let us indulge them.
Elder Huan Kong sneered inwardly, but his face revealed an amiable smile as he said understandingly, “Since Peak Master Cao has this intention, it wouldn’t be right for us, the Thousand Caves Door, to refuse.
Snow Peak, go and spread the word.
Please have all thirty-six disciples specializing in the art of calligraphy and painting from the Thousand Caves Door take their places here.
Of course, if any of the Cave Masters have time, they too can come and witness the talent of the disciples of the Hundred Peaks Sect.
Other disciples, if not occupied, are also welcome to watch our Dao debate with our friends from the Hundred Peaks Sect.”
Lin Xuefeng immediately understood the implicit meaning in Elder Huan Kong’s words and hurriedly nodded, “Your disciple will go and make the announcement right away.”
No sooner had his voice fallen than his figure had vanished. The rightful source is novel⚑fire.net
Originally, the majority of those surrounding the Dao discussion platform were disciples of the Hundred Peaks Sect, but as Lin Xuefeng departed, one after another, disciples from the Thousand Caves Door began to gather.
In the distance, Cave Masters and disciples from the thirty-six caves of calligraphy of the Thousand Caves Door were approaching.
Elder Huan Kong watched as the crowd arrived, his gaze quickly settling on a disciple—a handsome young man imbued with an air of profound confidence, someone who stood out even in a crowd, catching everyone’s eye at a glance.
With a wave of his hand and a chuckle, he said, “Xing Hai, this disciple from the Hundred Peaks Sect wishes to engage in a Dao debate with our Thousand Caves Door.
Why don’t you have a friendly match with him?”
Originally, he had planned for his Thousand Caves disciples to debate the opponent one by one, as a form of practice.
But since the other party had challenged all of them to debate, there was no need to hold back—he could send their strongest immediately.
Previously, it didn’t matter much if a disciple from one cave lost a match to someone from the Hundred Peaks Sect,
But now, with so many disciples from the Thousand Caves Door watching, they certainly could not afford to lose again.
“Disciple obeys,” replied Shen Xing Hai.
He lightly leapt from among the crowd, landing confidently on the Dao discussion platform.
Glancing at the calligraphy written by Chang Tiance, he nodded slightly and said, “Elder Brother Chang excels in cursive script, doesn’t he?
I too have a modest mastery of cursive.
I invite Elder Brother Chang to offer some comments.”
As he spoke, he walked promptly to the desk in front of him and immediately began to write.
No need to compose his thoughts or steady his breath.
He didn’t even pause to collect himself upon arrival; he immediately began to write.
Confidence, sheer confidence.
He was confident that even a casual script of his would surpass that of Chang Tiance.
His writing speed was rapid, and in no time, the Xuan paper bore characters bursting with wildness and exuberance.
Cursive script, and moreover, it was ‘mad grass’!
These characters were even more unrestrained and free-spirited than those of Chang Tiance, more unrestrained and carefree.
Moments later, two rows of cursive script had filled half of the Xuan paper.
But he did not stop there.
He paused slightly with his brush, his body leaning forward slightly before resuming his writing.
This time, however, each character he fashioned was meticulous and neat.
“Two styles of writing!” exclaimed an observer.
“Brother Xing Hai is showing two different styles at once!” crowed another.
Below, the disciples from the Thousand Caves Door, upon seeing Shen Xing Hai’s work, burst into cheers, their voices imbued with pride.
“Brother Shen excels not in ‘mad grass’ but in regular script!”
“Even Brother Shen’s ‘mad grass’ is stronger than Chang Tiance’s; let alone regular script, in which Brother Shen is even more formidable!”
“Brother Shen is outright telling the opponent that he can defeat you with his best style, and he can even beat you with your best style.”
“Absolutely no contest—the disciple from Hundred Peaks Sect is bound to lose.”
“As far as the Calligraphy Dao goes, that is all the Hundred Peaks Sect has to show.”
Chang Tiance looked at the text before him, a shade of regret crossing his face.
He had lost, and in front of Peak Master Cao, no less—lost to someone else.
The opponent’s ‘mad grass’ was indeed slightly better than his own, but it wasn’t overwhelmingly so, at most half a notch above.
If only he had studied calligraphy more diligently during this period, he might have had a chance to match the opponent in ‘mad grass.’ Even if he still lost, at least it wouldn’t have been such an embarrassing defeat.
Now, having been defeated in his own best style…
Elder Huan Kong listened to the voices of his disciples around him and wore a smile on his face.
This was the most outstanding disciple in the Calligraphy Dao that the Thousand Caves Door had seen in a millennium.