Chapter One, Flowing Wine and Curved Waters, Bamboo Garden Poetry Gathering

Good poetry is forged through countless trials and painstaking effort. Regardless of what thoughts Chen Shaojun may have, the mere fact that he has not contemplated them deeply and is so quick to prepare to write them down on paper means that he will not be able to produce any good poetry.

Good

In the blink of an eye, a thought flashed through Xie Chuan's mind, and he suddenly opened his eyes wide

Chen Shaojun suddenly spoke up in front of the crowd

"The brush creates an image, it truly creates an image! In this poetry gathering, there are actually people who can create an image with their brush!"

As soon as Xie Chuan's voice fell, two young scholars who appeared to be very close to him stood up on either side, mocking him with cold sarcasm

However, on the opposite bank of the stream, Chen Shaojun remained completely unaware. At this moment, on both sides of the stream, everyone except Xie Chuan had stood up, each person astonished by the smoke and mist depicted on the paper.

... ...

Chen Shaojun was completely absorbed in his work, his mouse-whisker brush moving faster and faster, with more and more mist and clouds rising higher and higher. By the time the last character was written, the three-foot-long Xuan paper was already filled with mist and clouds.

Quick! Look over there!

At this moment, everyone was stunned, each one as if turned to stone

Even his seat was arranged at the very end of the meandering stream, the position most easily overlooked, deliberately distancing him from the other young gentlemen around him

The corona contains the power of the Great Dao, with each type of corona corresponding to a unique ability

Above the stream, Xie Chuan smiled faintly, slowly setting down the "Analects" in his hand, and casually remarked

Nevertheless, Chen Shaojun was dressed neatly, his posture upright, resembling a pine tree firmly rooted in that place, exuding an air of neither servility nor arrogance

Who says I cannot write poetry

Xie Chuan was regarded as a child prodigy from a young age, possessing remarkable talent at a tender age. However, he would only occasionally receive inspiration, and the articles and poems he crafted would reach a sublime state, achieving the first level of mastery, yet it was merely a flicker of brilliance.

This halo set Xie Chuan apart from others from a young age; he could read at the age of 3 and was well-versed in literature by the age of 6. His learning in literature and philosophy was remarkably efficient, earning him the title of child prodigy

Chen Shaojun turned his head and immediately recognized that it was the son of the Minister of Personnel, Xie Mingyuan, Xie Chuan

Chen Shaojun remains Chen Shaojun, but fifteen years ago, he was the most distinguished disciple of the Beidou Immortal Sect in the Immortal Realm. Although he was the youngest, he was the most favored within the sect.

Xie Chuan appeared calm on the surface, yet within his heart, tumultuous waves surged.

Master, rest assured, I, Chen Shaojun, swear by the heavens that even if I exhaust the three rivers and four seas, and even if my soul is scattered, I will definitely return to the celestial realm and rescue you!

In addition to refining weapons, he is already the foremost talent in the immortal realm

On both banks of the stream, lush forests and tall bamboos flourish. A group of young gentlemen, dressed like scholars and aged around fifteen or sixteen, sit cross-legged at both ends. Beside them are either stacks of scriptures, or ancient zithers and chessboards, or fine writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Silence!

Even Xie Chuan had to admit that this poem has reached a level that many scholars look up to

Therefore, whenever Xie Chuan has the opportunity, he will find ways to trouble and suppress himself

The matter of human feelings is like drinking water; one knows the warmth and coldness of it oneself. Their mockery of him is merely an attempt to provoke him and drive him out of the bamboo grove gathering. If it were his former self, he might have truly been angered enough to leave in humiliation, but he is now entirely different from who he used to be

What is more important is

Everything has become a thing of the past

Zhou Yuan suddenly shouted, and with a single sentence, everyone burst into laughter

Although Confucianism is characterized by a gentle disposition, the competition regarding different schools and the distinction of orthodox Confucianism is quite intense. Among these, the academic rivalry between the Zizhang school, to which Xie Chuan's father belongs, and the Ziju school, to which Chen Shaojun's father belongs, is particularly fierce.

Chen Shaojun's father is Chen Zongxi, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue of a prominent merchant family. Chen Shaojun belongs to the scholarly lineage within the realm of both literature and martial arts.

Ah, Chen Shaojun, even if you are overestimating your own abilities, there should be a limit. Although I do not know what you are thinking, since you wish to humiliate yourself, I shall accommodate you. Speak, how do you wish to challenge yourself?

The universe possesses a literary spirit; whenever exquisite poetry and prose emerge, the universe responds, manifesting different phenomena according to the quality of the writings, thereby attesting to their extraordinary nature

Xie Chuan is constantly targeting Chen Shaojun, and this is also related to that

The words give rise to smoke and mist, which is indeed the highest realm of the first stroke transforming into an image

The greater the talent, the higher the cultivation of literary and moral principles, the greater the knowledge, the more one is respected

Hahaha, you think too highly of him. If he truly had that self-awareness, he wouldn't have come uninvited. Young Master Chen, your Chen family is after all a family of scholars; isn't this a bit too shameless? If I were you, I wouldn't have come at all

Chen Shaojun, your father is a distinguished scholar, and you are already fifteen years old. Yet your talent is still lacking, unable to compose even a single poem. Isn't it embarrassing to admit this?

In all the realms of the universe, the North Star is supreme

Master Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother... Master has treated you all with great kindness, regarding each of you as his own. He has imparted all his martial arts to you with care. How could you bear to act with such cruelty?

He thought of the beginning, yet he never anticipated such an ending

As time has passed, he is no longer the Celestial Artifact Lord of the Beidou Immortal Sect from fifteen years ago, but rather an ordinary youth in the mortal realm, powerless and unable to even lift a chicken.

The character generates smoke and mist

This is something that even his father could not accomplish

As soon as the sound fell, the four seats erupted in an uproar, and Xie Chuan's eyelids twitched violently, as if someone had pricked him with a needle

On this precious snow paper, renowned throughout the capital and resembling frost and snow, there is only a simple character, "Chrysanthemum." Upon seeing this character, Mr. Chen smiled faintly.

The Great Shang Dynasty lasted for over 800 years, possessing an army of over one million, making it the most powerful nation on the Qinghai Plateau, suppressing the Ghost Clan, Barbarian Clan, Demon Clan, and countless demon beasts with its own strength

Talent is measured on a scale from low to high, with 10 sheng equating to 1 dou, hence the expression "eight dou of talent"

Chen Shaojun took in everyone's reactions with a calm and composed demeanor, showing no signs of being affected, as if they were speaking about another person altogether

Although Xie Chuan is only one year older than him, he is already exceptionally talented, standing out among his peers, and is regarded as a leading figure in the literary and philosophical circles of the younger generation in the capital

I do not know how long it has been

It is time to speak about that matter

Chen Shaojun, it is your turn

Following the gaze of the crowd, Xie Chuan's eyes fell upon Chen Shaojun's paper. On the three-foot square Xuan paper, with the movement of Chen Shaojun's brush, a brilliant wisp of smoke and mist slowly rose, lingering and becoming increasingly abundant.

The sound was as fine as a mosquito's buzz, barely audible; however, to Chen Shaojun's ears at that moment, it was like a thunderclap that exploded, causing Chen Shaojun to tremble all over and suddenly come to his senses

This oath is witnessed by heaven and earth, and attested by gods and spirits

... ...

Hehe, the followers of the Ziyu School have only this much ability, yet they still claim to be disciples of Confucius!

Chen Shaojun finally concluded his writing, and the resounding sound echoed throughout the bamboo forest. A gentle breeze swept through, as if carrying those four lines of poetry into the hearts of all present

Having interacted with Chen Shaojun on numerous occasions, Xie Chuan is well aware of his capabilities. At every gathering, Chen Shaojun is always mediocre and lacks any sense of presence

A thought flashed through Chen Shaojun's mind, and he suddenly realized.

Chen Shaojun roared in his heart, unable to calm down for a long time. At this moment, time seemed to stand still.

For those who follow Confucianism and Daoism, the rivalry between schools of thought is even more significant than life itself

With a slight straightening of his body, Chen Shaojun naturally exuded an ethereal charm, reminiscent of snow and pine.

Each family considers itself orthodox while simultaneously advocating different ideologies and doctrines

As the words fell, the crowd erupted into a thunderous laughter

A voice urged without any courtesy

Chen Shaojun was suddenly struck by a thought in his heart

Suddenly, a clattering of cups and plates was heard, faintly accompanied by the sound of flowing water reverberating, abruptly entering the ears

No one expected that Chen Shaojun would take the initiative to challenge Xie Chuan, and he was actually serious about it

Not far away, another young scholar seemed to be speaking on behalf of Chen Shaojun, but as soon as he uttered the words "卧龙" (Crouching Dragon), the entire assembly erupted in laughter.

... ...

A single flower does not bloom amidst a hundred flowers

"Chen Shaojun, when did I ever say that I would not agree?"

In ancient times, in an era long ago, the Great Way perished. Subsequently, the Great Way condensed, coalescing between heaven and earth into radiant forms, akin to the solar corona, merging with the beings within the Three Realms, referred to as the Radiant Crown

In this world, myriad manifestations occur, and when the talents within a person are condensed through reading, they acquire abilities

He finally awakened the memories that had been sealed. In the final moment, his master exerted all his strength to perform "Formless Rebirth," leaving the chance of life for himself, and Chen Shaojun felt an overwhelming sorrow in his heart

Ding!

Hahaha, Master Chen, you are bringing humiliation upon yourself. I will just wait to see how you challenge Young Master Xie

Master Chen Shaojun, the North Star Immortal Venerable, is revered as the most esteemed great immortal among the billions of immortals in the entire immortal realm, possessing supreme authority. The seven true disciples of the North Star Immortal Sect are each exceptionally talented, regarded as the 'pride of heaven' by countless sects in the immortal realm.

With a roar, a golden lightning bolt flashed by, and everything instantly receded from view. In his last glance, Chen Shaojun saw his master's reluctant, nostalgic, and resolute gaze.

Chen Shaojun smiled, not engaging in any argument. His body straightened as he took a seemingly unremarkable mouse whisker brush from the side, dipped it in ink, and with one hand spread out the Xuan paper beside him

The sound of the wind surged, and purple flames blazed fiercely. Within the renowned Beidou Hall of the Immortal Realm, a towering figure with flowing white hair gazed at himself, revealing a hint of a satisfied smile on his face. Subsequently, strands of golden light continuously dissipated from his body like threads being pulled apart. The renowned Da Luo Immortal Body first turned pale, then became ashen, and finally fell into an endless state of freezing.

Their strength is extraordinary and transcendent, shaking the three realms

Chen Shaojun turned around

Chen Shaojun said confidently

Hahaha, this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life! Chen Shaojun can compose poetry and even claims it should be challenging? You should be able to do it before you say that!

In the end, Chen Shaojun's target was directed straight at Xie Chuan

Who could have anticipated that he possessed such a striking and extraordinary side? A poem about chrysanthemums, with four lines of verse that embody exceptional style, grandeur, and artistic conception, all of which are of the highest caliber

In the Great Shang, every year as winter approaches, all the sons of the civil officials gather in the lush bamboo groves to hold a poetry and literary gathering, seizing the opportunity to showcase their talents. This has become a customary practice of the Great Shang Dynasty. However, Chen Shaojun's appearance here is not for the purpose of gaining fame, but for another reason.

In that moment, all eyes were focused on Chen Shaojun, filled with disbelief. Among the crowd, only the image of Chen Shaojun in his fluttering robe, exuding an air of pride and nobility, revealed an extraordinary and transcendent aura.

Chen Shaojun's father, Chen Zongxi, was known for his strong and upright character. He had reprimanded many individuals, from kings to high-ranking officials, and had offended quite a number of people, among whom was Xie Chuan's father.

The comparison is akin to the glow of fireflies against the bright moon

Even those whose literary and philosophical cultivation reaches a certain level, akin to that of Confucius, possess the power of their words to manifest as law

The realms of immortals and mortals are separated, representing two entirely different worlds

However, Chen Shaojun's calligraphy unexpectedly gave rise to mist and clouds

Now that the lead dust has been washed away and the brilliance is restored, how could a poem possibly be a challenge for him

"Once a teacher, forever a father." Chen Shaojun is an orphan who was brought into the celestial realm by his master at a young age and joined the Beidou Immortal Sect. His master cared for him deeply and nurtured him with great attention, leaving no detail overlooked

In this moment, there was an invisible pressure in the void, as if time itself had come to a standstill, with the sound of a needle dropping audible; even the most ardent supporters, Zhou Yuan and Lu Zhi, could not utter a word. Chen Shaojun's talent was already one in a million, but it had merely been obscured by his reincarnation.

In the incense burner, the smoke rises gently, lingering and not dissipating, exuding a fragrance steeped in ancient charm

However, this is not the focus of Xie Chuan's attention

Still reading by the light of the lamp at night? Yesterday in class, he was punished by the teacher to stand, and as a result, he fell asleep while standing. Just now, while composing poetry, he was also dozing off. Is he really that kind of person?

Chen Shaojun's sleeves brushed lightly, his gaze like lightning, standing out like a crane among chickens, looking down upon the entire scene

This statement came unexpectedly, and in an instant, the entire assembly fell into a dead silence, with everyone staring at Chen Shaojun, each one rendered speechless. Clearly, no one had anticipated that the usually timid Chen Shaojun would actually speak such words in public

Ah, writing hastily, clumsily, merely to attract attention

The entire bamboo garden is enveloped in silence

It is not that I cannot do it, but rather that I disdain to do it. Plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo, the theme every year revolves around these four gentlemen, year after year, without any change. Since it is about composing poetry, which is a contest of talent, it naturally should have its difficulties. Xie Chuan, do you think what I said is correct?

Hmph, I can agree to that

Chen Shaojun's originally dazed figure suddenly trembled, and a pair of pitch-black pupils rapidly constricted. After a moment, he finally awakened from the intense memories. Upon opening his eyes, Chen Shaojun immediately saw a winding stream about four feet wide in front of him, with the water rushing swiftly yet crystal clear.

In that moment, Xie Chuan was completely stunned, finding it difficult to maintain his composure

This speaks to the power of the Beidou Immortal Gate

Chen Shaojun smiled faintly, his expression calm and composed

Wait a moment

Here, martial virtues flourish, and the way of culture is enlightened

Young Master Zhou and Young Master Lu, both of you are disciples of the literary way, so why must you make things difficult for him? Brother Chen stayed up late reading by lamp light last night, and today he has come so early to participate in our Bamboo Grove Poetry Gathering. It is understandable if he cannot produce anything. After some time, once he has rested enough, he will naturally be able to speak brilliantly, allowing everyone to feast their eyes. After all, Brother Chen is nicknamed "Crouching Dragon"; what do you say, Brother Chen?

Once night falls, when Xie Chuan picks up the scriptures, this halo can transform into a dense array of countless dim "fireflies" around Xie Chuan, illuminating the scriptures and aiding him in enhancing his intelligence and comprehension, allowing him to understand the words of the sages inscribed in the texts.

More importantly, although Chen Shaojun posed a multitude of difficult problems, Xie Chuan did not believe that he could solve them at all

However, Mr. Chen, if you lose, I want you to immediately withdraw from the Bamboo Grove Assembly and never participate in any such assembly again. Furthermore, if you fail, you must publicly acknowledge that the Ziju School is inferior to our Zizhang School!

Hmph

Oh, does this mean that Young Master Xie has agreed

Master, please don't!

At this very moment, the most striking is still Xie Chuan at the head of the stream

Xie Chuan was taken aback, suddenly raising his head. Across the entire stream, he saw Chen Shaojun sitting upright, his posture straight. In his hand, he held an unremarkable mouse whisker brush, which danced like a dragon and flew like a phoenix, moving with the grace of a serpent, exuding a certain charm.

Impossible

However, no one anticipated that a struggle for leadership would lead to a falling out between master and disciple, resulting in a tragic event for the sect. Chen Shaojun and his master, the North Star Immortal, both perished in this upheaval within the sect

Chen Shaojun had a slender build and was dressed in simple cloth garments. He knelt on a humble straw mat, and in comparison to the other young gentlemen present, who were adorned in bright attire, resplendent silks, and sat on embroidered cushions, he appeared out of place and rather shabby.

Deep in his heart, Chen Shaojun has always regarded his master as the closest person to him, much like a father. For Chen Shaojun, the Beidou Immortal Sect is his home

All of this reveals that Chen Shaojun's family background is not affluent, and during this gathering, he is deeply marginalized and not well regarded

Hahaha, Wolong? I think it's more like a sleepy bug

Without any warning, the crowd suddenly erupted in an uproar, and even Zhou Yuan and Lu Zhi, who were beside Xie Chuan, did not understand why they suddenly stood up. Everyone was staring in one direction, their faces filled with shock

Chen Shaojun, smoke and mist unexpectedly emerged from Chen Shaojun's paper

Chen Shaojun, what kind of person you are, we do not know? While you have not yet embarrassed yourself, it would be best for you to quickly admit your mistake to us and leave soon!

At the end, a subtle smile unexpectedly appeared at the corner of Xie Chuan's mouth. There are numerous schools within Confucianism; in ancient times, Confucius had seventy-two disciples, and these disciples have been passed down through generations, giving rise to many Confucian schools such as the Confucianism of Zi Zhang, the Confucianism of Zi Si, and the Confucianism of the Yan family

When has the north wind ever blown away!

However, just as Xie Chuan lowered his head, preparing to concentrate on contemplating his verses, an unexpected event suddenly occurred.

Xie Chuan's expression was slightly cold. Given his status, he naturally looked down upon competing in poetry with a mediocre talent who had not even risen a bit in ability. However, since this person was so unappreciative and dared to challenge him in front of everyone, he did not mind giving him a harsh lesson

Better to die embracing the fragrance on the branch

Seeing Chen Shaojun's serious expression, not only Xie Chuan, but all the officials' children present at the Liu Shang Qu Shui and the Bamboo Grove gathering were all taken aback

A thunderous roar that shook the heavens and the earth echoed through the void, as Chen Shaojun's eyes turned red, staring at the scene before him, his eyes nearly bursting with rage

Beside him lay a phoenix-patterned jiao-wei qin, and in his left hand, he held a scroll of the "Analects," not even casting a glance at Chen Shaojun.

Disciple, Master can no longer protect you. From now on, the realms of immortals and mortals are separated. Take care of yourself!

At the most embarrassing moment for Xie Chuan, under the cover of the bamboo forest, no one noticed a thin, withered finger reaching out from behind Chen Shaojun, gently tapping him, as a reminder

Flowing wine and winding waters, a gathering in the bamboo grove

Among the three realms, only those who are exceptionally favored by heaven and possess profound blessings can attain such a special crown of light

This is an era of myriad manifestations of divine revelation

It is quite simple, the topic remains unchanged, within the duration of half a cup of tea, we will compose poetry simultaneously, but the word 'chrysanthemum' cannot appear in the verses! How about that?

However, he never imagined that his senior brothers, whom he respected like elder brothers, would actually resort to poisoning their master

It is impossible; how could this mediocre fellow truly produce poetry of such caliber and quality

This is what is referred to as the manifestation of an article

... ...

However, Xie Chuan's face suddenly turned extremely pale, as if he had been slapped hard across the face by someone.

If it can be said that he was once a pearl covered in dust, then now, this pearl has revealed its true nature

Unlike others, although he is also a scholar, Xie Chuan possesses a unique aura. When he reads, the "Analects" in his hands emits countless dim "glows," as if the words themselves are alive, which is quite extraordinary

Chen Shaojun suddenly awoke, letting out a heart-wrenching scream. Accompanying this scream, countless images surged forth in his mind, and Chen Shaojun finally unlocked the memories that had been sealed for fifteen long years

Standing proudly in the cold autumn, my aspirations are boundless

Is this really the Chen Shaojun they know?

Having finished speaking, Chen Shaojun abruptly seized the wine cup from the table, downed it in one gulp, then rose from his seat and turned to leave.

"The phrase 'the character generates smoke and mist' is not something I can achieve; even someone with six or seven measures of talent would find it difficult to attain. How could this scoundrel possibly accomplish it?"

Young Master

How could such a thing happen? Am I seeing things? How could he possibly achieve that?

Every year, there are countless poems about the bamboo forest that circulate widely, yet in terms of artistic conception and quality, none can compare to that of Chen Shaojun

In that moment, Chen Shaojun felt as if his heart were being torn apart, and the entire world appeared to be a desolate gray.

Chen Shaojun is a disciple of his father, and naturally belongs to the Ziji School. If Chen Shaojun were to assert that the Ziji School is inferior to the Zizhang School, it would mean that the Zizhang School has completely overshadowed the Ziji School

Master

Xie Chuan originally thought that Chen Shaojun would take a long time to think, but unexpectedly, Chen Shaojun's response was much quicker than he had imagined

Chen Shaojun trembled with anger

Boom!

Xie Chuan, what do you say

The manifestation of literature is divided into five levels, ranked from high to low as follows: the descent of the saints, the appearance of spirits and deities, the performance of literature in the world, the illumination of the heavens by literature, and the creation of images through writing. Each of these five levels is exceedingly difficult to achieve, and within Confucianism and Daoism, only those with exceptionally high literary accomplishments may have the possibility of attaining them

Corona

Fifteen years!

Of course, Xie Chuan, if you are afraid, I will not force you. Let this sentence be as if I never said it. After finishing this glass of wine, I will take my leave.

The tone was extremely impatient, appearing quite impolite

... ...

Just as Chen Shaojun was lost in thought, a sudden cold snort echoed from afar. At the end of the lush forest and towering bamboos, by the upper reaches of the stream, a tall and slender young gentleman, adorned in a jade crown and snow-white garments, appeared to be of high status as he knelt on a frost-patterned brocade cushion.

Chen Shaojun, you have already had two rounds of drinks. If you cannot perform, please leave on your own accord and do not waste time or disturb everyone else's enjoyment. Do you not have this level of self-awareness?

Xie Chuan smiled faintly, not taking it to heart. He picked up the Xuan paper and the golden brocade brush beside him, resting one hand lightly on his chin as he pondered.

Between the seats, there are ancient-style incense burners shaped like cranes and tiger mouths, standing beside them

Chen Shaojun smiled faintly, and amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, suddenly bent down and swiftly picked up the narrow strip of snow paper from the drifting wooden tray that was floating up and down.

At this gathering, he instructed to sit at the very end of the meandering stream and to maintain a considerable distance from others

Upon witnessing this scene, a flicker of anger flashed in Xie Chuan's eyes

Chen Shaojun smiled faintly, fully anticipating Xie Chuan's attitude

The immortal stands high above, pursuing the great path of longevity; in the mortal realm, martial arts flourish, and the dynasty holds supremacy

A scholar looked at Chen Shaojun, his eyes filled with derision

However, Xie Chuan has never really liked Chen Shaojun

The corona possessed by Xie Chuan is known as "Firefly Bag Illuminating Books"