Chapter 56

  In an instant...

  Everyone's eyes widened, as if they had seen an illusion. In front of them, a crystal clear flash passed by, and the originally dull painting seemed to come alive with Feng Qiuye spitting out a mouthful of tea water. In the blink of an eye, it was as if the scenery inside had become vividly real, incredibly lifelike. Most striking was the emerald bamboo, crystal clear and translucent, swaying gently in the breeze, so green it seemed to be alive.

  And in the lower right corner of that painting, there is also a poem inscribed. The owner of Cuigarden read it and his heart trembled, involuntarily reciting it out loud:

  Better to eat no meat than to live without bamboo.

  No meat makes one thin, no bamboo makes one common.

  A person can become fat again if they have lost weight, but a scholar's bad habits are hard to change.

  Others laugh at this remark, seemingly clever yet seemingly foolish.

  If this gentleman still boasts, where is the Yangzhou crane?

  The entire venue was silent and still. Whether it was the painting or the poem, they both left everyone in awe, marveling at their beauty. Until now, no one had dared to believe that such a masterpiece could be created by a woman, let alone a female martial artist who they had always looked down upon.

  This... is really too shocking, too unexpected, and too stunning!

  Phoenix Seven Evil lost his pen, the wind came and rolled away the last bit of fragrant ash, just in time.

  Seeing the expressions of everyone, she couldn't help but smile, and with this one move, she shocked them all! It's really too much! But it was just a painting and casually borrowing a poem, what's the big deal? They were actually surprised to this extent, looking at their composure, they're still famous scholars! Truly!

  In fact, Feng Qiuye didn't know that on this continent where the strong are respected and mainly cultivate Xuanqi, they have always emphasized martial prowess over literary talent. As a result, scholars' social status has always been low. If it weren't for the emergence of a genius like Wenxiu who rose to fame overnight and gained recognition from the Emperor, the status of these scholars would probably be even lower.

  For this reason, the classic poems and paintings that have been passed down for thousands of years are extremely rare. Even if they were literati who considered themselves well-read in poetry, their learning was limited, so how could they compare with Feng Qiuzi's collection of rich knowledge accumulated over several thousand years of Chinese history?

  At this moment, even Cang Yu was stunned by the painting! Her eyes widened, staring straight ahead, unable to move her gaze, and her heart was shocked.

  Seeing Cang Yu's reaction, Feng Qiexia smiled contentedly and said lazily, "How is it? Is this painting of mine not bad?"

  Is it okay? This painting is more than just "okay", it's a masterpiece!

  His eyes widened in shock, and Cang Yu's face was also filled with despair. He, who had always been known for his exceptional poetry and painting skills, was now defeated by a little girl, it was truly embarrassing!

  However, looking at his own work with a humble heart, this is indeed incomparable!

  "Cang Yu has lost! I concede defeat." Cang Yu bowed sincerely to Feng Qi, his eyes filled with despair.

  However, his disappointment lasted only for a second before it was replaced by intense excitement. His gaze at Feng Qiyue became extremely hot. The appearance of this little girl was absolutely a major change in literary history. In this world where the strong were respected and everyone focused on cultivating their Xuan Qi, literature was already undervalued... Suddenly, Cang Yu's eyes flashed with thought as he fell into deep contemplation.

  "This young master still didn't believe it! She was skilled in both poetry and painting, and also excelled in other areas. Under Li Qing's introduction, he challenged the young lady to a game of chess." Seeing that Cang Yu, who was exceptional in both poetry and painting, had been defeated, another young master stepped forward, unwilling to concede defeat, wanting to challenge Feng Qiuye. He still didn't believe it! A little servant girl like her actually understood everything about music, chess, literature, poetry, and calligraphy.

  Feng Qiuxia smiled faintly and raised her hand elegantly: "Young Master, please..."

  Young Master Li's voice was cold as he hummed, stepped up onto the stage and sat down. He gazed at Feng Qi with a confident smile, saying: "Later on, I hope you don't lose too badly."

  He was surprised that Feng Qi could win against Cang Yu, but he had to admit that this little girl's poetry and painting were really good and unique. However, he still had great confidence in his own chess skills and didn't believe he would lose to her.

  Feng Qiuxia just smiled faintly and didn't say much. At this time, saying anything would be superfluous. Only by seeing the truth with one's own eyes can one understand the reality.

  He sat down calmly in front of him, Feng Qiye was extremely composed.

  Two people played against each other, and before long, black and white chess pieces were intertwined horizontally and vertically on the board.

  Meanwhile, as the chess competition began, large chessboards were erected on all four sides of the stage. Every time a move was made, a servant would hang up a large black or white chess piece accordingly. Feng Qiuxia chose to play with the black pieces, while Li Qing played with the white pieces. After this initial commotion, the scene gradually quieted down.

  Everyone looked up, but saw Feng Qiyu's left hand on her knee, and her right hand pinched a black chess piece between her thumb and index finger. As she lifted her hand, the red sleeve of her dress slid over in a beautiful motion under the lamp light. Her slender white hand was in sharp contrast with the black chess piece, making her hand look even more perfect. Her expression was extremely serious, and she did not underestimate Li Qing's chess skills.

  Feng Qi's exquisite face still wore a gentle smile, and although Li Qing's chess skills were not impressive in her eyes, he was probably considered a good player in the Ya Ma Empire. However, it was clear that winning against her wouldn't be easy!

  As the two of them made their moves, Li Qing's forehead was already beaded with sweat, and his gaze at Feng Qiyue also became more serious. Every time Feng Qiyue made a move, the disdain in his eyes would decrease by a fraction, until finally it was replaced by complete concentration, and he no longer dared to divide his attention, using all his strength to meet the challenge.

  With a "pa" sound, Feng Qiuya dropped another piece, then smiled and stood up, bowing to Li Qingwen: "Li Gongzi, I concede!"

  This game of chess ended with her absolute victory.

  Below the stage, all the Xuan Qi cultivators suddenly erupted into cheers. They really couldn't have expected it! Who would have thought that this Seventh Miss, once infamous as a waste of resources, would once again give them an unexpected surprise?! Let's see if those literary scholars dare to call them mere martial artists from now on.

  Hmph!

  "Is there anyone else who wants to give me a lesson? If not, then I'll take my leave first! I'm in a hurry. Now that I've earned the money and vented my anger, I still have to rush off to see the Zun Wang Ding! Getting my hands on that thing is the real truth!"

  Although the host of the medicine family agreed! But no matter what, it's only reassuring when you have something in your own hands!

  Feng Qiuye revealed his true abilities, defeating the two famous young masters in a row. The scholars present knew that their knowledge was not on the same level as Feng Qiuye's, and even if they continued to compete, they would have no chance of winning. It was simply self-inflicted humiliation, and now they all hung their heads in shame.

  "Hmph! Now you know better, don't you? You dared to scold us as a bunch of martial artists, what are you then?" At this time, the tenth sister indeed won! Fengjiu stepped forward, scolding angrily, and at the same time stretched out her hand, pulling over Cangyu who was still staring blankly at Fengqi's evil hair, pointing at his nose and cursing: "Cangyu, you dare to insult our Feng clan disciples, I'll make you look good now."

  As soon as he finished speaking, he clenched his fist and started beating the kid. The owner of Cuigarden was shocked and hastily came forward to persuade him: "You can't fight in Cuigarden, please give me some face and spare him!"

  Fengjiu heard this and was quite straightforward: "Fine, I'll give you face and won't hit him here."

  The owner of Nai Cui Garden was overjoyed and just wanted to thank him, but the result was that he was shocked by Feng Jiu's next move.

  "Then I'll drag him out and beat him up." As soon as he finished speaking, he dragged Qingyu out, but Qingyu was just a weak scholar, no match for Fengjiu. He was caught off guard and couldn't move, his heart racing with anxiety, and he hastily said loudly: "I'm sorry, I was wrong! I apologize!"

  "You're only realizing now? You were cursing away just fine earlier, I'm telling you, apologizing now is too late!" Fengjiu ignored his struggles and dragged him out.

  Feng Qiuxia couldn't help but laugh at the sight, no wonder she's a worthy daughter of the Feng clan! This Feng Jiu is getting more and more to her taste! Good! Good!

  "Miss Feng, although he spoke out of turn earlier and caused you distress! However, Master Cang has no strength to bind a chicken, if he were to be... it would not..." The owner of Cuigarden looked at her with a pleading expression, hoping she could intervene and spare Cang Yu.

  "Yes! Please forgive him, Miss Feng, okay? We beg of you!"

  The scholars in the hall heard the miserable cry from Cang Yu and immediately begged Feng Qiniu for mercy, their faces pale.

  Feng Qi's eyes narrowed, today's events made her extremely indignant. Someone dared to slam their fist on the table and shout in front of Feng Fei and the others, even insulting them with their words. It was detestable, making her want to take away their reputation and trample it underfoot, crushing it mercilessly.

  But after they compared themselves with others, their reputation was lost, and I'm afraid that the identity of all scholars will be even more despised in the future! This is not what she wanted. At this moment, her eyes wandered around, and indeed, she saw that all the scholars below the stage had lowered their heads, a dull grayness, and under the verbal attacks of those who practiced mysticism, they were powerless to counterattack. For some reason, she felt a sense of hidden sorrow. She let out a long sigh and said loudly: "Actually, whether it's literature or martial arts, there's no need to distinguish between them so clearly, nor is there anyone who looks down on or despises others. The distinction between high and low identities has been the ultimate value of cultural people throughout history. Literature can govern the country, and martial arts can bring peace to the nation. They complement each other and are indispensable. Therefore, whether you are a warrior or a scholar, don't have the wrong idea."

  When he said this, Feng Qi's eyes flowed with a steady light, his entire demeanor was extremely solemn, and an emperor's majesty was born, the momentum was so overwhelming that it made people dare not look up.

  At that moment, they saw a king-like aura on a woman's body, how strange is that?

  A good sentence can govern a country, and martial arts can bring peace to the nation. This sentence exploded in everyone's heart, shocking people extremely.

  "Phoenix girl, I've learned my lesson!" At this time, Mo Lao, who had always looked down on others, couldn't help but look at the little girl with new eyes, and hastily approached her, his voice even trembling slightly.

  She's speaking on their behalf! And this speech, it's actually a strategy for governing the country. Thinking about how this young girl could come up with such words, it's truly a rare talent from heaven, not easily encountered in a hundred years, extraordinary! Extraordinary!

  So he is no match for...

  Feng Qi was startled by that gaze, and hastily said: "Hehe! Mo Lao, don't mind it, the young woman is just talking nonsense. Since the trial is over, I still have something to do, so I'll take my leave first!"

  As soon as she finished speaking, without waiting for their reaction, she waved her hand and led Feng Fei and the others to leave quickly. She still had things to attend to and didn't have time to idle around with these people here.

  Zun Wang Ding! Zun Wang Ding! She Feng Qi Xie has arrived!

  Now that she has the Danzun Divine Scroll and Xiehuo, all she lacks is the Zunwang Ding. If she can get her hands on it and continue to study diligently, she will be able to dominate the alchemy world with ease. What's there to fear about not being able to build up her power and being bullied by Cloudy Peak Sect and the Long family?

  Hmph!

  Just as Feng Qi was about to take the people away to get the Wang Ding from Yao's house, a sudden "whoosh" sound came, and a strong gust of air rushed towards her face, bringing with it a killing aura. An unknown object shot straight at Feng Qi's face, causing her heart to skip a beat as she dodged to the side just in time. Her slender fingers moved swiftly, catching the mysterious object that had suddenly attacked her. However, her cheek was already burning with pain.

  She raised her hand to touch it and fortunately didn't see any bloodstains, otherwise she would have gone mad.

  "Oh heavens! Mo Yin Gong Zi! It's Mo Yin Gong Zi..."

  Someone in the crowd suddenly exclaimed, and the whole scene was chaotic! Panic-stricken cries rose on all sides, accompanied by the sound of a guqin.

  Mo Yin Gongzi? Whose title is this, sounds very loud? How come she's never heard of it?

  With a hateful gaze, Feng Qiniu's slender fingers moved slightly, and the string that had just pierced her face was actually a zither string. With a sudden strum, in an instant, a faint fragrance wafted through the air, amidst the panicked screams of the crowd. A stunning figure slowly descended from the sky, petals fluttering about, drifting towards Feng Qiniu's location.

  "Seventh Miss, the last round hasn't started yet! What's the hurry?"

  The voice is enchanting and mesmerizing, with a hint of magic that makes one's heart flutter uncontrollably, almost losing oneself.

  At the same time that the enchanting voice fell, a stunning figure had already spun around and fallen down. As the petals scattered, the person simultaneously landed in front of Feng Qiye.

  Everyone held their breath, and surprisingly, everyone kept a safe distance away. Only a few masters were still seated in their original positions, without moving an inch, but the gaze they cast at Feng Qiuya was filled with worry.

  Feng Qi didn't move or look at the approaching person, but instead kept her head down, gazing at the scattered flower petals on the ground, feeling a sense of heaviness in her heart.

  Because that flower was none other than the legendary Death Flower - Manjusaka, which only grows on the Yellow Spring Road.