"My dear senior brother, you really can't wait even a single day, can you."
After calculating the days, Li Qingchen chuckled and shook his head.
Today is exactly the last day of the two-year period.
"Well, it's time to give a perfect conclusion to Chang Qing's two years of study."
"I just hope that little Ling Si won't be too devastated."
Li Qingchen smiled helplessly. Of all people, why did it have to be Chang Qing he wanted to challenge?
Even Shu Han, with the body of Wen Sheng, couldn't lift his head under Chang Qing's pressure, let alone Ling Si, who hasn't been a disciple for long.
Without thinking further, Li Qingchen slightly closed his eyes, letting his Divine Sense connect with heaven and earth.
...
Central Province City, Sacred Academy.
In Wentang Hall, the Longevity Tag belonging to the sagacious immortal suddenly radiated brilliance.
Moments later, a slightly illusory figure in a green robe emerged leisurely.
Everyone in the hall reading books was startled upon seeing the newcomer, then reverently bowed with fervor.
"We greet Mr. Li."
Upon hearing this, Li Qingchen nodded with a smile, then glanced outside the academy and softly spoke,
"Serve tea, welcome the guest."
Though no guest was visible yet, the scholars dared not be negligent, quickly prepared the tea, and stood by the door, waiting for the guest's arrival.
Shortly after, a disturbance sounded from outside the academy.
Soon after, an elderly man with bright eyes and white hair walked in with large strides.
"Hmph! You sure returned quickly."
Seeing Li Qingchen, Wei Cang's expression showed no warmth as he went directly to a seat and sat down.
Li Qingchen was not annoyed at this sight; he knew his senior brother held some grudge against him.
"Senior brother, it's just at the deadline, and you're already urging me to come. Why so anxious?"
Li Qingchen smiled gently and personally poured Wei Cang a cup of tea.
"Anxious? Of course, I'm anxious!"
Looking at Li Qingchen for a long time, Wei Cang slowly spoke, "To defeat you, I've waited long enough."
"From a head full of dark hair to white strands, from youthful vigor to an air of age!"
"How much longer do you expect me to wait? How long can I still wait?"
Wei Cang smiled, "I know winning against you once doesn't prove anything."
"But at the very least... when I meet the old man after I die, I can proudly say!"
"I too have won!"
Winning is Wei Cang's obsession, a rebellion against his father's past unfair treatment.
His voice was calm, but what Li Qingchen heard was full of hysteria.
He remained silent for a long while, not knowing how to respond.
If it were just a simple win or loss, he had countless opportunities to fulfill Wei Cang's wish over the years.
But he couldn't!
This was the only charge his master gave him before dying.
Wei Cang must not win, only lose; only through continuous defeat can his path truly be perfected!
Or perhaps, the truly terrifying heritage of the Wei family would only reach supreme sublimation when suppressed to the extreme.
"Ah, senior brother, when the day your path is truly achieved comes, you'll understand."
"In master's eyes, you were the most outstanding one."
Li Qingchen sighed inwardly, suppressing the tumultuous emotions in his heart.
He looked at his white-haired senior brother, steeled his heart, and said:
"Senior brother, since I've agreed to the literary duel, I won't renege, but the match mustn't take place in Central Province; it must be in the Southern Region."
"Additionally, during the competition, no one is to reveal their identity or cultivation; all must regard themselves as ordinary."
Now that the two-year period is over, Chang Qing is about to enter cultivation.
Of course, he can't let the Su family's efforts go to waste over a simple competition.
Upon hearing this, Wei Cang gestured dismissively. Though curious, he didn't question further and directly said:
"As long as you can be punctual, these are not issues."
"Today, I'll invite the great scholars Mo Lan and Yi Xian to bear witness."
Seeing that the discussion was about concluded, Wei Cang stood up, intending to go and invite the guests.
At this moment, Li Qingchen stopped Wei Cang, "Senior brother, there's no need to disturb outsiders with our family's matters, right?"
"Whatever the outcome, it will just be known between you and me, won't it?"
Mo Lan and Yi Xian, while their cultivation may not be the highest, have extremely high statuses in Ru Dao.
They even gained renown before Li Qingchen; they are esteemed elders in Ru Dao.
Li Qingchen's intention to stop Wei Cang is simple. Firstly, it's just a simple competition, not worth bothering others.
Secondly, he's worried that if Wei Cang loses too badly and the news spreads, it would cause others to mock him.
After all... Chang Qing and Ling Si are not on the same level at all.
"Does it matter if it's among our family? Everything must still be fair!"
Wei Cang looked at Li Qingchen and said sternly,
"I know your chances of winning this time aren't high, and you want to save some face."
"But losing isn't necessarily a bad thing at times."
"Even if I'm set to win this time, I won't be defeated even if I lose; I'll only get stronger!"
With that said, Wei Cang turned around and left.
Li Qingchen watched Wei Cang leaving, contemplated what was just said, and couldn't help but smile,
"My brother, your path is truly forming."
...
Central Province City.
After leaving Sacred Academy, Wei Cang directly invited the two great scholars and headed toward White Deer Academy.
Though Mo Lan and Yi Xian both had white hair and advanced in years, they were very interested in this literary duel.
After all, both sides of this contest were notable figures in Ru Dao, and they wanted to see the outcome as well.
Therefore, Wei Cang didn't need to explain much, and they eagerly followed.
On the way, Mo Lan laughed and asked, "I see you smiling all the way, Dean Wei; it seems you have a lot of confidence in this literary duel?"
"Hahaha, although my disciple started late, she has some talent, and winning this literary duel shouldn't be difficult."
Unable to hold back two laughter, Wei Cang's face shone with an undisguisable smile in response to the inquiry.
He felt that this competition with Li Qingchen was the closest he had ever been to victory!
Feeling somewhat full of youthful spirit for a moment.
After all, how could he not be excited to challenge someone who overshadowed him all his life?
"Oh? Where does Dean Wei's confidence come from?"
"That's Qingchen's disciple; although they've entered late, they must be extraordinary."
The great scholar Yi Xian asked curiously.
"Haha, confidence naturally comes from strength."
Wei Cang generously praised, "Ling Si has been practicing Ru Dao since childhood, with remarkable literary talent. Now her skills in zither and chess have reached consummation!"
"In calligraphy and painting, she recently entered the 'Yi' realm!"
"Two elders, do you think my confidence is unfounded?"
Hearing Wei Cang, both Mo Lan and Yi Xian couldn't help but praise,
"To grasp the 'Yi' realm at such an age and in two forms! Among her peers, she's unmatched; 'genius' is truly the word for her!"
"Qingchen's disciple hasn't shown much fame in the past, and having only been taught for two years, winning this time seems unlikely."
In Ru Dao, those who can grasp 'Yi' are formidable figures.
Considering Ling Si's current age, even the two great scholars couldn't find any fault, and calling her a genius was by no means an overstatement.
"Hahaha."
Listening to the praise of the two great scholars, Wei Cang's smile grew more intense,
"Actually, Ling Si's greatest strength isn't in zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting, but in poetry!"
"I once heard her poetry by chance, and even I must admit defeat."
The two scholars' eyes lit up upon hearing this.
After all, Wei Cang was also the head of an academy, and a respected figure in Ru Dao.
Mo Lan couldn't help but ask, "Dean Wei, could you share a sample of her work for us to appreciate?"
Hearing this, Wei Cang smiled and said, "Actually, I've only heard the first half; I didn't inquire about the complete poem."
"I believe it's something Ling Si prepared in advance for the literary duel."
Saying this, he cleared his throat and softly recited:
"This is what I heard in part, the rest you'd have to ask my disciple."
Both Mo Lan and Yi Xian appeared visibly amazed, rendered speechless for some time.
After hearing Wei Cang's words, Yi Xian declared immediately,
"Dean Wei, your disciple's victory is certain this time!"
With the affirmation from the two great scholars, the smile on Wei Cang's face became even brighter,
At that moment, he was bursting with confidence!