Food Poems

Chapter 250 Yeats: Let me start with some ideas
It was a sunny day along the Thames River, and the poetry festival venue was located on a green meadow surrounded by flowers.

A marble statue of the goddess of arts and poetry was placed in the center of the venue. In front of the statue was a stage covered with red velvet, decorated with musical instruments, garlands and vines.

Behind the statue is a royal garden, with fragrant laurel and olive trees and swans flying among the water lilies on the sparkling lake.

The open space was already filled with nobles in their best attire, gathered in groups of two or three, talking in low voices. The poets, wearing Renaissance-style gowns with round pleated collars, held parchment and quills in their hands, and cast their eyes at the figure getting off the carriage.

Yeats' arrival caused a sensation in the conference hall, and people were talking about it endlessly.

June and Elsa arrived early and sat on the second-floor terrace with a wide view, overlooking the bustling scene.

Elsa heard the discussions and couldn't help but smile with pride.

June was a little absent-minded... She had spent a lot of energy tracking down the Blood Spider King, and Elsa had dragged her to this poetry festival.

But she also had some expectations about what kind of works Baron Yeats would leave behind in the poetry section.

In the venue, people were talking.

"That is Yeats, the former Baron Rottenwood..."

"He is said to be the chosen one of the arts? He has a good appearance."

"Humph, poetry requires inspiration. Even if he is chosen by the God of Art, who can guarantee that he can win the championship on the spot?"

Yeats, Browning, the bard.

The three masterpieces "When You Are Old", "Ode to a Nightingale" and "How Can I Compare thee to a Summer" are well-known in the literary world of the Kingdom of Golden Lion, and have established his status as an outstanding poet.

What is crucial is that there was even a rumor that "Yeats was God's chosen artist". Regardless of whether this news was true or false, many literati participating in the poetry festival had to look at Yeats with respect, scrutiny, or indifference.

Next to the marble statue, a blind girl in a white pleated robe, with a delicate silver eye protector on her pointed oval face, covering her eyes.

At this moment, the poetry priest from the imperial capital lowered his head, clasped his hands together, and prayed softly to the statue.

Yeats was somewhat astonished.

It's you, Fire Keeper!

"The most well-known temple of the Goddess of Art is located in the Western Imperial Capital 'Tofanna'. It is called the Temple of Youth. Most of the clergy who serve Her are also located in this temple."

Cran was walking with Yeats, smoking a pipe, and he raised his chin to the priest and said:

"That blind girl is the priestess of the god of poetry who came from the imperial capital. You can think of her as the saint of the goddess of art."

"Why are all priests women? Aren't there any men?" Ye Zhi asked.

"Look at what you said, there is only a female priest in the Tarot card, but no male priest." Clan said in silence.

Yeats shrugged his shoulders and looked around. He saw that the venue was filled with bards from various provinces of the Golden Lion. Yeats had read some of their works in the library and had seen their portraits with his own eyes.

These poets were also extraordinary beings. Yeats even sensed the aura of the Five Rings heroes in the venue. Although he tried to restrain himself, Yeats had faced the Five Rings many times and was quite familiar with this feeling of oppression.

This is exactly the characteristic of the Five Rings Hero, [Will to Power].

With this strong will, the hero can make those of lower circles surrender with just his aura, and belief is the key to forging the [Will to Power].

The more resilient the hero, the stronger his will.

The fourth ring has the ability to "sense nature", which can call upon the elements and magic in the creative field more quickly. The fifth ring can "transform nature", controlling the elements for its own use by will.

There was no six-ring master in the venue. The master was in a completely different realm. He was already at the top of the Central Courtyard Continent. If he wanted, he could find a small kingdom and become the emperor at any time.

But most of the masters are decent people, and those masters who act extreme have long been suppressed by "watchers" like Kendara.

"I heard that poetry is a compulsory course for bards. No matter they are born noble or poor, bards sing stories they make up and get inspiration from epics and legends."

Clan stroked his mustache and smiled:
"To be honest, when I was choosing my career, I hesitated whether to become a poet... But I don't have any faith, I only believe in logic, so it's better for me to hone myself."

Extraordinary powers come from two major categories: tempering skills and bestowing from gods. In many cases, the two are closely related. Even knights who are tempering themselves will often choose a god to swear an oath; and even those chosen by gods need to strengthen their souls through continuous tempering.

Ye Zhi thought to himself: "My belief is that as long as it is useful, I can believe it!"

At present, Ye Zhi is proficient in three professions, which is unimaginable in the eyes of ordinary people, and this is also the basis for him to win the three major events in the competition at the same time.

The bard is a controversial profession among the ten extraordinary paths. He often uses music and language as the medium for casting spells, and sometimes uses rapiers and crossbows to protect himself. He usually believes in the god of love or the god of poetry.

Occasionally there is a poet who believes in nature, seeking tranquility in the company of animals; or a poet who believes in storms and sings rune ballads in the cold north.

If a bard believes in the Holy Light, he or she will be able to master a musical spell called "Gospel", and his or her abilities will be more inclined towards healing and enhancement.

Yeats is the most orthodox bard who obtains extraordinary power from the goddess of art and poetry. He not only masters music spells, but is also proficient in swordsmanship and nimble steps like dancing.

But because the Goddess of Arts only had medium power, the bards on the continent of Midgard gradually declined and no longer had the glory of the old era before "Twilight of the Gods".

In the Old Era, bards wrote the four great epics of the Midgard continent, which became the cornerstone of the culture and art of the New Era.

At that time, poets believed in the God of Light, a god of high power who was in charge of art, light, prophecy, and swordsmanship. He was handsome and friendly, and was the most beloved god among all gods.

After the fall of the God of Light, a disaster swept across the Midgard continent. In the new era, the Goddess of Youth inherited the "art" authority of the God of Light, but the bards no longer had the glory they once had.

Ye Zhi thought of the documents he had read in the Cam River Library and couldn't help but look inward at the mistletoe in the soul realm.

It was this humble plant that eventually killed the God of Light and gave the Silver Oak Sword the powerful power to 'obliterate divinity'.

"It's simply a Western fantasy version of the divine whip, a special attack against divinity." Ye Zhi secretly complained.

The sun gradually rose higher and it was almost noon, and the poetry reading was about to officially begin.

The poets participating in the poetry reading will compose poems on the spot according to the topics given by the priest of poetry, and then recite them on stage one by one.

The divinity contained in the statue of the goddess of art and youth is the judge of this poetry festival.

Whoever can obtain the blessing from the goddess of art can win the crown of poetry!

"Mr. Yeats, long time no see."

Richard, the dean of the Poets' Academy, came over with a smile on his face to greet Yeats.

Next to the tuxedoed dean stood a handsome elf in a bright red robe, attracting everyone's attention with his tall figure and striking pointed ears.

"To be honest, I really don't want to see you." Perron sighed, "How can I stand out when you are here?"

Ye Zhi smiled slightly: "It's just a temporary creation, I may not necessarily win the championship."

Perron stroked his chin, smiled proudly, and agreed:
"You're right. Maybe I can defeat you this time, haha."

Richard was used to it and introduced gently: "I would like to introduce you to a famous bard. You must have read his work, "The Swan". Swans are very common images in Western poetry, and "The Swan" is regarded as an artistic treasure in the Golden Lion "Nature Poet" genre.

Soon, Yeats saw a kind old man in a white robe, with a curly white beard and soft eyes. It was the Five Rings Bard 'Rilgo'.

The influence of Riorgo's "The Swans" is profound. He himself believes in nature and pursues inner peace. His face seems to glow with the brilliance of a wise man.

Even a duke had to be more courteous to Rilgaud, but the old man was not at all arrogant. He shook hands with Yeats and said gently:

"I have read your works. The sonnet is particularly good. It is a work that will be passed down through the ages."

Richard and Perron were both stunned involuntarily upon hearing Riorgo's high evaluation.

Passed down through the ages!

Even the most powerful ones in the Saint Realm may be lost in the sands of history.

Yeats and his poems remain timeless and can be passed down to later generations, which is undoubtedly the poet's lifelong pursuit!
Yeats smiled modestly.

Riorgo's evaluation was good because the sonnet was written by Shakespeare.

In front of this master of real talent and knowledge, as a poetry copyist, I have to be more courteous.

"Mr. Rilgaud, I would like to ask, what is the professional difference between a nature poet and a sword dance poet?" Yeats asked politely.

"Nature singers, a branch of the poet profession, are similar in nature to druids, and can call upon animals and nature spirits for protection through music."

Lilgo said gently: "Professions are just containers, and soul power is the source of water. When the water is enough to break the container, it can flow into different rivers. It's like the Holy Land, there are no professions, only fields."

Ye Zhi seemed to understand something and nodded slowly: "Thank you, Mr. Riorgo."

"You're welcome. Just some of my thoughts." Liergo said with a smile, "The poetry festival is about to begin. I look forward to your creation, Baron Yeats... Let's go in together."

At this time, a man dressed as a butler came over, holding a beautifully bound copy of The Swan Collection in his hand, and said respectfully, "Mr. Riergo, my wife particularly likes your work. If possible, please sign your name on the title page of the book as a souvenir for my wife. I'm sorry to bother you."

Yeats noticed that Cran beside him had a strange expression on his face, so he followed his gaze.

Under the shade of a parasol, ten fingernails painted with bright red balsam juice are peeling juicy grapes. The plump flesh is handed to the bright red lips. A beautiful lady who is so charming that it makes one's breath stop is sitting at the table. Her fiery red dress is like flowing flames, the cleavage on her chest is as white as mutton fat, and there is spring in the corners of her eyes.

Yeats only heard Crane say:

"That is the wife of the Duke of Suffolk, Lee Matilda. She has black hair and is of Imperial descent. It is said that she leads a promiscuous life. You will have to investigate the details yourself."

Yeats thought to himself that after experiencing the temptation of Lilith, his resistance to beauty was stronger than that of ordinary people, but this Duchess always made Yeats feel like he had seen her before.

Had he met her before? When did it happen? Or did Daisy sneak out again?
Yeats glanced at the Duchess and saw that Matilda smiled and nodded in greeting.

Obviously, she knew Yeats, and there was expectation in her eyes, as if she was encouraging Yeats to win the title.

"It is an honor for me that the Duchess likes The Swans."

Riorgo was easy-going, holding a feather pen, signing the books handed to him by the butler.

Soon, Riorgo, Yeats, Richard, and Perron entered the venue as contestants, while Crane watched from the sidelines.

Thomas's beloved son, Calvin, also attended the poetry festival, standing in the crowd and waving excitedly to Yeats.

Yeats smiled and nodded. At this moment, a figure walked onto the stage, attracting everyone's attention.

The bards all looked at the blind priestess, waiting for her to give the question for this poetry festival.

"The stanza tests not only poetry writing, but also recitation skills and instrument playing. This can be traced back to the era of the God of Light. That handsome God of Light is the creator of all musical instruments except the Pan flute," Richard explained.

"What about Pan Di?" Peren asked.

Richard sighed and said, "Of course the Pan flute was invented by the Faun, but it's a pity that the Faun is dead and the Faun poet has long disappeared from this world!"

Ye Zhi: “…”

Don’t talk nonsense, the successor of Pan Di is standing right in front of you!
The contestants of the poetry festival had different looks, some looked like peacocks with their tails spread out, and some looked like they had come from the ancient Iliad. The blind priestess, wearing a silver eye patch, patrolled the venue as if she could see.

Finally, Yeats and the blind priestess came into “eye contact”.

Ye Zhi clearly heard the blind priestess's sweet voice ringing softly in his ears.

"My name is Hebe, I am a priestess of the goddess of youth, and I have come here to see you."

Ye Zhi was stunned and asked, "Did she send me any oracle? Or did she have any request?"

"She hopes you will receive this blessing."

Heber whispered, "Because this blessing... is very precious."

Yeats perked up immediately.

With my supreme talent, I will continue plagiarizing this time!
Immediately, Hebe stood in front of the statue of the goddess of art, and her voice covered the entire venue with magic.

Under the spotlight of everyone, Heber said slowly:

"I have received an oracle from the goddess. The topic of this poetry festival is [Soul]!"

As soon as the words fell, there was a burst of discussion in the meeting hall.

Such an abstract concept is a topic that extraordinary people have to face, because soul power is the source of extraordinary power!

"Soul?" Richard thought for a moment and asked humbly, "Mr. Riorgo, what do you think?"

Riorgo smiled and shared generously: "If you compare the soul to a concrete river, there are many inspirations to be drawn from."

Richard suddenly realized and became more respectful.

Ye Zhi stroked his chin: "Soul..."

"Baron Yeats, do you have any inspiration to share?" Riorgo said with a smile.

Ye Zhi's heart skipped a beat. What the hell, someone had given him a difficult question!

Fortunately, I really know the answer to this question!
Ye Zhi pondered and slowly said:

“People are in society as sand is in the beach and foam is in the sea. The tide will wipe away the sand and the wind will blow away the foam, but the ocean and the beach will exist forever.”

Looking at Rilgaud's slightly shining eyes, Yeats smiled and said:

"Let me take the stage first and throw some bricks and start a discussion!"

(End of this chapter)