The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

Everyone turned to look at Xiao Fan.

Xiao Ming, standing to the side, had a slight smirk on his face, looking like he was watching a good show.

He had already asked around, and it was highly likely that Xiao Fan had someone else write this poem for him. Writing a poem in front of so many people would definitely expose him.

Xiao Fan put down his teacup and slowly stood up.

"Since Young Master Shen has extended such a generous invitation, I, Xiao, will gladly oblige."

He walked into the garden, looked at the beautiful scenery, thought for a moment, and slowly said:

"The spring river rises with the tide, reaching the sea; the bright moon rises with the tide."

With just two sentences, the entire garden fell into silence.

"The shimmering waves stretch for thousands of miles; where on the spring river is there no moon shining bright?"

Xiao Fan's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

With his hands behind his back, his white robes fluttering, he looked like a painting.

"The river meanders around the fragrant fields, the moon shines on the flower forest like scattered snowflakes. Frost seems to flow in the air unnoticed, and the white sand on the riverbank is invisible."

When the poem was recited, everyone held their breath.

"The river and sky are one, without a speck of dust; the bright moon hangs alone in the sky. Who first saw the moon by the riverbank? In what year did the river moon first shine on humankind?"

Yun Ruoxi stood up.

She stared intently at Xiao Fan, her heart pounding.

Even better than last time!

No, it's much better!

The previous poem praised her appearance, while this one describes the scenery and expresses her feelings, creating a profound artistic conception.

Especially the line "Who first saw the moon by the riverbank? When did the river moon first shine on man?", it gave me goosebumps.

Shen Zhao's face darkened.

He himself was a scholar, so he naturally knew the significance of this poem.

Even if all the scholars in Donglin City were added together, they probably couldn't write such a doggerel.

"Life goes on endlessly, generation after generation; the river moon appears the same year after year. I wonder for whom the river moon waits; all I see is the Yangtze River carrying its flowing water."

Xiao Fan finished reading the last paragraph and sighed softly.

The poem consists of thirty-six lines and was written in one breath.

The garden was completely silent.

After a long while, an elderly man with white hair and beard stood up, leaning on a cane, and asked in a trembling voice, "That...what kind of poem is that?"

Xiao Fan looked at the man and recognized him at a glance. This man was Mr. Zhou from Donglin City Academy, a learned and talented person.

Xiao Fan clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Spring River Flower Moon Night".

"Spring River Flower Moon Night..." Old Mr. Zhou recited it over and over, suddenly bursting into tears. "What a poem! What a poem! I've lived for over seventy years and have never seen such a masterpiece! Young Master Xiao is indeed exceptionally talented; I admire him wholeheartedly!"

As he spoke, he actually bowed in respect.

Xiao Fan quickly stepped forward and said, "You flatter me, sir."

Mr. Zhou excitedly grasped his hand and said, "Mr. Xiao, may I copy this poem down and take it back to the students at the academy to study?"

"no problem."

The crowd erupted in uproar.

"That young master of the Xiao family, isn't he just a cultivation failure? How could he possibly compose such verses?"

"Are you stupid? Whether you can write poetry and whether you can cultivate yourself are two different things. His literary talent is too good!"

"But wasn't he said to be a good-for-nothing?"

"That's absolutely a rumor! Look at this poem, it doesn't seem like something someone who hasn't gone to school could write!"

In the corner, Xiao Ming's expression was quite interesting.

He thought Xiao Fan was going to embarrass himself, but who knew that this kid would surprise everyone with his amazing performance.

"How is this possible... how could there be such a poem? Where did he get this poem from?"

Sun Xingzhou, standing next to him, also looked completely bewildered.

He wasn't surprised by the poem, but rather by Xiao Fan's imposing aura.

Where does a useless person with a destroyed dantian get his confidence?

Yun Ruoxi composed herself, took a deep breath, and then walked towards Xiao Fan.

"Young Master Xiao, did you compose this poem?"

"Miss Yun, don't you believe me?" Xiao Fan looked at her with a smile.

Yun Ruoxi opened her mouth, intending to say "I don't believe you," but when she met his gaze, she held back and didn't say it.

She said softly, "I believe you."

She was stunned as soon as she said it.

When did she become so easily fooled?

But she couldn't help but believe that this seemingly carefree man really had such talent.

Shen Zhao stepped forward and said with a forced smile, "Young Master Xiao's literary talent is truly admirable. However, simply being able to write poetry is not enough. In this world, might makes right. I've heard that Young Master Xiao has an unusual dantian; I wonder how much internal energy you possess?"

This is blatant provocation!

Xiao Fan smiled slightly: "Young Master Shen, would you like to give it a try?"

Shen Zhao was stunned. He didn't expect this good-for-nothing to dare to reply, which surprised him.

"Alright!" The aura of a seventh-grade Xuan Realm expert emanated from him.

Everyone stepped back.

There is a huge gap between the mortal realm and the profound realm; they are not even in the same league.

Xiao Fan stood still, a slight smile on his lips.

"Young Master Shen, are you really going to intervene at the Yun family's flower viewing banquet this time?"

Shen Zhao paused for a moment.

Xiao Fan continued, "Today's main focus isn't fists, but flowers. If you're itching for a fight, I'll challenge you to another one another day. But right now..." He looked at Yun Ruoxi, winked at her, and said, "I'd like to speak with Miss Yun alone."

Yun Ruoyan's face flushed red instantly.

Shen Zhao was so angry that his face turned green, but he couldn't retaliate. He snorted and stormed off.

The crowd dispersed, and Xiao Fan and Yun Ruoxi walked side by side.

"How dare you!" Yun Ruoxi said softly, "Shen Zhao is a vengeful person. You've offended him today, and he definitely won't let you off the hook."

"What's there to be afraid of? They're not going to eat me, are they?" Xiao Fan casually picked a flower and offered it to her. "But you didn't call me here just to have me recite a poem for you, did you?"

Yun Ruoxi picked up the flower, tucked it behind her ear, and said softly, "Actually, I have a question I'd like to ask you."

"What is it?"

"That day in the lobby, you said you had admired me for a long time. Was that true, or were you just trying to help me out of an awkward situation?"

Xiao Fan stopped and looked at her.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on her cheeks, gilding her delicate face with a golden edge.

"What if I'm telling the truth?"

Yun Ruoxi looked down at the flower in her hand, remaining silent for a long time.

"I don't know," she said. "I can't tell which is the truth and which is a lie."

Xiao Fan laughed and said, "Let's take it slow then. I'm just killing time anyway."

Yun Ruoxi looked up at him and a smile appeared on her lips.

"You...you're shameless."

"What's the point of having any shame? Would you have gotten me if you had any shame?"

Yun Ruoxi could no longer contain her laughter; her smile was as beautiful as a flower.

Behind the artificial hill in the distance, Xiao Ming watched all of this with gritted teeth.

"Xiao Fan, we'll see!"