The System Granted Me Invincibility, Setting Me on the Path to Becoming the Heavenly Emperor

37: Talented woman Yin ShenggeThe literary dao Cultivators who crossed the Sea of Learning gradually arrived at Book Mountain. Although the Sea of Learning had eliminated a large portion of people, many still ascended Book Mountain.

At Nameless Manor, the representatives of various major factions sat high above, while the younger generation sat below.

The Empress did not take a high seat, instead sharing a spot with Qin Gelan, as she did not like to attract too much attention.

An elegant woman with a refined countenance followed beside Dao Master Chu. She was serene and graceful, dressed in a white gown with a white silk ribbon tightly binding her slender waist.

A jade-carved wooden hairpin held up her jet-black, lustrous hair. Her features were pure and ethereal, not at all inferior to the likes of Yu Linglong and Xue Qingcheng.

The talented woman of Book Mountain, Yin Shengge!

An existence whose reputation rivaled that of the Saints and Saintesses of the Transcendent Factions.

Her talent in the literary dao could be called the best among the younger generation. Even the Literary Sage had praised her highly, claiming she would surely become a Sage in the future, which showed her standing.

After everyone was seated, Dao Master Chu sat in the central position on the high platform, with Yin Shengge by his side.

Dao Master Chu spoke in a clear voice, ”It seems everyone has arrived. I shall now announce the topic for this session of the Book Mountain Assembly...”

”People and things. For people, you may write about those of the past, the present, or the future.”

”For things, you may write about flowers, grass, trees, mountains, seas... haha... you can even write about an ultimate dao immortal artifact.”

”The winner of this Book Mountain Assembly may enter Book Mountain to cultivate. Furthermore, as Nameless Manor has hosted session after session of the Book Mountain Assembly, this time’s winner may name the Nameless Manor.”

A wave of commotion arose. This might not mean much to other factions, but for literary dao Cultivators, it was of extraordinary significance.

literary dao Cultivators have two great long-cherished wishes: to write a masterpiece that will be passed down through the ages, and to name the Nameless Manor.

This was a tremendous honor, one that would last for eternity. Just think, when people of future generations come to Nameless Manor for the Book Mountain Assembly, the first person they would think of is the one who named the Nameless Manor.

To a literary dao Cultivator, this was already no less than writing a masterpiece that would endure for ages.

”Who is willing to compose an ode to open the Book Mountain Assembly?”

Dao Master Chu looked around and asked with a chuckle.

Qin Gelan sipped his tea, unhurried. He decided to watch first, noticing that Yuan Cheng, who had previously tried to hit on the Empress, was also there.

Yuan Cheng looked toward the Empress; he had noticed her when they first entered Nameless Manor.

At this moment, his eyes revealed a look of amazement. He was somewhat eager to move, clearly wanting to write about the Empress.

”Senior Chu, I wonder if it is permissible to compose an ode about someone present?” Yuan Cheng asked.

Dao Master Chu glanced at Yuan Cheng. ”As long as the subject is willing, there is no harm.”

Everyone looked at Yuan Cheng. They all knew he wanted to write about a beauty because several of those present possessed world-shaking looks.

Such as Yu Linglong, Yu Feihua, Xue Qingcheng, Xue Ning, the Empress, and so on.

The point was... if one didn’t write about a beauty, would they write about a man?

Sure enough, Yuan Cheng looked at the Empress beside Qin Gelan, cupped his hands, and smiled. ”This lady’s beauty is world-toppling. I wonder if I might have the honor of composing a poem for you?”

He then gave Qin Gelan a faint glance, mocking him inwardly. The Book Mountain Assembly valued literary talent; what use was looking good?

Once he wrote an Ode to a Beauty, such a fine lady would surely be unable to help but fall for him. Thinking of this, Yuan Cheng was already somewhat impatient, just waiting for the Empress’s nod.

Dao Master Chu and the various factions all looked at Yuan Cheng strangely. Was this kid really that brave?

If Yuan Cheng knew that the one he wanted to write about was Empress Shenxi, one wondered if he would still be able to hold his brush.

The Empress looked up and glanced at Yuan Cheng, her gaze indifferent and carrying an invisible sense of pressure.

Yuan Cheng suddenly felt an invisible pressure on him, even though the Empress hadn’t released any aura.

But having occupied the imperial throne for a long time, the aura she naturally exuded made Yuan Cheng feel somewhat alarmed.

”You are not worthy.”

These three simple words made everyone present at Nameless Manor sneer inwardly. He didn’t even look at who he was, yet he dared to write about the Empress.

Even the Sect Heads of these Transcendent Factions wouldn’t dare to write about the Empress. Where did he get the courage?

”Ignorant fool.”

Shen Hao let out a mocking remark. His voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough for everyone to hear.

The princess of the Loulan Empire also let out a bell-like laugh.

Yun Yao, standing behind the Empress, gave a snort, her gaze toward Yuan Cheng full of disdain.

Yuan Cheng’s face immediately became awkward. Standing before everyone like a clown, he had lost all face.

”Ahem... since the Empress is unwilling, let it be,” Dao Master Chu coughed lightly to break the awkward situation. ”The talented men and women present may write down your compositions. In the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, you may each reveal them.”

Just as Dao Master Chu finished speaking, the System’s voice was heard:

[Mission Issued: Take first place in the Book Mountain Assembly and crush all the talented men and women.]

[Mission Reward: Vision — Vast Heaven and Earth.]

Sitting in the Linglong Island section, Yu Linglong waved at Qin Gelan. Judging by her mouth movements: ”You owe me a poem.”

Qin Gelan shook his head with a smile, but he still picked up his brush and began to write.

Only half the time for the incense to burn had passed when Qin Gelan put down his brush. The Empress beside him looked over. Qin Gelan didn’t hide it and directly handed the completed ode to linglong to her.

When she saw the title, the Empress looked at Qin Gelan with an inquiring expression.

Did Qin Gelan have feelings for Yu Linglong?

”Ahem, I promised to write a poem for Yu Linglong before, but I was delayed by some matters and put it off until now,” Qin Gelan coughed lightly and explained.

The Empress glanced in the direction of Linglong Island, then looked at Xue Qingcheng of the Ice and Snow Divine Palace.

Well, it would have been better not to explain. The more he explained, the more it made one wonder.

You promised to write a poem for Yu Linglong, so why didn’t you promise to write one for Xue Qingcheng? Xue Qingcheng was with you before too, right?

Qin Gelan smiled and didn’t explain further. The Empress looked at the ode to linglong written by Qin Gelan. As she read, she became somewhat entranced, as if she could see the beauty described in the poem right before her eyes.

Such wording was like nectar from heaven, like a spring breeze brushing the face, making one unable to pull themselves away.

The Empress’s eyes were dazed for a moment, and her majestic voice said softly, ”It’s very well written, not inferior to that bring in the wine.”

Even with the Empress’s critical eye, she was amazed by this ode to linglong.

Changing two characters of the ode to the luo river goddess, it became the ode to linglong. Qin Gelan had copied Cao Zhi’s ode to the luo river goddess word for word.

The ode to the luo river goddess was known as the greatest ode under heaven, and that wasn’t just talk.

At this time, Dao Master Chu was also very curious about what kind of poetry Qin Gelan could write, even feeling a faint sense of anticipation.

bring in the wine had been written with a sense of boundless heroism. He wondered what kind of stunning poem he would write about a person. He whispered something to the talented woman Yin Shengge beside him.

Yin Shengge’s clear, beautiful eyes widened. She looked at Qin Gelan curiously and then slowly stood up.

All the young talents present watched Yin Shengge, each hoping she would walk toward them.

Whether in terms of talent or appearance, Yin Shengge was considered peerless in the world, and she had no shortage of admirers.

Most of the young talents present were writing about Yin Shengge. As long as they weren’t writing about the leaders of the factions present, they didn’t need to ask; it was common practice.

As for Yuan Cheng’s previous inquiry to the Empress, it was purely to show off his own grace and win the beauty’s approval.

He hadn’t expected it to end before it even began, being directly rejected by the Empress and losing all face.

Only later did he find out that the woman sitting next to Qin Gelan was actually Empress Shenxi. He suddenly felt that he had overreached himself.

As Yin Shengge paced, the gazes of the talented men followed her.

”Pick me! Pick me!”

”Come to my side!”

The hearts of all the talented men were shouting, their hearts in their throats.

But Yin Shengge bypassed them directly and stopped in front of Qin Gelan. In an instant, the hearts of the young talents turned cold.

It was as if the sound of hearts shattering could be heard—shatter~

A clear voice, like the flowing water of a hot spring, rang out: ”Young Master Qin, Shengge wishes to compose a poem with you as the subject. I wonder if that is acceptable?”