Zhou Yan's words, written with his martial dao, were naturally profound and unfathomable. Those who hadn't reached a high realm would find it difficult to comprehend.
After finishing, Zhou Yan said to Zhang Hua, "Whoever can provide a matching couplet, I will grant them a request within my capabilities."
"Thank you, Immortal Master," Zhang Hua and the people around him quickly replied.
Then, everyone began to examine the couplet. Even the old scholars nearby became curious, wondering if they could provide a response.
Zhou Yan's strength was unfathomable. If they could match his couplet, they could have him help them with one matter.
Such an extraordinary opportunity was extremely rare, how could they not be excited?
Zhou Yan said, "Bring out the other ten couplets as well. This one is just an additional reward."
"Yes!" everyone replied promptly.
The upper couplet Zhou Yan had composed was not something ordinary people could conceive. Others felt they should first strive to secure a spot among the top ten.
Under everyone's efforts, ten people quickly succeeded in matching the master's upper couplet. Of course, the requirements were naturally very high; a casual response wouldn't suffice.
Zhang Hua successfully advanced to the next round, but Zhang Xiyan did not.
These old scholars were quite fair; they didn't allow Zhang Xiyan to advance just because she was a princess.
Zhang Xiyan also knew the extent of her talent; reaching this point was already good.
The final round was to select the Couplet King. Ten people had to provide a matching lower couplet, and the competition became even more intense.
Everyone wanted to vie for the final title of Couplet King. This year, not only were princes present, but an Immortal Master like Zhou Yan was also here. This was their chance to gain fame.
The final couplet for the Couplet King was also exquisite. The ten contestants pondered it for a long time.
Meanwhile, the scholars and poets who had not advanced continued to study Zhou Yan's couplet. Compared to the Couplet King title, they were more eager to obtain Zhou Yan's reward.
Zhou Yan looked at the Couplet King's final couplet. The upper line was: "For ages, loyalty and integrity, for ages admired."
After a long while, Zhang Hua spoke first, "For a lifetime, clarity and a lifetime of sorrow."
The surrounding old scholars listened, nodded to each other, and said, "His Royal Highness, the First Prince, is indeed quick-witted. We are impressed."
"I declare that the Couplet King this time is the First Prince!" the old scholars announced.
Zhou Yan found no fault with it and asked, "Speak, what is your desire?"
Zhang Hua directly said, "I implore the Immortal Master to bestow upon me a treasured sword that can be passed down through generations."
Zhou Yan nodded and said, "I grant your request."
Subsequently, Zhou Yan said, "You are destined by fate and will surely inherit the throne of Luo Yun Kingdom in the future. I do possess a remarkable sword, and I shall bestow it upon you."
With a wave of his hand, a divine sword emerged from the void.
"Swish!"
The moment this sword appeared, a dragon's roar shook the heavens, and golden light pierced the clouds, causing everyone in the imperial dynasty to look here in astonishment.
All felt a powerful dragon's might, like an unapproachable emperor, emanating a heart-stopping power.
Countless people gazed in shock at the golden, gleaming treasured sword before them. Its mere presence before them exerted a powerful oppressive force.
It gave them a feeling of dread, making them want to prostrate themselves, filling them with awe and a sense of immense power.
"This sword is named Dragon's Roar. I have inscribed divine patterns upon it. It can ensure the prosperity of Luo Yun Kingdom for a million years. If the Dragon's Roar Sword shatters, the national fortune of Luo Yun Kingdom will also reach its end. Henceforth, it will depend on yourselves."
Zhou Yan's hand etched one after another profound divine pattern formations. The void trembled repeatedly, and a golden dragon shadow continuously roamed upon the Dragon's Roar Sword.
Then, Zhou Yan obtained a drop of True Dragon blood from Jin Ye in his territory and dripped it onto the Dragon's Roar Sword, making the entire sword appear as if it had come alive.
This dragon shadow would gradually fade and disappear with the passage of time.
Afterward, he took a drop of Zhang Hua's vital blood and placed it on the Dragon's Roar Sword.
Zhou Yan said, "I have placed a drop of True Dragon blood on it, and now I have added your blood. Henceforth, unless it is your descendant, no one will be able to wield this sword!"
"Unless it is the true son of heaven of Luo Yun Kingdom, one cannot gain the recognition of the Dragon's Roar Sword."
"This sword can preserve your Luo Yun Kingdom's national fortune for a million years without decline!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hua's face lit up with joy. He quickly knelt and said, "Thank you, Immortal Master, for this gift!"
"Thank you, Immortal Master, for protecting Luo Yun Kingdom!" the people around also quickly knelt and said.
Zhou Yan then waved his hand, and the Dragon's Roar Sword entered its sheath and appeared beside Zhang Hua. Zhang Hua grasped it and felt a surge of immense power.
This sword made him feel a powerful surge of energy, instantly making him ten times stronger!
"Thank you, Immortal Master!" Zhang Hua thanked him again.
Zhou Yan nodded and looked outside, saying, "The Wang family has finally arrived."
Zhang Hua, holding the Dragon's Roar, then said to Zhou Yan, "Immortal Master, how should we proceed?"
"Let's deal with them first. I will send a few people to assist you." Zhou Yan waved his hand, and several figures appeared before him.
These individuals were randomly summoned by Zhou Yan: Zhao Yun, Long Ju, and Pei Yuanqing.
Each of them possessed combat power capable of annihilating the top powerhouses of this world. With these three, it was enough to help Zhang Hua sweep aside all enemies.
"You three, help him eliminate all enemies," Zhou Yan commanded.
"Yes!" The three, all exuding powerful auras, clad in armor and wielding weapons, emitted astonishingly sharp killing intent, leaving the surrounding people in awe.
Seeing Zhou Yan summon three powerful divine generals with a wave of his hand, the surrounding people worshiped him even more, filled with reverence.
"Thank you, Immortal Master." Zhang Hua, now filled with confidence, strode towards the gate.
Upon reaching the gate, Zhang Hua saw Wang Yuan's father, Wang Dongfei, the current patriarch of the Wang family, who had already surrounded the area with hundreds of men.
Before Wang Dongfei lay Wang Yuan, who had met his untimely end.
Wang Dongfei's eyes were bloodthirsty, and he was surrounded by elite fighters. Upon seeing Zhang Hua, he roared in anger, "First Prince, I demand an explanation!"
Zhang Hua's anger flared upon hearing this, "Wang Dongfei, who do you think you are, daring to speak to this Prince in such a manner? Do you not know the difference between superior and subordinate!"
Wang Dongfei coldly glared at Zhang Hua and also flew into a rage, "I address you as First Prince only out of respect for the royal family. If I didn't, Zhang Hua would be nothing in my eyes!"
"It seems your Wang family has long harbored rebellious intentions. You are arrogant and lawless, indulging your family members in bullying and arbitrary killing. Even your household servants are exceedingly arrogant and domineering, having long incurred public outrage!"
"Wang Yuan was the chief culprit. In the imperial city, he committed rape, plunder, murder, arson, forcibly abducted civilian women, and wantonly seized others' property. He was utterly depraved."
"My killing of Wang Yuan was to uphold justice for the nation, in accordance with heavenly principles and natural law!"