As these words were spoken.
The judges on the rostrum exchanged glances.
The foremost running script in the world—"The Orchid Pavilion Preface"!
Also known as "Preface by the Stream," "The Orchid Pavilion Collection Preface," "Calligraphy of the Rite of Purification," and others, it consists of 28 lines and 324 characters. Written by Wang Xizhi in the ninth year of Yonghe (353 AD), it was praised by Mi Fu as "the foremost running script in the world."
Over the dynasties, there were no less than several dozen copies by calligraphers, making it a rare cultural phenomenon in the history of calligraphy.
Even in modern times, many calligraphers still imitate the Orchid Pavilion Preface, which represents the highest achievement in running script.
If a master were to imitate the Orchid Pavilion Preface, they would not be surprised.
But this was merely a campus calligraphy competition, and for a high school student to want to imitate the Orchid Pavilion Preface seemed somewhat attention-seeking to everyone present.
"Hmph, wanting to run before learning to walk. They won't amount to much."
Qin Chuan snorted coldly.
Just then, the commentator's voice rang out at the opportune moment.
"I've just received some shocking news. The paper size this contestant, number 77, has requested is the same as the Shenlong copy, a facsimile by Feng Chengsu of the Tang Dynasty. If nothing unexpected occurs, he intends to imitate the foremost running script in the world—the Orchid Pavilion Preface!"
Upon hearing this, the entire venue erupted in an uproaror.
"The Orchid Pavilion Preface? You mean Jay Chou's Orchid Pavilion Preface?"
"What Jay Chou's Orchid Pavilion Preface, it's Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface, known as the foremost running script in the world, with 28 lines and a total of 324 characters!"
"We even learned about it in class. Is this number 77 so arrogant? He's just a high school student."
"Heh, I think he's just seeking attention. When he writes it, it'll probably be all crooked, but it's still called an imitation, right?"
"This guy is such a show-off, a real poser."
"Hilarious, isn't he afraid of being embarrassed?"
Most people did not have high hopes for Wang Yue.
They believed he was merely a poser.
Zhang Tao turned his head and looked at Wang Yue gratefully.
Good brother!
Your grandstanding has angered everyone else, so no one will pay attention to me anymore.
Zhang Tao suddenly found Wang Yue particularly pleasing to the eye.
Yes, after this is over, he must become friends with this guy.
He truly goes all out when there's something to be done, and he truly puts on a show!
Yang Dong merely glanced at Wang Yue before lowering his head to continue his own work, his facial expression unequivocally stating: "Clown!"
However, the judges said nothing and proceeded to cut the Xuan paper according to Wang Yue's request.
Class 1, Grade 3.
Everyone had mixed opinions about Wang Yue's actions.
Qiao Zixuan, however, continued to stare intently at the screen, unwilling to miss a single moment.
Even if everyone doubted Wang Yue, she believed in him.
People with talent who show off are impressive.
People without talent who show off are idiots.
Based on Qiao Zixuan's understanding of Wang Yue, he was definitely the former.
Gu Zhi and Wang Yucheng were the happiest.
"Brother Gu, this kid has really overdone his showing off. After today, he'll probably be nailed to the pillar of shame and talked about for years to come."
Wang Yucheng said with a smile.
Gu Zhi sneered, "This guy really thinks he's omnipotent. We must make a big deal out of this, not just let people in our school know, but also people from other schools!"
As he spoke, Gu Zhi took out his phone and started frantically posting on the forums of various schools.
The titles were also quite interesting.
"Shocking, a student from Second High School is imitating the Orchid Pavilion Preface! Who is he?"
Soon, the post garnered heated discussion.
The campus calligraphy competition had recently been held in many schools.
"If I understand correctly, the楼主 means this student is going to imitate the foremost running script in the world?"
"Hahaha, what a laughable absurdity, I'm laughing, are you?"
"A student from Second High School, those who know, know. Most of them are a bunch of brainless people."
"Don't generalize, upstairs, you'll get yourself into trouble."
Wang Yue, the center of public opinion, remained very calm.
He had acquired an epic running script skill, and it was no exaggeration to say he already possessed master-level proficiency. Although he didn't yet have the awe-inspiring presence of a grandmaster who had established a school, master-level skill far surpassed ordinary imagination.
Moreover, the Orchid Pavilion Preface had been imprinted in his mind the moment he acquired the running script skill. Whether it was the brushwork or the spirit, Wang Yue understood it thoroughly.
Soon, the judges finished cutting the Xuan paper.
"Here you go, student, your requested Xuan paper."
The judge said with a smile.
"Thank you."
Wang Yue expressed his gratitude and then spread the Xuan paper flat on the table.
Then, he picked up the brush with extreme ease.
The next second, Wang Yue's demeanor changed. If he had been just an ordinary high school student before, he now gave the impression of a learned scholar brimming with talent!
Scholarly aura!
Qin Chuan narrowed his eyes. He felt he might have underestimated this high school student.
Calligraphy art typically has three levels and nine realms.
The three levels are the foundational "calligraphy study," the "calligraphy art" (inferior realm), and the "calligraphy way" (superior realm). Each level has three realms, totaling nine realms.
Wang Yue's current demeanor perfectly matched the third realm of calligraphy study, "scholarly aura."
Finally, Wang Yue put his brush to paper.
With perfect suspension of the elbow and wrist, he began in one continuous stroke, his brush dancing like dragons and snakes.
"In the ninth year of Yonghe, the year being Gui Chou..."
The cameraman was focused on Wang Yue.
He felt this kid was very interesting and likely to be a topic of discussion.
"What is the cameraman doing? Film the characters, why is he constantly filming this kid?"
"But you have to admit, it really looks the part. This suspension of the elbow and wrist is very standard, not shaky at all."
"A poser would definitely act the part, look at the characters!"
The crowd murmured.
As if hearing the discussion, the camera finally shifted to Wang Yue's writing.
"Hiss..."
The entire venue gasped in unison.
What was this?!
"In the ninth year of Yonghe, the year being Gui Chou."
With just these eight characters, everyone was stunned.
These eight characters seemed to have come alive, the brushwork like dragons and snakes, with hidden spirit and charm.
Even those who didn't understand calligraphy could see how well these characters were written.
It is said that amateurs watch the excitement, while connoisseurs appreciate the skill.
The judges' bench immediately buzzed with discussion.
"This kid has some talent. Judging by these eight characters alone, his attainments are not shallow."
"I originally thought this kid was just seeking attention, but now I'm a little expectant."
"I fear that the granddaughter of Chairman Shen might be in danger this time."
Hearing the discussions of the other three judges,
Qin Chuan's gaze was even sharper. He muttered, "How is this possible... How can a high school student possess the demeanor of a master?"
At this moment, Wang Yue was unaware that he had already drawn gasps of admiration. He was completely immersed in the world of calligraphy.
"In the early days of late spring, we gathered at the Orchid Pavilion in Kuaiji Shanyin to perform the purification ritual..."
Wang Yue wrote faster and faster. A painting naturally emerged in his mind: a gathering of distinguished guests at the Orchid Pavilion in Shanyin, and he, following Wang Xizhi, wrote these characters that had been passed down for a thousand years, stroke by stroke!
In the eyes of the outside world.
At this moment, Wang Yue himself seemed to have become elegant and agile, as if he were about to merge with heaven and earth. Character after character leaped onto the paper under his brush, as if to transport everyone through the passage of a thousand years, back to the Orchid Pavilion of Shanyin City, during the gathering of distinguished guests.