The sound of the zither was hesitant.
Ning Que appeared a little dazed, an absurd sensation surging in his chest.
“What the heck is this?!”
He took a deep breath, quickly snapped back to reality, slightly curled his five fingers, and his pig-hoof-like hands somehow carried an inexplicable beauty while he played. The turbulent undercurrents suddenly contracted and merged into one.
A violent vibrating sound rushed out in all directions, shaking the mountains and echoing like the springtide’s return.
The zither music unfolded in five layers – those who heard it were injured, those who were struck by it died!
Previously, Li Mo could only confront this technique with sheer brute force, using his sword as a hammer, having no opportunity for finesse or to counter with his swordplay.
But now, Li Mo distinctly felt that with the sound of the jade whistle, the whistle’s tune seemed to be intertwining with the zither music.
This was no ordinary whistle…
The ethereal whistle sound seemed to transform into Qingluan, enveloping him. He could now clearly “see” the flow of music, and it was mirrored deep within him.
Suddenly, Li Mo understood the art of music. The previously complex zither sounds now shone brightly to him.
The overarching principles of the Dugu Nine Swords flowed through his mind.
With a sword in his hand and a sword in his heart.
The sword moved with his will, guided by his inner spirit. One strike was like a celestial swan descending from the sky, its origin unknowable, but its destination certain.
…
“Hey, why is Li Mo suddenly whistling in the middle of this?”
“Didn’t you notice? After he whistled, he seemed much more at ease with the zither music!”
“Come on, seriously though, the little tyrant playing this tune is… surprisingly cheerful. I feel like dancing.”
“Dude, hold your horses. Look over there; your grandma’s already dancing on the road!”
“Holy cr*p!”
While the onlookers were confused, some refined gentlemen well-versed in the art of music suddenly realized: “The Qingluan artifact?!”
“What’s that?” someone asked.
A student of Penglai explained:
“That’s something the Qingluan clan uses before meeting their destined one to express their innermost feelings. It’s drenched with their life’s devotion and a sentiment only they understand.”
“When the Qingluan artifact is blown, the user can attain mastery in the art of music without a master to teach them.”
“Of course, that depends on the Qingluan’s skill in music itself…”
Such an occurrence was a rare blessing for many musicians.
It signified mastery in the field of music, and the unwavering devotion of a noble and refined Qingluan…
“Wait, where did Li Mo even get this thing?!”
No one knew who asked it, but the scene suddenly grew quiet for a moment.
All eyes turned to the radiant figure on the high platform.
Many people probably gritted their teeth so hard.
Ying Bing was completely unaware, as she prepared to face her next opponent.
At this stage, there were no weak contestants on the platform.
Her group included Tian Miao, the Divine Sword of the Celestials, Xie Xuan, the Sword Obsessive now more commonly known as the Raider, and Guan Kong from the Dragon Elephant Temple.
“Look, I know I can’t win against you. But still, couldn’t you at least spare me your glance? That’s a little disrespectful, isn’t it?”
For the first time participating in the Qianlong Conference, Tian Miao helplessly placed her hands on her hips.
“Not one bit.”
Ying Bing turned around.
Her gentle and serene gaze suddenly turned ice-cold, the sacred and inviolable meaning becoming evident.
Tian Miao: “…”
Glancing at the jade disc around her waist, she immediately broke into a cold sweat and her look instantly brightened:
“Actually, you could stare a bit longer if you wanted…”
“?”
“Your chance of defeating me will go from zero to at least one in ten.” Tian Miao sincerely said.
When it’s one in ten, who cares about propriety anymore?!
…
The Divine Sword of the Celestials, which had been suppressed for so long, emitted a joyous hum and precisely struck at the resonant point among the intricate layers of music.
With a whoosh! A lofty realm allowed Li Mo to break through another level, pushing him further forward.
“Grrr, this is infuriating!”
Ning Que was thoroughly exasperated!
This music of high mountains and flowing streams had once heralded the story of two kindred spirits.
There was a touching story behind this music of elegance and poetic romance.
Here’s a fun fact – the first owner of this zither was called Xi Ning Hermit, who played on Mount Penglai long before the establishment of the Star Sect. At that time, all the music masters aspired to ascend the mountain and meet this sage of music, yet none succeeded because of the zither’s music barrier.
Until one day, a famous poet, Young Lord Shaoyun, on his travels, took out a bamboo flute and harmonized with him.
Two souls bonded over music. They only met once, but one later died for his country, while the other waited forever.
A tale of refined elegance and romantic poesy…
Fast forward to today?
Little Tyrant Li just hummed some annoying and overused melody and barged in!
Was this supposed to be the awaited kindred spirit of music? No way! Absolutely not, you j*rk!
“This isn’t elegant at all! Don’t come near me!”
Ning Que was genuinely worked up.
The invisible notes, as his big, bloodied hooves played, turned into wild storms. Layers of rippling waves surrounded him like blooming flowers or brewing tidal waves.
“Nine Streams of Elegance!”
“Good show!”
Li Mo inexplicably felt fired up.
Isn’t music just music? Why not have fun?
Enlightenment! Here comes the most dazzling national style melody!
Clang!
What’s even more vital was that the Divine Sword of the Celestials synced perfectly with the melody.
Li Mo wielded the sword by his heart’s will.
The swordlight seemed like a clear autumn stream or flowing ripples, cutting through emotions with impeccable precision, striking the vital point within the music’s intricate ninefold layers.
This strike pushed Li Mo to yet another level. The essence of the heroic swordsman’s path was now blended into one furnace, and he had almost entered the perfect realm of Dugu Nine Swords.
Tear!
The storm dispersed as the swordlight came to a sudden stop.
It hovered just a paper’s width away from Ning Que’s brow.
With perfect control, Ning Que’s pupils dilated in shock but remained unharmed.
“d*mn, I… I’ve lost, it’s all over…”
Ning Que, conscious of his defeat, sat there shocked, like a ruined pig head who is now a blushing little wife.
“…”
Li Mo sheathed his sword and pondered, seemingly gaining some profound insight, all those epiphanies flowing through his mind.
After a while, he opened his eyes, and saw Ning Que, whose brain looked like it was vibrating.
“Ning Brother, didn’t you say this is just an elegant practice between gentlemen? Losing one game is nothing…”
“No, you don’t understand.”
Ning Que clutched his head. “I’ve lost my refinement! My music of high mountains and flowing streams was shattered by your lowly music! I am no longer a man of elegance!”
Li Mo: “…”
What kind of stubborn obsession is this about being a Little Li Swordsman?
Dear me, did the “Most Dazzling National Wind” have such an impact?
“Ahem, you’re mistaken. Didn’t that last tune bring you joy?”
“Joy is joy, but…”
“Refined music may be rare and solitary, but making everyone happy with your music is also good, is it not? Isn’t this the essence of great music being imperceptible?”
Li Mo pursed his lips.
Ning Que froze, following Li Mo’s gaze down to the stage. He saw a woman in blue, with sunflower seeds shells scattered all around her, gracefully swaying.
With a joyful swing, quite like an old-timey master, exuding effortless charm.
“Look how happy she is.”
“One person being happy doesn’t prove anything…”
“Ah, allow me to introduce you. She’s the clan leader of the Qingluan race.”
“…”
[Congratulations, the host has successfully invested in “Ning Que”, leading him to a certain understanding in the art of music.]
[You have one pending feedback from this investment.]
