Chapter 99: The Battle of the Instruments Begins
“Young Master, are we really going in?”
Qin Xuan, following Jun Xiaoyao, glanced around the luxurious and extravagant Xianqiong Tower, her face showing signs of anxiety.
She had never entered such a high-end establishment before.
“If we don’t go in, how can we participate in the Guqin competition?” Jun Xiaoyao smiled.
He casually took out a top-grade divine source and tossed it to a servant by the Xianqiong Tower.
The servant was stunned and didn’t dare to stop Jun Xiaoyao from entering.
Qin Xuan nodded slightly.
She regarded Jun Xiaoyao as a suitor admiring the Celestial Guqin Maiden.
As for the competition?
Qin Xuan hadn’t even considered it.
Soon, Jun Xiaoyao and Qin Xuan reached the top floor of Xianqiong Tower.
As soon as Jun Xiaoyao appeared, all eyes in the room were drawn to him.
His aura was so unique that it was hard not to notice.
“Hey, who is that? Such an astonishing presence!”
“Why do I feel like a celestial being has descended to the mortal realm?”
Many outstanding figures from powerful factions revealed expressions of surprise.
The Third Prince and the young master of the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce also showed astonishment.
Especially the Third Prince, who, while surprised, also revealed a hint of vigilance in his eyes.
In his view, most men attending the Guqin competition were there to admire the Celestial Guqin Maiden’s ethereal beauty.
And the Third Prince had long regarded the Celestial Guqin Maiden as a forbidden treasure.
The mysterious young man enveloped in celestial light before him gave the Third Prince a subtle sense of threat.
Because in front of this white-clad young man, even he, a prince, felt a twinge of inferiority.
It was as if a humble mortal stood before a celestial being.
This feeling made the Third Prince extremely uncomfortable.
What made him even more displeased was that the Celestial Guqin Maiden’s gaze was also drawn to this white-clad young man.
“What an astonishing aura…”
Even with the Celestial Guqin Maiden’s cold demeanor, she felt a sense of surprise within.
Before this white-clad young man, she too felt a hint of self-deprecation.
Jun Xiaoyao didn’t care about the gazes from the crowd and casually found a seat.
On the other hand, Qin Xuan felt a bit flustered under so many watchful eyes.
“Hey… he…”
On the other side, Feng Qingling also noticed Jun Xiaoyao.
Her eyes gathered crimson mist, trying to see through the celestial glow on Jun Xiaoyao’s face.
“Hmm?” Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow, releasing his soul power from the divine palace in his mind.
In an instant, Feng Qingling frowned, feeling a sharp pain in her head.
“This person has some skills.” Feng Qingling furrowed her brow and gave up her probing.
After all, she had come primarily to meet the Celestial Guqin Maiden, who was reputed to be the best in guqin artistry.
Jun Xiaoyao withdrew his gaze and murmured, “It seems the people from the Wanhuang Spirit Mountain have also begun to move.”
Previously, it was the Ancestor Dragon Nest causing trouble.
Now, the heir of Wanhuang Spirit Mountain had appeared.
These two factions had a good relationship and were both targeting the Jun family.
Thus, Jun Xiaoyao naturally had no good feelings toward Feng Qingling.
“Everyone, the time is almost up, so let’s begin the Guqin competition now,” said an old woman from the Xianwu Qin Sect beside the high platform.
She was also the protector of the Celestial Guqin Maiden.
“Haha, since that’s the case, allow me to make a fool of myself first. I hope the Celestial Guqin Maiden will kindly offer guidance.” A young man stepped forward, smiling as he took out his guqin.
“Please.”
The Celestial Guqin Maiden uttered a single word, her voice cool and clear.
The young man began to play, and the sound of the guqin flowed like water.
The Celestial Guqin Maiden’s cold and beautiful eyes remained indifferent.
After listening to the young man’s piece, the Celestial Guqin Maiden finally used her delicate fingers to pluck the strings.
In an instant, the sound of the guqin seemed to resonate with heavenly music.
Holy light swirled around, and clouds of mist rose, with divine brilliance flickering in the void, making the Celestial Guqin Maiden appear as if she were a celestial being from the guqin.
Almost everyone present was entranced, and the Third Prince and the young master of the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce felt their admiration deepen.
As the Celestial Guqin Maiden finished her piece, the lingering sound echoed, refusing to fade.
“This is a celestial melody, marvelous, marvelous!”
“After hearing the Celestial Guqin Maiden’s music, I feel as if I’m about to transcend.” Many outstanding figures were exclaiming.
“It’s truly beautiful.” Qin Xuan was also captivated.
Even she, who didn’t understand guqin, felt somewhat entranced.
“It’s alright,” Jun Xiaoyao said lightly.
He didn’t specialize in guqin and hadn’t practiced much.
But with Jun Xiaoyao’s extraordinary talent, combined with some famous ancient guqin pieces he knew from his past life, his guqin skills had unknowingly reached their peak.
To him, the Celestial Guqin Maiden’s music could only be considered decent, within the realm of appreciation.
The young man who challenged the Celestial Guqin Maiden cupped his hands and said, “As expected of the young generation of the celestial realm, the number one in guqin artistry. I humbly bow to your skill.”
“Thank you for your kindness.” The Celestial Guqin Maiden’s expression was calm, showing no joy from her victory.
Next, several other talented individuals stepped forward to challenge her, all of whom were defeated.
Seeing this, the Third Prince and the young master of the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce wore smiles.
No one could defeat the Celestial Guqin Maiden in guqin artistry, and thus no one could capture her interest.
At this moment, a voice tinged with a hint of arrogance rang out.
“Let Qingling have a go at you, the number one in guqin artistry of the young generation in the celestial realm.”
Feng Qingling stood up, her fiery red dress accentuating her tall and graceful figure.
Though her face was shrouded in divine mist, a fleeting glimpse revealed her stunning beauty.
She took out a fire-red guqin, its strings seemingly entwined with flames.
It was an extremely powerful noble weapon.
“The number one in guqin artistry is too much praise. Since Miss Feng wishes to challenge, please go ahead.” The Celestial Guqin Maiden’s tone was calm but carried a hint of rivalry.
The two faced each other and began to play simultaneously.
“Listen to my piece, ‘Phoenix Seeking the Phoenix!’” Feng Qingling’s jade-like hands danced over the strings, and countless red symbols appeared, imprinting the void.
Then, the sounds of phoenix cries echoed.
A phoenix and a凰, two vividly lifelike divine birds, circled around Feng Qingling.
This spectacle astonished many.
The Celestial Guqin Maiden also began to play her signature piece, the ‘Rainbow Garment and Feathered Dance.’
In an instant, the audience seemed to witness a celestial palace descending, celestial maidens dancing, flowers raining from the sky, and golden lotuses erupting from the ground.
Everyone appeared entranced, unaware of the passage of time.
The two pieces of music intertwined and clashed.
Finally, with a snap, one of Feng Qingling’s strings broke.
Her complexion turned slightly pale, her expression shifting.
In the end, she stopped playing.
“Truly worthy of being the number one in guqin artistry among the young generation of the celestial realm. If I cannot defeat you, then no one else can,” Feng Qingling said, shaking her head slightly.
She hailed from Wanhuang Spirit Mountain, possessing an inherent pride and nobility.
But now, she had to admit her defeat.
Of course, this was only in terms of guqin artistry; if it came to true strength, the Celestial Guqin Maiden would absolutely not match her.
Moreover, Feng Qingling was quite proud.
She believed that if she couldn’t defeat the Celestial Guqin Maiden, then no one among the young generation of the entire Huangtian Celestial Realm could surpass her in guqin artistry.