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In the weakest kingdom of Arcadia on the continent of Aerion, the acting head of the Mage Guild, Darius, receives Quentin Shaw, a mysterious elder Lute Magus from the Sanctum. Appointed as the new guild master, Quentin also seeks a successor.
In Lunaria, Quentin encounters Maya Leaf holding her newborn son, Evan Young. The baby is born with only eight fingers (missing pinkies). Quentin sees this as a perfect trait for cultivating the Innocent Heart Core, the supreme lute magic technique, as pinkies are unused in playing. He follows Maya to the Emerald Canopy to meet the baby’s grandfather, Yale Leaf, head of the Bamboo Sect.
Old friends Quentin and Yale negotiate. Quentin proposes taking Evan as his disciple to teach lute magic. His revolutionary idea is to combine the Innocent Heart Core with Bamboo Aura, creating an unprecedented fusion (“Lute-Bamboo Unity”) to potentially surpass Amethyst rank and challenge the Sanctum’s Seven Pagodas. Yale agrees after securing promises about the Five Sovereigns (legendary lutes) and Evan’s future role as heir to both sects, provided his primary identity remains with the Bamboo Sect until success.
Evan grows up in seclusion within the Emerald Canopy. He befriends a silent, enigmatic purple-haired boy named Zander, who becomes his constant companion and audience. Under Quentin’s lute melodies and Yale’s aura guidance, Evan masters the Innocent Heart Core to its ninth tier.
Sixteen years later, Evan, having perfected the Innocent Heart Core, prepares to leave for the distant Milan Institute per Quentin’s plan. Accompanied by Zander, he visits the Lunaria Mage Guild for documents and his Crimson mage badge. There, they confront Rufus, an Azure Archmage leading a delegation from Poland seeking to poach mages. Evan, wielding his lute’s mesmerizing power and the deadly Sonic Edge technique taught by Quentin, stuns everyone by effortlessly defeating Rufus and his five companions.
While procuring supplies in Roll City, Evan’s kindness is exploited by a street urchin who steals his Spatial Ring containing the Five Sovereigns, funds, and his institute letter. Simultaneously, Zander spots a lion-man from the Northern Wastes, causing him visible distress. Zander decides he must leave Evan temporarily to handle urgent business. He gives Evan the map to Milan, promising to find him at the institute later. Stripped of his possessions and sole companion, Evan sets out alone on the uncertain journey northward, guided only by the map.

Sovereign of Strings

Quentin Shaw made simple arrangements at the Lunaria Mage Guild and returned to the Emerald Canopy early the next morning. The newly appointed Guild Master clearly held little regard for his Arcadia duties. Nothing mattered more than nurturing his uniquely gifted, eight-fingered disciple.

Though Yale Leaf was the Bamboo Sect Master, only his family resided within the Emerald Canopy: himself, his son Raymond, daughter-in-law Maya, and grandson Evan. Quentin's arrival made them five. With ample bamboo huts, Quentin insisted on not sharing their dwelling. At his request, Raymond built a new hut 500 meters away – a trivial task for a Green-Rank (Earth Warrior) like him.

Construction took ten days. Quentin's demands were rigorous: specific bamboo angles, precise dimensions, even incorporating special materials purchased from Lunaria. Only later did Raymond realize Quentin's strict specifications ensured the bamboo structure produced the perfect acoustics for zither resonance.

"You've lost your mind! Evan is barely past his first month! What can he possibly learn now?" Yale Leaf stared incredulously at Quentin, utterly baffled by the old mage's intentions.

Quentin stood facing his friend, projecting disdain, "Who says an infant can't learn? Even if he doesn't learn... can't he listen? Do you think the 'Innocent Heart Core' cultivates itself? If we don't start early, harnessing his innate energy before it dissipates... how can we possibly succeed?"

Yale Leaf vehemently shook his head, "No! Absolutely not! I know the power of your zither! If your sonic magic harms my grandson's mind, he could end up an idiot!"

Quentin retorted sharply, "Idiot? You're the idiot! Do you think my care for Evan is any less than yours? He is the greatest hope of my life! I'd harm myself before letting him suffer! Before he turns three, he cannot begin cultivating battle aura with you. Before he turns five, he cannot formally study the zither with me. But this period... is the most crucial! I will use my zither music to shape his innate 'Zither Heart' through daily immersion. The child still needs care. Let Raymond and Maya listen beside him. They can tend to him while benefiting their own aura cultivation through the music." A sly glint flashed in Yale Leaf's eyes as he kicked his son's shin, "What are you waiting for? Thank your Uncle Quentin! The Bamboo Sect's 'Source-Nourishing Heart-Quieting Melody' isn't for just anyone's ears!"

Raymond, whose admiration for his father had soared since witnessing the masterful negotiation, grinned sheepishly, quickly pulling Maya (who held Evan) forward to express their thanks.

Quentin froze, then understood. "So you guessed I'd use the 'Source-Nourishing Heart-Quieting Melody'? You! You! Now I truly grasp the meaning of 'old and cunning'!" He pointed accusingly at Yale Leaf, yet again helpless against his friend's machinations.

The 'Source-Nourishing Heart-Quieting Melody' offered immense benefits to warriors: preventing Qi deviation from rushed cultivation, dispelling distracting thoughts, and, crucially, gathering ambient elemental energy to fortify foundations and accelerate cultivation – a treasure any warrior coveted. As Zither Sect Master, Quentin's rendition was a priceless gift indeed.

And so, Quentin Shaw, the new Head of the Arcadia Mage Guild, settled within the Emerald Canopy. Young Evan Young grew amidst melodies as refreshing as a spring breeze rustling leaves, as pure as autumn waters washing over stone.

Chapter 2: The Chord of Clashing Bamboo - Part Four