Chapter 568 - 577: Leave It to Him

Jiechen looked at the Phoenix Tail Zither and couldn’t help but say with a wry smile, "A Guqin? I really haven’t studied them, so it looks like I won’t be of any help to you this time."

Meng Fei’Er smiled faintly. "It’s alright. Just leave it to me. Though I can’t compare to Junior Sister Yanm, I, Meng Fei, am still quite proficient with my Zither Technique. Besting those two shouldn’t be a problem."

Upon hearing the Jade Maiden Sect’s Great Elder, Duan Chi simply shook his head. "If you want me to wield a sword and fight, I’m your man. But this? Count me out."

Meanwhile, Youu Junlian gazed at the Phoenix Tail Zither before her and said slowly, "For this one, leave it to me."

Wen Qingye nodded without a word.

Fang Huatong glanced over the four young women and said with a smile, "Who among you will go first?"

"I’ll go." Zhao Dan’Er slowly rose and walked over to the Phoenix Tail Zither. She then cupped her hands in a bow toward the surrounding Jade Maiden Sect Elders and disciples, saying humbly, "I am not particularly well-versed in music, and I wouldn’t dare compete with the other three. Please forgive my poor performance."

After speaking, Zhao Dan’Er slowly settled into a kneeling position and placed her fingers on the Phoenix Tail Zither.

TING!

A clear, pleasant note began to echo in everyone’s ears, and the crowd fell silent, listening intently to the music of the zither.

A Jade Maiden Sect Elder commented, "This Songyang Melody is passable, I suppose."

"Yes, just barely," the Jade Maiden Sect’s Great Elder added with a smile.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhao Dan’Er’s performance concluded.

Zhao Dan’Er gave a small smile, nodded to the audience, and slowly walked off.

"Next."

Fang Huatong looked toward the three remaining young women, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

Yanm Fang was about to rise, but Meng Fei beat her to it, walking directly to the Phoenix Tail Zither.

Yanm Fang sat back down and shook her head with a knowing smile. ’That senior sister of mine is a clever one.’

’If I had played just now, the person following me would have certainly been at a disadvantage. Meng Fei must have realized this, which is why she rushed up before I could.’

After Meng Fei sat down, her fingers began to slowly dance across the strings.

Meng Fei’s Zither Technique was indeed a cut above Zhao Dan’Er’s. The music carried a tranquil quality that calmed the mind and reached right into the heart; it was a modest accomplishment.

When the piece concluded, Meng Fei let out a breath of relief and slowly walked back before the crowd.

"Not bad."

"A significant improvement over Dan’Er."

The Elders of the Jade Maiden Sect all nodded slightly, voicing their opinions.

Just as Youu Junlian was about to step forward, Yanm Fang moved past her and went up instead.

’This is bad.’

Youu Junlian’s expression changed at once. ’I knew my Music Dao is no match for Yanm Fang’s. I only wanted to compete with Meng Fei this time, but now Yanm Fang has gone up before me. She’s obviously trying to crush me.’

Wen Qingye murmured from her side, "Be patient. Let’s just watch for now."

Youu Junlian took a deep breath and nodded.

When the audience saw Yanm Fang sit down, their eyes filled with anticipation.

"Senior Sister Yanm is a true virtuoso! I heard she can even play ’Snow.’ I wonder if she’ll play it for us today."

"Of course she is! Among all who cultivate the Zither Dao in our Jade Maiden Sect, Senior Sister Yanm’s cultivation is the highest."

"Shh, be quiet and listen."

It wasn’t just the disciples; even the Jade Maiden Sect Elders watched Yanm Fang with keen anticipation.

Yanm Fang took a slow breath, then her fingers gracefully plucked a string.

DING-DONG!

A clear chime rang out, startling everyone’s Heart Spirit. Then, a lingering melody began to drift into their ears.

It was beautiful and moving, putting everyone’s minds at ease.

Everyone present was completely captivated.

Suddenly, everyone’s vision blurred into an ethereal scene. A wisp of Qingyan began to spread, dark and hazy.

A crescent moon shone down from above, its light like flowing water—serene, gentle, and hauntingly clear.

DANG!

A long moment passed before a final, abrupt note from the zither brought everyone back to their senses.

"’Moon’! That was the song ’Moon’!"

"’Moon’? You mean ’Moon,’ one of the four most difficult compositions?"

"Senior Sister Yanm is incredible! She can even play ’Moon’! I still can’t even play ’Flower’ yet."

"The melody lingers... It’s truly refreshing and so pleasant to hear."

...

The Jade Maiden Sect’s Elders also began to converse, each with a look of immense enjoyment.

The Jade Maiden Sect’s Great Elder smiled in satisfaction. "It seems Yanm Fang will be first in this second trial, as expected. To think she can play such a difficult piece at only twenty-four... Her future cultivation of the Zither Dao surely won’t disappoint us."

Fang Huatong nodded in agreement. "Mm, very good indeed. We finally have a truly outstanding disciple. I never expected Yanm Fang to be hiding such profound skill."

Yanm Fang walked off with a smile, her heart swelling with pride. ’I spent countless hours of cultivation to finally grasp ’Moon.’ Using it now to stun the entire audience was exactly what I had planned.’

Fang Huatong looked at Youu Junlian, who was still seated. "Junlian, it’s your turn to prepare."

Hearing Fang Huatong’s words, Youu Junlian’s hands trembled, and she whispered in dismay, "’Yanm Fang played ’Moon.’ This is going to be difficult for me now. Unless I can surpass her, anything I play will just be criticized in comparison.’"

"Then leave it to me," Wen Qingye said with a faint smile.

Youu Junlian was startled by his words. She turned to look into his eyes and saw a certain light within them. She didn’t know why, but in that gaze, she saw endless hope and trust.

’Leave it to him? Alright, then. I’ll leave it to him.’

Youu Junlian nodded emphatically. "Alright. I’m counting on you."

Wen Qingye slowly stood up. With an otherworldly air about him, he walked toward the Phoenix Tail Zither.

Ling Tianyu’s eyebrow shot up as he demanded, "Wen Qingye, what do you think you’re doing?"

It wasn’t just Ling Tianyu; everyone frowned as they watched Wen Qingye, their eyes filled with confusion. ’What is he doing? Could he be skilled in music as well?’

Fang Huatong and the Jade Maiden Sect’s Great Elder stared at Wen Qingye, their gazes fixed on him.

A peculiar light flickered in Bu Yanting’s lovely eyes as she asked, "Wen Qingye, are you going to play the Phoenix Tail Zither in Youu Junlian’s place?"

Wen Qingye nodded. "Doesn’t the trial allow for outside assistance? For this contest, it will be me again."

WHOOSH!

Wen Qingye’s words sent a ripple of shock through the crowd below.

With that, he slowly sat down beside the Phoenix Tail Zither, the corners of his mouth turned up in a relaxed, placid smile.

Yanm Fang watched Wen Qingye and snorted coldly. ’Hmph, Wen Qingye? Does he really dare compete with me in music? When it comes to raw power, I may not be his match. But in music? How could he possibly be my opponent?’