In the garden, the sounds of the qin echoed everywhere, creating a particularly chaotic atmosphere.
Many people were playing the piece "Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain."
But if one were to ask whose rendition of "Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain" was the most beautiful, the most pleasant, and the most imposing, it would undoubtedly be Chiyu's.
In just a few short breaths, many were captivated by his music, including even Kumu Laoyezi and the other masters of Musical Arts.
Regarding the Nine Dragons and Eighteen Elephants of the Changhong Branch, everyone was quite familiar with the Eighteen Elephants, but knew very little about the Nine Dragons. Many only knew that Chiyu, one of the Nine Dragons, was a cultivation genius, a metamorph soul daoist, possessed great fortune, and had unfathomable strength. Now, hearing him play "Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain," they realized he wasn't just a cultivation genius; he seemed to be a musical genius as well.
Whether in the application of technique, the mastery of spiritual power, or the resonance of spirit, it could all be described as profoundly mysterious and wonderfully subtle.
As the saying goes, with one move from a master, you know if they have the goods.
Kumu Laoyezi and the other masters of Musical Arts watched Chiyu playing "Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain" and nodded in praise. "Truly worthy of being one of the Nine Dragons of the Changhong Branch. He is indeed remarkable."
"His rendition of this piece is full of imposing momentum and carries a certain charm. I wonder how many Profound Mysteries he can play out..."
Boom!
A thunderous sound seemed to erupt from within Chiyu's "Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain," startling the crowd and drawing exclamations of awe. Everyone knew that in the Monarch's "Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain," thunder within the melody represented the Crimson Thunder Profound Mystery.
Boom!
Another one.
Ten...
Twenty...
Fifty...
As Chiyu's hands moved across the qin faster and faster, the thunderous sounds within "Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain" erupted continuously.
Sixty...
Seventy...
Eighty...
One hundred...
When Chiyu finished playing "Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain," the venue immediately erupted in enthusiastic applause.
No one had expected him to be able to play out a full one hundred layers of Crimson Thunder Profound Mystery from the piece. Some were amazed, some envious, and some displeased.
There were many who were displeased, including Ding Rui of the Hunyuan Sect, Leng Yefei of the Yaoyue Palace, and Wang Han of the Tiger Might Wang Clan, among others.
They were all prominent figures among the younger generation of the Great Northwest, constantly engaged in covert and overt rivalry. Chiyu, with his background from the Chizi Head, already had an edge over them. Coupled with being a metamorph soul daoist, he also surpassed them in strength. Now, he was even suppressing them in Musical Arts. Naturally, Ding Rui and the others felt extremely displeased.
Especially since this was happening right in front of Young Lady Qingxi.
It was well known that they had come to participate in the Wuse Flower Festival to win Young Lady Qingxi's favor. And as everyone knew, Young Lady Qingxi loved the Monarch's compositions above all else. That was precisely why they had spent so much effort trying to comprehend this "Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain."
They had originally planned to show off their skills at the festival. But now, with Chiyu suddenly playing out a hundred layers of Profound Mystery, while they could at most manage ten or twenty, how could they possibly embarrass themselves by performing in front of Qingxi?
"I heard that Young Lady Qingxi loves the Monarch's compositions above all else," Chiyu said. "After learning this, I have been waiting for an opportunity to comprehend the original score of 'Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain.' Unfortunately, Senior Kumu had not displayed it in recent years. Fortunately, I finally got the chance today. Having just observed the original score, I gained some slight Comprehension. Due to the haste and my limited attainment, I could only play out a hundred layers of Profound Mystery. Today, I specially offer this piece to Young Lady Qingxi. I hope the Young Lady will accept it graciously."
One had to admit, Chiyu was indeed worthy of being one of the Nine Dragons of the Changhong Branch.
His words and demeanor exuded a mysterious confidence.
Even though he had been beaten black and blue by Master Kui in front of so many people earlier, he seemed completely unbothered by the incident. Not only that, he appeared refined and elegant, like a graceful young noble.
However, his words truly shocked everyone present.
They all heard clearly: Chiyu claimed that after casually comprehending the original score, he was able to play out a hundred layers of Profound Mystery.
Was that true?
In just this short while?
He could play out a hundred layers of Profound Mystery?
Many masters of Musical Arts present had comprehended for hundreds of years and could at most play out a hundred layers of Profound Mystery!
Could it be that Chiyu was truly a peerless musical genius?
Just as everyone found it hard to believe, a laugh rang out.
"'Due to the haste, casually comprehending'?
'A hundred layers of Profound Mystery'?
Hahaha!"
A slightly mocking voice came. Everyone looked over. The speaker was a noble young master sitting in a pavilion, drinking tea. Everyone recognized him—Wei Chaoqun, one of the Twenty-Four Immortal Prodigies of the Immortal Mansion.
"What?" Chiyu looked over, his tone unfriendly. "May I ask why Young Master Wei is laughing?"
"What you said is too laughable, that's why I'm laughing."
Wei Chaoqun raised a cup of wine and smiled. "To win Young Lady Qingxi's favor, you really dare say anything."
"What do you mean?"
"You know perfectly well what I mean. Must I spell it out?"
Whether out of guilt or something else, Chiyu stared intently at Wei Chaoqun.
"Your musical talent is indeed good, but only good," Wei Chaoqun continued. "Over the years, it's not like you haven't comprehended the original score of 'Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain.' But even after comprehending the original, you could only play out eight or nine layers of Profound Mystery. To win Young Lady Qingxi's favor, you sought out musical masters everywhere for guidance. Finally, you begged a reincarnated great power for pointers. It was only after receiving his guidance that your rendition of 'Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain' gradually improved. If I recall correctly, this process took ten or twenty years, didn't it?"
Wei Chaoqun's words caused an uproar among the crowd.
Chiyu was no longer calm and composed. His once somewhat handsome face turned ashen and pale. He stared at Wei Chaoqun, wanting to say something but holding back, looking both awkward and humiliated.
Everyone could see that Wei Chaoqun seemed to be speaking the truth. In other words, Chiyu's earlier words were just boasting.
He hadn't casually comprehended and played out a hundred layers of Profound Mystery. Instead, he had received guidance from a reincarnated great power behind the scenes and had practiced hard for ten or twenty years to achieve it.
"What? Surprised?" Wei Chaoqun laughed. "Don't be. Because the reincarnated great power who guided you, Senior Feng, is not only a guest elder of our Immortal Mansion but also a friend of my master. Not only a friend of my master, but also a friend of Young Lady Qingxi. Moreover, not only do I know about Senior Feng guiding you, but Young Lady Qingxi is also fully aware of it. And yet, you still dared to claim in front of Young Lady Qingxi that you casually comprehended and could play out a hundred layers of Profound Mystery? Chiyu, ah, Chiyu, Young Master Chi, Great Dragon Chi... Aren't you ashamed? I feel ashamed for you!"
After this speech, Chiyu was no longer the handsome, graceful young noble from before. His entire demeanor turned dark and menacing. He clenched his fists tightly, his eyes fixed on Wei Chaoqun like a venomous snake.
"Senior Sister, is what Wei Chaoqun said true?" Little Qinglian asked. "Did Chiyu really receive guidance from Sister Feng and comprehend for ten or twenty years before he could play out a hundred layers of Profound Mystery?"
Qing Xi did know, but out of consideration for Chiyu's face, she naturally wouldn't say it.
"Really! I thought he was truly a peerless musical genius. Turns out he's nothing special," Qinglian pouted and muttered. "Sister Feng is a reincarnated great power, and her attainment in Musical Arts is terrifyingly high. I received her guidance, comprehended for a year, and could play out eight layers of Profound Mystery from 'Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain.' And he comprehended for ten or twenty years to play out a hundred layers!"
Qinglian glanced at Chiyu and continued muttering, "And he dares to boast so confidently, even saying the Monarch's era is over... Saying the Monarch was just lucky back then. The Monarch was only about twenty when he composed 'Wind Rises Over Daqing Mountain,' and my grandmaster's junior said the Monarch only took half an hour to create it back then."
She looked at Chiyu again. "And he, with guidance from a reincarnated great power like Sister Feng, comprehended for ten or twenty years to play out a hundred layers of Profound Mystery... Even so, he has the audacity to dare compare himself to the Monarch. How shameless!"