The Zither and the Trigrams

The Zither and the Trigrams

Feng Yao slowly placed his hand on the transparent crystal ball. As the young man injected Soul Power into it, Feng Yao instantly felt an immense suction force coming from the crystal ball beneath his palm. At the same time, an unfamiliar warmth arose within him, flowing from his palm along his arm and into the crystal ball.

In an instant, the crystal ball lit up with a faint glow.

As though this had been expected, the young man was not particularly surprised when he saw the crystal ball light up.

Inside the wooden hut, a deep blue radiance spread outward like ripples on water. The Seven-stringed Zither before Feng Yao floated within the halo, its strings trembling on their own without any wind, producing a faint hum as though resonating with the awakening formation. The other children unconsciously held their breaths, and somewhere in the corner came the sound of a bamboo basket being knocked over—this was the most dazzling light they had seen all day.

The children awakening alongside Feng Yao cast envious looks his way. Though they were still young, they all understood what that blue radiance meant—it was the symbol of Soul Power, the possibility of changing one's fate.

The young Spirit Master stared at the blue glow, momentarily stunned. After a brief silence, he slowly said, "Level four Innate Soul Power. You can become a Spirit Master."

"Level four..." A wave of hushed gasps rose within the wooden hut. The children's eyes held both envy and disappointment. To them, level four Innate Soul Power was already an unattainable dream.

A heartfelt smile appeared on Feng Yao's face. Though he was unsure whether this Soul Power came from his old companion from his past life, the Seven-stringed Zither, or from his daily persistence in practicing the Eight Brocades in this life, it meant that he had taken a crucial step on this continent. At the very least, he now had a ticket into the world of Spirit Masters.

Like an ordinary child, he gave the young man a sweet smile, his voice carrying sincere gratitude. "Thank you, sir."

The young man glanced at Feng Yao but did not respond to his thanks. He merely said flatly, "Since you have awakened Soul Power, you may attend a junior Spirit Master academy."

Feng Yao nodded, unconcerned by the young man's cold attitude. He knew well that while level four Innate Soul Power was enough to make him a Spirit Master, such talent was hardly remarkable in the eyes of Spirit Hall. It could even be called mediocre. To the young Spirit Master before him, this result would bring neither additional merit nor any particular attention.

As a teacher in his past life, Feng Yao had seen too many similar situations. He understood the young man's mindset perfectly—whether awakening Martial Souls or recruiting students, it was fundamentally a form of selection. No teacher disliked exceptionally gifted students, and Innate Soul Power like his was clearly not enough to make him one of the best.

As for Spirit Hall, it would pay even less attention to a Spirit Master with only level four Innate Soul Power.

"Nuoding Academy's spring enrollment closes on Jingzhe Day." With that, the young man took out a sheet of paper from his bundle, wrote Feng Yao an Awakening Certificate, and casually handed it to him.

"Thank you, sir." Feng Yao thanked him again as the Seven-stringed Zither turned into a streak of light and sank into his palm. He could understand the sigh hidden in the arc of the young man's fluttering cloak as he turned away, much like when he had once graded assignments in an office and seen papers that were forever stuck at the passing line.

This world never lacked middling talents. They were like bamboo shoots in spring, fated to become stepping stones for others before they had even broken through the soil.

Feng Yao carefully folded the Awakening Certificate issued by the young man and tucked it into his clothes. By then, the young man had already packed the Formation Stones and crystal ball of the awakening formation into his bundle. Without another word, he turned and left the wooden hut. His shadow stretched long in the setting sun, looking especially lonely.

After everyone had dispersed, Feng Yao stood alone in the middle of the wooden hut, lowering his head to look at the faint traces left on the ground by the Formation Stones. He seemed lost in thought. Suddenly, a crystal-clear Jade Plate appeared in his left hand. It was carved with mystical patterns and radiated a faint halo. Feng Yao examined it closely, unable to hide his surprise.

"Innate Bagua? Could Grandpa's bragging when I was little have been true?" Feng Yao muttered, a strange expression appearing on his face.

He recalled his name—Yao, one of the basic symbols that formed the bagua. As for the surname Feng, it was said to originate from Suiren. Suiren was Fuxi's father, and Fuxi had taken his father's surname, Feng, making him one of the ancestors of the Feng clan. Even more coincidentally, the earliest zither was also said to have been created by Fuxi. All of this seemed to be connected by some unseen thread.

"Boy Feng..."

Shi Yi's call pulled Feng Yao from his memories. He quickly put away the Bagua Plate and hurried outside, his steps somewhat urgent. Clearly, Feng Yao could not wait to further study his Martial Souls.

Leaving the wooden hut, Feng Yao saw Shi Yi approaching with his cane, smiling kindly. The old man's gaze was gentle and warm as it settled on Feng Yao. "Congratulations, Boy Feng. Tingquan Village hasn't produced a Spirit Master in a very long time."

An innocent, childlike smile appeared on Feng Yao's face as he replied gratefully, "It's also thanks to you, Grandpa Shi, and all the uncles for taking care of me. Otherwise, how could I have survived until now?"

Shi Yi slowly raised a hand and gently rubbed Feng Yao's head, his eyes full of relief. "Good child..."

"Grandpa Shi, I'll go back and pack my things first. Tomorrow, I'll go to Nuoding City with the uncles from the village who are heading to market." Feng Yao smiled at Shi Yi, his eyes gleaming with anticipation for the future.

Shi Yi nodded with a smile, his aged face filled with affection. Clearly at ease about Feng Yao, he said, "All right. Grandpa believes you'll make something of yourself... Remember to come back and visit when you have time. Go on..."

"Goodbye, Grandpa." Feng Yao gave Shi Yi a slight bow, his voice filled with gratitude and reluctance.

"Ah..." Shi Yi had just wanted to say something more when Feng Yao had already turned and run toward his own little hut, his steps light, like a small bird preparing to spread its wings and fly.

Watching Feng Yao's retreating figure, Shi Yi smiled and shook his head. He murmured softly, "This child..."

Over the years, Feng Yao had climbed the mountain every day. Not only had he strengthened his body, but he had also gathered quite a few mountain goods. Whatever he could not eat, he took to market with the villagers to sell, gradually saving up some silver coins. It was not much, but it was more than enough for a child to maintain a basic life.

Before long, Feng Yao returned to his little hut. Shi Yi had gathered the villagers to build this small wooden house for him. Though it was not large and had only one simple room, it was enough for Feng Yao.

Feng Yao sat on a stone stool in the courtyard and slowly raised his right hand. With a thought, the Seven-stringed Zither appeared in his hands. He gently placed it across his lap, and his fingertips brushed the strings. Familiar Zither Sound slowly flowed through the little courtyard.

The Zither Sound drifted through the air, like a clear spring running through a secluded valley, like a light breeze brushing through a bamboo grove, carrying a soothing power. Its graceful, winding melody echoed in the air, seeming to bring one into a tranquil and harmonious world.

Feng Yao knew every technique and every melody by heart. His fingertips danced across the strings as if conversing with the zither, as if voicing his own thoughts. The music gradually deepened, as though recalling every detail of the past and looking toward the limitless possibilities of the future.

The Zither Sound drifted on, like flowing spring water and softly brushing wind, gradually drawing the attention of nearby villagers. They set aside their work and followed the music to gather outside Feng Yao's courtyard, their faces filled with surprise and delight.

"Boy Feng only just awakened his Martial Soul, and he can already play it so well? It sounds wonderful!" one villager could not help praising, his eyes full of admiration.

Feng Yao smiled slightly, but his hands did not pause in the slightest. His fingertips danced lightly across the strings, as though he and the zither had become one. When the final note slowly faded into the air, the villagers watching all began to applaud, their cheers rising one after another.

"Wonderful! It's truly wonderful!"

"Of course! This is something only nobles in the city get to hear!"

"Boy Feng, play another one!"

Faced with the villagers' enthusiasm, Feng Yao did not hold back. He nodded gently, his fingertips once more settling on the strings as another melodious tune rang out in the little courtyard. The villagers might not understand the subtleties of music, but Feng Yao's masterful skill allowed these simple people to truly feel its beauty.

At times, the music was like a babbling brook; at others, like waves of wind through pine trees, as though transporting everyone into a peaceful and beautiful world. The villagers listened quietly, satisfied smiles on their faces. Sunlight fell across every face, freezing this moment into a warm scene.

Night Sky descended. Feng Yao did not yet understand how to cultivate, so he could only go to bed early. There was not much entertainment in this world, and with no industrial pollution, the clear starry sky had originally been Feng Yao's only pastime. Fortunately, he now had his old companion. Lying in his bed, his gaze passed through the window as he quietly watched the moonlight spill down, his thoughts surging like a tide.

Level four Innate Soul Power was not a low rank, but according to the cultivation principles of the Douluo Continent, even if he gave everything he had, he would at most reach the initial stage of the Soul Emperor realm in his lifetime. He might not even be able to break through to Soul King. Since he had come to this world, Feng Yao naturally refused to stop there. He longed to climb higher peaks and see what kind of scenery awaited in the world of the strong.

"For an inherently lacking Tool Spirit, I can refer to Ji Juechen's cultivation method." Feng Yao murmured softly, the image of that sword-obsessed powerhouse from the original story appearing in his mind.

In Feng Yao's view, Ji Juechen's cultivation method was extremely scientific—keep the Martial Soul manifested at all times, continuously temper it with Soul Power, and deeply fuse Soul Power with the Martial Soul. It was like when he had studied the ancient zither in his past life: sufficient proficiency was the prerequisite for playing a piece perfectly. Only through endless practice and correcting every tiny mistake could the completeness of a performance approach perfection without limit. And only when a performer truly understood the emotions poured into a piece by those before them could they comprehend something that belonged to themselves.

A lone yin could not grow, and a solitary yang could not arise. Relying solely on a Spirit Master's effort to cultivate Soul Power while neglecting the Martial Soul would not take one far. Ji Juechen's cultivation method balanced both the Spirit Master and the Martial Soul very well.

"But..." Feng Yao raised his left hand, and the Innate Bagua Plate quietly appeared in his palm. The Jade Plate glowed faintly beneath the moonlight, its patterns mysterious and profound. "How am I supposed to use this thing?"

Feng Yao had long formed a clear plan for the cultivation order of his Twin Martial Souls. Compared with the Innate Bagua Plate, about which he knew very little, he decided to focus first on cultivating his old companion—the Seven-stringed Zither. After all, the zither was what he knew best and the direction in which he had the greatest confidence.

As for the Innate Bagua Plate, the direction Feng Yao could think of was formations. He recalled the scene of awakening his Martial Soul that day, and the awakening formation formed from Formation Stones had left a deep impression on him. In the original story, both the Clear Sky Sect and Fengjian Sect had used formations linking multiple people together. This showed that formations truly existed in this world and might even hold immense potential.

"Perhaps this Innate Bagua Plate is my key to the path of formations..." Feng Yao murmured, a trace of anticipation flashing through his eyes.

Moonlight flowed like water across his face, reflecting a resolute expression. He knew the road ahead was full of the unknown and challenges, but he was already prepared. Whether it was his old companion or the Innate Bagua Plate, both would become the foundation of his climb toward strength. And tonight's thoughts were only the first step of his journey.

With that thought, Feng Yao slowly closed his eyes. He understood that from this day onward, he might never again have so much time to sleep peacefully. Yet despite trying to relax, he could not fall asleep. The world of Spirit Masters unfolded endlessly in his mind like a magnificent painting, leaving his heart surging and unable to calm down.

"Nuoding City..."

A year ago, Feng Yao had followed the village uncles into the city once for market day. At that time, he had unexpectedly discovered that Tingquan Village was so close to the protagonist's birthplace. The discovery had left him both surprised and excited, as though fate had long arranged some wondrous connection for him.

At that thought, the corners of Feng Yao's mouth could not help curving upward. An indescribable anticipation rose in his heart, along with even more curiosity. As a reader in his past life, he had criticized and questioned many plots in the original story. Now, he finally had the opportunity to witness it all with his own eyes and verify those stories that had once existed only in words.

Gazing at the stars outside the window, Feng Yao did not know how much time had passed before he yawned. He turned over in bed, suppressing the excitement and anticipation in his heart. Gradually, his thoughts settled beneath the moonlight, and his breathing became steady and deep. Though his heart was filled with hopes and expectations for the future, his exhausted body eventually carried him into sleep.

Perhaps because he had successfully awakened Innate Soul Power, Feng Yao, freed of his inner burden, slept exceptionally soundly that night.