Silent Melody

Silent Melody

Feng Yao's gaze swept across the VIP platform, catching several familiar figures among the crowd. Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue's disguise, sat upright in the first row of the VIP Seats. Beside him were the three education committee members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, respectfully seated in the second row.

Of the only three seats in the front row of the VIP Seats, the most eye-catching was the elderly man in the center, clad in a gold-and-crimson dragon robe. He wore the dazzling Golden Diamond Radiant Heaven Crown. Though his face already showed his age, the imposing aura radiating from him made everything around him seem to revolve around him. No introduction was needed for Feng Yao to know that this had to be the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire.

To the emperor's left, an old man in red robes, even older than the emperor, sat with his eyes closed in quiet repose. His lean body stood as straight as a spear, and the five-pointed platinum crown atop his head, symbolizing Spirit Hall's supreme authority, gleamed beneath the sunlight. Feng Yao understood at once—this should be Salas, master of Heaven Dou City Spirit Hall and one of the four Platinum Bishops.

The man in white to the emperor's right made Feng Yao take a few extra looks. He wore an elegant white robe and the violet-gold crown unique to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. A composed smile rested on his gentle, jade-like face. He was Ning Fengzhi, Sect Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the foremost of the seven great sects.

The announcer beside the VIP platform proclaimed loudly, "Now, let us invite His Majesty the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire to inaugurate this tournament!"

Just as Feng Yao had expected, the emperor in the crimson-gold robe seated at the center of the VIP Seats slowly rose amid wave after wave of applause. He lightly raised his right hand, and the entire plaza instantly fell silent. This display of authority stunned everyone present.

"I, Xue Ye, Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire," his resonant voice boomed through the amplifying Soul Tool and spread throughout the venue, "hereby declare on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire that the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament has officially begun!"

Applause erupted again like thunder, while cheers rose and fell in succession.

Once the noise subsided, Xue Ye continued, "I hope that every competing Spirit Master gives their all and brings honor to the empire. You are Heaven Dou's future pillars. Today, use your strength to illuminate this arena!"

Amid the third round of applause, flames of fighting spirit ignited in the eyes of the young Spirit Masters at the center of the field. For them, this was undoubtedly the best stage on which to prove themselves.

After the emperor took his seat, the announcer spoke again. "Now, let us invite Mr. Ning Fengzhi, Sect Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, to deliver a speech."

Ning Fengzhi rose gracefully, and fervent applause immediately filled the venue along with countless admiring gazes. As the number one support Spirit Master in the Spirit Master world, every word he spoke drew immense attention.

"It is my honor to have been invited to witness this grand event." Ning Fengzhi pressed his hands down lightly, his gentle voice as refreshing as a spring breeze. "Everyone here is among the finest of the younger generation. May you live up to the empire's expectations and bring glory to your academies."

Seizing the opportunity, the announcer asked, "Sect Master Ning, as a top-tier support Spirit Master, which team do you favor the most?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled mysteriously. "Aside from the seeded Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team, there is another team I favor. Not only will they advance through the Preliminary Tournament, but they may even claim the overall championship of this tournament."

"Oh?" the announcer said in surprise. "Which team is fortunate enough to earn such high praise?"

"Allow me to keep that a secret for now." Ning Fengzhi's gaze swept over the field. "But I am certain that the championship will ultimately belong to the empire."

Bishop Salas, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. His clouded gaze drifted among the twenty-eight teams, as though searching for the dark horse Ning Fengzhi had mentioned. The audience immediately broke into discussion, all speculating which team Sect Master Ning favored.

After Ning Fengzhi sat down, the announcer declared, "Now, let us invite Lord Salas to draw lots for the Preliminary Tournament. The opening match will be Heaven Dou Royal Academy Reserve Team against their first opponent."

Salas rose with an expressionless face and completed the drawing ceremony under the guidance of an attendant. The Platinum Bishop did not utter a word throughout the process. He merely mechanically handed the results to the announcer to be read aloud, as though he had no interest whatsoever in this grand event.

"Preliminary Tournament, first round: Canghui Academy versus Purple Star Academy."

"Preliminary Tournament, first round: Oakland Academy versus Flame Radiance Academy."

"Preliminary Tournament, first round: Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Shrek Academy."

Feng Yao reclined against the soft chair in the VIP Seats. He appeared to be watching the matches, but in truth, he was quietly circulating his Soul Power and continuously tempering "Fuxi" in his arms. He had little interest in the matches below—the intelligence he needed to know was already firmly in his grasp, and he had learned quite a few secrets he should not have known as well.

Playing the zither in such a noisy setting would clearly be inappropriate. Feng Yao lightly tapped the zither body with his slender fingers, lost in thought. But I could take this chance to try that "Silent Melody."

As a transmigrator, he had already made detailed plans for sound-wave-based abilities when arranging his Spirit Rings. He was thoroughly familiar with everything from single-note explosions to the audible applications of complete compositions. Yet at this moment, his attention turned toward an even more mysterious domain—sound waves beyond the limits of human hearing.

Ultrasound. Feng Yao closed his eyes and focused as Soul Power flowed into "Fuxi" like a trickling stream. If I replace my fingers with Soul Power, perhaps I can achieve the vibration frequency the strings require.

The ancient zither in his arms seemed to respond. Its seven strings moved without wind, trembling at a speed too fast for the naked eye to discern under the drive of Soul Power. Yet after only a moment, Feng Yao stopped his attempt—though ultrasound could conceal itself invisibly, the intense Soul Power fluctuations in a place crowded with experts were no different from a beacon in the night.

High frequencies require massive amounts of Soul Power to sustain. Feng Yao sighed softly. But a small amount of Soul Power cannot break through the limits of sound frequency. The dilemma made him frown. His fingertips unconsciously brushed the strings, producing a nearly inaudible hum.

At that moment, Feng Yao suddenly sensed a faint gaze. He looked up and met Ning Fengzhi's thoughtful eyes. The Sect Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect seemed to have taken an interest in him, a glimmer of inquiry flashing through his gaze.

Without changing his expression, Feng Yao covered the strings with his palm and stopped their trembling. He politely nodded to Ning Fengzhi, but inwardly, he grew wary—in a setting like this, any abnormal Soul Power fluctuation could attract unwanted attention.

Looks like I need another approach. Feng Yao pondered silently. He suddenly recalled the principle of resonance from the physics of his previous life, and his eyes brightened slightly. If I can find the strings' natural frequency and use the least amount of Soul Power to trigger resonance...

He readjusted the way he released Soul Power. Rather than forcing the strings to vibrate, he began searching for the most suitable vibration nodes. Soul Power seeped into the zither like spring rain. This time, "Fuxi" trembled so slightly that it was nearly imperceptible, yet Feng Yao could clearly sense the strings' vibrational frequency steadily rising.

Just as he was fully focused, a burst of startled cries suddenly erupted from below. The match had begun. Yet it failed to distract him in the slightest, because at that moment, "Fuxi" in his arms finally released a sound wave beyond the limits of human hearing.

The sound wave beyond the limits of human hearing spread silently through the air like invisible ripples. Holding his breath in concentration, Feng Yao clearly sensed every reflection and feedback of the sound wave throughout the arena through the special connection between "Fuxi" and his Martial Soul.

Success. A trace of joy flashed through Feng Yao's eyes. This ultrasonic detection ability would allow him to gain precise spatial awareness in any environment. It was the most covert scouting method imaginable.

However, just as he prepared to test it further, Bishop Salas on the VIP platform suddenly furrowed his brow. A sharp glint flashed through his clouded eyes. The Platinum Bishop from Spirit Hall seemed to sense something, his suspicious gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

Feng Yao's heart tightened, and he immediately withdrew his Soul Power. He realized that although ordinary people could not detect ultrasound, certain high-level Spirit Masters with acute senses might notice abnormal Soul Power fluctuations.

It still needs improvement, Feng Yao thought to himself. If I can control the sound-wave frequency within a narrower range, perhaps I can further reduce the chance of being discovered.

Feng Yao casually adjusted his sitting posture and brushed his fingers over the strings of "Fuxi," changing his Soul Power output into a more concealed intermittent pattern. This time, he deliberately locked the ultrasonic frequency onto the core area of the ongoing battle.

Invisible sound waves spread like ripples, returning unique information after striking different objects. Feng Yao closed his eyes and concentrated. Through his powerful Spiritual Power, he actually constructed a three-dimensional image of the arena in his mind—the agile figures, the trajectories of spreading soul skill attacks, the opponents' hasty dodges, all were perfectly clear.

Interesting. Feng Yao's lips curled slightly. This ultrasonic sensing method was more three-dimensional and comprehensive than simple Spiritual Power probing. He could even clearly capture the subtle circulation of the competing Spirit Masters' Soul Power through their Meridians.

Suddenly, a special Soul Power fluctuation drew his attention. The ultrasound instantly locked onto its source, and an image immediately appeared in Feng Yao's mind: Tang San was staring at him with eyes glowing violet.

Purple Demon Eye? What perfect timing. Feng Yao's thoughts stirred, and he immediately adjusted the ultrasonic frequency, beginning to track the path of Soul Power circulation within Tang San's body. Through the returning information, he could clearly "see" Tang San continuously channeling Soul Power into his eyes. That special route of Soul Power circulation was clearly the cultivation method of the Purple Demon Eye. If he had merely used Zither Sound to investigate as before, he could not possibly have sensed the circulation of Soul Power within Tang San from such a distance.

"Young master, are you all right?" a spectator beside him could not help asking. Only then did Feng Yao realize that "Fuxi" in his arms was trembling faintly out of control, its seven strings shaking on their own at an eerie frequency.

"I am fine. I was merely distracted." Feng Yao smiled apologetically and immediately withdrew his Soul Power. The strings gradually calmed, but the circulation route of the Purple Demon Eye he had captured moments ago was already deeply imprinted in his memory.

Feng Yao acted as though nothing had happened as he straightened his sleeve, his fingertips brushing over the strings to completely still them. He appeared to watch the arena intently, but inwardly, he was still savoring the secrets of the Purple Demon Eye he had glimpsed.

So that is how it works, Feng Yao mused silently. Channel Soul Power into the eye Meridians, then coordinate it with the circulation of Soul Power within the body...

At that moment, Tang San seemed to notice something. His brows knit slightly, and the glow of his Purple Demon Eye suddenly intensified as his gaze shot toward the VIP Seats like an arrow. Feng Yao calmly turned his face aside, pretending to speak with the spectator beside him, skillfully avoiding that probing gaze.

What was that feeling just now? Could he have done something again? Tang San wondered, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Experts were everywhere here. No matter how strong Feng Yao was, he was only a Soul Ancestor. Such cultivation placed him among the best students, but on the continent, he was merely at the level of an ordinary Spirit Master.

Such sharp senses. Feng Yao was secretly startled. He had not expected Tang San to sense even the concealed ultrasonic detection.

The match on the field had already reached its climax, but Feng Yao's mind was no longer on victory or defeat. He lightly stroked the body of "Fuxi." Looks like this tournament will bring quite a few gains.

Suddenly, a wave of enthusiastic cheers interrupted his thoughts. Feng Yao looked up and saw that while he had been thinking, the first match had already ended.

As match after match proceeded, Feng Yao gradually grew bored. Aside from Tang San's Purple Demon Eye, which had caught his attention, the soul skills displayed by contestants from the other academies were mostly unremarkable and failed to interest him.

He lounged lazily against his seat, his fingers absentmindedly tapping the body of "Fuxi." Just as he considered leaving early, the announcer's booming voice suddenly echoed throughout the venue.

"First round, sixth match: Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Shrek Academy!"

Feng Yao instantly sat upright, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes. This matchup was undoubtedly the most anticipated—on one side were the pampered elites of the royal academy, and on the other was the Shrek Team, packed with monsters. More importantly, he would finally have the chance to "observe" part of Tang San's strength.

Interesting. Feng Yao's lips curved upward, and his fingers unconsciously brushed the strings. This time, he intended to keep ultrasonic detection active throughout the entire match and not miss a single exciting moment.

At the edge of the field, Heaven Dou Royal Academy Reserve Team, led by several second-generation nobles, had already entered in formation. Their uniforms glittered with luxurious gold trim under the sunlight, forming a stark contrast with Shrek's "distinctive" green uniforms.

Feng Yao lightly placed his fingers on the strings of "Fuxi," and Soul Power flowed in like a trickling stream. Invisible ultrasound spread outward from him, weaving a precise sensory network across the arena.

At the referee's command, the match officially began. The members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy Reserve Team wore arrogant smiles, clearly not taking their opponents in strange uniforms seriously.

Yet in that instant, the arrogance on the royal academy members' faces froze—Tang San's Blue Silver Grass spread wildly like giant serpents awakening from slumber, covering more than half the arena in the blink of an eye. Xiao Wu's figure flickered in and out among the vines, drifting as unpredictably as a ghost. Meanwhile, the Evil Fire Phoenix phantom unfolding behind Ma Hongjun raised the temperature of the entire arena by several degrees.

Feng Yao's fingertips trembled lightly over the strings as the ultrasound precisely fed back Tang San's every movement. A sharp gleam flickered in his eyes, and he marveled inwardly:

This Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step actually distributes Soul Power evenly through the Meridians in the feet, forming a special cushioning layer...

So Mysterious Jade Hand forms a special circulating pathway in the palms through Soul Power...

Control Crane Catch Dragon—what an exquisite technique for guiding Soul Power...

All these precious arts on Tang San's body were laid bare under the ultrasound's detection. Feng Yao treasured every piece of information, committing it firmly to memory while continuously analyzing the principles behind their Soul Power circulation.

What surprised him even more was that Tang San did not use these arts separately. Instead, they complemented one another and formed a perfect combat system. Blue Silver Grass controlled the entire field, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step provided mobility, Mysterious Jade Hand strengthened close combat, and Control Crane Catch Dragon assisted with control.

The one-sided battle soon ended, but Tang San was not pleased, because that strange sensation from before had persisted throughout the entire battle.