Sea and Sky War, Prelude

Hearing these words and seeing the situation before him, Qin Yi could even guess why the Dragon Son didn't want the Netherworld to be integrated. They worried that the integration might create a stronger interdimensional pull, which even Baxia couldn't withstand. Although they couldn't prove there would be a direct impact, they didn't want to try it.

In other words, if this matter is resolved, whether or not the Netherworld is integrated will have absolutely nothing to do with the Dragon Son. Unless it's someone like Yazi seeking revenge for something trivial, Qiuniu and Qiu Niu certainly won't care.

Furthermore, given this situation, it deviates from the original understanding that simply using music to awaken Jianmu is not necessary. Firstly, it does not require strength above the late Qian Yuan stage.

This is simply resonating with the spirit; perhaps even current spiritual practices can achieve this.

Of course, to be on the safe side, it would be more prudent to start after reaching the mid-Qian Yuan stage, and it was precisely at this time that Ju Yunxiu had the opportunity to advance.

Qin Yi's various exotic musical instruments and brand-new music are of great benefit to Ju Yunxiu.

It almost made up for the lack of her Great Dao, enriching the sounds of the world.

Ju Yunxiu believed that he only needed to cultivate in seclusion for a few more days to reach the mid-stage of the Qian Yuan realm, and that this level of cultivation would be sufficient to awaken the Spirit of Jian Mu.

With the assistance of the Door of Myriad Mysteries, it is even more secure.

Qiu Niu's plan is sound; as long as everyone is open and honest, this cooperation can be established immediately.

Qiu Niu turned to Qin Yi and said, "If you need the Jian Mu Fruit, I can give you mine after this matter is over... I am not as dependent on this thing as others."

Most of the nine sons were only at the Qian Yuan stage of cultivation. Their physical bodies would normally begin to decay after ten thousand years, and their ability to remain immortal for tens of thousands of years relied on the Jian Mu Fruit prolong their lives. The Qiu Niu, being of such immense strength, wouldn't have much trouble losing even one of these fruits.

These are the terms of the cooperation. Qiu Niu is quite sincere; otherwise, he could have simply seized the gate and operated it himself, so why would he offer Qin Yi fruit in exchange for cooperation?

Qin Yi's wariness of the Dragon Son had completely changed; in reality, they were all on the same side, and their previous mutual suspicion stemmed from a lack of understanding. What normal man wouldn't be moved by a man like Baxia?

Besides, it's against the Heavenly Being, so even without the Jian Mu Fruit, it's something we have to do without hesitation. If we had the Jian Mu Fruit, then there would be no need to consider it at all.

Qin Yi solemnly cupped his hands in greeting. "I will do my utmost in this matter, Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Qiu Niu nodded. "The most urgent task now is to improve my Elder Sister's cultivation... Do you have any new supplies?"

In the end, the previous calm and sharp demeanor, carrying a heavy sense of mission, largely dissipated, and his eyes blinked eagerly, filled with anticipation.

Qin Yi was both amused and exasperated. He suddenly had a strange feeling—perhaps in Qiu Niu's heart, it was hard to say whether Jianmu or music was more important...

This mentality is certainly incomprehensible to ordinary people, but those who come from the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace can truly understand it.

In a sense, the Nine Sons of the Dragon are the animal version of the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace, each obsessed with their own path. It's just a pity that their fundamental path is Demon Cultivator.

Did the Palace Master actually come in and receive some inspiration? Considering his understanding of the Siren's secret techniques, he probably didn't "retreat after being attacked" outside...

Unrelated thoughts flashed through Qin Yi's mind, but he quickly spoke up amidst expectant gazes, "I'll try to research it. There's this thing called a piano... it's really awesome..."

One moment they're doing something grand and sophisticated, the next they're squatting in a room tinkering with making a piano. It seems like a joke, but in this context where everything can be a path, it's not a joke at all.

This is spiritual practice.

Spiritual practice is a very serious matter; there is nothing to laugh about it.

Qin Yi couldn't build a piano before because he didn't know its internal structure. But Qiu Niu and Ju Yunxiu were both top-level practitioners of the Way of Music. As long as he explained the relevant ideas, Qiu Niu and Ju Yunxiu would immediately figure out how to implement and complete them. Therefore, the ease with which Qin Yi built the piano far exceeded his original expectations.

The moment the piano appeared, Qin Yi could even clearly feel Ju Yunxiu's soul twitch, as if a powerful, growing musical spirit was surging, breaking through the Niwan and spreading to the Purple Mansion.

The effect was immediate.

As the king of instruments with the widest range and most varied tones, the piano's impact on Ju Yunxiu is unimaginable. Of course, the essence of the Way of Music does not lie in one or two instruments, but as a broad and interconnected approach, the piano's insights clearly surpass those of ordinary wind instruments, and the inspiration it evokes is far more numerous and richer.

Ju Yunxiu's slender hands brushed across the piano keys, her beautiful eyes filled with a kind of fascination. Qiu Niu was circling the piano with great joy, but soon realized that the piano was too big and it was tiring to spin around, so he grew his whole body larger, squeezed the entire piano tightly, and held on without moving.

His expression was just like a dog seeing food.

Ju Yunxiu asked, somewhat lost in thought, "Why didn't you mention these things before...?"

Qin Yi cautiously said, "I didn't think of that before, and at that time my Transformations hadn't reached the level of creating something from nothing, so I couldn't make it by hand. Isn't it too late now?"

"No, now is just right." Ju Yunxiu murmured, "I hadn't reached the stage where I needed to listen to all the musical notes in the world and recognize all the different musical instruments. Giving them to me too early might have only confused me and disrupted my Dao Heart. This time... is just right."

Qin Yi laughed and said, "That's good. I thought you were going to accuse me of keeping things to myself."

"How could that be..." Ju Yunxiu said, "I should say... you are simply my destiny. Whether it's painting or music, I have almost attained enlightenment because of you."

Qin Yi thought to himself that this seemed a bit of a coincidence, but the musical instrument was something he had provided uniquely. As for the painting, especially the Sacrificing and Refining Heaven and Earth, it really wasn't a matter of who achieved enlightenment, but rather the inevitable result of the mutual support between dao companion. He was about to say something modest Ju Yunxiu had already thrown herself into his arms and kissed his lips forcefully.

Qin Yi made two "uh-huh" sounds, his eyes involuntarily glancing at Qiu Niu. Senior Sister, don't do this in front of outsiders... it'll be awkward...*

Ju Yunxiu completely ignored him and kissed him even harder.

"I know you want to say that it was the support of dao companion... but that's precisely why it's the most beautiful fate."

Upon Sea of Consciousness this message in his mind, Qin Yi relaxed. It really was Elder Sister, just like her.

He didn't care if there were any third wheels around; he rushed over and responded enthusiastically. He hadn't had a proper intimate moment with his Senior Sister since they met because there were too many third wheels. Now that his Senior Sister was too lazy to care about them, why should he?

Glancing over, Qiu Niu was still hugging the piano, as if he were hugging his favorite figurine.

The day after the piano was completed, Ju Yunxiu 'The Way of Music broke through to the mid-Qianyuan period, which at the same time spurred the comprehensive progress of his Painting Dao. Sound and form intertwined and complemented each other, and the art world began to hear the rumbling of thunder, the sound of rain hitting duckweed, the sound of wind blowing through trees, the sound of wind rustling through the forest, and the sound of snow whistling...

The world is becoming more real and clearer.

This also led to a new level of understanding of the spirits of a realm.

Even Qiu Niu hadn't expected Ju Yunxiu's breakthrough to come so quickly.

What was originally expected to take several months of preparation has already begun.

"Then let's get ready to begin." Qiu Niu reluctantly left the zither stand, regaining his composure once more. "Qin Yi... there will be some danger inside the Jianmu tree, so be careful."

Ju Yunxiu was very nervous. "Why is there danger?"

"Because the Spirit of Jian Mu may not be simply dormant; there might be some special resonance within it causing trouble, or it may simply reject you. However, the spirit of Baxia is helping you inside, so generally there shouldn't be any major problems. Just be careful, and don't think that going in is just for sightseeing."

Qin Yi was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "In that case, you all need to be even more careful. To be honest, even if I trust the King, I don't trust the other Dragon Son. I must have the Feathered People protect my Senior Sister, otherwise I dare not enter."

The dog said, "Anyway, they don't believe me, so they definitely won't let me in. I'll stay outside."

A smile appeared in Qiu Niu's eyes, "It's really comfortable to communicate with smart people."

Everyone present, including Ju Yunxiu, could think of the same question.

If the Spirit of Jian Mu was put into a deep sleep by someone, then once there are signs of its revival, something amiss will inevitably be discovered.

At that time, it was dangerous not only inside, but also outside.

This will be the first Sea and Sky War.