Han Xuanji closed her eyes and listened quietly to the music.
The music was sometimes soothing, sometimes passionate, sometimes low, and sometimes high-pitched, as if telling an ancient story.
He could sense a wondrous Daoist rhythm within the music, creating a subtle spiritual resonance.
"This is a mid-level musician from the Shallow Dream Pavilion."
Hun Qianling explained,
"It is said that Shallow Dream Pavilion was founded by a powerful cultivator at the Eternal True God Realm who specialized in music. Her music can not only cultivate one's character but also help cultivators calm their minds and concentrate, and it can also help in breaking through bottlenecks."
Many cultivators specializing in music come here drawn by its reputation. Some pay exorbitant prices just to hear a single piece, while others are willing to work for it, hoping for a little guidance in return.
"I see."
Han Xuanji nodded.
Those who can reach the Eternal True God Realm on any path are extremely rare, especially those on niche paths, where there are few practitioners. Reaching the Eternal True God Realm is a rarity even in a single region.
I never expected there to be such a person in Thousand Souls City.
Just then, a tall and imposing figure strode in, surrounded by a chilling aura of spiritual energy, his presence calm and composed.
He was dressed in a silver-gray outfit, with a handsome face, but his brows carried a hint of arrogance and haughtiness. His gaze swept around and finally landed on Han Xuanji, with undisguised provocation.
"You are Han Xuanji?"
He asked in a loud voice, which seemed to startle even the music playing outside the window, causing it to pause slightly.
Hun Qianling's face darkened, and she said coldly:
"Who are you? This is not a place for you to cause trouble!"
Baili Qianchi's gaze swept past Hun Qianling, but remained fixed on Han Xuanji, his tone arrogant:
"Miss Hun, I'm looking for Han Xuanji, it has nothing to do with you. I've heard that he's reached the top of the Five Elements Heavenly Stairway and is a rare genius in this world, so I've come here specifically to learn from him."
"You are Han Xuanji?"
Baili Qianchi did not speak to Hun Qianling again; his voice was deep and resonant, carrying a hint of scrutiny.
"Exactly."
Han Xuanji did not get up, but simply looked at the other person and silently used the system to investigate, quickly learning about the other person's background.
[ Baili Qianchi: Eternal Dao Master Perfection, skilled in the arts of the zither and archery, possessing a strong will and spirit, and a friend of Wu Congshan, is challenging you on his instructions.]
" Wu Congshan?"
Han Xuanji was familiar with this name.
This person is the next S-Rank Talent from the Soul Household after him. He is exceptionally talented, cultivates at an extremely fast pace, and is the adopted son of the Heavenly Martial Sect Master. He is quite famous among the younger generation.
Wu Congshan is Hun Qianchen's men. He sent Baili Qianchi to challenge him for two reasons: first, Hun Qianchen wanted to suppress Han Xuanji's reputation, and second, he wanted to test Han Xuanji.
The visitor is ill-intentioned.
However, once Han Xuanji learned that the other party was alone, she wasn't too worried.
What he feared was that the other party would lack martial ethics and directly send a powerful expert at the level of Eternal True God to ambush him.
It seems that the factional struggle within the Soul Household is still managed with restraint.
Baili Qianchi grinned and casually sat down on the chair next to him.
"I have long admired Brother Han's name; everyone in Thousand Souls City knows him. I am Baili Qianchi, and I would like to exchange blows with Brother Han and witness the prowess of this legendary peerless genius."
Hun Qianling's expression changed, and she was about to speak when Han Xuanji raised his hand to stop her.
" Shallow Dream Pavilion is not a place for fighting."
Han Xuanji spoke calmly.
"I appreciate Brother Baili's kindness."
Baili Qianchi laughed heartily:
"Brother Han, you misunderstand. Am I such a person who doesn't know my limits? I meant sparring, not fighting."
He paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes:
"The musicians of the Shallow Dream Pavilion are masters of the zither, and their music not only cultivates temperament but also tempers the mind and will."
I'd like to have a contest with Brother Han. Let's have a master musician play a piece for each of us to refine our spirits and see who can endure it longer and whose State of Mind is more stable. What do you say?
Upon hearing this, Hun Qianling immediately understood his purpose.
A contest of willpower and mental strength may seem refined, but it is actually fraught with danger.
The musicians of the Shallow Dream Pavilion are not only skilled at using music to uplift the spirit, but also adept at bewitching the mind. Those whose State of Mind cultivation is insufficient will easily lose their composure and make a fool of themselves.
Baili Qianchi clearly came prepared.
"You..."
Hun Qianling stood up, but Han Xuanji stopped her again.
"Good."
Han Xuanji nodded. "I promise you."
Hun Qianling panicked. " Xuanji, you..."
It's alright.
Han Xuanji smiled slightly at her and whispered:
"I've already found out where they came from. If we don't deal with it now, they'll come knocking on our door sooner or later. We might as well just let it go for now. I'll tell you the details later."
"All right."
Seeing that Han Xuanji Hun Qianling seemed confident of victory, Hun Qianling obediently listened to him, but she also secretly sent a message to Han Xuanji Hun Qianxue.
Han Xuanji calmly looked at Baili Qianchi, a faint smile playing on her lips:
"Since you want to compete, then I'll play along. If I win, you won't need to apologize; you just need to tell me the truth: who sent you to cause me trouble?"
He felt no fear whatsoever. His mental fortitude had already reached the Peak Eternal Dao Master. Once he merged the [ Heart Free of Obstructions ] attribute, what could his opponent possibly use to fight him?
Baili Qianchi said somewhat displeased:
Why don't you just say what happens when you lose?
"How about 100,000 Eternity Black Gold Coin?"
Han Xuanji spoke calmly, casually promising a terrifying number:
"Of course, I shouldn't lose."
Baili Qianchi was slightly taken aback, not expecting Han Xuanji to be so generous, and then burst into laughter:
"Great! That's settled then!"
Having said that, he turned and walked towards the terrace, his expression full of determination.
One hundred thousand Eternity Black Gold Coin —that's no small sum.
He hadn't expected Han Xuanji to be so generous. He knew that hiring the best high-level musicians would only cost a few thousand Eternity Black Gold Coin per performance.
Hun Qianling looked at Han Xuanji with concern and whispered:
Why did you agree to that?
She looked at Han Xuanji and saw that he looked calm and composed, not like he was acting impulsively. Although she was worried, she didn't say anything more.
Han Xuanji spoke gently:
"Don't worry, I'm confident."
Han Xuanji then took advantage of the moment while the other party was hiring musicians to collect her sign-in reward.