Qin Xin naturally couldn't directly state her thoughts, but instead sized up Han Xuanji, speaking in a calm and unhurried tone:
"You two."
Her voice was as clear and crisp as the sound of a zither, yet it carried a hint of seriousness.
"Before the music starts, there are some things that need to be said."
I neither know either of you, nor do I intend to favor either of you.
Now that I have been entrusted with playing this piece, I should do my duty.
but..."
She paused, her gaze lowered slightly, landing on the strings of the instrument.
"The music of tempering the mind is no child's play."
With my cultivation level, if I were to exert my full strength, even the Eternal True Lord might not be able to escape unscathed.
Both are exceptional individuals, each with their own powerful backgrounds.
If any unforeseen consequences arise as a result of my music, and whoever comes to me seeking retribution, Shallow Dream Pavilion will not bear any responsibility.
She raised her eyes, her expression indifferent:
"Therefore, I urge you both to think carefully before you act. If you wish to change your mind now, it is not too late."
This statement was watertight, clearly stating its neutral stance while also disclaiming any potential consequences.
Having been able to run the Music Path in Thousand Souls City for many years, Qin Xin clearly understands the ins and outs of the business.
The battle for genius is always dangerous, and the forces involved are a tangled mess. As a musician, she has no reason to get involved.
After all, one is S-Rank Heaven's Chosen from the Soul Household, and the other dared to cause trouble for Han Xuanji, so they must also have impressive backgrounds. Neither of them are people that an ordinary musician like her can afford to offend.
She doesn't want to take the blame if something really goes wrong.
Hun Qianling listened attentively, nodding in agreement, her gaze turning expectantly to Han Xuanji, as if hoping he would take the opportunity to back down and cancel the bet.
However, before Han Xuanji could speak, Baili Qianchi stood up first.
"Miss Qin Xin is overthinking it!"
He laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell, causing the gauze curtains on the terrace to sway slightly.
"A true man never goes back on his word. Since it's a gamble, you bear the consequences of your own actions. How can I blame you afterward?"
so--"
He flipped his right hand, and a pale golden rune appeared in his palm. The rune was filled with a mysterious aura, and countless fine Dao patterns could be vaguely seen intertwining and entwining within it.
"This is the Great Dao Oath Talisman. Brother Han and I hereby swear that no matter what the outcome of today's competition is, we will willingly accept it and will not hold Miss Qin Xin or Shallow Dream Pavilion responsible in any way afterward."
Those who disobey will have their path severed and their Heart Devil devour their bodies!
As he spoke, he branded his mark onto the runes, then stared intently at Han Xuanji:
"Brother Han, what do you think?"
Her gaze was so intense it was almost aggressive, as if she feared Han Xuanji would be scared off by Qin Xin's words and that the cooked duck would fly away.
He deliberately kept his gaze fixed on Han Xuanji, not giving Hun Qianling a chance to interrupt.
Han Xuanji couldn't help but laugh at the other party's posture.
This guy is kind of adorably confident.
"Since Brother Baili is so hospitable, I, Han, will certainly oblige."
Han Xuanji spoke calmly, checked the contract and found no problems, then branded his Dao mark onto the runes.
The two marks shone brightly, and the runes then transformed into two streams of light, which entered the space between the two men's brows, thus fulfilling their vow.
Han Xuanji said calmly:
"But don't forget the bet I mentioned earlier."
"Of course I won't forget!"
Baili Qianchi's movements were resolute, but inwardly he sneered.
Lose? How could he lose?
He spent countless years training alone on the Eternal Continent, fighting against wild beasts and natural disasters, escaping death many times, and his will had long been tempered to be as hard as iron.
Han Xuanji was merely a genius pampered by the Soul Household; he had never experienced true hardship.
He's destined to win this match.
Seeing that things had come to this point, Qin Xin said no more, turned around and walked to the zither table in the center of the terrace, where she sat down cross-legged.
A guqin lies across the table, its body displaying natural patterns like flowing water, its seven strings gleaming with a faint silver light.
She raised her hands and gently pressed the strings with her fingers.
"If that's the case, then let's begin."
The sound of the zither begins.
Like a clear spring rinsing jade, like a gentle breeze in the mountains.
The music flowed gently, neither too fast nor too slow, like a pair of tender hands softly caressing the listener's ears.
This is a test.
Qin Xin truly deserves to be called a master of music at the Peak Eternal True Lord; her control over the sound of the zither has reached a state of perfection.
She could precisely control the power of her heart-refining technique so that it only affected Han Xuanji and Baili Qianchi, while the guests watching from outside the terrace could clearly perceive the Daoist charm contained in the music, yet remain unaffected.
This effortless control drew murmurs of admiration from those around him.
"Miss Qin Xin's skill in playing ' Sound Untainted by Dust ' is truly divine!"
"As expected of the master's personally trained disciple, he would be a boon to friendly forces on the battlefield."
"That's right, with the protection of the zither music, the battle will be much easier."
It's important to understand that on the battlefield, various methods are constantly changing. This music can not only resist attacks like illusions, but also influence reality, making it quite effective.
Han Xuanji remained calm and composed, sitting upright like a pine tree.
The music was like a gentle breeze to him, failing to stir even the slightest ripple in his heart.
He even picked up the cup of spiritual tea in front of him with great interest and took a small sip.
Baili Qianchi on the opposite side was equally relaxed and carefree.
He leaned back in his chair with an air of nonchalance, a playful smile on his lips, and even had the energy to offer his opinion:
"Brother Han is quite composed, but this is just an appetizer for Miss Qin Xin; the rest will be much less delightful."
Brother Han, if you can't hold on, you're welcome to admit defeat. I won't laugh at you.
The sarcasm in his tone was undisguised.
Han Xuanji put down her teacup and smiled faintly:
"Brother Baili, you're too kind. But if it's just this simple, why don't you ask Miss Qin Xin to add a bit more weight? Let's not make this competition too boring."
This music might be somewhat stressful for an ordinary Eternal Dao Master, but it certainly wouldn't affect him in the slightest.
Seeing that Han Xuanji's composure didn't seem feigned, Baili Qianchi's smile froze slightly, then he let out a cold snort:
"Indeed, I urge the musicians to take it seriously."
Han Xuanji ignored him, but looked up at Qin Xin and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Qin Xin frowned slightly.
As a musician, she had seen too many stubborn cultivators who, at first, were defiant, but once the music truly touched their hearts, revealed their ugly side.
But the young man in front of me didn't seem to be putting on a brave face.
His gaze was calm to the point of indifference. He showed neither resistance to the music nor feigned ease; he simply sat there as if her music were merely a harmless breeze.
Could it be that this child is truly confident?
For a moment, this inexplicably aroused Qin Xin's curiosity.
It's as if she's not good enough...
Listen carefully...
Qin Xin withdrew her gaze, and her fingering suddenly changed.
The music suddenly changed.
The gentle breeze and drizzle of moments before instantly transformed into a raging torrent, as if the strings of a zither were teeming with the clash of swords and galloping horses.
Each note is like an invisible blade, precisely piercing the most vulnerable part of the listener's heart.
Fear, greed, regret, obsession—all the emotions buried deep within the cultivator's heart were stirred up by the music at this moment, transforming into a monstrous wave that crashed against the tranquility of the spiritual platform.
Although the onlookers were not targeted by the music, they were still shocked by the overwhelming Daoist aura and unconsciously took several steps back.
"This... this is ' Surging Waves ' from the ' Nine Heart-Tempering Movements '!"
A knowledgeable cultivator exclaimed in surprise:
" Eternal True Lord would feel pressured hearing this; Miss Qin Xin went all out right from the start!"
Can these two hold on?
Everyone turned their attention to the arena.