Qin Xin tilted her head slightly, her fingertips casually plucking a string, producing a clear, melodious sound:
"In the two songs just now, although I gave it my all, I still felt that your State of Mind was like a bottomless ancient well, which I could not see through."
For a musician, encountering an audience she cannot understand is a very rare thing.
This statement, though seemingly frank, is also ambiguous.
Play a solo piece.
In a place like Shallow Dream Pavilion, a female musician publicly invites a man to stay and listen to her solo performance; the implication of this is clear to everyone present.
A low murmur arose from the crowd.
Some people were so envious their eyes almost popped out:
"Good heavens! When has Qin Xin ever invited anyone to listen to her play music alone? Many people want her to play for them, but she won't even meet them!"
Someone sighed:
"There's nothing we can do; Fellow Daoist Han truly has the qualifications. If you had his dedication, Miss Qin Xin might think more highly of you."
In an instant, countless eyes were fixed on Han Xuanji, their gazes a mixture of envy, jealousy, curiosity, and anticipation.
Everyone present knew of Qin Xin's beauty and talent. Looking across the entire Thousand Souls City, there was probably no other woman who could rival her in these two aspects.
Many scions of powerful Lineage, and even some who had already reached the Eternal True God Realm, had expressed their admiration for Qin Xin, but none of them had ever received a response.
Today, this aloof and proud high-class musician actually took the initiative to invite a man in public.
If this gets out, it will become the hottest topic in Thousand Souls City tomorrow.
Qin Xin wasn't in a hurry; she simply watched Han Xuanji quietly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
However, Han Xuanji remained silent for only a moment before shaking his head slightly.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Miss Qin Xin."
His tone was sincere and gentle, without the slightest hesitation:
"It's getting late today, and I still have some things to take care of at home. I'll come to listen to your elegant music another day when I have more free time."
After saying this, he bowed slightly, then turned around without looking back, took Hun Qianling's hand, and walked towards the stairs.
There was a moment of silence on the terrace.
Then, everyone exploded.
"He... he refused?"
A young man rubbed his eyes in disbelief, as if he were witnessing the most incredible sight in the world:
"He refused Qin Xin Xin's invitation to be alone? Am I still trapped in the illusion of the music?"
"What a pity, what a pity."
Some people clicked their tongues and shook their heads, as if they were the ones who had missed a once-in-a-lifetime fortuitous opportunity.
"You ungrateful wretch!"
Some of Qin Xin's admirers muttered under their breath, their voices filled with resentment.
The sighs and whispers of the crowd merged into a buzzing sound that filled the entire floor.
However, Qin Xin showed no sign of anger.
She stood there, watching Han Xuanji's figure disappear at the top of the stairs. The faint smile on her lips did not fade; instead, it deepened.
"He's quite an interesting person."
Qin Xin murmured to herself, her voice so soft that only she could hear it.
She had seen too many men who flocked to her; some pretended to be profound, some were extremely attentive, and some spent lavishly just to win a smile from her.
But there are very few people like Han Xuanji who, even though they are right in front of her, seem to completely disregard her.
"To have such mental strength, and to be so clear-headed..."
She gently stroked the strings, a mysterious light flickering in her eyes.
We will meet again.
On the other side, Han Xuanji pulled Hun Qianling down the stairs quickly, and only breathed a slight sigh of relief after they walked out of the door of the Shallow Dream Pavilion.
Hun Qianling's cheeks flushed slightly as he held her hand, but she quickly realized what he meant and looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Why are you leaving in such a hurry? Miss Qin Xin isn't some monster; there's no need for her to worry about me."
Han Xuanji shook his head, not answering directly, but sighing and whispering:
"This woman... never mind."
Hun Qianling blinked, increasingly puzzled. Just as she was about to ask further, she saw Han Xuanji stride forward.
She had no choice but to suppress her doubts and quickly follow.
Han Xuanji walked ahead, but the information she had just Startling Swan replayed in her mind.
Before he left, he habitually used the system to investigate Qin Xin's background.
The results of the investigation secretly alarmed him.
This senior musician of the Shallow Dream Pavilion, a master of the zither at the Peak Eternal True Lord, and the object of admiration for countless cultivators in Thousand Souls City —was actually an avatar of an Eternal Deity.
This Eternal Deity is named Jue, and its strength is unknown.
Han Xuanji knew little about the Eternal Deity.
These ancient beings are said to have existed before the first Transcendent arrived on the Eternal Continent, and are among the most primitive life forms in this world.
They are born with extremely strong abilities, at the very least at the Sage level, and their existence is mysterious and unpredictable, making them extremely difficult to kill.
The powerful Transcendent of the Eternal Continent once waged war against it, but eventually reached an agreement to stop.
Han Xuanji had always regarded them as beings similar to Chaos Devil God —ancient, powerful, and best avoided.
He originally thought that Shallow Dream Pavilion was just an ordinary music-related organization, Qin Xin was just a musician with outstanding talent.
But now it seems that Thousand Souls City truly is a place where hidden talents abound.
Of course, according to the information provided by the system, there is no secret to Qin Xin staying in Thousand Souls City; she is simply looking for fun. Perhaps her true self has more clones hiding in other cities of the Eternal Continent.
And this very person actually invited him to stay, saying that they would play a piece for him alone.
Although Qin Xin was only an avatar with power at the level of Eternal True God, Han Xuanji was still somewhat worried and did not want to get too involved.
"Sigh, I just wanted to develop peacefully... I must be careful in the future."
Han Xuanji thought to himself, and quickened his pace.
He already regretted putting on an act this time, and at the same time, he secretly harbored resentment towards Wu Congshan and the people behind him.
Damn it, if these people hadn't harmed him, would he have acted this way?
Hun Qianling jogged after him, full of questions, but ultimately didn't ask any.
As she watched Han Xuanji's retreating figure, she felt increasingly bewildered by the events of the day.
Behind them, Qin Xin of the Shallow Dream Pavilion still stood by the railing of the terrace, watching that tall figure gradually disappear into the bustling streets of Thousand Souls City.
The wind brushed through her hair, carrying with it a faint, almost imperceptible melody.
A faint smile always lingered on her lips.
Han Xuanji's existence did attract her attention, but that was all; it wasn't significant enough to alarm her true self.