A Melody That Could Not Be Finished

Ji Yuan had never played a melody on the xiao before. Or rather, in the memories of both his lives, he had never used a musical instrument. Yet though he had never eaten pork, he had seen pigs run. At this moment, playing "Phoenix Seeking Mate" on the cave flute felt utterly natural.

As Ji Yuan's flute continued, lofty, resonant notes that were rarely heard from a xiao gradually emerged amid its low, winding tones, as though a hundred birds had risen to dance and cry alongside a phoenix.

Mother Jujube, Sun Yaya, Hu Yun, and the others all had their eyes closed as they listened. But as the flute changed its tune, everyone's state of mind changed with it. Their eyelids twitched violently, and their vital energies became exceptionally active, as though the energies throughout their bodies had turned into a flock of birds.

"Wooooo~~~~~ Clang~~~~~~~~ Crack..."

Just as the soaring flute notes were nearly reaching the ring of gold and iron, an ill-timed sound rang out by Ji Yuan's lips. Everyone immersed in the music was like someone having a teacup smashed beside them while half-asleep; they all opened their eyes at once and woke up.

"Mister..."

"Mister Ji, why did you stop...?"

"What was that just now?"

Faced with everyone's disappointed and puzzled looks, Ji Yuan helplessly shook his head and laid the Purple Bamboo Cave Flute horizontally on the stone table.

Mother Jujube was the first to notice something wrong. She reached out to touch the Purple Bamboo Cave Flute, lightly running her fingers over the mouthpiece. Aside from a trace of remaining heat, she also felt a crack.

"This flute is broken."

Once Mother Jujube said so, the others understood what had happened. The Little Paper Crane had already landed beside the mouthpiece, pointing at