Chapter 477
"Dammit!"
Ning Que was utterly frustrated!
This high mountain and flowing water awaited a kindred spirit, and it had once given rise to a beautiful tale.
Legend has it that the first owner of this qin, known as Xi Ning San Ren, played this tune atop Penglai Mountain long before the Penglai Star Sect existed.
At that time, all musicians aspired to ascend Penglai Mountain, hoping to meet this sage of music, but alas, they were all blocked by the sound of the qin and could not enter.
Until one day, the renowned poet and scholar Shao Yun traveled far and wide, taking out his long flute to harmonize with the qin.
The two became kindred spirits through their melodies, having only met once. One later sacrificed himself for his country, while the other waited a lifetime.
This was a romantic story filled with elegance and poetic charm...
And it gave rise to the tale of high mountains and flowing waters awaiting a kindred spirit.
But now?
The little tyrant was humming that catchy cliché!
Was this the kindred spirit he was waiting for? No! Absolutely not, you idiot!
"This is not elegant at all! Don’t come any closer!"
Ning Que was genuinely furious.
Those invisible notes seemed to turn wild as his big, clumsy feet bled.
Layers of azure waves surrounded him, like blooming flowers, yet brewing an endless storm.
The flowing water and wine cups, a ninefold melody!
"Nice move!"
Li Mo inexplicably felt a spark ignite within him.
It was just music, after all; who couldn’t do it?
Awaken, and taste my most dazzling folk tune!!
Of course.
The key was the Tianren Divine Sword, striking in sync.
Li Mo wielded the sword with his heart.
The sword light, like autumn waters and horizontal waves, sliced through heart and intent, precisely targeting the core of the qin's melody.
With this strike, Li Mo rode the sword and delved deeper into his thoughts, already stepping further along the path of mastery.
The essence of chivalrous swords was now blended into one, and he had one foot in the realm of the Dugu Nine Swords!
Rip—
The storm scattered, and the sword light came to a sudden halt.
It hovered between Ning Que's brows, separated by merely a layer of paper.
With a heart that received and sent, Ning Que's pupils dilated, yet he was shocked but unharmed.
"It's over, I... lost, it's all over..."
Upon realizing his defeat, Ning Que's face was blank, like a little wife who had been mistreated.
"....."
Li Mo sheathed his sword and pondered, as if he had gained some insight, the flickers of understanding swirling in his mind.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and saw Ning Que, whose brain seemed to be trembling.
"Ning brother, didn’t you say this was a gentlemanly spar? It’s just one loss, it’s not a big deal..."
"No, you don’t understand."
Ning Que cradled his head: "I’m no longer elegant. My high mountains and flowing waters have been shattered by your unrefined tune. I’m not a gentleman anymore."
Li Mo: "....."
What was this obsession with being a little swordsman?
Goodness, even his recent experiences had changed; was the aftertaste of the most dazzling folk tune really that strong?
"Ahem, that’s not quite right. Didn’t you find joy in that last piece?"
"Joy is joy, but..."
"Elegant music is often appreciated by few, which is fine, but making everyone happy is also good. Isn’t that also a form of great music?"
Li Mo shrugged.
Ning Que was taken aback, following his gaze down to the stage, where a woman in blue, surrounded by sunflower seed shells, was still swaying her body.
A joyful dancer, exuding the calmness of an old artist.
"Look how happy she is."
"One person doesn’t mean much..."
"Uh, let me introduce her; she’s the leader of the Qing Luan tribe."
"....."
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---
Chapter 534: I Want It All!
Not far away on the arena, the purple-robed eunuch at the judges' table announced the victor. Ying Bing withdrew her gaze, a faint smile gracing her lips.
At the same time, the raised Taibai Sword fell empty.
This gave Tian Miao a moment to breathe.
If it weren’t a spar, the 'life' door of nine deaths would be right here.
Her entire aura suddenly became ethereal, her form fading as if she were no longer of this world. With eyes to see, ears to hear, and heart to observe, none could discern her trace.
If the Qing Hai Yi Yin qin could turn the formless into form, then Tian Miao's Yantian Sect martial arts excelled at turning the tangible into the intangible.
With a flick of her finger, she imbued the intent of transcending the mundane, leaving no trace behind.
"Miss Ying seems unaware?"
Before Tian Miao's thoughts could settle, Ying Bing's ice-mirror-like eyes suddenly turned to her, still as calm as ever.
She can see me?
Then why hasn’t she moved?
A warning bell rang in Tian Miao's heart, and she retreated swiftly.
However, just halfway back, she felt a chill run down her spine.
Tian Miao's expression turned to shock as she suddenly realized.
Ying Bing's earlier strike hadn’t landed in empty space; it had struck at a 'future' moment.
This indicated two things.
First, Ying Bing had anticipated her movements.
Second, Ying Bing could use a sword from that moment to strike at this very moment.
"Did you leave me a glimpse of nine deaths on purpose?" Tian Miao asked, her tone a bit hurried.
"Thank you for your guidance."
Ying Bing nodded slightly and stepped down from the stage.
No answer was, in itself, an answer.
"Throughout history, which contender on the Hidden Dragon List could defeat her..." Tian Miao murmured to herself.
"...."
"How did Miss Han win just now?"
"She clearly didn’t make another move after her empty strike; why did Yantian Miao concede?"
"I’ve encountered Tian Miao before; she once spoke in riddles to me, saying she has her moments too."
"Though I don’t know how Miss Han won, one thing’s for sure: she’s invincible."
"Ying Bing, Ying Bing, the first of the Hidden Dragon, Miss, fly with ease, and Ice Fans will always follow!"
Down below, the fervent fans began to emerge, and most of them were women.
After all, it was rare for a woman to reach the top.
Of course, there were also some CP fans, like the head of the Shang Qin Qing CP fan club.
"Li Mo wins, Ying Bing wins!"
After announcing the results, the purple-robed eunuch turned to Xie Xuan and Du Wufeng.
"May I ask how Miss Ying achieved victory? I practice basic skills and have been in the palace for so long that I truly can’t see clearly."
Du Wufeng cleared his throat: "I’m just a blacksmith; I was just watching to see if Li Mo would pull out a hammer. For matters of swordplay, you should ask Old Xie."
The purple-robed eunuch turned his gaze to Xie Yiding.
The sound amplification conch quickly found its way to Xie Yiding's lips.
On the map of the nation, the image was also directed to the master of the Tianshan Sword Manor.
Everyone awaited his profound insights.
"......"
Xie Yiding remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "If the swordplay is not lacking, then it must be a good sword."
"?"
The purple-robed eunuch didn’t understand, nor did the nobles, the martial artists, or the onlookers.
What are you talking about?
Old Xie was also feeling bitter; it wasn’t about swordplay at all, but rather the mystery of divine intent.
But Ying Bing's intent was unprecedented.
She struck, and with one sword, it was over. What more was there to say?
"Ahem, I think the most pressing matter now is the upcoming duel."
Xie Yiding cleared his throat, cleverly shifting the topic.
The purple-robed eunuch picked up the list and began to announce:
"Currently, there are three individuals with perfect records: Li Mo, Ying Bing."
"And among our Da Yu's dragon and phoenix, born divine, the noble prince destined to inherit the throne..."
---
The new round of names was displayed on the map of the nation.
"So, whoever wins between Li brother and Jiang Yu will face off against Miss Ying?"
Xiao Qin muttered the information from the list, then looked down to see Li Mo sitting cross-legged, earnestly conversing with the Tianren Divine Sword.
"Make sure you don’t mess up later, got it?"
"Otherwise, I’ll have to let Hammer Treasure have a heart-to-heart with you."
"......"
Murong Xiao, Huang Donglai, and Xiao Qin exchanged glances.
Li brother... seemed very serious.
Moments later.
Ying Bing returned, standing behind him with a hint of softness in her eyes, watching him pump himself up, and found it somewhat amusing.
He seemed particularly invested in winning or losing this time.
And he seemed a bit lacking in confidence?
"Li Mo, no matter if you win or lose..."
"Shut up!"
Li Mo snapped back to attention, his expression serious.
You can’t just casually set up a flag like that...
"Really not listening?"
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