Song Qianji's face wasn't flushed, and his gaze was steady. Tapping on the jade table and singing a song, he didn't look drunk at all.
"Drunken crab counts as alcohol? Stop worrying for nothing," Lin Feiyuan said via voice transmission. "He just broke Fairy Miaoyan's 'Celestial Sound Art'."
Meng Heze suddenly felt the situation was dangerous—
They had fallen into an illusion following the sound of the pipa, yet the disciples from Green Cliff and Purple Cloud Temple beside them were completely unaware. Looking over at the Celestial Sound Sect, only He Qingqing wore a worried expression.
Meanwhile, the members of the Huawel Sect, led by Xu Yun, wore forced smiles as they continued to power the Cloud Sea Grand Formation.
Beneath the auspicious and joyous atmosphere, killing intent lurked and undercurrents surged.
Ji Chen was still a little dazed. "Fairy Miaoyan has no grievance or enmity with our Thousand Canals, so why is she targeting us? Is it just because Senior Brother Song said something bad about her once before?" He shook his head. "I almost forgot, Miaoyan is Chen Hongzhu's cousin and a relative of Sect Master Xu Yun! I can't see the flaw in the Cloud Sea Grand Formation. Which way do we run?"
Meng Heze held him down. "Run where? The pipa has stopped."
The sound of the pipa had paused, but Song Qianji was still singing:
"A lonely, cold life is not my desire, the immortal path is beyond my reach. The mortal world is full of troubles, better to roam with sword in hand!"
The lyrics spoke of "troubles," but his singing voice was free-spirited and resonant, echoing throughout the grand hall with a force that could pierce the heavens and halt the passing clouds.
It seemed like a spontaneous whim, a casual response.
The guests in the hall felt their hearts surge. They tapped their jade tables to the rhythm, shouting their approval again and again.
Only Miaoyan had cold sweat beading on her forehead. Her fingertips, gripping the pipa tightly, had turned a faint, pale white.
Her pale face made her look slightly weak. She stared at Song Qianji in astonishment, her eyes glistening with a pitiable light.
"Song Xian Guan, do you understand music?"
Her voice was clear, beautiful, and gentle.
The moment she spoke, the cheers in the hall instantly fell silent.
Some people realized that things were not so simple. Just now, the golden phoenix illusion had disintegrated, and Fairy Miaoyan's pipa had come to an abrupt halt. Could it be that it was suppressed by Song Qianji's singing?
Qingzhai couldn't help but say, "Fairy Miaoyan was kind enough to play celestial music for us. Why did he have to one-up her..."
This remark was intended for Ziye Wenshu, implying that Song Qianji was being rude.
However, the latter stopped her with a low reprimand, "Watch your words!"
Ziye Wenshu had not been attacked by the pipa's sound, nor did he understand the Celestial Sound Art.
But he could vaguely sense the abnormal fluctuations of Spirit Qi in the Cloud Sea Grand Formation. Song Qianji was most likely being forced to respond.
Everyone was looking at Miaoyan's pitiful and lovely face, but Song Qianji didn't even raise his eyes.
He smiled at the wine-marinated crab paste on his plate. "A mere minor art, not worth mentioning."
"Minor art?" Miaoyan was stunned, involuntarily repeating his words. "Song Xian Guan believes that music is a minor art?"
The hall instantly erupted in an uproar.
How arrogant.
It wasn't just arrogance; his arrogance knew no bounds!
With a single sentence, he had offended Miaoyan and all of her admirers.
He had further offended the Celestial Sound Sect, and even seemed to hold all the Sound Cultivators in the world in contempt.
This time, even Lin Feiyuan was on the verge of a breakdown. "Is he always like this when he's drunk?"
The female cultivators of the Celestial Sound Sect, who had always prided themselves on their status and strived to emulate Fairy Miaoyan's perfect, flawless smile, all had their expressions change in unison.
They were usually so sought after and had never been publicly humiliated like this.
"What does Song Xian Guan mean by that?"
"You've insulted our sect! If you can't give us a proper explanation, don't even think about leaving here unscathed today!"
He Qingqing turned around and snapped coldly, "Silence."
The disciples, indignant and agitated, spoke without thinking:
"Eldest Sister, you should be helping Senior Sister Miaoyan! How can you side with an outsider?!"
"The sect's reputation is at stake! We must demand an explanation!"
He Qingqing's face turned ashen.
Ji Chen reached out to support Song Qianji. "Um, Song Xian Guan is drunk... no, he ate himself drunk. Please forgive him, Fairies..."
But who would believe that someone could get drunk from eating crab paste?
"What explanation is needed?" Song Qianji shook him off, flicked his wide sleeves, and laughed. "If any of you are unconvinced, just step forward!"
The entire hall fell silent, half from shock, half from anger.
Song Qianji turned his head. "Who brought a qin?"
He asked it as casually as if he were asking what was for lunch, or who had brought Thousand Canals' Sixteen Spices.
The people from Thousand Canals frantically grabbed their hair and dug their fingers into their palms.
"I've lived this long and I've never even touched a qin!"
"We're not afraid of a fight, it's just one life at worst, but Senior Brother Song is challenging someone to a musical duel, and we're not Sound Cultivators!"
Just as they were about to join forces to hold Song Qianji down, a voice of admiration was heard in the hall:
"What spirit!"
The guests looked toward the head seat in the hall. It was none other than the Sect Master of the Huawel Sect, Xu Yun.
Xu Yun smiled with satisfaction, like a senior admiring a junior.
Beside him, Chishui Peak's Peak Lord, Zhao Taiji, also laughed. "Song Xian Guan is a young hero. Since he wishes to determine who is superior in the art of music with the fairies of the Celestial Sound Sect today, we shall bear witness. It will add some color to the joyous banquet. Let's keep it friendly and not harm the peace."
Someone said, "If you dare to make such a boast, you'd better show your skills. Otherwise, even at a joyous banquet, this won't end well!"
This was one of Fairy Miaoyan's fanatical followers.
"To be able to witness such a momentous event in the Cultivation World at Lady Chen's engagement ceremony, we thank our host!"
These were the minor sects and vassal states affiliated with the Huawel Sect.
"I've only heard that Song Qianji is a master of both calligraphy and chess. I've never heard that he also understands music."
These were the neutral cultivators who enjoyed watching a good show.
Miaoyan had already shed her fragile expression. She straightened her back and lowered her gaze to tune her strings. "The Celestial Sound Sect requests Song Xian Guan's guidance!"
When she wasn't smiling, the corners of her mouth naturally turned down, giving her a cold and stubborn air.
Many who were captivated by her appearance were only now realizing that Miaoyan was not just the number one beauty, but also the number one disciple of the Celestial Sound Sect.
Among the younger generation of Sound Cultivators, no one could challenge her in the field she was most skilled in.
"Again?" Meng Heze reached for his sword. He thought that the other party, protected by a formation, was taking things too far.
Lin Feiyuan immediately pressed his hand down and sent a voice transmission, "At a joyous banquet, if they use a sound attack, others won't be able to tell. If we draw our swords, we'll only be seen as taking the lower road!"
With the Huawel Sect taking the lead to state their position, a contest with the honor of a sect on the line was now unavoidable.
The guests held their breath, waiting for Song Qianji's response, only to see him lean forward and whisper something to Ziye Wenshu.
"Daoist Friend Ziye, may I borrow the 'Jade Phoenix Flute'?"
Ziye Wenshu was slightly startled.
He spent his years exorcising demons abroad, and that "Jade Phoenix Flute" was a gift from the Calligrapher Sage. The "Clear Spirit Treasure Jade" used to make the flute had the effect of resisting demonic energy and calming the mind.
He never played it, only carried it with him for protection, so others did not know he had it.
How did Song Qianji know about this?
Could the Calligrapher Sage or the Dean have told him?
Ziye Wenshu said coolly, "And if I do not lend it to you, what will you do?"
"I'll admit defeat at once, of course!" Song Qianji said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "What else can I do?"
He had just made a bold proclamation, yet he was ready to admit defeat just like that.
He was clearly a famous figure, yet he treated his personal reputation as if it were nothing.
How could such a person exist in this world? Ziye Wenshu wondered.
"Thank you for your help this time, Daoist Friend. I'll teach you how to play next time," Song Qianji said with a smile.
Ziye Wenshu came back to his senses, only to find that the "Jade Phoenix Flute" was already in the other man's hand.
"That won't be necessary."
Xu Yun flicked his horsetail whisk, and the five Peak Lords, understanding his intent, worked together to power the formation.
The illusory flowers in the sky pressed downward, causing the whirlpools in the sea of clouds to spin rapidly, increasing the pressure of the Grand Formation to its peak.
Li Ying's face showed worry. "I believe Senior Brother Song is really drunk..."
He Qingqing's lips tightened slightly. This time was different from before; it was all out in the open now. Miaoyan was very clever. She had turned her and the Huawel Sect's secret alliance into a matter concerning the entire Celestial Sound Sect, making it impossible for her to help Song Qianji.
Feng Ziyi irritably stroked her tiger's fur.
The sound of the pipa rose again, like a silver vase suddenly shattering.
It was the original "Wind and Snow Array Entry Tune."
With a phoenix cry, before the golden phoenix illusion could appear, ten luan birds flew out from the face of the pipa. Craning their necks and beating their wings, they charged toward Song Qianji in unison.
Miaoyan's expression was solemn and composed, a complete contrast to her earlier self.
Song Qianji twirled the "Jade Phoenix Flute," weighing it in his hand before bringing it to his lips.
Behind him, the people from Thousand Canals were fraught with worry.
More than half the people in the hall were gloating over his misfortune.
But he truly seemed unafraid of losing face.
Even his flute was one he had just borrowed from someone else.
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