Upon realizing what was going on, Jiang Qingqin and Vice School Head Ning rolled their eyes.
You are probably the only one who could knock twelve cranes unconscious in a single examination.
"The grade of the zither allocated by the academy is too low. It is usually reserved for apprentice demonic tunists and 1-star demonic tunists. Those who have surpassed 1-star have their own zither, so no one would use it. Why don't you use mine and perform it here? If you can make six cranes dance, I'll help you apply for a 6-star emblem! "
Knowing that the cranes had only fainted, Jiang Qingqin heaved a sigh of relief.
"Alright!"
Zhang Xuan nodded.
Since the other party was willing to help him apply for a 6-star emblem, he couldn't be bothered to head to the Demonic Tunist Aisle anymore. Taking the zither, he lightly stroked it with his finger, and the sound of jade colliding echoed.
"Good zither!"
With glowing eyes, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Compared to this, the antique he had been using previously couldn't even be compared.
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan immersed his consciousness into the zither and began playing lightly.
"A 1-star melody?"
Hearing that the fellow was actually playing a 1-star melody, the two school heads shook their heads. Just as they were about to speak, the cranes in the courtyard suddenly flew up one after another.
There were exactly six of them!
"A 1-star melody is able to make six cranes soar?"
The two school heads nearly fainted from shock.
A 1-star melody was the most basic demonic tunes, and its prowess was limited. It was similar to a Mortal-Tier battle technique — no matter how profound the technique was, there was a limit to its prowess.
Even if they were to play a 1-star melody, they wouldn't be able to make much of a difference. Yet, the young man before them was able to make six cranes dance...
Just a few hours ago, weren't there still six cranes and seven cranes who didn't understand anything at all?
To become like this after an entire night of studying...
You must be cheating!
It was no wonder why you were able to cause such a huge uproar in the academy. Your talent is too fearsome!
"What if... you use a 6-star melody?"
Suppressing his shock, Vice School Head Ning asked.
If a 1-star melody was able to produce a 6-star effect, what would happen if he were to use a 6-star melody?
Would he be able to make seven cranes soar?
Become a Seven Star demonic tunist?
At this thought, their eyes lit up at the same time.
At the end of the song, the two listened as if they were intoxicated and no longer looked down on Jiang Qingqin. Jiang Qingqin flipped his wrist and took out a zither score.
"Zhang Shi, this is a 6-star song, Spring Moon Rising Tide Tune. You can give it a try!"
Taking the music score, Zhang Xuan casually flipped through it.
As expected of a six-star song. It was much more complicated than the previous one, and it was easier to display the concept that he had comprehended.
If the previous music could only display 30% of a 6-star Concept, then this was 100%. If used well, it could even reach 120%, 150%!
Ding dong! Ding dong!
Closing his eyes, Zhang Xuan pondered for a moment before placing his hand on the zither. Following which, the sound of a zither reverberated in the air, and a faint might spread into the surroundings, filling up the entire courtyard.
Listening to the zither melody, Jiang Qingqin and Vice School Head Ning felt as if they were looking at a bright moon slowly rising from the tide. Accompanied by the spring night, it shone down on the land, bringing all living things back to life.
The spring river's tides connect the sea level, the bright moon on the sea rises with the tide. Sparkling with the waves for thousands of miles, where is the moonless spring river?
Chirp! Chirp!
As the sound grew more and more distant, the cranes seemed to have sensed the atmosphere and took flight.
One crane, two cranes, three cranes …
In the blink of an eye, six cranes had already flown out, and they circled around the courtyard, chirping softly. It was as if they were longing for the night, dancing with the tide.
Hu!
Just as the two school heads were engrossed in the music, the ten cranes standing by the corner of the courtyard suddenly let out a cry, and one of them took the lead.
However, before it could get far, another one leaped into the air and bit down on it.
The crane that had flown into the air fell to the ground. Then, this crane spread its wings and charged forward, but just like before, another group of cranes rushed forward to attack it.
In the blink of an eye, the ten cranes were locked in a fierce battle, unwilling to give way to one another.
In an instant, feathers and blood splattered all over the place. At this moment, the cranes whom they had spent so much time with suddenly looked as if they had met their mortal enemies.
"This …"
Jiang Qingqin narrowed his eyes in astonishment, and his throat turned dry. "This is … the Battle of Zither Cranes, a skill that only those who have grasped the demonic tunes to the pinnacle can achieve?"
Demonic tunists were ranked by their cranes. If there were too many of them, all of them would want to dance together, thus resulting in a fight over the slots.
Under normal circumstances, the cranes were extremely prideful as well. If they saw a comrade flying past them, they wouldn't make a move. Unless … the demonic tunist who was playing the zither had reached an unfathomable level.
In other words, the concept behind the zither was so profound that they couldn't help but want to charge forward and dance together.
However … there was a limit to the slots, so they had no choice but to kill one another.
Peng! Peng! Peng! Peng!
The ten cranes fought with one another for a very long time, but eventually, they felt that it was impossible for them to emerge victorious. Thus, they charged toward the six remaining cranes in the sky. In an instant, the sky darkened, and feathers flew all over the place. Eventually, seven of them emerged victorious, and they flapped their wings and flew into the sky.
Even though they had emerged victorious, the seven of them were in a sorry state. Most of their feathers had been plucked clean, revealing their crimson skin and flesh.
Their featherless wings flapped as they soared in the sky. There wasn't the slightest bit of elegance that a crane should possess!
As the melody came to an end, Zhang Xuan awoke from his trance. Looking at the few roasted chickens in the sky, he couldn't help but leap in shock.
Other people usually use cranes to play the zither, but my roasted chicken … What is going on?
Just as Zhang Xuan was perplexed, Jiang Qingqin and Vice School Head Ning suddenly rushed over with glowing eyes. They stared at him as if they had seen a monster.
"I … Does this count as passing the 6-star examination?"
Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask.
"If even this doesn't count, then no one else will … Don't worry, I will immediately apply for a Seven Star emblem from the headquarter!"
Jiang Qingqin said.
"Seven Star?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.
"Indeed. Your comprehension of demonic tunes has definitely reached the Seven Star level …" Jiang Qingqin nodded.
To be able to appear in the Zither Tunes Competition, even ordinary Seven Star demonic tunists wouldn't be a match for you.
"Thank you!"
Hearing that Jiang Qingqin was willing to help him apply for a 6-star emblem, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.
With this, he would have five supporting occupations. As long as he took the final examination, he would be able to become a 6-star master teacher.
But of course, he would have to raise his cultivation first.
Since his comprehension of demonic tunes had reached the level of Seven Star, it would be much easier for him to offer guidance. Activating his Eye of Insight, a bizarre expression appeared on Zhang Xuan's face.
"What's wrong? Are you still unable to do it? "Seeing Zhang Xuan's expression, School Head Jiang asked doubtfully.
He thought that given the other party's comprehension of demonic tunes, it would be easy for him to make a breakthrough, but from the looks of it, it wasn't as easy as he thought.
If it was easy to achieve a breakthrough, it was impossible for him to remain silent for the past five hundred years.
"It's not that it's impossible, but …" Seeing the other party's disappointment, Zhang Xuan explained, "You have already achieved a breakthrough, and your comprehension of demonic tunes … has reached the seventh level!"
"Achieved a breakthrough?" School Head Jiang was taken aback.
Even Vice Dean Ning was dumbfounded.
Are you for real?
It was still Six Cranes when he played the zither yesterday. When did he break through?
"If I'm not mistaken, School Head Jiang has a transcendent state of mind, such that you are able to view everything with indifference, right?" Zhang Xuan asked.
"School Head Jiang is indeed a person with great self-restraint. Even if Mount Tai were to collapse, you are still able to remain unfazed …" Vice School Head Ning nodded in agreement.
This was what he admired the most about his old friend. He was able to remain unfazed by everything.
"Demonic tunes are known as demonic tunes, and in order to become demonic, one has to go through a lot of pain. Birth, aging, illness, death, separation from love, resentment, unattainable desires, and unwillingness to let go … Only these emotions can stimulate one's heart, allowing one to walk further and stand at greater heights … You are able to view everything with indifference, and your state of mind has already reached the level of an ancient well. Under such circumstances, how is it possible for you to achieve a breakthrough?"
Zhang Xuan.
"This …" Jiang Qingqin hesitated.
Five hundred years ago, after a certain incident, he had thought that his state of mind was transcendent, but from the looks of it now, that wasn't the case at all.
"Living in the mortal world, it goes without saying that one has to pay attention to the affairs of the mortal world. Paying no attention to them, not even thinking about them … That isn't transcendence but escape! If you were to escape, how could you possibly achieve a breakthrough and advance bravely? "Zhang Xuan continued.
"That's right …"
Jiang Qingqin's face paled, and he fell silent.
The other party was right. Paying no attention to the mortal world was not transcendence but escape!
"In order to achieve a breakthrough, many experts would immerse themselves in the mortal world and experience all kinds of emotions. Only then would they be able to make a breakthrough. But you, on the other hand, shut yourself in your residence, paying no attention to the affairs of the mortal world … This is the reason why you have been unable to achieve a breakthrough for the past five hundred years! "
Sighing deeply, Zhang Xuan shook his head.
"Yesterday, I used my beast taming skills to tame the divine cranes, and under your provocation, your emotions began to fluctuate, thus allowing you to achieve a breakthrough. In other words … you have already achieved a breakthrough yesterday!"
Yesterday, he was truly unable to comprehend the difference between six cranes and seven cranes. He was still thinking that as long as the seven cranes could fly, he would be able to achieve a breakthrough. Who could have known that he would inadvertently allow the other party to achieve a breakthrough …
A flower planted intentionally doesn't bloom, but a willow planted inadvertently grows!
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have found it hard to believe.
After hearing Zhang Xuan's explanation, Jiang Qingqin froze on the spot. He closed his eyes, and the past five hundred years flowed through his mind in an instant.
A moment later, he stood up and clasped his fist deeply to the ground. Determination and determination could be seen in his eyes.
"Thank you, Zhang Shi, for your guidance. From today onward, the Art of Demonic Tunes shall be my teacher!"
"This … How can I accept this …"
Not expecting School Head Jiang to suddenly acknowledge Zhang Xuan as his teacher, Zhang Xuan was taken aback for a moment before hurriedly waving his hands.
"Regardless of age, the one who has reached the peak is the teacher! I might have immersed myself in the Art of Demonic Tunes for a very long time, but my understanding of it isn't as deep as Zhang Shi's … Today, your words have resolved the doubts that have plagued me for the past five hundred years. If you don't agree to it, I won't be able to get up! "
Jiang Qingqin clasped his fist.
"This … Alright then!" Seeing that the other party was sincere and determined, Zhang Xuan nodded.
As soon as Zhang Xuan agreed to it, the Library of Heaven's Path jolted, and a golden book appeared once more.
He didn't have the time to look through it at the moment, so he quickly helped School Head Jiang up.
"Teacher, I will chop down this Phoenix Parasol Tree right now and extract its Wood Marrow. As for the trunk, I will forge a zither for you!"
School Head Jiang said.
Since they were master and disciple, the Phoenix Parasol Tree Marrow was a simple matter.
"I'll be troubling you then …" Zhang Xuan nodded.
After chatting for a while longer, Zhang Xuan pointed out some demonic tunes, and the two of them benefited greatly from it.
After chatting for close to two hours, Zhang Xuan finally raised his hand and bade farewell with the Phoenix Parasol Tree Marrow that Jiang Qingqin had just taken out.
After leaving Jiang Qingqin's residence, Zhang Xuan suddenly recalled something, and his face warped in astonishment.
"This is bad … I was too focused on taking the demonic tunist examination that I forgot about the date!"
Reading books, studying, and taking the demonic tunist examination … Just like that, an entire night passed, and the sun was already high up in the sky. Yesterday, Lozosy had said that she would look for him at night, but it seemed like he had missed the appointment.
Zhang Xuan hurriedly returned to his residence, and Sun Qiang walked up to him.
"Young Master, Luo Ruoxin came to look for you last night, but upon learning that you weren't around, she left …"
Zhang Xuan asked, "Did she say anything?"
"She didn't say anything …" Sun Qiang shook his head.
"She didn't say anything?" Zhang Xuan scratched his head.
She said that she would look for him at night, but she didn't say anything at all. What was she up to?
"I'll head over to take a look!"
Returning back to the academy, Zhang Xuan found Lozosy's residence, and after asking around, he realized that the latter wasn't around. Thus, he could only return to his residence helplessly.
Even though he felt a little stifled, since Luo Ruoxin had come looking for him yesterday, she would surely come again.
Even though he had obtained the Phoenix Parasol Tree Marrow, the Grand Intermittence Grass had yet to arrive, so he couldn't forge the Grand Intermittence Pill for the time being.
With the nourishment of the Earth Vein Spirit Essence, even though it would be difficult for Wei Ruyan's body to recover, it would at least be able to maintain its current state. On top of that, it would take some time for the Ten-leafed Flower to nourish her soul, so there was no need to rush.
After everything was settled, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief.
A thought suddenly came to his mind … Byzantium Helios Beast!
It had been eight days since he had captured that fellow at Leiyuan Peak, but he hadn't had a chance to interrogate him. Now that he was free, he could use this opportunity to ask about the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe.
"This is the center of the city, and it's close to the academy. I have to set up a formation to conceal my aura first. Otherwise, if that fellow were to go on a rampage and release the Otherworldly Demon puppets, I would surely be noticed!"
The residence was extremely spacious, and he could easily release the Byzantium Helios Beast anywhere. However … this wasn't a mountain range. If he were to release the Otherworldly Demon puppets, he would have to set up a formation to conceal the surroundings.
Otherwise, if the Saint realm experts of the Master Teacher Academy were to notice the puppets, it would be hard for him to explain himself.
As a 4-star formation master, Zhang Xuan had seen quite a few 4-star formations. After a moment of contemplation, a suitable one appeared in his mind.
"I'll use the [Aura Sealing Formation] then!"
The Aura Sealing Formation was capable of sealing off all auras.
Unless a Saint realm expert were to actively check on it, it would be difficult for them to notice it.
Even though it was only a grade-4 pinnacle formation, it was the best formation he could set up to conceal one's aura.
Even though the Illusory Footsteps Beguilement Formation he had set up previously was a grade-5 formation, it was unable to conceal one's aura or even sound.
"Let's begin!"
Zhang Xuan went through the blueprint of the Aura Sealing Formation in his mind, and after making sure that it was perfectly aligned with the courtyard before him, he took out several hundred formation flags and placed them in the surroundings.
Hu hu hu!
The chess pieces fluttered in the wind, and with a 'weng!', the formation was activated.
Hundred Chess Stillness!
"Alright …"
After setting up the formation, Zhang Xuan chuckled softly. With a flick of his wrist, he took out the Myriad Anthive Nest, and with a flick of his wrist, a massive ape-shaped saint beast appeared on the ground.
After being trapped for a week, the Byzantium Helios Beast was finally able to see the light of day once more.
(A chapter of four thousand words! A photo of Jiang Qingqin was posted on the WeChat account. He was extremely dashing, as dashing as Laoya. His zither was moving gracefully, and it was a sight to behold. Feel free to take a look. Search for 'hstysds' or 'Sweeping the World's Edge' on WeChat to follow him and view his history.)
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