Ye Chen was astonished. He never expected that simply checking in with Fifth Senior Sister could yield such a treasure.
The Supreme Forget-Worry Melody—a single melody to cast off sorrow, a single melody to slay the enemy. Such a marvelous divine ability was simply extraordinary.
"Junior Brother?" Li Shiyan waved a hand in front of Ye Chen’s face, seeing him lost in thought.
"Senior Sister!" Ye Chen snapped back to reality.
"What are you thinking about, Junior Brother? You were so deeply distracted," Li Shiyan asked.
"Oh, I was just thinking about music and rhythm," Ye Chen replied immediately.
"Speaking of which, if you want to learn the guqin, mastering the laws of melody is essential. Do you know what those laws are?" Li Shiyan looked at him calmly, a smile playing in her peach-blossom eyes.
Suddenly, a vast ocean of knowledge regarding musical theory flooded Ye Chen’s mind. He was inwardly stunned. Could it be that because he had mastered the Supreme Forget-Worry Melody, he had also acquired all this musical knowledge? Was it really that simple?
"Musical theory concerns the pitch, scales, and modes of music, as well as its rhythm. As the ancients said: 'Strike the *gong* and the *gong* resonates; strike the *jiao* and the *jiao* resonates.' Musical laws are one and the same; when harmony aligns with rhythm, and poetry is set to music, the two flow together as one," Ye Chen recited.
Hearing this, a look of surprise crossed Li Shiyan’s face. Her Junior Brother had never been exposed to music before, beyond simply listening to her play. How could he have such profound insight? Could it be that he was a genius when it came to musical theory?
Li Shiyan smiled at him. "You are quite right. Very well, then; I shall begin by teaching you the laws of music."
Ye Chen hurriedly interjected, "Fifth Senior Sister, can you just teach me to play the guqin directly? I already understand the laws of music!"
"You really do?" Li Shiyan asked, sounding somewhat incredulous.
"Mmhmm!" Ye Chen nodded.
"When did you learn?" she asked, still skeptical.
"From you, Fifth Senior Sister. I’ve listened to you play so often and seen it so many times. I’ve been immersed in it, and so I learned," Ye Chen said.
Li Shiyan still struggled to believe it. While it was true that her Junior Brother loved her music, how could he have mastered it without systematic study? Was he truly such a musical prodigy that he picked it up this quickly?
"Very well, let’s begin practicing!" Li Shiyan, her white robes fluttering, moved to an ancient guqin and sat down slowly. Her slender fingers brushed the strings, and instantly, a beautiful melody poured into Ye Chen’s ears.
The exquisite notes left Ye Chen feeling refreshed and delighted.
Outside the Yaxuan Pavilion, a commotion was brewing. "Quick, quick! Fairy Baiwei is playing the guqin again!" Fifth Senior Sister Li Shiyan, whose Daoist name was Baiwei, was known to everyone as Fairy Baiwei. Every time she played, she attracted crowds of disciples to listen from the perimeter.
Dozens of female disciples gathered outside the pavilion, listening intently to the music.
"Fairy Baiwei is worthy of her name; her music is truly divine."
"Listening to this, it’s as if I’m wandering through a fairyland. My Daoist heart feels so ethereal!"
"To hear the celestial music of Fairy Baiwei in this lifetime is enough!"
As the music ceased, Fairy Baiwei looked at Ye Chen and smiled radiantly. "Junior Brother, why don't you give it a try?"
Ye Chen nodded and stepped up to the ancient guqin. Instantly, the melody of the Supreme Forget-Worry Melody emerged in his mind. He placed his hands gently upon the strings.
*Clang—*
A celestial melody began to unfold. The notes were ethereal, with echoes lingering in the air.
Fairy Baiwei was shocked. The piece her Junior Brother was playing was not the one she had played moments ago, but a composition she had never heard before. At first, the sound was understated, yet it was clearly a masterpiece of the highest caliber. Soon, the notes became transcendent, carrying hidden mysteries and profound insights. It had a calming, soul-soothing effect that was far more mystical than any score she had ever studied. She realized this was his first time playing; this piece was a spontaneous creation!
To create such a peerless celestial masterpiece on one’s very first attempt—"genius" was far too small a word for Ye Chen.
As Ye Chen played, the music flowed out like a divine hymn. Li Shiyan sat transfixed, her eyes wide with shock. She had learned the guqin since childhood, but while her own playing was refined, it had always been based on ancient classics. Even her own original compositions could not compare to the brilliance of Ye Chen’s playing. If he could play like this on his first attempt, he was surely the reincarnation of a Music Immortal or the rebirth of a Music Emperor.
Outside, the disciples were equally stunned. At first, the music was slow and leisurely, like a bright, starry night illuminated by a thousand lanterns.
"Has Fairy Baiwei changed her tune?" one murmured. "This doesn't quite sound like her usual style. Perhaps she's experimenting?"
"It sounds even more gentle and serene. It seems her skill has improved once again!"
They argued amongst themselves, completely unaware that the music was not coming from Fairy Baiwei, but from her Junior Brother, Ye Chen. Everyone was lost in the celestial sound, their minds feeling as though they were being purified.
"This is too beautiful!"
"Is this Fairy Baiwei's new piece? It's so lovely."
Just then, the music seemed to tire of its own tranquility. It turned rapid and urgent, like a racing heartbeat. It was as explosive as a silver vase shattering or the thunder of armored cavalry charging into battle!
The disciples outside fell into a profound silence. No one spoke; no one moved. The silence was more profound than any praise could ever be. Tears welled up in their eyes—a single melody seemed to show them the full breadth of the world, the grandeur of human existence.
*Clang—*
A final, resounding note brought the performance to a close. Everyone shook themselves from their stupor.
Shock. Utter, boundless shock.
They could hardly believe they were just listening to music; it felt as if they had been pulled into the very heart of the scene itself. The melody had struck their souls, dragging them into a world of endless fantasy.
"Too marvelous! This piece by Fairy Baiwei will surely be sung for an eternity!"
"It was so moving. To hear such celestial music, I have no regrets in this life!"
"For Fairy Baiwei to produce such a legendary song, she must be a Music Immortal reborn!"
They remained outside the pavilion, lost in wonder, never knowing that the true performer was Ye Chen.
Inside the music room, Li Shiyan was deeply shaken. She stared at Ye Chen, her gaze dazed. She had once felt regret that Ye Chen had not awakened his Spiritual Root, but she realized now that he was a late bloomer of unparalleled potential. With this level of talent, he could only be the Music Emperor reincarnated. If he continued down this path, it was not impossible for him to eventually attain the Dao through music and become a Great Emperor.
Tears filled Li Shiyan’s eyes. She didn't know if she was moved by his music or by the sheer magnitude of his talent. She simply felt a surge of joy and emotion so intense that she was weeping without realizing it.
"Senior Sister, what’s wrong?" Ye Chen asked, seeing her tears.
"Senior Sister is just happy!" Li Shiyan said, pulling him into a hug. She wiped her eyes and laughed through her tears. "Junior Brother, with talent like yours, are you perhaps the reincarnation of the Music Emperor?"
Ye Chen chuckled, embracing her in return. "It’s all thanks to your teaching, Senior Sister!"
Li Shiyan’s face flushed a deep red, like a flower bud about to bloom. She pouted playfully, "You rascal!"
She let go of him, wiped the last of her tears, and smiled brightly. "You little devil."