Chapter 46: Please Accept Your Disciple’s Bow

What difficulty could that possibly be! Zhu Xiaoyuan smiled openly, gesturing to Ruofeng beside him.

“Miss, would you play a tune for me? Let me listen.”

Ruofeng dared not refuse. She promptly removed the Jiao-tail zither from her back and placed it before her. With a respectful bow to Zhu Xiaoyuan, she moved behind the instrument and sat down on the ground.

Her slender jade-like hands rested upon the strings. After a brief adjustment, her delicate fingers began to move, and music wafted through the air.

The sound of the zither was clear and crisp, as if a breeze gently brushed across one’s heart. It resembled the chirping of birds flitting about, accompanied by the murmuring of a mountain stream...

Zhu Xiaoyuan closed his eyes, nodding in time to the music, tapping his fingers along. This young lady’s playing was truly remarkable; the melody was ethereal and extraordinary. With proper guidance, she could certainly become a talent worth nurturing!

Yet, despite its merits, there remained many imperfections.

After a long while, Ruofeng finally finished her performance. She took a deep breath and looked up at Zhu Xiaoyuan.

“Senior, I have finished playing.”

“Elder sister, your music is so beautiful!” Huan Yue seemed still captivated.

Zhu Xiaoyuan nodded casually. “Your skills are quite good; your foundation is very solid.”

Before Ruofeng could thank him, Zhu Xiaoyuan continued,

“What is lacking, however, is that your playing skims the surface; you imitate its form but fail to capture its spirit.”

He stepped up to Ruofeng. “May I borrow your zither?”

Ruofeng was a bit surprised. It seemed this elder not only possessed deep insight into painting, but also knew much about music. Moreover, she felt a bit confused—her master at Kongjue Sanctuary had critiqued her playing before, but what her master said was entirely different from this elder’s observations...

Seeing Zhu Xiaoyuan still standing before her, Ruofeng quickly rose from behind the Jiao-tail zither, making space for him.

Zhu Xiaoyuan sat down with effortless grace, his manner relaxed as he laid his hands upon the strings.

A smooth and elegant melody flowed forth, like a clear stream cleansing the soul.

Even before his fingers moved in earnest, the music had already touched their hearts!

It was only a single note, yet Ruofeng and Huan Yue’s eyes instantly widened.

The melody was like spring breeze and running water, refreshing and pure! They felt every current around them ripple in response!

After testing the instrument, Zhu Xiaoyuan paused briefly, then began to play in earnest.

In that moment, it was as if celestial music from the heavens descended. The melody poured from Zhu Xiaoyuan’s fingers, intoxicating and entrancing, as though one floated among the clouds, enjoying their gentle caress, or sat beside a mountain spring, feeling its coolness wash over them.

The music carried traces of the Dao, swirling and dancing through the air!

Ruofeng felt as if struck by lightning. Her beautiful eyes fixed upon Zhu Xiaoyuan. She clearly saw, under his deft fingers, with each movement, countless strands of Dao seemed to flutter like sprites, each note spreading outward in waves.

Such music should belong only to the heavens—how rarely does one hear it in the mortal world!

Just by listening, they could sense the power within the melody, as if some dormant life was being awakened.

At that moment, Ruofeng gained insight. The Dao gathered within her, slowly forming a storm...

She seemed to enter a mysterious realm—comprehending the Way!

Huan Yue, too, was utterly enthralled. She could not discern the intricacies of Zhu Xiaoyuan’s playing, but in her eyes, Zhu Xiaoyuan himself was like a painting, wholly united with his instrument.

Huan Yue could not even imagine what celestial beings in the nine heavens might be like—perhaps exactly like this elder.

Amidst swirling immortal aura, Huan Yue struggled to find a word that could describe the scene before her. She only knew that Zhu Xiaoyuan’s presence had long transcended the mundane; the aura enveloping him swept away all her worries like a passing breeze.

She sat joyfully among the sprites conjured by the Dao, gazing upon the vast world—

Exotic flowers and rare herbs, boundless earth!

Zhu Xiaoyuan continued to play.

Aside from the two of them falling into their respective realms, even the free-roaming chickens in the courtyard gradually fell silent.

The goldfish playing in the pond ceased their movement.

The peach tree nearby stirred, a subtle fragrance wafting from its branches, which swayed as if showing off. The fruit on the tree ripened a little more, unable to resist the force of the music.

…

The song ended.

Zhu Xiaoyuan withdrew his hands from the zither.

He looked toward Ruofeng, whose eyes remained shut, savoring the enlightenment brought by the music...

Zhu Xiaoyuan did not hurry; he patiently waited.

It was only after a long time that Ruofeng slowly opened her eyes.

Those lovely eyes brimmed with reverence, admiration, and complex emotion.

Just from listening to this one piece, she had resolved many doubts and her realm was no longer what it had been. The path to the Void and the Grand Mastery seemed close at hand.

This was a rare opportunity for Ruofeng!

At this moment, she felt herself completely submit to Zhu Xiaoyuan. Who was this elder, possessing such extraordinary skill?

Not only was his prowess in painting unmatched, but his mastery of music was equally profound.

Ruofeng even thought that among all the people in Kongjue Sanctuary, not one could compare to Zhu Xiaoyuan.

She had heard the music of the Kongjue Sage—mysterious as it was, it had never brought such instant enlightenment.

“How do you feel, miss? Are you satisfied? Will you accept me as your master?” Zhu Xiaoyuan smiled as Ruofeng regained her composure.

As for his musical skills, he had once been pushed by the system to practice relentlessly, day and night! Now, he was certain that no one could rival him.

Ruofeng dared not let the elder ask again. Her doubts vanished; she knelt down and called out loudly, “Master, please accept your disciple Ruofeng!”

Seeing Ruofeng successfully acknowledge her master, Huan Yue was overjoyed.

Now she could study alongside Ruofeng, without fear of separation.

Huan Yue followed Ruofeng, kneeling as well.