After stepping to the front,
Long Tianming picked up a calligraphy brush, dipped it in ink, and let his gaze settle on a sheet of white paper before him.
The previously calm and composed Long Tianming suddenly erupted with an overwhelming aura, as still as an abyss and as imposing as a mountain. A terrifying pressure radiated outward, suffocating those around him until they could barely breathe.
In that moment, Long Tianming resembled an unsheathed sword. His presence seemed to demand the submission of all who stood before him. He slowly lowered the brush, and a drop of ink spread across the paper's surface. His strokes surged like dragons and serpents, sweeping across the page in a frenzied dance. Gradually, a fierce beast took shape — a Heavenly Blood Sacred Dragon spreading its wings and descending from the sky.
Dragon bones, dragon scales, dragon wings — every detail was rendered with bold, powerful strokes.
The Heavenly Blood Sacred Dragon seemed as though it might leap right off the paper. The cold, commanding light in its eyes gazed down upon the masses below.
It was imbued with boundless Dao intent and an aura of supreme dominion. The mere sight of this Heavenly Blood Sacred Dragon left the ordinary disciples around them feeling their minds seized, struggling to breathe. Clearly, whether it was Qin Yue's music or Ye Xuan's calligraphy of the character "emotion," both paled utterly in comparison to the supreme, domineering aura of this painting.
Qin Yue and Ye Xuan's understanding of the Dao, compared to Long Tianming's, was like a firefly beside the full moon — worlds apart entirely.
"A humble effort," Long Tianming said, setting down his brush and placing it to the side. The powerful aura around him instantly dissipated.
"Senior Brother Long Tianming's painting is extraordinary, brimming with the aura of kingly Dao — truly astonishing!"
Ye Xuan stood and offered his flattery. "The Heavenly Blood Sacred Dragon in Senior Brother Long Tianming's painting surveys the earth from above, standing supreme above all heroes. This clearly shows the vastness of Senior Brother Long Tianming's ambition!"
Hearing Ye Xuan's words,
Long Tianming was a man of deep cunning and exceptional talent. If he ever became an opponent, he would absolutely be a formidable and troublesome foe.
Long Tianming looked toward
Chess required two players to face off, making it easy to determine a clear winner. Moreover, if one player's Dao intent was suppressed by the other, they would have little room to perform and might end up in an awkward position. With this move, Long Tianming was subtly trying to provoke a clash between Mingyue Wushuang and Yan Yang.
Mingyue Wushuang was the
"It doesn't matter to me," Yan Yang said calmly.
Although he knew Long Tianming was harboring some hidden agenda, Yan Yang didn't care and refused to decline. No matter who the opponent was, Yan Yang would never back down.
Mingyue Wushuang couldn't help but smile gracefully. "Forgive me, everyone. I rarely play chess and am not particularly skilled at it. My Dao intent also cannot be compared to Junior Brother Yan Yang's, so I'd rather not compete against him and risk embarrassing myself. Instead, I'll demonstrate my musical skills!"
Hearing this, the crowd couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. Seeing how composed and unflappable Mingyue Wushuang was, they didn't dare carelessly assume she was afraid to face Yan Yang. Even though they wouldn't get to witness the ultimate showdown between Yan Yang and Mingyue Wushuang, just being able to hear Mingyue Wushuang play was already something exciting enough.
Long Tianming raised an eyebrow slightly. It seemed Mingyue Wushuang was backing down. Indeed, whether it was Mingyue Wushuang or himself, neither had much desire to challenge Yan Yang — the man was simply too powerful.
Mingyue Wushuang walked forward toward the guzheng. She didn't sit down. Instead, she extended one slender, jade-like finger and lightly plucked a single string.
*Ding.* A clear, resonant note rang out like a cool spring flowing downhill, echoing through the entire side hall. The lingering melody continued to reverberate without end.
In that instant, everyone felt as if they had been transported to an otherworldly paradise. The ethereal sound left all present feeling refreshed and at peace, with expressions of rapt enchantment on their faces. Even Yan Yang and Long Tianming, though less swayed by the melody, found their minds growing calm.
This single note from the qin had brought peace to every heart.
Everyone was lost within the wondrous realm woven by the music, unable to pull themselves free.
A long, long time passed. Though the playing had stopped, everyone remained savoring that final, lingering note, their reverie uninterrupted.
This melody had surpassed Long Tianming's painting in profoundness. The power to move the soul it carried left them with endless things to ponder.
"Never did I imagine Senior Sister Ming Yue had mastered the Heavenly Threads Serene Sound. This tune is truly extraordinary. I, Long Tianming, concede defeat!" Long Tianming said with a slight, self-deprecating smile, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect.