Han Xuanji closed his eyes, quietly listening to the zither music.
The zither music was sometimes gentle, sometimes impassioned, sometimes deep, and sometimes high-pitched, as if it were telling an ancient story.
He could feel a marvelous dao-rhythm contained within the zither music, which produced a faint resonance in his mind.
"This is an Intermediate musician from Qianmeng Pavilion."
Hun Qianling explained, "It is said that Qianmeng Pavilion was founded by a powerhouse at the Eternal True God Realm who specialized in the Dao of Music. Her zither music can not only Cultivate one's character but also help Cultivators calm their minds and focus, and it is even somewhat helpful for breaking through a Bottleneck. Many Cultivators who practice the Dao of Music come here for its reputation. Some are willing to pay a high price just to hear one song, and others are even willing to work here just for the chance to receive a little guidance."
"I see."
Han Xuanji nodded.
Any powerhouse who could reach the Eternal True God Realm in any path was extremely rare, especially in such a niche path; there were few who Cultivate it, and those who could reach the Eternal True God Realm were rare even when looking across an entire Domain.
He hadn't expected Qianhun City to have such a person.
It was at this moment that a tall, upright figure suddenly strode in, his body surrounded by cold ripples of spiritual energy, his aura steady. He was dressed in a silver-grey tight-fitting outfit, his face handsome, yet his brow carried a hint of rebelliousness and arrogance. His gaze swept around, finally landing on Han Xuanji with undisguised provocation.
"You are Han Xuanji?"
He asked, his voice resonant, causing even the zither music outside the window to be disturbed and pause slightly.
Hun Qianling's expression sank, and she said coldly: "Who are you? This is not a place for you to run wild!"
Baili Qianchi's gaze swept past Hun Qianling, still fixated on Han Xuanji, his tone arrogant: "Young Miss Hun, I am looking for Han Xuanji; this has nothing to do with you. I heard that he climbed to the top of the Five Elements Heavenly Ladder and is a rare Prodigy of this generation, so I came here specifically to challenge him to a match."
"You are Han Xuanji?"
Baili Qianchi did not speak to Hun Qianling again, his voice deep and carrying a hint of scrutiny.
"That is correct."
Han Xuanji did not stand up, merely looking up at the other party, silently using the System to investigate, and soon learned the other party's background.
[Baili Qianchi: Eternal Dao Lord at Perfection, skilled in the Dao of Music and the Dao of the Arrow, strong mind and will, good friend of Wu Congshan, acting under his instructions to challenge you.]
"Wu Congshan?"
Han Xuanji was not unfamiliar with this name.
This person was the next S-rank Talent from the Hun Family after him; he had extraordinary talent, cultivated very quickly, was the adopted son of the Heavenly Martial Sect Leader, and had quite a reputation among the younger generation.
This Wu Congshan was one of Third Young Master Hun Qianchen's people. Having Baili Qianchi come to challenge him was partly because the other party wanted to suppress Han Xuanji's reputation, and partly to test him.
The visitor was not coming with good intentions.
However, knowing that the other party was alone, Han Xuanji did not worry too much.
He was afraid of the other party disregarding martial ethics and directly sending a powerhouse at the Eternal True God level to ambush him. It seemed this Hun Family factional struggle still had some sense of proportion.
Baili Qianchi grinned and sat down in the chair next to him, acting unceremoniously: "I have long heard of Brother Han's reputation; no one in Qianhun City is unaware of it. I am Baili Qianchi, and I would like to spar with Brother Han to witness the demeanor of the legendary peerless Prodigy."
Hun Qianling's expression changed, and just as she was about to speak, Han Xuanji raised his hand to stop her.
"Qianmeng Pavilion is not a place for fighting."
Han Xuanji's tone was calm, "I appreciate Brother Baili's good intentions."
Baili Qianchi laughed loudly: "Brother Han has misunderstood. Am I the kind of person who doesn't know how to conduct himself? The sparring I speak of is not a physical fight."
He paused, a flash of sharpness in his eyes: "The musicians of Qianmeng Pavilion have divine-level zither skills. Their music can not only Cultivate one's temperament but also temper the mind and will. I would like to compete with Brother Han. Let us ask an Advanced musician to play a piece of music for the purpose of tempering the mind, and see who can hold out longer and whose state of mind is more stable. What do you think?"
Once these words were spoken, Hun Qianling immediately understood his intention. A contest of mind and will seemed refined, but it was actually dangerous.
The musicians of Qianmeng Pavilion were not only good at using zither music to refresh the spirit, but they were also adept at confusing the mind. Those whose cultivation of their state of mind was insufficient would, at best, lose their composure and make a fool of themselves.
Baili Qianchi was clearly prepared for this.
"You..."
Hun Qianling stood up, but was stopped again by Han Xuanji.
"Fine."
Han Xuanji nodded, "I accept."
Hun Qianling was anxious: "Xuanji, you..."
"It is fine."
Han Xuanji smiled slightly at her and whispered: "I have already figured out the other party's background. If I don't resolve this now, they will come to me sooner or later, so I might as well send them off now. I will tell you the specific situation later."
"Alright."
Seeing that Han Xuanji seemed to have victory in his grasp, Hun Qianling obediently listened to him, though she secretly sent a message to Hun Qianxue.
Han Xuanji looked at Baili Qianchi with a calm gaze, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint smile: "Since you want to compete, I will play along. If I win, I don't need you to apologize; I only need you to tell the truth about who sent you to cause me trouble."
He naturally felt no fear in his heart. His mind and will had already reached the Peak of the Eternal Dao Lord, and once he fused the [Mind Without Obstruction] entry, what would the other party have to fight him with?
Baili Qianchi said with some displeasure:
"Why don't you say what happens if you lose?"
"One hundred thousand Eternal Black Gold Coins, how about that?"
Han Xuanji's tone was flat, casually promising a terrifying sum: "Of course, I shouldn't lose."
Baili Qianchi was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected Han Xuanji to be so generous, then he laughed: "Good! That's straightforward! It's settled!"
After saying this, he turned and walked towards the terrace, his expression full of certainty of victory.
One hundred thousand Eternal Black Gold Coins was not a small sum. He hadn't expected Han Xuanji to be so generous either. One had to know that hiring the best Advanced musician only cost a few thousand Eternal Black Gold Coins.
Hun Qianling looked at Han Xuanji with concern and whispered: "Why did you agree to him?"
She looked at Han Xuanji and saw that his expression was calm, not like an impulsive act. Although she was worried, she couldn't say anything more.
Han Xuanji's tone was gentle: "Don't worry, I have confidence."
Immediately, Han Xuanji also took advantage of the time the other party was hiring the musician to claim his Sign In reward.