100: Tianqin as a note, making friends with the qin

The brief but intensely oppressive confrontation between Lin Tian and Marquis Champion Huo Qubing was finally interrupted by a clear, gentle laugh, like a warm spring breeze injected between two ancient blocks of ice about to collide.

The host of the banquet, Third Prince Qin Wushuang of the Qin Family, slowly walked onto the high platform at the center of the 'Moon-Gazing Terrace', which was carved from a single piece of white marble and bathed in the bright moonlight. He clapped his hands; the seemingly casual action contained a mysterious rhythm that instantly drew everyone's attention, subtly defusing the explosive tension that had been on the verge of erupting.

He raised his cup in the direction of Lin Tian and Huo Qubing, a perfectly measured expression of a host's composure and warmth on his face.

"Gentlemen, the moon is beautiful tonight. Why rush into a conflict and let the clash of blades disturb this wonderful scenery?"

"Everyone," he then turned to face the entire assembly, his voice as smooth as jade, carried clearly to every corner of the banquet hall by a sophisticated amplification array, making everyone feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze, "welcome to Yingtai, for tonight's 'Heavenly Pride Zither Gathering'."

"I'm sure you all know that in three days, the Qin Family's 'Martial Arts Tournament of Prodigies' will officially begin. At that time, there will undoubtedly be a fierce struggle, with swords having no eyes. So tonight, let us not speak of martial arts, nor discuss victory or defeat. Instead, here at The Peak of the Forbidden City, under the moonlight, let us gather through zither music, and appreciate elegance together. Wouldn't that be splendid?"

His voice carried a peculiar infectiousness, slowly easing the taut nerves of those present, which had been tightened by the earlier standoff. Even Huo Qubing's Battle Intent, like a drawn sword, receded slightly. He gave Lin Tian a deep look, then turned and returned to his corner, continuing to wipe his battle saber as if no one else was present.

A Peak confrontation that was about to erupt was thus lightly suppressed by Qin Wushuang's few words. This level of control over the situation secretly startled many Prodigies, who no longer dared to underestimate this seemingly gentle and refined Prince of the Qin Family.

After a perfectly timed opening speech, Qin Wushuang's tone shifted, a hint of undetectable self-satisfaction and pride flashing in his eyes, as if what followed was his true main event for the night.

"Of course, since it is a Zither Gathering, there must be a prize. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a disservice to this beautiful night and a slight to our esteemed guests who have traveled so far?"

"To add to the excitement of tonight's elegant gathering, I specifically applied to the Family's Council of Elders and retrieved one of the Qin Family's treasured artifacts, a secret treasure that has been preserved for thousands of years, as the prize for tonight's Zither Gathering's ultimate victor."

With that, he gently clapped his hands towards the stage.

Two graceful maids, dressed in ancient palace attire, their cultivation having reached the Peak A-rank, stepped onto the high platform with lotus-like steps, carefully carrying an antique zither case completely sealed within an unknown purple crystal that seemed capable of isolating all Divine Thought probes.

The gaze of all the Prodigies present was instantly drawn to that zither case. They could clearly feel that within the zither case, a powerful, pure, and ancient Mental Energy was sealed, powerful enough to make one's heart palpitate! That energy seemed not to belong to this era, carrying a sense of vastness and ancientness originating from the primordial Chaos.

Qin Wushuang watched with satisfaction as everyone's eyes mixed with greed and desire. He personally stepped forward, rapidly forming several complex hand Seals in the Void Realm. Golden runes flew from his fingertips, imprinting themselves onto the purple crystal, unlocking its multiple Seals.

Buzz—!

A distant zither sound, more grand, ancient, and vast than any instrument seen before in the Divine Sound Pavilion, automatically resonated! Within that zither sound, it seemed to contain the questions of ancient sages about heaven and earth, their pursuit of the Dao, and their struggle against fate! It transcended eons of time, echoing from that distant and glorious ancient Imperial Dynasty, reverberating until today, questioning the Dao Heart of everyone present!

The zither case opened, revealing a seven-stringed ancient zither lying quietly within, its entire body shimmering with flowing light, as if billions of galaxies revolved on its body, faint lightning flickering between its strings, and countless ancient divine and demonic runes carved at its tail.

"This zither is named 'heaven's inquiry'."

Qin Wushuang's voice carried an undisguised hint of pride and showmanship, as if displaying his Family's unparalleled profound Foundation.

"It was crafted by the first Imperial Artifact Refining Great Master of the ancient 'Pangu Dynasty', using a 'Chaos Star Core' from the depths of the primordial Chaos outside the Universe as its main material, the heartwood of the first World Tree, 'Tree of the World', from the nascent Universe as its core, and its strings tempered with Nine Heavens Divine Lightning. It took a full hundred years to complete. Its grade has reached the Peak of S-Class Mental Energy amplification instruments!"

He paused, like the most skilled storyteller, throwing out an even more tempting piece of crucial information at the most critical moment.

"According to the secret scrolls passed down through generations of the Qin Family, the 'Chaos Star Core' used to craft this zither originated from the same source as the core material of 'Star Slasher', the treasured sword of the War Emperor, who once dominated an era and shattered the shackles of gods and demons!"

Upon these words, the entire hall erupted in an uproar!

Of the same origin as the War Emperor's treasured sword!

This news, like a bombshell, stirred up monstrous waves in the hearts of all the Prodigies!

The War Emperor! That was a forbidden name that existed only in the most ancient myths! He was the most brilliant, yet most tragic, shooting star of the Human Race in the late ancient era! Lin Tian's purification of his remnant soul in the War Emperor's Mausoleum and receiving his bow had long spread throughout the world!

This zither, astonishingly, shared the same origin as the treasured sword of such a forbidden existence!

What did this mean? It meant that this was not merely a powerful S-class instrument, but an invaluable treasure that might hide the core secrets of the ancient Imperial Dynasty, and even be intricately linked to the War Emperor's ultimate Legacy!

For a moment, in the eyes of all the Prodigies present, an undisguised, intense possessiveness emerged! Even the military's Marquis Champion Huo Qubing, who had been resting with his eyes closed in the corner, slowly opened his eyes, and for the first time, a trace of genuine emotion flickered in his sharp, hawk-like gaze.

Lin Tian looked at the ancient zither 'heaven's inquiry', his eyes also slightly narrowed. He could clearly feel a faint, yet incredibly clear and wonderful resonance between the golden light cluster representing the Heart of God deep within his Sea of Consciousness and that ancient zither. It was as if that zither inherently belonged to him.

Seeing that he had successfully stirred everyone's emotions, Qin Wushuang's smile grew even more confident. He knew that his "game" was set. This game was designed to draw Lin Tian into his most proficient Domain, and then, in front of the entire world, utterly defeat him!

He cleared his throat and loudly announced the rules of the Zither Gathering.

"Tonight, we 'gather through zither music'."

"The rules are simple. All those who believe they have attained some mastery in music and Mental Energy can come onto the stage and take turns playing a piece. Your zither music will be both a display of talent and an invisible 'challenge'."

He pointed to the shimmering ancient zither 'heaven's inquiry' and continued, his voice carrying a hint of Gu, "Your zither music will simultaneously affect this ancient zither 'heaven's inquiry' and all the listeners present. This is both a test for 'heaven's inquiry' and a test for other competitors. You must not only use your Mental Energy to resonate with 'heaven's inquiry', but also resist the Mental Energy impact from the zither music of other competitors."

"Ultimately, whoever's zither music can evoke the strongest resonance from this ancient zither 'heaven's inquiry' and gain the recognition of its 'Instrument Spirit' that has been dormant for thousands of years, then this zither shall belong to them!"

As soon as the rules were announced, the atmosphere on the stage instantly became subtle.

"Using the zither as a medium for Mental Energy confrontation? This is not a Zither Gathering at all; this is clearly a life-and-death struggle without the visible clash of blades!"

"What profound scheming! The Third Prince himself is one of the top few in Mental Energy cultivation among the younger generation, and has been immersed in the Imperial Family's zither Dao since childhood. These rules are practically tailor-made for him!"

"Indeed, for us Martial Artists who specialize in Physical Body and energy systems, wouldn't going up there be inviting humiliation? Damage to Mental Energy could affect the grand competition three days later!"

Most Martial Artists specializing in Physical Body or energy systems, after a brief consideration, changed their expressions and wisely chose to withdraw. They didn't want to damage their Foundation in this invisible Mental Energy battlefield for the sake of a treasure they might not even be able to use. They naturally retreated to the periphery, choosing to become spectators, preparing to enjoy a top-tier "immortal battle."

Only a handful of people truly qualified and confident to participate in this contest remained.

Among them, Third Prince Qin Wushuang of the Qin Family himself was, of course, a natural contender. The confident and composed smile on his face already indicated that he was determined to win this ancient zither 'heaven's inquiry'.

On the other side, the mysterious Heavenly Zither Woman, who had appeared in the Divine Sound Pavilion, her face veiled with a thin gauze, her aura ethereal like a Fairy under the moonlight, also slowly walked to the front of the stage. In her eyes, like autumn waters, there was also a hint of desire and confidence for 'heaven's inquiry'.

Besides them, a few other reclusive Prodigies with obscure auras, clearly skilled in Mental Energy, also showed eager expressions.

After identifying all the core competitors, Qin Wushuang's gaze, finally, like two precisely locked sharp swords, fell upon Lin Tian, who had maintained a detached expression from beginning to end, as if he were an outsider.

He knew that this person was his greatest opponent tonight and in the future. Only by thoroughly defeating him here, in his most proficient Domain, could he wash away the invisible suppression brought by his "Golden Generation's Only King" aura!

He deliberately used a seemingly humble, yet subtly provocative tone, smiling as he asked:

"Brother Lin Tian, your performance in the Divine Sound Pavilion earlier startled the capital, so you must possess an extremely profound mastery of the Dao of music, far beyond what ordinary people can achieve."

"I wonder if tonight, you would be interested in coming onto the stage and offering some guidance to us mere mortals?"