Chapter 5076 Zither Sect, Qin Keqing  

This arrogant woman immediately picked at the Netherdragon race’s scab, enraging Netherdragon Wushang.

However, before he could shout, she turned to Long Chen and Bai Yingxue, sneering at them as well.

“To be able to stay peaceful even in front of traitors, the dragon race has fallen. They are no longer the great dragon race.”

Long Chen frowned. Just what was this woman thinking? First, she insulted the Netherdragon race, and then she insulted the white dragon race?

The arrogant woman surveyed the crowd, her eyes filled with disdain. Shaking her head, she declared, “The Brahma Pill Valley claimed that the opening of the Heavenly Flame Devil Domain would attract heavenly geniuses—talented individuals capable of discussing the Dao with my Zither Sect. But it seems it’s nothing more than a group of rabble! You aren’t worthy to hear me play my zither!”

With a cold snort, that woman turned and left. Liao Yuhuang and the others had positioned themselves to perform together, but unexpectedly, that woman walked away.

“Senior Apprentice-sister Keqing, we already told Pill Valley we would play!” whispered Liao Yuhuang hastily.

“I don’t need your reminder. Zither music is for the refined. What is the point of playing it for a pack of bulls?” That woman retorted dismissively.

Swinging her sleeve, she left just like that, leaving the crowd baffled. They didn’t even know what was going on.

“I don’t know about skill, but her temper isn’t small!” Long Chen remarked, shaking his head as he watched her leave. Liao Yuhuang and the others felt embarrassed. The Zither Sect had arranged with the Brahma Pill Valley to perform three songs here. The Zither Sect could then use this chance to discuss the Dao with the best experts beneath the heavens, which was a rare opportunity for them.

However, their number one master, Qin Keqing, had insulted them and left as soon as she arrived. The atmosphere was thick with discomfort.

“What kind of crap is that? If she doesn’t want to play, then don’t. No one is forcing her. What’s wrong with that woman? Why is she cursing everyone?” Finally, someone with a bad temper spoke up.

Qin Keqing was truly dislikable. Although the Zither Sect was famous, many factions here weren’t part of the human race, so the Zither Sect’s name couldn’t sway them.

Liao Yuhuang felt further embarrassed. She hastily said, “I’m sorry everyone, senior apprentice-sister Qin Keqing isn’t in a good mood today and has offended everyone with her words. I will apologize on her behalf. Let us play a song for you to atone for it!”

Liao Yuhuang bowed respectfully to the crowd. Her graceful movements and humble demeanor made it hard for people to stay angry with her.

Moreover, she wasn’t the one who had insulted them, so people naturally didn’t blame her. After that, Liao Yuhuang exchanged a glance with the other women, and they all started to play.

Twenty zithers started simultaneously, their movements perfectly synchronized. Although twenty instruments played, they produced a single, harmonious sound.

Every expert was moved. Although they didn’t understand musical theory, they sensed that this performance was monstrously difficult. It was like twenty people speaking at the same time. Even if they spoke in perfect unison, people would be able to hear the overlap.

Even as amateurs, they could tell this was beyond ordinary. Most importantly, they felt the sound from all twenty of them was one perfect body. They couldn’t be missing one, nor could they add one.

That feeling of perfection was like soft rain falling across the mountains and plains—soft and nourishing. It was also like the full moon hanging in the sky, illuminating the world. Its light was gentle, not as fierce as the sun.

The entire plaza instantly fell silent, immersed in the music, as if the only thing existing in this world was the zither music. Even the newcomers halted their footsteps, afraid that they would ruin the performance.

The zither music was soft and gentle at first but quickly became majestic, like a fledgling bird spreading its wings or a flower beginning to bloom. After that, the music softened again.

It seemed to accumulate power at this moment and then burst. The tempo accelerated, growing louder until it was like an eagle soaring through the sky, like a flower in full bloom, like the sun at its highest point. It ignited everyone’s hot blood.

Suddenly, the zither music came to a stop, but it continued to echo in everyone’s mind for a long time. Everyone was silent, immersed in its lingering effect.

When people looked at the performers again, there was respect, worship, and admiration, but some also had a trace of fear in their eyes.

Some of them had intentionally resisted the zither music, trying to not let it disturb their spiritual fluctuations. But they found it simply impossible. A few notes were all that it took for countless scenes to appear in their minds. If they were in combat and affected by this zither music, their power would plummet. Furthermore, that wasn’t the most terrifying thing.

The most terrifying aspect of this zither music was its influence on a person’s soul. In other words, it could control a person. That was the most terrifying thing.

After Liao Yuhuang and the others were done playing, they put away their zithers and bowed to everyone before gracefully departing. Only Liao Yuhuang stayed behind and approached Long Chen. She bowed deeply to him alone.

“Yuhuang will remember today’s favor. Hopefully, I will have a chance to hear sir’s pointers in the future.”

At this moment, countless eyes turned toward Long Chen, and many of them were filled with jealousy.

After that song, everyone was amazed by Liao Yuhuang and the others’ talent. They even forgot Qin Keqing’s rudeness, thinking it was only natural for someone with such skill.

Hence, countless people felt jealous to see Liao Yuhuang being so polite toward Long Chen. Some people glared at him.

Long Chen smiled slightly. “You are too courteous. Your name contains the five notes and twelve scales. Your magnanimity proves that you are fit for such a name.”

After saying this, Long Chen had the urge to slap himself in the face, but it was too late to regret it. Liao Yuhuang was also surprised. Seeing her eye him strangely, Long Chen hastily added, “My lover has a friend called Gong Rui! It’s the same kind of meaning as your Yuhuang.”

Only then did Liao Yuhuang nod and smile. “How coincidental. You are the second person to praise my name.”

“Oh? Someone actually said it before me? I wish I could meet them,” Long Chen said, nodding with apparent interest.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t say his name. I still have matters to attend to. Goodbye.” Liao Yuhuang bowed to him once more before leaving.

Long Chen’s back was sweaty. When did his mouth become so loose? He had almost exposed himself.

Beside him, Bai Yingxue was gazing at him worshipfully. She hadn’t expected even the Zither Sect’s experts to be so amazed by him. His learning was truly vast.

“What are you doing?!”

Just then, Long Chen heard a woman’s scream behind him. He turned over, clenching his fists until they creaked.