Chapter 137: Enlightenment

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Enlightenment

"He can actually play the zither?" Su Wan looked at Lu Yuan, who was reading nearby, in disbelief. Wasn’t he just a Martial Artist from a small Seventh Grade family? Did he even have the means to learn the zither?

"Yeah, Brother Yuan plays exceptionally well! He’s a genius, an unparalleled prodigy in the Sound Dao." Lin Siyao nodded affirmatively. She wore a smile as if praising herself, sharing in his glory.

"Did you or your mother teach him?" Su Wan guessed. That was the only logical explanation. She knew their two families had spent a lot of time together.

"Mhm... I suppose so." Lin Siyao thought about it. That was technically true, even though he had only learned for two or three days. "Brother Yuan’s talent is truly incredible. He’s the most formidable genius I’ve ever seen!"

"Oh, I see." Su Wan accepted this. Beauty was in the eye of the beholder, after all. He had probably learned for a few years, and as long as it didn’t sound terrible, Sister Lin would think it was a masterpiece.

Moreover, Su Wan possessed supreme talent in music and outstanding zither skills. Among the younger generation in the Jade Capital under the age of twenty, very few could compare to her. Naturally, she had her pride and didn’t expect much from Lu Yuan’s playing.

"Sister Lin, why don’t we play a duet?"

"Alright." Lin Siyao nodded. They shared the same interests and passions.

Thus, with two zithers, the two girls began their duet.

The melodious sound of the zither drifted far into the distance. It was clear and bright, lingering and ethereal. It made those who heard it feel peaceful, relaxed, and blissful.

This was the charm of music. It could influence and even dictate human emotions, drawing out true feelings. It could even cause one to sink into depravity, lose their way, break down, fall into despair, or face utter destruction. It acted directly upon the soul. And massive sonic booms could destroy physical bodies, shatter matter, and even tear through space...

A few butterflies were drawn over, fluttering around the courtyard. They danced passionately to the rhythm. The only flaw was the lack of floral fragrance. Of course, the maidens in the courtyard were far more exquisite than any flower.

[Your Dao Companion Su Wan has gained enlightenment in her cultivation. You have received ten-fold feedback. 500 Experience Points have been credited.]

Lu Yuan glanced at Su Wan, a sudden thought striking him. "Is there truly no connection between the present and the system’s future twenty-five years from now?" he wondered. "Why is every encounter such a coincidence? It’s not just Su Wan, but also Lin Siheng, Lin Siyao, Lin Qingfeng, Mu Lingche, and Yan Qing... Every single one of them! Triggering a mission always requires a real-life encounter! Is it through some kind of Qi resonance? Even the outdoor missions are like this. The system’s timeline is completely messed up! If I change Su Wan right now, will it affect the system and yield a massive reward?"

He currently only had 2,976 Experience Points. To practice a Sound Wave Martial Technique capable of channeling Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, he needed at least 3,000 points. He was still a little short. Besides, the more Experience Points, the better. He would never complain about having too many.

"What are you looking at, Brother Yuan?" As the song concluded, Lin Siyao shot Lu Yuan a reproachful glare. Someone seemed to have zoned out, and he had been staring right at Su Wan...

"Have you gone blind?" Su Wan rolled her eyes at him.

"Don’t you feel that your playing was very mediocre?" Lu Yuan asked.

"What? Mediocre? My playing is mediocre?" Su Wan almost jumped to her feet. This was the first time anyone had ever rejected her in the musical arts she excelled at. "Stop spouting nonsense..."

She was about to say he was just trying to get her attention. However, since Lin Siyao was there, she bit her tongue.

"Sound moves people through emotion. The zither has seven strings, representing the seven emotions. A piece of music devoid of emotion is nothing but empty noise, lacking any resonance or value..." Lu Yuan walked over to sit beside Lin Siyao, resting his ten fingers on the strings.

DING.

He plucked lightly, and the notes trickled out softly like an overflowing clear spring. It was clearly the exact same zither, the same strings, and the same plucking motion, but in Lu Yuan’s hands, the effect was entirely different.

PLING, PLING.

Lu Yuan’s ten fingers glided, and the notes danced out one by one, flowing of their own accord. It was slow and melodious. There was no deliberate melody or specific rhythm. He was simply playing from the heart, strumming as he pleased.

The wind softened, and the clouds thinned. Heaven and earth seemed to have transformed.

Butterflies fluttered gracefully, and flocks of birds gathered. Flock after flock converged, lingering in the sky above the Lin and Lu family estates.

Pedestrians outside stopped in their tracks, and passing carriages slowed down. The weeping willows by the roadside swayed gently in the breeze. On the river beneath the embankment, emerald ripples formed without any wind, and fish leaped out of the water.

All people and living things seemed to have found their sanctuary. They were soothed, becoming peaceful, serene, relaxed, and filled with a quiet strength.

"Who is playing this music?"

"Shut up!"

The air fell silent, enveloped in a tranquil harmony.

WHOOSH.

Lu Yuan’s fingers came to a halt, descending into silence. Su Wan didn’t say a word. Neither did Lin Siyao.

Song Yumeng stood at the doorway and looked up at the sky. The birds were still reluctant to leave, and butterflies landed on the zither or danced around Lu Yuan.

"This boy... possesses god-given talent!" she thought.

Finally... Lu Yuan opened his eyes. His gaze was calm, containing a profound depth that seemed to encompass the universe. It was as if nothing had changed, yet it felt as if everything had. His body, mind, and soul were completely different.

"Congratulations on attaining enlightenment," Song Yumeng said.

"Enlightenment?" Lu Yuan came to a sudden realization.

It was the Dao of Music and the Dao of Humanity, not the Martial Dao. The actual benefits would be no less than those of the Martial Dao. It nourished the soul silently and unobtrusively.

"Brother Yuan, you are... amazing!" Lin Siyao looked at Lu Yuan, her eyes brimming with worship.

SWISH.

Ink Jade suddenly darted over, wrapping itself around Lu Yuan’s arm and body to express its affection. This had never happened before. It was as if it too had gained enlightenment and reaped tremendous benefits.

"Come back!" Lin Siyao reached out and quickly snatched it back. She wasn’t going to let it take advantage of Brother Yuan!

"Lu Yuan, you..." Su Wan finally snapped out of her daze. "How did you do that?"

"It’s very simple. Watch, listen, and comprehend."

Lu Yuan revealed his three-word mantra. Watching meant reading books and observing the affairs of the world; listening meant hearing music and the voices of all living beings; comprehending meant reflecting deeply and pondering constantly.

[Your Dao Companion Su Wan has gained enlightenment in her cultivation. You have received ten-fold feedback. 3,000 Experience Points have been credited.]

[A Dao Companion requires assistance and cultivation. Only by walking hand-in-hand can you go further.]

[Mission Issued: Unlock the Seven-Sound Mysterious Body talent. Cultivate the Seven Wonders Celestial Maidens or the Seven-Sound Enchanting Demon. Completion Reward: Time of the Prodigy and 30,000 Experience Points.]

Lu Yuan was perplexed. "How do I unlock the Seven-Sound Mysterious Body talent?" he wondered. "And how do I cultivate the Seven Wonders Celestial Maidens or the Seven-Sound Enchanting Demon? You can’t just issue a mission without providing any introduction or hints!"

"Lu Yuan, can you teach me? I can take you as my master!" Su Wan looked at him, her face full of longing.

She had caught a glimpse of a higher realm of zither mastery. The Dao that many grandmasters and supreme masters spoke of... Entering the Dao through the zither had always been her ultimate aspiration.

Lin Siyao’s hands instantly gripped the corners of her zither. She sensed a slight crisis approaching.

"I’ve only been learning for a few days. I don’t take disciples," Lu Yuan shook his head. "However, your physique seems to be somewhat special?"

"Huh?" Su Wan was confused. Special physique? What was so special about it? And how did he even notice?

Lin Siyao and Song Yumeng both looked at Lu Yuan, then turned their gazes to Su Wan. They couldn’t see anything profound about her. Then again, physiques weren’t something that could merely be seen with the naked eye.

"Mrs. Lin, have you ever heard of the Seven-Sound Mysterious Body?" Lu Yuan looked at Song Yumeng. "Or the Seven Wonders Celestial Maidens, or the Seven-Sound Enchanting Demon..."