Chapte 92 Ye Wuhen (2/2)
From the lowest grade to the topmost, Jade Zithers were divided into Ordinary, Grand, Immortal, Divine... The Fuxi Zither belonged to the Primordial Supreme grade. There was only one such zither in the world.
Ye Wuhen spoke for a long time. Finally, he glanced at Liu Yunzheng, either intentionally or unintentionally. ”Of course, my zither here cannot compare with Sect Leader Liu's divine Archean zither.”
Xiao Chen snickered in his heart. Of course, you should know that very well. It can't be better than my Fuxi Zither!
Ye Wuhen ended his speech and sat down on the floor. He placed the Jade Zither between his legs and started plucking its strings with his fingertips. A few ethereal notes slowly floated into the air, and everyone felt their spirits invigorated. No one expected his melodies to have such an effect.
Gradually, the sound of the zither became less ethereal and more substantial. Ye Wuhen's hands began to pluck faster. The key changed from C Major to G Major, rising in pitch and becoming progressively more urgent. It resembled the noise of storming hooves and steely weapons. All present started to gaze at one another and nod. They were unstinting in their admiration.
Just at this moment, the zither melody suddenly changed, like a shift in the clouds and the wind. Two semi-substantial Immortal's Swords appeared overhead in the hall. Everyone's heart missed a beat, fearing that the swords might drop down upon their heads. Yet neither swords fell. They started clashing with each other in the air, flashing with lightning and sparks every now and then. The swords made incessant clangings...
When the music finally ended, everyone woke as if from a dream. Cheers broke out continuously from in and outside the hall. Ye Wuhen got up and smiled lightly. He did not return to his seat but headed in Xiao Chen's direction.
”I heard that Junior Brother Han can play the divine zither. I'm sure you are well versed in melodies and music too. Why don't we invite Junior Brother Han to play us a tune and open our eyes?”
Yu Wenji gathered his absolute concentration with a start. He glanced toward Xiao Chen. When he made Ye Wuhen play the zither, he was really trying to incite Xiao Chen to play. He wanted to know what Xiao Chen's true abilities were.
Liu Fenghuang remembered that Ye Wuhen had reached the Core Forming Realm and realized that her Junior Brother Han could never match the feat of conjuring up two Immortal's Swords, even if his zither playing skills were exceptional. Wasn't he trying to bully him? She rose and said, ”If my Junior Brother Han were to play the divine zither, the entire hall would collapse! Are you willing to pay then?”
Liu Yunzheng glared at her. ”Fenghuang, no nonsense from you!” Ye Wuhen smiled indifferently. ”It doesn't matter. I shall lend my Jade Zither to Junior Brother Han.”
Xiao Chen finally got up and replied nonchalantly, ”I don't need to bother Senior Brother Ye. Naturally, I have prepared a Jade Zither myself.” With these words, he walked to the center of the hall and started to take out the Nine-heaven Jade Pendant from the Divine Vessel.
The company watched them. One was a long renowned Heaven List cultivator. The other, an upstart who could play the divine zither. They all mumbled to themselves, ”Well, we are in for a great show.”
The Nine-heaven Jade Pendant was crafted out of heavy yin wood by Clan Chief Lei. Its entire body seemed dull and lackluster, not as sleek and magnificent-looking as Ye Wuhen's zither. It even had a faintly eerie appearance.
Ye Wuhen took a look at the almost comical Jade Zither and smiled. ”I'm sure this zither has an exceptional provenance. Why don't Junior Brother Han enlighten us about its provenance and distinguishing features?”
Xiao Chen smiled nonchalantly. ”My zither isn't made by any archean emperor and has no provenance. But it does have one distinguishing feature.”
”Oh? Do tell us, Junior Brother Han. What feature can such a dark and somber zither have?”
Xiao Chen started to pluck its seven strings lightly and smiled indifferently. ”My zither's distinguishing feature is that I, and only I alone, can play it. No matter how highly accomplished his cultivation is, another player will cut his finger if he tries to play it wilfully. It doesn't matter if he is in the Core Forming or Nascent Soul Realm.”
An uproar erupted from in and outside the hall. They thought: well, maybe this was a divine Archean zither. Yet no one believed that this ordinary, quite ugly looking zither would be so selective about its player.
Xiao Chen continued smiling gently. ”Why? Does Senior Brother Ye doubt my words? Well, you can have it to try and play.” And he handed the Jade Zither over.
”Well, I do wish to try, really.” Ye Wuhen smirked coldly and took the Jade Zither over in his hands.