Two days later, Chu Kuangren had already gone through the Eight Celestial Demonic Chords once.
After progressing to a Sage and the huge amounts of purple haze had altered his soul, his cognizance had improved by leaps and bounds. Coupling that with his Meditational Clarity Trait, he now had a whole new understanding of this Emperor Technique after going through it once. As such, his level in guqin Dao had improved by another tier.
âItâs about time I go check out if there are any impressive guqin cultivators in Seven Chord City.â
Chu Kuangren mumbled.
He had already tasked this job to Shang Qingxue, requesting her to collect some intel.
Hence, she should have some conclusive evidence by now.
When he summoned Shang Qingxue back, she had indeed gathered quite a lot of information.
âLi Changyin, a sky-pride amongst the younger generation of Phantasmic Melodious Sect. He is skilled at playing the guqin, the flute, and various other musical instruments. He was once regarded as a peerless genius that is only seen every once in a million yearsâ¦â
âJi Xiaoyao, Ji clanâs finest sky-pride. He is most skilled in guqin Dao, especially in the Ji clanâs famous song, the Limitless Songâ¦â
âYang Xiyun, Melodious Void Sectâs dame. She is skilled in guqin Dao as well. She has already attained the Seven-Step Great Sage Realm in her cultivation. She is powerful enough to cross realms and challenge Sage Rulersâ¦â
Chu Kuangrenâs lips curled up as he read the various information that Shang Qingxue had collected. âYouâve done well.â
âOh, right. Sect Leader, Iâve just received news that Melodious Void Sectâs Yang Xiyun is planning to organize a guqin festival at Cloudveil Pavilion before the Infinite Guqin Banquet commences. There will be a huge amount of guqin cultivators gathering there. Why donât we attend it?â Shang Qingxue said excitedly.
âSounds like a good idea.â Chu Kuangren gently nodded.
â¦
Cloudveil Pavilion.
It was the biggest, and most high-class inn in the entire Seven Chord City. This place was often the venue for a guqin master who intended to hold guqin festivals.
On this night, many cultivators skilled in musical Dao were gathered in Cloudveil Pavilion.
Chu Kuangren and Shang Qingxue, too, were amongst the visitors.
However, they were stopped just as they wanted to enter the place.
âMy two guests, apologies. The Cloudveil Pavilion has already been booked by Lady Yang. If you want to go inside, you must present your invitation card.â
One of the innâs workers, who was stationed outside to welcome the cultivators, told them apologetically.
Upon hearing this, Chu Kuangren could not help but fix a stare at Shang Qingxue, as if saying, âYou didnât say we needed an invitation.â
Shang Qingxue put her palms together in a prayer sign and quickly apologized, âIâm really sorry, Sect Leader. Itâs my mistake.â
âWhat do we do now?â
Chu Kuangren stroked his chin, then stared toward the brightly lit Cloudveil Pavilion with a mischievous look.
Were they going to break in?
This did not seem appropriate.
Just when Chu Kuangren was trying to figure things out, two figures slowly walked toward them from a near distance.
It was a male and a female.
Among those two, the female cultivator was especially shocked when she saw the outline of Chu Kuangrenâs figure from the back.
âThis figure and this energy⦠Could it beâ¦â
The female cultivator looked stunned. It was as if she had recalled something.
That handsome young man beside her noticed Chu Kuangrenâs figure too, and his eyebrow raised slightly.
âYaorao, do you know that guy?â
The young man inquired.
That female cultivator was the sky-pride who had made quite a name for herself on Firmament Star lately and wanted to challenge Chu Kuangren, Feng Yaorao.
âIâm not sure if heâs who I think he isâ¦â Feng Yaorao walked up to him with anticipation.
At this moment, Chu Kuangren was still figuring out how best to get themselves into Cloudveil Pavilion. When looking at the cultivators who passed by him, a menacing look glinted in his eyes.
Why not steal two invitation cards?
âBrother Chu?â
Just then, Feng Yaoraoâs voice rang out from behind him.
Chu Kuangren turned around, only to see Feng Yaorao. A look of surprise flashed in his eyes. âAre you that F-Feng⦠Sister Feng?â
He did have a little impression of Feng Yaorao.
However, he had forgotten her exact name. He had thought for a while but still failed to recall her name, so he could only greet her as âSisterâ.
Feng Yaorao pouted when she heard that. She stared at him, upset. âYou really are Brother Chu. Iâve been constantly thinking of you, Brother Chu, but I didnât think youâd forget my name. Iâm really saddened by this.â
Beside her, the handsome young manâs face stiffened for a moment.
A man that Feng Yaorao had been constantly thinking of?!
The young man stared at Chu Kuangren with hostility, but he retracted it after a short while.
Nonetheless, Shang Qingxue had managed to catch sight of it, and she looked at that young man sympathetically.
Sigh, I hope this guy would be wise not to provoke the Sect Leader.
Otherwise, it was going to be every man for himself.
âHeh, I didnât expect to see you here, Sister Feng. Itâs fate, isnât it?â Chu Kuangren coughed twice, trying to mask his awkwardness.
âMy name is Feng Yaorao. I hope Brother Chu will remember it this time. Right, are you both here to attend Lady Yangâs banquet too?â
Feng Yaorao said.
âYes, but unfortunately, we donât have an invitation card,â Chu Kuangren said helplessly.
âI see. I have one here that I donât mind giving it to Brother Chu,â Feng Yaorao said as she took out her invitation card.
Beside her, that handsome young man suddenly spoke, âYaorao, no need for that trouble. Iâm good friends with Sister Yang. Your two friends can just come in with us.â
âIf they are your guests, Daoist Li, I wouldnât have any problem with letting them in.â
The innâs worker immediately responded with a flattering smile.
He clearly knew who this young man was and recognized the latterâs higher status.
Chu Kuangren activated his Eye of Revelation and glanced at that young man.
âLi Changyin, Phantasmic Melody Sectâs Daoistâ¦â
âSo, itâs him.â Reality dawned on Chu Kuangren.
Li Changyin was crowned as the once-in-a-lifetime genius in Phantasmic Melody Sect. Hence, he was very reputable in Seven Chord City.
With Li Changyinâs aid, Chu Kuangren and Shang Qingxue got into Cloudveil Pavilion.
â¦
âLady Yang holding a guqin festival is a truly rare occasion.â
âThatâs right. I canât possibly miss this grand event.â
âIâm sure the people here today have not only come to listen to Lady Yangâs melodious tune, but also to admire her good looks.â
âHa! In all honesty, that is my intention.â
The crowd was buzzing inside Cloudveil Pavilion as many musical cultivators had gathered here.
When Chu Kuangrenâs group entered the scene, quite a number of cultivators glanced over. However, since no one could see Chu Kuangrenâs face clearly because of the spiritual veil, everyone diverted their attention to Li Changyin beside him.
âHey, Daoist Li is here.â
âDaoist Li, long time no see.â
âDaoist Liâs presence has really made the guqin banquet today more interesting. Come, please have a seat.â
Everyone was very respectful and admirable towards the handsome Li Changyin, and many of them flattered him with compliments.
Some female guqin masters even threw wistful glances at Li Changyin.
For once, Chu Kuangren was a foil to someone elseâs grace.
This was a whole new experience for him, and he found it fascinating.
He used to be the center of attraction wherever he went. Hence, now that he was cast aside, he felt a little weird.
It even made him a little sentimental.
So this was how it felt to be left out.
Beside him, Li Changyin appeared to be enjoying the limelight. He smiled gently and said, âCome, everyone, let me introduce you to my friend, Feng Yaorao. Sister Feng, as for these two beside you⦠Right, why donât you both take down your spiritual veils and let everybody get to know you?â
Along with Li Changyinâs words, the crowd then turned to look at Chu Kuangren and his companion.
It came off quite disrespectful to the crowd that they were concealing their looks in a public event.
âApologies. I should have known better.â
Chu Kuangren smiled faintly before removing the spiritual veil on his face.