At the Yan Family's estate in Feng Province.
After lunch, Ye Ming and Yan Yinluo strolled hand-in-hand in the courtyard, reminiscing about the scenery they had once shared. The atmosphere was tranquil, envied by all who witnessed it.
"Brother Ming! Shall I play the zither for you?"
They reached a pavilion, and in its center was a stone table, on which rested an ancient-looking zither.
"This is..."
Gazing at the zither, fragmented memories began to surface in Ye Ming's mind.
Zheng! Zheng! Zheng!
While Ye Ming was lost in thought, melodious notes began to dance around his ears. In an instant, his mind was transported back four years.
The maiden’s slender fingers moved nimbly, weaving a long, flowing melody.
The indifferent youth, listening to the clear, melodious sounds, couldn't help but close his eyes.
The rhythm from the maiden's fingertips was gentle and crisp, while the youth's heart ebbed and flowed with it.
At that time, even the birds soaring proudly in the sky seemed to pause, drawn by the ethereal music, reluctant to leave.
Even the free-spirited wind ceased its clamor.
In that moment, it was as poetic and picturesque as a painting, a scene no one wished to break.
Four years later. This beautiful scene reappeared once more. However, the maiden in the painting had shed her youthful innocence. And the listening youth was no longer indifferent.
Ten minutes later.
The music ended, and old friends reunited. Those who met embraced each other.
"Brother Ming! After you left, this was the place I often came to!" Yan Yinluo nestled in Ye Ming's embrace, a smile of contentment on her lips.
"Yinluo! I promise you, whenever you wish to play, I will be your devoted listener!" Ye Ming gently picked up a strand of her hair, holding it in his palm. "Always."
They exchanged no vows of eternal love, no deeply etched promises. As long as they were together, such ethereal words were unnecessary.
"By the way! Yinluo! While you were playing just now, I suddenly discovered something quite fascinating!" Ye Ming recalled the melody from earlier and suddenly spoke, "If my guess is correct, your innate talent for immortal cultivation should be astonishing!"
Talent for immortal cultivation.
Upon hearing this, Yan Yinluo's eyes lit up. She immediately pulled away from his embrace and asked excitedly, "Really... really?"
This was undoubtedly of utmost importance to her.
In fact, Yan Yinluo had long harbored a concern: her own talent for immortal cultivation.
Among all the women by Ye Ming's side, hers was currently the only unknown variable.
Fang Junxue, of course, was a "Spirit of Ice," destined for rapid progress on the path of immortal cultivation, reaching its pinnacle.
Nangong Qianyu, after cultivating the "Dual Cultivation of Yin and Yang" with Ye Ming, would not fall behind.
Du Yueming had solidified her Dao heart, and her immortal path would begin to take shape, standing as a solitary peak.
Ji Hongying's physique had also undergone a transformation due to something within him, and her immortal journey gradually expanded.
Doris had already laid a solid foundation, and her future achievements would not be low.
As for Lori and Nai Ni'er in the Temple of Destiny, their potential was even more extraordinary. As Divine Kings, their talent naturally surpassed that of ordinary beings.
Therefore, upon realizing that her sisters had successively embarked on their immortal paths, Yan Yinluo felt a sense of urgency.
She feared that she would eventually be unable to keep pace with them.
This was why she became so excited when Ye Ming said her immortal cultivation talent was astonishing.
"Absolutely!" Ye Ming gently ruffled her hair and explained, "But before that, play another piece for me, so I can verify my thoughts."
Play another piece!
"Okay! I'll play my most skilled piece, 'Phoenix Soaring'."
Seeing Yan Yinluo's slight eagerness, he quickly stopped her, "Yinluo! Calm your mind; your heart must not be agitated! Otherwise, the melody you play will not be as spirited as before!"
He understood the reason for Yan Yinluo's haste, but he had to remind her.
Some things cannot be rushed.
"Okay! I understand!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Yinluo realized that her heart had indeed been racing.
"It's alright! Relax!"
Ye Ming held her hand, and a gentle white energy flowed from his palm into hers, calming her restless spirit.
"There! Go ahead!"
Hoo!
Yan Yinluo took a deep breath and placed her fingers lightly on the zither strings. She didn't play immediately but instead felt the connection between her fingers and the strings.
Zheng! Zheng! Zheng!
Her fingertips danced, and lively notes flew out, forming a unique rhythm in the air. As the sound waves propagated, they caused ripples in the air.
Ethereal!
Serene!
Varied!
Ordered!
The music Yan Yinluo played at this moment seemed to strike directly at the heart of every listener! No, it was no longer limited to humans but extended to all things. All sentient beings would be moved by this melody.
"As expected!" Ye Ming opened his eyes and, after carefully sensing the notes from Yan Yinluo's fingertips, confirmed his earlier guess. "This is... the Dao of Sound."
Yan Yinluo's comprehension of the Dao of Sound far surpassed that of ordinary individuals.
Seeing her still lost in her playing, Ye Ming subtly moved his index finger, infusing a trace of the Qi of All Things into the zither.
Instantly, the sound waves played by Yan Yinluo seemed to materialize, forming visible trajectories in the air, traceable.
The music remained melodious and lingering, filling the ears with its ethereal quality. However, after Ye Ming infused it with the Qi of All Things, it produced a miraculous effect.
It could soothe the emotions of living beings.
"Yinluo! Can you play a piece with a hint of martial intent?"
At this moment, Ye Ming's voice suddenly appeared in Yan Yinluo's mind.
"Martial intent?"
Upon hearing this request, Yan Yinluo's tone changed drastically. The previous softness and serenity vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling frost and an ignited fighting spirit.
As the sound waves flowed, a sense of solemn killing permeated the air.
Fallen leaves swirled around, and the wind blew relentlessly.
Each note played carried the momentum of an army of thousands, unstoppable.
"Brother... Brother Ming! Is... is it alright?"
At this moment, Yan Yinluo's voice sounded weak, her complexion having turned pale at some unknown time. Her once slender, jade-like fingers were now stained with a striking crimson.
Hearing her voice, Ye Ming was abruptly jolted back to reality from Yan Yinluo's music.
"Damn it!"
Seeing this, Ye Ming's figure flickered, and he instantly appeared beside Yan Yinluo, taking her hand. A gentle energy flowed from his palm into Yan Yinluo's body.
"Yinluo! I'm so sorry! It was my oversight!"
Ye Ming looked at the girl in his arms, whose lips were even a little pale, and a strong sense of self-reproach washed over him.
With Yan Yinluo's current cultivation level, newly acquainted with immortal cultivation, she could not sustain the infusion of the Qi of All Things for long. During the performance, she had clearly suffered a backlash.
"Brother Ming! I'm fine!"
She clasped Ye Ming's hand in return and asked, "How is my talent?"
This was what she cared about.
"Rest assured!"
Ye Ming gently stroked her cheek and said softly,
"In the future, you are destined to shine brightly!"