"What kind of tune is this? It's my first time hearing it—it's absolutely marvelous."
"Have you noticed? The song itself is wonderful, but Xie Hanmo is actually underperforming. She keeps making mistakes when manipulating the Gu insects to back her up." Many merfolk discussed this point, their expressions all rather peculiar.
The real reason was that Fang Yuan and Xie Hanmo had never properly rehearsed together. If they had run through it even once or twice, there wouldn't have been so many minor mistakes.
Even so, to achieve this level in their very first collaboration, Xie Hanmo's own skill was already astonishing enough.
"Now the waves have been soothed, the weather has cleared, the dark clouds have dispersed, and moonlight has appeared. No matter how many mistakes Xie Hanmo made, the results speak for themselves."
"This outcome should count as a draw, or perhaps Xie Hanmo is even slightly ahead."
"It all depends on what comes next."
The merfolk looked forward to the remainder of the Sea God Festival with even greater anticipation.
The Grand Elder had also seen quite a bit, and now let out a long breath, the heavy stone in her heart slowly setting down.
"What is going on?!" Cold Tide Patriarch roared inside the Gu room.
"It seems your scheme succeeded, but something unexpected happened." Bu Sulian narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed on Fang Yuan. She sighed admiringly and said, "This man is no ordinary figure. No wonder he caught Xie Hanmo's eye. I'm well acquainted with musical pieces, and this tune is almost certainly his own original composition. That tells you his attainment in the Music Path is truly outstanding."
Cold Tide Patriarch immediately voiced his doubt: "There are tens of thousands of songs in this world—far too many to count. How can you be certain this is his original work?"
Bu Sulian smiled faintly, glanced at Cold Tide Patriarch, and made no effort to conceal the contempt in her eyes: "You wouldn't understand."
Cold Tide Patriarch's face darkened even further: "Bu Sulian, can you speak properly?!"
Bu Sulian let out a cold laugh and stopped paying attention to Cold Tide Patriarch. Instead, her eyes lingered on Fang Yuan, shimmering with brilliance.
Others might fear Cold Tide Patriarch's power, but Bu Sulian did not.
This was not merely because she was the widow of the previous Elder, but also because of her own extraordinary ability and talent.
But there was one thing Bu Sulian had guessed wrong—Fang Yuan hadn't composed anything. This had always been a song from Earth in his previous life.
"This musical style treads an entirely original path, something never heard before. It must be your own creation. I didn't expect you to have such deep cultivation in the Music Path as well, Fang Yuan." When Xie Hanmo stepped down from the stage, she transmitted her voice to Fang Yuan, her tone full of admiration and wonder.
Fang Yuan smiled bitterly: "You flatter me. As you saw, I even had to borrow the Zither Gu. I don't possess any such deep attainment in the Music Path."
"There's no need to be modest. To create a piece like this, your attainment in the Music Path is already transcendent. Perhaps pursuing the Music Path would be very promising for you." Xie Hanmo looked at Fang Yuan, her eyes bright, her expression earnest and sincere.
About this, Fang Yuan had long anticipated.
He didn't want to explain, because it wasn't the point, and it couldn't be explained anyway.
"The real focus now is the next two songs. If my guess is correct..." Fang Yuan trailed off.
As the two of them stepped down, Dong Lei immediately took the stage.
Fang Yuan and Xie Hanmo's performance had surprised her, but at this moment she showed no panic whatsoever, maintaining her composure with ease.
She began to sing, and her beautiful voice gradually drew schools of fish, both large and small.
"As expected," Fang Yuan said with a cold smile.
Xie Hanmo's gaze also grew increasingly icy.
Blue Scale and Red Scale, the two guards, exchanged looks, their faces flushed red with anger: "That wretch actually stole our prepared song again!"
"It doesn't matter. I still have more tunes." Fang Yuan chuckled, brimming with confidence.
Dong Lei left the stage, and it was their turn once more.
Fang Yuan accompanied on the Zither Gu while Xie Hanmo sang and danced gracefully.
...
When did the bright moon first appear? Raising my wine, I ask the blue sky.
I wonder what year it is tonight in the celestial palaces above.
...
As the lyrics and melody unfolded, the atmosphere transformed in an instant. The merfolk present all closed their eyes, enchanted.
...
I wish to ride the wind and return to heaven, yet I fear that in jade towers and crystal palaces, the heights are too cold to bear.