Song of Canglang’s Aid

(1/3)

“?”

Upon hearing Xue Lingxue’s words, everyone present was taken aback, including Chu Liang himself.

All those seated were veterans of Nanguan City’s upper circles—masters in the subtle art of social maneuvering. The basics of emotional intelligence were second nature to them, so much so that they had not only read but practically memorized its tenets.

When the young Marquis Xia An arrived fashionably late to emphasize his status and presented the precious Tan Yuan guqin as a gift, it was clear to nearly everyone that he harbored intentions toward Xue Lingxue.

Thus, when Master Li suggested Xue Lingxue perform using the Tan Yuan guqin, it was actually a veiled hint—an attempt to remind her to naturally choose the young Marquis as her partner for the performance.

Whether by rank or by the lavishness of his gift, the young Marquis was undoubtedly the guest of honor that night; it was only logical for her to interact with him.

Yet, Xue Lingxue defied expectations—she inexplicably called out an unfamiliar name.

Chu Liang rose, chuckling lightly. “Miss Xue, it is my great honor to be invited, but I must confess, I have no knowledge of music. I fear I may not be able to assist you.”

“It’s no matter,” Xue Lingxue replied with a gentle smile, as someone had already set up the guqin table and placed the Tan Yuan guqin upon it.

She stroked the instrument lightly and smiled. “Because the piece I have prepared tonight is ‘The Song of Canglang’s Aid’ from the Southern Music Hall—a composition imbued with mystical power, crafted to assist warriors on the battlefield. I hope to showcase the wondrous qualities of our Southern Music Hall’s repertoire.”

“For this, I require a skilled cultivator as my focus. Since Young Master Chu hails from Mount Shu, you are the most suitable. Might I have the honor of your company on stage?”

The Song of Canglang’s Aid?

Chu Liang indeed had heard of it; it was considered one of the classics of the Southern Music Hall, though he had never experienced it firsthand.

Since Xue Lingxue had made her intentions clear, it would be ungracious to refuse. He nodded in assent. “It would be my pleasure.”

Only Lin Bei at his side looked solemn. “A skilled cultivator from Mount Shu… Am I not a man?”

Across the table, the young Marquis echoed this sentiment, forcing a smile through clenched teeth, seething within.

Am I not human? Do I not have feelings?

I went to all this trouble and expense to win your favor, and all I get is a perfunctory thank you before you turn to interact with another man—with the very guqin I gave you.

Couldn’t you at least let me have a bit of involvement?

Despite his anger, the young Marquis maintained his composure, though his rage seemed to reach the crown of his head as he watched Chu Liang ascend the stage.

Chu Liang approached the guqin table, where Xue Lingxue was already seated. With a graceful gesture, she invited him to sit beside her.

“What should I do?” Chu Liang inquired.

(2/3)

“Young Master Chu, just calm your mind and circulate your energy,” Xue Lingxue instructed. “If you notice any unusual phenomena, as long as you feel no discomfort, there’s no need to be alarmed.”

Meanwhile, she ran her fingers over the strings of the Tan Yuan guqin, attuning herself to its tone.

“Very well.”

Chu Liang nodded and cooperatively took a deep breath, beginning to circulate the Nine Heavens Profound Heart Art of Mount Shu.

Ever since he had activated the puppet meridian, he needed only to supply Gathering Qi Pills daily and let the large-headed doll work tirelessly, leaving his own cultivation somewhat neglected. The act of channeling his energy now brought a familiar sense of intimacy.

Balanced and harmonious vital energy coursed through his meridians along their prescribed paths—unhurried and gentle. He soon entered a tranquil state.

…

Twang.

Xue Lingxue struck the first note.

Her choice of Chu Liang as her performance partner was not without purpose—indeed, it was a carefully planned test.

Among cultivators of their age, reaching the Fourth Realm was already considered the mark of a prodigy—top-tier even among the myriad sects, and certainly the core disciples among the Immortals.

As an inner disciple of the Southern Music Hall, Xue Lingxue herself was counted among the talented, her cultivation no less than any peer.

But the sword aura Chu Liang had displayed that day was astonishing. If, at his age, he truly possessed such mastery, he would surely be a peerless genius.

Yet, such a person was virtually unknown within the Mount Shu Sect. She hadn’t met Xu Ziyang or Jiang Yuebai from Mount Shu, but neither could possibly possess such cultivation.

As a fellow disciple of the Immortal Sects, Xue Lingxue’s curiosity was piqued.

Could it be that Mount Shu intentionally concealed their most gifted disciple?

Of course, it was possible that Chu Liang possessed some kind of life-saving artifact, and the sword art wasn’t his own.

But that seemed unlikely. The unique nature of jade talismans made them poorly suited to storing pure offensive spells—few would store sword aura within them. If it were an artifact that enhanced his own sword art, those were equally rare.

After much thought, Xue Lingxue decided to probe his depths.

Thus, her actions tonight.

As she had said, The Song of Canglang’s Aid was one of Southern Music Hall’s most famous mystical compositions. Beyond its stirring melody, its greatest power lay in its name—assistance in battle.

Twang, twang, twang—

The melody grew more urgent, like a storm. Flowing from the strings of the Tan Yuan guqin, Xue Lingxue’s exquisite skill was on full display.

All the listeners at the table felt their blood surge, their spirits roused by the music.

(3/3)

Lin Bei, slinging an arm over the local general’s shoulder, was brimming with excitement. “Uncle Zhang, my greatest regret in this life is not joining the army! Do you think I still have a chance?”

He slapped the city official next to him. “Old Chen! Tell me, is there anyone here you dislike? I’ll go up and give him a punch for you!”

They were merely affected on a mental level, yet even so…

Seated right beside Xue Lingxue as the direct recipient of the Song of Canglang’s Aid, Chu Liang’s experience was far more intense.

With the very first note, his circulation of energy accelerated severalfold, the Nine Heavens Profound Heart Art flowing through him as smoothly as surging waves.

This acceleration meant that, were he fighting at this moment, his recovery rate for vital energy would be many times faster.

Moreover, he felt the music’s influence on every aspect of his being—energy, spirit, and mind. Not only did it speed his energy circulation, but it also sharpened his focus, invigorated his thoughts—in short, it could double his combat strength.

Its auxiliary effect was undeniable.

What powerful support, he thought to himself.

Since Xue Lingxue was now focusing the effect solely on him, in actual battle she could surely affect more than just one person.

Bringing her along would mean her entire side’s cultivators could see their combat power doubled.

Such power…

Chu Liang even imagined: if five disciples of the Southern Music Hall played the Song of Canglang’s Aid together, amplifying each other—you make me stronger, I make her stronger, she makes me stronger—could this create an infinite, self-sustaining spiral of enhancement, reaching terrifying proportions?

As he was lost in thought, the Song of Canglang’s Aid soared to its climax. Chu Liang’s own energy circulation reached an unprecedented peak; a strange sensation welled up inside him, and mists of spiritual light burst forth.

In that instant, Chu Liang was surrounded by radiant clouds.

Seated cross-legged on the platform, vapor and mist billowed around him, as though a divinity had manifested.

Only those well-versed in cultivation gasped in astonishment, “That’s a Celestial Phenomenon!”

Legend had it that when a supreme technique was executed to flawless perfection, a Celestial Phenomenon would appear. This was not tied to one’s cultivation level, but to the degree of mastery.

However, such flawless execution was considered nearly impossible below the Realm of Inquiry. Even for those in that realm, it was rare—perhaps only those who had reached the Eighth Realm, with mastery over Heaven’s Source, could do it at will.

And yet, in this moment, with the Song of Canglang’s Aid, Chu Liang experienced the marvel of a Celestial Phenomenon for the first time in his life!

The Nine Heavens Profound Heart Art was unleashed to its full potential!

“This…” Xue Lingxue, observing the mist swirling around Chu Liang, was herself taken aback, silently murmuring, “What a feeble phenomenon…”