Counterfeit Zither
No doubt about it—he was incredibly weak.
Xue Lingxue herself was a prodigy in both music and cultivation, and the "Canglang Support Melody" was one of her signature pieces. When she played it, its power was astonishing; her true intention was to use it to probe Chu Liang’s real level of cultivation.
After all, while one’s aura could be concealed, the phenomena produced when circulating internal energy could not be suppressed, instantly revealing one’s actual rank.
Though she had never performed a support melody for disciples of Shu Mountain before, she was well aware of the kinds of phenomena that should accompany the Nine Heavens Profound Heart Technique of Shu Mountain.
Qi Sea Core… Five Energies Rising… Profound Maiden’s Heavenly Heart… These were the phenomena for the fourth, fifth, and sixth realms respectively.
Yet Chu Liang only displayed billowing clouds and mist—a sign of the third realm. This outcome surprised Xue Lingxue. She had assumed that even if he was weak, he should at least have reached the fourth realm.
Is that all?
Or did he possess some secret technique capable of suppressing his own phenomena?
Her gaze shifted, and a hidden radiance flickered between her fingers as she infused more true energy into the melody. She intended to push the support melody to its fullest, to thoroughly uncover Chu Liang’s depths.
Thump, thump, thump—
The strings pulsed ever more urgently, the power of the melody intensifying. Most of the audience were ordinary people without cultivation, and some were so moved that their eyes began to redden.
Chu Liang felt the effects rising sharply as the clouds and mist swirled around him. He sensed changes within himself but paid little mind.
Yet suddenly, he felt the white tower within him stir ever so slightly.
Sweeping his consciousness across it, he noticed that the big-headed doll inside the tower was cultivating several times faster, entering an unprecedented frenzy.
Chu Liang was intrigued—so the melody could also empower the big-headed doll?
If only he could have a Xue Lingxue doll—he could let her play for the big-headed doll in the white tower space, making one doll as effective as five.
But…
If he truly had a Xue Lingxue doll, it would seem wasteful to only have her play for the doll. He could have her perform in Shu Mountain to earn money as well; surely that would bring in a handsome profit.
As the clouds billowed and Chu Liang’s energy circulated at increasing speed, the white tower suddenly quivered. In his heart, a strange sensation erupted.
It was as if something was about to awaken.
At that exact moment, everyone present saw the clouds swirling around Chu Liang transform, vaguely taking the shape of a white tower. For an instant, a divine, primordial aura swept through the hall.
It was a majesty that made people want to kneel instinctively.
Snap—
---
No one had time to truly feel that aura before a sharp sound rang out—the melody abruptly halted, and three strings snapped simultaneously!
Xue Lingxue sat before the zither, horror flickering in her eyes. She stared at her own fingers; pale as jade, one bore a deep gash, with droplets of blood falling.
Yet she did not notice.
Instead, she turned to Chu Liang: “This…”
Chu Liang met her gaze and said loudly, “It’s one thing for the strings to break, but for them to injure Miss Xue’s hand as well?!”
…
The strings had snapped.
Usually, there are only two reasons for this: either the player made a mistake, or the instrument was at fault.
But Xue Lingxue vaguely felt there might be another explanation. Amid that strange phenomenon moments ago, she sensed a terrifying aura called forth from within Chu Liang.
Though it was only a trace, even that trace of majesty left her heart pounding and her arm numb, trembling uncontrollably. The string snapped because, at that instant, the ancient Tanyuan zither could not withstand the overwhelming aura.
But what was that thing? She did not know.
Truth be told, Chu Liang wasn’t sure either. He only knew it was almost certainly connected to the white tower within him, for as soon as the tower stirred, the clouds around him changed shape.
This startled him.
Other matters aside, the existence of the white tower was his greatest secret; discovery could mean death.
Fortunately, the white tower manifested for only the briefest moment, likely unnoticed by all.
As the melody stopped and the strings broke, his mind raced. If he didn’t want suspicion to fall on himself, he had to divert attention elsewhere.
He certainly couldn’t claim Xue Lingxue lacked skill, so he could only blame the instrument.
Thus, he quickly uttered that loaded remark.
Everyone present was sharp-minded, especially after the boost from the support melody. Their spirits and intellect were at their peak, thoughts moving rapidly.
Hearing Chu Liang’s words, they immediately realized that such a string failure should not occur at a Nanyin Pavilion performance. Miss Xue’s playing could not be at fault—so the zither must be.
But how could the ancient Tanyuan zither have a problem?
Unless… it was a fake.
Countless gazes instantly focused on Young Marquis Xia An, though no one spoke. Xia An could already sense the whispers of “Young Marquis gave a fake zither” in his ears.
He rose abruptly, intending to shout at Chu Liang on stage: You mustn’t speak such nonsense!
---
He managed only a “You…” before he noticed Chu Liang discreetly extending a finger toward him.
Banish Evil Spell…
Chu Liang had noticed Xia An’s unfriendly glare, even from the moment he took the stage—the Young Marquis had already shown signs of anger.
His resentment was understandable; Xue Lingxue had chosen Chu Liang to assist, using the zither Xia An had gifted, stealing his spotlight. Chu Liang had little recourse but to let it be.
But now, since he wanted to shift blame to the zither, he could not allow Xia An to object.
Seeing Xia An about to protest, he recalled the Banish Evil Spell acquired earlier—it was the perfect opportunity to use it, so he cast it immediately.
Whoosh—
With a single spell, a green halo appeared above the Young Marquis’ head, visible only to Chu Liang.
Bathed in green light, Xia An’s thoughts shifted.
Suddenly, he considered: Though Chu Liang had stolen his spotlight, he seemed rather unwilling, and he and Miss Xue were strangers. Perhaps Miss Xue chose him simply because he was a Shu Mountain disciple.
If he let anger fester over this, wouldn’t it show a petty heart?
Blaming the zither was only natural. After all, the strings snapped in Miss Xue’s hands; anyone would think the same.
He knew the zither he’d gifted was genuine, but others did not. Their suspicion was expected, and a reasonable explanation would suffice.
Moreover, could he truly guarantee the authenticity of this ancient Tanyuan zither?
Not necessarily.
He himself knew little of music; he trusted his father. If his father had been deceived, or had deceived him, it was not impossible.
In any case, it would not be right to resent others.
Better to forgive him.
With this in mind, the Young Marquis spoke gently to Chu Liang, “Let’s not jump to conclusions—let’s first check Miss Xue’s injury.”
The people of Nanguan City knew well the Young Marquis’ temperament. Seeing him speak so mildly now, they all exclaimed inwardly.
He’s lost his nerve!
The zither is definitely a fake—no doubt about it.