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Chapter 64: Coach, I Want to Learn This!

“This matter was initiated by Rui’er, but I thought she meant well. I figured it wouldn’t cause much harm to the dreamers, and the others in the valley could relieve their boredom from it, so I didn’t step in to stop it…”

Qilan shook her head helplessly.

“…I didn’t expect that today would bring an unexpected guest.”

“Walking by the river, how can one not get their feet wet?”

In response to the Priestess’s evaluation, Le Sheng simply remained noncommittal, exchanging glances with the two girls at the table for a moment, before pondering slightly and saying.

“Although the Valley of Immortal Sound remains reclusive, it means no harm. If you all believe this action is harmful to the world and have come to resolve it, Qilan is willing to take responsibility for that child and promises not to hold another ‘Yuexian Flower Festival’ in the future. What do you think?”

Casting a thoughtful glance at Ling Feng, who hadn’t spoken beside her, Vilyric turned her gaze back to the robed Le Sheng.

“Your hair is black; were people a thousand years ago all like you?”

“…?”

Feeling a bit unaccustomed to the sudden shift in topics, Qilan paused slightly before finally responding.

“In my era, black hair was indeed considered the norm. Most humans were like that, except for demons, and Miss Vilyric possesses very pure black hair as well. Could it be that you are a powerful being from a thousand years ago?”

“Cough, cough… I have no comment on that.”

“Eh?”

In a hasty attempt to escape the pit she dug for herself, Miss Vilyric quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, if I hadn’t come here with Ya Zi today, would you have so readily proposed what you just did?”

As expected, involved in the critical matter, Le Sheng’s expression immediately grew solemn as she shook her head helplessly.

“You really do have sharp insight…”

She did not evade but quickly nodded in acknowledgment.

“Regardless of the previous era or now, the Ancient Spirit Realm has always revered the strong. If it were just ordinary dreamers, they wouldn’t be able to come here or change my original thoughts. After all, ever since Rui’er created this dream, the laughter and joy in the valley have increased significantly.”

“As the current master of the Valley of Immortal Sound, I must consider the beings within the valley. To speak bluntly, I may show favoritism toward my family. The previous arrangement of sending the two ladies to ‘Ten Directions Empty Valley’ was with the hope that they would know when to back down, but given that both Ya Zi and her master have personally visited, the situation is, of course, different.”

“You really dare to say that…”

Le Sheng smiled.

“If one cannot keep their heart clear and mirror-like, impurities will mix into the music. Even if this displeases you, I must express my true thoughts.”

Vilyric took no position and glanced at Ya Zi beside her, wanting to seek its opinion.

But the latter remained silent, evidently believing that in such a critical decision-making situation, it was better for Vilyric, as the master, to follow her heart and not worry about her mount’s face.

Recalling Murong Yun’s earlier behavior, the Priestess, after a moment of thought, asked the final question.

“Is the body of Qiu Niu still here? Can you take me to see it?”

At her words, Qilan couldn’t help but show surprise but soon slightly closed her eyelids.

“Everything about him has transformed into the myriad things of this Valley of Immortal Sound, protecting our peace. Without the blessed music beasts, this place wouldn’t have birthed countless spirit flowers and beautiful melodies.”

“If you wish to find him, just look towards this world.”

…

Vilyric returned to the cabin.

The flurry of flying flowers had vanished without a trace, and everyone around began to awaken, glancing around as if from a dream. Though a bit weary, their expressions appeared more reluctant and reminiscing.

“Ah, we’re back… who knows when we’ll see Xiao Qing again next time.”

Murong Yun’s slightly regretful sigh rang in the girl’s ear. Noticing that the Priestess had turned her head away, he smiled in response.

“So, Miss Vilyric, do you think the Yuexian Flower Festival is worth seeing?”

“It’s alright.”

Nodding calmly, she secretly retracted her little fist that almost flew out due to an incorrect address and didn’t explain much to Murong Yun, just looked forward toward the stage.

The white-haired girl, Mengrui, had already put away her guqin and politely bowed to everyone.

“Thank you all for your enthusiastic support! It’s getting late, and this ‘Yuexian Flower Festival’ will come to an end here. I wish you all a pleasant night and hope to see you next time ~”

After speaking, she once again bowed lightly and turned to leave.

“Ah, no matter how many times you go, it always feels like stepping into another world. The aftertaste is endless.”

“Exactly, it’s a pity it’s just a dream of immortality. If I could truly witness the beauty of those in reality, I would have no regrets even if I died.”

“The beauty is secondary; I believe that the music in the valley is the most extraordinary and sublime! Miss Mengrui’s skill is already at a master’s level, yet it still falls short of that wonderful celestial music. Truly, the name of Yuexian is well deserved; I wonder who played it.”

“Let’s go, let’s go! Who knows how long we’ll have to wait for the next Yuexian Flower Festival! Remember to keep the sights of the Immortal Valley a secret. We can’t let uncultured folks ruin this pure land.”

“Exactly, exactly…”

As the program ended, passengers on the Yuexian ship began to chat, express sentiments, or reminisce, and the vast cabin soon became quiet and desolate.

“Vilyric.”

Not far away, Ling Feng and the other girl appeared in the Priestess’s line of sight, quickly approaching her.

Having awakened from the dream, they naturally returned to reality with everyone else, while some unfortunate soul who had been locked up the entire time still looked confused.

“Well, let’s go meet her.”

Although Murong Yun seemed a bit perplexed by this sudden action, Vilyric didn’t explain much or stop him from following behind. Soon, the four of them entered the backstage area, reaching a place that seemed to be a lounge.

A pure girl with powder-pink gauze and white hair was already waiting silently there.

Her guqin lay on the table in front of her, decorated with gilded cloud patterns reflecting a soft glow in the lamplight. The tips of her smooth, fair fingers tuning the seven strings emitted a series of faint, sorrowful sounds.

It seemed Mengrui had already dismissed the attendants and guards in advance, leaving her alone to wait. Upon seeing Vilyric and the others arrive, the girl’s bright eyes gradually swept over them, then she stood up and gently lowered her head.

“Welcome! If not for the teacher’s reminder, I wouldn’t have noticed such esteemed guests had visited the Yuexian ship. Please, take a seat.”

Vilyric shook her head.

“No need for that. I just came to take a casual look and confirm a few things. I will leave soon, hosting a dream is quite exhausting, so I won’t disturb your rest for long.”

“I see, it seems the senior is very gentle ~”

“Hey, wait a minute, why does everyone here like to call me ‘senior’… Vilyric, just call me Vilyric, got it?”

“Alright, Vilyric ~”

Mengrui smiled lightly, her eyes regarding the black-haired girl with an inexplicable hint of curiosity.

Not paying attention to this point, the Priestess dismissed the meaningless pleasantries and got straight to the point.

“Earlier in the dream, Qilan mentioned that in order to express her apology, she would let you fulfill one of my requests. Do you agree to that?”

Mengrui nodded again, maintaining her elegant yet warm smile.

“Whatever the teacher says is Mengrui’s intent. Although I don’t possess exceptionally strong powers or endless wealth, nor do I think the Yuexian ship harbors any dreadful wrongs, since Teacher Qilan has instructed, I will do my utmost… Any request is fine; please, speak.”

While her tone sounded casual, the soft, beautifully alluring depth of Mengrui’s eyes clearly grew a bit serious, and the other three held their breath, curious about what strange request this unconventional Miss Vilyric might propose this time.

After a moment of silence, as if contemplating and hesitating, the Priestess finally spoke.

“It’s very simple; suddenly, I’ve developed a bit of interest in musical instruments. If you have time during our days on the ship, could you teach me how to play the guqin?”

“Uh… Huh?”