Zong Shou heard this, a half-smile playing on his lips, the sharp glint in his eyes seeming capable of piercing through everything!

"It's nothing more than a fight; what do I have to fear?" Xuan Yunlan's breath hitched once more. She noticed that what Zong Shou said was not about blaming the Qingyin Sect for today's offense, nor did he bring up the influence of the powers behind him.

But instead, it was just a simple declaration: Nothing more than a fight, what is there to fear!

No explanation, no evasion, no turning the subject. These few words revealed the sheer magnitude of his spirit!

Fearless, his battle intent soared to the heavens!

Secretly startled, Xuan Yunlan completely set aside all other thoughts.

Though she had suffered this humiliation today, every step Zong Shou had taken was justified and measured. Even being drenched by this Demon King's actions was due to her initiating the use of the alluring charm technique first; in essence, he was entirely in the right.

Though this was retaliation, the methods employed by the one opposite her were truly masterful. Even the mighty Qingyin Sect, or Cang Ze Dao, could not find a single flaw or fault in his actions.

She could only grit her teeth, suppressing her anger. Looking at the teasing expression in the young man's eyes, Xuan Yunlan felt an urge to vomit blood from sheer frustration within her chest. She desperately wished to cast aside all caution and fight Zong Shou right now!

Ultimately, the state of mind painstakingly cultivated in the brothel over the years finally began to take effect. Reason gradually gained the upper hand. Xuan Yunlan bowed again, her voice softening: "My Lord speaks lightly. Although the Qingyin Sect is regarded as a demonic sect, we are not unreasonable. How could we possibly become enemies with Qiantian City over such a minor issue? It is just that now, perhaps your anger has subsided. I wonder if the decree banning the Shili Lingxiang District can be lifted?" Zong Shou chuckled upon hearing this, his battle intent receding, and he shook his head slightly: "That decree is a major policy of my Qiantian City, concerning the greater picture. What does it have to do with the grudges between us? Those women are also citizens of Qiantian Mountain City; I have my own way of handling them. It is not for you to concern yourselves with. If you came here about this matter, then we have nothing more to discuss; you are wasting my time."

At this moment, not only Zhang Xin was choked with anger, but even Xuan Yunlan's face twitched violently. So, had they come all this way for nothing? After enduring such humiliation, they couldn't even secure a single promise from him as they were about to leave.

Zong Shou had initially intended to simply turn and walk away. He already had arrangements for the Shili Lingxiang District and could naturally secure a path to survival for those courtesans; he truly had no need for them to intercede.

But just as he rose, a sudden thought stirred in Zong Shou's heart.

He recalled the wisp of zither music he had heard the night before last. He paused slightly, looking back at Xuan Yunlan with that familiar half-smile: "Your zither skill seems decent. Then, do you know the Jingshen Anling Qu (Spirit Soothing and Soul Calming Melody) of your Qingyin Sect?" Xuan Yunlan's expression froze slightly, and she nodded faintly, wondering why Zong Shou had suddenly brought this up.

The next instant, Zong Shou let out another light laugh: "So you are an actual lineage disciple of the Qingyin Sect. I truly apologize for my rudeness. How about this? If you genuinely wish to save those poor souls in the Shili Lingxiang District, then play this piece for me for one hour every day, for three months. What do you say, Miss Yunlan?" Xuan Yunlan looked bewildered, contemplating for a moment before finally nodding. The Jingshen Anling Qu was a secret technique of the Qingyin Sect; each performance consumed a portion of one's soul power.

But if she could resolve this matter perfectly, she wouldn't mind the cost.

Most disciples of the Cangsheng Dao were born into desolate circumstances, leading to somewhat eccentric and obsessive ways of conduct.

Only the Qingyin Sect was different; due to their cultivation method, they acted with serenity. Xuan Yunlan, because of her own background, genuinely felt pity for the women of the Shili Lingxiang District. If she could allow these people a path to live again, she was willing to pay any price and do anything.

Zong Shou secretly shook his head. Seeing the expression on the girl's face, he suddenly felt a pang of shame.

Did this young woman truly believe she was a reincarnation of a saint? She agreed so readily without any bargaining whatsoever. Furthermore, it was evident that Xuan Yunlan was sincere.

Compared to this woman, he felt like scum, utterly ashamed of himself. He recalled that in his previous life, he had disliked and felt revulsion toward people who considered themselves noble, pure of heart, and compassionate towards all beings. It wasn't that he found them distasteful, but rather that they were blindingly piercing—like a creature that had lived long in the deepest shadows instinctively fearing the sunlight.

With a meaningless, soft chuckle, Zong Shou said no more. He beckoned Xuan Yunlan with a finger and walked straight out of the side hall.

He returned to the training grounds, but upon entering, Zong Shou immediately pulled the heavy doors shut, locking Xuan Yunlan outside. The intention was clear: she was to play the zither outside the door.

Inside the Hanyan Palace, there were many musical instruments. Not long after, Chu Xue found a rather fine Yaoqin (a type of zither) and placed it before Xuan Yunlan, then sat casually to one side, watching with a smile.

Xuan Yunlan was both furious and resentful, her heart filled with bitterness. How could she have provoked this demon?

After taking several deep breaths, she forcibly suppressed her emotions. Her hands rested on the zither, and the very first note she struck was clear, crisp, and deeply moving.

Then, a continuous stream of notes flowed naturally, like a mountain spring, seeping into the hearts of everyone nearby.

Su Chuxue had initially intended to monitor her, but as the music continued, her eyes gradually became glazed and dazed. She felt that in this world, there was no sound more beautiful than this.

Even her Soul Power Sea, which had been silent for a long time, began to surge and expand.

This performance of the Jingshen Anling Qu actually possessed the effect of aiding in the cultivation of soul power!

However, the music lasted only for a brief moment before a cold sneer echoed from the vast training hall: "Unpleasant, restless! Is this your secret technique? If all you possess is this petty ability to charm the mind, then I am truly disappointed!" Xuan Yunlan started slightly, her fingerwork faltered, and a thin thread of blood immediately appeared where her fingertip touched the zither string. She looked toward the door, a mixture of shock and anger in her gaze.

She could tolerate Zong Shou humiliating her, using the lives of nearly ten thousand women in the Shili Lingxiang District as blackmail. But she absolutely could not tolerate him insulting her Sect!

Just as she was about to retort, Zong Shou's voice carried out again: "I heard the most crucial element of your Jingshen Anling Qu is the 'Jing'—stillness. If your heart is not still, how can you play truly beautiful music? You reside in the Jingyun Ya Lou precisely to experience worldly affairs, to bathe in the mundane dust. The Confucian school has a saying: 'When Heaven is about to confer a great office upon a man, it first exercises his mind with suffering, and his sinews and bones with toil; it exposes his body to hunger, and subjects him to extreme poverty; it confounds his undertakings.' Thus, it stimulates his mind, hardens his nature, and increases his abilities. Who knows if what you are experiencing today is not a test sent by Heaven? If you cannot even endure this small measure of anger, what cultivation or Dao are you practicing?"

Xuan Yunlan had initially been secretly sneering. She had only agreed to play the Jingshen Anling Qu for an hour. She hadn't guaranteed the effect of her music, nor was she obligated to remain perfectly tranquil.

But the latter few sentences struck her like the great bell of the universe, deafening and earth-shattering. They agitated her soul, and her mood took a long time to settle. In her heart, she suddenly experienced a sense of enlightenment and clarity.

Yes, as a Zither Master residing in the Jingyun Ya Lou, her purpose was to experience everything the world held, to observe the transformations of the mortal realm and the nature of human hearts.

Then, wasn't what she experienced today also a test of her state of mind, a tempering? Thinking deeper, this young Monarch was actually no different from the many guests who frequented the Jingyun Ya Lou daily.

Did they not also have people dissatisfied with her or intent on making things difficult for her? Some even harbored malicious intent.

In that case, why should she care so much?

With that thought, Xuan Yunlan's heart instantly returned to peace. In a single moment, she felt as if she had grasped many profound truths. Not only was she no longer angry, but a slight smile even curved the corners of her lips.

Her ten fingers danced across the zither strings, and the melodies that sprang forth were completely different from before.

The soul power that should have been consumed not only remained but slightly increased. In her consciousness, it felt as if much mental dust had been swept away, leaving her exceptionally clear and transparent.

At this moment, Zong Shou stood behind the door, his mouth agape, unable to close it.

His rambling speech was originally just a ploy to trick her into willingly playing the Jingshen Anling Qu for him.

This foolish woman actually believed him. Not only did she believe him, but she was playing the music with genuine dedication, and her spiritual realm seemed to have improved considerably because of his words.

Zong Shou wasn't sure whether to regret it or be glad. In any case, Xuan Yunlan was truly a rare oddity.

He narrowed his eyes, deciding not to bother with her further. The Phantom Heart Mirror still floated before him, and his spirit returned to meditation.

This secret technique of the Qingyin Sect, the Jingshen Anling Qu, was indeed extraordinary. Its restorative effect on soul injuries was comparable even to some rare spirit elixirs.

The dull throbbing in his skull had completely receded. After observing his Soul Sea for a while, Zong Shou paid it no more attention.

He then activated the Phantom Heart Mirror again. However, this time, he did not have his spirit enter a peaceful illusion. Instead, it was a battlefield filled with chilling killing intent and piled bones. The first figure to appear before him was a powerful enemy he had encountered in his previous life.

Because the Phantom Heart Mirror was a Seventh-Tier spiritual artifact, it could only simulate opponents at the Seventh-Tier of power: Heavenly Rank Martial (Wuzong) and Day-Roaming Spirit Masters (Riyou Lingshi).

Zong Shou set his simulated cultivation level to that of a Night-Roaming Spirit Master, but deliberately set his True Qi reserves to zero.

Then, within this mental illusion, sword qi soared to the heavens, and spiritual energy surged wildly.

Zong Shou currently relied only on spirit techniques, supplemented by the Primordial Unity Sword at most, to counter the onslaught of this Day-Roaming Spirit Master level adversary and prevent his premature death.

Although his Martial Dao was strong, his highest achievement in this current life was his soul power. Unfortunately, he had absolutely no experience in spiritual technique combat. Utilizing the illusionary realm was the way for him to study combat methods. Although it lacked the time acceleration effect of the virtual mirrors from his previous life, it was the fastest way to patch this critical shortcoming.

And by directly choosing a Day-Roaming Spirit Master as his opponent, Zong Shou firmly believed that only under the pressure of a powerful enemy could he grow faster.