This is the first dispatch of the day! Everyone knew this contest was entirely about the futures of the people currently present! Whichever side lost, in the eyes of the other party from this moment forward, they would be considered less than dogs! Even within the Ethereal Illusionary Mansion, they would never be able to hold their heads up again! Words are nothing without proof; let the document stand as testament! Furthermore, the document was inscribed in blood! Seventeen leading figures from various fields, and the future heirs of noble families, stood as witnesses! There was no room left for either side to backtrack! No one had anticipated that the stakes involved in this competition would ultimately be this immense! Those talented individuals from various industries whom the Zhan family had recruited were now regretting their presence. Given that they had reached such profound heights in their respective professions, they were certainly not fools. If they had known the situation was this grave, they would never have come! They had only acted in a moment of intense indignation, provoked by taunts, and were momentarily dazzled by the illusory prospects painted by the two Zhan brothers, resulting in a rash decision... It seemed they were now caught in a dilemma.

If they won, they were bound to offend this individual possessing the Ethereal Constitution. While Mo Junye’s current strength was relatively weak, this wasn't the most severe issue. More importantly, it seemed they would also offend Miao Xiaomiao! Offending Miao Xiaomiao was tantamount to offending the entire Miao Family behind her! That horrifying consequence was something they could not bear. But if they lost, they would incur the wrath of the Zhan Family! At that point, they might all meet a fate with no proper burial ground. "Are we truly caught between a rock and a hard place—death whether we advance or retreat?"

As Jun Moxie inked the bloody agreement, Miao Xiaomiao urgently transmitted her voice: "Are you certain?" The eldest Miss Miao had already devised a contingency plan: if he uttered a single word expressing doubt, she would immediately cause a massive disturbance, beat all these people senseless, and burn down the establishment... Even if it meant causing an unreasonable scene, she would spoil the entire affair... Jun Moxie glanced at her and whispered, "Absolutely certain!"

These two words made Miao Xiaomiao stomp her feet in fury several times, cursing him internally as a "blockhead! Arrogant fool!" But she was utterly helpless, left only to watch anxiously as this fellow calmly and contentedly signed his name. Unexpectedly, a sliver of security settled in her heart, as if she had a certainty that the blockhead and braggart before her truly possessed the power to turn the tide and soar above the masses. But... how could that possibly be?

In the grand hall, seventeen tables were lined up in two rows! Miao Xiaomiao, serving as the joint notary, sat in the very center. All other irrelevant parties were forcibly cleared ten zhang away, utterly relegated to the status of spectators! This included Zhan Yushu, without exception. The only one permitted to observe from up close was Zhan Qingfeng. As for the group of scholars, they now exchanged nervous glances, pondering who among them should take the first blow. If the first battle was won, everything would naturally be negotiable, but if they lost... it would mean signing away their lives immediately... After much deliberation, none were willing to be the first sacrificial lamb. Looking at the figure seated leisurely in the arena, everyone felt utterly frustrated. Why were they all standing while he could sit and wait? However, he was facing the combined assault of so many of them in a war of attrition, and his fight was for his own sake. What was the stance of the others?

"Young Master Mo, I am Lin Qingyin, and I wish to offer the first consultation to Young Master Mo. Consider it my casting of a humble brick to elicit a jade response. I implore Young Master Mo to grant guidance!" Just as everyone was looking around, uncertain how to proceed, a young man in blue robes, who had been standing at the very back, silently stepped forward and addressed Jun Moxie.

"Lin Qingyin... a refined and elegant name. It seems Brother Lin must hail from a family renowned for artistic performance; quite good, quite good. Might Brother Lin wish to challenge me in the art of music?" Jun Moxie gazed at him with an expression that was half-smile, half-question.

"Indeed. I am ashamed to say that I have never cultivated profound Xuanqi cultivation methods. The only achievement I can present is having a decent grasp of music," Lin Qingyin stated calmly. "My reasons for confronting Brother Mo today are twofold: first, I genuinely harbor a sense of dissatisfaction, and second, I have reasons compelling me to be here... Once this matter concludes, regardless of the outcome, I, Lin Qingyin, will never meet Brother Mo face-to-face for the rest of my life. Otherwise, the burden of guilt will be far too heavy to bear..." Jun Moxie smiled faintly. "It seems you harbor reservations? Know that music is the voice of the heart; if one cannot play wholeheartedly, it is difficult to reach the pinnacle of musical attainment. There is no need for such severity. For now, we might simply consider it meeting as fellow artists through sound. At least, that is my current perspective!"

"Just those four words—music is the voice of the heart—tell me that Brother Mo is a master of the musical world, a peer of high accomplishment. Alas, time and circumstance are not on my side; it is unavoidable!" Lin Qingyin offered a bitter smile, then his expression suddenly hardened. "There is no point in speaking further. I recently had a sudden realization and chanced upon a composition titled 'Heart-Shattering Chant.' I ask Brother Mo to bestow his wisdom upon it." With that, Lin Qingyin flipped his sleeve, revealing an ink-green jade flute in his hand. He lowered his head, gently caressing the dark green instrument. "Though Qingyin originates from a thousand-year-old musical lineage, since childhood, only the jade flute has been my most familiar, indeed my only true skill; this jade flute has absorbed twenty-six years of my rare essence! This jade flute is the love of my life! It is the sole apex I strive for in this existence! Beyond this flute, I seek nothing else!"

"Meaning, you only know how to play the flute? You are not skilled, or perhaps completely inept, at other instruments like the qin or di?" Jun Moxie inquired. "Correct! I already stated that beyond the flute, I seek nothing else!" Lin Qingyin raised his head, his gaze clear.

"I admire that! Mastering a multitude of arts is truly inferior to specializing in one! It is a pity few nowadays understand this principle! Brother Lin's comprehension of this truth genuinely makes me see you in a new light. It appears this contest will be more exciting than I initially anticipated!" Jun Moxie's expression also turned slightly solemn.

"Brother Mo is indeed a kindred spirit." Lin Qingyin's eyes brightened, and he gazed deeply at Jun Moxie. He then turned, glancing toward Zhan Yushu, and stated, "Young Master Zhan, after this match, regardless of victory or defeat, I hope Young Master Zhan will honor his promise and cease troubling my Lin family! Only then can Qingyin commit his all. I request your assent!" This declaration caused a ripple of astonishment among the crowd! It turned out that Lin Qingyin had been coerced by Zhan Yushu! Zhan Yushu snorted. "My Zhan Family always acts with integrity. When have we ever reneged on a promise? You can rest assured! Must I formally draw up another blood oath just for you?" Lin Qingyin replied, "I dare not. I only hope the Second Young Master Zhan will stand by his word. I thank you here, Lin Qingyin. Once this match concludes, I shall depart immediately: accompanying my family, we will leave for the ends of the earth, never to return to Heart Illusion City for the rest of my life. Young Master Zhan can be completely at ease." Zhan Yushu huffed but said no more. Losing face today was complete, but as long as they won the contest in the end, all losses would be worthwhile!

Miao Xiaomiao sighed deeply. The eldest Miss Miao genuinely wanted to intervene. Although she didn't know the specifics of what had transpired, it was undeniable that Zhan Yushu had used dishonorable tactics to force Lin Qingyin's compliance! She hadn't expected members of the Zhan Family to stoop to such actions... She believed that if she simply promised to guarantee the safety of the Lin family and persuade them to reveal the whole story, she might be able to break the deadlock of this round, perhaps even collapse the entire wager. But after careful consideration, she ultimately held her tongue. Could she truly protect the Lin family? Perhaps the Miao Family behind her could, but why would the Miao Family risk offending the currently ascendant Zhan Family for the sake of a mere musician? Even if the Zhan Family was despicable, shameless, and base, what did it matter? As the adage goes: success justifies the means. As long as the Zhan Family won today, absolutely no one would scrutinize the methods they used to secure the victory; heroes are judged by success or failure!

After receiving Zhan Yushu's affirmative answer, Lin Qingyin, knowing the other party relied on his status and wouldn't go back on a promise made publicly before so many witnesses, turned back with relief to bow deeply to Jun Moxie. "Brother Mo, I shall use this one jade flute to seek guidance in the path of music from Brother Mo!" "Please!"

Lin Qingyin, his blue robes flowing, stood in the center of the stage but did not begin playing immediately. He remained motionless for a long, long time. Gradually, an ineffable sorrow welled up in his eyes, yet his expression grew even more serene. Finally, he slowly raised the jade flute in his hands. With every inch he raised the instrument, the sorrow in his eyes deepened.

By the time the first mournful note of the flute sounded, the sadness in Lin Qingyin's eyes was so profound it could not be dissolved, yet his face remained as tranquil as ever. The melodious flute sound coiled and echoed above the hall, causing everyone who heard it, regardless of whether they understood musical theory, to feel an involuntary heaviness and a nameless oppression in their hearts. It felt as if someone deeply cherished had departed forever, leaving behind a regret that could never be mended through all eternity... It was a pain that defied verbal description! Regardless of the level of Xuan power or the state of one's cultivation, the hearts of all present were drawn into this piece. This fundamentally differed from any Soul-Capturing Art or Xuanli cultivation; it was purely the power of music. Music could be called a marvelous technique, always capable of evoking the deepest, most genuine emotions within a person. "As the flute music deepened, Jun Moxie clearly touched the helplessness and sorrow buried deep within Lin Qingyin's heart." At this moment, he distinctly heard within the music what this young master from the musical lineage had endured...

Among the judges present was a renowned master of musical composition of that era. Hearing this sorrowful piece, a shadow of melancholy involuntarily crossed his face, and he sighed repeatedly. Miao Xiaomiao, seated in the center, her face hidden by a white veil, made her precise expression unreadable, but a hint of gentle sorrow flickered in her eyes. Her lips moved slightly; if someone could read lips, they would see Miao Xiaomiao softly reciting: The blossoms of the forest have withered from the spring redness, too hastily gone; alas, the cold rain of the morning and the wind of the evening remain. Tears of rouge, intoxicating the heart, when will they return? Life’s long sorrow flows eastward like the river... This single piece brought nearly everyone present to the verge of tears!