Chapter 143: Invitation Letter

No matter how much hatred and fury burned inside him, Song Wentian still did not act, and he left carrying his son's corpse.

The Drunken Immortal Tower returned to calm.

Only the surging emotions in everyone's hearts kept fermenting and spreading.

Today's events would cause a considerable stir even in the top Scattered Cultivator city of the Da Yu Cultivation World, and perhaps would mark a vivid chapter in the history of Character: Liyang Immortal City.

"Captain Bai… no, Brother Bai, your strength today truly opened my eyes," Gu Zongyuan said, feeling a bit restrained as he looked at Xiao Zhangqing.

Before now, the only person in the whole Character: Liyang Immortal City who could make him feel restrained was his master, Character: Liyang True Person.

The other Golden Core cultivators, such as his senior brother 'Guangqin True Person', or Blood Crow True Person.

He respected them, but not to the point of being overly cautious; he could treat them with composure.

Yet today, Xiao Zhangqing shattered his perception and gave him an overwhelming shock.

Calming down now, he thought of the equally renowned Song Changning being helpless in Xiao Zhangqing's hand, killed with a single move, and he couldn't help feeling a tremor of fear.

He considered himself stronger than Song Changning, but if the roles were reversed, how much better could he be? Could he block Xiao Zhangqing's Soul Transformation attack?

Thinking it over, he probably had little confidence.

"Gu Tongling, no need for that. I hold a position in the Character: Liyang Guard; just call me Captain Bai," Xiao Zhangqing said.

His impression of Gu Zongyuan was still quite good.

Although the other side invited him to join the Character: Liyang Guard with ulterior motives and their own scheming, it was still a goodwill gesture. Moreover, when Song Changning was aggressively confronting without his strength being known, he boldly stepped forward, and Gu Zongyuan neither got angry nor abandoned him.

Even at the end, he was still thinking about how to save his life.

"No, no, no." Gu Zongyuan shook his head. "Brother Bai, this Divine Sense secret technique of yours already truly rivals an Early Core Formation True Person! With such strength, serving as the Character: Liyang Guard Captain is already a concession on your part. If Brother Bai wishes to hold a post in the Character: Liyang Guard, then the captaincy will continue, but we are brothers now, no longer superior and subordinate."

Gu Zongyuan's words were sincere, not merely polite.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhangqing no longer declined.

Thus, from now on Xiao Zhangqing would be essentially free within the Character: Liyang Guard, only called upon for major emergencies in Character: Liyang Immortal City, and otherwise he could simply enjoy his benefits and receive offerings.

Beside him, Zhu Xiaochuan, who usually talked a lot and was famously loquacious—almost a chatterbox.

At this moment, however, he was a bit stunned, his head buzzing.

Just now Xiao Zhangqing killed Song Changning with a single move, leaving Gu Zongyuan and Fake Core True Person stunned, let alone him. "Dao Companion Zhu, why are you standing there, keep drinking."

Xiao Zhangqing, seeing Zhu Xiaochuan's restless posture, which was rare, smiled and poured him a cup of wine.

"Th‑thank you, Dao Companion Bai." Zhu Xiaochuan forced himself to steady and lifted the cup to drink.

With the Song young master, whose Foundation Establishment was complete, killed in a single move, any neighbor who tried to act against him would be no different from crushing an ant. Sitting beside Xiao Zhangqing now, Zhu Xiaochuan felt the same apprehension he once had when facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator during his own Qi‑refining days.

Completely a different level.

Even though Xiao Zhangqing remained courteous and didn't put on airs, he would no longer dare to casually wander into Xiao Zhangqing's residence to brag and chat about life.

Facing a presence comparable to an Early Core Formation True Person, no matter how bold Zhu Xiaochuan was, his nerves were too lax to act so recklessly! "Yes, yes, keep drinking! Arrange the performance as well!"

"Attendants, bring the Peony Fairy over!"

"Then play the music, then drink!"

Gu Zongyuan laughed heartily.

He felt immensely exhilarated, his thoughts clear.

…

…

The adjacent private room.

After the battle ended, the Peony Fairy and her maid Xiao He took a good half‑hour to regain their composure.

The two women stared at each other.

Xiao He recovered first, swallowed the snack she had forgotten to swallow, then widened her eyes and said blankly, "Miss, how do we settle our wager now? A draw? Bai Wuji didn't die on the spot, nor was anyone saved, yet it was Young Master Song who died!!"

"Jiǔqiū Flute, Jiǔqiū Divine Sense secret technique…"

"Over two hundred years have passed, and Jiǔqiū True Person still has a descendant alive?"

The Peony Fairy's gaze was a bit distant, her thoughts unknown, silently murmuring to herself.

She recognized that the secret method Xiao Zhangqing just used was the exclusive technique of Jiǔqiū True Person, known throughout the Da Yu Cultivation World centuries ago.

The instrument employed, once glorious but now passed through many hands, had long fallen out of favor, reduced to a Jiǔqiū Flute inferior even to ordinary third‑grade Magic Treasures.

"Miss, Miss? Haven't you come to your senses yet?" Xiao He waved her hand before the Peony Fairy's eyes.

"Stop waving." The Peony Fairy pressed the maid's hand down, then smiled, "How could it be a draw? Bai Wuji didn't die, so I've won!"

Xiao He, irritated, said, "Why does it have to be you who wins? You even admitted that Bai Wuji wasn't a match for Young Master Song, and his survival was only thanks to Commander Gu's rescue, right? That's completely different from your speculation."

"Just tell me whether Bai Wuji is dead or not!" the Peony Fairy flicked her hair, curiosity in her eyes.

"Hmph, then I'll reluctantly count it as your win, Miss." Xiao He, not being a sore loser, sulked and conceded.

She felt miserable; her personal savings were already scant, barely enough for treats.

Now she'd have to treat the Miss to three months of Drunken Immortal Tower snacks, likely getting squeezed again.

"Come, stand up." the Peony Fairy suddenly said.

Xiao He hurriedly prepared to pack the unfinished snacks and asked, "Miss, are we going back?"

"Go where? They invited us to perform, and it hasn't even started yet, how can we go back?" the Peony Fairy replied.

Xiao He was startled, "Huh? Still need to perform?"

In Character: Liyang Immortal City, the Song young master was considered a top figure; having just met a tragic death in the adjacent private room, such a huge incident, and they still expect a performance? It's like singing at a funeral, but just as the words fell, the private room door was knocked, a servant delivered a message, and the Peony Fairy was summoned to play.

The Peony Fairy smiled and rose, while Xiao He quickly packed the snacks and followed.

…"What a brilliant piano‑sound illusion."

Xiao Zhangqing gazed from afar at the Peony Fairy playing the zither nearby, truly like a descended celestial maiden, her music sending waves of ethereal sound that lingered for three days.

Even with his Soul Transformation of such magnitude—already at the pinnacle of early Core Formation and nearing mid Core Formation—and his frequent practice of the Nightmare Technique.

His Soul Transformation was not only powerful but also refined, and his steadfast will was difficult to shake.

But now, upon hearing the Peony Immortal's zither music, as long as one does not deliberately resist, one is slightly affected and feels peaceful and pleasant.

Gu Zongyuan, being a Foundation Establishment Complete cultivator, at this moment was clearly already immersed in the music, fully focused, his emotions shifting with the music, forgetting everything else.

Of course.

This was Gu Zongyuan's deliberate intention.

If Gu Zongyuan wished to resist the music, he could still isolate himself from its influence.

However, hearing the Peony Immortal play the zither even once is not easy and offers certain benefits to Soul Transformation cultivation, so he does not resist but deliberately invests his whole being.

As for Zhu Xiaochuan, who is in the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage, one could say he is completely under the Peony Immortal's control.

As long as the music continues, even if he tries to clear his mind, it is very difficult.

"The Peony Immortal's Soul Transformation has at least reached the late Foundation Establishment stage," Xiao Zhangqing assessed in his mind.

No wonder each of the three top courtesans of Character: Liyang Immortal City is extraordinary.

Even the core senior members of the ten great families, and figures as prominent as Gu Zongyuan, must treat them with respect.

Like this Peony Immortal, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator skilled in zither illusion, even without influential backing, she can be considered a top figure in Character: Liyang Immortal City.

After all, there are only about twenty to thirty cultivators in Character: Liyang Immortal City above the pseudo‑Core Formation level.

The strength of late Foundation Establishment cultivators certainly belongs to a tiny elite group.

"Perhaps I can remove the effects of the Prison Dragon Bracelet and the Jiǔqiū Flute, and try the Peony Immortal's music again."

Xiao Zhangqing suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

He is currently under the boost of two pieces of equipment, his Soul Transformation amplified by 1.5 times, allowing him to compare with a slightly weaker mid‑Core Formation Real Person.

But his own Soul Transformation strength, roughly estimated, is just a bit above Foundation Establishment Complete, stronger than Gu Zongyuan and Song Changning.

Indeed.

When Xiao Zhangqing silently removed the two pieces of equipment from his inventory, the buff vanished, and the sense of power receded like a tide; as the Peony Immortal's music entered his ears, he instantly felt an involuntary urge to immerse himself.

Although, if he wished to resist, he could still largely block the music and avoid its influence.

But by cooperating willingly, he could sink into the music, feeling a light, almost transcendent intoxication.

Unlike when equipped, even if he deliberately immersed, the music would scarcely affect his consciousness.

Ordinary cultivators, after long practice, who occasionally hear this music, will have all fatigue erased, and their subsequent cultivation speed will increase by a few points.

A wounded Soul Transformation, under this music, also receives some healing.

The feeling was pleasant; after Xiao Zhangqing immersed himself, he no longer resisted, actively enjoying it.

He lost track of how much time passed.

The music flowed like water, gradually fading until it vanished.

The three people in the private room slowly awoke from their immersed state.

It was as if a mortal had a wonderful dream, with excellent sleep quality, waking up feeling joyful and a hundredfold more energetic.

One could say that listening to this music was far more effective than the costly delicacies and various Spirit Foods of Drunken Immortal Tower!

It was comparable to drinking a pot of top‑grade second‑tier celestial brew!

"Having not heard it for a year, the Peony Immortal's zither skill seems to have improved. Character: Liyang Immortal City gaining a music master like her adds much brilliance," Gu Zongyuan praised sincerely.

"Commander Gu, you flatter me. My modest skill hardly reaches refined circles, far inferior to Symbol Masters, Pill Masters, or Formation Masters," the Peony Immortal said modestly.

Indeed.

A zither master's status is lower than that of Pill Masters or Symbol Masters, yet they are rarer.

Every immortal city has plenty of Pill Masters and Symbol Masters, but not every place has a zither master.

Then the Peony Immortal's eyes flickered as she looked at Xiao Zhangqing, speaking gently: "Moreover, before a Hundred Dao Companion who is such a master of the flute, my modest zither skill is truly insignificant."

Xiao Zhangqing waved his hand and said, "I cannot play a flute that sounds as refreshing as a spring breeze and so heart‑warming."

The Jiǔqiū Secret Technique is entirely oriented toward attack and killing.

It is the opposite direction from the Peony Immortal's music.

Perhaps the Jiǔqiū Real Person from over two hundred years ago possessed some arts that nurture a cultivator's Soul Transformation, but Xiao Zhangqing could not extract such skills from the system.

The Peony Immortal said no more, but produced a specially made invitation, her eyes hopeful as she said, "If the Hundred Dao Companion has free time, feel free to come to the String Music Hall; I would like to learn some techniques that combine Soul Transformation with music."

Gu Zongyuan raised an eyebrow at this, handed the invitation to Xiao Zhangqing, and clicked his tongue, exclaiming, "Brother Bai is truly fortunate; meeting for the first time and already receiving the legendary invitation from the Peony Immortal. I've known the Peony Immortal for over twenty years, and she has never given me an invitation."

The Peony Immortal's face flushed slightly as she said, "Commander Gu, if you understand music theory, I could also invite you to sit in the String Music Hall."

Gu Zongyuan laughed heartily, "I am a rough man, completely clueless about music theory. The Peony Immortal should still discuss earnestly with Brother Bai and seek resonance."

Xiao Zhangqing found it hard to refuse, so he accepted the invitation.

However, he had little interest in discussing musical attainment with the Peony Immortal.

He does not need to rely on flute playing to earn Spirit Stones.

With this skill, he would rather practice Nightmare Technique to further strengthen his Soul Transformation.

(End of Chapter)