Bai Lu straightened her back, no longer harboring any worries about the person before her.
Since ancient times, no musician had been able to play a melody without strings.
Unless that person was a celestial being.
But it was evident that the woman before them, with all her schemes, had ultimately failed.
The crowd watched with varied thoughts.
Only Gu Qianying's gaze was calm and unremarkable. She gently plucked a string, which then fell to the side.
In moments, the zither body, carved from phoenix tree wood, was left without a single remaining string.
Below, the crowd, not understanding, craned their necks to look upwards.
Bai Dandan rolled her eyes from below, "If you can't do it, don't force yourself. Just don't embarrass the eldest young master."
Bai Xiaoxiao naturally couldn't stand it. She pushed the gossiping busybody aside with her hands.
This person arrogantly raised her head, "What's it to you? This is our female teacher's unique method. People like you wouldn't understand."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the two couldn't help but bicker.
Just as the argument was heating up, someone below suddenly shouted.
"Look there! This female teacher is using her own hair as strings. This is unheard of! What method is this?"
The rest of the people also turned their heads, their eyes fixed forward, afraid of missing even a fraction of a detail.
Gu Qianying covered the zither with her dark hair.
Her palm once again covered the top, and a trickle of spiritual energy enveloped the entire zither, emitting a faint green light from above.
The phoenix tree wood, covered by this spiritual energy, seemed to come alive like a phoenix, emitting a high song, full of sorrow and lament.
Gu Qianying's eyes darkened.
Her fingertips danced rapidly across the dark hair, creating ripples.
This time, the music was different from before. The beginning was gentle as water, without any aggression, but after being covered with dark hair, the sound seemed to carry anger.
It was like a phoenix reborn from fire, singing to the heavens.
The sound that entered people's hearts filled them with astonishment.
Those immersed in it, recalling past events, could not help but shed tears.
Those who felt the power within were even more invigorated, continuously inspired by the sound, filled with joy.
This time, everyone in the hall forgot to discuss, forgot what was happening above, and was solely immersed in the music, nothing else.
The piece concluded.
The dark hair that had been wrapped around the zither slowly climbed back to Gu Qianying's fingertips.
The original green light began to dissipate, returning to the moonlight.
Gu Qianying remained still, but below, applause erupted like thunder.
Everyone clapped their hands enthusiastically, shouting praises.
"Truly a celestial presence, truly remarkable."
"Even Chang'e from the Moon Palace, if she were to play, might not produce such stirring music. It truly inspires the heart, inspires the heart."
Just then, someone below suddenly spoke, "If I'm not mistaken, the female teacher above is using the legendary 'Wu Qin Gong' (No String Skill)."
A commotion erupted in the hall, everyone greatly astonished.
Wu Qin Gong, which uses dark hair as strings, powered by emotion, carrying the hearts of people.
The music played using this skill.
It was enchanting and sorrowful, filled with great joy and sorrow, able to penetrate the thoughts of everyone, drawing them in, unable to extricate themselves.
Initially, people hadn't noticed, but after this person spoke, they immediately connected it to the mysterious woman from the Eastern Victory Kingdom.
"Although this skill has been passed down for a long time, the only one who can use it is that mysterious woman from the Eastern Victory Kingdom. The identity of this woman is extraordinary!"
Upon hearing this person's words, everyone's hearts trembled.
They stared at Gu Qianying in utter surprise.
Since only the mysterious woman knew this skill, and the female teacher above had also used it.
It meant that this person was that mysterious woman from the Eastern Victory Kingdom.
For a moment, the hall descended into chaos.
"No way, no way? Is that person really that mysterious woman?"
Bai Xiaoxiao didn't understand what a mysterious woman or not a mysterious woman was.
She only knew that this person was her sister, nothing else.
"What are you all talking about?" she turned to ask.
An elder with a fan in his hand and white hair said mysteriously, "Young lady, you don't know yet?"
"That mysterious woman's name is Gu Qianying, the Ninth Princess Consort of the Eastern Victory Kingdom, the Sect Leader of the Jue Sha Sect, and the true master of the renowned Poisonous Medicine Pavilion throughout the land."
"Any one of these identities is beyond the reach of us lowly individuals. Do you know how formidable she is now!"
Bai Xiaoxiao was in a daze for a long time, saying nothing.
Bai Ziyun shivered beside her, "Heavens! Gu Qianying is so powerful. If she holds a grudge for how we treated her back then, won't she take revenge?"
Bai Xiaoxiao finally came to her senses. She quickly waved her hand, telling Bai Ziyun with utmost certainty, "Don't be ridiculous. She's our good sister. If she wanted to kill us, wouldn't we be doomed?"
She couldn't hide her smile, speaking of Gu Qianying with great admiration.
"But she's truly amazing! If only one day I could be like her, how wonderful that would be."
Those behind them who heard this nodded in agreement.
"Yes, yes!"
Gu Qianying on stage finally adjusted her breathing and stood up from the ground. She still wore a faint smile on her face, picked up the phoenix tree wood in her hand, and then approached the crowd, bowing gently.
Humbly, she said, "I sincerely apologize to everyone. I made a mistake today and disturbed everyone's enjoyment. Please do not blame me."
The crowd below waved their hands, "Not at all, not at all."
Considering Gu Qianying's formidable identity, what right did these commoners have to blame her?
Bai Lu's expression changed drastically. Her earlier joy was gone, replaced by struggle and hesitation.
Judging by the reactions of everyone present.
Gu Qianying was bound to win. She had no chance of victory.
If it were anyone else, she might not have minded.
But why? It had to be this so-called Gu Qianying.
A maid carrying a gong and drum walked between the two. "This competition is won by this female teacher."
Gu Qianying glanced at the other person, "You are too kind."
Bai Lu's voice turned malicious, "Don't get too smug. The competition isn't just one event. We still have plenty of time."
Gu Qianying shrugged, "Unfortunately, your jealousy is too strong."
The first round of the competition finally concluded. Gu Qianying, on her own, garnered eighty percent of the votes on the scene. The remaining twenty percent either abstained or were coerced by Bai Dandan and others under Bai Lu's pressure, preventing the situation from becoming too awkward.
The second round of the competition was painting.
Bai Lu painted a lotus leaf, with a dewdrop resting on it. The morning sun was faint, and the textures on it were lifelike. Even though it was late at night, it evoked a cool morning breeze.
Gu Qianying, in contrast, painted a calm river.
Although the river was calm, ripples spread across it.
One glance at it was enough to instantly draw one into the painting.
Ultimately, as their skill levels were comparable, the match ended in a draw.