When Shi Yu took her leave, Fairy Nongyun, along with two black-clad guards, escorted her out.
He Chiqiong, Su Luoyao, and the others had not dared to leave carelessly and were still waiting nearby. Only when someone whispered, “Miss Shi is coming out,” did they hurriedly look up. They saw the two walking one behind the other, chatting softly in a warm, familiar manner that left everyone exchanging astonished glances.
Arriving at the railing of the pleasure barge, Shi Yu prepared to take her departure. “This junior shall take her leave. May Aunt’s cultivation proceed smoothly and all things go as you wish.”
“A-Aunt?” Hearing Shi Yu’s form of address, the youths on the small boat were thoroughly stunned, and the surrounding crowd of onlookers erupted into excitement.
After learning from He Chiqiong that Fairy Nongyun hailed from the Central Continent, the surrounding crowd—some eager for drama, some warmhearted, others gloating—chimed in one after another, sharing various anecdotes about Fairy Nongyun that gave everyone a clear picture of her status in Zhiyu City.
She was a sound cultivator whose zither playing was sublime. She could repel enemies with her music; at the height of her power, even Golden Core Realm experts had to yield before her. Her zither tunes could also cleanse the mind and aid cultivation. Every day, countless cultivators offered treasures and spirit stones hoping to hear a single song, yet the fairy was aloof and distant, rarely interacting with others, much less performing at whim.
It was said that even the City Lord of Zhiyu City treated her with great deference, showing just how revered she was.
On the small boat, several youths began discussing in hushed tones.
“To think Miss Shi shares such a relationship with Fairy Nongyun.”
“I originally thought Miss Shi was an ordinary rogue cultivator, but now it seems her background is anything but ordinary, boasting deep roots.”
Listening to these comments, Su Luoyao remained stubborn, uttering a low sneer: “Always so eager to claim connections...”
Hearing her remark, He Chiqiong frowned slightly, displeasure clouding his eyes.
Beside him, the outspoken He Lingling did not care what others thought and immediately shot back, “I wonder where Sister Su gets that ‘always’ from. And talking about ‘claiming connections’ smells an awful lot like sour grapes. Then again, even if Sister Su wanted to claim such connections, she couldn't if she tried.”
He Chiqiong helplessly warned, “Lingling.”
Then he turned to Su Luoyao and said calmly, “Lingling is young and speaks without filter. Please do not take it to heart.”
“...How could I?” Glaring at the sharp-tongued young girl, Su Luoyao detested her, but out of respect for He Chiqiong's standing, she could only force a dry smile, gritting her teeth in silent fury.
He Lingling despised Su Luoyao’s act of feigning kindness while clearly hating her. Rolling her eyes inwardly, she turned her head up toward the tall pleasure barge.
Just as Shi Yu offered her farewell, the white veil covering Fairy Nongyun’s face fluttered gently. “Wait.”
Shi Yu paused in her step, looking back in confusion.
A gentle breeze blew past, causing two sets of wind chimes hanging at the stern to sway. They emitted a crisp, melodious ringing that pierced through the noise along the canal, drawing everyone's attention.
Standing at the bow, Fairy Nongyun’s features were obscured, leaving only her painted brows, snow-white skin, and a lotus-shaped hairpin visible. Her posture was elegant, her aura cold and refined.
She walked slowly to the center of the pleasure barge, sat upon a soft couch, and placed an ancient guqin across her lap. Plucking a single string, she produced a clear, crisp note. “Listen to a song before you depart.”
The moment her voice fell, the crowd broke into an uproar.
Fairy Nongyun offered a subtle smile. Without waiting for Shi Yu’s response or thanks, she bowed her head, lowered her eyes, and lightly caressed the strings with her fingertips.
Shi Yu had not expected Fairy Nongyun to actively invite her to listen to her music, realizing she was benefiting from her Second Senior Brother's connection once more. Seeing her fingers already moving along the strings, Shi Yu held her peace and stood obediently to the side, quietly awaiting the music.
...
The music began, pure and clear like water cascading down a mountain spring.
The notes resonated in Shi Yu's ears and penetrated straight into the depths of her mind, instantly entrancing her.
The resonant melody sounded like bubbling spring water, rustling wind through bamboo, rain striking flowers, and birds singing in the forest. It grew clearer and brighter, as if the sounds of all nature had gathered together in vibrant harmony, feeling joyful and lively without the slightest bit of clamor.
Seeing Fairy Nongyun playing the guqin, everyone along the canal and banks surrounding Tingyu Mian swarmed over, hoping to catch a strain of the music.
However, this music infused with spiritual energy was unlike ordinary melodies that carried far and wide; it wrapped tenderly and inclusively around Shi Yu alone, allowing only a few faint reverberations to drift outward.
Yet no one dared utter a complaint, focusing all their attention on catching those few faint threads of sound.
The youths on the small boat did the same. Though they did not yet fully grasp the profound wonders of Fairy Nongyun’s music, human nature led them to follow the crowd, straining their ears to listen.
Su Luoyao could not comprehend what means Shi Yu had used to earn such high regard from Fairy Nongyun. Casting a suspicious glance in her direction, her emotions churned. She tried to glean something from the faint remnants of music, but yielded nothing, leaving her increasingly agitated and annoyed.
...
The music felt like soft, slender vines, wrapping Shi Yu tightly in a gentle and forgiving embrace.
Her mind reached a level of clarity like never before. Distractions vanished, and her consciousness grew exceptionally sharp. Her spiritual energy flowed merrily, sending waves surging across her spirit lake, and her cultivation level rose slightly as a result.
Closing her eyes, Shi Yu clearly felt her state of mind consolidating under the music's guidance.
...
At last, the song concluded, and the lingering notes slowly dissolved. Shi Yu opened her eyes, still momentarily dazed before recovering. Looking at Fairy Nongyun with deep gratitude, she said, “This junior has benefited greatly. Thank you for your guidance, Aunt.”
Fairy Nongyun glanced at her and asked, “What did you hear?”
What did she hear?
Realizing the fairy was testing her, Shi Yu began to reflect.
The music earlier had been ever-changing and all-encompassing, seeming to contain all the transformations and constants, all the creations, deaths, and reincarnations in heaven and earth.
It was naturally difficult to summarize.
Suddenly, a thought struck her. She recalled the jade-white screen she had seen upon stepping over the high threshold into the pleasure barge—inscribed upon it in elegant strokes was the character “Nothingness.”
“I heard... ‘Nothingness.’”
Fairy Nongyun’s expression remained unchanged, though her gaze softened slightly. “‘Nothingness’?”
Shi Yu had initially felt a bit uncertain, but as the lingering strains of the music seemed to echo in her ears, she listened closely once more and affirmed with certainty, “I heard ‘Nothingness.’”
Fairy Nongyun smiled faintly, lightly drawing her finger across a string to produce a lingering tone, seemingly guiding Shi Yu to ponder deeper.
She asked softly, “What is ‘Nothingness’?”
Shi Yu fell silent in thought as countless ideas crossed her mind. The music still echoed in her ears; its ethereal, void-like yet all-embracing essence was difficult to express in words.
She spoke slowly, “‘Nothingness’ is not the absence of all things, but the inclusion of everything. Within the music lies high mountains and flowing streams, rising wind and drifting clouds, blooming and falling flowers, life, death, and reincarnation. Yet all of this returns to void, as if it never existed, yet remains omnipresent.”
Fairy Nongyun nodded slightly, a flicker of praise flashing in her eyes. “Well said. ‘Nothingness’ is not void, but the origin of all things. All creation in heaven and earth springs from ‘Nothingness’ and returns to ‘Nothingness.’ ‘Nothingness’ is also the Dao. The Dao produced One; One produced Two; Two produced Three; Three produced All Things. All things are born of Being, and Being is born of Nothingness. If a practitioner of the Dao can comprehend the true meaning of ‘Nothingness,’ they can unite with heaven and earth and walk alongside the Dao.”
Upon hearing this, clarity washed over Shi Yu's heart. She bowed deeply and said respectfully, “Thank you for your guidance, Aunt. This junior will surely engrave it upon her heart.”
Fairy Nongyun gazed at her quietly for a moment, then put away the ancient guqin and nodded gently. “Go then.”
Her voice was light and gentle.
Shi Yu took a deep breath, bowed once more, and slowly stepped back to depart.
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