CHAPTER 919: LEARNING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPELLS

When Shenlian Yingyue opened her eyes, she felt the profound connection between herself and the Sacred Land. Merging it with the Ethereal Small World was now within her grasp, thanks to the contracts she had formed with Qing Long, Bai Hu, Xuan Wu, and Zhu Que; and, unexpectedly, Qing Luan as well.

At first, she had been startled by the revelation, but after Xiao Yun’s explanation, she understood. She didn’t blame him for his decision. More than anything, she wanted Qing Luan to survive. She couldn’t bear the thought of such a gifted individual meeting a tragic end, nor could she stand by while those who had wronged her walked free without consequence. Justice might not always be served, but those who had shown her kindness deserved better.

The merging process took three full days. The Sacred Land was no ordinary realm; it was alive, its spirit woven into the very essence of nature itself. Shenlian Yingyue negotiated with it, promising a future of peace where bloodshed and conflict would no longer taint its lands. The spirit, weary of endless battles and suffering, agreed.

When the fusion was complete, the two worlds became one. The skies stretched endlessly, the lands expanded, and the air hummed with vibrant spiritual energy. The Ethereal Small World was now richer, more alive than ever before.

Shenlian Yingyue glanced at Zhiyi, Xiao Li, and the others, who were still absorbing the immense spiritual energy flooding into them. Satisfied, she turned her attention to Qing Luan, who sat serenely beneath the colossal Tree of Life. The tree had grown to an astonishing size, its branches stretching like a protective canopy over the land.

Next, she visited the territories of the Red Snakes and Thunder White Wolves. The warriors trained diligently, some beneath the shade of ancient trees, others near glistening spiritual ponds, and a few within the quiet solitude of bamboo cottages. The entire realm thrived with disciplined energy.

"Yunyun," she murmured, pulling Xiao Yun into a tight embrace, "Thank you, for everything."

He had promised her a gift, but what he had given her was beyond measure, the Sacred Land, her breakthrough, the contracts with the Four Deities and Qing Luan. How could she ever repay such kindness?

"Master, as long as you’re happy," Xiao Yun replied, burying his face in her robes, inhaling her soothing floral scent, "I can’t interfere in your past sufferings, but I can do my best to make your future brighter."

Her chest warmed, her eyes glistening. The love and devotion Xiao Yun and the others showed her was boundless. She would never forget it, nor would she ever let them down.

Now that she had advanced, time within the Ethereal Small World flowed differently. Three months inside equaled just one hour in the outside world. With this advantage, she dedicated ten full years to mastering Qing Luan’s legacy, musical spells and magical instruments.

Luckily, Qing Luan had left her an impressive collection of instruments, and over her travels, Shenlian Yingyue and her companions had amassed countless treasures. The storage warehouse was meticulously organized, filled with rare artifacts, including an entire section devoted to musical instruments.

[Ten Years Later (Outside World: 1 Day and 16 Hours)]

"Master!" Zhiyi and the others approached her, their faces bright with excitement.

Over the past decade, Shenlian Yingyue had mastered nearly everything Qing Luan’s legacy had to offer. But she wasn’t the only one who had grown; Xiong Zi Ying, Xiao Li, and the others had also taken an interest in music, often gathering to watch her play beneath the moonlight beside the shimmering spiritual lakes.

"Let’s go," she said, embracing each of them in turn, "It’s time to proceed with our next plan."

Though she worried about her brother and the others outside, she trusted in their strength.

"Xiao Yueyue, you’re a devil," Xiong Zi Ying teased, clutching his chest in mock horror, "How can you advance just by forming contracts? That’s cheating!"

Shenlian Yingyue’s lips twitched. Even she didn’t fully understand how it had happened.

"Nothing amazing," Bu Si Shu huffed, crossing his arms.

The group collectively ignored his little tantrum.

"Do you want to learn the flute?" Shenlian Yingyue offered kindly, "I can teach you."

"No," Bu Si Shu snapped, his pride wounded.

He had spent the last ten years attempting, and failing, to master any musical instrument. Despite witnessing Shenlian Yingyue’s effortless skill, his own attempts had been disastrous. His stubbornness prevented him from asking for help, and now, his jealousy simmered beneath the surface.

"Alright," she said with a shrug, turning away.

Bu Si Shu’s mood darkened further. Why was she so naturally gifted at everything? What came so easily to her was an insurmountable challenge for him. The frustration gnawed at him, but he refused to admit defeat.

As the group prepared to leave the Ethereal Small World, Shenlian Yingyue cast one last glance at the flourishing realm. The past ten years had been a time of growth, not just in power, but in bonds.

And now, it was time to face whatever awaited them outside.

Bu Si Shu stood alone in his treehouse, the quiet rustle of leaves outside the only sound breaking the silence. The dim glow of spiritual light filtered through the wooden walls, casting soft shadows across the room. His fingers tightened around the jade slip, its cool surface pressing into his palm as conflicting emotions churned within him as he realized that this was given by her.

"Why would she give this to me?" The question echoed in his mind, sharp and unrelenting.

He had never treated her with warmth, always sharp-tongued, always distant. Their exchanges were more like clashes than conversations, filled with barbs and indifference. Yet, here was her entire knowledge of musical cultivation, laid bare before him. Every technique, every melody, every secret she had inherited from Qing Luan, all of it was now in his hands.

His jaw clenched as he stared at the jade slip, its contents gleaming faintly with spiritual energy. It was a treasure beyond measure, something many cultivators would kill for. And she had left it for him, of all people.

"Are you a fool?" he thought bitterly. "What if I turn this against you? What if I use it to humiliate you, to prove that I don’t need your pity?"

But even as the resentment flickered in his chest, another feeling crept in, something heavier, something he didn’t want to acknowledge: gratitude.

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. The loneliness that had been gnawing at him since the others left now felt even more suffocating. He had always prided himself on his independence, on not needing anyone. But this, this was different.

"You really think I won’t misuse this?" he muttered to himself, though there was no one to hear.

Yet, deep down, he already knew the answer.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he placed the jade slip on his forehead. He wouldn’t squander this. Not out of obligation, not out of guilt, but because, despite everything, he couldn’t bring himself to betray the trust she had silently given him.

Outside, the wind whispered through the ancient tree, as if sighing in understanding.