Cultivation Starts from Farming-Chapter 848 - 380: Fourth Rank Lower Grade Music Arts (2)
"But considering that many Great Demon Lords of the top-grade might attend this banquet, worrying it could inconvenience the master, we didn’t formally issue an invitation. I hope the master can understand."
"Clan Leader Golden also said he would come to visit the master personally after the celebration ends."
Upon hearing this, Xu Ping was not bothered at all; in fact, he appreciated Jin Yuxuan’s thoughtful consideration.
After all, he had confidence in his hidden abilities.
But when facing Great Demon Lords of the top-grade, he couldn’t be completely assured.
Mainly because True Monarch Wan Yang of the Heaven-Suppressing Sect left too deep an impression on him back then.
The overwhelming difference in strength.
Even with his current abilities, Xu Ping estimated he would be left with no option but death, not even a chance to escape.
Although True Monarch Wan Yang was certainly considered powerful among Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators.
Yet who knows if there might be equally formidable beings among the top-grade Demon Beasts able to see through his disguise?
It’s better to be cautious.
"In that case, you can represent me to congratulate Clan Leader Golden on his birthday." Xu Ping pondered for a moment before saying, "Remember to bring a generous gift, we must observe proper etiquette."
"Yes, master!" Water Lake Mouse eagerly agreed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Attending such a grand event, he naturally couldn’t resist being part of the fun.
...
A few days later.
Water Lake Mouse left Blood Bone Island carrying the generous gifts Xu Ping had meticulously prepared, heading to the Golden Spirit Mouse Clan to join the celebration.
Meanwhile, Xu Ping arrived at Duan Shuang’s cave residence, preparing to enjoy a rare leisurely moment.
With a slight flicker, he appeared outside Duan Shuang’s quiet and elegant cave.
Before knocking on the door, an ethereal and mysterious string music, directly penetrating the depths of the Divine Soul, flowed out like a babbling brook, soothing the heart.
The door to the cave silently opened.
Duan Shuang sat serenely before a jade table, with a zither of increasingly restrained charm resting on her lap.
She still wore a simple moon-white robe.
But having reached Nascent Soul and harmonized with Dao charm, her appearance acquired a few more breathtaking and chillingly beautiful qualities, like a fairy of the moon palace descending into the mortal realm.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, you walk with vitality, and joy is written upon your brows. Did you perhaps encounter some good fortune?"
Duan Shuang’s starry eyes rose slightly, noticing the lingering joy between Xu Ping’s brows, and involuntarily forming a graceful smile.
Xu Ping entered the cave, naturally seating himself on the cushion opposite her, and with a faint smile, openly said:
"Indeed, there is some good news."
He didn’t delve into Jin Yuxuan’s matter, and Duan Shuang understood, no longer inquiring. Her cold eyes filled with a deeper mirth.
She lightly brushed the zither strings with her delicate fingers, her tone shifting with a hint of hard-to-detect playfulness and pride:
"It’s a coincidence, there is also a ’good news,’ and I was keen to share it with you."
"Oh?"
Xu Ping’s gaze fell upon her, with a look of inquiry.
Duan Shuang smiled gracefully, like an ice lotus in full bloom, filling the room with pure light: 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"Thanks to Fellow Daoist’s great fortune, I’ve finally reached the realm of a Fourth Rank Music Grandmaster."
"Fourth Rank Music Grandmaster?!"
Xu Ping, usually calm, couldn’t help but brighten his eyes with strong delight at this moment.
He sat upright, genuinely congratulating: "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Duan, reaching the realm of Music Grandmaster is rare even across the outer seas."
Xu Ping naturally understood what this signified.
Nascent Soul cultivators have extended lifespans, but breaking through realms, especially the major juncture like Late-stage Nascent Soul, can’t rely on mere resource accumulation.
Mind tempering, Divine Sense refinement, and deep understanding of the Dao often become crucial thresholds.
As a Fourth Rank Music Grandmaster, her zither music directly touches upon the essence of the Dao, effectively cleansing the Divine Soul’s dust, enlightening the mind, and enhancing Dao comprehension.
With such attainment, Duan Shuang equates to paving a hidden path on the thorny road toward Late-stage Nascent Soul.
Of course, aiming for Late-stage Nascent Soul requires more than the lower grade of Fourth Rank Music.
At least reaching the peak of Fourth Rank Middle Grade, or even Upper Grade is necessary.
However, Duan Shuang reached the Fourth Rank within a mere ten years of breaking through Nascent Soul.
This is enough to illustrate her astonishing talent in this aspect.
"Fellow Daoist, you overpraise."
Duan Shuang’s face flushed slightly, adding even more allure as her gaze flowed with expectation,
"I wonder... If Fellow Daoist has the mood, would you be willing to critique this newly attained minor skill of mine?"
Xu Ping laughed heartily, with a hint of anticipation in his tone: "To listen to Fellow Daoist Duan’s unparalleled artistry is truly a fortune for Xu Mou."
Xu Ping immediately gathered his heart, assuming the most attentive listening stance with five hearts facing the sky.
His heart ignited with fervor, thinking, ’If assisted by the zither music of a Fourth Rank Grandmaster, the cultivation speed of "Thousand Mechanism Skill" will surely soar.’
The further surge in Divine Sense is just around the corner.
Duan Shuang gave him a deep glance, her starry eyes, usually cold, softly melted, infused with a haze of nearly tangible gentle spring water.
She took a deep breath, her delicate fingers like a butterfly weaving through flowers, landing gently on the icy strings.
Zing——!
A sound of utmost clarity, able to pierce through the Nine Nether, suddenly exploded in the cave!
Unlike any previous instance.
This time, the moment the string music sounded, Xu Ping felt as if his consciousness softly detached from his body.
"Hmm?!"
Xu Ping’s spirit was intensely shaken! This feeling of Divine Sense leaving the body wasn’t a possession or attack, but rather an extraordinary "invitation" and "guiding".
After a moment of astonishment, he quickly came to understand.
Thus, he completely relaxed his control over his Divine Sense, letting it be wrapped and led by the mystical string music.
