Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 63

[Vol. 6] Chapter 63: The Music Saint Qilan

“Hmm… so it’s basically a mutual agreement kind of deal, huh?”

Since that’s the case, there’s no need to forcibly drag this guy out of the illusion. Murong Yun isn’t an idiot. Judging from his earlier attitude toward the [Music Fairy Flower Show], he might have already noticed some clues but simply chose not to make a fuss about it.

Leaving someone behind to continue chatting with that white flower, Violet decided not to concern herself with him any longer and continued deeper into the valley with Yazi.

A flower spirit is just a flower spirit. Although they can mimic the appearance of a woman, they don’t possess the skill to create music. That requires training and practice. Thus, the ethereal music lingering in this Music Fairy Valley must have a different source.

The valley, while adorned with countless blooming flowers, wasn’t particularly large. Along the way, Violet observed various scholars and poets engaging in intimate conversations or playing music with women formed by the flower spirits, each in their own unique fashion. However, Violet maintained her steady pace, her expression unreadable.

Before long, her surroundings opened up.

At the very heart of the Music Fairy Valley, no flowers bloomed anymore.

Instead, there was a single true woman, sitting cross-legged on a lush green lawn with her eyes closed, playing a zither.

The serene, celestial melody rose into the air, resonating throughout the tranquil depths of the valley.

[The blossoms fade, beauty withers away…]

[A lifetime, a soulmate, yet thousands of years pass without a trace.]

[Distant are the three paths, the heavens vast and boundless…]

[Only… a sigh for the mortal realm.]

As the song ended, the ethereal beauty of the melody lingered in the air. The woman, dressed in flowing robes with long black hair cascading over her shoulders, raised her head to look at the person and beast who had arrived on the green grass. A gentle smile graced her face.

“I didn’t expect tonight to be so lively. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any esteemed guests visit here. May I ask, how should I address the two of you?”

Without allowing the woman to steer the conversation, Violet countered with a question of her own.

“And you? Who are you?”

“Heh, even your questions are so similar.”

The young woman smiled and shook her head, standing up and cradling her zither as she offered a slight bow. Her long, pure black hair, as serene as that of a priestess, swayed gently with her graceful movements, her demeanor elegant and composed.

“My name is Qilan, just an ordinary person with a modest understanding of music, unworthy of any attention.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly turned her head toward a particular spot nearby, a smile appearing on her face.

“Well played.”

“Qilan? Are you the legendary Music Saint Qilan who emerged a thousand years ago and composed [The Wandering Melody], the most renowned of the Ten Supreme Masterpieces? A thousand years have passed, and the Music Saint still walks the world?!”

The one exclaiming in astonishment was not Violet but Miss Ling Feng, who suddenly appeared out of thin air, as if emerging from the very space above the grass where Qilan’s gaze had fallen.

Qilan did not seem surprised by Ling Feng’s sudden arrival. Instead, she nodded in appreciation.

“To escape so quickly from the illusion crafted by [The Valley of Ten Directions], your musical sensitivity and intuition are truly remarkable. You must be among the most exceptional talents in the world today.”

“I dare not claim the title of Music Saint, but [The Wandering Melody] was indeed a piece I composed in my youthful folly. It’s nothing more than a laughable work.”

Violet quietly sidled up to Ling Feng, nudging her arm and whispering curiously, “Hey, hey, what’s all this about? Why did you suddenly appear just now?”

“Violet, you’re here too. Here’s what happened…”

Without holding back, Ling Feng nodded and succinctly recounted her recent experiences.

As Violet had suspected, Ling Feng and Bai’er had also come to attend the [Music Fairy Flower Show] hosted by the Music Fairy Ship after receiving their invitations. However, during Miss Meng Rui’s performance of [Mortal Sigh], Ling Feng had keenly sensed the unique power imbued in both the melody and the flower petals, and she had prepared herself in advance.

Afterward, she and Bai’er entered the dreamlike illusion created by the flower spirits, intending to uncover the true nature of what was happening.

The [Ancient Spirit Realm] is home to all manner of strange and fantastical monsters, some of which are malevolent demons who harm others to strengthen their cultivation. As a result, Ling Feng and her companion initially approached the situation with the worst-case scenario in mind, crafting their strategies accordingly.

After entering the valley by answering the questions, they, like Violet, chose not to disturb the passersby immersed in dreams and seeking pleasure with the flower spirits. Instead, they ventured deeper until they reached the source of the ethereal melodies.

It was here that they encountered the mysterious woman before them.

However, due to a certain impulsive action by Miss Bai’er, who had yet to return, this woman, allegedly the Music Saint, had no choice but to use a minor technique to send Bai’er to a quieter place for a short rest.

Naturally, Ling Feng couldn’t remain uninvolved during this process, so she ended up sharing Bai’er’s fate.

According to her, though, the place was merely a spatial maze without any real danger. After figuring her way out, especially after learning the woman’s name, Ling Feng chose not to take further action against her.

As for who this so-called Music Saint truly was…

Yazi provided the answer.

[A thousand years ago, I heard Yuan Qianqiu mention that Qiuniu, in his search for sublime melodies, once discovered a musical prodigy named Qilan. Deeply moved by their time together, he considered her a kindred spirit, imparted all his lifelong knowledge to her, and vowed to protect her at all costs.]

[Back then, outside Music Fairy Valley, he could have avoided fighting his enemies. But to protect certain things, he chose to battle three malevolent creatures to the death, resulting in mutual destruction.]

The beast’s dark red eyes fixated on the woman holding the ancient zither, a mocking and regretful smile playing on its lips.

[Devoted to music, and in the end, it cost him his life. My elder brother was always so stubborn.]

Qilan’s face showed a hint of surprise.

“And you are…?”

[Yazi.]

“!?”

The infamous name seemed to strike a chord of fear within her, causing her delicate figure to tremble slightly as she took an almost imperceptible step back. Quickly regaining her composure, her expression turned sorrowful.

“So, you are Qiuniu’s brother. Have you come to take revenge on me because I caused your elder brother’s death…?”

“Roar…”

Yazi let out a low growl, somewhere between a dragon and a beast, and scoffed.

[If I truly wanted revenge, I would have acted a thousand years ago. Qiuniu died at the hands of his enemies because his strength was insufficient. What does that have to do with anyone else? Mere human, don’t overestimate your own importance.]

[Now, I serve a master. If my master wished it, I would not hesitate to destroy this place. But consider yourself lucky, human. This is nothing but a dream, and my master is magnanimous, not bothering to hold your ignorant offenses against you… Hmph.]

“Yazi’s… master?”

Following the beast’s gaze, Qilan turned her surprised eyes to a certain black-haired girl.

“Yep, we’re partners now,” the priestess admitted with confidence.

“This is truly unbelievable. The legendary Yazi, infamous for his defiance, bowing his head to a human… It seems the times have indeed changed.”

After a long pause, Qilan finally seemed to accept this shocking reality. She fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

“I see. You must have been brought here by that child, Meng Rui.”

She raised her hand lightly, and the grass grew naturally, forming soft chairs. After everyone took their seats, a round table and tea set appeared before the three women and one beast. Qilan personally filled the cups.

Violet showed no surprise. In this dream world, even the most improbable things could happen.

After brief introductions, the Music Saint, holding her teacup, began to explain.

“Meng Rui was a child I found and took in. She grew up among the flower spirits. Though my heart had died, and I sealed myself in this deep valley, that child was still young and full of potential. So, I passed on everything I knew to her and raised her little by little.”

“While I never intended to use this as leverage, she would often speak of wanting to do something for everyone. She insisted that the name of Music Fairy Valley should not fade into obscurity.”

“Over a decade ago, when Meng Rui had mastered the zither, she decided to journey out into the world. Before leaving, she used her innate talent and worked with the flower spirits to create this dream valley, accessible only during sleep. She frequently brought outsiders into the dream to visit, showcasing the beauty of Music Fairy Valley to the world in this way.”