Chapter 64

Yao Mengji wished he could give himself two big slaps.

Who is Young Master Li? An extraordinary and saintly existence, his words are the way!

A thousand-year-old mystic ice can only be arrogant in front of me, but in front of Young Master Li, it must be as humble as possible.

Being favored by Young Master Li is a great honor for it; how could it still drip once every ten years, not wanting to continue existing?

Qin Manyun was so shocked that she didn't know what to do, only wanting to stand aside humbly and be invisible.

Li Nianfan smiled and said, "No reward without merit. I can't take your things for free. Tell me, what do you want?"

Qin Manyun knew Luo Shiyu, so this old man probably knew Luo Huang and Bai Wuchen as well. They are all in the cultural circle, and after hearing some of my stories, they must have been eager to come and make friends through cultural exchange.

Such enthusiasm clearly indicates that they have some requests.

The pursuits of cultural people are nothing more than seeking calligraphy or paintings, or playing chess and drinking tea, etc.

Although Li Nianfan is a novice in cultivation, he is not lacking in cultural knowledge, having been rigorously trained by the system for five years.

It's rare to meet such a friendly group of cultivators. If I can build a good relationship with them through cultural exchange, my safety in the cultivation world will be greatly improved.

I just don't know if these few people are big shots in the cultivation world. If I can find a powerful ally, that would be even better.

Whether it's the yard full of spirit herbs and immortal grass, or the incident of cultivators flying in the sky, if I weren't on good terms with a group of cultivators, how could these things be resolved so easily?

It's better to stand under a big tree for shade.

Li Nianfan was so polite, but Yao Mengji not only didn't feel happy, he felt a chill, his scalp tingling, and his whole body's hair standing on end, extremely nervous.

A test!

Definitely a test!

How should I answer this question from a great person?

If I say it's a free gift, the great person definitely won't believe it, and it will seem insincere. If I really make a request, how will the great person view me? And what can I request? How easy is it to get something from a great person?

It's really hard to grasp the right measure!

One wrong answer, and I'll be in trouble!

In just a few seconds, he felt like it was an eternity, a cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

No wonder he's a great person, so terrifying. Just one sentence, and it's full of profound meaning. I've cultivated for a thousand years, and I don't know how to answer.

In the end, he could only force himself to say, "I... I want Young Master Li to... to give me some guidance."

Li Nianfan shook his head; this old man's words are vague and too distant.

Perhaps this is a common problem with cultural people.

"Are you asking me to guide you in playing the zither?" Li Nianfan said directly.

From the moment he entered, he noticed that Yao Mengji was staring at the ancient zither in his courtyard. When he spoke, his eyes would often glance at the zither, and his cautious manner made it clear that he had a special affection for the zither, probably a zither enthusiast.

Yao Mengji was overjoyed and quickly said, "Yes, exactly!"

No wonder Young Master Li, he must have seen that I am on the path of the zither. If he can guide me, it would be a great blessing.

Li Nianfan said, "Not guidance, just mutual exchange."

"Then, Young Master Li, shall we play together, or..." Yao Mengji asked weakly.

"No, not together." Li Nianfan shook his head without hesitation. He is just a mortal, how dare he play with a cultivator, does he want to die?

These cultivators can move mountains and fill seas. If spiritual energy surges while playing the zither and injures him, who will he cry to?

"Or you play first, and I'll listen." Li Nianfan pointed to the zither and said, "My zither is over there, do you want to try it?"

Yao Mengji's whole body trembled, his face flushed, and his breathing became rapid, as if he had heard something unbelievable.

He confirmed in disbelief, "Young Master Li, can I really play your zither?"

"It's just a zither, why not?" Li Nianfan found it quite amusing, the old man's reaction was simply perfect.

"Breath, breath—"

Yao Mengji quickly controlled his breathing, thinking to himself, "Calm down, I must calm down, I can't act surprised in front of Young Master Li."

His eyes were fixed on the zither, and he walked towards it step by step, as if on a pilgrimage.

This is a divine artifact!

No! It should be above a divine artifact!

I can actually play this divine artifact?

He felt as if he were dreaming, his mind blank, tears welling up in his eyes.

To be able to see such a zither is already a life without regrets. If I can play it, I wouldn't trade it for immortality!

Young Master Li is truly a great person, willing to let me, a ragged old man, play this zither. My life is complete!

Yao Mengji sat in front of the zither, trembling, reaching out as if to caress his lover, but afraid of dirtying her clothes, hesitating.

At this moment, he felt a sense of willingness to die for a true friend.

Being able to be a pawn for Young Master Li is the proudest thing in my life!

He respectfully said to the zither, "I apologize," before placing his hands on it.

A divine artifact has a spirit.

Yao Mengji knew that without Young Master Li's permission, the zither would have already repelled him.

He quickly gathered his thoughts, his aged eyes shining with unprecedented brilliance. This is an opportunity given by Young Master Li, but... isn't it also a test?

Accompanying a great person is like accompanying a tiger.

If I play well, that's fine, but if I play poorly and desecrate the zither, my future path may be narrow.

He took a deep breath and held it in his chest.

Ten seconds later, he exhaled deeply.

His hands suddenly swept across the zither, the movements smooth and fluid.

"Clang—"

The melodious zither sound echoed, sometimes slow, sometimes fast. In the air, ripples spread out, drifting far and wide.

A sudden breeze blew, stirring Yao Mengji's white beard and white hair, making him look like a wise sage with a transcendent aura.

Li Nianfan closed his eyes, listening to Yao Mengji's zither, nodding and shaking his head from time to time.

It seems this old man really likes zither music and has put in a lot of effort. His skill, even by the system's standards, has already reached level eight.

However...

He couldn't help but think of the fear of being dominated by the system.

At that time, he thought that level ten in zither playing was the peak, but the system told him that level ten was just the beginning.

According to the system, level ten is just the foundation. To pass, one must integrate the meaning of the music, the surrounding environment, personal insights, and various other elements.

In short... the past is not worth recalling.

Who knows how I got through that period.