As the crowd grew louder and louder in their discontent, a prioress of the Order ushered Long Yifei and the other three singers off the stage. Several more prioresses descended on the musicians to figure out what happened. These were all senior sacred daughters, chosen for their talents in various instruments to assist their juniors in these performances. The instruments were all inspected and expected to be in perfect working order.
The abbotesses also discussed the matter amongst themselves. One couldn't say that such a thing had never happened before… but few could say they could accurately remember the last time that it had. In the end, the decision was made that Long Yifei and the other three unlucky sacred daughters would have to sing to the judges tomorrow, without a crowd present. Although they would still get a fair score, they would not be able to showcase their skill and talent to the famous guests of the continent.
"I'm sorry, master." Long Yifei said when she returned to his side.
Having to perform tomorrow meant that she wouldn't be able to get proper recognition for her master. Her success was supposed to be his success. He should have been able to feel proud to be her acolyte.
Chen Wentian smiled and waved his hand, "Don't worry. It's not your fault."
He didn't feel too bad about the situation. If he had a choice, he didn't want to let all these dirty men ogle his disciple for even one extra second. He was a stingy person. How could he let others get for free what he worked so hard for?
Long Yifei sat down with a frown, "Master, the erhu breaking probably wasn't an accident."
"Master, the erhu breaking probably wasn't an accident."
"Mmm, I know."
"This is only the beginning. I am sure they will try more tricks to affect our performance."
"I know." He patted her hand with a smile, "There are so many people that want to see us fail. What should I do? Burn them all to death?"
"Maybe not all of them. But definitely the culprits."
His smile widened. It seemed that master and disciple were quite compatible with each other.
The performances on stage continued after a short pause. They wrapped up the singing portion after a few more songs and moved into the second classic of musical instruments. The performances for this section were similar to the ones for singing. A handful of students were chosen by their teachers to perform specific instruments and graded by the judges. Some famous instruments showcased included guzheng, pipa, erhu, guqin, bamboo flute, reed flute, drums, bells, and others.
Although Chen Wentian never considered himself to have any talent for music, he appreciated it nonetheless. The melodies were all inoffensive and pleasing to the ears. He particularly enjoyed the guzheng. It was a popular instrument for immortal cultivators and a powerful weapon in the hands of experts.
As for the actual performances, he couldn't tell who was better than who. Long Yifei pointed out a few names that were at the top of the class and as expected, they received high marks from the judges. However, since Long Yifei was not competing in this classic, he didn't care at all about who would end up winning.
The next classic slated for performances was literature. Several students went onto the stage to recite the poems they had written during the school year. Some were good. Some were pretty bad in Chen Wentian's boorish opinion. He wouldn't call himself uneducated. But he couldn't compare to the young masters and princes around him who received top-notch upbringings. While they were studying books, he was slaughtering his way through the mortal cultivation world.
Aside from poetry, some students displayed their calligraphy skills with live demonstrations. The brush was a popular path of cultivation for humankind. The written word carried power, especially if written by an immortal. Such words carried spiritual might and intent and could be used in talismans and inscriptions.
The fourth classic, art, was not included in the performance schedule. It was too complicated for the various artists and art forms to be displayed on stage. Instead, they would be available for everyone to view and enjoy during the dinner banquet. They would also be judged during that time.
Finally, after several hours of performances, it was time for the final one. Coming back to the first classic of singing and dancing, the dancing portion was organized as one single performance where all the students of dance would come together for one big show, a fitting finale for the opening day of the end-of-year examination.
Long Yifei, naturally, went down to the stage to participate in this dance. Along with her were about three hundred other sacred daughters. It was a crowded stage, one filled to the brim with virtuous beauty and vivacious youth. What's more, each person was given a rosy red outfit to wear on top of their plain school uniforms. This dance welcomed spring and celebrated summer. Therefore, they had to match the spirit with color.
The music started and three hundred beautiful figures sprang into action. Their hands formed fluttering motions like butterflies. Their arms waved up and down like the gentle breeze. Their bodies twisted and spun like a flower transforming from a bud into a blossom.
A bright, attractive aura arose from the stage, sweeping across the amphitheater. Even the crankiest old immortals couldn't help but smile as they watched this scene. Where else in the continent could three hundred of the most beautiful and talented maidens come together to create such a miracle? This was the power of dance, to inspire, to invigorate, to give life to the audience.
Amidst the sea of faces and twirling bodies, a few stood out to discerning eyes. Their movements were crisp. Their timing immaculate. They were clear leaders among their peers, true geniuses at dancing. Others also stood out but for exactly the opposite reasons. They were slow. Their movements were sloppy. They were often behind the people around them in timing or were just not in sync at all.
Surprisingly, Long Yifei was among these sacred daughters who were doing poorly.
"What's wrong?" Chen Wentian asked her through the earrings she wore.
"Master… I'm sorry… it's this outfit." Long Yifei said while grimacing.
Every little movement caused her more than a little discomfort. It was as if sharp needles were poking her from every direction. She tried her hardest to bear it and keep up with the dance but it was simply too much. Her movements were stiff and unnatural. Her rhythm was completely off. She stuck out like an ugly blemish.
Chen Wentian frowned and looked around at the other sacred daughters. Nobody else seemed to have the same problem, meaning someone had tampered with her outfit only. Anger flared in his heart. These people were too much. They resorted to such petty tricks.
"Fei'er, I'll handle it."
Chen Wentian activated the snow monkey soul. Her Flawless Snowfrost earrings started to glow with icy blue light as spiritual energy poured out. It covered her body from head to toe and created a layer of cushioning between her uniform and the problematic outfit.
"There, better?"
"Yes, but…" Long Yifei looked around worriedly.
Her actions hadn't gone unnoticed. Activating a Spirit Lord Realm item was like lighting an oil lamp in the dark night. Several sacred daughters around her stopped dancing in confusion. They looked at her as if she had gone crazy. Within the sea of uniform outfits and similar appearances, her position was a blindingly bright spot that drew everyone's attention.
"Master…" Long Yifei complained in her heart.
But another wave of snowy energy gave her the encouragement she needed to keep dancing.
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