Chapter 579: Composing a Song
“The path of music lies in nature. Whether in cultivation, daily life, or battle, music exists everywhere.”
“The morning birds’ chirping, the clashing of weapons on the battlefield, the distant sounds of flowing water from high mountains… these are all sources of the path of music.”
“The path of music does not discriminate by cultivation level. Throughout the myriad heavens and worlds, whether cultivators or ordinary people, all can draw musical inspiration from nature, create music, compose magnificent works, and then return this music to all living beings.”
“For example, people can cultivate while listening to music to soothe their mood, listen to lullabies before sleep to fall asleep quickly, or have music performed during celebratory occasions like weddings to enliven the atmosphere – these are all ways music gives back to all living beings.”
“This first test requires each of you to create a piece of music for use in daily life. There are no restrictions on instruments or themes.”
“The Melody Secret Realm contains various environments. You may freely choose your environment to seek creative inspiration.”
“Considering that some of you may not be proficient in the spatial Dao, this secret realm is also enhanced with spatial Dao. You only need to think of a place to move there.”
“You have two hours total. Begin now.”
The Melody Secret Realm was extremely vast. The group found themselves at the border between yellow sand and jungle, separated by a rushing river that flowed away never to return, creating quite an artistic atmosphere.
“Compose a piece of music in just two hours? That’s too difficult.” Many people showed worried expressions, unsure where to begin.
“Music, battle…” Yu Yin gained inspiration. With a thought, she transported herself to an ancient battlefield.
“Do you want to follow and watch?” Jiang Li asked Luo Ying and his sister.
“Yes.” The siblings were very relaxed. They had come here just to look around with no intention of winning. Witnessing the methods of great experts would be the greatest gain from this trip.
As Jiang Li and the Luo siblings stepped onto the ancient battlefield, they saw yellow sand filling the sky, broken war chariots, discarded armor, blood-stained military banners, and ghastly white bones…
Closing their eyes, they could easily imagine two armies confronting each other, then clashing weapons at their commanders’ orders, resulting in mountains of corpses and seas of blood, with skeletal remains piled high.
Yu Yin took out a guzheng and casually plucked the strings, immediately producing the momentum of thousands of troops and horses. She continuously adjusted her feel, transforming from monotonous notes into intermittent melodies, and finally into a continuous, murderous battle composition.
The three witnessed Yu Yin’s entire process of creating music from nothing, gaining some understanding in their hearts.
Jiang Li nodded. He already had a general idea.
The three continuously changed locations within the secret realm, seeking inspiration, and eventually all created compositions that satisfied them.
…
Two hours later, the Music Immortal’s divine sense pulled everyone back to the starting point and had them take turns showcasing their created music.
Ding ding dong dong—
The first cultivator displayed enviable musical talent. Listening to this piece, one could feel the elegance of high mountains and flowing water, and the clarity of spring water.
“This piece came to me when I was climbing a mountain and saw a waterfall cascading down like a painting canvas, exceptionally beautiful, becoming the perfect accent to the mountain scenery. Feeling inspired, I…”
“You fail the first test.” The Music Immortal’s divine sense had an unpleasant expression.
“Why?” The person protested.
“What you played is clearly the famous piece ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water’ that circulated in the Immortal Realm a hundred thousand years ago! This is plagiarism, and you didn’t even change a single note or tone!” The Music Immortal’s divine sense had never seen such shameless cultivators. This was an insult to the path of music.
Having been exposed, the person became dejected and was forced to leave.
He thought no one would recognize the fragment of a supreme music score he had accidentally obtained, never expecting the Music Immortal’s divine sense had heard this piece before.
As the zheng strings were plucked, everyone who heard just the opening segment felt their blood surge with the impulse to fight someone.
“I’m not very familiar with the path of music, and time was rushed, so I only composed a small segment.”
“If there are fight scenes in dramas, this music could serve as background music and should work quite well.”
The Music Immortal’s divine sense looked at Yu Yin with approval. To create such an excellent work without being very familiar with the path of music – if she studied music properly, she would surely shine brilliantly in this area.
A cheerful melody sounded, created by Luo Zhu.
“Your piece is quite interesting. Though somewhat unpolished, one can hear the joy contained within. People could casually play this piece during celebrations to express their mood.”
Luo Zhu showed a slight smile: “I felt very lucky today, meeting a respected senior from whom I can learn much. So I tried creating something.”
“First time encountering the path of music?”
“Yes.”
“You’re quite good. Passed.”
A piece that sounded like pig slaughter played.
“Is that Human Sovereign Jiang?” The Wishful Gourd expressed surprise. It was truly awful, living up to its reputation.
Yu Yin shook her head: “Jiang Li’s music isn’t this pleasant.”
“…”
The performer wasn’t Jiang Li, but Luo Ying.
“What is your piece supposed to accomplish?” The Music Immortal’s divine sense asked, very much wanting to kick this guy out.
“I created this piece imitating the sound of pig slaughter. It could play continuously in pig farms to let pigs get used to the sound. Then when they reach the slaughterhouse and hear their companions’ cries, they’ll feel like they’ve come home, putting the pigs at ease.”
A rhythmic piece that made people want to jump upon hearing it, yet somewhat childish, played next. This was created by Luo Ying.
The Music Immortal’s divine sense remained silent for a long time, struggling between her conscience and the rules, but ultimately let Luo Ying pass the first test.
A restless piece played that made people have strange thoughts upon hearing it, or rather, made them want to go into heat.
“What is this piece, and where did your inspiration come from?” The Music Immortal’s divine sense asked with a strange expression.
“I was walking in the forest and saw two beasts preparing for the next generation. Inspiration struck, and I created this piece so dao companions could play it during intimate activities to increase energy, no longer needing to take aphrodisiacs.”
“…” The Music Immortal’s divine sense really wanted to kick this guy out, but considering the rules, she gritted her teeth and let him pass.
Squeak—
The Music Immortal’s divine sense got a fright and shuddered. The sound was too creepy. Following the sound, she found Jiang Li.
Jiang Li plucked the strings, self-forgetfully playing the piece he had created with heart, completely immersed in it, standing out starkly from his surroundings.
His path of music had really improved quite a bit. This piece had no flaws except for being unpleasant to hear.
The Wishful Gourd trembled. It had finally witnessed the legendary musical level of Human Sovereign Jiang. It truly could transcend time – it would never forget this in its lifetime, branded deep in its memory.
The Music Immortal’s divine sense looked at Jiang Li with pity, thinking this person must have suffered psychological trauma to create such underworld music.
“What is your piece supposed to accomplish?”
“It can serve as an alarm clock.”