Qin Xin tilted her head slightly, her fingertips casually plucking a string, letting out a clear, low resonance.
"During the two songs just now, although I gave my all, I felt as though Fellow Daoist's state of mind was like a bottomless ancient well, impossible for me to see through.
For a musician, encountering a listener she cannot see through is a rare occurrence."
Her words were frank, yet ambiguous.
To play a song alone.
In a place like Qianmeng Pavilion, for a female musician to publicly invite a man to stay and listen to her solo performance—everyone present understood the implication.
A low stir broke out among the crowd.
Some were so envious their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"Heavens, when has Lady Qin Xin ever taken the initiative to invite someone to listen to her play alone? Many have sought a private performance, but she wouldn't even grant them a meeting!"
Someone lamented:
"There's nothing to be done; Fellow Daoist Han indeed has the capital. If you had his mental strength, Lady Qin Xin might look upon you with more favor as well."
In an instant, countless pairs of eyes stared in unison at Han Xuanji, their gazes a mix of envy, jealousy, curiosity, and anticipation.
Everyone present knew of Qin Xin's beauty and talent; in the entire Qianhun City, there was likely not a second woman who could stand as her peer in those two aspects.
Countless scions of great Families and even some experts who had stepped into the eternal true god realm had expressed their admiration for Qin Xin, yet none had ever received a response.
And today, this cold and aloof Advanced musician had actually taken the initiative to invite a man in public.
If word of this spread, it would become the hottest topic in Qianhun City tomorrow.
Qin Xin was in no rush, simply watching Han Xuanji quietly with a faint, lingering smile on her lips.
However, Han Xuanji only remained silent for a breath before shaking his head slightly.
"I thank Lady Qin Xin for her kindness."
His tone was sincere and gentle, without the slightest hesitation:
"It is getting late today, and I have matters at home to attend to. If there is leisure on another day, I shall return to listen to your elegant performance."
After speaking, he bowed slightly, then turned without looking back, taking Hun Qianling's hand and walking toward the stairs.
The terrace fell silent for a moment.
Then, everyone exploded.
"He... he refused?"
A young man rubbed his eyes in disbelief, as if he had witnessed the most inconceivable sight in the world.
"He refused Lady Qin Xin's private invitation? Am I still stuck in the zither music illusion and haven't woken up?"
"What a pity, what a pity."
Someone clicked their tongue and shook their head, as if they were the one who had missed out on a peerless Opportunity.
"Ungrateful!"
Some of Qin Xin's admirers muttered under their breath, their tones filled with resentment.
The sighs and discussions of the crowd merged into a buzzing wave of sound that filled the entire floor.
However, Qin Xin showed no sign of anger.
She stood there, watching Han Xuanji's back disappear into the stairwell; the faint smile on her lips did not fade, but instead deepened slightly.
"Truly an interesting person."
Qin Xin murmured softly, her voice so light only she could hear it.
She had seen too many men flocking to her—some acting profound, some being overly attentive, and some spending thousands of gold just to win a smile from her.
But someone like Han Xuanji, who was right in front of her yet seemed completely indifferent to her, was truly rare.
"To have such mental strength and remain so clear-headed..."
She gently caressed the zither strings, an inscrutable light flowing in her eyes.
"We will meet again."
On the other side, Han Xuanji led Hun Qianling quickly down the stairs, only letting out a slight sigh of relief once they had walked out of the gates of Qianmeng Pavilion.
Hun Qianling's hand was held by him, her cheeks slightly flushed, but she soon reacted and looked at him in confusion.
"Why are you walking so fast? Lady Qin Xin isn't some fierce beast; there was no need to worry about me."
Han Xuanji shook his head and didn't answer directly, only sighing and whispering:
"That woman... never mind."
Hun Qianling blinked, becoming more confused. Just as she was about to press him, she saw that Han Xuanji had already strode forward. She could only suppress her confusion and quickly follow.
As Han Xuanji walked ahead, the information he had glimpsed earlier replayed in his mind.
Before leaving, he had habitually used the System to investigate Qin Xin's background.
The results of the investigation had secretly shocked him.
This Advanced musician of Qianmeng Pavilion, a Peak Eternal True Lord zither master, and the object of admiration for countless Cultivators in Qianhun City—was actually a Clone of an Eternal Deity.
This Eternal Deity was named Jue, and her strength was unknown. Han Xuanji did not know much about Eternal Deities.
These ancient beings were said to have existed before the first person to achieve Transcendence arrived on the Eternal Continent, making them among the most primitive life forms in this world.
They were born with extreme strength, being Saint-level at their weakest, and their forms of existence were eerie and unpredictable, making them extremely difficult to kill.
Powerful Transcenders of the Eternal Continent had once waged war against them, eventually reaching an agreement to stop.
Han Xuanji had always regarded them as beings similar to Chaos Demon Gods—ancient, powerful, and best left unprovoked.
He had originally thought Qianmeng Pavilion was just an ordinary musical power and Qin Xin was just an exceptionally talented musician.
But now it seemed that Qianhun City was truly a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
Of course, according to the information provided by the System, Qin Xin staying in Qianhun City wasn't some grand secret; she was simply looking for fun. Perhaps her main body had even more Clones hidden in other cities across the Eternal Continent.
And such a being had actually taken the initiative to invite him to stay, saying she wanted to play a solo for him.
Even though Qin Xin was only a Clone with power at the Eternal True God level, Han Xuanji was still somewhat worried and did not want to get too involved.
"Sigh, I just want to develop quietly... I must be extremely careful in the future."
Han Xuanji thought silently to himself, his pace quickening a bit more. He already regretted showing off this time, and he also secretly resented Wu Congshan and the people behind him. Damn it, if these people hadn't targeted him, would he be in this situation?
Hun Qianling followed behind him at a jog. Although she was full of doubts, she ultimately did not speak up to ask.
She looked at Han Xuanji's back, feeling that the events of today had made him even more incomprehensible to her.
Behind them, Qin Xin of Qianmeng Pavilion still stood by the terrace railing, watching that upright figure gradually distance himself and blend into the bustling streets of Qianhun City.
The wind brushed past her hair, carrying a faint, ethereal note of music.
That slight smile remained suspended on her lips.
Han Xuanji's existence had indeed caught some of her attention, but that was all; it wasn't significant enough to alarm her main body.