Starting with the divine power of the Great Vajra, he traversed the heavens.

Chapter 249 Celestial Music
Qian Luo looked somewhat surprised, glancing at the Demon Master and Lang Fanyun: "What's going on with you two?"

“That’s right! Brother Qian, please be my witness.” Lang Fanyun laughed.

"Next year on the fifteenth of August, on the night of the full moon, we will invite Sword God Ren to participate in our battle to block the river," Pang Ban interjected. "Among all the heroes in the world, only the three of us have martial arts that are close to the Dao."

"At that time, we will seize the essence of heaven and earth in order to shatter the void and obtain the Dao of Heaven, leaving behind an eternal myth!"

Shatter the void!
Qian Luo looked somewhat dazed and said with a wry smile, "You've actually come to this?"

"Twenty-five years ago, I, Qian, went to the Demon Master's Palace alone, but hesitated at the foot of the mountain. Thinking that if I were to be defeated, all my fame, fortune, and beauty would vanish like smoke, I became despondent and made no further progress. Now, I believe I have entered the Innate Realm, but I never expected..."

He stopped there, his face contorted with bitterness, and could no longer continue. He poured himself a cup, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

The bitter wine went down my throat and my heart ached. To live in the same era as these three was both a blessing and a curse.

Pang Ban remained expressionless and said calmly, "What do fame and fortune mean to Brother Qian?"

Qian Luo shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I have been stupid for sixty years, and these are nothing but dung. Brother Pang, please don't make fun of me."

Lian Xiuxiu looked at Qian Luo and thought to herself that this man was a powerful figure in the underworld, yet he spoke so sincerely at this moment, which made her feel admiration.

He then looked at Ren, Pang, and Lang, and blinked.

She felt that these three men were more imposing than any man she had ever met. Every gesture, every word, every smile exuded an air of superiority and charisma.

Pang Ban gave Qian Luo a deep look, then calmly met Ren Shaoyang's gaze.

Ren Shaoyang smiled and said, "Brother Pang, since you and Brother Lang have extended such a warm invitation, how could I possibly refuse?"

Pang Ban was overjoyed, his eyes gradually turning fanatical, and he laughed loudly, "Good! I'll see how much emotion Brother Ren can move me then!"

Lang Fanyun also laughed heartily: "When I first met Shao Yang, I had a premonition of a final battle with you. The sparring in the desolate mountain not long ago made my premonition even stronger."

"There are many heroes in the world," Pang Ban declared loudly, "but only the three of us possess the most carefree spirit in the world!" With that, he raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

The Demon Master turned to Lian Xiuxiu and said, "Miss Xiuxiu, the 'heavenly music' I heard earlier was played by the Sword God Ren in front of me."

Lian Xiuxiu smiled and looked at Ren Shaoyang, saying sweetly, "Sword God Ren, Xiuxiu has always wanted to discuss music with you, but the four great heroes are too charming, and I have never been able to get a word in edgewise!"

Ren Shaoyang immediately smiled and said, "You flatter me. Miss Xiuxiu's piano skills are also unparalleled."

Lian Xiuxiu clapped her hands and said, "I wonder if Xiuxiu would have the opportunity to play a piece with you?"

Ren Shaoyang laughed and said, "I'm a self-taught person."

"Hey~!" Lang Fanyun waved his hand, "Your unorthodox methods are as loud as the heavens and as silent as the deepest sound!"

“That’s right.” Pang Ban clapped his hands and laughed from the side, “After hearing the sword cry of the Sword God Ren, one will feel as if one has not tasted meat for three months and all sounds have fallen silent.”

Ren Shaoyang raised his wine glass, slowly drank it all, and then smiled and said, "Very well! Today's banquet may be the last time we meet in our lives. In that case, I, Ren, will celebrate with Xiuxiu and everyone else for the future, for life, and for the world!"

"it is good!"

Lang Fanyun and Qianluo applauded in admiration.

Pang Ban also put aside all his cunning thoughts and laughed heartily.

At this moment, everyone opened their hearts and drank and laughed together like a group of old friends.

Lian Xiuxiu got up and walked to the guqin, closed her eyes, and began to play casually. The music was magnificent, like the ancient landscape and ever-changing clouds and mist, all contained within the girl's ten fingers.

Lang Fanyun closed his eyes and listened, nodding frequently in rhythm. In a daze, he felt as if he were wandering in Dongting Lake.

Qianluo looked at Pang Ban and asked in a low voice, "Brother Pang, what piece of music is this?"

Pang Ban smiled and said, "The clouds and waters of the Xiang River."

Qian Luo chuckled softly, "Wonderful." As he spoke, he turned to look at Ren Shaoyang.

Lian Xiuxiu's piano skills are already so outstanding, how much more captivating will Ren Shaoyang's "heavenly music" be?
Ren Shaoyang smiled slightly, and with a flick of his wrist, the sword blade was already spiraling out of its sheath.

"Divine Sword Captures the Dragon!"

Pang Ban and the other two's eyes lit up, staring intently at this unprecedented and extraordinary weapon.

The martial arts world now universally acknowledges "Dragon-Capturing Divine Sword" as the number one weapon. After all, a divine sword that can grow to over ten zhang in length and transform into thousands of sword threads far surpasses other divine weapons such as the Three-Eight Halberd and the Flying Wing Sword in both power and deterrence.

That is, the Eagle Blade and the Rain-Covering Sword are comparable to it.

Ren Shaoyang sat cross-legged on the chair, with his sword across his lap. He nodded to Lian Xiuxiu and then flicked his finger along the blade.

In an instant, a soft, metallic sound slowly rang out.

Like a gentle stream flowing by, it neither rises nor falls dramatically.

But the musical notes flew cleanly and crisply from his fingers, each stroke clear and distinct, not a single note out of place, not a single word out of place.

The clanging of the sword should have been a sound that could cut through gold and jade, extremely cold and desolate, but in Ren Shaoyang's hands, it perfectly matched Lian Xiuxiu's zither music.

In that instant, the entire Xiaohuaxi was eerily quiet. From the surging waves above to the pimps and brothel owners below, everyone was in a daze, feeling both shocked and lost, their hearts empty and adrift.

Downstairs, the wandering swordsman thought of his youth, when he was still innocent, herding cattle and sheep, living a mundane yet joyful life; the prostitutes, on the other hand, were in tears, thinking of the people they loved and hated most deeply.

Qianluo felt as if he were sitting on the blue stone steps of a mountain city, looking at the familiar mossy green steps, and slowly exhaled, as if his whole body had relaxed.

Lang Fanyun suddenly thought of the first time he met his beloved wife, Ji Xixi. She was sitting by Dongting Lake with a smile, watching the fish exhale bubbles, and he could almost smell the fragrance of her hair.

Pang Ban felt the strangest sensation, as if he were floating in water, a faint fragrance wafting to his nose, and a woman's face appearing before him, though indistinctly.

Later, the woman's face disappeared, and then the face of a nun appeared, seemingly sobbing with tears in her eyes.

Pang Ban tried to make out the figure's appearance, but upon closer inspection, the face became a blur. All he knew was a flash of white light, after which the face receded further and further into the distance, until nothing remained.
At that moment, the sound of a zither began to play.

Pang Ban suddenly realized that the illusion he had just experienced left him feeling melancholy, and the feeling of floating and swaying lingered. Just as his thoughts were wandering, the music and the clash of swords ceased, followed by a breeze. The coolness of the summer night made everyone sigh with comfort.

They felt they had never heard such moving and soothing music in their lives. Some wanted to drink, some wanted to flirt with the woman in their arms, but in the end they felt a sense of emptiness and their whole being seemed to become indifferent.

Hmm, time for a moment of reflection.

"Pah pah pah~!"

Qianluo clapped his hands, followed by Lang Fanyun laughing loudly and slapping the table in admiration.

Pang Ban frowned, took a deep look at Ren Shaoyang who was smiling, and then chuckled and clapped.

Thunderous applause immediately resounded throughout Xiaohuaxi.

Lian Xiuxiu was somewhat dazed, staring blankly at the guqin, then looked at Ren Shaoyang with extremely bright eyes: "Xiuxiu has never believed in ghosts and gods, but now, hearing the 'heavenly music' of Sword God Ren, I actually feel as if I'm floating on air and ascending to heaven."

Ren Shaoyang smiled and said, "You flatter me."

Just as everyone downstairs was whistling, showering praise, and applauding, cheering...

A powerful voice suddenly rang out: "Xiuxiu's zither playing is indeed unparalleled, refreshing every time I hear it. I wonder if Xiuxiu's honored guests could do me, Xining Shaqianli, a small favor and let Xiuxiu down to meet them? Would you gentlemen do me the honor?"

"Ok?"

Ren Shaoyang, Pang Ban, Qian Luo, and Lang Fanyun exchanged smiles.

what is this?
They've gone so far as to steal women from them?
Lian Xiuxiu frowned and sighed. For someone as devoted to music as her, meeting Ren Shaoyang was like an ant finally seeing the blue sky.

Such a skillful and almost Taoist voice left her in awe every time she listened. She wanted to continue discussing techniques with Ren Shaoyang, but was interrupted by this spoilsport, which made her quite annoyed.

Before she could even dismiss the man, Sha Qianli continued, "Please also come down to join the ensemble that Xiuxiu played. I have never heard such a moving ensemble before."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Ren Shaoyang and chuckled.

Ren Shaoyang shook his head helplessly and said, "There is nothing wrong in the world; it is only the mediocre who make trouble for themselves."

Pang Ban raised an eyebrow and smiled at Qian Luo, saying, "Brother Qian, why don't you handle this matter?"

"A perfectly good banquet has been ruined by a fly." Qian Luo sighed and said, "Unfortunately, I am not one to let things go. I'm afraid it will only make things worse and spoil Miss Xiuxiu's good mood."

At this moment, another voice came: "I am Hong Renda, one of the 'Two Fierce Generals,' and along with Brother Sha, Brother Chen Lingfang, and Brother Xiahou Liang, we respectfully welcome you two esteemed gentlemen. Also, if you do not answer, we will take it as your agreement!" The words were not only domineering but also highly provocative.

Ren Shaoyang sighed, and the Dragon Capture sword coiled out once more. Holding the sword in one hand, he said, "I'll do it."

As he spoke, he spun his five fingers, using the sword as a zither, plucking the notes of the pentatonic scale and pressing the notes of the pentatonic scale.

"Zheng!"

A thunderous melody, as powerful as a towering mountain range, suddenly exploded forth!
At the same time, a loud "whoosh" sounded outside the window, and thunder roared in the sky, shaking the vast earth.

Then a strong wind blew in gusts, sometimes light and sometimes heavy, rustling through the bricks and tiles.

Lian Xiuxiu was so startled that she stumbled and almost fell to the ground.

Fortunately, Lang Fanyun reached out and helped her up. Lian Xiuxiu thanked him gratefully, then turned to look at Ren Shaoyang with eyes full of awe.

The sound just now was like a thunderclap above her head. Lian Xiuxiu's mind cleared instantly, and she felt her three souls and seven spirits swaying.

Ren Jianshen's "heavenly music" can be like drinking from a spring of nourishment, or it can be like being punished by heaven. Such musical talent is like having the emperor in front of you.

Thunder and rain, all are the Emperor's grace!

At this moment, the entire "Little Flower Creek" began to shake, and dust fell from the roof.

Sha Qianli screamed in extreme panic, "I don't know who this master is here. I apologize to you!" Before he could finish speaking, he let out a long scream and collapsed to the ground with a thud.

The Xiaohuaxi Creek was filled with shouts and exclamations.

Ren Shaoyang raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "Gentlemen, the fun is over. The music is over and everyone is leaving. Shall we call it a day?"

Pang Ban smiled and said, "I look forward to your arrival on the fifteenth of August next year."

Lang Fanyun also stood up and said with a smile, "Go back and take good care of your injuries. I look forward to the surprise you bring me."

Ren Shaoyang laughed heartily, cupped his hands in greeting to everyone, nodded to Lian Xiuxiu, swayed slightly, and suddenly disappeared from the room.

After Lang Fanyun and Qianluo went out one after the other.

Pang Ban, with a serious expression, drank the wine in one gulp, then threw the glass out the window and remained silent in contemplation.

As Lang Fanyun and Qian Luo descended to the second floor, they heard a voice filled with extreme resentment.

"May I ask who you are, sir? Would you be willing to leave Wan'er here?"

Qianluo laughed loudly: "You bunch of brats, I, Qianluo, want to see how you're going to get revenge on Pang Ban, Lang Fanyun, and Ren Jianshen!"

Upon hearing this, Xiaohuaxi fell into a deathly silence. Everyone was like insects frozen in amber, not daring to move or make any sound.

Suddenly, several thuds were heard as people collapsed to the ground.

A low gasp of surprise rose slowly, like a whirlwind.

No one expected that the person sitting on the third floor was the world-renowned demon master, "Overturning Rain Sword" Lang Fanyun, "Poison Hand" Qianluo, and "White-Clad Sword God" Ren Shaoyang.

No one would believe it if I told them; it's like a living nightmare.

Seeing their ridiculous behavior, Lang Fanyun couldn't help but laugh and said, "Let's go!"

The two laughed loudly and walked out the door.

(End of this chapter)