Chapter 950: Seated Discussions of the Dao

Gradually, the tone of Jiang Qingge's qin music shifted. It now carried a spiritual, ethereal quality, as if one had entered a celestial realm. Immortal energy seemed to swirl in the air, cleansing away everyone's fatigue and filling their hearts with a serene joy.

Yue Yunlan and Ling Feng sat quietly in a secluded corner, listening to the flowing melody that rose and fell like drifting clouds and running water. As time passed, Ling Feng even began to feel that his Mark of Brilliance was vibrating more and more intensely, as though it were being purified by the music.

It was soothing and uplifting!

Ling Feng understood that this effect came from Jiang Qingge infusing his will into the qin's melody. Only by doing so could he influence the emotions of his listeners and bring them joy on a spiritual level. Moreover, within that will, Jiang Qingge had embedded his own comprehension of the Mark of Brilliance. This music was, in truth, his way of expressing his insights into the Great Dao of heaven and earth.

To possess such cultivation of heart and mind at his age was truly extraordinary.

Jiang Qingge sat perfectly still upon the elevated platform, his fingers moving with practiced precision across the instrument's strings. He plucked and gathered the notes in unhurried motions, sometimes brushing lightly, sometimes applying firmer pressure. A faint smile graced his features as he played, drawing countless eyes to him.

Even Ling Feng had to admit that the man was indeed quite charismatic. Especially when he concentrated on his playing, his presence became especially striking. Many female cultivators in the audience were completely entranced, their hearts already moved.

When the piece ended, many were still lost in the realm Jiang Qingge had evoked, unable to pull themselves free. Some had even advanced in cultivation through the refinement his music brought!

At the Spiritual Element Realm, a martial artist's primary focus was on tempering their soul. The first level of this realm was known as the First Refinement of Soul Manifestation, while the ninth level naturally corresponded to the Ninth Refinement.

Jiang Qingge's qin music had the effect of tempering one's soul, which left Ling Feng secretly astonished. He couldn't help but glance up at the platform.

This man truly was exceptional!

"Brother Jiang's qin music is indeed extraordinary. You truly live up to your reputation as the foremost talent of the younger generation in the Xiaoyao Sect," Mu Qingchen said with a faint smile.

"What is being at the top of Xiaoyao Sect's younger generation really worth?" Jiang Qingge waved it off. "Senior Brother Mu, on the other hand, possesses astounding talent. Perhaps one day, you may even step into the Dongling Immortal Pool."

"

Hehe

." Mu Qingchen chuckled with a bitter smile, a trace of bitterness flashing across his face.

The Dongling Immortal Pool was a sacred land that every genius in the Dongling Region yearned for. While he had a respectable name in the Tianbai Empire, he would not even be fit to sweep the floor at that place.

"Let's not speak of that." Mu Qingchen smiled again, brushing aside those negative thoughts. He turned to Jiang Qingge and said, "Let us begin the main topic of today's Dao Discussion Assembly."

"

Mm

. Senior Brother Mu is right." Jiang Qingge nodded. "Why not share what new insights Senior Brother Mu has gained over the past year regarding soul manifestation and the Mark of Brilliance."

Immediately, all the young elites participating in the Dao Discussion Assembly perked up, fully focused on the two men on stage. The purpose of this gathering was to listen to top talents like Mu Qingchen share their experience and understanding of nurturing the Mark of Brilliance.

Some would gain a profound grasp of the topic, allowing their soul manifestation to reach the third refinement level the moment it awakened.

Many cultivators could condense a Mark of Brilliance but lacked the knowledge to properly cultivate it. Their Marks remained dormant and ineffective, or in worst cases, became damaged and produced inferior soul manifestations upon awakening.

It was well known that after advancing to the Spiritual Element Realm, a martial artist would eventually awaken their soul manifestation. However, this awakening doesn't happen immediately upon breaking through, it requires further cultivation. Those who succeeded were said to have reached the First Refinement of Soul Manifestation.

On the other hand, some people, despite entering the Spiritual Element Realm, were never able to awaken their soul. For such cultivators, their path of martial arts had effectively ended, and further breakthroughs would be out of reach.

But things were different for geniuses who had condensed a Mark of Brilliance. After advancing to the Spiritual Element Realm, they could nurture their Mark of Brilliance to increase their soul's potential and awaken a more powerful soul manifestation.

Even after the Mark of Brilliance transformed into a true soul manifestation, the techniques used to nurture it could still be applied to temper and strengthen the soul manifestation. That was the true purpose of the Dao Discussion Assembly.

To have the chance to listen to Mu Qingchen's insights on this topic was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Every young elite in the audience listened intently, not daring to miss a single word.

Mu Qingchen laughed warmly and glanced in Yue Yunlan's direction. He had noticed her the moment she arrived. What surprised him was seeing her sitting beside a stranger.

He offered Yue Yunlan a friendly nod and smile as a greeting. She responded with a slight nod of her own.

Seeing that his junior sister was still as cool and elegant as ever, Mu Qingchen smiled and shook his head. But then his gaze shifted from her to Ling Feng.

He had heard about the stranger Yue Yunlan brought to Yanxia Mountain, and how this outsider had effortlessly slain Du Wei, a Spiritual Element Realm cultivator, despite only being at the Transformation Realm.

Mu Qingchen studied Ling Feng carefully, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary about this young man and genuinely didn't understand how someone like Du Wei had lost to him.

Yet, this fellow's name had begun to spread!

Mu Qingchen had spent most of his time traveling outside and was rarely at Cangqiong Sect, so it was no surprise that he knew little about Ling Feng.

"Junior Sister Yue doesn't often attend my assemblies. Why don't you bring your friend up here and sit beside me?" Mu Qingchen smiled and gestured to two empty seats near him. Ling Feng's unassuming aura had piqued his curiosity even further. He had a feeling that this young man was far from simple.

Everyone's gaze turned to Yue Yunlan and Ling Feng. When figures like Li Yunting saw Ling Feng in the audience, they smiled knowingly.

This so-called "monster" seemed to create miracles wherever he went. No one knew what shocking act he might perform today.

They were all quite looking forward to it.

"Senior Brother Mu and Senior Brother Jiang are discussing the Dao. I'm not qualified to join in. I'll stay right here and quietly listen to your insights," Yue Yunlan replied with a soft smile, gently turning down Mu Qingchen's invitation.

"Very well." Mu Qingchen nodded, his expression as warm as ever. He had long grown used to Yue Yunlan's personality.

He withdrew his gaze and began to address the crowd in a calm and composed voice.

"The so-called Mark of Brilliance is the embryonic form of the soul manifestation. In essence, it is the embodiment of a cultivator's will. The stronger the will, the stronger the Mark of Brilliance it can condense. Those with weak wills cannot align themselves with the will of heaven and earth, and thus cannot trigger celestial phenomena. Naturally, the Mark of Brilliance they awaken will be of lower quality."

"In fact, most cultivators cannot even condense a Mark of Brilliance at all. You must understand that the strength of one's will is rooted in the power of their spiritual consciousness. Many people may have excellent innate talent, yet still fail to condense a Mark of Brilliance. This is because their spiritual consciousness is simply too weak. If one wishes to form a Mark of Brilliance, they might try consuming celestial fruits that enhance spiritual consciousness.

The young elites below nodded in understanding, and Ling Feng silently agreed as well. When he had condensed his Mark of Brilliance,it was his spiritual consciousness that had guided the process. Had his spiritual consciousness not been tempered by the Lingxu Spring, he might not have endured the mental agony and thus failed to condense his Mark of Brilliance at all.

But if Mu Qingchen was right, and his spiritual consciousness was near-flawless per the Tianbai Emperor's assessment, why did his soul manifestation look like an egg?

Ling Feng frowned slightly. This was something he still couldn't comprehend.