After the departure of Lin Mo’s junior martial sisters, the second round of the Talent Gathering officially began.

As mentioned earlier, this round was focused on musical performance.

By now, only a dozen or so participants remained in Jiangyue Tower.

However, many of them were currently troubled by the same issue—

They had no instruments!

Yan Ruyu seemed to anticipate this problem, so she ordered her maidservants to bring out a variety of musical instruments.

Lutes, erhus, bianzhongs, xiaos, flutes, zithers, guqins, xuns, shengs, and drums—every instrument imaginable was present.

“Each gentleman may select an instrument they are familiar with and perform freely,” the maidservant announced, distributing numbered plaques to the participants.

Lin Mo glanced at his number tag.

Great. He was the very last contestant.

But that wasn’t what truly bothered him.

No, his real problem was something else entirely.

His musical ability stat was at level 7—and the moment he looked at the instruments, he felt a deep familiarity with each of them.

It was as if the moment he touched one, he would be able to instinctively play it with masterful skill.

However—

He had no sheet music.

In his previous life, he had zero knowledge of musical instruments.

He could play any instrument he picked up—but without a melody, what was the point?!

After thinking for a moment, he decided to consult the system.

“System, do you sell sheet music?”

【This system’s prize pool contains all sorts of treasures! If you have the luck, you can win one!】

“A lottery? Can’t you just sell it directly?”

【Nope! This system does not have a store function. However, the host may lock the lottery selection to ‘sheet music’—but what you pull depends entirely on fate.】

凸(艹皿艹)

What kind of useless system is this?!

Lin Mo was completely speechless, but there was nothing he could do.

Meanwhile, the competition had already begun.

Most of the remaining contestants knew at least a little bit about music.

However, their skill levels varied drastically.

The only standout performer was Nangong Xu, whose flute-playing was truly exceptional.

When he finished, the other contestants immediately showered him with praise.

“Incredible! It’s clear that the title of this competition’s top scholar will go to Young Master Nangong!”

“Ah, what a pity… But honestly, only Young Master Nangong has the talent and status worthy of the Mistress of Jiangyue Tower.”

…

A bunch of bootlickers.

Lin Mo rolled his eyes.

Now that they knew Nangong Xu’s true identity, the other cultivators were eagerly trying to curry favor with him.

Lin Mo, on the other hand, simply stood alone to the side.

As he watched the other contestants finish their performances, he finally activated his lottery draw, locking the prize selection to sheet music.

Then—

【Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained the universal sheet music for ‘Counting Ducks.’】

【Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained ‘Leek Spin’—drum version.】

【Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained ‘Killer Fashion Meets Hair Salon’—erhu version.】

【Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained ‘Elysium Land’—erhu version.】

【Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained ‘Love Like Fire’—guqin version.】

【Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained ‘Good Luck Arrives’—flute version.】

…

Lin Mo: “…”

What the hell did I just pull?!

???
What the hell is this?!

Lin Mo was on the verge of losing his mind.

Why are all these songs from the modern era?

A children’s song? Seriously?

And what’s with “Love Like Fire”? System, you’re really something—how did I even manage to pull this?!

Couldn’t there be at least one traditional-sounding piece?!

Just as he was about to despair, his final lottery pull finally revealed a decent song.

Seeing this, Lin Mo felt relieved—it seemed like he’d finally be able to show off his level 7 musical prowess.

But just as he was about to step forward, the maidservant on the third floor suddenly announced:

“Alright, gentlemen, the competition has ended.”

Lin Mo: “???”

What?

I didn’t even get to go on stage, and you’re telling me it’s over?!

His current mood was perfectly captured by that classic line—

“I haven’t even gotten on the bus yet!”

The other contestants had also noticed that Lin Mo hadn’t played anything.

However, none of them particularly cared—they were all focused on the results.

Nangong Xu, on the other hand, was completely confident.

He firmly believed that his flute skills were top-tier, and his chosen piece had been a delicate yet lively composition with a high level of difficulty.

His performance had been flawless.

In his mind, he was already certain that he would claim the title of champion.

As the contestants awaited the results, the maidservant spoke again.

“All previous performers may leave. The Mistress has determined that none of you are qualified.”

The entire hall fell into stunned silence.

Lin Mo was just as dumbfounded.

Wait…

Does that mean I, the one who didn’t even perform, am… staying?

Is this real?

At that moment, someone pointed at Lin Mo.

“What about him? He never even played—does he stay or leave?”

This time, the response didn’t come from the maidservant—

It came directly from Yan Ruyu herself.

“This is not something you gentlemen need to concern yourselves with.”

The crowd erupted in outrage.

“What do you mean ‘we don’t need to concern ourselves with it’?! We traveled thousands of miles to compete in Daliang City, and now you’re just giving us an unclear result? How are we supposed to accept this?!”

“Exactly! I know my musical skills aren’t top-tier, but isn’t this basically mocking us?”

“Look, we have no problem accepting defeat. But if anyone deserves an explanation, it’s Nangong Xu! His performance was by far the best. Even if we lost, we at least deserve a proper reason!”

The last speaker’s words immediately ignited a wave of agreement among the contestants.

They all knew Nangong Xu had performed far better than them.

And since they had no hope of winning the top prize themselves, why not take this opportunity to ally with Nangong Xu and help him get justice?

Nangong Xu’s smirk deepened upon hearing this.

Yet before he could speak, Yan Ruyu finally responded.

“The answer is simple: my decision is the answer.”

As soon as the words left her lips—

A terrifying pressure swept across the entire hall.

In an instant, every single person who had dared to question her was completely immobilized.

Even Nangong Xu, the only Golden Core cultivator present, found himself unable to resist.

He had a Seventh-Grade Golden Core and cultivated a low-level Heaven-Grade technique.

Yet at this moment, facing Yan Ruyu’s presence, he felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

The expressions of everyone in the room turned to fear.

Yan Ruyu was far stronger than they had ever imagined.

Yet, strangely, Lin Mo remained completely unaffected.

From the very beginning, he had suspected that Yan Ruyu was no ordinary woman—so he wasn’t too shocked by her display of power.

What did surprise him, however, was that her pressure didn’t seem to be directed at him at all.

What’s going on here?

Well, whatever the case—

Now that the competition was over, he had no reason to stay.

Just as the others were shaken by Yan Ruyu’s sheer strength, a completely out-of-place voice rang out.

“Since the competition is over, I shall take my leave.”

Lin Mo cupped his hands politely and prepared to make a swift exit.

The entire room fell silent.

“Why is he fine?!”

That was the collective thought running through everyone’s minds as they stared at Lin Mo.

Nangong Xu furrowed his brows.

He could clearly sense that Lin Mo was only at the Foundation Establishment stage—so how was he still able to move freely?

Clearly, Yan Ruyu hadn’t targeted him at all.

At that moment—

“Young Master, stay a moment.”

Yan Ruyu’s soft voice cut through the air.

As soon as Lin Mo heard Yan Ruyu call out, he quickened his pace.

Something feels off—when things don’t make sense, it usually means trouble. If I don’t run now, when will I?

Seeing Lin Mo trying to escape, Yan Ruyu paused for a moment—then gently curled her finger.

An invisible force pulled Lin Mo right back to where he started.

“Did Young Master not hear me?” Yan Ruyu raised an eyebrow.

“Ah, what did you say, fair lady? I suffer from a hearing condition—been hard of hearing since childhood.”

Lin Mo patted his ear and let out a long sigh, his acting completely on point.

Yan Ruyu smiled knowingly.

“Oh? How unfortunate. But I happen to have a special type of Gu worm that burrows into the ear—it can cure this condition instantly.”

Lin Mo’s expression stiffened.

“That won’t be necessary!” His voice instantly became crisp and clear.

“My hearing condition comes and goes. It just so happens that it’s miraculously healed now!”

Yan Ruyu let out a soft laugh.

Of course, there was no Gu worm—she had simply made it up.

It was painfully obvious that Lin Mo had been trying to run away.

Lin Mo sighed internally.

What does she want from me?

Did she…

Really fall for my dashing good looks and elegant demeanor?

At that moment, Yan Ruyu dropped a bombshell.

“Does Young Master not wish to spend the night with me?”

She asked it so directly.

Wait… is she really into me?!

Lin Mo didn’t hesitate for a second.

“Of course I do!”

He wasn’t an idiot. If he refused outright and angered her, who knew if she might kill him on the spot?

But being too eager would also be suspicious.

So he added,

“However, I know I am unworthy. You are like a white lotus in the pond—untainted by the mud, yet washed in clear waters without becoming mundane. Simply admiring from afar is already a blessing.”

The surrounding scholars, who were all supposed to be men of great talent, actually felt admiration for Lin Mo’s eloquence.

Even Yan Ruyu hadn’t expected someone to compare her to a white lotus.

Curious about what he had written in the first round, she casually waved her fingers—and Lin Mo’s poem from the first test flew into her hands.

Her eyes lit up as she read the lines aloud,

“The clouds desire her garments, the flowers long for her face.
The spring breeze brushes the railing, deepening the morning dew’s embrace.”

Yan Ruyu’s expression softened, her interest in Lin Mo growing even stronger.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo’s mind was in turmoil.

“Wait… does this mean she passed me in the first round without even reading my poem?!”

Of course, Lin Mo had never worried about passing.

After all, this was a poem by Li Bai, one of the greatest poets in history—it was impossible for it to lose.

But to think that he had been cleared without her even reading it?!

“So she really is just interested in my looks?!”

“Is this actually happening to me? A free ride to the top?”

At that moment, Yan Ruyu smiled again.

“Young Master, I noticed that you intended to perform in the second round?”

Lin Mo sighed.

“I was going to, but the lady already announced the competition was over…”

He had spent 2,000 Regret Points to draw a proper sheet music, all for the sake of winning the title of champion.

And now, it was all for nothing.

That was 2,000 Regret Points!

What a complete waste!

Yan Ruyu, however, said something that stunned him.

“Then you may perform now.”

…

What?

What was she playing at?

“If you like me, just say so! Why go through all this trouble?!”

Lin Mo was speechless, but even more so were the other contestants.

At this point, everyone could see that Yan Ruyu was interested in Lin Mo.

Yet instead of giving him a free pass, she was having him perform anyway—

What was the point?!

Even Nangong Xu’s expression darkened.

He couldn’t understand why Yan Ruyu was favoring Lin Mo over him.

Lin Mo’s cultivation was lower, his appearance was nothing special, and yet—why him?

Still, Lin Mo didn’t hesitate.

He simply stepped onto the stage, picked up a flute, and began playing.

The song he chose was—

“Scattered Red.”

The melody carried a deep sorrow, filled with wistful longing and unspoken grief.

It was the sound of a heart burdened by memories that could never be forgotten.

A song of waiting for someone who would never return.

As he played, Lin Mo himself was drawn into the melody, completely immersed in the emotions of the piece.

The flute’s notes echoed through the silent hall, like a longing that had traveled across a thousand years.

And when the final note faded, a hush fell over Jiangyue Tower.

The courtesans in the building wiped away silent tears.

Even the scholars who had previously sided with Nangong Xu were now speechless.

Flute and xiao were similar instruments, but after hearing both performances—there was no doubt who had won.

Lin Mo had completely crushed Nangong Xu, not only in poetry but also in music.

At some point, Yan Ruyu had disappeared from the pavilion.

The maidservant who had been by her side all night stepped forward.

She looked at Lin Mo, her eyes filled with admiration.

“Young Master Lin, you have won the title of champion in this Talent Gathering. The Mistress awaits you in her private chambers on the third floor.”

…

Lin Mo now faced two choices—

To go, or not to go?