With a few crisp ringing sounds, a woman with striking features and hair like a waterfall, clad in white, appeared holding a guqin.
A small, exquisite silver bell, tied with golden thread, hung from her slender waist.
The initial bell sounds emanated from this tiny accessory.
Upon her entrance, the woman captivated the gaze of everyone present.
Especially at the moment she appeared, cradling the guqin and accompanied by the tinkling of bells.
She instantly ensnared the hearts of many passionate youths.
Furthermore, the woman was exceptionally beautiful, possessing an ethereal aura that exuded tranquility and peace.
Many almost believed they were beholding a celestial being.
"This girl, Duan Xuan, has grown into such a graceful young lady after so long. She's truly becoming more and more like her mother," Gong Ci said with a gratified sigh.
"I can't believe the third round examiner is Senior Sister Duan Xuan!"
"What Senior Sister Duan Xuan? You should call her Elder Duan now."
"That's right, Senior Sister Duan Xuan has already become an Elder in charge of the Arts Pavilion."
"Time flies so fast. I still remember when we first entered the academy, Duan Xuan was already a prodigy on the Heavenly Rankings. Now, just a year later, she's an Elder."
Two senior disciples from the Azure Dragon Hall lamented to each other.
Duan Xuan's appearance brought a gleam to Xin Ci's eyes.
However, it wasn't her beauty that stunned him. In terms of looks, Duan Xuan was not much different from Liu Fuyao and An Yulan whom he had met before.
It was her unique, transcendent aura that was more captivating.
What truly surprised Xin Ci, though, was her cultivation realm.
According to Elder Han's message, this Elder Duan Xuan was not yet twenty years old, and her cultivation had already reached the Heavenly Realm.
Xin Ci couldn't help but marvel; there were truly people beyond people in this world. It was no wonder Elder Han had said that the Eternal Continent was never short of talented individuals.
Duan Xuan gently placed the guqin on the long table. She sat upright, her shoulders level, her clear, mirror-like eyes closed.
Every movement exuded elegance and grace.
"I am Duan Xuan, the examiner for your third round of trials and an Elder in charge of the Arts Pavilion at the Four Symbols Academy."
"We will now commence the third round of testing. You will pass if you can endure my zither music for the duration of one incense stick."
"Wow, such a pretty little sister. Aren't you smitten, Male Lead?"
Mu Qingqing wanted to see Xin Ci's reaction, but she was mistaken. The blockhead was completely unfazed, head lowered, lost in his own thoughts.
But others were different. Duan Xuan's voice was so soft and melodious that many youths were entranced, their hearts already soaring to the heavens.
Just as their minds were adrift, they didn't realize Duan Xuan had already begun playing the guqin.
The music was delicate and subtle, yet lingering and charming, captivating the listeners. As they listened to this heavenly sound, it was as if they saw a beautiful landscape painting slowly unfolding before their eyes.
Is this the third round of testing?
This is simply too enjoyable!
Just as everyone let down their guard, engrossed in the beautiful melody.
The music suddenly turned solemn and powerful. Duan Xuan's fingering changed, and the strings seemed to wail.
The landscape painting they had envisioned instantly transformed into thousands of flying knives lunging towards them.
Many were already unable to withstand the mental pressure and rose from their meditation cushions. The mental oppression from the music then ceased.
However, this also meant they had forfeited their chance to advance to the next round.
As Elder Duan Xuan continued her playing.
More and more people left their meditation cushions.
Yet, only a quarter of the Dragon-shaped incense stick had burned.
This implied that even more potent mental pressure awaited them.
It was unexpected that Elder Duan Xuan had not only reached the Heavenly Realm in spiritual energy but also possessed a Soul Force of the Four-star Soul Realm.
However, she had restrained herself, and the mental pressure she released was still bearable for many.
As the Dragon-shaped incense stick reached its halfway point, the mental pressure within Elder Duan Xuan's music intensified abruptly.
In an instant, over thirty people could not endure it and left their meditation cushions.
Some, determined not to give up, attempted to force their way through but could not withstand the mental pressure.
They vomited blood and fainted on their cushions, eventually being carried away by the academy staff.
"Oh no, boss, hurry and think of something, I can't take it anymore."
Luo Fei, the chubby young man sitting beside him, his forehead beaded with sweat, cried out in distress.
His already small bean-like eyes were now squinted so tightly they were almost invisible.
Xin Ci was almost speechless with this chubby fellow.
It was one thing that he neglected his movement techniques, but his willpower was so weak. Yet, paradoxically, this kind of person had decent cultivation talent.
Never mind, seeing as the chubby fellow called him boss, he would help him out.
Xin Ci attempted to channel his Soul Force to cover Luo Fei, blocking the mental pressure from the music.
Luo Fei then felt a significant relief, no longer suffering so much.
"That's amazing! Boss, how did you do that?"
Unexpectedly, the chubby young man suddenly exclaimed excitedly, his voice uninhibited.
This instantly attracted the attention of many.
"Are you trying to let everyone know someone is helping you cheat?" Xin Ci whispered to him.
Luo Fei finally came to his senses and quickly covered his mouth.
But it was too late.
Most others were gritting their teeth and enduring the music, sitting on their meditation cushions, not daring to move.
This chubby fellow, however, could speak loudly and move freely, inadvertently drawing a lot of resentment towards himself and Xin Ci.
Xin Ci was already regretting helping the chubby fellow.
However, glancing over, he saw that Su Baiwei's willpower was much better than that of the lazy and gluttonous Luo Fei.
Although a few drops of crystal clear sweat graced her fair forehead, she was still holding on.
At this point, only one-fifth of the Dragon-shaped incense stick remained.
Duan Xuan's music gradually intensified, and the mental pressure it contained also increased considerably.