"W-Well… Since Prime Disciple Ai says so… We'll forget about this incident. However, make sure it doesn't happen again, or the Sect Master will be very upset with you." The sect elder said to her.
Because Ai Wan was Song Ling'er's disciple, the other sect elders didn't dare to punish her, as they believed that they would be overstepping their boundaries as a sect elder to discipline the Sect Master's disciple.
"Thank you, sect elders. This will not happen again." Ai Wan bowed to them.
She then glanced at Yuan for a moment before leaving the Music Pagoda.
Yuan also decided to leave since it would be impossible to look at the music sheets in peace after that little commotion.
Once he left the Music Pagoda, Yuan noticed Ai Wan standing outside, almost like she was waiting for him.
"I'm sorry for acting up just now," she suddenly said to him.
"I get agitated when people lie and make bold claims before me. You should know that 'God Descends from Heaven' isn't something ordinary people can play, and when someone claims they can play such a song to the end, it's only natural to doubt their claims."
"If I had known that you were the same person from that competition… I'm sorry." Ai Wan apologized to him again.
Yuan could tell that she was sincere in her apology, so he didn't hold any hard feelings for her.
"Don't worry about it. It was just a misunderstanding," he said to her.
"Thank you."
After a moment of silence, she asked him, "By the way, what are you doing at our sect? Do you intend on becoming a disciple?"
"No, I am only here because of Senior Song. I will be leaving soon."
"What a pity…" Ai Wan sighed.
"Pity?" Yuan lifted his eyebrows in a questioning manner.
"I heard from my Master that you are only playing the zither as a hobby and that you don't intend on becoming a zither expert. If I had your talents, I would definitely focus on becoming the best zither expert in the world."
"I mean it's not like I am not playing the zither at all. I just don't want it to be my main focus, as there are other things that I find more entertaining," said Yuan.
"It's your life, so I won't tell you how to live it. However, you will definitely disappoint many people with your decisions." Ai Wan shook her head.
"Anyways, I have one last thing to ask you… The zither you used to play just now… It's the Soul Ensnaring Zither, right?"
"Yes, it is."
Ai Wan went silent for a moment before speaking, "Do you want to try something?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The Zither Goddess used to be a disciple of our Heavenly Melody Academy. Did you know this?" Ai Wan then asked him.
"Yes, I do."
"Then did you know that her immortal cave hasn't been opened ever since she left?"
"Huh?" Yuan was puzzled yet intrigued at the same time.
"The Zither Goddess had her own immortal cave when she was still here, but it hasn't been opened since she left, but it's not because we don't want to open it— it's because it refuses to open for some reason."
"We believe that it's because the Zither Goddess had placed some sort of protection around her home, but she forgot to take it down when she left, so her immortal cave has remained unopened to this date."
"I was thinking that maybe you can open it with the Soul Ensnaring Zither."
"I can try." Yuan nodded.
"Okay, follow me." Ai Wan turned around and began walking.
Yuan quickly followed her.
"Why do you want to open the immortal cave?" Yuan couldn't help but ask her.
"I am curious— everyone is. We want to know what is inside the famous Zither Goddess's immortal cave. Maybe she has some heaven-defying zither techniques inside."
"Oh, I should also mention that while we cannot open it normally, we can definitely open it with force, but that would destroy the place, so nobody is willing to do such a thing."
"The Zither Goddess' immortal cave, huh? I would be lying if I say that I am not interested." Yuan said.
Sometime later, they arrived at the inner court, where all of the high-ranking sect elders and elite disciples lived.
"Disciple Ai Wan!"
A feminine voice suddenly called out to her shortly after they entered the inner court.
Ai Wan and Yuan turned around to see a pretty young lady approaching them in an aggressive manner.
"Disciple You, save your nonsense for another day. I am busy right now." Ai Wan said to her in an annoyed tone.
This young lady called Disciple You turned to look at Yuan before showing a grin on her face.
"Is that your new boyfriend? Wei Kang will be very upset once he learns of this."
"Why don't you mind your own business? In fact, shouldn't you be practicing for the upcoming prime disciple selection? Or are you so confident in your victory that you don't need to practice?" Ai Wan coldly sneered.
"I think we both— as well as every other disciple in the sect, know that I will pass the prime disciple selection and become the Sect Master's third disciple. And once I start studying under the Sect Master, I will quickly surpass you."
"I cannot wait." Ai Wan responded in a nonchalant manner.
"Hmph! Since I am a nobody in your eyes, you wouldn't mind going to the Lily Pavilion with me, right?"
"Again with the Lily Pavilion? I don't have the time to deal with you."
"Are you worried about embarrassing yourself in front of your boyfriend? If that's the case, I completely understand." Disciple You chuckled.
Ai Wan sneered, "First of all, he's not my boyfriend. And secondly, I already told you that I am busy right now. If you are so desperate to lose face in front of me, I will gladly meet you at the Lily Pavilion tomorrow."
"Now you've said it! If you don't show up tomorrow, I will make a laughingstock out of you! And you, mister boyfriend! Make sure you're there to see the look on your girlfriend's face when I completely destroy her tomorrow!" Disciple You said to them before walking away without waiting for any response, leaving Yuan speechless.