Xia Ruoyin nodded before taking her zither. She calmed herself before she started playing. She played a piece that Jiang Mang had also learned, it was called Frozen Lands. When she infused her qi into her zither, her surroundings started to cool down while the listeners found that their consciousness slowed down. This meant that her primary ability laid in influencing the surrounding temperature while also being able to slow or stop a target's ability to think or act. This ability was incredibly useful if she could participate in group combat. When she was done playing, the teachers stated their observations and assessed that her ability would be effective in combat if she was properly trained in both musical as elemental techniques. Headteacher Zhu also offered some advice on how she could apply either the elemental ability or mental ability while she performed. She happily returned to her place before falling into thought.
It was now Jiang Mang's turn and he started with a zither performance like Xia Ruoyin. He played a piece called Sleepless night and infused his death qi in his performance. This made the music become more invasive in the listener's mind and compelled them to fall asleep while Jiang Mang's calm aura had disappeared into a deathly but sharp aura as if everything that approached him would die. When Jiang Mang's performance had ended the teachers were shocked because they had to protect Xia Ruoyin as she was initially affected to the point that she had almost fallen asleep. The teachers discussed a bit before assessing that his zither's ability was primarily a mental ability but should also be able to influence his surroundings like elemental techniques. They were only not certain to what degree it could influence the surroundings and with how much power. Headteacher Zhu also remarked that the mental part is also quite mysterious and that Jiang Mang should primarily develop in this direction to unearth the techniques full potential. Jiang Mang accepted their words before performing a flute piece infused with his life qi. He had warned the teachers to protect Xia Ruoyin but she was obstinate that she could protect herself against his technique. He accepted her challenge since he knew that she wouldn't be harmed by his illusion if he chooses not to harm her. The teachers silently agreed to their little competition and paid close attention when he started. The moment the music entered their ears everyone was pulled into an illusion of a village. The teachers stayed clearheaded while assessing the illusion and its effects, but Xia Ruoyin was astonished before she tried to escape but she was unable too and she eventually started exploring the village and under the faint hypnotic effect was compelled to interact with the villagers while she adapted to the village life. She retained her identity under Jiang Mang's control. When his performance stopped, the teachers praised and assessed his technique fairly, but Xia Ruoyin was astonished before feeling scared of Jiang Mang's technique while also admiring his ability to the point that she was not even sad or angry at her loss. Her attitude was also captured by the teachers and they approved of her mentality while also praising Jiang Mang's control over the illusion. They also approved of his attitude of not harming Xia Ruoyin even if she wouldn't be affected if they would have treated her.
All the teachers decided that both of them should primarily train under headteacher Zhu, as they both have the potential to become dual martial and musical cultivators. Jiang Mang would be trained with the focus on the musical aspect while Xia Ruoyin focused on the martial aspect. The teachers even hoped that they could become a team and represent the musician's house in the trials organized by the academy and proof that their house wasn't useless.
Jiang Mang, Xiao Lu, and Xia Ruoyin followed Headmaster Zhu after the assessment to an empty training hall. When they arrived headteacher Zhu asked them if they had a martial foundation. Xia Ruoyin answered that she had trained in the famous royal whip arts of the Kingdom of ice, while Jiang Mang admitted to his training in hidden weapons.
The last revelation had both astonished the girl and old man as they had thought he would have none as he was born blind. Headteacher Zhu had even started preparing how the blind boy should train as he was quite talented and while his blindness was a shame, it should not be an invincible barrier.
Headteacher Zhu then asked the two to spar without qi so that he could assess their martial abilities. Xia Ruoyin was a bit hesitant at first, but she still took her whip before initiating the attack. Jiang Mang sensed her attack and avoided the whiplash before starting to approach her. Xia Ruoyin started increasing the power in her whip attacks but they were all avoided until she became serious and started fighting at full strength. She seemed like a flower spirit who was dancing beautifully but this was completely ignored by Jiang Mang who was eventually able to approach her and hold a dagger against her neck until she admitted defeat.
The result had once again astonished both the girl and the old man. Headteacher Zhu thought he had picked up two treasures but this didn't show on his face. He first pointed out some mistakes they both had made before asking to Jiang Mang: " How were you able to avoid all her attacks while also approaching her and even capturing her by holding a dagger against her throat?"
Jiang Mang honestly answered as he hadn't used any of his secrets: "I am capable of detecting danger and attacks from the changes in the wind and the sound made by the attack while I can figure her silhouette and posture out by using all the reactions every sound makes when it reaches her. These are abilities I have gained after rigorous training under my master's guidance and also through hunting wild animals. I would also have been able to throw a dagger towards her eyes and heart after fighting her for this period."
His answer had cleared the headteacher's doubt about the fight while it also made him clear about Jiang Mang's abilities compared to Xia Ruoyin. He dared even say that Jiang Mang would be amongst the strongest in his age group just through his abilities as a hidden weapon master when he hadn't even used his qi. Xia Ruoyin, on the other hand, was first startled before she started admiring the boy as she could almost see him working hard despite being blind to be able to become as strong as he was.
Jiang Mang asked both of them to keep silent about his abilities as he didn't want other people to know. Headteacher Zhu understood and admired the boy for his choice but Xia Ruoyin asked out of confusion: " Why do you want to keep your abilities under the wraps. Almost every student knows you as a useless blind prince who became a joke after awakening twin musical instrument profound spirits. They only hold you in contempt and will never take you seriously."
Jiang Mang laughed a bit before explaining: " I am not interested in becoming popular and am even less concerned about people's thoughts about me. It is good enough for me and those close to me to know about my abilities. I would also like to change people's opinions about musical cultivators and would rather beat them by using my musical abilities instead of my martial abilities to change their minds."
This explanation shocked Xia Ruoyin before making her admire him more and she thus joked: "So I have become someone close to you then. Do you think I am beautiful and do you want to chase after me when you are older?" Jiang Mang remained unmoved but joked seriously back: "Yes, you have become close to me as I see you as my friend from now on, and unfortunately I don't know if you are beautiful as I have never seen you. I do know however that I will be willing to protect you if you are in danger as you have become someone important to me. You are only the second friend I have made since I was born."