"Who would have thought that after just six months, Rongrong and Qin Jian would bring us yet another surprise?"
Ning Fengzhi glanced at the expressions of those around him. He could tell that Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong's entrance had been an overwhelming success, overshadowing everyone who had come before them.
Even if their subsequent performance was not as spectacular, the first impression they had made had already set a solid foundation for them.
"Qin Jian, no wonder you insisted on that red carpet idea—it was all about stealing the spotlight with a grand entrance," Xue Qinghe said. Standing slightly ahead and to the side of Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong, he kept his gaze forward while murmuring softly, "Your ideas are truly unconventional."
"Hmph! Shameless!"
Xue Ke, however, was far less reserved.
After all, she was still at an age where pride burned brightly. While Xue Qinghe could remain composed, Xue Ke could not. She was determined to outshine Ning Rongrong and wouldn't tolerate being outdone so easily.
"Ke'er, fix your expression. Smile, and don't break character..."
Xue Qinghe quickly reminded her, "If you lose composure now, we won't just fail to beat Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong's impression—we'll be finished."
Hearing this, Xue Ke hastily adjusted her expression but couldn't help muttering under her breath, "Hmph! Just wait until our performance. Then it'll be their turn to be shocked! Don't think you've won yet!"
Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, stayed completely unfazed, not even sparing Xue Ke a glance.
They had already agreed beforehand not to let anything disrupt their composure. Besides, they were currently the victors—why stoop to the level of the defeated?
At that moment, soft, elegant music began to play, catching everyone's attention.
As the music drifted through the venue, pairs of students gracefully stepped onto the stage, performing a newly choreographed court dance.
This unfamiliar dance immediately captivated the audience, their eyes lighting up with wonder.
Though Xue Qinghe and Xue Ke led one group, the majority of eyes remained fixed on Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong. Their earlier grand entrance had left an indelible mark.
As the dance unfolded, the audience gradually noticed that while Xue Qinghe and Xue Ke's movements were harmonious, Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong's were even more fluid and breathtaking. Their seamless coordination and elegance seemed almost otherworldly.
"Six months away, and Rongrong has become someone I hardly recognize..."
Ning Fengzhi's gaze lingered on his daughter, who moved like a spirit incarnate across the stage. His expression was momentarily dazed.
"Indeed," Sword Douluo remarked with a mix of admiration and regret. "Who would have thought they could master courtly dance to such a degree? If this were the final graduation assessment, they'd undoubtedly win. Unfortunately, the later performances will favor those with royal backing, and they lack that advantage."
Ning Fengzhi nodded in agreement and waved his hand dismissively. "Let it be. This kind of performance is the royal family's forte anyway. Losing isn't a big deal, and I doubt anyone will hold a child's wager against them too seriously."
Sword Douluo nodded as well.
As the court dance concluded, pairs of students gracefully exited the stage.
At this moment, Tang Yuehua stepped forward.
"This new court dance was primarily inspired by a social dance introduced by student Qin Jian. I'd like to express my gratitude to him for his contributions."
Her elegant and noble words sparked murmurs among the gathered nobles.
"Qin Jian? Who is that?"
"I heard he's a student... but which family does he belong to?"
"..."
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo exchanged curious glances.
"Qin Jian knows courtly dance?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
"Perhaps he picked it up somewhere..." Sword Douluo mused uncertainly.
Did the boy's ten-thousand-year lifespan grow so dull that he studied courtly dance to pass the time?
Sword Douluo's thoughts wandered off in a bizarre direction.
Tang Yuehua continued, addressing the audience with poise.
"Next will be the individual graduation performances. While I will oversee the rankings, the elders of the students present may voice any objections, and I will consider them carefully."
Her natural aristocratic demeanor shone, effortlessly commanding the attention of the royal nobles.
The performances began, with the first group delivering a choral arrangement.
While the difficulty seemed modest, their exceptional vocal techniques and refined stage presence made their talents evident to even the most untrained eyes. Compared to their state six months ago, they were entirely transformed.
Each subsequent group showcased impressive displays—instrumental solos, duets, dances—leaving the audience increasingly engrossed. The whispers of admiration for Tang Yuehua's guidance grew louder.
As one group followed another, fewer participants remained until only two groups were left.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed entirely.
"Buzz!"
A single spotlight illuminated the stage's center.
There was no one in sight, but a melancholic, ethereal voice of a girl echoed through the darkness.
"How could you possibly understand... My wish across centuries is only to experience love as a fool, and for a fool to love me in return..."
A faint sigh followed, the voice of a young man filled with longing and sorrow.
"Who wishes for a lifetime of loneliness? Who chooses solitary days? If not for love that cannot be denied, how could one's heart twist in pain... cold as frost..."
The voices faded, their haunting emotions gripping the hearts of everyone present.
A giant, snow-white cradle descended from above, carrying a boy and girl seated back-to-back. Both wore flowing, ethereal robes that made them seem like immortals descending into the mortal world.
The boy cradled a xun, while the girl's hands rested on a guzheng.
"It's Jian'er and Rongrong!" Sword Douluo exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.
Ning Fengzhi, however, quietly observed. "Their opening is intriguing. Let's watch closely."
The audience fell silent, every eye fixed on the stage.
Even Tang Yuehua, standing near the edge of the stage, leaned in curiously. She had never seen the complete rendition of their performance and was eager to discover what Qin Jian had orchestrated.
A mournful note from the xun broke the silence, imbuing the air with an ancient melancholy.
The guzheng followed, its serene and lyrical tones weaving a prelude of heartbreak and yearning.
The snow-white cradle slowly rotated, leaving only Ning Rongrong visible.
As the guzheng continued, the xun faded, and Qin Jian's voice began to sing, carrying the entire hall into the depths of poetic sorrow:
"The moon illuminates blossoms in full,
While someone dreams of love forlorn...
Once more recalling the days of yore,
Youthful aspirations, forevermore..."
His song trailed off, transitioning into a heart-wrenching monologue filled with anguish:
"You want me to die? Just one word, and I'll comply!
If becoming human means being with you, please, let me be human!—"
Each word struck like a blade, cutting deeply into the hearts of all who listened.
The cradle turned again, revealing Qin Jian as he played the xun, while Ning Rongrong's voice began to sing...
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