How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

It was nearly dusk, and the autumn air was crisp and desolate. The last rays of the setting sun shone on the two people on the stage, giving them an air of aloofness and superiority, like immortals watching over the world.

The scene was still bustling with people, not for any other reason than to witness the outcome of the competition and hear the unique collaboration between the two lyricists.

Madam Xue gently plucked the pipa, and a series of crisp notes leaped forth, like morning dew dripping onto bamboo leaves, fresh and refined. She began to sing softly, her voice gentle as a spring breeze: "In the mountains dwells a ghost, named Ayou, hidden in a secluded valley, unseen by the mortal world. It feeds on flowers and drinks dew, a solitary figure, pitying itself, sighing long under the moon..."

The first singer, Madam Xue, sang about a lonely mountain spirit named Ayou. Her voice carried a faint sorrow, as if it could penetrate the softest part of people's hearts and take them into the desolate mountains.

"Ayou yearns for the mortal world, her heart longs for earthly life, she prays under the moon, hoping to find a good match. The wind rises and the clouds surge, her dream is shattered on the mountaintop, only her lonely shadow remains, accompanied by the moon..."

As the melody flowed, Liu Yin took over the performance. The pipa seemed to come alive in her hands, the notes leaping and dancing, carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible, sorrow. Like a mountain stream, it flowed gently, vividly portraying A You's longing for and helplessness in the face of human life.

After the song ended, everyone present was amazed and full of praise.

"What a beautiful 'Only my lonely shadow remains, accompanied only by the moon'! Teacher Liu's music is truly heavenly!" Someone cheered loudly, enlivening the atmosphere of the entire audience, and everyone looked forward to the competition to come.

Madam Xue smiled gently, her fingertips lightly touching the strings once more. The pipa began to play, and this time, her voice held a touch of resilience: "Suddenly one day, an immortal descended, bestowing upon Ayou an elixir and granting her permission to travel to the mortal realm. Ayou was overjoyed, forgetting the valley, she descended on clouds, vowing to find true love..."

Her singing was like a gentle spring breeze, delicate yet possessing an indescribable power, moving everyone who heard it. Liu Yin was equally impressive, her pipa twirling and dancing in her hands, the melody even more stirring: "Entering the mortal world, amidst its chaos, Ayou is lost, the human heart unfathomable. True love is hard to find, tears wet my clothes, looking back at the mountains, it is already my return journey..."

Liu Yin's singing, tinged with a hint of sorrow and helplessness, perfectly captured A You's struggles and confusion in the mortal world. The two singers' duet was like two swords combined, each with its own sharp edge, yet complementing each other beautifully.

As the story unfolds, the lyrics sung by the two become increasingly brilliant. From Ayou's initial bewilderment upon entering the mortal world, to her various encounters in the human realm, and then to her nostalgia and reflection on her past life, every detail is vividly depicted by their singing and pipa playing.

"When I met you, my love was as deep as the sea. I vowed to stay with you until we grow old together. But life is unpredictable, and fate is cruel. Your heart is fickle, and my heart is broken..." Madam Xue's song was filled with a sense of determination and sorrow, as if she wanted to pour out all of Ayou's pain and struggle.

Liu Yin responded to Madam Xue's lyrics in a more delicate way: "My heart breaks silently, tears fill my clothes, I wander alone in the night rain. I think of you under the moon, my dreams return to the valley, I wish to become a gentle breeze, to accompany you..."

Their voices, like lights in the night, were warm yet poignant, movingly portraying Ayou's unwavering devotion and steadfastness in love. Everyone present was deeply captivated by their singing, as if they themselves had become a part of that story.

The lyrics were sung over a dozen times, becoming increasingly brilliant and difficult to follow. Each time it was one of their turns to sing, the audience would gasp and applause, as if they were not competing, but creating an immortal poem together.

Finally, when Madam Xue spoke again, she seemed somewhat hesitant: "Ayou has finally realized what love is, and is willing to leave the mortal world and return to the mountains and forests. But looking back, the road is already far away, the road ahead is uncertain, where is the way home?"

After singing this line, Madam Xue lowered her eyes gently, clearly unable to continue. Seeing this, Liu Yin smiled slightly, the pipa trembling softly in her hands, as if also drawing a conclusion to this splendid contest: "Ayou returns to the mountains, her heart at peace; drinking alone under the moon, she faces life with a smile. Between mountains and rivers, true feelings exist; may this life be without regrets..."

"Ayou has returned to the mountains, her heart is at peace..." Liu Yin's song still echoed in her ears, but Madam Xue's eyes gradually lost focus. She seemed to be trying to find the next chapter of Ayou's story in her mind, but found that she could no longer weave this beautiful dream.

"Madam Xue, please continue," Master Xu said softly, a hint of tension in his voice. This competition was not only about the outcome between the two talented women, but also a challenge to the lives of his entire family.

However, Madam Xue simply shook her head slightly, a bitter smile playing on her lips: "I... I can't continue."

As soon as she finished speaking, the room fell into a brief silence, followed by thunderous applause and cheers. They knew that the winner of this lyric contest was their long-awaited instructor, Liu Jiaosi.

Of course, they also applauded Madam Xue, because her talent was admired by the people of Huaicheng. Perhaps she lost, but she was not weak.

"Excellent! What a magnificent competition!" someone shouted, breaking the silence. "Instructor Liu and Madam Xue are truly outstanding women of talent. Today's gathering will surely become a legendary tale!"

Amidst cheers and applause, Liu Yin and Madam Xue exchanged a smile. There was no question of victory or defeat in their eyes, only a shared love of music and mutual respect. They slowly put away their pipa and walked off the stage side by side. In the setting sun, their figures appeared exceptionally harmonious and beautiful.

"Master Liu, today's battle has been incredibly beneficial to me," Madam Xue said softly, her tone filled with sincerity and admiration.

"Madam Xue, you flatter me. It is my honor to compete on the same stage as a master like you," Liu Yin replied with a slight smile.

They knew that, regardless of the outcome, this battle over lyrics would become one of the most unforgettable chapters of their lives.

Many years later, the people here have gone their separate ways, but this competition has become the most memorable time in everyone's life. Whenever someone mentions it, someone will talk about it with great interest, telling every detail of the competition over lyrics, as if it were a never-ending feast, forever warming the hearts of everyone who heard it.

They will always remember that there was a pair of women who, on this ordinary day, brought them an unforgettable performance. The passion, the hope, and the courage in the story all remind them that even if the road ahead is long and unknown, they must bravely strive to live on.

When Madam Xue arrived at Master Xu's side, she heard him say in a trembling voice, "Madam Xue, the master is looking for you..."

Madam Xue's face paled, and fear flashed in her eyes. It wasn't until her apprentice took her hand and asked worriedly, "Master..." that she seemed to come to her senses, steadied herself, and walked towards a discreet carriage ahead...