The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

(There's no music in this chapter, so just enjoy it for fun!)

Huisheng, Huixiang, and Huien looked at each other with their heads down. Zhao Qianfan, who was at the head of the table, did not speak, and they did not dare to make a sound either.

Zhao Qianfan took a sip of the Snow-Topped Green Tea in front of him and said expressionlessly, "Over the years, the three of you have secretly exchanged ideas and come up with quite a few crooked methods. Is this hallucinogenic green tea a new product you've cultivated? This water tastes rather interesting. It must be the work of that little snake that lives in seclusion deep in the East Sea. A true dragon hides in the world while a snake becomes king. In another hundred years, it should transform into a dragon. I wonder if it will survive."

Huisheng cupped his hands and said, "You flatter us, sir. Xiaojiao asked us to convey your greetings. How could our humble tricks possibly be worthy of your attention?"

Zhao Qianfan ignored him and said to himself, "To have cultivated to this level in this Dharma-ending Age, the three of you are quite talented."

The three men cupped their hands and said, "Thank you for your praise, Lord Yang Si."

Zhao Qianfan didn't say much, just raised his hand and said, "Alright, let's get down to business. What were the results of your Heart-Searching Game?"

Hui Xiang honestly replied, "Judging from the piece he just played, he should have passed."

Hui En quickly added, "Of course, if it weren't for the supernatural little cat beside him reminding him, whether he could have passed is another matter."

Huisheng nodded, hesitated for a moment, and continued, "Although there was an element of luck involved, luck is also part of strength. It's worth mentioning the cat beside him. It seems quite strange; we can't figure out its origin, and it doesn't seem to be an ordinary pet."

Zhao Qianfan yawned, took a deep breath, and said, "Hehe, if you could see through its origins, you wouldn't be stuck in this mortal world suffering the torment of reincarnation."

The three exchanged a glance, bowed, and said, "We humbly request your guidance, sir."

Zhao Qianfan narrowed his eyes and said, "A pet that can quickly seize the opportunity to get close when it reincarnates, start to break free from its mortal life with a faint aura of another world and begin to cultivate, and slowly evolve into its current form, a pet whose bloodline power can make the subsystem automatically block it, is not something that you lowly soldiers of the lower realm can talk about. The shrill meow in the Questioning Heart Bureau already made it angry. At that time, it could have killed you directly. If I hadn't released my aura in time to stop it and pull you back, you would all be dead inside."

The three suddenly recalled the details they had overlooked. The shrill meow of the cat still made them shudder, and they broke out in a cold sweat. They quickly bowed and thanked Lord Yang Si, saying, "Thank you for saving our lives, Lord Yang Si."

Zhao Qianfan waved his hand dismissively and said, "Alright, enough with the nonsense. Now let's see if he can withstand the final three tribulations and achieve the system's goal."

Hui'en raised her head and asked cautiously, "Does Your Excellency think he will be the exception?"

Hui Xiang and Hui Sheng exchanged a glance, then hesitantly asked, "If this causes harm, should we continue to stop them?"

Zhao Qianfan stood up with his hands behind his back and said, "Your mission is complete. The rest is not something we should be thinking about. The struggle for the Heavenly Dao depends on each person's ability. If he cannot achieve this first step and contribute to the sub-world in order to break free from the soul constraints of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, then everything is just empty talk."

Huisheng smiled and said, "With that spirit pet by his side, there shouldn't be too much of a problem, right?"

Zhao Qianfan smiled and said, "With me by his side as an overseer, how can we allow a cat to interfere with the underworld's trials? Alright, my time is up for today. You three should behave yourselves and not provoke any more mysterious beings."

After speaking, Zhao Qianfan relaxed slightly, then jolted awake, swaying slightly as he looked around blankly and asked, "Excuse me, where is this place?"

Just then, a little girl walked in from outside the hall and said to him, "Daddy, Daddy, how come you run so fast? I can't catch up with you."

The little girl's eyes gleamed slightly green as she looked at Huisheng, Huixiang, and Huien, nodded as a greeting, and then, ignoring their respectful and frightened gazes, led the still somewhat dazed Zhao Qianfan out.

After they left, Hui Xiang recovered and said to the two people beside him, "Lord Yang Si's daughter? How come there's no bloodline connection at all?"

Huisheng muttered to himself, "I heard that she was adopted by the Heavenly Maiden along with her. Did you see those green eyes? One in a billion, a born speech spirit, able to understand animal language and see things that purify the world."

Hui En nodded and said, "I also heard that she is currently a mortal in the human world, responsible for exorcising evil spirits and removing filth from the human world. She is said to be a candidate for the next mortal in the underworld. She is probably over a hundred years old now, older than all of us, but still looks like a young girl. Last time I heard her sing those children's songs, I was terrified. Doesn't she feel uncomfortable about it?"

Hui Xiang touched the prayer beads around her neck and said, "Even if it's creepy, we have to listen. An old woman is pretending to be a young girl, so we all have to keep a calm mind. She's the chosen one, and who knows, our grandson might even die before her! Speaking of which, Lord Yang Si's possessor this time was really cool. It's a pity that he's just a Yin-Yang borrower and can't walk in the world for long, otherwise he could have learned some new spells."

Huisheng clapped his hands and said, "It's because his soul is unruly, otherwise we could see the handsome Lord Yang Si all the time. But no matter what, he does have a body that makes people fantasize and is worthy of Lord Yang Si's heroic figure. Isn't this what they've been talking about lately, so handsome that women spread their legs and men bend over?"

Hui En couldn't help but shake her head and sigh, "You guys should have some integrity. The world is going to the dogs. These days, if you don't have a good-looking face, nobody will give you a second glance. Even Lord Yang Si has to sell his looks just to survive!"

Hui Xiang coughed, let out a long sigh, and said, "There's nothing we can do about it. Being good-looking is indeed a natural advantage, from ancient times to the present. Alright, alright, Amitabha Buddha, this isn't our business. Let's just disperse and go home. I wonder if this year's time-travel challenge participants will be able to complete their tasks on time. There are so many people already, and not many have managed to complete their tasks and leave on time!"

Huisheng said with a smile, "That Heavenly Venerable Wuliang was able to find the deadline of the subsystem mission while his body was swaying. I feel that this year's challenger has a chance."

Hui En nodded and said, "I agree. It's highly likely that someone with such an amazing memory could possess this skill without relying solely on songs randomly generated by the subsystem!"

Hui Xiang nodded and said, "Then let's wait and see! It's been a long time since anyone in this world has been qualified to go to the Great World."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Outside the hall. Below the Listening Platform.

Zhao Qianfan and Zhao Jinmai squeezed into the crowd around them, clapping enthusiastically and shouting, "Great!"

Li Zichun looked at the two people in front of him, one big and one small, and said, "Why are you here? Did you finish recording the show? And you, didn't you go to Kyoto with your mother? Why are you back again?"

Zhao Qianfan looked at him and said, "Are you staying here for the wrong time? The holiday is long over. Jinmai is back to study, and classes don't start until the day after tomorrow. I brought her here to look around. Also, the program recording is in its second half, and Director Xiaochuan asked me to come and find you to go back."

The three of them took photos with the crowd who recognized them. Everyone in the crowd was happy. They never expected to enjoy such a wonderful performance while just strolling around a temple. They really hit the jackpot.

Li Zichun checked the time and realized that he had been here for more than a month. He had spent so much time in this land of the three religions. He had spent so much time just reading books, and he had only scratched the surface. If he wanted to learn the martial arts and master them, it would take many years.

No wonder the ancients said that once you enter a field of study, it's like entering a deep sea; the sea of ​​knowledge is truly boundless and endless.

After packing his luggage, Li Zichun styled his hair, shaved his beard, and changed his clothes under the pressure of Zhao Qianfan and Zhao Jinmai. Although he was still the same bright and handsome young man, he had gained a calm and composed demeanor and a more reserved brilliance.

Zhao Qianfan's eyes lit up. He couldn't quite put his finger on what had changed, but everything had changed.

With his hands on his hips, Zhao Jinmai said arrogantly, "This is my handsome young man who is over eight feet tall."

Li Zichun smiled and patted her head, saying, "Oh, little Maimai has made progress recently, she's even learned to use classical Chinese."

Zhao Jinmai chuckled, "That's right, people should look at each other with new eyes after three days of separation. The old man has been forcing me to study classical Chinese lately, which is so annoying."

Zhao Qianfan slapped her on the head and said, "What old man? You should call me grandpa."

Li Zichun watched the amusing Zhao Qianfan and Zhao Jinmai. Before parting, he stood in the octagonal pavilion and looked back at the entire Sanyuan Ridge. He couldn't help but marvel at the profound knowledge and influence of the three religions. It was indeed terrifying.

Seven-Tong stayed quietly in the cage, wagging its tail, its eyes squinting at the two creatures, one big and one small, in front of it. What a show-off! If I weren't outmatched by you two old monsters, I would have scratched your faces long ago. But I, your humble servant, can bend and stretch, so I'll let you off this time.

When the three returned to the film set, Zhang Xiaochuan personally came out to greet them, followed closely by a group of popular young actresses. The entourage was so grand that it seemed as if a major financial tycoon had come to inspect the film set.

Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar lineup, Li Zichun turned to look at director Zhang Xiaochuan. Before he could react, Zhao Qianfan quickly said, "Because the songs at the end of each episode of the previous broadcasts always created a small climax, and the rankings hovered around the top five, everyone enjoyed watching you compete against yourself. They thought this week would be the same, so many singers were scrambling to sign up for the competition. Now the remaining people are divided into two groups: one group of talented singers and the other group of professional dancers, all waiting for your new song and dance."

Originally, the hype surrounding Li Zichun's "Guofeng Fengshen" (a Chinese style music phenomenon) and his self-imposed exile during a variety show recording had already peaked in October. The most competitive artists stopped releasing songs, so what was there to fear? As a result, various companies scheduled their releases for November and the end of the year. In addition, the ranking battle had already begun, various award ceremonies had released announcements, and various "singing gods" and "musical gods" had joined the battle to announce the recording of new albums, making the situation extremely chaotic.

Everyone thought there wouldn't be any new songs released this month, but Yuan Zi'an's "Bright Moon Over the Horizon" suddenly jumped in. The music video used the sword dance that Li Zichun had already talked about with Zhong Lingling. Although there were only a few movements and poses, the atmosphere and popularity immediately reached their peak.

Although this song was overtaken by the later-rising "Auspicious Flowers and Full Moon", it didn't last a week before being overtaken by "Watching the Moon Rise".

Then came the fierce competition among the Moonlight Suite. Faced with equally excellent works, the battle came down to promotion and popularity. Each company put in their best effort to join the fight until the week after next, when "Half Moon Serenade" was released. The lyrics and music were both superb. Although everyone knew that the competition was over and they should take a break, they were still curious about what song would come next. Unexpectedly, "Above the Moon" followed.

The catchy "Oh yeah! Oh yeah!" instantly swept through the streets and alleys. After being considered highbrow, it became commonplace. Even kids on the street would say "Oh yeah!" and imitate Zhao Qianfan's gesture to give you a "two".

With the song's explosive popularity and the show's soaring ratings, the entire program became a phenomenal online variety show. The mastermind behind all of this was Li Zichun, known as the "prodigy of Chinese style."

Because he was practicing and reading in the mountains, and the cell phone signal in the Taoist temple was poor, no one could contact him, which caused the program to be suspended for a week. Everyone suspected that he had run out of ideas and had gone into hiding in the mountains, so Zhao Qianfan had no choice but to go up the mountain to bring him down.

Li Zichun then realized what had happened and quickly bowed to everyone to apologize: "I'm sorry to have startled you all. Please continue to guide me."

Everyone was very polite. Although they had waited a whole week for nothing, it didn't diminish their liking and recognition of him. Who would dare to give a bad attitude to someone whose songs are all worthy of praise! After becoming famous, he was surrounded by kind people.

Fortunately, after being threatened and questioned by the three religions at Sanyuanling, I remembered enough songs in my mind, otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to end the situation.

After Li Zichun had some discussions with everyone, the intense recording began. Lu Fang and Lou Yideng were naturally invited back by him as well, and the two couldn't help but joke, "Oh, the big star is here! We, the go-to editors, have been waiting for so long."

Li Zichun quickly begged for forgiveness: "Good teacher, aren't I your most outstanding and adorable student? How can you say that about me?"

Lu Fang then picked up the conversation, saying, "Could this little cutie come back to school for an exchange meeting? Everyone's really looking forward to it!"

Ha, so that's what they were waiting for! It's just an exchange meeting, I'll go, consider it a contribution to the school.

Li Zichun said with a smile, "If there's no rush, we can do it after the recording is finished."

Lu Fang and Lou Yideng exchanged a glance and said with delight, "Then come to the school's exchange meeting tomorrow afternoon. See you there!"

Li Zichun nodded with a smile. After the three finished speaking, they began to train the popular stars. Zhang Xiaochuan had too many favors to owe, and with only a few episodes left, there was no need for so many people. Even university classrooms weren't this crowded.