The Shining Star Above The Heaven-Chapter 409: Baek Jimin Worries

Many of the people Aldrian saved were already at the peak of their cultivation stage. They only needed a slight push to finally break through. The music from the guqin put them at ease, allowing their energy to circulate more smoothly. It also granted them enlightenment, clearing their minds and dispelling doubts in their hearts. All of this combined enabled them to break through much faster and more smoothly than they had expected.

All they did was listen to Aldrian’s guqin playing, which only proved that even without realizing it, he had already reached a stage where his music could influence nature itself, to the point where heaven and earth resonated with his melody. That was why the energy within these people began to flow effortlessly, even without them deliberately using their cultivation techniques.

The music continued for another hour before finally coming to a stop. Nature returned to its normal state a few seconds after the music ended. Birds happily soared across the sky above the mansion, some even starting to build their nests in the trees, as if they did not want to miss the chance to hear that music again in the future.

All the people finally emerged from their entranced state, slowly opening their eyes. They were stunned and shocked to realize that they had broken through while simply listening to the music. Although not all of them had achieved a breakthrough, those who hadn’t still gained enlightenment from Aldrian’s guqin playing, which would be invaluable in the future.

"I broke through!"

"I thought I would never reach another breakthrough in this lifetime!"

"What a beautiful piece of music and masterful guqin playing, Lord Aldrian is truly a man of miracles."

Many voices filled with admiration were directed toward Aldrian as they turned to look at him. Then, one by one, they knelt and kowtowed before him, expressing their gratitude, devotion, and reverence.

Aldrian felt a strong surge of faith energy flowing toward him, their emotions clearly transmitted to him, making him truly understand just how deeply they worshipped him.

He then looked at the two beautiful women standing side by side not far from him. They smiled at him, their expressions radiant. The sunlight that day was neither too hot nor too bright, making it comfortable to stand outside without discomfort. The gentle light illuminating their faces only enhanced their beauty, making Aldrian’s heart flutter.

"Why are you just standing there? Come over here—it’s much cooler under the shade of the tree," he said.

The ladies approached him without hesitation.

"Since when could you play the guqin? This level of mastery isn’t something one can achieve in a short time. I’ve never seen you play before, and I’m certain you never have. So how is this possible?" Sylphia asked as she sat on his left.

Baek Jimin sat beside Sylphia, also looking at Aldrian with curiosity.

The beautiful music and masterful technique Aldrian displayed were something only a person who had dedicated their life to music or a high-level cultivator specializing in the sound element could achieve with the guqin. His playing influenced the surroundings and resonated with nature—an extraordinary feat for someone playing an instrument.

But beyond that, they could also sense that Aldrian’s music affected a vast area, a clear testament to his strength in this regard.

"I’ve heard guqin playing from someone famous in the demon territory known by the title Sound of the Sky Demoness. She is renowned for her artistic music, capable of affecting an entire city and even making nature itself seem as though it were listening. I don’t think what you just played is lacking in any way compared to hers," Baek Jimin added.

Aldrian smiled at them, then looked at the guqin and gently touched its strings.

"Well, what can I say? I really am a genius. Even though I’ve never played the guqin before, the moment I touched it, inspiration just kept flowing nonstop," he replied in a teasing tone.

"How cheeky. Anyway, where did you get this guqin? It’s so beautiful, and the guqin—" Sylphia’s eyes widened before she could finish her sentence.

Baek Jimin, confused by her reaction, turned to look at the instrument as well. But the moment she sensed something from the guqin that they hadn’t noticed earlier, her eyes also widened in shock.

"This is a high divine-grade artifact! Where did you get this guqin?!" Sylphia asked in astonishment.

At first, Sylphia and Baek Jimin hadn’t realized it. They had been too captivated by the beauty of Aldrian’s music, completely absorbed in it even after it had ended. It wasn’t until they finally shifted their focus to the guqin that they sensed the powerful aura emanating from it.

"This? I got it from a philanthropist who generously gifted me his treasure. He’s a really great guy," Aldrian replied, his teasing tone unchanged.

Sylphia and Baek Jimin instantly knew there was no way that was true.

A philanthropist? Who are you trying to fool?!

This was a high divine-grade artifact, something so rare and difficult to create that only the imperial family could possibly possess it!

Sylphia knew this because Ivory empire also possessed a high divine-grade artifact, securely stored beneath the World Tree in Evergreen City.

As for Baek Jimin, although her sect didn’t have any high divine-grade artifacts, the Thorny Flower Garden did possess a middle divine-grade artifact. Yet, the aura emanating from this guqin was far stronger than what she had ever sensed from her sect’s legacy artifact.

Sylphia narrowed her eyes at Aldrian.

"You got this from the envoy of the Second Prince, didn’t you? They must have given it to you for whatever reason," she said with certainty.

Aldrian smiled at her. "You’re so smart, dear. Yes, this was their compensation for their presumptuous actions toward me. They want to make peace and build a relationship with me."

Hearing Aldrian’s words, Sylphia and Baek Jimin felt odd and looked at him with doubtful expressions.

Based on their understanding of his character, they had no doubt that Aldrian was not someone who could be swayed by an enemy simply because of a gifted artifact. Many might call it blind faith, but they firmly believed that he would never change his stance or build a relationship with an enemy, not even if a high divine-grade artifact was placed before him.

Right now, his primary focus was the traitor from the church. That was the very reason they were in this empire. Because of this, they strongly doubted that Aldrian would simply let the Second Prince go without securing the traitor.

"Make peace with you, huh? That’s to be expected. After what you did in this city and Weilmar, the Second Prince must have a serious headache. But honestly, I’m more inclined to believe that you just took this guqin from them instead. They gave it to you, but you didn’t give them what they wanted in return, did you?" Sylphia asked.

Aldrian simply smiled at her, making Sylphia sigh.

"As I thought, you’re truly mischievous," she said before turning to Baek Jimin. "See? He’s always like this. I have to endure his shamelessness all the time."

Baek Jimin giggled at their interaction. In the past, she might have felt envious of this closeness. But now, all she felt was a sense of serenity. Ever since their stroll through Weilmar yesterday, she no longer felt left out by Aldrian. In fact, she even found herself looking forward to what their relationship might become in the future.

She and Sylphia had already talked a lot before this, and Sylphia kept hinting that she should stay close to Aldrian. Baek Jimin could only feel grateful to Sylphia and she was determined to get closer to Aldrian whenever she had the chance. Now that she had come to understand her own feelings for him, she wanted to stay by his side.

But then, another concern arose in her mind. She worried about what Sylphia truly thought and, more importantly, about Aldrian’s feelings. She knew how much they loved each other, yet now that she had fallen for Aldrian as well, what did that mean for her future? How should she proceed with this love?

She wanted to talk to Sylphia about it first but she didn’t dare.

Although Sylphia had given her the green light to get closer to Aldrian, Baek Jimin feared that she might have misunderstood her intent, risking a rift in their friendship. She already regarded Sylphia as a true friend, and they already shared many of the same values and views. The thought of damaging their relationship over a misunderstanding, especially by accidentally confessing her feelings for Aldrian, terrified her.

That would be both embarrassing and disastrous!

Aldrian glanced at Baek Jimin for a moment before turning to Sylphia.

"My love, I want to discuss something with you later."