Chapter 68: Verbal reward?
How did Timothy, with just a casual flick of two fingers, manage to defeat him so easily?
Even though they had heard of Timothy's reputation, at this moment, they still couldn't contain their shock.
"I heard that the day the Goddess drew her sword to slay Holy Emperor Vorenus was because he nearly harmed Timothy in the Mystic Realm.
I couldn't believe it at first, but now..."
"No wonder the Goddess holds him in such high regard,this guy's skills are truly mind-boggling.
Although those idle rumors about the Goddess having feelings for him are surely false, it's enough to show how much the Goddess values Timothy."
Amidst the astonished discussions, Rowan was completely unable to resist.
Facing Timothy's onslaught, he was simply being crushed one-sidedly!
"If you want to show your loyalty to the prince, why don't you all join in?" Just then, Rowan, gritting his teeth, suddenly shouted to those behind him.
Including Yara, the top female disciple from Moonlight Sanctuary, and Victor, the direct disciple of the Grand Peak Sect's leader, a few seemed hesitant at first but soon stepped forward.
Yara touched the mandolin, Victor struck the bass drum, and others boldly played their horns.
Their melodies mixed with Rowan's piano, forming what seemed like a complete band.
Instantly, the Resonance Crystal was reforged, bursting forth with a power far greater than before.
"Boom!"
The two waves of energy collided and dissipated at the same time, resulting in a draw.
"Huh?"
Timothy was startled and dropped his piano: "Referee, I'm reporting! These people are shameless, breaking the rules by ganging up!"
"The Holy Maiden never said this musical contest had to be one-on-one," Rowan said with a cold smirk.
Everyone turned to look at Holy Maiden Aeliana, who was sitting far away with Goddess Sylvia.
Holy Maiden Aeliana gave an awkward smile: "I indeed never mentioned that rule."
The surrounding guests were also a bit confused.
A one-on-one fight made sense, but if the Holy Maiden really hadn't specified, then ganging up wasn't technically against the rules.
But didn't that seem a bit unsporting?
"So what if it's unsporting? Today, in front of all the sects, I want everyone to see just how pathetic you, Timothy, can be," Rowan said with a mocking laugh, coldly staring at Timothy.
"Shameless, picking on me because I have no backup," Timothy said after a moment of silence.
Then, a sudden idea struck him.
"Right, since that's the case, did Holy Maiden Aeliana also not mention that punching isn't allowed in the contest?"
Suddenly, Timothy raised his hand, a chilling smile on his lips.
There was a moment of silence all around.
Is this the kind of idea a normal person comes up with?
"That's correct, I only said that defeating the opponent counts as a victory, I indeed never mentioned that you couldn't use your fists."
Faced with Timothy's question, Holy Maiden Aeliana also gave a slight smile.
"Well, that settles it."
Timothy cracked his knuckles with a "snap, crackle, pop," and stepped forward.
"Holy Maiden, fighting is a barbaric and rude act, you can't let him cause trouble in this sacred place," Rowan panicked instantly.
"It's just a contest. Whether you win or lose depends on your own skills. I won't interfere," Holy Maiden Aeliana said, her beautiful eyes looking towards Sylvia, seemingly unconcerned about their affairs.
By this time, Timothy had already approached, his smile menacing.
"So it was you guys who ganged up on me?"
"It wasn't me! Ah, a gentleman uses his words, not his fists. Don't push your luck!"
"Damn it, we'll fight you then. Surely all of us together can take you down!"
However, when they finally resolved to confront Timothy, they realized that their skills, which they had thought quite formidable, were like child's play in front of him.
As punches landed, screams followed one after another.
These princes, princesses, top disciples...
Each one of them, with their distinguished backgrounds and renowned reputations, could only be beaten without the slightest chance to fight back.
"Ah, it hurts so much!"
"Timothy, please, I won't dare again, go easy on me!"
"I was wrong, I shouldn't have provoked you."
Watching their young masters and misses getting beaten up, crying and wailing, their spiritual hearts shattered, doubting their lives, several powerful elders couldn't hold back their anger and wanted to fight Timothy.
But as they took a step forward, they suddenly felt a chilling murderous intent enveloping their bodies.
Looking unintentionally towards the source of this intent, they instantly saw Goddess Sylvia's icy gaze.
In an instant, it was as if they were swallowed by frost.
The elders felt completely enveloped by boundless fear, daring not to move a muscle.
Timothy's laughter grew even more eerie and terrifying: "Haha, go ahead and scream. Screaming your lungs out won't bring anyone to save you!"
"Brother Timothy, please stop!"
'Wait? Did I just sound like a villain?'
Suddenly realizing he might have almost set a terrible precedent, Timothy quickly straightened his clothes, returning to his righteous demeanor.
"Although I've won this fight with fists and feet, since this contest is about musical prowess, I shall play another piece." Timothy sat down and gently stroked the harp.
A breeze passed, causing his gray robe to flutter lightly.
With his handsome and heroic appearance, this scene was particularly captivating.
Accompanied by the harp, Timothy began to sing: "She's the one I think of day and night, How can I convey what's in my heart? Will she accept me, or leave me longing? Love seems so far, but I'll never give up. Seasons change, where are you now?"
The melody lingered, the beautiful singing making people somewhat intoxicated.
Especially this exotic tune, never heard before, was so captivating.
But unnoticed by all.
Moving through the bustling crowd, although Timothy was singing, his gaze was consistently fixed in the distance.
And in that direction...
Even though separated by the crowd, at this moment, everything around seemed to turn into a mere backdrop.
Their eyes met, and Sylvia clearly knew that Timothy's gaze was fixed on her.
"I love you, like the moon hanging high in the sky, like that..."
The melody shifted, and Timothy's singing became even more enchanting.
But while everyone was immersed in this beautiful and strange singing, only Sylvia noticed the lyrics.
Each line was a deep declaration of love.
"Idiot, to sing such a song in front of so many people," Sylvia muttered, her usually cool face blushing adorably.
Her typically aloof expression softened, carrying a hint of annoyance yet... a touch of contentment.
"With a thousand words, I—love—you!"
The seven strings of the harp vibrated together as Timothy projected his intense emotions.
He gazed deeply towards Sylvia for a long while before finally shifting his gaze away, seemingly unable to sustain the intensity.
Suddenly, as if it could no longer bear the weight of Timothy's song, the Resonance Crystal shattered.
"Boom!"
With a loud noise, the Resonance Crystal burst apart, sending a brilliant column of light skyward.
The light scattered, forming a large, red heart that floated in mid-air.
Whether it was the light or her own feelings, Sylvia's cheeks were beautifully flushed, stirring hearts.
At this moment, almost everyone's attention was captivated by the song.
Such a melody is rare even in heaven,how often could it be heard on earth?
Even the Resonance Crystal provided by the sacred place burst because it couldn't withstand the profound melody, showing just how terrifying Timothy's control and understanding of music were.
"Amazing! It's so beautiful!"
"Who would have thought that not only is Timothy's cultivation exceptional, but his musical talent is also unmatched!
It's likely that if Nolan didn't possess the Enlightenment Body, the title of the most talented would have been his!"
"This melody makes me feel like falling in love!"
Only Sylvia stood silently, her eyes shimmering with emotion, feeling as if her heartbeat was beyond her control.
"Good, truly worthy of being the disciple Sylvia values. In terms of music, I suppose no one among the younger generation can match Timothy now."
Holy Maiden Aeliana clapped her hands with a smile, then playfully turned to Sylvia: "Sylvia, why don't you give your assessment?"
Instantly, the eyes of many cultivators gathered in the sacred place turned towards her.
"I am... quite satisfied," Sylvia said, feigning indifference as she nodded.
She glanced at Timothy, but her gaze quickly shifted away: "Ahem, Timothy's performance did somewhat meet my expectations, not dishonoring the reputation of a disciple under the Sky Sanctuary. After the banquet, I will give him a 'verbal' reward."
"Ha, typical of the Goddess, such a great achievement and yet only a verbal reward.
But even though it sounds less precious, if I could be praised verbally by the Goddess, I'd wake up laughing from my dreams."
Though they said this, most people felt the reward was a bit meager.
Only Timothy smiled slightly, pursing his lips.
"Verbal reward?"
The meaning of those words, of course, was understood only by him.