As her words fell, the prodigies who originally wanted to rush to the first pavilion stopped in their tracks simultaneously.

Standing at such a distance already made them feel their mind roiling, requiring considerable effort to suppress and control their mental sea.

If they actually reached the pavilion at the front, even if they could answer first, they probably wouldn’t be able to discern the emotions it contained.

At this moment, the Celestial Sound Saintess added, "The time for music appraisal is half an hour, during which misleading notes and tones will be mixed in to deceive you."

"Those who successfully point them out will earn points. The faster you point them out, the more points you’ll earn."

"But be careful, once you fail to point them out, not only will your earned points be deducted, but this segment of notes will also transform into a furious Celestial Sound Beast and launch an attack."

"A reminder, the Sound Beasts in this trial are different from those you encounter outside; these Sound Beasts won’t be harmed."

"In other words, if you answer incorrectly, you will be continuously attacked by the furious Sound Beasts until this round of the appraisal ends."

Many prodigies turned slightly pale; after the first round of the Celestial Sound Ladder, they realized this assessment was much harder than in previous years.

They truly didn’t know if their understanding of the Great Dao of Celestial Sound was enough to discern the errors within.

Those standing in the back from the Blowing Sound Sect muttered softly, "If it really doesn’t work, then don’t answer."

"Those who answer incorrectly might get torn apart by the furious Sound Beasts, and even if they survive, their scores might turn negative."

Calculating this way, if they don’t appraise the music, they might be able to advance to the next stage.

The Celestial Sound Saintess seemed to hear these murmurs and turned back with a smile: "Don’t think about exploiting loopholes; I can change the assessment rules at any time."

She pondered briefly, then added: "Given this, if you fail to appraise within the time, you’ll also be attacked by the Sound Beasts. If you can withstand it, you can stay; otherwise, you’ll be killed by the Sound Beasts."

Progenies’ expressions turned even sourer, and a few less confident ones couldn’t help but ask, "Do we have to participate in the second round of assessments?"

"This death rate sounds too high; I’m not confident at all," one muttered.

The Celestial Sound Saintess curved her lips slightly: "You can choose to withdraw; I’ll transport you to a random location in the Secret Realm where you can continue to seek the Secret Treasure."

"But you’ve come this far, do you really want to give up this opportunity?"

The prodigy who spoke before stood there conflicted, unable to say a word for a while. Instead, a few who hadn’t spoken decided to give up the assessment and were directly transported out by the Celestial Sound Saintess.

She scanned the crowd and, noticing no one else intended to withdraw, calmly said, "You can choose your pavilion; the first round of music appraisal will begin after an incense stick. Be prepared and act within your capacity."

After speaking, her figure gradually faded, merging back into the thunderclouds overhead.

Xia Feng glanced worriedly at Qi Wan’Er beside him, thinking about checking out the pavilion closest to the waterfall.

If he couldn’t replicate it into the Dream Realm Pearl, he wanted to take this opportunity to cleanse his Spiritual Power a bit more.

But Qi Wan’Er’s situation was different. If she were in the front pavilion, Xia Feng worried she might not hold up.

Sensing his concern, Qi Wan’Er held Xia Feng’s hand, speaking softly, "Don’t worry, I’ve adapted to the waterfall’s wash by now."

"Maybe after a while, I can be like you too."

Xia Feng frowned, looking at Qi Wan’Er, who still seemed uncomfortable, knowing she said this to prevent him from worrying.

Qi Wan’Er smiled lightly, "Don’t worry, if I feel I can’t hold on, I’ll definitely say so."

"With you here, I can rely on you at any time, right?"

Xia Feng knew Qi Wan’Er was referring to the Dream Realm Pearl. After weighing the pros and cons, he was still more interested in the waterfall.

He squeezed Qi Wan’Er’s fingers gently: "If you feel uncomfortable, tell me immediately. Even if I have to deal with the Sound Beast, I’ll protect you."

Qi Wan’Er was about to voice her gratitude when a prodigy from the High Tone Sect arrogantly interrupted.

"Deal with the Sound Beast, huh. The Celestial Sound Saintess said the furious Sound Beasts can’t be harmed. You’re just bluffing."

"Watch your tongue; don’t get ripped apart by the Sound Beasts later on."

Xia Feng shot a cold glance, intending to settle things with this person.

The High Tone Sect prodigy seemed frightened by Xia Feng, shrinking back slightly and said, "What are you doing? You’re not allowed to attack other trial-takers during the assessment. Do you want to be disqualified?"

Qi Wan’Er looked worriedly at Xia Feng, as if afraid he would act rashly.

The person opposite was just a clown. Losing their chance at the inheritance over someone like this would be a huge loss.

Snorting coldly, Xia Feng assessed the person briefly before turning and leading Qi Wan’Er to the pavilion nearest the waterfall.

Seeing their bold choice, many prodigies gasped: "Is he crazy, going so far to the front? He doesn’t care about his life for the appraisal order?"

"He’s probably just forcing himself; when the music appraisal starts, he’ll have cause to cry."

Ignoring their words, Xia Feng was instead worriedly watching Qi Wan’Er beside him.

Upon entering the pavilion, he noticed the sound waves here washed over Spiritual Power even more forcefully.

Qi Wan’Er beside him looked paler, but Xia Feng’s Spiritual Power flowed through their clasped hands into her mental sea, forming a thin protective barrier for her Spiritual Power.

Qi Wan’Er gradually adapted to this rhythm, barely relaxing.

"Thank goodness you’re here; after your Spiritual Power filtered it, even these sound waves can cleanse my Spiritual Power," she said, finally relieved.

Feeling reassured, Xia Feng sat in the pavilion, waiting for the first round of music appraisal to begin. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

By now, everyone had chosen their spot. Besides Xia Feng, the first pavilion contained four or five others.

He didn’t recognize the others, but seeing Mo Rongying enter, Xia Feng was a bit surprised.

Knowing this person’s attitude toward Qi Wan’Er had always been good, Xia Feng couldn’t resist offering a warning: "The very front might be the most dangerous."

Mo Rongying glanced at Xia Feng, not responding to his concern, but instead offered a faint smile, leaving Xia Feng somewhat baffled.