128. However formidable he may be, he cannot stop me from winning.

Before long, someone recorded the video of the wager between Ji Fanxing and Zhao De and posted it online. Within a single hour, the clip went viral, spreading with such ferocity that related topics rapidly climbed to the top of the trending lists across all major platforms.

#Ji Fanxing Challenges Zhao De#
#National Style Music vs. All-Style Pop: Who Will Win?#
#Ji Fanxing Stakes Her Entire Music Career on National Style Music!#

In an instant, the entire internet was set ablaze.

"Ji Fanxing is truly Ji Fanxing. Everyone thought she went to the National Music Exchange Conference to learn, but she went there to flip the table!"

"Although it’s satisfying, wasn't Ji Fanxing a bit impulsive this time? Zhao De is, after all, a protégé of Qu Feiyang; his ability should not be underestimated!"

"Master Qu’s new song was already suppressed by Goddess Ji; what kind of waves could Zhao De possibly make?"

"You can't say that. Zhao De is proficient in various styles. Isn't it too risky for Ji Fanxing to use only National Style music to fight back?"

"Speechless. You guys are hyping Ji Fanxing up too much. Master Qu’s *Secret Love is Truly Bitter* was pulled from shelves less than a day after its release. You can’t even see its performance, can you?"

"Ji Fanxing dominated *The All-Round Singer*, but do you really think she’s invincible? Look at where this exchange conference is—it’s a gathering of heavyweights! She wants to compete with them just because she’s stirred up some so-called National Style music? It’s pure fantasy!"

"National Style music is pleasant to listen to, but its audience is limited. I’m afraid Ji Fanxing’s chances of winning are slim..."

In the eyes of many, Ji Fanxing’s actions were undoubtedly like throwing an egg against a rock. For most participants at the conference, the wager was nothing more than a minor interlude. To them, no matter how popular Ji Fanxing was outside, she was merely a product of a talent show, a young person without roots who had even severed ties with her own family.

Zhao De, on the other hand, had attended the exchange conference many times, produced several impressive works, and boasted a prestigious lineage and deep background. He was a promising rising star in the music scene. By comparison, Ji Fanxing was bound to lose this somewhat gimmicky bet. As the saying goes, success too early in youth often leads to a hard fall. Thus, throughout the entire conference, no one paid her any mind, except for Fang Zhijing. Even if a few restless youngsters wanted to approach her, they were stopped by their elders.

After the opening ceremony of the music exchange conference concluded and the crowd dispersed, Fang Zhijing called out to Ji Fanxing.

"Teacher Fang, did you need something?"

"Qu Feiyang began composing at the age of ten and covers a wide range of styles. His protégé, Zhao De, has inherited that same breadth. Your wager is extremely dangerous." Fang Zhijing’s brows were furrowed, his tone heavy with concern.

Upon hearing this, Ji Fanxing merely offered a faint smile. "No matter how talented he is, it won't stop me from winning."

Such bold words made Fang Zhijing pause for a moment before he burst into hearty laughter. "You girl, you really are interesting! I like you!"

He felt that Ji Fanxing was much like himself in his youth—unyielding and stubborn. Oh well, she was his guest after all; regardless of the outcome, he would do his best to help her. More importantly, Fang Zhijing harbored a deeper, more obscure hope: he wanted to see how far someone so defiant could go if she remained true to her original intentions.

He cleared his throat and began to explain the rules of the exchange conference to her in detail.

"The National Music Exchange Conference lasts for a month. Each member can choose to collaborate with others or compose independently. A musical evaluation is held every week; that is the joy of this exchange. It’s just a pity that after so many years, the nature of the conference has long since changed."

As he spoke, his tone held a trace of regret.

"I understand." A flash of realization crossed Ji Fanxing’s eyes as she recalled the strange atmosphere she had felt upon entering the venue. The conference was no longer about exchange; various genres and styles had entrenched themselves, competing and scheming to prove their own dominance.

"As the host, the National Conservatory of Music allows both faculty and outstanding students to attend. But... traditional music is currently being suppressed so heavily that many have lost hope. Gradually, fewer and fewer people are willing to participate." Fang Zhijing’s tone grew even more regretful.

"The professors of traditional music at the National Conservatory are incredibly talented musicians. I will take you to visit the Dean of the Traditional Music Department, who is also the President of the National Music Association. If you have his support for this wager, your chances of winning will increase significantly."

"Then many thanks, Master Fang." Ji Fanxing narrowed her eyes.

"Don't thank me yet. Old Gu is incredibly stubborn. Whether you can persuade him depends on your own ability..."

As they spoke, they arrived at the Traditional Music Department of the National Conservatory of Music. The style of this department stood in stark contrast to the rest of the school. If the other areas of the conservatory were spacious, bright, and bustling with a thriving energy, then the Traditional Music Department felt like a deliberately forgotten corner. At a glance, the exterior walls of the teaching building were mottled and covered in vines, resembling an aging person in their twilight years. Upon entering the building, a faint scent of mildew greeted them.

Many classroom doors were tightly shut, as if they hadn't been used in a long time. In the few classrooms that were open, there weren't many students; some classes weren't even half-full. This was the traditional music department of the nation's premier music academy, and for a moment, Ji Fanxing was overcome with a complex mix of emotions.

"Sigh, the number of students willing to study traditional music decreases every year." Fang Zhijing sighed, his tone filled with helplessness.

They reached the fourth floor, which was primarily for instrument practice. Along the way, they barely encountered anyone, and the few students they did pass were all in a hurry.

"Hello, Teacher Fang!"

"Teacher Fang!"

The students they passed greeted Fang Zhijing respectfully.

"Hmm." Fang Zhijing nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Ji Fanxing noticed that two girls carrying *pipas* had stolen glances at her while greeting Fang Zhijing, their eyes filled with curiosity and... admiration?

"They are..." Ji Fanxing was puzzled.

"Your *Sheng Sheng Man* has become a required piece for pipa students," Fang Zhijing explained with a smile.

Ji Fanxing was stunned for a moment, but then her spirits lifted, easing the discomfort she had felt regarding the state of traditional music. Chinese music had been recognized by the national traditional music system, and they were willing to make changes for it. If there could be this small change, there could be more. One day, the traditional music of the Dragon Kingdom would be able to step onto the world stage, just like the music of her homeland!

They arrived at a classroom door, and Fang Zhijing knocked.

"Please come in." A low voice came from within.

Fang Zhijing pushed the door open and led Ji Fanxing inside. The only person in the room was an elderly man sitting on an old chair, gently plucking the strings of a *pipa*. He was thin, dressed in a washed-out traditional *Tang* suit. His graying hair was meticulously combed, and his face was etched with the marks of time, yet his eyes remained sharp and piercing, as if they could see through a person’s soul.

He was Gu Huaiyuan—President of the National Traditional Music Association, Dean of the Music Conservatory’s Traditional Music Department, and a Professor of Pipa.

"Old Gu, I’ve come to see you," Fang Zhijing said with a smile.