Old-time musicians

"Congratulations to Mr. Fan Ning for his successful premiere of "Symphony No. 1" and his appointment as permanent conductor." The Marquise on the side also said warmly, "We later agreed that the music salon at the end of last year was the most successful one for the family in recent years. , that piece dedicated to string quartet may also be the most profitable artistic investment.”

"Thank you." Fan Ning responded with a humble gentlemanly attitude: "The performance honors received in the two works are inseparable from the Miss Luo Yin you trained. Without her artistic talent and performance in important positions, The response will be huge.”

What Fan Ning said was undoubtedly of great benefit to the McAdams. Although there was no big wave in the Marquis' eyebrows, there was obviously pride or joy in his eyes when he looked at his daughter.

Luo Yin, who was standing on the other side, turned his head slightly in the direction of Fan Ning, then immediately turned back and said to the Marquise with a smile: "Mom, I understand if you say that art investment is the most successful. Can you dedicate it to her?" It’s a kind of family honor and it can’t be traded, so how do you know if it’s the most profitable?”

The Marquise also smiled back: "Someone has already bid 4,000 pounds for the quartet manuscript from the Adair family to be transferred to the collection. In just about ten months, the increase has reached 150%. You must know that in this period Among the hierarchical collections, the Adair family's acquisition base price of 1,600 pounds is not low. This increase is quite astonishing... As Mr. Fanning's early large-scale multi-movement work, its artistic value may not be the highest, but the potential for return on investment is unimaginable. , if Mr. Fan Ning is willing to contribute future mature works, the starting price will not be at this level.”

"As for us...due to the non-transferability of the dedication, we cannot intuitively know the value of the original commission amount today, but it is this timeless and historically heavy feature that makes this honor even more It is extremely precious. Even if we only talk about the market value, its addition to the taste and strength of the McAdam family will be indirectly reflected in other economic activities. The most direct area is the appeal in the art investment market. "

Judging from the Marquise's analysis, she was very proud that her daughter was the first to discover Fanning's artistic value and get the first dedication.

Naturally, there were other contributions after Fanning, or other collected manuscripts, but it was impossible for the composer to treat all of his works in this way, after all, it was only a small part.

When the world compiles the catalog of Fanning's works a few years later, the work numbers on the index table must be in order, so the dedication seen at the front is that of the McAdam family.

And it only cost 500 pounds to do this.

After exchanging pleasantries, the four of them slowly entered the door.

Fan Ning found that only by walking into the "Church of St. James the Sun" could he feel a complete and real shock.

In front of you is a vaulted hall supported by countless square stone pillars. Everywhere is painted with splendid heavy colors. It is difficult to find a place where you can have a panoramic view. The arch shell is layered inside and outside, with circular or arc-shaped windows scattered throughout the heights. There is a semi-hidden passage leading to the dome lighting pavilion in the middle of the gap, with only a few steps looming. Countless strange lights shine through them, creating a three-dimensional effect of interspersed light and dark.

"Blessed is he who walks in the corridor, for he is bathed in light, for he can see the ladder to heaven." The architectural design of the Church of St. James the Sun is enough to make everyone with high or low inspiration realize that "no The glory of Falling Fire.

In fact, regardless of belief or not, such giant buildings are splendid treasures in the history of human civilization.

"It is said that every artist who meets this place for the first time will be inspired by the wordless sublimity." Paul McAdam, who was strolling, slowly said, "...Mr. Fanning must have met him for the first time, how does it feel? ?”

"The sublimity of quantity and the sublimity of power are both present here." Fan Ning nodded slightly.

"Quantity? Strength?" Marquis MacAdam felt novel and puzzled by Fan Ning's phrase.

Fan Ning explained: "The unusually large volume, difficult structure layout, unattainable height, and dense and complicated light beams obviously possess the 'sublimity of quantity'... And staring at its shape requires the majestic courage to overcome huge obstacles. It takes a process of blockage, fear, and respect. This category can be attributed to the 'sublimity of power'."

For the first time, there was an imperceptible fluctuation in McAdam's serious and calm demeanor.

In his vision, believers would praise the dazzling glory of the "Unfallen Fire", non-believers would start from the pure architectural form and describe the subjective feelings that the church brings to them, and musicians would gain inspiration for creation because of its beauty and sublimity. , but music is an art beyond language. Although it is emotional, it cannot be expressed in words.

Fan Ning was obviously also touched by the sublimity of the cathedral, but he was neither a believer's indulgent praise nor a lyrical empty sigh, but used a rational expression to accurately analyze the source of the sublime feeling.

It has been nearly twenty years since Paul McAdam broke through to the realm of the Knower. As a person of this position and level, he has come into contact with a large number of outstanding young artists or talented and knowledgeable people, but Fan Ning's discussion still made him feel fresh and new. .

The thought passed quickly, and when he walked to a place with few people, he still said calmly: "I have learned about the elixir issue from Luo Yin. It is of great importance to the school. I met you today and thank you for sharing the news. ”

…So that’s what happened. Fan Ning breathed a sigh of relief, and Yun Danfeng smiled softly: "You're welcome, Lord Marquis. The news may be useful to the Bologna School, but it doesn't matter to me. It's a piece of cake."

From accidentally hearing about the principal's healing, to coincidentally connecting with a few clues at hand, from wanting to verify whether the principle of chromatography is effective, to passing the information to Luo Yin, he didn't have a particularly strong purpose, it was all done as he pleased.

"That's right." He put his cane aside and took out a small box from his briefcase. "I have already separated the extraordinary components in the elixir. I brought them with me when I came to Fort Santalan this time. Some samples may be useful to you.”

"Have you separated the extraordinary components?" McAdam took the small box and opened it.

He originally thought that Fan Ning only learned about the ingredients through some special method or unexpected information.

Four small tubes were suspended out of thin air in front of his eyes. In addition to the original sample of the healing elixir, there were also strange flower-shaped substances, beautiful oval crystals and viscous silver liquid.

The next moment, McAdam reached out and grabbed the small tube back, and the substances seemed to violate the relationship between inside and outside. Their positions had not moved and they were still suspended there quietly.

This incomprehensible method made Fan Ning hold his breath for a while.

After observing it for a while, McAdam restored it in the same way: "It is indeed an extraordinary substance concocted by the Harmonization School... I don't know how you developed this rare separation method. There are too few such cases. If it has universal applicability, If you have potential, the school is willing to entrust you to study the purification issues after the refining of several specific formulas."

He himself can indeed use spiritual control that is precise to the millimeter, plus specific auxiliary substances, to slowly pull out these extraordinary components, but something that requires a profound person of his level to expend effort, in itself means high costs. cost.

If Fanning can allow knowledgeable people to do this, it will be of great significance to the entire school. The more types of formulas that can be applied, the greater the value.

This was the second time today that he was slightly surprised.

"This is not my main area of ​​interest for the time being." Fan Ning rejected him with a smile, "But for preliminary theoretical knowledge, I have communicated with Miss Joan Nisimi, a new member of your school. She is very young and talented. It’s rare. Mr. President may pay more attention to her growth.”

Marquis McAdam, who heard the first sentence, was slightly unhappy because he was rejected by the junior in person, but Fan Ning's subsequent words couldn't help but make his eyes soften again.

Elixir masters, especially those who are familiar with high-level extraordinary material properties, are rare in every knowledgeable organization. Fan Ning is equivalent to helping himself cultivate talents for free.

After several conversations, the Marquis felt that he was taking advantage of the younger man. He couldn't even understand the young artist's motives.

Fan Ning continued: "The two principals unintentionally took this elixir for two months. Their spiritual state may have been very dangerous. I suggest you, the president, check the situation of the members and control the culprits as soon as possible."

"The action has been taken." McAdam, who was thinking, frowned: "But in fact, you can think that their eating behavior is not purely unintentional because of healing. They have a hint of being fanned, and there is more. The 'self-awareness' factor."

"What!?"

As soon as McAdam said this, not only Fan Ning, but also Luo Yin exclaimed. Only the Marquise next to her looked calm.

The factor of “self-knowledge”? Fan Ning felt that every time he heard this word, it was not a good thing. He couldn't help but think, could it be that these two principals had also been polluted by the hidden knowledge of the "Fountain in the Painting"?

He had previously wondered why Sternikai, as a high-ranking knowledgeable person, was so careless about the extraordinary substances he took into his stomach. At that time, Fan Ning attributed it to the fact that the weak ingredients mixed in were difficult to detect, but now Thinking about it this way...the main problem is not that Sternikai can't discern the nature of the elixir?

"The Knower means a powerful invisible force." McAdam meaningfully brought up a seemingly unrelated topic, "It also means that the average life span of human beings can be increased by 20-40 years on the basis of 60 years old. , if that barrier cannot be broken through, even some secret rituals of the 'cocoon' or 'pool' phase can only improve body functions in old age and relieve people from the pain of aging, but cannot make people live significantly longer. ”

Fan Ning listened quietly. He knew this.

"Life and knowledge are equally important. Only by living can we continue to pursue knowledge, and those who gain more knowledge can also live longer. If you want to achieve essential changes in your body and spirit, there are only two ways to choose from: Enter Move and seek to ascend, or be moved into and seek to transform.”

"The former naturally refers to being promoted to the enlightened ones. However, there are only a few knowledgeable people who can successfully pass through the door and see the Huita. Most people can only take the latter path, which is to continuously take some special and dangerous foods. Using the elixir, the surging material can gradually transform itself and extend its life to a certain extent, or try your luck to see whether the transformed spirit body can successfully pass through the door and return to the first path."

"Isn't the latter a way to survive?" Fan Ning couldn't help but ask.

He knew very well that elixirs were relatively safe for ordinary or auxiliary functions, but those special elixirs would never end well if abused. Even if the body did not turn into a monster, his will would be gradually destroyed.

There are shortcomings in this world, and human life is short. However, as an artist, Fan Ning cannot accept that his free will is controlled by dangerous moving materials. If he cannot continue to export his inner true artistic inspiration to the world, what kind of life will he have? Decades are meaningless.

In previous lives, Mozart, Schubert, Chopin and others only took more than thirty years to achieve immortality, while most people in the world are still confused even if they live twice as long as they did. Only those great masters who have left precious spiritual wealth for mankind in the long history. When everyone mentions him, they will sigh, "It would be great if he could live another ten years. Then we don't know how many new great things we can hear." work".

Fan Ning felt that if he could not be promoted to the Underworld, then he would let nature take its course. Among the factors that determine the value of an artistic career, life span is not everything.

"It is difficult for young and knowledgeable people to feel this." McAdam seemed to see through Fan Ning's thoughts. He looked up at the window with a distant look: "... When a knowledgeable person is old or approaching death, he usually explores the mysteries steadily. The nature of the person will gradually undergo some changes, and he will tend to pursue hidden knowledge more eagerly and no matter the cost."

His words seemed ordinary, but Fan Ning, who had already "calmly" prepared himself mentally, suddenly "broken his guard".

"All knowledgeable people will eventually become like this?" Fan Ning looked unhappy.

"all."

"Can the Profound One also do this?"

"From the ignorant to the knowledgeable, they all do it," McAdam said. "As long as your time is short and you are close to decline, hidden knowledge will be more likely to infect your will, and the ignorant will be more susceptible to instigation. Death by peeping into the mystery, the seeker is also unable to resist the attraction of a higher level of mystery when he is approaching the end of his life.”

"This is not a change of aging, it is just an expression of instinct. Everyone in the world is born to pursue brilliance like moths, just like dust falling to the ground and sparks rising."

This topic that made Fan Ning's expression become dull for a time ended here, and Marquis McAdam motioned for everyone to continue walking inside.

His demeanor and tone returned to calmness: "Anyway, thank you for your help to the school. In return, I will prepare the nomination for 'Boethius Artist' later, after the mature artists participating in the competition have completed their presentations." In the name of a member of today’s inspection team, I propose to give you, a newcomer, a chance to show off.”

"If you perform well, this may help you enter the discussion group's inspection field as soon as possible. Of course, the premise is whether you are sure to accept the inspection. Too big a gap may have an impact on the artist's reputation. You can first look at mature artists We will make decisions carefully based on our performance.”