Tone-Deaf, I Mastered Vocal Tuning

Xu Changting, an overworked office drone stuck in the 996 grind, dies suddenly after working late night after night. When he opens his eyes again, he has become an outer sect disciple of the Miaoyin Sect on the Tianyuan Continent.

When he comes to, Xu Changting is in the middle of an examination. But musical theory might as well be a foreign language to him.

He fails the exam and cannot enter the inner sect.

A senior brother comforts him. "Don't lose heart, Junior Brother Xu. Study hard, and try again next year."

A senior sister nods too. "Your aptitude may be a little dull, Junior Brother Xu, but diligence can make up for a lack of talent. Nothing is impossible as long as you don't give up."

His fellow junior disciples gather around to comfort him as well.

Deeply encouraged, Xu Changting decides to make the best of his situation. What's the difference between being a workhorse here or somewhere else? If he can't get used to his new job, he'll just start learning from scratch.

So Xu Changting starts with the basics of cultivation techniques and studies all sorts of ancient musical modes, determined to shed his tone-deaf label within a year.

But as he studies, he discovers that the obscure music of cultivation seems much easier to learn when he gives it a modern melody.

In an instant, his Ren and Du meridians are unblocked!

[1] During the outer sect examination, his opponent launches one attack after another with ancient music. Xu Changting counters with a performance of "Tantang," using a "mad" melody to catch his opponent completely off guard. He scrapes into the inner sect at the very bottom of the rankings.

[2] During a secret-realm tournament, evil spirits appear one after another and injure people. Xu Changting joins his senior brothers and sisters in performing "Monkey Tricks." The moment the suona sounds, the whole crowd is stunned, and the evil spirits are too dumbfounded to move.

[3] In a sparring match with fellow disciples, Xu Changting knows he can't win by force, so he takes a different approach and improvises a musical attack on the spot. His performance of "The Most Dazzling Ethnic Style" unexpectedly disturbs the Grand Elder, who has been in seclusion.

That day, the Grand Elder successfully advances after a century in seclusion, and takes Xu Changting as his final disciple.

Xu Changting: Tsk! I feel terrifyingly strong now.

Reader's Guide: Inspired by dancing to Pamela Anderson's workouts. A lighthearted story.

Blurb written on 2024.9.3, screenshot saved.

Theme: Nothing is impossible for those who set their minds to it.