16.
The atmosphere in the studio was unprecedentedly tense. One hundred and fifty trainees sat in their class areas, awaiting the moment to decide whether to stay or leave. The rankings from the first performance combined with the initial online voting were about to be announced, and a full fifty would be eliminated, leaving this stage where they had pursued their dreams.
The host, in a tone both poignant and encouraging, read out the names one by one. Each name was met with tears of reluctance, forced smiles of farewell, and mixed looks from the remaining trainees. Some rejoiced, others worried, the harshness of reality laid bare in this moment.
Thanks to their explosive performance and immense attention, the "Venom" team secured their spot. Li Mo, Bobby, and Xiao Fang, while not ranked highly, secured their spot. When their names were called, their eyes welled up and they hugged each other tightly.
Next, the new class divisions and top circle rankings will be announced.
The big screen first showed the new Class A list, which consisted of only ten people, symbolizing the ten debut spots.
The names will be announced in reverse order starting from the tenth place:
"Tenth place, XX Entertainment, XXX!"
"Ninth place..."
…
Every time a name was announced, there was applause and cheers from the audience.
When the seventh name was called, the host paused and read out a name that seemed unfamiliar to many people:
"Seventh place, individual trainee—Ruan Xu!"
Wow—— there was a burst of surprised discussion at the scene.
A figure suddenly stood up from the contestant booth. He was short, with a tiny face and large, round eyes, like a frightened deer. His skin was pale, and he looked like a middle school student who hadn't grown up. It was none other than Mi Xi's little fan trainee!
Ruan Xu seemed to haven't expected to make it to Class A. He was so excited that he was at a loss, his cheeks flushing red. He almost ran towards the promotion area at the same time, his eyes searching the crowd anxiously, and finally locked onto the figure standing in front of him.
He rushed over without hesitation, and in front of everyone's surprised gazes, he hugged Mi Xi tightly, his voice filled with tears and incomparable excitement: "Idol! Idol! I did it! I got into Class A!!!"
Mi Xi was knocked back half a step by him, and looked down at the furry head in her arms and the little fan who was trembling with excitement. A genuine smile appeared on her cold face, and she raised her hand and gently patted his back.
"Well, you're great." His voice was gentle and encouraging.
This scene was captured accurately by the camera, and fans were instantly excited.
【Ahhh, the star-chasing winner, Ruan Xu! 】
[Xiaoxuxu is so cute! Mixi is so gentle!]
【What kind of two-way rush is this between idols and fans! 】
Then, the top three were announced.
"Third place, Mi'an Entertainment, Sang Wang!"
Sang Wang maintained a proper smile on his face, stood up, bowed, and walked towards his seat in Class A.
"Second place, AXIS Entertainment, Wuyo!"
Wu You raised his eyebrows, seemingly not surprised by the ranking. He stood up and subconsciously glanced at Mi Xi next to him, then raised his chin and walked towards his seat like a proud little fox.
Finally, everyone's eyes were focused on the host.
"Now, the first place in the first ranking will be announced—"
The lights in the venue were flashing and the drums were beating fast.
"He has stunning looks, incredible abilities, and amazing stage presence! He is—"
"Xingshuo Entertainment, Mi Xi! Congratulations!"
"Mi Xi! Mi Xi! Mi Xi!"
The audience erupted in the warmest cheers and screams, and Mi Xi's name echoed throughout the studio. He stood in the center of the light, bowing slightly. His expression remained calm, but his peach-colored eyes gleamed with the radiant light of a king.
The rankings have been announced, and the next step is to re-assign dormitories and select songs for the second performance.
Dormitories were allocated according to the new classes, with Class A's ten students staying in the best-equipped four-person and two-person rooms (depending on their preferences). The theme for the second performance was also announced:
"Concept Showdown!"
Four original songs with different styles were displayed on the big screen, representing four different concepts: sexy charm, youthful vitality, traditional Chinese martial arts, and future technology.
For each song, you need to form two teams to compete against each other!
The order of song selection is based on the ranking, and Mi Xi, as the first place, has the priority right of selection.
Everyone's eyes are on him again. Will he choose to continue the sexy charm of "Venom" or challenge a new style?
Mi Xi's eyes swept across the four tracks, finally stopping at the traditional Chinese martial arts track, "Swordsmanship." This song was filled with chivalrous spirit and a carefree and uninhibited style, a stark contrast to his previous image.
Without hesitation, he picked up the token representing "Swordsmanship" and said in a clear voice:
"I choose 'Swordsman'."
This choice was once again unexpected! The first place winner didn't choose the safe and steady sexy style, but instead challenged the difficult traditional Chinese style martial arts?
Wu You looked at Mi Xi's choice, and a hint of interest flashed in his tearful eyes. Without thinking, he also picked up the token of "Swordsman".
“I choose this one too.”
The situation of kings meeting each other seems to be about to happen again.
Ruan Xu, who had just entered Class A and was very excited, looked at her idol's choice and followed Mi Xi without hesitation and chose "Swordsman".
New ranking, new dormitory, new challenges.
————
Mi Xi, Wu You, and Ruan Xu, three of the top-ranked contestants in Class A, chose "Swordsmanship," further hesitating many trainees already hesitant about the concept of traditional Chinese martial arts. The song demands extremely high standards in both form and temperament, and even the slightest mistake can make it look out of place. With three powerful performers in attendance, it's even more likely to become a supporting role.
On the big screen, only four seats were left for the performance of "Swordsman," but no one came forward. The atmosphere was a little stagnant.
The host livened up the atmosphere at the right moment: "It seems like the song 'Swordsman' is quite challenging! However, a truly strong person should have the courage to challenge themselves! Next, let's welcome Class A's eighth place winner, Chu Qingling from LYRA Entertainment!"
When the name was read, a low commotion erupted in the room. Everyone's eyes were fixed on a corner of the contestant's booth.
A figure slowly stood up.
His hair, a champagne-gold wolftail mullet, was soft and delicately shimmering under the light. His face was a perfectly small oval, with pale skin and delicate features as if meticulously carved from ice and snow. His eyes were particularly striking—the corners of his eyes drooped slightly, creating the perfect image of weeping. His long, thick eyelashes, like two small fans, cast a subtle shadow beneath his eyes. A light brown teardrop mole beneath his eye added a touch of coolness and fragility to his demeanor. His nose was straight and his lips were a distinct M-shaped, pale color.
He was wearing simple training clothes, but because of his slender frame, he looked empty. He was like a delicate and fragile crystal glass, giving off a sense of alienation that kept strangers away.
LYRA Entertainment. A long-established giant on par with Xingshuo, it's renowned for its rigorous selection process and top-tier resources. Those who make it to LYRA are chosen from among the very best. As LYRA's featured artist this year, Chu Qingling's talent and background are undeniable.
Chu Qingling walked towards the music selection table with a blank expression. He glanced at the remaining tokens, barely pausing on any other piece, and directly picked up the token for "Swordsmanship."
"I choose 'Swordsman'." His voice was just like his appearance, clear and clean, without any unnecessary emotions.
Wow——
This time, the scene was really in an uproar!
Four A-class players! "Swordsman" team actually brought together the first, second, seventh, and eighth A-class powerhouses! What kind of death group is this?! How can the other teams compete with this?!
Mi Xi watched Chu Qingling walk towards the Swordsman team, his gaze lingering on him for a moment. Xie Sui from LYRA… He had heard of this name before; he and Ji Ye were brothers who had grown up together. Now that LYRA had joined the fray, things were getting even more interesting.
Wu You also raised an eyebrow, looked at this new, seemingly cold teammate, curled his lips, and said nothing. Ruan Xu, on the other hand, swallowed nervously at the sight of another big shot joining the team, and subconsciously moved closer to Mi Xi.
Chu Qingling stood quietly beside Mi Xi and the others, his eyes fixed on them, as if the exclamations and discussions around him had nothing to do with him. He was like a piece of ice thrown into boiling water, which had a cooling effect.
In front of the backstage monitoring screen, Ji Ye looked at the familiar and cold face on the screen, sneered, took out his mobile phone, and clicked on the chat box with the note "Thank you Bingkuai".
[Ji Ye: Why is your crystal doll joining in the fun?]
【Xie Sui: Qingling's choice has nothing to do with me.】
Ji Ye: Oh, you're just pretending. If he loses a hair, won't you turn my studio upside down?
【Xie Sui: ...You have a lot of free time?】
Ji Ye smiled, put away his phone, and returned his gaze to Mi Xi on the screen. Xiao Yu'er's team was truly becoming increasingly "talented."
With the addition of Chu Qingling, the "Swordsman" team instantly became the center of attention, being hailed as a "gathering of kings" and a "battle of gods." While the remaining three spots were still being chosen, it was clear to everyone that the core and brilliance of this team had already been firmly held by these four Class A players.
The battle drums for the second performance have not yet been sounded, but the invisible smoke of war has already spread within the "Swordsman" group.
A super team consisting of fishing beauties, tsundere foxes, fanatical fans, and cool crystals is about to make a shocking debut.
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