Chapter 32: Who Would Fear a Defeated Opponent?

The recording was still ongoing.

Host He Hao proceeded with the next segment: "All ten performance stages have now concluded. Thank you to all sixty-three trainees for bringing us such wonderful shows.

"According to the competition rules, the ten teams will face off in pairs with the same theme. The losing team from each duel will enter the lower bracket.

"In the lower bracket, the five teams must each say goodbye to two members: the trainee with the lowest individual power score, and the one ranked lowest on Penguin Video's 'Star of Tomorrow' popularity chart, who must temporarily leave the show."

In the trainees' lounge, upon hearing the elimination rules, some began to cling to one another and weep bitterly.

Most of them already had a sense of who would be eliminated.

This time, each team in the lower bracket would lose two members.

One would be the trainee with the lowest popularity ranking in each team.

And since the popularity chart on Penguin Video's 'Star of Tomorrow' page was public and updated in real time, that spot was already determined.

The individual power score was decided by the live audience's votes. Though the results hadn't yet been announced, everyone more or less knew who was in danger.

So, those who felt they were about to be eliminated broke down, covering their faces and sobbing.

Several cameras in the lounge zoomed in for close-ups of the crying trainees.

The team captains began to comfort their members: "It's alright, it's just a temporary departure. We'll be here waiting for your return."

The teams in the upper bracket were much more relaxed, since they didn't face immediate elimination.

Among them, Fang Xing's group of five was especially at ease, chatting and laughing, as if they existed in a different world from the other teams.

It was one thing for the others to be calm, but even Fang Xing himself wasn't nervous—it was almost over the top.

Lu Ming nudged Fang Xing's arm with his elbow and asked, "Captain, there's still a PK round coming up. You're not nervous at all?"

Fang Xing was set to compete in the upcoming PK round, once again facing off against Hashim.

Lu Ming and the others had known about this for a while, so they didn't need to participate in the PK round themselves and felt quite relaxed, though they were a little concerned about whether their captain could win.

Fang Xing shrugged with an easy smile. "I'm alright. It doesn't really depend on my opponent; it's just that the next song is pretty challenging."

Guo Keda teased, "Captain, has anyone ever told you that your current expression is begging for a punch?"

Two rows away sat Hashim's team.

Since they’d fallen into the lower bracket, seven members would have to lose two.

The two least popular members of his team were crying; Hashim, visibly impatient, offered a few perfunctory words of comfort before turning around and glaring at Fang Xing with open hostility.

Fang Xing lounged in his chair, watching him with interest. Then he raised his right hand and responded with the signature throat-cutting gesture he'd used before.

Throughout the entire exchange, his face wore a faint, unbothered smile, making the gesture seem utterly devoid of malice.

But to Hashim, it was the height of provocation.

He snorted coldly and turned back to his two eliminated teammates. "Stop crying. In a moment, I’ll eliminate Fang Xing and avenge you both."

The two trainees looked even more miserable, thinking: If you eliminate him, he'll just rule the revival chart and our chances will only get worse.

But they could only keep these thoughts to themselves, not daring to say them out loud.

...

Once the elimination list was announced, the focus shifted back to the stage.

He Hao, in a voice full of enthusiasm, announced the PK round rules: "All ten performance stages have ended, but tonight's excitement isn't over yet.

"Next is the PK round. Each of the ten teams will send one person to compete, each performing a solo.

"Ten people, ten songs, vying for just two spots to advance.

"Now, each group should decide among themselves who will compete. Once you've decided, pick up the battle mic in the prep room and come to the stage."

Though the host asked each group to discuss their representative, the choices had already been made.

Preparing for the PK song took time, and the production team had informed each group in advance to have their candidates prepare.

Of course, each group had more than one trainee ready, and the final decision could be negotiated internally.

In Fang Xing's team, there was no need for discussion. He stood up, grabbed the battle mic, waved to his teammates, and was the first to step out and ascend the stage.

Hashim was not to be outdone. He grabbed the second battle mic and followed closely behind.

Wow!

Seeing Fang Xing and Hashim take the stage first, the audience erupted in cheers.

Just two weeks prior, these two had faced off in a PK round.

Hashim was defeated outright but had returned through the revival vote.

Now, two weeks later, they stood on the PK stage again.

Tension filled the air. The audience, remembering that night’s duel and the crushing victory with "Nocturne," were even more eager for this coming showdown.

After all ten teams sent out their PK representatives, He Hao began interviewing the contestants.

Among the ten PK participants, not only were Fang Xing and Hashim present—Wu Junchen was there as well.

When Wu Junchen appeared, his fans nearly screamed themselves hoarse.

Some even shouted from the audience, "Junchen, no! If you lose the PK, you’ll be eliminated!"

"Junchen will never lose!"

As for Wu Junchen's participation, Fang Xing had already heard about it in the lounge from the ever-gossipy Guo Keda.

Guo Keda was always snooping around other groups and knew all the insider news.

Wu Junchen's plan to join the PK round wasn't much of a secret in the training camp.

In fact, this was a result of negotiations between Wu Junchen, his management company, and the show’s producers.

During the first performance, Wu Junchen had expressed his desire to protect his teammates by substituting for them in competitions.

At the time, Fang Xing was still in his team, but in the end, Fang Xing took the stage and dominated, knocking Hashim out.

As a result, Wu Junchen’s "brotherly leader" image was somewhat tarnished.

To maintain that persona, he and his company requested that he join the PK round in the second performance.

Furthermore, there was another bit of drama in the lounge.

The teammate who was supposed to compete in the PK round broke down, sobbing uncontrollably and was in no state to perform.

Wu Junchen stepped up to take their place.

Of course, only the production team knew these details, and everyone involved had signed confidentiality agreements, so nothing would leak.

Thus, everything the audience saw was exactly what the producers wanted them to see—the truth was irrelevant.

He Hao, following the script, first interviewed Wu Junchen, having an in-depth conversation about stepping up for his teammate.

After that, He Hao turned to Hashim: "Hashim, after such a fierce contest, 'The Beauty With No Tears' also achieved a great result..."

The results for "The Beauty With No Tears" were indeed impressive, earning the third-highest power score of the night.

But the performance rules dictated head-to-head matchups on the same theme. Even though their stage was third overall, it couldn't prevent their team from being relegated to the lower bracket.

Hashim held his head high and replied with arrogance, "I'm disappointed 'The Beauty With No Tears' didn't win, but that outcome was set a week ago.

"Our opponents only won because of a dazzling aerial dance—my music wasn't defeated.

"During team selection, I wanted Hua Jun Wang, but my opponent got him first. Maybe that's because some people are biased against returnees like me.

"But it doesn't matter. On the PK stage, it's only about the music. I'll show the audience and judges what true rap is—I'm going to blow this stage away!"

"Wow!" He Hao responded enthusiastically. "Captain Hashim is certainly full of confidence. I wonder, Captain Fang Xing, are you at all intimidated by your opponent's fighting words?"

Fang Xing smiled calmly and retorted, "Who would be afraid of someone they've already defeated?"

He Hao was momentarily taken aback—this wasn't in the script.

Hashim’s expression darkened instantly.

The audience erupted in a commotion.

"This guy is way too arrogant—it's one thing to think it, but to say it out loud!"

"Nice! With that much swagger, I'll be your anti-fan for life!"

Among the audience, a few pranksters had snuck in.

He Hao’s mouth twitched as he hurried to change the subject. "Captain Fang Xing, you seem supremely confident. Is it because you’re sure you’ll win the PK round?"

Fang Xing glanced in the direction of Chief Director Tong Fei, smiling faintly. "Let's put it this way: unless the production team changes the rules, don’t expect to eliminate a single person from my team."

Whoosh!

Once again, the audience exploded.

"He's actually provoking the production team now—this guy's arrogance knows no bounds!"

"Beautiful! If I stop being your anti-fan for even a day, I’ll admit defeat!"

...