Chapter 5: No Accompaniment

"The fourteen performance stages tonight have all concluded, and now it's time to reveal the rankings of their Firepower Points..." Host He Hao stirred up the atmosphere, then announced the rules for the Firepower Points ranking:

"Tonight's ranking will be determined by Firepower Points from the professional judges and the live audience. The judges account for thirty percent, the audience for seventy. There are only three seconds left to vote. Three, two, one—votes locked."

He Hao turned to the giant screen and called out, "Now, let's have the director display the Firepower Points rankings on the big screen. First up is Group One, 'Dreamer,' with 721 Firepower Points, currently in first place. Next is Group Two..."

The rankings appeared on the screen in the order of performances. If the Firepower Points were high enough, the ranking would leap from the bottom, overtaking the leader to become the new number one.

After the first thirteen groups were announced, it was finally the turn of Fang Xing's group, 'That Girl.' 'That Girl' appeared at the bottom, and the number beside it started to rise from zero.

One hundred, two hundred, three hundred...

When it reached 535, it surpassed the thirteenth place. Then, the number soared rapidly, charging toward the top spot.

The previous leader was Hashim's team, which also featured a popular contestant, Liu Yichen, so their audience votes were substantial. Combined with the judges' scores, their total Firepower Points reached 895.

'That Girl' climbed past second place, inching closer to first, reaching 890, its pace slowing but not stopping.

He Hao heightened the tension with excitement: "Eight hundred and ninety Firepower Points—will they surpass first place? Will they? Come on, let's see who tonight's true champion is!"

The fans held their breath, fists clenched in suspense.

Especially the fans of Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen—they were the most nervous.

Wu Junchen's fans shouted: "Go past them! Go past them! Go past them..."

Liu Yichen's fans desperately shook their heads: "No! No! Please, no..."

The two chants mingled, stirring the imagination.

Eight hundred ninety-three, eight hundred ninety-four, eight hundred ninety-five...

The air was frozen for three seconds.

In the end, 'That Girl' surpassed 895, overtaking the leader to become the new champion.

Moreover, their score didn't stop at the eight hundreds—it exceeded nine hundred, reaching 906 Firepower Points.

Seeing this result, Wu Junchen's fans erupted in jubilant cheers, while Liu Yichen's fans were deeply disgruntled.

He Hao continued, "Congratulations to Team 'That Girl,' congratulations to Junchen, for taking first place in your debut performance. As captain, how do you feel?"

Wu Junchen rattled off a flood of thanks to the fans, bowing deeply at a ninety-degree angle toward the audience.

"We still have the PK round coming up, with more brilliant stages. Are you all looking forward to it?" He Hao pressed on, "Now for the elimination rules. According to the team rankings, among the fourteen teams, the top seven will be in the Upper Division, the bottom seven in the Lower Division.

"In the Lower Division, the three trainees with the lowest personal Firepower Points from each team will temporarily leave the stage of 'Tomorrow's Star.'

"In the Upper Division, aside from tonight's winning team, the other six teams will also have their lowest-scoring trainee temporarily leave.

"Finally, each team will select one person for the PK round, performing a solo song to compete for the last two spots to advance.

"In other words, fourteen trainees will enter the PK round, fighting for two spots, while the remaining twelve will temporarily leave the stage of 'Tomorrow's Star.'"

Thus, after this first round of performances, thirty-nine trainees will be eliminated—a brutal culling.

And entering the PK round isn't necessarily a good thing.

Though you get a little more time on stage, if you fail to secure one of the only two spots, you'll be eliminated outright.

That means, as long as the survivors avoid the PK round, they can safely advance to the next stage.

Entering the PK round actually means a high chance of elimination.

It is, therefore, a gamble.

Trading the risk of elimination for a few more minutes of performance.

If you win, your popularity soars; if you lose, you buy a ticket home.

After He Hao finished announcing the rules,

Wu Junchen raised his hand. "I have a question."

"Junchen, is there something about the rules you don't understand?" He Hao asked with a smile.

Taking the microphone, Wu Junchen said, "According to the rules just announced, can I represent my team in the PK round?"

He Hao looked surprised, then nodded. "By the rules, yes, but think carefully. The PK round has only two slots to advance—fourteen into two. If you fail, you're eliminated immediately."

Wu Junchen pressed his lips together, as if making up his mind, and said, "I know, but I don't want my teammates to be eliminated. I hope to accompany them to the end."

He Hao sighed in admiration. "I didn't expect Junchen to be so responsible. Clearly, you've forged deep bonds with your teammates over this time."

At this, Wu Junchen's fans in the audience shrieked in excitement, their eyes wet with tears for their idol's admirable character.

Fang Xing watched this performance with a blank expression, so disgusted he nearly vomited up yesterday's meal.

He Hao added, "Junchen, we understand your feelings, but we can't set this precedent. If every team sends their captain to PK, then tonight we'd eliminate twelve captains.

"So, the production team wants each group to select a trainee from F-Class for PK.

"This also gives less popular trainees a chance to shine.

"Now, each team may go backstage to discuss who will compete in PK."

Back in the backstage lounge,

Wu Junchen turned to his teammates, voice thick with emotion: "Honestly, I really wish I could go to PK myself—then we could all advance together."

The rest gathered around to comfort him: "Captain, you've done your best. We took first place, and no one is eliminated. That's the best outcome."

When the production team notified them to prepare their PK songs, it wasn't just Fang Xing—they told every team's F-Class trainees to prepare.

So in Fang Xing's group, there were two other F-Class trainees also preparing PK songs.

"Who should sing in the PK round?"

The two other F-Class trainees exchanged glances—clearly, neither wanted to go.

Because the PK round was fourteen into two—if you got pushed out there, you were almost certain to be eliminated.

Besides, among the trainees there was an open secret: tonight's PK round would include Hashim, the one who'd returned from Australia.

Along with Hashim, another trainee, Shao Yu, who'd failed to swap with A-Class and landed in F-Class, would also compete.

Thus, those two spots were practically predetermined.

Wu Junchen looked into the camera and declared with feeling, "If the production team agrees, I could sing as well."

Fang Xing listened to their solemn discussion, but none really wanted to step up.

Uninterested in their theatrics, Fang Xing simply said, "I'll sing."

The two other F-Class trainees immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

The rest exchanged glances, uncertain: "Didn't he say he hadn't prepared an accompaniment? Is he really planning to sing a cappella?"