Chapter Fifteen: The Gathering of Star Promoters! Contestants Enter the Three Major Arenas!

But before Jiang Yi could answer, Liu Xiaoyu continued,
“In a moment, all three star mentors—Teacher Xue Zhi, Teacher Yang Xiaomi, and Teacher Hua Chen—will arrive! Our show’s live audition broadcast will start around 11 a.m. today…”

“However, the show will start warming up earlier, probably around 10 a.m., with an opening performance by the three star mentors to attract viewers! Only after that will the contestants take the stage…”

“In short, when it’s your turn to go up, you’ll have to directly choose which track you want to enter! The Solo Track, the Beauty Track, and the Magic Voice Track—each track has its own judging criteria!”

“So now, you need to tell us your preference, just to give the production team an idea… We have to ensure the number of contestants in each track isn’t too unbalanced. While respecting your choices, we might reassign a few contestants to other tracks to keep things even and the show interesting.”

Jiang Yi knew that, in the world before he crossed over, the show similar to “Sons of Tomorrow” also started with live broadcasts before being edited into official episodes and released online. But there, each of the three tracks had its own week: a live broadcast for one track each week, followed by the official episode. In that format, contestants would have to confirm their track in advance and only be notified to come for the competition during their track’s week. There was no need for everyone to come so early and waste time living there for nothing.

“As expected, the competition system here is completely different from what I remembered before crossing over. In that case, everything is an unknown,” he thought to himself.

Jiang Yi spoke up directly, “I choose the Solo Track!”

At that moment, Wang Ao, standing beside him, could barely contain his joy when he heard Jiang Yi hadn’t switched tracks. An opportunity to crush Jiang Yi had finally arrived!

Liu Xiaoyu nodded. “Alright, got it.”

“I also choose the Solo Track!” Wang Ao announced immediately.

“Okay, both of you are in the Solo Track,” Liu Xiaoyu said. “Alright, I’ll leave you to prepare. Actually, it’s almost time. You can go line up for makeup now.”

“Let’s head over then,” Jiang Yi replied. Both he and Wang Ao slung their guitars on their backs and went on their way.

They arrived at the recording venue of Jiji Gua Gua Company.

“This production team really went all out…” Wang Ao couldn’t help but sigh at the spacious venue and the meticulously designed stage.

“It looks a bit like the second season’s stage of Sons of Tomorrow from my previous world, but it’s not quite the same—and even more luxurious…” Jiang Yi observed from afar.

At that moment, many staff members bustled about, checking cameras, live-streaming equipment, and more.

The scene looked like an arena.

At the center was the performance stage. Surrounding the stage were five sections arranged like a fan.

On three sides were rows of seats, each a different color—probably the designated seating for contestants of each track.

On one side were three luxurious sofas, reserved for the mentors of the three tracks. Beside each mentor’s seat were twelve more chairs.

“Could these be for those who advance? Only twelve spots per track?” Jiang Yi speculated. “If that’s the case, competition is fierce. By my estimation, there must be several hundred contestants here, and only thirty-six will make it through the first round?”

Then again, the show in his previous world also had thirteen spots per track, so this made sense. Though, it seemed there was one less spot this time.

“I wonder what the exact competition system is…”

Because of this, Jiang Yi felt uneasy. He didn’t know whether he could advance—perhaps this really would be a one-off for him.

On another side of the arena was a gigantic projection screen, likely for displaying contestant information and the like.

In addition, Jiang Yi saw many contestants in all sorts of bizarre outfits: some in historical costumes, some in gender-bending attire, some with dreadlocks, others carrying strange instruments.

“Jiang Yi, Wang Ao, don’t wander off. Line up here for makeup…” Liu Xiaoyu emerged from the makeup room to instruct them.

Both nodded. With so many contestants, makeup had to be done in order.

Liu Xiaoyu turned and went back inside.

As the two waited outside, a commotion erupted.

“Teacher Hua Chen is here!”

“It’s Teacher Hua!”

“It really is Hua Hua!”

Suddenly, some contestants grew excited.

Jiang Yi looked over and saw the slender, short-haired young man, Hua Chen, appearing in a flamboyant half-skirt outfit.

“Teacher Hua, I’m your fan!” some contestants and staff squealed, crowding around him.

“Hello, everyone, hello!” Hua Chen smiled sheepishly, waving his hands. “No need to be nervous, just relax. Take it easy!”

“Contestants, please calm down! Teacher Hua still needs to get ready for the opening show…” a staff member called out. “Teacher Hua, please come this way!”

Hua Chen waved and smiled, then followed the staff backstage.

Not long after, Yang Xiaomi appeared.

She was dressed in a cheongsam, her figure alluring, her wavy hair exuding glamour with every gesture.

“She’s wearing a cheongsam?” Jiang Yi was surprised. This truly was a parallel world; things were indeed different. In his original world, Yang Xiaomi had never worn a cheongsam on set.

He had to admit, though, that Yang Xiaomi’s stunning figure and beautiful face made her dazzling in the cheongsam.

Faced with the staff and contestants’ exclamations—and their requests for photos and autographs—

“If you want a photo or autograph, give your best in the competition. If you advance, you can take photos with me and get an autograph!” she declared.

Some people were taken aback, but Yang Xiaomi laughed, “Haha, just kidding. Any contestant who wants a photo or autograph can have one, whether you advance or not. But that’ll have to wait until after the recording. I need to prepare for the opening show now—I’m so nervous…”

She patted her ample chest playfully and was then led away by staff.

Jiang Yi saw that Yang Xiaomi and Hua Chen had started chatting backstage, though he couldn't hear what they were discussing. He knew the three star mentors had arrived yesterday, and last night, the two big bosses, Long Dandan and Ma Xiaohan, had surely hosted a dinner for them to get acquainted. Their casual conversation now wasn’t surprising.

Just then—

“Yo yo, check, now~~~” Xue Zhi swaggered in, sunglasses perched on his nose like reading glasses, adopting a goofy pose and walking sideways like a crab.

He called out enthusiastically, “Future superstars, how are you?!” exuding social confidence.

He wore ripped jeans and a T-shirt, with two slogans printed on front and back: “Talent is Everything” and “World Peace.”

Jiang Yi and Wang Ao simply watched.

But some contestants rushed forward, “Hello, Teacher Xue, can I take a photo with you…”

“No photos!” Xue Zhi replied sternly, then broke into a smile. “But I can give you a hug!” He enveloped the male contestant in a bear hug, squeezing hard until the boy’s face flushed.

“We’ll do the rest after the show! Everyone, prepare well! I welcome you to conquer me with your talent!” With that, Xue Zhi released his fan and followed the staff toward where Hua Chen and Yang Xiaomi had gone.

Jiang Yi watched as the three star mentors disappeared backstage.

“It seems the three mentors have similar personalities. Most importantly, the Solo Track mentor still seems to value talent, which means the quality of original songs will probably matter most. I might have a chance…” Jiang Yi thought.

“Jiang Yi, Wang Ao, come in—it’s your turn for makeup!” Liu Xiaoyu called from the dressing room.

“Coming!” Jiang Yi and Wang Ao entered.

Soon, a professional makeup artist had finished their looks.

Since the show was being broadcast live, makeup was, of course, necessary.

Afterwards, as they stepped out, Liu Xiaoyu reminded them, “Jiang Yi, Wang Ao, don’t wander off. The recording is about to begin!”

Barely two minutes later, Zhang Xiaoli called out to everyone, “All contestants, please enter! The recording of Sons of Tomorrow is starting!”