The gala officially kicked off with an opening show that integrated holographic projections and rousing music. The dazzling light effects and pulsating rhythm instantly ignited the atmosphere of the entire venue.
The two Shus, with an expectant feeling of "let's see what kind of tricks these kids can pull off," sat down in the front row area reserved by the [Kiana Energy Station].
However, this simple sense of anticipation did not last long.
Almost as soon as they sat down, a steady sound of footsteps came from a distance.
Bronya, holding a large pile of purchased merchandise, walked expressionlessly past the aisle in front of them with Seele.
Bronya's gray eyes swept over their faces with extreme naturalness as she passed by.
Seele, on the other hand, had her head slightly lowered, but in the moment they passed each other, Shu clearly felt her gaze quickly lift and linger on him and [Shu ] for a moment.
They walked straight to the reserved seats not far away and sat down, also in the first row.
And it wasn't over.
Immediately after, Theresa passed by with light steps, smiling and waving at the "Stelle sisters."
Bianca and Rita walked side by side, and Rita even smiled and nodded in acknowledgment of the "pleasant transaction" at the booth.
Natasha passed by with the children of the Bunny Team, and the children waved excitedly at them.
Kallen came alone, and when she saw the two Shus, she even nodded politely in their direction.
Finally, Fu Hua's calm gaze paused slightly when it met Shu's, and then she also nodded in acknowledgment.
Acquaintances passed by one after another. Shu and [Shu ] had to adjust their expressions again and again, responding to these passing "big shots" with the polite attitude that "Stelle" should have.
It wasn't until these people had all taken their seats in their respective group areas in the front row that the two of them breathed a slight sigh of relief, feeling that their backs were a little stiff.
This is too concentrated...
Shu grumbled inwardly, subconsciously tilting his head slightly, trying to observe the movements of Bronya and Seele with the corner of his eye.
As a result, his gaze happened to collide with two gazes that were cast directly at him.
Bronya sat upright, but her gray eyes were staring at them without blinking.
And Seele beside her, although she seemed to be looking at the stage, the corner of her eye was also locked on them.
Shu's heart tightened, and he quickly turned his head back to face the stage as if nothing had happened.
He could feel [Shu ]'s body also tense up almost imperceptibly for a moment.
What on earth are they looking at...
The question arose in both of their hearts at the same time, but now was clearly not the time to investigate.
The gala had begun, and they forcibly pulled their attention back to the stage.
The programs of each support group were performed in turn.
Last year's runner-up, Fu Hua's "Immortal Watchers" group, was the first to take the stage.
The stage lights dimmed, and a single cold spotlight fell, illuminating two figures.
Qin Suyi was in a long, water-blue dress, sitting behind a guqin.
Su Mei had also restrained her unparalleled aura, holding a long flute and standing gracefully to the side.
The two unreasonable cheaters, who had directly entered the fray to stomp the competition, bowed slightly to the audience, and then Qin Suyi's slender fingers plucked the strings of the zither.
The first note, as clear as a spring, sounded, as if tearing through the thin veil of time.
Immediately after, Su Mei's melodious flute sound joined in, like a gentle breeze blowing over the mountaintop.
The zither and flute played in harmony. There was no rousing rhythm, no complicated techniques, only a vast and desolate artistic conception that slowly flowed with the music.
A holographic projection of an ancient landscape painting materialized behind the two of them.
An immortal riding a sword, slaying demons and monsters, protecting the people, sitting in solitude through the years...
The images changed with the music, sometimes magnificent, sometimes lonely, with the warmth of thousands of lights, and the coldness of a sword mound of withered bones.
Shu understood...
This piece of music should be about an immortal who had been silently guarding the land of Shenzhou since ancient times, who had experienced the vicissitudes of life, endured countless erosions, and finally came to an end.
You ask how he understood it?
This piece of music is called "Immortal Phoenix."
To be fair, the artistic level of this piece was extremely high, its artistic conception was profound, and the performance was impeccable.
Many spectators in the audience were immersed in this ancient charm and artistic conception.
But...
Shu still couldn't help but poke his head out with [Shu ] to look at Fu Hua, who was sitting in the front row.
Fu Hua in the front row sat upright, her hands on her lap, her expression calm, as if the performance on stage had nothing to do with her.
But Shu saw at a glance that something was wrong.
Fu Hua's ears were red.
She must have also understood the story in the music, but she also knew what the experience of "herself" in the original plot was.
This song seemed to be about her, and it also seemed not to be about her... how strange.
"So this is Senior Fu Hua's story?" Bianca looked at the performance on stage, her face full of longing. "So... Senior Fu Hua is really an immortal who has been protecting Shenzhou since ancient times, just as everyone said!"
Wait, who did you hear that from?!
Bianca didn't know the original plot either!
Oh, this one could really understand what this song was talking about... is the Kaslana talent so authoritative in the art world too?
Or is this the credit of the Schariac family?
Not only did Fu Hua's fingers suddenly clench, but even Theresa, who was sitting next to Bianca, was suddenly choked by bitter gourd juice and began to cough violently.
"Lady Bianca, this should just be a fictional story," Rita, who also didn't know the plot, explained to Bianca.
"Yes, yes, yes, fictional, just fictional!" Theresa quickly agreed, "How could Fu Hua be a MANTIS from the Previous Era?"
"So it's just fictional..." Bianca showed a disappointed expression, but after a moment of disappointment, she suddenly looked up again, "Wait, is Senior Fu Hua also a MANTIS? Like me?"
Theresa: "..."
The performance on stage ended in Theresa's silence.
The classical aftertaste brought by "Immortal Phoenix" had not completely dissipated when the stage lights suddenly changed!
Bright, jumping, candy-colored lights flooded the stage.
Theresa's spirits lifted.
Wait!
Something's wrong!!
Such a familiar intro!
Accompanied by a series of crisp, bell-like sound effects, a dozen or so girls in brightly colored and elaborate magical girl short skirts, wearing "bunny ear" decorations, and holding sparkling "magic wands," flooded into the center of the stage with energetic steps!
Their image instantly made many old-timers in the audience sit up straight from their sickbeds.
Could it be—
That's right!
Next to appear was the phenomenal idol who had swept the entire entertainment industry back then—
Teriri!
The iconic slogan echoed through the venue in a high-spirited, unified shout through the speakers.
"Staff of the super-dimension that seals the power of darkness, release all your power here!"
Theresa whipped her head around.
It's over!