Although Chen Ran is a researcher at Fire Moth, it doesn't mean he needs to stay at Fire Moth all the time.
Even though he still can't compete with Mobius, it is undeniable that his status has risen because of Mobius.
No one would believe that Mobius would choose a pretty boy.
Therefore, they must recognize Chen Ran's value.
After all, the higher-ups at Fire Moth also need to figure out what it is about Chen Ran that makes Mobius want to be close to him.
As for Mobius's request for Chen Ran to go out, she didn't express any opinion.
Even when he went out with Vill-V, he wasn't on Mobius's mind.
...
"This should be the place, Mu Continent, where Eden's next concert will be held."
After spending two days, Chen Ran and Vill-V arrived at the center of global academia: Mu Continent.
Mu Continent is vast, with a population of 64 million, covering most of the South Pacific. It stretches from Tahiti in the south to the Hawaiian Islands in the north, east to Easter Island, and west to the Mariana Islands, spanning about 8,000 kilometers from east to west and about 5,000 kilometers from north to south, an area equivalent to the combined size of North and South America.
Although it is sparsely populated, hardly any country or regional organization would underestimate this place.
Even the high-ranking personnel within Fire Moth attend academic seminars in Mu Continent every year.
Mobius noticed MEI in Mu Continent and introduced her to Fire Moth.
Not to mention, there are many projects within Fire Moth that collaborate with Mu Continent, showcasing the academic advancement of Mu Continent.
However, at this moment, neither Chen Ran nor Vill-V came to Mu Continent for the academic circle.
"According to intelligence, Eden was born in Mu Continent. After gaining some fame from performances around the world, she is preparing for a spectacular show here in Mu Continent."
"She wants to conquer this place; only then can she become a shining star in the world."
Vill-V said to Chen Ran, "And if we want to persuade Eden, we need to start from here."
Chen Ran nodded in understanding.
In any world, academia and entertainment always have conflicts.
The academic world criticizes pop music for poisoning the world, stifling talented children in their youth. Without entertainment, if everyone just studied, the world would surely produce more geniuses.
On the other hand, the entertainment industry often feels that scholars are superior and do not understand the needs of ordinary people.
Even in Mu Continent, there are many criticisms of pop music.
Especially given Mu Continent's transcendent status in this world, even ordinary people yearn for it, and the statements that come from Mu Continent are often regarded as truth by some superstitious individuals.
Thus, the entertainment industry, which is not favored by Mu Continent, has not swept the globe.
Similarly, there is a saying in the entertainment circle: to conquer the world, one must first conquer Mu Continent.
So far, many singers who once shone in the entertainment industry have held concerts in Mu Continent but have all failed miserably.
Therefore, they always seem to be just a step away from becoming global superstars.
From this perspective, what Eden, Vill-V, and Mobius are trying to do is essentially the same thing.
They all want to "conquer the impossible."
"I've heard her songs," Chen Ran said. "To be honest, they're quite good; ordinary people can't find fault with them. Even her classical music performances and operas can stand out among a sea of pop music."
"But just being faultless isn't enough."
Chen Ran's words made Vill-V nod. "After all, being a scholar means pursuing higher values. Coincidentally, this gives us an opportunity to persuade."
The two of them, short on money, directly set their sights on the wealthy Eden.
Neither Chen Ran nor Vill-V thought this was a big deal.
Chen Ran felt that perhaps he had spent too much time with Mobius, so his bottom line had gradually lowered.
"Eden will have three concerts in Mu Continent; we should go to the first one, which is tomorrow."
Vill-V pulled out two tickets from somewhere. "Let's go; consider it our date."
...
"Loneliness is drawn into a fluttering flag by the slanting sun, waving amidst the surrounding twilight clouds. I not only want to pass through the city's clamor but also the indifference of people's hearts and the restraint of solitude."
In the large theater at the center of Mu Continent, a promotional poster for the "Eden Concert" was displayed.
The woman in the poster wasn't exceptionally beautiful, yet she had an indescribable allure.
Chen Ran's language skills weren't particularly good; he stared at the poster for a long time before managing to say, "This person looks very wealthy at first glance."
"Right? I think so too."
Vill-V paused for a moment and said directly, "If being rich is a sin, she should be beyond redemption. I checked, and Eden's assets are enough to support the expenses of our two experiments."
Chen Ran sighed, "With you keeping an eye on her, I feel a bit worried for Eden."
He naturally knew the Eden in the plot.
However, the future now clearly isn't unfolding according to the plot, and Chen Ran's understanding of Eden is limited to a few sparse details.
Rich enough, generous enough.
"Let's go; there are three performances in total. We should go in and understand what makes this wealthy woman so captivating."
Chen Ran shot Vill-V a glance. "Wasting time isn't your style; haven't we already known Eden's talent?"
"Uh-huh, can't it be a date between a boyfriend and girlfriend? I'm not a robot; if you make me happy, I can do things that will make you happy too."
Vill-V directly took his arm and led him into the performance hall.
As she walked, she said, "Actually, I've listened to Eden's songs for a long time. Of course, back then, I didn't know the singer was Eden; I just thought that song was beautiful."
Chen Ran raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"You know, I'm a mental patient. In a normally ordered society, patients always bear more malice, and even geniuses are no exception."
"My heart wasn't strong by nature; in fact, I almost lost hope back then."
She paused, casually continuing:
"When I was listening to that song, Eden wasn't famous yet. And when she became famous, I knew about Honkai. So until now, I've never attended her concert, so this isn't a waste of time."
Chen Ran fell silent.
Vill-V isn't like Mobius, who would place everything on 'profit.'
She does things according to her preferences, and her persistent desire is to make Mu Continent disappear, a goal that brings her no benefits other than reputation.
Yet she still enjoys it.
He thought Vill-V was naturally strong, but now it seems that the girl downplayed a lot of bitterness.
Chen Ran curiously asked, "What was the name of that song?"
"I forgot, or maybe I never remembered. This song has always been on my playlist; it seems to be an opera adaptation, and I remember a few lines of lyrics."
She hummed, "The king is at peace, watching death depart? He rejoices, ordering a national celebration? People drink and make merry, endlessly?"
"This is a line from the opera 'The Death of the King of Sleep Hat,' which Eden adapted," Chen Ran said, directly revealing its origin.
Vill-V was surprised. "You've heard it too?"
"I just had Bia investigate the information before coming; don't forget I didn't sleep that night."
Chen Ran recalled that night before their departure and couldn't help but feel a headache.
He shared a room with Vill-V, yet nothing happened in the end.
It wasn't that he was timid or loyal; in fact, his bottom line had long been lowered because of someone.
It was just that after discussing the goal of recruiting people that day, the task of strategizing was entirely left to him. Vill-V quickly fell asleep on his bed after taking a shower.
She seemed completely unguarded against him.
Even her clothes were washed by Chen Ran.
If time could rewind, he might have just taken her then; now Chen Ran couldn't tell if he felt regret or relief.
Vill-V smiled brightly. "Then my little boyfriend, accompany me to the concert."
She pecked Chen Ran on the cheek.
Not at all concerned about Chen Ran's surprised gaze.
"You are not the first to perform in Mu Continent."
"But we hope you will be the first to open the Mu Continent market."
In the backstage of the opera house, the golden-haired singer listened to her manager's incessant chatter: "You have already proven the commercial value of classical music in this era with your voice. Next, the company hopes you can take it a step further and conquer these old fossils in academia."
This middle-aged woman, with the demeanor of someone who has been through it all, guided her: "Now is your career's rising period. If you can advance further here, you will capture the world's attention."
"But correspondingly, if you also fail here, there won't be many valuable places left for you. After all, your age doesn't allow you much time; the golden period for a woman's career is just this short."
Every word she spoke was about profit.
This is the true nature of the industry.
Only profit can extract vast amounts of gold.
The manager felt no shame and wasn't worried that her words would anger this high-profile star.
Although Eden is the most outstanding artist in her hands, Eden's golden period is about to end. If she fails to break into Mu Continent, her age will ensure she becomes a memory of a generation.
This is the conclusion the manager reached with a commercial perspective.
Yet Eden didn't care about any of this.
She neither craved fame nor fortune. What she pursued was only the art itself and the stage that carries the art.
This golden-haired singer rejected the professional makeup artist's application of makeup. After the manager left, she looked down at the entire opera house from backstage.
Her fervent fans had already flown to Mu Continent, occupying every seat in the opera house.
This is the terrifying appeal of 'Eden,' capable of drawing a crowd from thousands of miles away.
But these fervent fans are not the target of Eden's entertainment company.
At least not at this stage.
Even if the concert in Mu Continent is packed, it won't bring any increase to Eden's fame.
Entertainment companies are very pure.
If this time Eden's 'expedition' to Mu Continent fails, then the entertainment company will see Eden as a tool to exploit fans.
But if she succeeds and becomes a shining superstar, the company that operates the superstar will also gain substantial profits, and only then will the relationship between Eden and the company be completely equal.
This is a gamble.
Eden, who doesn't care about fame and fortune, has already become fame and fortune itself; even for her, there is no retreat.
...
The opera house, hosting many people, began a new round of performances, and all the audience present was mesmerized.
Chen Ran looked at Vill-V, whose eyes sparkled; at this moment, she seemed no different from the frenzied fans beside her.
If only her hands weren't constantly moving.
Vill-V's hands were manipulating a remote control, and connected to the remote control was a drone.
"Hey, what are you up to?"
The noise at the scene was too loud, and Chen Ran could only communicate with her through the communicator.
"Uh-huh, with so many people, of course, it's my chance to perform as a magician."
Vill-V said nonchalantly, "I've wanted to do this for a long time."
Chen Ran: "I thought you really wanted to listen to a concert."
"Yeah, I've been quiet for two songs now."
Vill-V said nonchalantly.
Chen Ran couldn't help but frown.
If it were any other time, he would have let Vill-V be, but this was different.
Eden took the stage very seriously; he was here to recruit a wealthy patron, not to offend one.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, suddenly all the lights went out.
The rhythm of the music, the accompaniment of the band... everything came to a halt.
People screamed, thinking it was an accident on stage.
However, unexpectedly, the microphone on Eden still had sound.
"Oh look, whose child is that?
Crying loudly, yet no one pays attention?
Oh look, whose silver mirror is that?
Once reflecting beauty, now only seeing ruins?
Oh look, whose husband is that?
Once a dream in the spring chamber, now buried under the cart?
War, disease, hunger, and plague?
The sleeping king has been asleep for seven years?
He has not awakened, dreaming beautiful dreams?
He has not died, yet the country is ungoverned?"
Eden's clear voice sang the second chorus of "The Death of the Sleeping King," the most mournful and heavy part of the entire opera.
Her plaintive and melodious voice soothed the crowd's unease.
People began to close their eyes, imagining the king in a dream, allowing death to pass by, each citizen becoming a victim of the king's unrealistic dreams.
War, famine, and plague pressed down on their hearts like this chilling voice.
With his exceptional eyesight, Chen Ran looked in shock at Vill-V, only to find that the girl had already closed her eyes, enjoying it.
The girl was doing it on purpose.
She wanted her magic to draw everyone's screams.
She also wanted Eden's singing to captivate the crowd.
The girl had listened to this opera countless times, and with her unique understanding, she brought this piece to its climax.
After that, the power returned, and the lights and rhythm reappeared in succession.
People erupted into enthusiastic applause, which lasted for a long time.
Vill-V looked at Chen Ran: "My drone has landed on Eden, how about it? Has it opened up space for the upcoming conversation?"
Chen Ran: "..."
He suddenly felt that all the preparation he had done that night was a complete insult to Vill-V's intelligence.
The genius's way of doing things was indeed extraordinary.
His own intelligence had once again been crushed.
"I regret it; I shouldn't have stayed with you, it makes my intelligence seem no different from a dog's."
"Tsk, everyone has their strengths."
She kept her eyes closed, continuing to listen to the concert: "Now we just need to quietly wait for this concert to end."
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