The Brilliant Galaxy jewelry exhibition's opening show, the first phase titled "Initial Radiance," officially began.
One by one, models draped in opulent gowns and adorned with dazzling jewels emerged like ethereal beings from the depths of the cosmos. With confident and graceful strides, they glided down the starlit runway, resembling a cosmic avenue, toward the main stage at the venue's center—a stage that seemed to embody the very core of the universe.
In perfect synchrony with the music, they paused and pivoted under the spotlight, showcasing the seamless fusion of jewelry and haute couture. Each glance over the shoulder, each sweeping gesture of the arm, drew suppressed gasps and awed murmurs from the audience.
Finally, each model reached a designated transition zone before the main stage. With meticulously choreographed gestures, they removed their jewelry and placed it on specially crafted crystal trays.
The entire process was solemn and elegant, akin to a sacred ritual.
The atmosphere in the venue steadily built to a crescendo.
When Lu Yue made his grand entrance as the finale, it ignited a renewed wave of excitement.
He wore a sharply tailored dark gown that, thanks to Aya's alterations, accentuated his strikingly androgynous features.
Paired with the Starry Light necklace—second only to starlight itself—his powerful aura—both handsome and beautiful—commanded the entire hall's attention. The effect far surpassed any previous rehearsal performance!
It was clear that Lu Yue was the type to get even more energized during the actual performance than during rehearsals.
[Little—Grand—Daughter!!!]
[Lu Yue, you're killing me! That aura! Absolutely stunning!]
[Even though I know he's a man, I can't bring myself to see him as one, dammit!]
[If Lu Yue is the penultimate act, Sister Aya's entrance is going to be otherworldly!]
[No comparison, no harm. When Aya, the "grand finale," steps out, she's going to obliterate everyone.]
[What a pity! If there's a moon, why need an Aya!]
As Lu Yue removed the gemstone necklace and placed it on the crystal tray,
finally, after everyone had been holding their breath in anticipation, the final model—"Aya"—took the stage!
Boom!
All the lights seemed to converge on her alone!
For a split second, the entire venue fell silent, as if a mute button had been pressed. Then, in the next instant, an even more thunderous roar erupted!
She's too beautiful!
The sacred white and flowing gold of her gown intertwined perfectly, while the "Starry Light" necklace shimmered brilliantly below her collarbone, seamlessly merging with her mysterious and elegant aura.
She didn't seem to be walking toward the audience, but rather descending from the depths of the cosmos, as if treading on stardust pathways.
A sudden thought struck everyone: Perhaps Starry's decision to cast Aya as a model had been a mistake.
This was a runway show meant to showcase jewelry, but at that moment, all the jewelry on display, including the Starry Light, paled in comparison to her—
Aya herself was the most perfect work of art!
[A miracle! A divine miracle has descended!]
[Sister Aya! You are my goddess!]
[The Starry Light has finally found its true owner! Only Aya can make it submit!]
[I declare! Tonight's "Best Jewelry" award goes to Aya herself!]
[Aaaah! Aya is my perfect ideal type! Please tell me, how can I successfully marry her?]
[^Upstairs, it's simple! Just do it in your dreams.]
[If Cifera doesn't come out soon, Aya is going to steal all the spotlight!]
While the vast majority of the audience was entranced by Aya's beauty, the Pursuit Team and Starry Security personnel were on high alert, their hearts pounding in their throats.
They had no time to admire the beauty before them; instead, they focused intently, observing every possible disturbance—every rustle of wind, every stir of grass—around Aya.
However, everything proceeded smoothly.
Aya completed her runway walk flawlessly, gliding gracefully to the handover area. Under the gaze of countless eyes, she gently and steadily removed the Starry Light from her neck and placed it on a custom-designed crystal tray—one visibly more magnificent than the trays used for the other jewelry.
Aya bowed slightly to the audience before gracefully walking towards the reserved seating area for models amidst thunderous applause and cheers, just like the other models.
The first phase of the "Initial Radiance" fashion show had concluded.
No anomalies, no accidents, and no Cifera.
The anticipated attack on Starry Light never materialized.
The Pursuit Team and Security Personnel gradually relaxed their heightened vigilance.
The most precarious stage of the fashion show had finally passed. Now, they only needed to maintain strict surveillance of the main stage, preventing anyone from approaching. Once Starry Light and the other jewels were safely secured in bulletproof display cases, they would have successfully navigated the most dangerous phase of the opening show.
"Everyone!" Liu Shanhe urged, his voice sharp, "The upcoming 'Universal Convergence' phase is equally critical. We can't afford to let our guard down until all the jewels are safely locked away!"
Unlike the others, Liu Shanhe showed no signs of easing up. The smoother things went, the more vigilant he became.
Hearing Liu Shanhe's reminder, the staff who had begun to relax immediately snapped back to attention.
When Aya arrived at the models' reserved seating area, Nie Bing was already waiting for her.
"Miss Aya," Nie Bing said, her voice formal, "your protection ends here. Thank you for your cooperation."
"Heh, it's only right. Officer Nie Bing, your Pursuit Team is also dedicated to protecting the Starry Light, after all."
"Aya" gave a slight nod and settled into her seat.
"Then I'll take my leave..."
Nie Bing had only taken a few steps when she suddenly turned back, her expression serious and earnest as she gazed at "Aya":
"Your performance was truly magnificent."
Though her voice remained typically calm, her genuine admiration was unmistakable.
"Thank you."
Nie Bing nodded, then turned and strode away, clearly eager to resume her security duties.
"Aya" watched her retreating figure, a barely perceptible, amused curve playing at the corners of her lips.
With all the jewelry now placed on crystal trays, the second phase of the "Brilliant Galaxy" jewelry exhibition's opening show, "Universal Convergence," officially began.
The spotlights extinguished, plunging the venue into complete darkness, as if instantly cast into the fathomless depths of the cosmos.
Darkness enveloped everything, broken only by the heavy, mystical, and epic symphony that vibrated through the air, striking at the heartstrings of every listener.
Core security personnel like Liu Shanhe had already donned their night-vision goggles, determined to leave no opening for the "prisoners" to exploit.
Just then, a faint light flickered to life.
Then a second, a third...
These were the crystal pedestals beneath the jewels, their built-in lights activating to serve as positioning beacons for the jewels.
Under the positioning beacons' glow, each jewel seemed to awaken slowly in the darkness like a living star, emitting soft or brilliant starlight.
The grand symphony swelled to its climax, the rhythm becoming clear and rhythmic.
The pedestals carrying the jewels began to move slowly along hidden, precisely programmed tracks on the stage.
As if drawn by an invisible cosmic force, the jewels pulsed with light, transforming into "stars" orbiting through the cosmos!