After taking advice, I became a top male idol.

Chapter 25: Recording of the second episode of "The Voice of China" begins!

Friday, 8 PM.

Yanjing Broadcasting and Television Station, Studio One.

Tonight's studio felt like a journey through time, back to that misty, ancient era.

The production team spared no expense to match the theme of "traditional Chinese style".

The stage, which was originally full of modern technology, has been completely transformed. The huge LED screen no longer displays dazzling geometric patterns, but a flowing ink wash landscape painting.

The ink washes create layers upon layers of mountains.

Two towering dragon-shaped pillars, each seven or eight meters tall, stood on either side of the stage, shimmering under the lights.

In the center of the stage, a specially made dry ice machine spewed out white mist that swirled around the ankles.

A light sandalwood scent was deliberately sprayed in the air, which made people unconsciously calm down as soon as they entered.

Five hundred audience members, each holding a voting device, entered the venue one after another.

Many young women entered the venue dressed in Hanfu, showing they were well-prepared.

"Hey, have you seen the guest list?" A girl in a traditional Chinese dress nudged her companion. "Old Master Jiang Yunshan! Did the production team really manage to get this legendary figure on board?"

"Who?" His companion was bending down to adjust the hem of her horse-face skirt.

"Jiang Yunshan! A national treasure-level Peking Opera master! My grandfather's idol, we have a whole drawer full of his cassette tapes!" The girl pulled out her phone. "Look at Weibo, everyone's saying the show's serious this time. Han Xuening's team even brought the Yanjing Folk Music Orchestra, it's like the national team is on the field!"

"Isn't Ye Lan's team in a bit of a predicament? I've seen their roster, and they're all pop singers. Apart from Gu Qingzhou, who's not very good, the others don't seem to be up to par."

"That's right, especially that Lin Zhixing. Although 'The Lone Warrior' is a great song, I've listened to it at least ten times and it's been on repeat! But he's just a rock singer, what does he know about traditional Chinese music? If he comes up here and belts out a few lines, that would be awkward."

"Haha, don't say that. What if they go up and sing a Peking Opera version of 'The Lone Warrior'? 'I love you~~alone~walking~the dark alley—ee-ya' recited in Peking Opera style, just thinking about it is amazing!"

"Hahahaha, you're hilarious."

Whispers and discussions rose and fell among the audience.

In the front row of the media section, fifty professional music critics and media personnel were already in place, ready to capture every detail.

"Old Zhang, which side do you favor?"

"Is that even a question? It's definitely Han Xuening. The theme of traditional Chinese style requires a lot of cultural depth, and Ye Lan is a pop diva, so she lacks the resources and experience in this area."

"I heard that Han Xuening's team invited the Beijing Folk Music Orchestra this time? That's a huge investment."

"Yes, but Ye Lan's team isn't bad either. After all, she's a superstar. I heard they've also invited a few folk music teachers to help them out, and Gu Qingzhou is also very strong. It's really hard to say what the final result will be."

The media people whispered among themselves. Although most of them were optimistic about Han Xuening, no one dared to say anything definitively. After all, this was a variety show, and unexpected twists and turns were the norm.

"Lights in place!"

"Sound system in place!"

"Countdown five, four, three, two, one—Start!"

As the rousing opening music played, the spotlights suddenly converged on the center of the stage.

The host, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, walked onto the stage with great spirit:

"Passing on a thousand years of elegant culture, praising the spirit of China! Welcome to the second stage of 'The Voice of China'—the team survival battle!"

"Tonight, we are not only fortunate to have four music mentors gathered here, but also honored to have a distinguished guest judge!"

The host pointed to the chair that had been specially added to the center of the mentors' panel:

"Let us welcome with the warmest applause Mr. Jiang Yunshan, a grandmaster of Peking Opera, a successor of the Tan school, and a national first-class actor!"

The lights are focused.

An elderly man with gray hair but a sprightly spirit stood up.

He wore a finely crafted gray long gown, and although he was old and his face was etched with the lines of time, he stood there with his back straight.

Mr. Jiang nodded slightly, as if to greet the audience.

The audience erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for a long time.

This is a sign of respect for veteran artists and a tribute to traditional culture.

The other four mentors also stood up and greeted Professor Jiang, who smiled and nodded in return.

After they sat down...

During the break in the host's introduction, Brother Li turned his head and whispered to Shen Ming beside him, "With Old Jiang here, it seems that it will be very difficult for Sister Lan's team to advance completely. Old Jiang is known for being very strict. If they sing something bad, they will probably be criticized on the spot."

Shen Ming glanced at Han Xuening's team opposite him. "Who says otherwise? I heard that Li Ziming on Han Xuening's side has a very strong traditional Chinese style song this time, and it's an original. The other people's song choices are also good, all of them have been carefully polished."

Han Xuening turned slightly to the side, closer to Ye Lan, a confident smile on her face, and said politely, "Sister Lan, you're too kind this time. Our team has put in a lot of effort for this competition."

Ye Lan simply smiled faintly upon hearing this, "The competition hasn't even started yet, so it's still uncertain."

Han Xuening raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by Ye Lan's composure. "Oh? Sister Lan, you still have a trump card up your sleeve?"

"Hehe, who knows?"

Immediately afterwards, the host announced the brutal competition rules, instantly pushing the atmosphere to a temporary climax.

"This round of the competition will use a 5V5 team total score system!"

"Each round of judging is voted on by 500 audience judges and 50 media judges, with a maximum score of 550 points. As a special guest mentor, Professor Jiang holds 10 crucial votes! These 10 votes represent professional recognition, and you can choose whether or not to vote!"

"After five matches, the total scores of the two teams will be added together, and the team with the higher total score will have all its members advance!"

The host paused, his tone turning serious, "And for the teams with the lowest total scores... the mentors must personally eliminate two members!"

"Whoosh—"

"That's ruthless! Eliminating them personally?"

"Eliminate two directly?"

"This is so exciting! This is what a competition should be like!"

The camera pans across the preparation room.

Live footage of the two teams appeared on the big screen.

The trainees in Han Xuening's team seemed relatively relaxed. Li Ziming was chatting and laughing, and even made a confident gesture towards the camera, showing no signs of nervousness.

Meanwhile, the camera gave Lin Zhixing a close-up shot on Ye Lan's team.

Apart from Lin Zhixing, who was resting with his eyes closed, everyone else was a little nervous. Gu Qingzhou looked serious, Song Zixuan lowered her head to cheer herself up, Chen Xi was still looking at the sheet music, and Li Bowen was sitting in the corner of the sofa taking deep breaths.

New discussions arose in the audience.

"Who do you think will win? It's definitely Han Xuening's team, their lineup is too amazing."

"And you can see that Han Xuening's team seems more relaxed, but Ye Lan's team, except for Lin Zhixing, all seem very nervous."

"Is Lin Zhixing asleep? He has such a good attitude. I just wonder if he's giving up. Hahahaha."

"Yeah, Ye Lan's team is in big trouble this time. Lin Zhixing might be eliminated."

"Alright, enough chit-chat! The first round of the duel officially begins!"

The host's voice interrupted the discussion.

"Now, let's begin the first duel! Please welcome our starting lineups—"

"Team Ye Lan, Gu Qingzhou!"

"Matchup -"

"Han Xuening's team, Zhang Xuena!"