43. The Final King Challenge!

“I hereby announce! The winner of the semifinals in Episode Four of ‘The Almighty Singer, Season One’ is— Ji Fanxing!”

At the end of the show, Du Shao made the declaration.

“All the audience members, you may cheer now!”

As his voice faded, the crowd erupted, the entire venue boiling with excitement!

Ye Yu’s mouth hung open in astonishment. She had assumed that Ji Fanxing would never take first place this time, yet reality proved otherwise…

At this moment, the production team no longer cared about Ren Feichang’s “seniority” in the entertainment music industry.

They switched the camera directly to Ren Feichang, capturing his shocked expression in crystal-clear detail.

[Haha, look at him, what a fool]
[He looks hilarious! Thought he was a prestigious mentor—today he learns the music world doesn’t owe him anything.]
[Good news! Ren Feichang’s ‘In My Heart, There’s You’ has been kicked off the charts!]

On the stage, Ji Fanxing, seated on the throne, paid no mind to Ren Feichang.

She found it rather amusing that such a malignant presence in the music world managed to ruin himself single-handedly.

But it wasn’t worth her energy to focus on.

“Fanxing! Hurry up here!” Brother Du waved joyfully to Ji Fanxing on the main stage.

According to the show’s routine, it was now time for her to step onto the stage and deliver her remarks.

Ji Fanxing obliged, walking over.

The camera followed her closely; the entire performance had stretched over three hours.

The makeup artist’s foundation covering Ji Fanxing’s skin had faded, but she didn’t bother to touch up.

The contestants’ seats were right beneath the King’s position. As Ji Fanxing passed, those nearby could see the bright red rash standing out starkly against her pale skin.

“Hey? You’re unusually quiet today, Fanxing. Haven’t heard you say much,” Brother Du teased as Ji Fanxing came up.

Taking the microphone, Ji Fanxing’s voice was hoarse, almost a complaint: “Ah, it’s so hot today. No water was placed at my seat—my throat is parched. I’ll keep it short.”

“I think you’ve run out of words for your remarks after every episode,” Brother Du replied knowingly.

Ji Fanxing exchanged a playful glance with him, as if saying, “Oh, don’t expose me.”

Their banter worked wonders for the show, making the audience laugh and dispelling the gloom Ren Feichang had cast.

Seeing this, Brother Du moved smoothly to the next segment:

“And now—it’s time for the King’s Challenge! The last challenge opportunity of the season! Countdown begins now!”

As the host spoke, silence settled over the venue.

Everyone expected the King’s Challenge to be a mere formality, as Ji Fanxing had consistently outperformed three challengers at once.

She had topped every episode by a wide margin—who would dare step forward?

Yet a figure rose slowly and struck the challenge drum.

It was Ji Fanxing’s elder sister—Ji Shengxue.

“I want to challenge,” Ji Shengxue’s voice was as clear and cold as the meltwater of a glacier, brimming with unshakable resolve.

The crowd burst into discussion.

“How is this possible? Ji Shengxue is here too?”
“A showdown between sisters? This is explosive!”

Bullet comments filled the livestream.

Ji Fanxing merely smiled, “Elder sister, you’ve finally come.”

Upon hearing Ji Shengxue had changed her song for the performance, Ji Fanxing had already expected her to challenge for the King’s seat.

Others might not know her sister’s character, but she understood it perfectly.

Her beloved elder sister had held back for so long, and seeing Ji Fanxing show vulnerability, she could no longer restrain herself.

Ji Fanxing was certain that her sister’s original song was undoubtedly Fang Zhijing’s new composition, and now, this piece would be the weapon to defeat her.

She knew there was no need for further words—now the real contest would begin.

As expected, Brother Du announced:

“Now, please enjoy—a performance by our beautiful, talented challenger Ji Shengxue, presenting Master Fang Zhijing’s first song from the ‘Ancient Rhyme’ series:
‘A Dream in the Opera’!”

The name sparked speculation among the audience:

[‘A Dream in the Opera’? It feels similar to ‘Scarlet Performer’!]
[This must be the series Master Fang described, blending tradition and pop—never thought Ji Shengxue would sing the first song.]
[Not surprising, Master Fang and Ji Shengxue have been collaborating closely lately.]
[Our Xue is beautiful, hardworking, sings so well—a perfect match for Master Fang!]

On the mentors’ panel, Xie Huai mocked Ren Feichang:

“This is your master’s new work. Why don’t you judge whether it fits the ‘market’?”

Ren Feichang’s face remained cold, silent. He dismissed it as another song his master composed to promote music academy students.

According to his master’s habits, it would surely be written by a student under guidance. He found such music childish even in imagination and always disdained listening to it.

The lights dimmed, focusing on center stage.

As the first note leapt forth, all eyes were drawn to Ji Shengxue, graceful and dignified, exuding an extraordinary aura.

She closed her eyes, as if cut off from the world.

Music began, the ‘Ancient Rhyme’ series echoing through a thousand years to the present day.

Each word and tone revealed Master Fang Zhijing’s ingenious craftsmanship; Ji Shengxue brought it to life—the timbre of her voice seemed to reverberate from ancient valleys.

[My God! She’s like a fairy descended!]
[So beautiful…]

Ji Shengxue’s entrance was like a gentle breeze sweeping the stage; the dim lighting left only a soft spotlight bathing her figure.

With the opening note, the pipa’s melodious strains unfurled, as if transporting the audience back to a millennium-old capital.

The lyrics brimmed with the rich flavor of antiquity, every syllable polished like a gem, shining with cultural depth.

Ji Shengxue wore a long dress patterned like an ink painting, spinning lightly across the stage, dancing with elegance.

Her meticulous performance made time seem to stand still, the world pausing in that moment.

Meanwhile, backstage, Ren Feichang watched the livestream with a face like iron.

Wasn’t this style exactly what Ji Fanxing called “the fusion of pop and tradition”?

He’d just criticized Ji Fanxing, yet his own master’s new composition was the same—wasn’t that a slap in his master’s face?

The camera returned to the scene; the atmosphere of ‘The Almighty Singer’ competition reached its peak.

As the music faded, applause thundered, cheers shook the venue.

At the same time, fans inside and outside Huayun Theatre grew anxious, “Surely not? Our Star hasn’t prepared anything special tonight?” “I’m a bit worried…” The bullet screen was filled with anxiety and anticipation.

Online, comments poured in: “Though I support Ji Fanxing, tonight Ji Shengxue was truly stunning!”

“If there’s no better strategy, surpassing tonight’s performance will be difficult.”

As everyone held their breath for the results, Ji Fanxing remained unruffled, showing no signs of anxiety or tension.

She sat in the waiting area, eyes closed in thought, silently counting the beats of the new song she would soon perform—a composition she had written herself, both melody and lyrics.

The tune was gentle and winding, the pipa’s sound rippling like a breeze over a lotus pond.

As she began, her voice rang out clear as mountain spring, tender yet strong, piercing the softest depths of every heart.

“I live as I please, life is but a dream…” Every word came from the heart, moving all who heard.