Can this song defeat you?

In order to ensure the integrity of the live-shot footage, after their performance, the contestants returned directly to their seats.

“Sis! You were amazing!” Before Ji Shengxue could make her way back, Ji Rufeng stood up, looking at her elder sister with adoration.

Soon after, Ruan Lin came over as well. Seeing her eldest daughter, her gaze softened a touch. She gently patted Ji Shengxue’s hand.

“I heard you from backstage just now. You performed brilliantly—I’m very pleased.”

Ji Shengxue bowed her head slightly. “Mother, it’s all thanks to your guidance. Without your and Father’s support, I could never have achieved this.”

Her words warmed Ruan Lin’s heart. “Our Shengxue deserves nothing but the best.”

She lowered her voice, reassuring her daughter, “Good girl, don’t worry. Master Fang thinks highly of you. He’s been promoting traditional style songs lately, and with... This time, you’re certain to win…”

Before Ruan Lin could finish, music thundered from the stage. Powerful drums conjured the image of warhorses and iron armor, a force as mighty as a tiger.

All attention was instantly drawn to the stage, where Chu Hao was performing his newly composed song, “Hundred Battles.”

It was a rap-driven piece in a traditional style, narrated from the perspective of a general living a thousand years ago. The opening was grand and majestic; when the general fought enemies, the drums were electrifying and stirring. In the middle, the general laid down his arms and retired to the countryside, living a tranquil life, with the guqin in the accompaniment revealing his helplessness. In the end, the general, now aged, faced invading enemies, volunteered to defend a lonely city, and ultimately died on the battlefield.

The audience’s emotions rose and fell with the song. Chu Hao’s lyrics were clear, his rhythm strong—those familiar and unfamiliar with rap alike accepted it easily.

As the song ended, the accompaniment abruptly ceased. After a few seconds of silence, Chu Hao sang in a coarse, theatrical style:

“I once rode out with spear and horse to conquer the world,
Once drank rough wine and wandered afar.
No regrets in this long, winding life,
Let future generations speak of me through the ages.”

This concluding theatrical section was masterfully performed, clearly the result of arduous practice.

“Not bad at all.” Ji Fanxing, standing backstage, applauded Chu Hao. Though the road of music in Longguo was winding and difficult, as long as there were those who understood and created, progress was inevitable.

As Chu Hao’s performance ended, thunderous applause filled the hall.

Ji Shengxue stood up abruptly, her eyes full of disbelief.

“What’s wrong, Shengxue?” Ruan Lin, in her forties, neither understood music nor rap, but felt the song was decent—though not as soothing as her daughter’s. What she didn’t realize was that for rap, such a niche genre in Longguo, to sound “decent” meant the song was exceptional.

“Wow~ Sis, who’s that on stage? It sounds so good.”

“His name’s… Chu Hao…” Ji Shengxue struggled to control her expression. She hadn’t missed the surprise and admiration in Master Fang’s eyes from the mentor’s seat, almost forcing his name through clenched teeth.

During the judging, Fang Zhiqing indeed lavishly praised the song, his assessment far higher than his earlier comments for Ji Shengxue. In the end, he couldn’t help but pick up the invitation beside him, asking,

“Chu Hao, would you be interested in joining the ‘National Music Exchange Conference’?”

The crowd erupted in astonishment. It was the first time Master Fang had personally invited someone.

“It’s over, there’s no chance now…” All the performers on stage shared this thought—no one believed Chu Hao would refuse.

“How could this be?!” Ruan Lin’s eyes widened. Hadn’t it been settled...? Seeing the performer’s identity, she felt powerless.

He was Chu Hao—the heir of the Chu family. The Ji family could not afford to offend them.

Ji Shengxue watched the stage anxiously, almost everyone focused on Chu Hao’s reaction.

Onstage, Chu Hao’s expression was calm. “Sorry, I only like rap.”

In all of Longguo, no one played rap better than he did.

It was a refusal.

Fang Zhiqing showed no displeasure, though he felt regret. He had extended an olive branch to Chu Hao because of his musical talent, but regrettably, the boy’s tastes were too niche.

The rebellious Chu Hao nonetheless greatly respected the music production master, offering a slight bow to express his gratitude for Fang Zhiqing’s appreciation.

Seeing such a polite young man, Fang Zhiqing’s regret deepened.

During scoring, he generously awarded a 90.

The audience erupted in even louder applause and cheers, while someone, sweating profusely yet tightly wrapped, secretly rolled their eyes.

“Hmph, show-off.”

Ultimately, with high marks from the other judges, Chu Hao scored 95.

He surpassed Ji Shengxue, claiming first place.

[Ahhh! I knew things would get more exciting as we went on!]

[Chu Hao is incredible!]

Brother Du excitedly strode over with the microphone.

“Chu Hao, what do you have to say about your score?”

Chu Hao made no effort to hide his gaze, looking straight toward Ji Fanxing’s position backstage.

“Ji Fanxing, it’s your turn now!”

Backstage, Ruan Lin’s face darkened upon hearing the score. She had been utterly captivated by Chu Hao’s performance, but remained incredulous about rap as a musical form.

“How is this possible? Such a song gets 95? That means my daughter is behind…”

Beside her, Ji Shengxue clenched her fists. “Chu Hao…”

Chu Hao’s “Hundred Battles” had successfully brought the atmosphere to a climax.

Everyone’s fatigue vanished as they turned their attention to the next performer, anticipation rising.

[Next up is Ji Fanxing!]
[He’s the one who popularized traditional-style songs! Wonder what she’ll choose this time!]
[I bet once Ji Fanxing is on stage, everyone before her will be forgotten! Haha!]

Would Ji Fanxing fight for Fang Zhiqing’s invitation?

Brother Du walked onto the stage, announcing in the midst of the crowd’s anticipation,

“The next performer is—Ji Fanxing!!!!”

As his words faded, the curtain behind him was drawn aside.

The stage dimmed. Ji Fanxing, clad in a light, flowing gown, lips free of rouge, long hair draping her shoulders, stood under a spotlight, her gently swaying locks shrouded in a halo.

She herself resembled a tranquil painting, causing the audience to fall silent.

The piano notes flowed like a clear spring through a mountain valley, as if the breath of nature, a breeze softly brushing the ear.

Hearing such a melody, the audience began to murmur.

“A piano piece?”

“Why isn’t Ji Fanxing singing a traditional-style song? Isn’t she aiming for the invitation?”

“Well, if she’s not competing, our chances are better.”

At the contestant seats, Ye Yu couldn’t resist rolling her eyes, a hint of schadenfreude in her expression.

“Hmph, Ji Fanxing must be foolish—to pass up such a golden opportunity?”

On the mentor’s seat, Fang Zhiqing was surprised, but immediately captivated by the melody, closing his eyes in appreciation.

From the very start, Ji Fanxing had never intended to compete for that invitation.