CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 173: THE LAST GROUP

On another stage, deep blue lights enveloped the silhouettes of Luo Qijia and her team of five, giving off an almost mysterious allure.

As if ushering in the prelude to a storm, they suddenly turned around and strutted exaggeratedly like catwalk models toward the center of the stage.

This song could be considered one that many people were deeply familiar with—perhaps even a nostalgic throwback to childhood memories.

"Pegasus Meteor Fist," "Rozan Rising Dragon Wave."

This Japanese manga showcased humanity’s boundless imagination.

The rhythm kicked in, and the entire hall erupted.

Their opening act took a choral approach—their passionate voices were imbued with an undeniable vigor.

Sitting in the waiting room, Yuwei listened to their chorus and realized that she had somewhat underestimated this group. Surprisingly, their pitch wasn’t an issue.

Since they were holding microphones designed with "sticks," their dance moves weren’t overly complex. Performances involving "props" like these could be extremely captivating if executed well, though mediocre if not properly handled.

This group’s stage performance had been plagued by numerous problems beforehand. Lead vocalist Luo Qijia had suffered from throat inflammation, and Yu Xiaohong had to leave due to family issues, requiring a complete rearrangement of the choreography.

Under such circumstances, the five of them had no choice but to push through. Luo Qijia took on the opening vocals despite her condition. Miraculously, her performance stayed on pitch, though the ending had some slight imperfections as she failed to reach the high notes. Overall, however, they were definitely competent.

With a change in formation, four of them stood in two rows like rock guitarists, swaying their bodies, flipping their hair, and mimicking the motion of strumming guitar strings.

Gao Ziyi began her solo performance. She had gained a lot of weight since first joining, with a face resembling an oversized dumpling.

Her singing, however, was unexpectedly outstanding—her voice was steady and controlled, which stunned many of the trainees in the waiting room.

Her teammates Jiang Mengqi and Han Qiuhua cheered her on, as did her camp friend Wang Na. Even the audience was quite surprised by her performance.

After all, judging purely by appearance, this plump and goofy girl didn’t seem like someone with genuine talent.

But people forget that during the very first episode, she and her teammates had shocked everyone with a performance of "I’m a Girl."

Walking confidently like a model, Ziyi tossed her long hair and engaged the audience with her gaze.

She could hear people shouting her name and even spotted her name signs among the crowd.

This filled her with an immense sense of excitement and pride.

Back during their practice sessions, the choreography teacher had been critical of their group.

Unlike the other groups who were highly serious, hers had been playful and laughing.

Rumors about their lack of focus spread across the camp, making all the trainees doubt and dislike their attitude.

Jiang Mengqi and Han Qiuhua had even "comforted" her at one point, but deep inside, she was hurt.

She thought to herself, why does our team leave this impression on others?

People naturally have a competitive spirit and hate being looked down on—it made her incredibly upset.

In her heart, she vowed that with this performance, they would ignite the audience and make them scream their names endlessly.

Now, hearing so many people cheering for them, a wave of pride surged through her.

Wang Yalin from Vitality Era took her turn for a brief solo—a decent performance, with no off-key issues.

Another shift in formation saw them return to a triangular setup, this time with Luo Qijia taking the lead row. The five sang the chorus together.

Behind them, countless lights dazzled like laser beams, making the stage shine brilliantly like the Galaxy itself.

Luo Qijia’s expression was absolutely captivating—full of fiery intensity mixed with alluring charm. Her new look, featuring flowing long hair and a striking gown, exuded a raw and untamed beauty.

The five swayed to the melody, their timing precise as they danced passionately.

Tian Jiaxuan and Hu Binbin joined in excitedly, clapping and singing along with them.

The audience, too, had their inner cosmos ignited.

The music continued like a raging storm sweeping through the venue. The performers executed a complex formation shift, moving from a triangle to dual rows and finally into a circular formation. Together, they raised the microphone "sticks," forming a pyramid shape.

Countless beams of light illuminated them, resembling laser swords tearing through their enemies.

Luo Qijia began her second solo performance, now completely in her groove, radiating the seductive allure of a seasoned warrior.

Next came Ziyi alongside Rui Meng from Duntou Entertainment. Rui’s voice was average but on pitch—after all, she hailed from a record label.

The two alternated for eight beats each before transitioning to Ma Xingyu of Vitality Era, an adorable girl with a sweet demeanor.

The chorus had all five singing in unison, gradually driving the atmosphere to its peak.

At this moment, Rui Meng stepped forward, raising her arms high: "We are tiny lives in the vast universe; our little cosmos will forever burn bright. Cheer for us, Cosmic Girls!"

This section was the most distinctive performance among the 16 acts—eschewing rap for something reminiscent of a poetic recital, showcasing the song’s deeper essence.

The audience and trainees alike were almost simultaneously electrified.

These idols, after all, thrived on the vitality of youth. At such a fleeting, blooming age, they poured their entire essence into this stage. To them, youth was their cosmos—a flame they wished would never extinguish.

Some of the girls even shed tears of excitement, willing to give their all on this stage until the day their flowers wilted and youth faded.

The bass thundered, almost combusting the air, while the drum beats pounded intensely. The five girls were like warriors preparing for battle, gathering all their energy.

After completing their final group dance, they stepped to the edges of the stage, their voices cutting through the audience and shaking their very souls.

As the song ended, the team returned to the stage, forming a circle facing outward and raising the symbolic weapon of Athena—the "Aegis." They seemed unwilling to stop, eager to keep their cosmos burning.

"Yeah! Yeah!"

Tian Jiaxuan felt her bloodstream boiling, almost ready to burst from the song’s fiery intensity.

Hu Binbin clenched her fists and pumped her arms in excitement.

The audience below began chanting in unison, "Saint Warriors!" Their voices resounded throughout the venue.

This was the only stage in all 16 performances with unified chants from the audience.

The five performers were exhilarated, overwhelmed by the unprecedented passion and enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Duan Yuxin’s group felt an immense threat. Could their cute and bubbly act possibly defeat those fiery female warriors?

Previously brimming with confidence, their hearts were now wavering.

"Alright, who will receive this crucial vote tonight?" Long Zitao stepped onto the stage.

By this point, both teams were at their peak of nervousness. Luo Qijia led her group in a deep 90-degree bow to the audience. As they straightened, Gao Ziyi was already tear-stricken.

On the opposite stage, the petite and adorable Liu Nian couldn’t hold back her own tears.

For them, every single vote cast could determine their future.