Dad, Please Let Me Be Your One-and-Only!

"Well said, I know what movies she likes to watch the most. I'll watch them with Xiao Qing."

Chu Wangshu quietly pinched the Green Eyed Cat by the scruff of its neck to prevent it from escaping, and hurriedly said:

"I want to watch it too!"

Kiriwake Yayoi, then smiled and said:

How about we decide with rock-paper-scissors?

Tang Liuli immediately became alert. She remembered the time a certain wicked woman had used this method to punish her, and she bristled, saying:

"No, I don't want rock-paper-scissors!"

Chu Yuanqing patted the Green Eyed Cat's head, pinched the Little Cotton-padded Jacket's cheek, and her pink lips curved into a beautiful arc as she smiled at Kiriwake Yayoi and said:

"Okay, if you want to watch a movie, let's watch it together. Let's go now."

After the words were spoken, the group, who had been captivated, fell silent for a moment. They only became lively again when they reached the middle of the road, chattering away. The atmosphere was completely different from the group they had been in before.

Chu Yuanqing didn't find it noisy.

Older people either prefer solitude or crave company.

Chu Yuanqing happened to be the latter. The bickering between his daughter and Liuli, as well as the occasional conversations that Yayoi would intrude into, were like rustling leaves and fleeting shadows to him, giving him a healing and pleasant feeling.

Meanwhile, in the central ventricle.

The Dream Weaver Rabbit's scarlet eyes reflected a scene. It glanced at the calamities unfolding in various time zones, and at the Pure White High Wall constantly monitored by the Aether Satellite, and murmured to itself:

"We don't have much time left."

"Chu Yuanqing, the Donghuang Federation needs your presence to protect the peace and prosperity of the nation. I sincerely look forward to the moment you find your [true self] and emerge from your cocoon."

--[Flow State].

This product of idealism and magic, seemingly derived from a term in psychology, is actually just a literal description of a wondrous phenomenon.

Research suggests that when the thoughts within the soul resonate with the spirit, and then intertwine and interact, they create a unique flow known as the Heart Tide.

The so-called "Flow State" describes this state.

At this stage, the promising talents in each region have already constructed a spiritual organ called the "Cocoon of the Heart" within their souls. Through this, they can use their will to stably induce Heart Tide phenomena and manifest the rudiments of various incredible abilities.

This kind of talent, capable of consistently stirring Heart Tide, is exactly the kind of Witch trainee that <Flash Dance> needs.

The reason is simple: the Heart Tide, or rather the [Cocoon of the Heart] itself, is currently the only bridge that can establish a connection with the artificial lantern, thereby transforming its Life Form and evolving into a [Witch].

The reason why the higher-ups launched Global Project is because they discovered that only young women of the right age in the idol industry have the probability of building a "Cocoon of the Heart".

Dance, vocals, glamour, and even the stage itself have all formed a wonderful and inseparable ecosystem, which has forced the authorities to create a global idol talent show.

Chu Yuanqing had several Heart Tide outbursts, showcasing her idol potential to the public and demonstrating her terrifying talent as a [Witch] to the higher-ups of <Flash Dance>.

However, her subsequent stage performances consistently proved that she had not yet built a true "Cocoon of the Heart."

This was a particularly difficult time for the local officials, as [Pure White] was teetering on the brink of collapse, the Saintess of the Sacred United Nation was at the height of her power, and the Donghuang Federation was gradually developing expectations for Chu Yuanqing.

Dream Weaver Rabbit is an absolutely rational Super AI, and it is neither in a hurry nor slow. It understands the three essential elements of the [Cocoon of the Heart] construction.

First, a superior soul.

Second, unwavering will.

Third, an extreme obsession.

These three factors are not absolute.

If the first item is too prominent, the latter two can be ignored, and the prototype of the [Cocoon of the Heart] can be formed on its own.

Tang Liuli and Ji Shuzhu are in this situation.

The complete form of the former [Flow State] ability is [Emotional Link].

Previously, Tang Liuli's abilities were always overflowing; she could only empathize with others unilaterally and couldn't control them freely. It was only recently, under Chu Yuanqing's stimulation, that she filled in the remaining two elements, thus perfecting the [Cocoon of the Heart] and gaining control of this ability.

Ji Shuzhu's situation differs from the terrifying comprehension of Hyperthymesia, the lesions in the backlash of emotional mechanisms, and even the resulting Puzzle Choreography Method. All of these stem from the formation of the [Cocoon of the Heart], which, due to its incompleteness, has produced side effects.

As for the others, Little Sakura has painstakingly built her own "Cocoon of the Heart" over seven years of ups and downs through her obsession with idols, which can be considered a completely mainstream and conventional path to advancement.

Xie Qingxuan and Chen Yining both worked very hard, and although their obsessions were subtle, they ultimately built their [Cocoon of the Heart] according to the three-element principle.

Chu Yuanqing's current situation is somewhat similar to Tang Liuli's, but even more extreme and exaggerated. She has terrifyingly good talent and an innately shining soul. Even without completing the remaining two elements, she can still construct an incomplete cocoon and use her incomplete abilities to unleash a stunning Stage Aura.

Therefore, all we can do is wait and hold onto hope.

This was a strategy jointly decided by all senior management and the Super AI Dream Weaver.

At least, before the world is overturned, the stage from which the shining cocoon is hatched must not be tainted by the impurity of fear.

In comparison, it is currently more concerned about Xie Qingxuan.

The Dream Weaver Rabbit's sensory links are connected to all the equipment in the base, and it can capture the changing wavelengths of [Flow State] through special technological means. Therefore, Xie Qingxuan's transformation is particularly vivid in its eyes.

"Have you finally decided to unseal yourself?"

The Dream Weaver Rabbit's pupils were a deep crimson, and it revealed a smile of anticipation and joy, murmuring softly:

"Kiriwake Yayoi's abilities reflect her desire for the perfect idol."

"Tang Liuli's ability stems from her desire to understand others."

"This is the [Cocoon of the Heart], it only gives birth to their deepest desires."

The Dream Weaver Rabbit's smile grew even brighter, and it whispered softly:

"Xie Qingxuan, your desires are so cruel and violent, so filthy and ugly."

"The more you try to escape, the more foolish you appear. So your realization is correct. Stop tripping yourself up. Embrace this desire filled with malice and selfishness, and welcome a new beginning."

"Only in this way will you have the chance to ravage and dominate this game called the stage."

"I'm really looking forward to your performance. It doesn't matter how much [fuel] you spill, or how many people's brilliance you extinguish. The so-called Stage Tyrant, the so-called Demon King, should be this cold and cruel, shouldn't he?"

One hour later, in the practice room of area C1.

Xie Qingxuan shifted her gaze from the newly played dance music and glanced at Ji Shuzhu, who had remained silent since her defeat. A dark vortex of Black Mist swirled in the depths of Ji Shuzhu's eyes, forming a jet-black cross. She then delivered the explosive news:

"You really like the feeling of sparkle, or rather, [Flow State], right?"

"I can feel that you carry the scents of both me and Xiao Qing."

Ji Shuzhu raised her eyes slightly, glancing at the other person with some surprise. The fact that she could devour the dazzling light was too abstract, and even her childhood friend only had a vague understanding of it.

Xiao Ning has always understood it as her ability to use Hyperthymesia to remember the happiness on stage, thereby overcoming other negative emotions, and thus becoming a shining idol can heal herself.

But only Ji Shuzhu herself understood that being able to taste the brilliance of a specific flavor on the tip of her tongue was not an abstract concept for her, but a concrete thing that resided on her taste buds and soul.

The idol itself is more like a container that holds this brilliance.

For example, a pizza box containing a pizza.

Well, that's not quite accurate. It should be described as a pizzeria that can consistently produce pizzas indefinitely.

Ji Shuzhu chose to openly admit it; she didn't think there was anything shameful about eating at a buffet, and said calmly:

"That's right, that's why I chose to leave Xiao Ning. She doesn't have the brilliance I want to experience."

Xie Qingxuan stated frankly:

"In that case, we can communicate more easily."

"Just as you can experience the surreal sensation of shimmering light, my [Flow State] state can steal shimmering light."

Ji Shuzhu suddenly understood upon hearing this.

No wonder Xie Qingxuan's "Shining" flavor has become so strong. Eating her "Shining" now has the same aesthetic as eating Sichuan cuisine, and my tongue even feels slightly burning from the spiciness.

Compared to before, it's like comparing tea to coffee; the bitterness is on a completely different level.

It seems that, just like Xiao Ning, whom she abandoned, Xie Qingxuan, who was "abandoned" by Chu Yuanqing, also suffered a huge blow, which in turn affected her method of using [Flow State].

"So, what are you trying to say?"

Xie Qingxuan said indifferently:

"Your heart is empty; it doesn't contain what I want."

"Coincidentally, I can plunder the radiance, and you can savor the radiance. Our interests don't conflict at all; in fact, they complement each other."

In other words, we are the best of allies.

Ji Shuzhu vaguely guessed what was going on. In her clear, cold phoenix eyes, a greedy desire called appetite was being stirred. She pursed her lips, and her taste buds experienced a burst of delicious illusions. She said softly:

"You want to massively plunder the brilliance of the rest of the players?"

The cross-shaped mark at the bottom of Xie Qingxuan's eyes grew even more profound, and she stated directly:

"We are all competitors; it's a survival game of elimination, and fighting is the only truth."

"Just as the authorities allow those who exploit loopholes in the rules to quickly advance by fixing matches and saving time, the so-called 'Flow State' is a permitted tactic both on and off stage."

Ji Shuzhu was rather dull-witted in many ways; she had no concern whatsoever about hurting others and asked frankly:

"I agree with your point of view. What do you want me to do?"

Xie Qingxuan opened the list of contestants in area C1. Like a Yama holding the Book of Life and Death, her lowered gaze was cold and unfathomable. She casually pointed to a few names and said softly:

"It's simple. Your job is to eat the glitter I've plundered and test its quality."

"Whoever has the best-tasting sparkling dessert in the entire C1 area will be our next teammate."

Ji Shuzhu was speechless for a moment, almost wanting to applaud this brilliant idea.

Indeed, the richness of the flavor, its quality, and the length of time it lingers on the taste buds are enough to directly assess a contestant's idol potential from the root of their abilities.

Normally, unless someone as extraordinary as Chu Yuanqing is involved, the other contestants must either activate [Flow State] or concentrate on creating an excellent stage performance in order for her to steal their spotlight.

However, Xie Qingxuan's presence completely made up for this shortcoming.

Their current union is practically a measure of idol appeal.

At this moment, Ji Shuzhu began to feel fortunate that she hadn't been chosen. While the previous team could certainly eat a lot, they would still be outsiders, which was far less desirable than eating at a buffet with Xie Qingxuan.

"Then it's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

And along with this response,

This team, poised to dominate the region like Demon King, has officially taken shape.

Volume 1: Chapter 127. Risking her love for Chu Yuanqing, Little Sakura discovers the truth. (5K1)

That day, in the afternoon.

Area B1, Chu Yuanqing's dormitory.

Kiriwake Yayoi lowered her eyes to adjust her hair accessories. She politely knocked on the door, and after ten seconds when there was no response, she used Chu Yuanqing's access card to swipe the door and enter.

Kiriwake Yayoi glanced around; the room showed no signs of habitation. The desk and bed were neat and clean, as if no one had ever lived there. She murmured to herself:

"Is this where Xiao Qing lives?"

Kiriwake Yayoi didn't think much of it.

This place is already a thing of the past for Xiao Qing.

The dormitories in Area A1 are four to five times larger than this, with a more cozy layout and design, resembling small villas. They include a game area and a mini-cinema, and have about a dozen rooms, easily accommodating ten people.

With its enhanced virtual environment, enhanced dining experience, customizable menus, and home delivery service, it feels just like home.

In fact, according to the rules stated by Dream Weaver Rabbit.

Even if A1 wins and gains a new teammate, the Program Group will not change their dormitories.

In other words, this cohabitation will most likely continue until the end of the second Public Performance, or even longer.

Although Xiao Shu and a certain Green Eyed Cat blocked the possibility of a world for two, Little Sakura couldn't help but feel excited just thinking about living with Chu Yuanqing for so long.

After all, Chu Wangshu was already a mascot in her eyes. The Green Eyed Cat was timid and socially awkward, and it was clear that it was not someone who could make a bold move.

Besides, unlike those with ulterior motives like myself, the two teammates' feelings for Xiao Qing should just be those of good friends. At most, they might hinder my progress in the strategy, but they wouldn't pose any real threat.

Kiriwake Yayoi was full of confidence.

In her eyes, Xiao Qing's attitude towards the Green Eyed Cat and Yue Bao was similar to that of an elder spoiling a younger generation and a mother taking care of her daughter.