Chapter 141
How could she stay hidden in Qing Bao's arms like that? She even got comforted by Little Moons, whom she treated like a junior, by having her head patted. This was so embarrassing!
Ignoring the fact that she had already embarrassed herself, Tang Liuli decided to unleash her intelligence, comparable to Sherlock Holmes. A spark ignited in the depths of her eyes, and [Emotional Link] was instantly activated. This skill covered the entire area, allowing her to directly perceive the emotions of everyone present.
Little Sakura's emotions were complex, a mixture of speechlessness, shame, self-mockery, relief, and, most notably, guilt. These emotions created a tangled mess that was difficult to discern, and no malice could be detected in them.
This reassured her and gave her boundless courage.
I get it. It's because you knew Qing Bao was next to me, so you felt guilty, right?
The Green Eyed Cat suddenly realized what was going on. She took advantage of the situation and confidently sat back in her seat, straightening her back. While fixing her bangs, she secretly glared at Kiriwake Yayoi and began to comfort herself with a sense of victory.
Hmph, it was just a strategic retreat. I let her have her way with a little trick. She's such a weak enemy. The base-trading tactic I accidentally executed yesterday must have caused this Sakura Girl a lot of trouble!
Tang Liuli Self-hypnosis, feeling overjoyed. Not only had she bravely and successfully fought off the enemy, but she had also received a hug and comfort from Qing Bao. She had won so much; she never expected to win so much just by having a meal.
Thinking of this, the girl even felt the toast in her mouth smell delicious. She suddenly imagined the feeling of tricking Chu Yuanqing into kissing her, and her heart swelled with pride.
Haha, those Sakura Girl will never experience that kind of feeling in their lives!
The meal ended in a strange and subtle atmosphere.
Until the very end, Kiriwake Yayoi never explained why she was going to see Tang Liuli that night.
However, because Tang Liuli came up with a very reasonable excuse, Chu Wangshu didn't pay much attention to it. The only flaw left from last night's affair was easily covered up.
After that, the four of them went to the practice room together and began a day of training.
Tang Liuli initially thought of finding an opportunity to get close to her, but soon after, due to the high difficulty of <Pandora>, and the fact that she, as the lead singer, also had to take care of breath control, she was forced to get involved in the grueling high-intensity training.
There's no way around it; you have to understand that even in a 4v4 Stage Battle, there's a chance of losing.
What if we lose and the enemy chooses either me or Qing Mom? Wouldn't that mean losing the chance to conquer her before we even started?
The only way to prevent such a tragedy from happening is to win!
At the same time, Tang Liuli also figured out why Qing Bao hadn't looked at her with new respect.
The reason is simple: Qing Bao isn't from the audience's perspective. As the opponent, she can't see her team's stage performance at all. Even if she won the previous Stage Battle, she has no idea how much of a role she played in it.
Simply put, this was a failed attempt to show off in front of others.
But this time is different. Chu Yuanqing is her teammate. They will stand on the same stage, both as teammates and as rivals vying for the audience's attention. No one understands their teammate's level better than themselves.
In other words, if he could unleash the same captivating stage presence he had during "Reunion World," and even completely overshadow that Sakura Girl's "Flow State," Chu Yuanqing would notice his own shining moment!
Therefore, training must not be neglected; at the very least, it must not be worse than Kiriwake Yayoi's.
This caused Green Eyed Cat to completely shed its pre-competition slacking and debauchery, and to completely transform into an idol, becoming a breathtakingly mediocre performer in order to deliver the best performance.
On the other hand, as an outsider, Little Cotton-padded Jacket faces a lot of pressure in terms of training.
Because out of the four people in the group, she was the only one who hadn't mastered [Flow State].
Although the dance is unique, and everyone's part is roughly equal, with almost everyone having a main center segment, this very fact prevents her from being invisible like before. The audience will intentionally compare her skill level with that of her three teammates.
It could be said that this relatively fair environment, for some people, has actually torn away the last fig leaf, making it impossible for them to use reasons such as the amount of part allocated or whether they are in the Center position to explain their incompetence.
Chu Wangshu remained calm, as she was well aware of the gap between herself and her teammates.
If Kiriwake Yayoi and Tang Liuli represent the stage of accumulating strength and taking off, then I am still in the stage of settling down and accumulating experience.
Since we are at different stages and at different paces, being anxious about it is nothing more than arrogance.
"Xiao Shu is already very good. I can see that. You have always worked very hard and taken every stage performance very seriously."
"So, temporarily forget about the rules of the show, forget about whether you'll be eliminated, let go of these distractions, put aside your restlessness, immerse yourself in what you're doing now, and just take it one step at your own pace."
Chu Yuanqing's gentle words of comfort by her bedside were like a warm spring breeze, dispelling her anxiety and giving her the courage to slow down.
Therefore, ignoring all distractions, focusing only on the present moment, and comparing oneself only with oneself has become her current motto.
After training with this mindset, my efficiency inexplicably improved a lot. Occasionally, during a dance practice session, I would experience the illusion that my five senses were overclocked and the world suddenly stopped.
Kiriwake Yayoi is very pure. Her attitude towards the stage has always been consistent. Even though she had just kissed Chu Yuanqing in bed for more than ten minutes last night, she was still able to suppress her chaotic thoughts and devote herself wholeheartedly to training.
After yesterday's discovery, Chu Yuanqing was pondering a very important question.
In other words, how do you control [Flow State]?
Theoretically, there's no need to think about it; she's always in a state of "Flow State."
The problem is that her "Flow State" is just a universal sense of complete immersion, not the kind of "Flow State" that interferes with objective facts like those of Kiriwake Yayoi, Tang Liuli, and Xie Qingxuan. It doesn't have the magical effect of amplifying stage presence and charm.
Chu Yuanqing didn't think about these things before because she didn't want to be popular, but now that it's the other way around, she naturally has to consider them.
The first conclusion we can draw is that Flow State is indirectly related to emotional experiences, personality traits, Soul Quality, and the strength of one's will.
Their central structure is the [Cocoon of the Heart].
This is the unique organ that allows Little Idol to consistently unleash [Flow State].
In theory, as long as one can create a "Cocoon of the Heart" and experience a "Flow State," it's only natural that such a state will occur.
However, this principle, which generally applies to all Witch trainees, seems somewhat out of place when applied to Chu Yuanqing.
As a complete Witch, and an exceptionally Pure White Witch, the [Cocoon of the Heart] is a superfluous and unnecessary organ for her.
Theoretically speaking, there is no threshold or limitation for her to experience [Flow State].
Given this premise, what exactly am I lacking?
Chu Yuanqing was still pondering this question as he trained until evening.
It wasn't until she saw Kiriwake Yayoi, exhausted yet beaming with genuine joy after her dance, that she, in a daze, realized the simplest and most genuine answer.
[Flow State] exists for the stage.
Skim off the foam and discard the outer shell.
Chu Yuanqing never considered himself an idol.
How could someone like that possibly unleash the unique "Flow State" state that belongs to idols on stage?
So... does she have to try to truly succumb to femininity, change her mindset, and see herself as an idol in order to achieve [Flow State]?
Book 1: 140. [Old Testament] The God of Plague; Sorry, Charlotte. (5K3)
Area A1, practice room.
Chu Yuanqing walked into the bathroom. She skillfully took off her loose short-sleeved shirt, lifted her sweat-stained yoga clothes, removed her completely soaked sports bra, threw them all into the laundry basket, and stepped barefoot onto the cool tile floor.
These moments no longer evoke any strong emotions in her.
Adjust the temperature and turn on the shower.
The room was quickly filled with steaming hot vapor.
Chu Yuanqing lowered her eyelashes, her pupils shimmering with golden light, her pure and beautiful face displaying a solemn yet complex expression. She stood silently, bathing in the warm water amidst the splashing sounds.
The girl let the water droplets slide down her fair neck, down her slender collarbone, along her full breasts, undulating in elastic arcs, reaching the deepest part of her body, then licking her thighs, shattering on the tiles beside her ankles, waiting for the filth all over her body to be washed away.
Actually, unlike at the beginning, after the Magic Armor regains its proper buffs, as long as you build Magic Armor on the surface of your body, all dirt and dust will be washed away, making you cleaner than taking a bath.
Chu Yuanqing still takes baths.
Firstly, there's no need to shy away from this body that belongs to you.
Secondly, the speed at which he enters the bathroom, completes the Magic Armor construction, and then immediately leaves the bathroom is suspicious.
Thirdly... taking a bath is indeed quite comfortable, and it's also a great place to think about things when you're alone.
Chu Yuanqing turned on the switch and squeezed out some shower gel. Like the little yellow duck, it was a gift from Liuli. It would leave a long-lasting fragrance after a shower.
The scent immediately after bathing is Sicilian lemon and acai berry; after a few hours, it becomes peach blossom honey and magnolia; and after six hours, it transforms into warm amber, sweet caramel, and refreshing cypress.
Chu Yuanqing hadn't paid attention to these details; he just thought it was quite useful and smelled nice. Little did he know that when the Green Eyed Cat snuggled close to him, it was enjoying the scent mixed with his own body fragrance, as if it were catnip.
Well, since it was a hot tub yesterday, she didn't use this shower gel, so Little Sakura unfortunately couldn't share in the joy that belongs to the Green Eyed Cat.
Of course, because it was delivered very early, the Golden Haired Doggy that raided the area every night enjoyed the sniff.
Chu Yuanqing absentmindedly applied shower gel; the dense foam quickly enveloped her full breasts, which slowly collapsed with each breath, meandering down to her increasingly slender waist. She murmured to herself:
"To become... a true idol."
In the traditional sense, "Flow State" refers to a state of complete immersion and concentration.
The "Flow State" technique learned by Liuli, Yayoi, and Kiyohyun is built on this foundation, allowing them to unleash their unique personal miracles through the "Cocoon of the Heart," a purely spiritual organ.
Rather than saying their "Flow State" exists for the stage.
Rather, it's more accurate to say that they developed the "Flow State" state, which amplifies stage presence, in order to create a better stage.
Simply put, "Flow State" is a product of the individual desires of Little Idol.
Chu Yuanqing lacked a strong desire to create a better stage, nor did he have the real awareness to become an idol. Naturally, he couldn't create the ability to enhance stage appeal, increase emotional impact, or improve his dance moves and singing.
Because she didn't want to, she didn't.
This is a problem of cognitive impairment.
Little Sakura's genuine love for the stage, for dance, and for her idol is the direct reason that broke through this barrier.
Chu Yuanqing should have realized this long ago.
That invisible, colossal blade that pierced through the underground base, burning away all the [Calamity Species] like a scorching fire, wasn't it a kind of [Flow State] state responding to one's own desires?
The only difference is that her wish at that time was to eradicate the [Calamity Species], rather than to create the most Shining Stage and become more popular with the audience.
Chu Yuanqing's freedom can be attributed to the special nature of the Pure White Witch.
The Little Idol, however, are different; they can only possess a fixed [Flow State] born from the [Cocoon of the Heart].
To use an imperfect analogy, this is the difference between an unlimited wishing machine and a one-time wishing machine.
"If this theory is followed, almost countless powers can be derived from wishes, which fits my fantasy about magic and the concept of Magical Girl."
Chu Yuanqing sighed slightly, turned on the tightly closed showerhead, and the thousands of water droplets falling from the showerhead washed away the foam that seemed to obscure her curves like holy light. The Golden Sea in her eyes swayed slightly. She held the thin chain in her hand and pulled the lantern out from the soft foam, whispering:
"To achieve the 'Flow State' state on a stage that truly resonates, one needs a heartfelt desire. Any deceit or pretense will lead to failure. Therefore, I can no longer rely on Charlotte, nor can I continue to rely on Charlotte."
"Perhaps... I should learn more from Yayoi."
Chu Yuanqing made up her mind, but then she inexplicably remembered what happened last night. She subconsciously covered her chest with her arm, revealing a tempting, white curve. After realizing her behavior, she was so ashamed that her serious face turned blush, and her eyes filled with alluring moisture.
Damn it, I forgot to teach Yayoi a lesson today. I'll definitely have to make up for it next time!
But... but you can't actually go and touch it back, can you? That would be too strange, too much, too criminal!
Thinking of this, Chu Yuanqing hesitated again after making up her mind. She thought about it and felt that Yayoi hadn't done it on purpose, so it wouldn't be good to pursue the matter further. She decided to forgive her this time.
Besides, don't I still have to learn from the other person? Consider those few touches as tuition fees... No! That's such a strange way to describe it!
Chu Yuanqing finished her shower, lost in thought. She dried herself with a towel, changed into an unbound undergarment, and put on a simple short-sleeved shirt and shorts, revealing her fair and pink thighs, making her look youthful and beautiful.
Then, with a youthful air, she bit her hair tie with her pink lips, tying her pure white hair, as white as fresh snow, into a ponytail before letting the lantern reveal its disguise, and strode out of the bathroom.
No sooner had I stepped out of the bathroom than a deafening roar, like a glacier cracking, resounded from the depths of my soul. The curse of the Sea of Truth, like a deadly demon, went berserk once more, shattering the warm daily routine that had barely lasted.
In an instant, a kaleidoscope-like illusion appeared before my eyes, and a distant yet familiar hymn drifted into my ears.
Chu Yuanqing looked up and gazed into the distance; before him lay endless, desolate ruins.
The collapsing tectonic plates, the moss-covered corners of high-rise buildings, the pitch-black seawater spreading inland, the ever-falling pure white feathers, and... the sky frozen eternally at dusk.
High in the sky, thousands of pure white giant rings inlaid with gilded patterns intertwine and cluster around the azure eyeball that resembles the sun. Dozens of enormous pure white wings extend from the central point, each a thousand meters long, blotting out the sky and scattering magnificent sunset clouds and showering down feathers like a heavy rain.
On the surface of those slowly rotating giant rings, pairs of azure eyes proliferated, blinking as if scrutinizing the land shrouded in twilight. They looked both sacred and terrifying, resembling angels from the Old Testament.
This is the forbidden land of twilight, the dwelling place of the Disaster God known in the old era as the [Old Testament]. The monster before you is merely one of the Supreme Calamity Beast created by the [Old Testament], called the Archangel.
The Sea of Truth has brought back the past.
Chu Yuanqing was somewhat dazed. She vaguely remembered that Charlotte had razed most of the Twilight Forbidden Land. She had used the Song of Destruction to Funeral Procession eight archangels and used her dance to unleash a tsunami that shook the entire Atlantic Ocean, tearing apart the false eternal twilight.
But now, Charlotte is nowhere to be found in the illusion; he is alone, facing the Old Testament.
For no apparent reason, a sense of desolation permeated my soul, surpassing all other forms of painful loneliness, causing my mind to waver. The hymns in my ears grew clearer and clearer. Dusk enveloped my entire body, and tens of thousands of eyes in the distance gazed at me.
All of this amplified her emotions a thousandfold, compelling her to bow down, submit, and prostrate herself before an unknown master, devoutly reciting the name that brings blessings to the world.
The darkness in Chu Yuanqing's eyes shattered, and golden arcs of light overflowed and burned. She slashed through the allure of ancient gods' murmurs, like a seasoned warrior turning the pages of the past in her dream, once again extracting the flames of courage, and letting out a nostalgic sigh:
"Your illusion has even begun to replicate the abilities of the [Calamity Beasts] from your memories?"
"Truly worthy of being called the Sea of Truth."
"Very well, Laevateinn has devoured the twilight of the [Old Testament], so let me indulge in this long-lost nostalgia, savor the taste of an old friend, and try... to fight twilight with twilight."