Chapter 279
Xu Ling guiltily looked away, gave an awkward laugh, and gazed at the distant, clear sky, changing the subject:
"It's strange, it's almost the end of summer, but it's still so hot."
Pei Xiaotong took a bite of her ice cream cone and casually said:
"I saw on the news that ocean temperatures are rising, so this summer might be longer than usual. My grandma said that the roses in our old house have all withered long ago, and who knows, it might still be hot after the ginkgo leaves turn yellow."
Xu Ling felt the sticky sensation of her clothes being soaked with sweat, and began to feel grateful that her makeup was waterproof. She looked at the school and the billboards around it advertising "Flash Dance," listening to the cacophony of cicadas, and said while eating an ice cream cone:
"That sounds like summer never ends, like we're still on summer vacation, isn't that nice? At most, it'll just take up a lot of air conditioning."
Pei Xiaotong complained:
"I wish we could have more holidays. Once school starts, I can barely catch up on one episode of Flash Dance, and I won't have time to follow any other anime."
As soon as he finished speaking, the phone, which had automatically turned on after charging, started ringing.
The little girl opened the class WeChat group with a puzzled look, then her pupils suddenly dilated in surprise. Overjoyed, she tugged at her cousin's arm and said with sparkling eyes:
"Ling Bao, look! Our school's summer vacation is really being extended, by a whole month! Isn't that just wishful thinking?"
Xu Ling was shocked when she saw her cousin's homeroom teacher tagging the entire group in the chat, and couldn't help but comment:
"Is this really not a case of account hacking?"
"Speaking of which, Tong Bao, if you're really that lucky, you might actually pull out something good!"
After the girl finished speaking, she looked at her phone, which was now powered on, and casually opened the lottery interface. Watching the wheel spin, she eagerly tapped it with her little hand, and a dazzling golden light appeared.
Xu Ling looked at the words and icons behind the golden light. She was bewildered for a moment, then cheered wildly with joy:
"Yay! Tong Bao, I won tickets to Third Performance!"
Xu Ling looked at her cousin excitedly, only to find that the other girl was staring at the phone screen without moving. She blinked in confusion, then curiously leaned closer, only to see that the pointer of the spinning wheel was stuck on the smallest rainbow area.
That's... a mysterious grand prize that surpasses autographed photos, Public Performance tickets, and endorsement products! The winner can choose any Little Idol from the competition area to have <FlashDance> do a magazine photoshoot for them!
Volume 1: 265. The Choice of Photographs, the Moment of Salvation, the Material for Reconstruction. (5K)
Pei Xiaotong felt like she was living in a dream. She was just a non-stick pan who liked dresses, had a bit of anime culture, and occasionally followed celebrities, but didn't really understand anything. Naturally, she didn't know much about the Entertainment Industry or idols.
Even so, the little girl understood the significance of the only grand prize in the "Flash Dance" event.
When Flash Dance first announced the specific grand prize for this event, it caused a huge uproar online and in various fan clubs.
At its most basic level, the person who wins the lottery can send resources to their Little Idol and receive the first numbered e-magazine and the first physical magazine, which is equivalent to having the official source produce content for them.
This is a tremendous honor for any fan.
It's important to know that <Flash Dance> is different from regular talent shows. So far, it hasn't resorted to the classic practice of forcing you to spend money on a bunch of useless items to vote for your favorite Little Idol.
This is certainly a good thing, but it also makes many fans who are used to being exploited feel empty, as if their wallets have nowhere to go and they can't give their idols more support.
Well, this situation means they can only focus their efforts on things like liking, following, discussing, and creating fan-made content.
Providing resources to Little Idol not only enhances one's own presence but also potentially makes the idol remember one's prize. It's easy to see how tempting this opportunity would be in such a context.
If Pei Xiaotong remembered correctly, she had seen in some fan groups that some wealthy women and men had offered over a million yuan just to get the opportunity to personally promote resources for their own group.
Pity...
"The rules state that there can be no transactions. Once any related transactions are discovered, the privilege will be returned to the prize pool."
"So, Tong Bao, stop dreaming about becoming a millionaire. You should actually think carefully about which Little Idol you want to give it to."
Xu Ling felt like her mouth was full of lemons as she spoke. She looked at her cousin with a sour expression, and the Third Performance tickets she had just won didn't seem so appealing anymore.
Although winning Public Performance tickets twice in a row was already incredibly lucky, it paled in comparison to the grand prize Pei Xiaotong won.
Moreover, even setting aside the fan bias, the access rights cannot be traded. However, if the chosen Little Idol has a high level of popularity, the initial numbered digital magazine and the first physical magazine obtained will definitely have extremely high value.
This is much more stable than stocks. If the chosen Little Idol is eliminated, its value will only increase. It's a precious "legacy" on par with a memoir by a deceased wife. If it officially debuts and becomes a global sensation, top billionaires might even want to collect it and be willing to trade a villa for it.
Pei Xiaotong barely recovered, but she still felt a bit unreal, as if she were hallucinating from the sun. She looked at her phone screen several times before saying blankly:
"Ling Bao, do you think we'll get into a car accident on our way home?"
"You won Public Performance ticket, and I won the grand prize. How scary is that?"
Xu Ling could understand this skepticism about luck. When she first won a ticket to the Public Performance, she was afraid of encountering some monster on the subway. But not only did nothing happen, she was also very happy throughout the entire performance and even saw Qing Bao with white hair and golden eyes live. It was a perfect ending.
The girl patted her rather large chest, drawing on her experienced advice, and tried to reassure her younger cousin, saying:
"Don't worry, just avoid drawing cards, buying scratch cards, eating seafood and raw marinated foods, and going out at night for the next few months..."
Xu Ling recited dozens of precautions in one breath before patting the little girl on the shoulder and offering her final words of comfort:
"That way, you'll definitely be fine!"
Pei Xiaotong was even more frightened, but the excitement and joy of winning the grand prize temporarily overshadowed these mystical worries. She silently prayed to the Jade Emperor, Tathagata, Confucius, and Guan Yu for blessings before looking at her phone screen and muttering like an emperor choosing a concubine:
"The Great Demon King' has an amazing body; there will definitely be some 'perfect shots' in his magazine shoots!"
"Ji Shuzhu has very long legs, and Ning Bao is a striking beauty; they might be a pleasant surprise if they're on the cover."
"Ruan Wutong is similar to my name, and he's a bit of a roguish, idiotic purple-haired guy, which really appeals to me."
"Wait a minute, Little Sakura's journey to pursue her dream has been so arduous, and her stage presence is so captivating. Wouldn't it be better to give it to her? But Chu Yuanqing is just too beautiful, sob sob, why is it so hard to choose!"
Xu Ling witnessed firsthand the scene of the DD leader's mental breakdown, and the more she listened, the more she couldn't help but sneer. "You still have the nerve to criticize me for not being pure enough? Tong Bao, now you know how many versions of yourself you've 'done'!"
But despite saying that, the reason she didn't offer advice was because she couldn't make a decision.
You suggested giving it to Little Sakura, but what should Qing Bao do?
But as for Qing Bao, she's been a long-time fan of Little Sakura, how could she bear to show favoritism?
Therefore, we won't interfere with Tong Bao's choice. Anyway, neither Little Sakura nor Qing Bao has any rivals. If we have to say, as long as it's not given to other contestants who are considered favorites to win, it doesn't matter who it's given to.
Pei Xiaotong hesitated for a long time before finally saying:
"I've made up my mind, I'll give it to Qing Bao!"
This is not an unexpected choice. Unless they are fans of other Little Idol, most viewers who win the grand prize will choose Chu Yuanqing.
The allure of the Pure White Witch is undeniable. In practical terms, as a top contender for the T0 championship, she is practically guaranteed a spot in the Sea Capital <Flash Dance> competition, and even has a chance to debut Center position.
Even without purchasing any quantity, the very first issue of this magazine would be worth a fortune, making it a "high-quality stock" with a low minimum value and a high maximum potential.
Xu Ling wasn't surprised, but she was still very delighted. If it weren't for the hot weather that made them both sweat, she would definitely have shouted "Yay!" and hugged him tightly.
Unlike her cousin, she had watched many talent shows and followed a lot of celebrity gossip, so she knew a bit about the Entertainment Industry.
Fashion magazines, within the Entertainment Industry, are the kind of publications where celebrities don't earn money through regular gigs; their earnings are even based on their star power. They'll still voluntarily participate in photo shoots even without payment.
The most direct benefit of this for celebrities is that it enhances their image and increases their fame.
Yes, increasing brand awareness is easy to understand. "Gilding" means improving one's qualifications, public perception of fashion, and elevating one's status. The ultimate goal is to secure high-end luxury brand endorsements.
It's common knowledge that celebrities earn the most from endorsement fees, and which brands offer the most endorsement fees? It goes without saying that it's high-end luxury brands, as these brands prioritize image and prestige when choosing spokespeople.
A series of fashion covers serve as a stepping stone to prove one's taste.
Taking Chinese Entertainment Industry magazines as an example, they can be roughly divided into first-tier, near-first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier, or simply into categories based on prestige (world-class, but not well-known domestically).
The industry will refer to them as the twelve major mainstream magazines, the five major women's magazines, the five major men's magazines, and the two minor women's magazines, and will also count how many mainstream magazine covers a certain celebrity has appeared on. This will also include details such as whether it is a solo cover or a group cover (that is, multiple people on the cover together), as well as the specific total number of magazines.
In Xu Ling's memory, a top celebrity in the Chinese Entertainment Industry who endorses six luxury brands frequently appears in fashion magazines. His endorsement fees alone amount to billions of yuan a year. This is a typical example of someone with abundant fashion resources who is highly favored by high-end luxury brands.
In her view, the grand prize of this Flash Dance event is very likely a signal that the magazine is about to make its move into the fashion magazine industry.
The reason is simple: Flashdance is the world's first and most expensive epic talent show project.
For such a project to recoup its costs, it must ensure that the girl group it cultivates becomes the most lucrative top-tier group in the global Entertainment Industry.
To secure exorbitant endorsement fees from high-end luxury brands and avoid being held hostage by external constraints, or to create stars more efficiently, it is essential to personally cultivate fashion resources that are recognized by the world, thus achieving a true internal circulation.
This magazine photoshoot could very well be a pilot project.
If it's truly launched globally, Qing Bao's popularity will definitely skyrocket, and even if it competes with other countries' Flash Dance regions in the future, it will certainly not fall behind in terms of popularity!
Xu Ling became happier the more she thought about it. She stood up and said:
"Since we're so lucky today, let's go out for hot pot to celebrate! I'll also buy Tong Bao the little dress you like!"
Pei Xiaotong's eyes lit up upon hearing this. She was from Sichuan and loved hot pot. She replied immediately:
"Really? Yay!"
"I want to eat spicy beef tallow hot pot, enjoying the brisket while the air conditioning is on, and preferably several plates of tripe, plus a big bottle of ice-cold soda."
Xu Ling waved her hand, indicating that it was all on her. She talked to the girl, then pulled her to return the power bank. They hailed a taxi in the shade, planning to go home, take a shower, and then head out for hot pot, feeling refreshed.
And during this time, they naturally didn't forget to record videos.
Although her previous account only featured fan-made edits, explanations of Little Idol' past histories, and analyses of industry gossip, Tong Bao winning the grand prize in an event with millions of participants is definitely something worth showing off... no, it's something that generates a lot of buzz!
In short, she can't be the only one feeling sour and wanting to eat lemons!
So, before the taxi even got home, a post had already been simultaneously published on Weibo, Bilibili, and Douyin, instantly shocking countless netizens who were following the other party with a "seal" (a slang term for a...
Meanwhile, Pei Xiaotong, filled with excitement, clicked into the <Flash Dance> official website in front of the camera lens, connected with the child body of Dream Weaver Rabbit, and selected a specific Little Idol.
--Chu Yuanqing.
Austria, Salzburg.
Moonlight bathed the clouds like slanted mercury, draping them over the castle's outline and casting a mysterious hue over the carpet in the main hall on the first floor.
Chu Yuanqing was squatting in front of an ancient fireplace that looked quite old. Her soft, feather-like eyelashes, white as the first snowflakes, fluttered, and a magical iridescent Rainbow Light emanated from the golden depths of her eyes. Through the firewood that had been sitting there for who knows how long, one could glimpse the aura of magic.
The girl pondered for a moment, then extended her fingertips, and a radiance purer than moonlight illuminated the fireplace.
In an instant, the firewood rattled and collided, and illusory sparks flew everywhere. The large pile of firewood transformed into a pure silver briefcase in the blink of an eye. It sat quietly in the fireplace, its surface printed with the image of the World Tree in half-growth and half-wither, while the larger background was a sun illuminating the heavens and the earth.
This is the Magic Countermeasures Bureau's "anti-counterfeiting trademark".
Chu Yuanqing knew its origin. [Ymir] and the trajectory of the first time around were the first Disaster God to descend. In the second time around, it came with the World Tree that had not yet been planted in the core of the planet, but it was forcibly suppressed by [Pure White] before it could parasitize, thus being "squeezed" out.
This caused the World Tree to be forced to appear on the planet's dome, falling with a terrifying force that blotted out the sun.
As it was about to fall back into the uninhabited sea and return to the oceanic plate, the high wall that had not yet spanned the globe officially began to radiate a light that enveloped the heavens and the earth. The Lingering Fire of Laevateinn overflowed from it, burning it to a state of half-glowing and half-dried, sealing off the sea area as a forbidden zone.
The breathtaking scene of [Pure White] turning the tide and burning the World Tree was brought out by Astrid when the Magic Countermeasures Bureau was established. She suggested that it be used as a model as a spiritual medal to uphold the belief in saving the world. This is how it was successfully constructed as a symbol of blasphemy in the eyes of the Cult of Disaster Gods.
"No wonder Dreamweave asked me for a wisp of magic; it turns out it needed 'fingerprint unlocking.' This must be a kind of magic that can be used without a [Witch]?"
As Chu Yuanqing spoke, she picked up the suitcase. She weighed it in her hand; it weighed about fifty kilograms. She figured that disguising herself as a cleaner must have taken quite a bit of effort from the staff who delivered it.
The suitcase contained the least valuable and least dangerous batch of wrecked remains, which could have been transported under normal escort. It only took a week because of the negotiations with the research department, the need to ship the goods from all over the world, and the increasingly active nature of the Calamity Beasts and cultists.
As for the remaining remains, Astrid said they would be delivered by Xiao Xuan's older sister.
Well, for a Captain-Class [Witch] to accept this kind of delivery mission, it's probably all to visit her sister, right?
But...
"Xiao Xuan seems to really dislike her older sister. Will they really be able to get along?"
Chu Yuanqing only thought about it for a while before giving up on the question.
Even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes.
Let's leave the relationship between Xiao Xuan and her sister to them to handle.
Chu Yuanqing picked up the box, her aura swirling around her, her figure disappearing into the moonlight. She quietly went upstairs, returning to her room first, and sat down at the table, placing the box on it.
Subsequently, she activated [Killing Karma of Annihilation] after a long absence, temporarily altering the nature of her magic with her inner fire, thus gaining the authority to use conceptual magic and releasing a barrier encompassing the entire room.
--Advanced Technique: Ten Directions Imprisonment Domain
There's no other way. Since I want to surprise Charlotte, it's best to postpone letting her know about using the Disaster Relic. Otherwise, she might accidentally figure out what gift I want to give her.
Therefore, she had to resort to advanced conceptual spells to guard against a certain elusive Saintess who liked to sneak through walls and attack.
Although the magic consumption is high, I've been Magic Replenishment and leveling up recently, and the sixth episode of <Flash Dance> is airing, so I should be able to last for a few hours.
Chu Yuanqing opened the box.
Even the lowest-grade wreckage is difficult to mold using technology, so the first layer consists of gray crystals of varying sizes and irregular shapes, each contained in a transparent glass container that emits a tremor as if it were alive when the container is opened.
The girl picked up a diamond with her fingertips, lowered her eyes to observe it for a while. Its size was similar to that of a 100-carat diamond, but its weight was ten times that of the former. The surface crystals were clear, but the inside was murky, with wispy Black Mist swirling inside, representing the residual evil energy.
Chu Yuanqing was somewhat surprised. The crystal was cleaned very thoroughly, leaving not only some of the calamity energy that was difficult to expel, but also no information, like the genetic chain, remaining.