Chapter 453
Even the thinnest piece of paper, when stacked to the billions, is far too heavy to be lifted by a single hand.
That seemingly blazing, warm, and harmless radiance is just like that.
At this very moment, Shining Torrent of billions of people, transmitted, gathered, and distributed from various regional stages through the Rainbow Light threads of the spell, returned to the two Sky Stage and surged into this large spell base, blooming in the sky like fireworks.
During this process, Eden of the Holy United States and Pure White of the Donghuang Federation became two towering structures releasing brilliance. Their souls, bodies, spirits, thoughts, and even the Lantern Gem were constantly subjected to extremely terrifying pressure.
Tang Liuli was deeply moved. Her thoughts seemed to be split in two. One half was immersed in emotions and self, singing wholeheartedly with her teammates, while the other half could feel the burning sensation in her spine and flesh, breathing in the bittersweet experiences of life, and being swept up in a chaotic stream of thoughts.
Happiness, longing, joy, anticipation, love, excitement...
The massive burst of light came crashing down, bringing not only these abstract emotions, but also a much more chaotic, tangible array of sounds, images, memories, and even tactile sensations.
If she weren't Magical Girl with a purely spiritual nature, naturally resistant to being tainted by colors that don't belong to her, and if the Soul Flower and the [Flow State] state weren't able to protect her soul, she simply wouldn't have been able to continue singing normally.
But this is only the beginning.
Astrid had already informed them of these difficulties before they went on stage. They had used this to persuade Pure White to divert most of their brilliance to Charlotte's side, but the four of them flatly refused.
"The probing is enough; it's clear that stubbornness won't work."
"Everyone, let's start with me."
The emerald green in the girl's eyes glowed, and through Mind link with her teammates, she signaled to them that Soul Manipulation had been activated for the first time, instantly anchoring the soul colors of the four people and stirring up a tide like shards of emerald, stripping away colors that did not belong to them.
At this point, the noise that constantly permeates the soul seems to be separated by a thick ocean, and the massive, dazzling distracting thoughts also drift away.
Soul Manipulation allows one to glimpse the true nature and essence of a soul, and to arbitrarily alter it by paying with magic power. This Destined Magic is one of the countermeasures they had discussed beforehand.
Tang Liuli's Soul Manipulation can strip away any distracting thoughts.
Kiriwake Yayoi's Idol Domain can treat the side effects of dazzling popularity as interference and filter them out using rules.
Xie Qingxuan's [Wise King] has not fully recovered, so simple laws and decrees will not be very effective. However, [Titan's Authority] can enhance the four people's sense of self and existence by amplifying their resistance to this aspect.
In recent days, Chu Wangshu has revealed to her teammates part of the truth about devouring the Disaster God -- [Child of Man], and the powers she wields have become increasingly stronger in recent missions.
Among them, the power originating from [Tathagata] was transformed after devouring the other party's apostles - the Eighteen Garan. The Lotus Realm can now not only stop local spacetime, but also reverse the flow of things and give them reincarnation, so it can naturally be applied to the current situation.
The reason we don't need to resort to these methods now is because Astrid stated frankly that this stage involves the fate of all humanity, and they must persevere for at least 6 hours under these circumstances, and in the worst-case scenario, it may be delayed even longer.
Therefore, the four discussed the matter internally and decided to adopt a shift system to ensure that everyone's magic power remained within a safe range.
Among them, Soul Manipulation and Idol Domain are the most frequently used.
The reason is that [Titan's Authority], as a blessing, consumes more magic power.
Chu Wangshu used the power of the Disaster God, but to prevent any accidents, he should avoid using it as much as possible.
On stage, the sounds of guitar, bass, drums, and lead vocals all rise collectively in the increasingly rousing chorus. Different colored notes then detach from the instruments, transforming into fluttering butterflies that blend into the stage lights, like magical loudspeakers, making the music burn like fire in your ears, becoming ever more intense.
Then, a great fire suddenly burst into flames, as if it wanted to burn the sky to ashes, fearlessly devouring the surging, dazzling tide. The Stage Aura created by the four people working together was actually cooperating with Soul Manipulation, actively burning away the impurities in the brilliance.
At the same time, on the seats of the Supreme Council.
These high-ranking figures, like all the audience members, are currently in a fan-like position, admiring the miracle that continues to burn on the Sky Stage.
--All members are at full strength.
--The magic power index has all reached the [Sea] realm.
Finally, there is that unwavering will, the resilience of steel, the Idol Power that shines like the sun, and an incredible understanding of the Shine Magic.
This is undoubtedly a miraculous team. In less than a year since becoming Magical Girl, they have already reached the highest level, perfectly surpassing the extreme configuration expected when the <Flash Dance> project was launched.
Even if [Lighthouse] isn't in this idol group that shares the same name as [Pure White], the four of them are enough to shoulder the fate of all humanity and together ignite the most dazzling flame for this great cause.
Astrid sat at the edge of the meeting, watching this scene unfold. As a sacrifice in the official third phase of the Flashdance project, she was using her last moments to appreciate the performance of her juniors.
In order to maintain the foundation of the alliance, she has officially separated from Dream Weaver. The Super AI now in charge of the overall situation is merely a cold intelligence that replicates part of Astrid's personality, memories, and thought patterns.
Functionally, the difference between the two is not significant for the time being. Only after she and [Celestial Instrument] completely perish will Dream Weaver's terrifying computing power, which surpassed the times, gradually decline and cease to be as omnipotent as before.
"Based on the decline curve of the Magic Index, Pure White's maximum capacity is between 1149 and 1912 minutes. Eden's limit is currently impossible to estimate. Charlotte has an extremely high tolerance for Shining, and even with teammates dragging her down, she is still about twice as good as the former."
As the Super AI finished speaking, the atmosphere in the conference room became even more enthusiastic. This set of data was undoubtedly a shot in the arm. The two Sky Stage were the most crucial part of the entire <Flash Dance> project. The better those two teams were, the more room for error the project would have.
1149 minutes is close to 20 hours, while the human radiance only needs 3 hours to reach the stars, and the remaining stages can be completed in one go, leaving them with more than enough time.
Astrid looked at the stage, her gaze complex.
At present, whether it's the Witch and armies stationed in the thirteen forbidden zones, the guards on various touring stages, or the hundreds of backup plans in case of an accident, everything has been refined to the extreme. The rest... can only be left to fate.
Sea Capital, Longhe District, a stadium.
The area here isn't large, with about ten to twenty thousand people surrounding the spacious volleyball court below. The pre-arranged setup perfectly "moved" the Sky Stage to the central venue, making the dazzling figures appear vibrant and alive, as if they were right next to you. Even the faintest whispers could be heard clearly through the equipment.
Even the "Flow State" sensation, which can only be felt live, was brought along, allowing the audience to experience the captivating power of the stage.
Xu Ling sat in the crowd, immersed in Tang Liuli's singing. She had a good ear and could occasionally catch Chu Wangshu's or Kiriwake Yayoi's harmonies. She could also see the various smooth details of Xie Qingxuan's control of the hi-hat and bass drum as he swung the drumsticks.
Even without dancing, it was still a feast for the eyes and ears. Her soul seemed to hear birdsong, chirping and dancing joyfully on the branches, singing along, then spreading their wings and soaring into the boundless blue sky, traversing through thick clouds, clearing the way forward time and time again, feeling boundless freedom.
Everything the band conveyed was like a huge cavity, enveloping her and everyone else. As the emotions gradually intensified, the cavity collapsed, making the sound louder and louder, squeezing into bone and flesh, piercing the soul bit by bit, and then suddenly the cavity exploded completely, bringing unprecedented comfort.
What kind of Calamity Beasts, what kind of crisis, what kind of responsibility, what kind of fate...
Those abstract, concrete, life-related, and even psychedelic thoughts that seemed to belong to another world all became clear, light, pure, and clean, bringing heartfelt joy.
Incomprehensible, unbelievable, unimaginable, beyond reality.
It was just the beginning, nothing more than a song, but the way they played it felt like breathing in harmless poppies and poison. Their brains and blood were unconsciously burning, and they completely forgot the passage of time, letting their bodies and souls operate instinctively.
Before you know it, the idols on stage have changed songs and performed countless dances.
The girl blinked blankly, her emotions gradually subsiding. Her mind seemed to cool down, and she was immersed in a peaceful and tranquil joy. She glanced at her watch; the hands had completed a full circle. She murmured:
"Wow, that's amazing! This time the energy is even greater than the last tour; more than an hour has passed without us even noticing."
Xu Ling rubbed her eyes wearily. She lingered for a while, watching the idols in the center of the stage. She listened to two songs before the indicator on her wrist flashed red, forcing her to get up and leave. She went to the medical area of the stadium, underwent testing, returned the wristband, and left the venue.
This is a rule that was repeatedly emphasized upon entry: if audience members feel tired or lethargic, they must leave within half an hour and take a seat from another citizen who was not present at the event.
As for the method of supervision, it is the wristband that everyone is given upon entry. It is said that it contains nanobots that can judge a person's mental state by detecting data such as heart rate and breathing rate.
Xu Ling walked down the street, feeling melancholy. Ever since she became more beautiful, her body had become increasingly weak, as if she had traded her physical strength for her looks. She couldn't even stay up late anymore, and today was no exception. The uncle next to her was still full of energy, while she was already so sleepy.
"Damn it, I can't keep going down this path. I need to train harder from now on, otherwise I won't even be able to satisfy them at the Pure White event, and Tong Bao will laugh at me mercilessly."
Because there were few buses running today and taxis were almost nonexistent, she could only scan a shared bicycle on the street and ride it with considerable effort to the subway station.
However, before she had gone very far, a wave of heat nearly knocked Xu Ling and her bicycle off her.
The deafening roar pierced her eardrums. As the tires slid, she and her bicycle luckily bumped against a nearby phone booth, avoiding a direct fall to the ground. Looking back blankly, what greeted her eyes was a dense, sky-covering, terrifying swarm of insects that seemed to be tearing open the upper level of the stadium.
These rat-sized calamity insects, entirely black with wavy, lava-like patterns, relentlessly crashed into the magically protected dome. The patterns scalded with heat and then exploded with a deafening roar, like thousands of thermite bombs bursting open at once, threatening to melt through the solid wall.
Amidst the deafening roar, soldiers guarding the scene opened fire, and Magical Girl responsible for protecting the Longhe District descended from the sky within 10 seconds, anxiously searching for the source of the insect swarm. Nearby citizens fled for their lives, and those affected were left with nothing but blood and flesh, a truly horrific scene.
Xu Ling's pupils trembled, her legs went weak, and she stood there for a few seconds before snapping back to reality at the shouts of the police officers beside her. She immediately picked up her bicycle, ignoring the scrapes on her knees and the pain in her legs, and rode forward with a blank mind.
However, just after turning the corner and passing another location in the park, they encountered a self-destructing bug that was buzzing, had scarlet compound eyes, looked incredibly eerie, and whose body patterns were becoming increasingly hot.
The girl had no time to dodge or escape. Her blank mind raced like a flashing screen, the insect wings reflected in her pupils vibrating, the scorching light stinging her eyes, and the immense heat causing an explosion. The insect's corpse shattered into countless pieces, like shrapnel from a grenade, flying through the air with the sparks.
Time has stopped.
No, it's that the brain's perception of time has slowed down.
In my ears, the song "Tumi of Late Winter" that Pure White performed at the beginning of today's show started playing again.
The next second, a four-colored radiance, a blend of emerald green, golden yellow, jet black, and cherry blossom pink, burst forth from the soul, and a large number of musical notes transformed into an illusory city wall standing in front, blocking the attack of the exploding bugs.
Xu Ling couldn't understand the situation. She was forced to stop in front of the gradually disappearing city wall, her eyes glazed over, her lovely face full of fear and confusion.
At this very moment, similar things are happening throughout the entire Sea Capital, and even throughout the entire Great Xia, Donghuang, and Holy United States, in numerous venues specifically designed to provide dazzling spectacle for the Sky Stage.
The difference lies in the fact that the protection provided by Pure White and Eden around the base is much stronger, so much so that even though the swarm launched a suicide attack that exploded upon first sight, it did not cause any casualties in the audience.
But whether it was the Magical Girl promptly eliminated the plague insects, or the commanders and those in power who learned of the situation through various channels, they all felt a profound sense of relief, yet also an immense heaviness in their hearts.
Because... the countless Rainbow Light surging from various areas, almost visible to the naked eye, were as if shrouded in a dark filter, their colors dimmed and mixed with chaotic blackness.
Fear, timidity, worry, and the blankness of being forced out of a state of immersion during a life-or-death crisis—these scattered yet immense emotions inevitably merged with the dazzling light soaring high in the sky, becoming a deadly poison!
The Sky Stage above Donghuang.
A lotus mark flickered in Chu Wangshu's eyes. Relying on her instinctive sense of crisis, she instantly activated the Lotus Realm, fixing the spacetime of the domain. She glimpsed the Shining Torrent that had subsequently stopped and realized the problem.
The disaster relief team did indeed take action.
"Yayoi- nee, relying solely on Soul Manipulation isn't enough; it's your turn to step in."
Kiriwake Yayoi's thoughts were not frozen. She glanced back at Chu Wangshu, nodded, and activated Idol Domain. The invisible power of rules formed a fortress to protect the stage, like a giant sieve. When time and space returned to normal, it blocked out a large number of impurities in the brilliance and continued to maintain the normal performance on stage.
Meanwhile, on the stage above the Holy United States.
Charlotte made no extra movements; she continued singing with a smile on her face. Her ethereal voice brushed against the heart like down feathers, and a holy Light Band, as gentle as an angel's, spread brilliantly around the stage, lingering and cleansing, melting away the darkness in the radiance.
For the Doomsday Diva, purifying these sparkles in real time is not difficult. The real challenge facing [The Lighthouse] is the ultimate darkness it will face when all of humanity's sparkles are completely collected, radiate throughout all dimensions, and return to itself.
As for now, she still has the energy to help the Little Idol around her who act as "Calamity Shell" cleanse themselves of their chronic illnesses, so that these Magical Girl's Lantern Gem are not at risk of being tainted.
The Supreme Council received a flood of intelligence reports.
"Of the 81 performance venues in the Red Stone Country, 73 suffered similar swarm attacks. Thanks to the protection of Magical Girl's Shine Magic at each venue, the total number of casualties did not exceed three digits, but the bases are still at risk of being captured."
"The Magical Girl responsible for protecting the central base in Ji Dongguo has died in battle. Before her death, [Sange] perished along with the swarm of disasters. We need immediate support."
"The rate of collapse of [Pure White] suddenly increased, the integrity rate of the Spatial curvature dropped below 80% for the first time, and the disaster energy index in the earth veins began to soar at a rate of 396% per second. Among the thirteen Disaster God, excluding the [Child of Man] mentioned by Chu Wangshu, the forbidden zones where the other Disaster God were located all began to riot."
"An unusual wavelength has been detected. A Captain-Class Witch has used [Great Full Bloom]."
"Star movement detected; a Captain-Class Witch has used [Sange]."
"Highest alert activated! A total of 37 countries, including Great Xia Nation, Lithuania, Yunlai Island, Georgia, and Osaibai, have experienced violent dimensional shifts, creating spatial rifts from which an unpredictable number, type, and level of Calamity Beasts are emerging."
"Warning, warning, warning! The three Aether Satellite [Nuwa], [Kaguya-hime], and [Zeus] have been destroyed. The enemy, suspected to be an apostle or Supreme Calamity Beast, has now broken through the atmosphere and arrived on the planet's territory."
"More than 500 active volcanoes have begun to erupt from the northern coast of Shenzhou and the Gas West Coast Shenzhou North Shore, through the Asa Islands, Mirror Peninsula, and East Flow Islands, suspected to be the work of the Disaster God!"
"Report: The three Self-Circulating City on the seabed have been devoured by the Supreme Calamity Beast codenamed Leviathan. The adjacent sea areas have begun to churn. It is predicted that when the energy storage is completed, an unprecedented tsunami will be unleashed."
The conference room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The countless disasters and bad news, coming from all over the world like an avalanche, silently tell of the dire consequences of the further collapse of [Pure White].
Such a terrifying chain reaction is enough to prove that if the power of the Disaster God is fully restored, even if humanity wins the victory, the best outcome will be to abandon the home planet and start the Kindling Project, or simply perish together.
The "FlashDance" project can only succeed; failure is not an option!
These powerful figures who determine the fate of humanity are resolute and show no weakness, panic, confusion, or fear. They merely assess their own chances of winning and coordinate the overall strategy, like a master chess player in a state of "Flow State," calmly manipulating the entire chessboard, exhausting their energy and effort in pursuit of that divine move that will dispel despair.
"All stockpiles of Aether Fission Bomb have been emptied, leaving no way out."
"All Self-Circulating City are undergoing deformation and entering Mecha Mode, allowing the use of Ion Cannon."
"All underground bases should cancel energy-saving mode and deploy the Yaoguang Spell in the local cities. Do not be stingy with your magical energy reserves and strive to annihilate the enemy forces."
"Space defenses fully activated, destruction command issued, half of the Aether Satellite enter self-destruct countdown, anchor the Apostles and the Supreme Calamity Beast, launch the Hyperion Magic Cannon."
"Godslayer Sequence - First Generation Machine - Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, immediately perform self-check, emergency activation, self-destruct system unlocked, unconditionally support the battlefield, burn until steel and ether are consumed."
"Finally... urgently announce the truth to the people of the world, revealing the full picture of the <Flashdance> project. Humanity's last hope lies in those two Sky Stage!"
At this moment, without voting, discussion, or conflict, dozens of instructions were issued without hesitation, like a trap encircling a dragon, to deal with the increasingly terrifying counterattack of the disaster group.
Because everyone knows that weakness and wishful thinking will only lead to destruction, all they have left to do is fight to the death.
Time is passing.
One hour, two hours passed, and the battles around the world became increasingly intense. Seven apostles and six Supreme Calamity Beasts had emerged from the calamity horde, and the twelve forbidden zones that sealed off the Disaster God were engulfed in flames, with blood and flesh flying everywhere. Witch had already fallen one after another.
What a magical and absurd scene! Blood and fire begin to turn the city into ruins, the atmosphere of war and death sweeps in, and panic and despair become the greatest prophecy, engulfing the high ground of civilization. Yet, in those tours, no one gives up singing.
Those Magical Girl, most of whom were not yet adults, endured their sorrow, tears, pain, and confusion, striving to maintain an unwavering stance. Standing under the spotlight, they shone brightly, danced gracefully, and awaited the arrival of hope.
Beneath the Sky Stage, countless stars shimmer and weave together a myriad of images. They carry with them a wealth of emotions squeezed out by war and tragedy, and many sparks of hope born from despair. Like a galaxy flowing against the current, they are poured into their souls. After transformation, they rise like a flickering kettle, soaring to all corners of the world, reaching the stars and beginning to weave a net of laws for the world.
The success of the first step is drawing ever closer.