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He Jinyun glanced sideways at Shan Zeyu after hearing that.

Shan Zeyu looked puzzled under his gaze. "What?"

He Jinyun's thin lips curved into a handsome smile. "Who said he'd be eliminated?"

Shan Zeyu replied as if it were only natural, "This elimination round assesses every aspect. Our show is selecting a boy group, and a boy group needs contestants with strong overall abilities."

He Jinyun merely smiled without answering.

The truth would be clear soon enough.

Perhaps Li Changjian also wanted to know why Ye Zexi had withdrawn from the previous segment, so the first performer in the losing team's elimination round was Ye Zexi.

The stage lights dimmed, and Ye Zexi's name appeared on the big screen.

A beam of light fell from above, blending half of Ye Zexi's body into the darkness. Amid the interwoven light and shadow, only the man's nearly perfect profile could be seen clearly.

Ye Zexi suddenly curled his lips into a smile, the tiny black mole beneath his bright eyes utterly bewitching.

The next moment, the microphone slowly rose to his lips, and a voice with tremendous piercing power instantly blossomed across the stage—

"I learned why I could become stronger.

"Take me with you, and move forward." ①

"??? Isn't that Gurenge?!!"

"Pork fat bones for braising—you forgot to wash the eggs again! I never thought I'd hear this song on the stage of a boy group survival show in my lifetime!"

"My whole family is shocked!!! Is Ye Zexi going to dance to Gurenge?!"

Before the audience could finish being surprised, the accompaniment abruptly stopped. The next second, an even more familiar melody began to play, and all the lights in the venue came on.

Everyone: "!!!"

Onstage, Ye Zexi tore open the buttons of his shirt, revealing the sexy lines of his collarbones. Bathed in the stage lights, he followed the rhythm and began performing the familiar Butterfly Step.

This was followed by the Oiran Step, shoulder shakes, leg extensions, and hip thrusts.

The livestream comments fell silent for a moment before erupting like a tidal wave:

"!!!! AHHHHHHHHH awsl!!!"

"Gokuraku Jodo!! Ye Zexi is awesome!"

"Holy shit! I never thought I'd get to see Gokuraku Jodo in a boy group survival show in my lifetime!"

"Otaku dance! Otaku dance! Otaku dance! A guy dancing otaku dance! But why are you doing it more accurately than I can!!"

Ye Zexi's steps were lively and light, his movements clean and sharp, his smile confident and spirited.

As Ye Zexi danced, he began to sing with deep emotion:

"When the moonlight rises,

"The red lanterns light up.

"At the signal of the festival music,

"A butterfly gently beckons you forth.

"Come take a little peek." ②

With a turn, he delivered another utterly sensual hip thrust and shoulder shake, bringing both feminine softness and masculine vigor to their fullest expression.

The screams at the venue never stopped. Countless fans could not help rising from their seats, swaying beneath the stage along with the music.

The light signs in their hands became glow sticks, forming a river of stars that glittered throughout the venue.

"Once you wander in, there's no getting out.

"If you want to have some fun,

"Welcome to Gokuraku Jodo.

"Sing, sing, as your heart desires.

"Come, let me hear your voice.

"Dance, dance, forget the passing time.

"Tonight, together, ah, let us bloom madly." ②

Amid the cheerful rhythm, he clapped, swept back his hair, thrust out his chest, and the tempo quickened once more.

The lights were dazzling. Ye Zexi seemed to shine all over, like the brightest star in the darkness, radiant and resplendent.

As he danced gracefully, even the stars faded into dullness.

He was the most brilliant firework, passionately blooming upon the stage.

The glow sticks dancing around him were the river of stars embracing him. On the stage that belonged to him, Ye Zexi reveled to his heart's content and danced without restraint.

He stretched out his leg and twisted his hips. Sweat slid from his forehead, gathering on his eyelashes into droplets that turned crystalline with the movements of his dance.

The final high note seemed to flow slowly from the heavens. Ye Zexi smiled, every movement exhilarating and unrestrained, every glance brimming with emotion.

He was captivating, utterly mesmerizing.

Shan Zeyu was genuinely stunned by how breathtaking he was and could not help praising him. "Too incredible, Ye Zexi."

He Jinyun's gaze remained tightly fixed on Ye Zexi, the smile on his lips widening as his eyes filled with determination.

He could see it.

Every flushed pore on Ye Zexi's body spoke of his love for this stage.

Like a flower born toward the sun, constantly chasing the light.

Wherever his gaze reached, there was light.

Ye Zexi was born for this stage!

He was a natural dancer.

He was light.

The familiar Butterfly Step appeared once again. With every beat he hit, the radiance around Ye Zexi became even more dazzling.

Sweat soaked through his shirt, and a thin sheen of perspiration covered his fair face. His obsidian-like eyes shone brilliantly.

As he hit the final beat with an Oiran Step, the music gradually softened while the lights became even more brilliant. Then, at the very last moment, the music vanished and all the lights in the venue blazed on.

Ye Zexi stood smiling in the center of the stage. His pristine white shirt was drenched in sweat and clung to his lean waist, slim enough to grasp in one hand yet brimming with strength.

All the lights in the venue converged upon him. At this moment, Ye Zexi was the brightest star of all.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh—"

Tidal waves of cheers instantly resounded throughout the venue. The audience and fans used their shouts to express the excitement in their hearts.

"Too incredible!!!"

"Ye Zexi is awesome!"

"I'm crying, I'm so moved!"

The livestream comments were completely taken over by exclamation marks as well.

"First the pork fat bones, then Gokuraku Jodo! This otaku girl is falling apart!"

"The second the music started, my otaku boyfriend came running over. Now he's sitting beside me and refuses to leave! He's even insisting that I vote for Ye Zexi, I'm dying laughing. But I'm a Tang Jing fan!"