Chapter 16

Yuan Ming was a highly respected university professor, and many outstanding musicians in the entertainment industry had once been his students.

The mentor was already in place, but one contestant was still missing: Cui Yi, who had fought Tang Jing yesterday.

Cui Yi did not rush in until two minutes before filming began.

Only then did Ye Zexi realize that Tang Jing really had not suffered at all.

Instead, Cui Yi's left eye was completely swollen, as though he had been stung by a bee. The makeup artist had clearly done their best to conceal it, but the bruising was still visible.

It was obvious to the naked eye, and it would only be more noticeable on camera.

The other contestants did not dare discuss it, but their gazes said everything.

Dozens of eyes openly raked over Cui Yi from head to toe.

Cui Yi looked somewhat disheveled as he shot Tang Jing a vicious glare.

Tang Jing acted as though he had not seen it.

Li Changjian soon arrived as well, and filming officially began.

Everyone tacitly agreed not to mention what had happened last night.

Shan Zeyu also announced the new competition format.

In the third elimination round, only ten of the twenty-five contestants present would remain.

The twenty-five contestants would still be divided into five groups. They would be tested separately on dance and vocals, with the audience and mentors scoring them. In the end, the ten contestants from the top two groups would advance directly.

It was worth noting that there would no longer be any restrictions on grouping this time. The contestants could form teams freely.

The moment Shan Zeyu finished speaking, discussion broke out across the room.

Ye Zexi was somewhat surprised as well. This format looked freer on the surface, but it was actually more brutal.

Suddenly, someone patted Ye Zexi on the shoulder. Tang Jing looked at him and invited him, "Want to team up?"

Ye Zexi froze for a moment, then smiled with pursed lips and readily agreed. "Sure."

Chapter 16

Shan Zeyu quickly announced that all contestants could now form teams freely.

As soon as he finished speaking, many contestants moved at once.

Because this format was unusual, the contestants' first choice for teammates was naturally those with strong individual abilities.

After all, with them around, both fan votes and the group's overall strength would receive a major boost, making it easier for everyone in the group to advance.

In the previous competition, Ye Zexi had ranked first, while Tang Jing had ranked second.

Although Ye Zexi was indeed stronger than Tang Jing, many people did not know much about him. Ye Zexi also did not usually act particularly close to anyone, so more contestants would rather approach Tang Jing.

Within moments, a circle of people had gathered around Tang Jing.

Tang Jing looked at the people around him but did not make a choice right away. Instead, he turned to Ye Zexi beside him. "Is there anyone you want to invite?"

Everyone looked confused. Why did Tang Jing need Ye Zexi's opinion to form a team?

Without even thinking, Ye Zexi said, "You choose. I'm fine with anyone."

Everyone: "???"

Unable to hold it back any longer, someone asked, "Tang Jing... have you teamed up with Ye Zexi?"

Tang Jing nodded frankly. "Yeah, we've teamed up, so our group still needs three more people."

The revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd, and all the onlookers were stunned.

Tang Jing had actually teamed up with Ye Zexi?

No way. Hadn't they always had a bad relationship before?

Why had they suddenly teamed up? Tang Jing looked completely at ease, not as if Ye Zexi had forced him into it.

As for Ye Zexi, no one could even begin to guess what he was thinking.

What was Ye Zexi thinking?

Actually, Ye Zexi's thoughts were very simple. With Tang Jing in the group, they would instantly have both a captain and center position, which meant he could happily coast along!

Ye Zexi was very satisfied with that!

But the watching contestants did not see it that way. Ye Zexi was ranked first and Tang Jing was ranked second. If the two of them formed a team, just how strong would it be?

That would greatly increase everyone else's chances of being eliminated.

Cui Yi's expression looked even worse, his eyes dark with gloom. He had originally wanted to ask Ye Zexi to team up, but before he could even extend the olive branch, Ye Zexi had already joined Tang Jing's team.

At that thought, Cui Yi's face darkened further.

But the next second, Cui Yi thought of something else. The gloom vanished from his eyes, leaving behind only a trace of mockery. Without paying Tang Jing any more attention, he turned and went to find others to team up with.

Since Ye Zexi had no opinion on choosing teammates, Tang Jing quickly called out to two people. "Yu Yan, Wan An, would you like to join our team?"

Naturally, Yu Yan had no objections!

After interacting with him today, Yu Yan had realized that Ye Zexi was actually a pretty good person.

Besides, Ye Zexi was so strong.

Yu Yan could say that he had advanced in the previous round entirely because of Ye Zexi. When he heard Shan Zeyu say they could form teams freely, Ye Zexi was the first person Yu Yan thought of.

Wan An had always teamed up with Tang Jing before. They were artists from the same company, so naturally, he had no objections either.

The five-man team now had only one spot left.

Jiang Ran had also wanted to team up with Tang Jing, but after learning that Tang Jing had joined Ye Zexi, Jiang Ran hesitated.

But if he did not join Tang Jing's team, whose team should he join? Was he supposed to team up with Cui Yi?

Cui Yi was simply too domineering. If Jiang Ran teamed up with him, he would inevitably be subjected to ridicule.

Just as Jiang Ran was about to leave, Tang Jing called out to him. "Jiang Ran, our group still needs one person. Would you like to join?"

Jiang Ran halted mid-step.

The disappointment on everyone else's faces was no longer concealed. It seemed they had no chance here.

Jiang Ran had ranked fifth last week. With Ye Zexi, Tang Jing, and Jiang Ran together, wasn't this group far too strong?

Yet Jiang Ran did not answer immediately.

Jiang Ran was very hesitant.

There was no doubt that he did not like Ye Zexi.