Idol Qian Huanyue

"Idols? Fan energy?" At the mention of those words, Qian Huanyue's eyes lit up as her gaze shifted between Kurumi, Feiyi Xiang, and Yangliu Xiying.

Everything in the Ninth Domain differed from the Tenth Domain.

The Tenth Domain was a place of battle and especially cruel slaughter, while the Ninth Domain was a world of idols and fans.

Idols gained fans by taking the stage. Fans generated fan energy through their affection for idols, and that fan energy transformed into spiritual power, sustaining the idols' lives.

Of course, idols could also make their fans feel moved, allowing the fans to gain spiritual power.

Images of debuting idols in wildly different styles surfaced in Qian Huanyue's mind.

Kurumi wore an especially cute and exquisite red performance outfit. Bathed in the spotlight, she spoke in an incredibly earnest, sweet voice:

"Ara ara, we're newcomers~ So please listen to our debut song, 'Love's Lingchi'~"

"...♪"

"♪ Love's lingchi, forever~ forever~ ♪"

"♪ Tearing you apart, then holding you close ♪"

Feiyi Xiang, dressed in a pure white, cute-style performance outfit, danced with lively steps, her skirt swaying lightly with every movement.

"♪ Even pain is a way of loving ♪"

Ying, dressed in a sharp blue performance outfit, displayed the dashing charm of a cool, princely idol. Her slightly serious expression contrasted strangely with her dance steps, creating a peculiar allure.

"♪ Chewing up this shattered heart bit by bit ♪"

"♪ Let this cruelty run even deeper ♪"

What strange song titles. What strange lyrics. But the clothes looked so pretty.

That was what Qian Huanyue thought before her imagination was interrupted.

Kurumi helplessly flicked her forehead, finally snapping the absentminded girl back to her senses.

"Ara, you were definitely thinking about something strange."

"Waaas I~?"

Feeling thoroughly relaxed, Qian Huanyue replied in a drawling tone.

Sitting in the café, Qian Huanyue happily held up a pudding Feiyi Xiang had created with spiritual power. She spooned it into her mouth and, under Yangliu Xiying's somewhat surprised gaze, revealed an adorable expression of satisfaction.

There were no employees in the cafés here. After all, with a single thought, a Quasi-Spirit could use spiritual power to create any suitable drink.

"I see." Feiyi Xiang nodded lightly, looking as though she had suddenly understood. Then she said something that nearly made Qian Huanyue choke. "Huanyue-chan wants to try being an idol!"

"Huh?" Qian Huanyue nearly choked on her pudding.

"Ara, I approve. Hehe—" Kurumi immediately offered her support upon hearing that, letting out an especially mischievous laugh.

"Indeed." Yangliu Xiying replied with her usual innocent air, her eyes curving slightly. "Huanyue-chan has a pretty face, a great figure, and a lovely voice. She has all the potential to become an idol."

"Me?" Qian Huanyue crossed her fingers into an X and said seriously, "No! Absolutely not!"

"Don't let my appearance fool you—I used to be a top-tier producer here." Feiyi Xiang spoke with a proud expression.

Qian Huanyue was half-pushed, half-persuaded into changing into an especially captivating outfit, and her hair was tied into a side ponytail.

As for the outfit, it consisted of a high-waisted white pleated skirt with an asymmetrical design that was short in front and long in back, along with distinctive hair ornaments and small accessories. In short, it felt very idol-like.

"Ehh!?" What was going on?

"Hehe~ It looks wonderful on you~" Kurumi clapped happily. "I'm already about to become Huanyue-chan's fan."

"I'll work hard to support Huanyue-chan too!" Yangliu Xiying gladly clapped as well.

"That's right! Exactly!" Feiyi Xiang, now in producer mode, wore an excited expression and chuckled. "Try singing a song, Huanyue-chan! You can definitely become an S-rank idol—or even higher!"

What an energetic scene. If she herself were not the protagonist, she probably would have fallen deeply in love with it.

Qian Huanyue thought helplessly.

There were many places in the Ninth Domain for Quasi-Spirits to practice. In the Neighboring World, there was no concept of currency, and nearly every facility was open for free. The only question was whether another Quasi-Spirit was already using it.

After finding this place, Feiyi Xiang had simply pulled Qian Huanyue inside.

Standing before the microphone, Qian Huanyue took a soft breath, then sang an especially enchanting melody.

"♪...♪"

"Wow!" Feiyi Xiang scratched her cheek slightly, an astonished expression appearing on her face. "That sounded so good. Have you studied singing before?"

"Back when I was still human, I guess I used to sing for fun sometimes."

Qian Huanyue cutely lifted her chin, her tone light and cheerful.

Back then, her mind had been close to breaking. She watched her parents grow thinner and thinner, while her own body became increasingly weak.

She could only barely stabilize her emotions through some cheap forms of entertainment.

"Huanyue-chan remembers too?" Kurumi was a little surprised. "Memories from when you were human."

"Mhm! Of course!" Qian Huanyue winked one eye and folded her arms. "I remember everything perfectly!"

"That's so nice..." Yangliu Xiying sighed.

"Indeed." Feiyi Xiang spoke somewhat enviously.

A considerable number of Quasi-Spirits had once been human. Yet after arriving here, their memories from their human days had become almost entirely blurred, and few could recall the details any longer.

Some had even lost them completely, leaving behind nothing but blankness.

Past memories and recollections were such precious things here.

"Is it really that nice...?" Qian Huanyue murmured softly. Then an exceedingly gentle smile appeared on her face. It was clearly no different from her usual smile, yet it briefly left everyone present stunned by its beauty.

"Mhm, of course I won't forget. After all, those memories are an important part of my life."