Chapter 21

1

Since Li Yihe appeared about an hour ago until now, the two groups of people surrounding me have been constantly making trouble. If it weren't for the soldiers standing in front of us, I wouldn't be able to sit here so peacefully. These people kept comparing Li Yihe and Situ Liyao, saying that Li Yihe sings worse than Situ Liyao, while Situ Liyao acts worse than Li Yihe. It's a comparison of their strengths and weaknesses, completely meaningless. Li Yihe's acting skills have been honed over a hundred years of experience, while Situ Liyao hasn't even been in the industry for eighteen years, with only a handful of acting credits to her name. As for singing, forgive my bluntness, Liyao is gifted with a magical voice, making any comparison futile.

On stage, a series of projections showcase Yihe's classic roles, and I deeply admire her acting skills. But with her success comes many sacrifices. Will Lilith appreciate having such a mother?

"Everyone is in wheelchairs, can you behave and sit still? Sit in the first row where thousands can see you behind."

"You wouldn't understand. If you're not a fan, you don't know the war between us!"

"War? Are you delirious from your illness?"

The soldier guarding us gives them a stern look, and they quickly calm down. Suddenly, I recognize the host whom I had been overlooking. Upon closer inspection, he turns out to be the uncle next door from the balcony. A host who can present the "Blue Dragon Award" shouldn't be an unknown.

One by one, the awards are handed out, and Li Yihe's presenting duties are complete. Now she awaits the final award, which is the "Blue Dragon Award" for companies that have made significant contributions to the industry. But instead of a single award, there are ten, with Moana serving as the representative about to take the stage.

"Wow, that girl looks very poised. Who is she exactly?"

"She seems to have come with Li Yihe, probably representing their company."

"I'll support any artist under Yihe's wing."

"Pfft, blind adoration!"

"What did you say!"

In less than three minutes, these two groups start arguing again.

"These kids only know how to worship faces. We have a professional eye for talent, and that girl in white is definitely not ordinary."

"What do you mean 'these kids'? Are fans of Liyao all children?"

"Sit down, or I'll kick you out when I say it again!" The magical aura of the soldier on guard begins to emanate, finally silencing these fans completely. They came to watch the awards but getting kicked out is a huge embarrassment.

After the company awards are handed out according to the protocol, it's Moana's turn.

"Who is this girl?" The person who first chatted with me beside him finally shifts his focus away from the comparisons between Li Yihe and Situ Liyao, showing that Moana's presence is starting to have an impact. But I don't think it's just the outfit; the most impactful outfit should be able to captivate everyone in the room, arouse a sense of worship as if encountering a deity. But in our current state of lacking faith, the legendary effect cannot be fully realized.

"I'm here just to support Jiang Moana."

"Miss Jiang Moana, rumor has it that you are the successor chosen by your company for Li Yihe. Do you think you have what it takes to fill her shoes?" The uncle next door asks a couple of questions before the performance.

"Well... I'll give it a try."

"Have confidence, young lady. Here's your chance to charm the audience with a song. Enjoy 'Flowing Water.'"

"'Flowing Water'? It sounds like a gentle song. Did Moana really learn it without any practice, as they say she already knew it when she joined the company? And did she just come up on this grand stage at the 'Blue Dragon Awards' without needing any rehearsal?"

The band of seawater let out a long sound effect, like a long clear stream gradually turning into thin water droplets. A drop of water meandered in the gaps, then suddenly Moana's voice entered at the perfect moment. Her soft murmurs gradually rose in tone, astonishingly clear and gentle, her long song carrying the sorrow of parting. She poured all the emotions from her failed relationship with Truedong into her singing.

Sitting in the front row, I was captivated by her voice, devoid of any magic. Though Moana didn't dare to open her eyes, she couldn't help but open up emotionally. When she saw me, and I saw her, we locked eyes. She smiled at me as the chorus part of the song led her out of those heartbreaking memories, just like the water droplets returning to nature, back to the underground, back to the river. Her confidence built up, shining with a solitary light. In the final part, Moana's voice blended into the starry night sky, like a celestial voice, lacking only a bit to be perfect, yet enough to captivate the audience present. At least I was won over. Moana was not an ordinary person, truly not. Without Liyao's innate extraordinary magic or Qing's ancient singing style, a spontaneous singer was born today. I understood Lier's intention. Moana's confidence was the key to changing her life. Moana meeting Lier was fate. What was it that led me to meet Moana?

"Hey, are you the president of Jiang Moana's fan club?"

"Fan club?"

"Yeah, aren't you here for her? You must be her first fan. Let's form a group of us."

How could these people change so quickly? Fans are truly heartless!

As the song finally ended, the lingering applause filled the air. Tonight's biggest surprise was not the victory of Li Lier or Situ Liyao in the popularity contest, but the appearance of Jiang Moana. Truth be told, Moana's appearance didn't compare to theirs, but those who listened to her songs didn't judge with their eyes.

2

Tony and Pia continued to look down at Bunny Ear Bay from a high vantage point, their focus not on the awards or performance.

"Qin Yang seems very calm. Baldy, our Lady Warrior seems reluctant to make a move."

"Elena can't resist or fight the thoughts in her head for long."

"I know, just like last time. She lost half her reason. To dare to kidnap as a deity, she'll do anything."

"Don't act like you have nothing to do with it, Pia. It was your suggestion. But I prefer this state today, as our chances of intervening are low."

"Tony, I bet that being half-dragon can get you where today."

Pia used her index fingers to frame Qin Yang's wheelchair-bound figure, seeing he was almost out of energy from head to toe, unsure if he could complete the mission today.

"I bet the mission will be accomplished today. If I lose, I'll give you a box of spicy snacks."

"Rich guy, do you want me to offer myself to you?"

"No."

"Pfft."

Pia took out the spicy snacks from her pocket again. She had no resistance to unhealthy food like this.

Pia's fingers moved to the left, looking at two figures in the crowd watching around them. These two people could observe properly being seated far back.

"They're here. Elena's sitting to the east, Hisa to the west. The other old deities don't intend to help."

"They can't rely on them. Their magic isn't suited for combat."

Indeed, among these old deities, the greatest knack was "probability foresight," seeing short-term high probability events in the future with advanced light magic. Yet one week ago, they failed to foresee the probability of a plane attack.

"En, the girl on the stage sang with a touch of sadness, even I was moved a little." Pia watched the free performance from above while Moana was the one that touched her heart.

"Don't just stand there, get you two brothers ready. If Elena really doesn't take action, we'll just charge straight in... and leave no one behind."

"What's the name of that host?" I heard someone beside me ask, a lecherous uncle from the neighboring balcony who I had known for two days but had never mentioned his name.

"Wan Kailiang, the host of the top-rated show, 'The First Person in Greed'. The guests on his show are all very influential and capable people, but there are many rumors about him. His female companions change every day, but he has very few acquaintances like Li Yeho."

"I'm not familiar with the people in this circle."

"Friend, even if you're not familiar, you can still join in the fun and get such a good front-row seat. It's not easy."

"Shh, you two stop making noise. If we don't present the award for the most popular person soon, we won't make it home tonight. We'll all be staying here overnight."

Li Yeho and Lily were invited onto the stage to complete the final bonus of the night. At this moment, they had to draw a seat number from the lottery pool and each give their own gifts to the fans.

"I hope Lily picks me!"

"I've never won a lottery before, but let's see." I glanced helplessly at the people next to me, all praying that their idols would pick them.

The sea stirred once again, and the lottery pool rose from below. The two goddesses stood on either side of the pool and drew two numbers together.

"Number fifty-eight, the person sitting in the wheelchair over there, and number sixteen hundred and sixty, the gentleman in the middle, it's you two."

"Fifty-eight..." I looked at my number, fifty-nine. Indeed...

"Congratulations, your wish came true. Enjoy it."

"So excited, feels like winning a prize for the first time!"

"Hehe, this is winning in itself. Your goddess is coming."

"No, this is the result of earnest prayers, not just mere probability. It's fate's choice that today might be the start of a subtle emotional connection with the Situ goddess."

"Subtle... my friend, there will be cameras pointing at you later, don't embarrass yourself!" How could such a grand event not have the media or live broadcasts? Otherwise, were almost all the artists gathered here just to witness the awards ceremony?

Lily and Yeho walked down from the stage separately. Situ Liyao looked in my direction, taking a step forward, but her pace slowed down, her expression strange, making me extremely uneasy. It had been a while since the amusement park incident, but not too long.

Situ Liyao presented her gift in front of everyone, a pale green gift box. I didn't know what was inside, perhaps something heartfelt.

The friend in the wheelchair beside me stared at Situ Liyao with shining eyes, but Lily didn't look at him. The camera captured the moment and broadcasted it worldwide, making me feel very awkward.

"You're in a wheelchair?"

"I..."

"I'm asking him!" Situ Liyao interrupted the fan beside me, looking at me with a strange expression, a sense of unease in her eyes.

Li Liu and Cui Dong sat in the third row in adjacent seats. Cui Dong didn't pay attention to the stage at all, he didn't even listen carefully to Moana's song, his eyes were fixed on Li Liu, constantly trying to strike up a conversation. Li Liu didn't want to bother with him and even used Magic to hypnotize him but couldn't be bothered.

"Li Yan, why are you looking at him like that? Although this Reisgolo has a young face, he's disabled. What's the matter with you being interested in him?"

"You've been talking for hours. If I ignore you, will you stop?"

"Oh, even if you pay attention to me, I won't stop. Why not consider this healthy man right here!"

"Elena? Hisa!" Li Liu's gaze swept through the audience section from the projection on the stage, noticing someone he didn't want to see tonight.

"Who is Elena? Is she your friend? And who is Hisa?" Cui Dong, an ordinary person, had never really heard of Elena's name, let alone Hisa Brandt, despite hearing about the Valkyrie, Ice Wheel Goddess.

"I need to step out for a bit."

"Hey, hey!"

Cui Dong frowned and leaned back in his chair. He tried his best to get Li Liu's attention, but a sense of failure crept up on him.

"Cold and edgy, with personality! Troublesome."

Li Liu walked over to Elena. Her gaze made the person originally sitting next to Elena voluntarily get up and offer her the seat.

"People have seen it. You can relax now."

"Qin Yang... do you want me to leave and not cause trouble for him?"

"If you act in a place like this, the whole world will be watching. Isn't that unnecessary?"

"Whether it's necessary or not is not for you to decide. Go back. Sitting together would expose your identity."

"Fine, but I will protect his safety, even at the cost of my life!"

Li Liu got up and left. Friends who were loving towards each other just yesterday were about to turn on each other, a battle was inevitable.