She would be the sun atop the mountain peak, if she were to shine at all.

If Ji Shengxue was the radiant moon in the sky, then she was but a dim, fading star, forever unable to compete with the moon’s brilliance.

Yet now, Ji Fanxing no longer feared being compared to her. If she was to choose, she would be the sun atop the mountain, shining wherever she pleased, creating a new world of entertainment for this era.

Unlike Ji Fanxing, who was cramped in the crowded makeup room, Ji Shengxue enjoyed a private lounge and her own styling team. Dressed in a haute couture gown, she looked as pure as freshly fallen snow, her beauty akin to frost blossoms blooming in winter. The bandage wrapped openly around her left leg only added a touch of poignant grace.

The live comments were filled with sympathy:

“My goddess Axue! She’s so beautiful!!”
“Ji Fanxing is awful! How could she do this to someone as wonderful as Axue?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. That video was just a matter of camera angles. Axue herself hasn’t said anything. Don’t try to drive a wedge between their sisterhood, or you’ll only upset Axue!”
“Are you really a true fan up there? If Ji Fanxing did nothing, then why did Axue get hurt?!”
“Isn’t that Song Qing supporting her? Seriously, this is world-class best-friendship! I’m in love!”
“I feel so bad for Axue. She’s beautiful and kind-hearted. Qingqing, you must take good care of her.”

The one with the flawless makeup, gently supporting Ji Shengxue, was Song Qing.

To create a “super singer king,” the show “The Ultimate Singer” adopted a closed training and filming system. Once the initial stage was over, contestants could only enter the island alone—no outsiders allowed.

Because of Ji Shengxue’s injury, Song Qing, originally just a junior assistant, was assigned contestant status by Ji Changming to look after her closely.

Watching the two ahead, Ji Fanxing sneered inwardly. Her ever-righteous father was truly a master of double standards.

In her previous life, Song Qing had used this very opportunity to debut successfully, gaining popularity thanks to her close friendship with Ji Shengxue. Later, when Ji Fanxing was struggling abroad, she’d seen Song Qing again—just as now, clinging to a pot-bellied, middle-aged man, the two flaunting their intimacy in public.

Onstage, the host Du Shao was announcing the countdown with his rich, magnetic voice.

“Three! Two! One! I declare—‘The Ultimate Singer, Season One’ officially begins!!”

As his words fell, the curtains parted.

The energetic theme song burst forth as stage lights pulsed in rhythm. Eighty-eight contestants lined up, and the floor beneath them lit up in an instant.

“Ahhh!!!” The audience screamed in excitement, waving glow sticks madly.

The live comments mirrored their enthusiasm:

“Go for it, my brother!”
“My girl is the most beautiful in the world!!!”

The music became more urgent, smoke cannons billowed, and lasers crisscrossed, igniting the atmosphere. Host Du Shao strode confidently to center stage:

“Now, please welcome today’s panel of judges…”

The show operated on a points system—each round worth up to one hundred points, added cumulatively. Judges’ votes accounted for forty percent, live audience votes for thirty-five percent, and online votes for twenty-five percent.

Two resident mentors and two guest mentors took the stage.

As the lights came fully on, the entire stage was revealed. The main stage extended into a long catwalk that connected to the side stage, where judges and contestants could interact.

After the rules were explained, the notary appeared onstage. This world took copyright and competition fairness seriously; cheating meant banishment from the industry for good.

Music changed to an upbeat entrance tune. The platform slowly descended, and under the guidance of Du Shao and the mentors, the contestants moved to the side stage. All eighty-eight lined up under the dazzling lights, creating a powerful visual impact.

“No wonder my Axue is the best! Even injured, she walks so steadily—truly a role model!!”
“Axue is not only beautiful but excels at both acting and singing. I don’t see why talentless Ji Fanxing bothers to show up!”
“Did you see the preview? The first theme after the opening stage is love songs!”
“Apparently, Song Qing is a top graduate of the music academy. I can’t wait!”
“Haha, did you see that online video of Ji Fanxing singing at her school’s anniversary? She sounded like a water buffalo. Hilarious.”
“Our Snow Queen is the true king!!!!”

The most eye-catching feature of the side stage was the throne at the top of the contestants’ seats.

That was the symbolic “King’s Throne.”

It overlooked all the contestants and the stage, offering a commanding view of everything.

“King” was a special status in the show, granting the highest privileges during filming—priority access to the practice room and vocal studio, exclusive mentorship, a luxury single suite, a personal assistant, and much more.

Most importantly, it meant the most screen time and attention—a place of both glory and peril.

Any contestant could challenge the king. Each round allowed three challenges. If the king lost, they forfeited all their points immediately; in elimination rounds, they were ousted outright.

This throne under the spotlight was reserved for whoever had the courage to claim it first.

Unfortunately, most contestants lacked the strength or confidence.

In her past life, the throne had remained empty for two rounds, until the competition reached a fever pitch and Ji Shengxue, leading both in popularity and points, ascended with everyone’s support.

After the mentors were seated on the side stage, the contestants took their seats. As before, Ji Shengxue, citing her injured leg, humbly chose a seat at the front.

“Oh my, Axue could easily be king, yet she chooses to sit with everyone else!”
“She’s considerate of the other contestants’ feelings, not wanting to put too much pressure on them.”
“Do you really think being king is all that great? On the first day, when nothing’s clear, to sit there and be the target—that’s just foolish!”
“But Axue’s hurt—only the king gets special privileges! I heard for the first two rounds, because of the numbers, the show puts them five to a room!”
“Our Axue is strong and independent, not bothered by such things! Still, I want to curse this show!”

“Wait… isn’t that Ji Fanxing?! What’s she doing?!”

By the time Ji Fanxing, last in line, stepped onto the side stage, most seats were filled. Groups clustered together, casting her all kinds of looks—some disdainful, some curious, some indifferent, but most wary, as if afraid this “morally bankrupt” woman would come too close.

Ji Fanxing ignored all these little gestures. Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, she walked resolutely toward the King’s Throne.

The entire audience erupted.

“Is Ji Fanxing insane?!”
“Doesn’t she know her own limits? With that voice, she dares claim the king’s seat?!”
“You don’t get it—she knows she won’t last, so she’s trying to grab attention while she can.”
“Truly stupid and sly! No talent, just scheming!”