Chapter 30: The Mentor's Commentary

Wang Huajun spun through the air, his kasaya swirling in a dazzling display that captivated the entire audience.

Ethereal chanting echoed through the broadcasting hall, draping everything in a beauty so breathtaking it left one gasping for air.

Chen Chaonan and Liang Yusong were both stunned—first by the song, and now by the dance, which heightened the spectacle even further.

Zhang Huiying and Shen Xiyin were left utterly speechless, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on the stage, afraid to miss even a single movement.

As the melody reached its final notes, Wang Huajun grasped the silk sash wound around his waist and spun dozens of times before landing gracefully. Supporting himself with one hand on the ground, he slowly collapsed, as if defeated in battle.

This scene left many in the audience frozen, some even worried that something had gone wrong with the stage wires.

But the music continued, and with no one rushing to the stage for a rescue, the crowd could only watch, holding their breath.

When the last line was sung and the melody faded into a lingering resonance, Fang Xing and the others walked over to help Wang Huajun up.

Wang Huajun was already in tears, overwhelmed with emotion; for in his twenty-six years, this was the most stunning performance he had ever given.

He didn’t know whether he would ever have another chance to deliver such a mesmerizing display, but this dance alone made his choice to join Fang Xing’s team more than worthwhile.

Even when the music ended, the hall remained silent for a full ten seconds.

Then, as one audience member began to applaud, the venue erupted in thunderous applause.

He Hao, restraining his excitement, took a deep breath and said, “This stage was simply too spectacular. Watching from the wings, I was nearly overwhelmed by its brilliance.

“Let’s take a moment to compose ourselves and move on to the next segment.

“First, I’d like to ask our four mentors—how would you evaluate Fang Xing’s team’s performance?”

Shen Xiyin clapped enthusiastically, gushing in admiration like a devoted fan, “It was as beautiful as a painting. I’m at a loss for words. The singing was so exquisite, so beautiful that I can’t help but feel a touch of envy.”

“Wait, did I hear that right? Xiyin, where does your envy come from?” He Hao asked with a curious glint in his eye.

Shen Xiyin sighed. “Of course, I wish I’d been the one performing. After all, when it came time to choose songs, Captain Fang Xing did say he wanted me…”

A ripple of excitement ran through the audience.

Shen Xiyin quickly raised her hands to calm them. “Don’t get ahead of yourselves! I meant he wanted me as a team member. The third episode has already aired—you’ve all seen it. Don’t let your imaginations run wild.”

The audience responded loudly, “We’re not imagining things!”

He Hao picked up the thread with a smile, “So, Xiyin, you wish you’d performed this song yourself. I have to say, if you’d sung those soaring high notes, it would’ve been a different kind of heavenly experience altogether.

“Well then, let’s look forward to a possible Shen Xiyin version of ‘Lovers Under Heaven’.

“Now, let’s turn to Mentor Huiying—how would you evaluate this stage?”

Zhang Huiying took a deep breath before answering, “Let me collect myself first. The song, the dance, it was all just too beautiful.

“It’s hard to describe—truly, too beautiful. I almost wished it would never end, that they could just keep singing and dancing forever.”

He Hao gestured to the top of the stage and joked, “So Mentor Huiying, you’re suggesting Wang Huajun hang up there and keep spinning until the show ends?”

“Sure, as long as he can handle it,” Zhang Huiying replied with refreshing candor.

Laughter burst out across the hall.

With Zhang Huiying’s comments concluded, it was Chen Chaonan’s turn.

Whenever it was time for Chen Chaonan and Liang Yusong to give their thoughts, the atmosphere in the hall grew noticeably more serious.

Unlike the two female mentors, whose comments followed their emotions, Chen Chaonan and Liang Yusong always took a more professional and incisive approach.

Chen Chaonan was the more technically focused of the two, while Liang Yusong was sharper in his critiques.

For the previous four rounds, their reviews had always shifted the tone dramatically.

Chen Chaonan began, “Let me talk about the vocal performance. The day I visited your group to offer vocal guidance, I saw Fang Xing leading his team through their warm-ups with impressive discipline.

“At the time, I said your group didn’t really need us vocal coaches.

“After hearing your live performance, it’s as I expected—you all achieved your very best.

“Of course, not everyone sang perfectly.

“Guo Keda, Wang Huajun, if I were to evaluate your singing by professional standards, I’d say it falls short.

“However, judged by dance standards, your singing is quite passable.

“Fang Xing was very clever in assigning you parts that suited your abilities, skillfully avoiding your weaknesses.

“As a result, the overall vocal section of this stage was excellent.

“Moving on to Lu Ming, your falsetto tenor works very well in pop music, especially with Fang Xing and Shao Yu harmonizing to support your high notes—it’s truly beautiful to the ear.

“But the quality of your high notes could still improve.

“As for Shao Yu, I won’t repeat myself—I’ve given you plenty of feedback at school.

“Finally, Fang Xing—your vocal foundation surprised me. Your lyrics, your melody, your singing—almost flawless.

“Of course, I say ‘almost’—if I have to nitpick, it’s your High C that needs more work.”

Fang Xing himself had long since noticed this issue.

High C, or international notation C5, sits right at the second transition point in the voice, and the tone around High C can reveal differences in timbre—a lack of uniformity, as the professionals call it.

From a vocal technique perspective, this is something that needs diligent practice to smooth out.

However, in pop music, the standard isn’t so strict—many breakout singers have noticeable differences between their high and low registers, but the audience doesn’t mind, and success can still follow.

Fang Xing nodded his thanks. “Thank you, sir. I know what I need to work on.”

As soon as Chen Chaonan finished, Liang Yusong took over.

He offered a completely different view. “I disagree with Coach Chen. Fang Xing, you’re fully capable of singing in the fifth octave.

“Pop music isn’t bel canto; it’s not that rigid. As long as it sounds good, that’s enough.

“Your mixed voice technique is already masterful, on par with the best.

“But I have a question—do you plan to pursue a heavier, chest-based technique, or a lighter, head-based one?”

The so-called ‘heavy function’ technique relies primarily on chest voice—thick, powerful sound.

‘Light function’ is head voice dominant, producing a more relaxed sound.

Typically, heavy function suits the mid-to-low range, while light function is best for high notes.

But for one singer to master both is rare.

To excel in any one area, professional singers usually pick a path.

In the world of pop, JJ Lin is the prime example of a heavy function singer.

His golden range is the fourth octave, but with heavy function he pushes it to C5, even C#5, with impressively robust high notes.

Yet heavy function has its limits, usually topping out at A4 or B4.

JJ Lin’s ability to reach C5 with heavy function is actually quite rare.

Fang Xing considered for a moment before replying, “I’ll lean toward heavy function, but not to an extreme.”

Liang Yusong nodded. “So you’re aiming to master the fourth octave—that’s good. The golden range for male voices is indeed the fourth octave. But it also means you’ll face a lot of competition in the music industry.”