Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1628: Chapter 1626: Night of the Platinum Idol (Swinging Tail, Crouching Low, Extending Claws)

Finally, the day of the Platinum Idol Grand Prize arrived.

This year’s Platinum Idol Grand Prize was held on a cruise ship, and naturally, Fang Zheng brought the three members of STARS along. Everything went smoothly, and after the rehearsal, everyone returned to the lounge to rest. However, at that moment, Fang Zheng received a report from Anya.

In the Mech World, the conflict between the Chinese Federation and the mysterious alien force has temporarily come to a halt, and they have even captured a few aliens, finally gaining some understanding of their enemies.

According to Anya’s report, the opponents are aliens called Zentradi, who are fighting against aliens known as the Miltland Empire people. According to the investigation, both sides belong to the giant races, with Zentradi representing the male giants and the Miltland Empire as the female giants.

”So, this is a war between men and women? How interesting.”

After hearing Anya’s report, Fang Zheng was quite intrigued.

”So how do they reproduce?”

”According to the investigation, they both possess the technology to adjust genetic factors, allowing them to directly create offspring.”

”Oh, that explains it...”

Hearing this, Fang Zheng nodded, but Anya’s report continued.

”Moreover, His Majesty hopes to receive your support.”

”Support? What kind of support?”

If it were anyone else, Fang Zheng would have ignored them, but since it was His Majesty, he naturally had to listen.

”Yes, that’s right. Based on the intelligence, the giant races do not have a culture like us humans; their lives are only about combat. According to the persuasion of the captives, their culture was lost long ago, meaning these two races have no music, novels, or art...”

”So they’re missing those, but what does that have to do with us?”

”It’s like this, Master. According to our experiments, singing can activate the dormant cultural genes within the giants, changing their originally combative nature. In fact, the previous prisoner surrendered after inadvertently hearing our songs.”

”Wow? That’s interesting.”

Faced with this unexpected report, Fang Zheng became interested.

”So just by singing a song, we can persuade these aliens to surrender? That’s even more powerful than Enchantment Magic... So what now?”

”However, according to experiments, activating the hidden cultural factors in the giants’ bodies is not easy and requires considerable spiritual power...”

”Weren’t there previous surrenders?”

”Those were exceptions; we’ve tried many times since then, with little success.”

”Hmm... understandable.”

Fang Zheng wasn’t surprised by this. Enchantment Magic is similar; some people’s willpower is strong, and others’ is weak. Those with weak willpower are easily manipulated, while the strong-willed are not. According to Anya, both the Zentradi and Miltland Empire people have been engaged in battles for generations, meaning they are all soldiers with naturally strong wills. A regular song would hardly move them.

”So? His Majesty wants people who can sing? They should have some in their own world, right?”

Fang Zheng remembered that while that world was on the brink of destruction and nearly wiped out by the Reapers, it should still have its culture intact.

”It’s difficult; His Majesty has gathered many singers, but none meet the standards.”

”How about Farron Xiuxiu and Kurumi?”

”They’ve tried too, but it still didn’t work.”

”Even they didn’t work?”

This answer truly shocked Fang Zheng. He had heard them sing and thought they were quite good; even the girls from the Heavenly Dao Palace liked them... but if it’s to brainwash aliens, it might indeed be insufficient.

”So you’re coming to me?”

”Yes, His Majesty heard that you are currently in a world with a highly developed artistic culture, so he hoped you could find a few outstanding singers or idols...”

”Hmm......? How did she know that?”

”Little Hei posts on the forums every day, so everyone knows.”

”.........”

He’d settle the score with her later.

”But, you want to find suitable candidates? How to do that? Farron Xiuxiu and Kurumi aren’t enough?”

”Here’s a program designed to detect the spiritual power contained in singing. As long as it reaches the standard, it’s sufficient.”

”Got it, send it to me.”

”Yes.”

Upon receiving Fang Zheng’s order, Anya immediately sent a program over, and Fang Zheng received it quickly.

”All right, I’ll handle it from here. If I find any suitable candidates, I’ll contact His Majesty.”

”Understood, Master.”

Opening the program, Fang Zheng glanced humorously at the nearby stage. Today happened to be the Night of the Platinum Idol, with all of All-Japan’s famous idol singers attending. If any singers capable of brainwashing aliens were among them... it would save a lot of trouble.

He wondered if any of the girls under him could be suitable?

After all, it wouldn’t hurt if it were one of his idols; Fang Zheng would trust them.

With this thought in mind, Fang Zheng put his ideas aside and headed to the lounge. By this time, the girls had already changed into their performance outfits and were sitting there waiting to go on stage.

”All right, you probably already know what you need to do next.”

Fang Zheng greeted the three girls in front of him and then continued.

”This is your chance to show everyone the brightest side of your STARS!”

”No problem, HONEY!”

Meixi was the first to jump up, shouting excitedly. While Chihaya wasn’t as thrilled, she also clenched her fist and nodded firmly.

But to Fang Zheng’s surprise, Haruka was sitting beside them, seemingly lost in her thoughts.

”Haruka? What’s wrong with you?”

”Eh? Ah?”

Hearing Fang Zheng call her name, Haruka was startled, then quickly stood up.

”Well... I’ll do my best!”

”Hmm? Are you sure you’re okay?”

Seeing Haruka in this peculiar state, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but furrow his brow. Haruka had always been very ”protagonist-like,” but right now, she didn’t seem to be doing so well.

”No problem!”

”But you don’t look like you’re okay...”

Although Haruka tried to put on an energetic demeanor, Fang Zheng was no fool and could tell at a glance that Haruka was just holding on. While he didn’t know exactly what problem Haruka was facing, it needed to be solved before she went on stage.

”Come with me for a bit.”

With this thought in mind, Fang Zheng gestured to Haruka and then turned to leave the lounge, and after hesitating for a moment, Haruka obediently followed him out.

”Alright, there’s no one around here.”

Leading Haruka to a corner of the cruise ship, Fang Zheng glanced around and then focused his gaze on Haruka.

”Alright, what’s wrong? I noticed something was off with you earlier, but I didn’t expect it to be this serious... Did something happen?”

”..........”

Faced with Fang Zheng’s question, Haruka hesitated for a while before finally speaking in a low voice.

”Um... Producer.”

”Hmm?”

”You and Miss Sora... are leaving, right?”

”How do you know that?”

Hearing this, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow while Haruka spoke in a low voice.

”On Christmas Eve, I heard you and Miss Sora talking outside...”

”Oh........”

In response to Haruka’s answer, Fang Zheng nodded.

”That’s right, the work contract we signed with President Takagi is for one year, and since you heard, there’s no need for me to explain further, because Sora and I still have many other jobs to do. Being a producer at 765 Production is just a part of our work. Now that you all have gained some fame and are gradually getting used to the work, it’s time for us to leave.”

”Is it really necessary to leave?”

Hearing this, Haruka immediately showed an uneasy expression.

”Everyone has worked so hard to achieve what we have today, and I know... our workload is increasing, but for me, I would prefer everyone to stay together...”

”..........”

Seeing Haruka’s downcast look, Fang Zheng patted her shoulder. He could understand Haruka’s feelings. Fang Zheng had similar experiences in the past with a project team where everyone worked well together, were very in sync, and had great relationships with each other. Back then, Fang Zheng also thought about how nice it would be if everyone could stay in one group forever.

Of course, that was just a dream. Some people would resign, some would change jobs, some would get promoted, and others would be transferred to different departments. It’s never a good feeling to come in each morning and see another empty desk.

Of course, for adults, coming and going is normal.

But it’s different for girls like Haruka.

”Don’t worry, even if we leave, it’s not like we won’t meet again... Um, it mainly depends on how you all perform this time.”

”Huh? Producer?”

”As for the specific situation, I can’t tell you now. Just know that if you can perform well at this Platinum Idol Grand Prize, I can give you all an opportunity.”

”Really? Producer?!”

Hearing this, Haruka’s face lit up, and Fang Zheng nodded. If STARS can really meet His Majesty’s requirements, then Fang Zheng will definitely take them to the Mech World, and in doing so, naturally, Heavenly Dao Palace would be open to 765 Production. If possible, Fang Zheng would also like to arrange for the girls to engage in idol activities at the Heavenly Dao Palace, as it still lacks its own popular culture.

”Of course, I mean what I say.”

Faced with Haruka’s inquiry, Fang Zheng nodded, and with Fang Zheng’s response, Haruka clenched her fists in excitement.

”I will work hard!”

After receiving Fang Zheng’s assurance, Haruka immediately perked up. Although Fang Zheng didn’t provide details, it did relieve Haruka from her previous unease. When she returned to the lounge, she had returned to her lively and cheerful self.

Seeing Haruka back to normal, Meixi and Chihaya also let out a sigh of relief. They had noticed that Haruka seemed a bit off earlier and were concerned that something might be wrong. Now, it seemed to be nothing serious.

Soon, accompanied by applause, the Night of the Platinum Idol began on the yacht.

Standing on stage, Fang Zheng listened to the host’s tedious introduction while activating his personal terminal and opening the program Anya had sent him earlier.

Next, we’ll see if there are any singers in this Night of the Platinum Idol who meet their requirements.

After the host’s introduction ended, various singers or idol groups took the stage one after another, and Fang Zheng began to observe the program’s detection results.

It didn’t take long before Fang Zheng discovered how this program determined the passing line.

Simply put, it required the singer’s vocal ability, skills, emotions, and other aspects to reach quite high values... Fang Zheng understood somewhat why His Majesty couldn’t find suitable singers in his own world and had to ask for his help.

After all, the Mech World had suffered a severe invasion from the Reapers. According to Earth Federation data, the human population has been reduced to less than one percent of what it once was after the Reaper invasion. Meaning, most people were killed by the Reapers, and those left, given the atmosphere in the Mech World at that time, probably didn’t have the desire to sing or become idols.

However, these requirements are indeed quite high.

Fang Zheng watched several performances in succession without finding a suitable candidate. Apparently, even in this world, singers or idols capable of brainwashing aliens were not common.

After connecting with several songs, the next to take the stage were STARS, composed of Amakai Haruka, Hoshii Meixi, and Kisaragi Chihaya.

”Next up, STARS will present... ’THE WORLD IS ALL ONE’!”

Soon, accompanied by music, the girls in their performance outfits took the stage, singing and dancing at once.

”Gazing up at the sky, holding hands, the sky is so dazzling...”

Listening to the trio’s singing, Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction. Whether it was the sparkling Meixi, the calm Chihaya, or the lively Haruka, they all showcased their abilities perfectly. At that moment, Fang Zheng finally saw the program curve on his personal terminal start to flicker—finally breaking through the passing line.

”Excellent.”

Watching the three finish their performance, Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction.

Next, as long as the task is completed, the gates to the Heavenly Dao Palace will open.

Just then, the host on stage suddenly spoke up.

”Next, let’s welcome this year’s most dazzling new star—Komizo Yukina to sing ’Unreachable Love’!”

Amidst applause, Yukina, dressed in a pure white gown, stepped onto the stage. She grasped the microphone and gazed at the audience before her. When Yukina saw Fang Zheng standing not far away, her eyes widened slightly, and then she closed them, beginning to sing.

”Are you pretending to be alone, why does my heart move for you...”

”Beep... Beep!”

While Fang Zheng was enjoying Yukina’s song, suddenly his personal terminal began to flash, causing Fang Zheng to pause. He opened the terminal for a quick glance, only to find, to his surprise, that the program’s curve was starting to rapidly rise...far exceeding the values of others!

So she has it too?

Looking at Yukina before him, Fang Zheng was somewhat incredulous. Considering Meixi, Haruka, and Chihaya are professional idols, whereas Yukina became one midway, and truthfully, she trained much later than the girls from 765. Yet she still reached the passing line?

Is this possible?