Chapter 6: Youjian Entertainment’s New Boy Group

While Youjian Entertainment was preparing to form a new boy group, and the Earth Entertainment Federation was in the midst of the tense filming of “Wu Zetian,” several other entertainment companies joined forces to launch “Youth Trainee,” which officially began airing.

These companies lacked the resources to invite contestants from other star systems, so all the participants were Earthlings. They simply promoted themselves as an Earth boy group, which, unexpectedly, attracted quite a bit of attention.

The first episode featured many eye-catching contestants, drawing in a considerable number of alien fans. After all, the show was modeled after “Interstellar 101,” so they had to have contestants who could hold their own.

As the show aired, discussions about “Youth Trainee” grew increasingly heated on the StarNet. On the night of the group’s debut, its popularity, for the first time, surpassed that of the Interstellar Girls Group.

This outcome delighted the production team of “Youth Trainee” to no end. After throwing a grand celebration, they named the boy group “THE ONE.”

The ambition behind this name was obvious. After releasing their debut album, THE ONE began a tour of the star systems and started selling member merchandise.

Fans of Youjian Entertainment grew anxious. Although the Interstellar Girls Group quickly reclaimed the top spot in popularity, they couldn’t always be on the defensive. Many flocked to Youjian Entertainment’s official homepage to leave messages, and soon, they received a response.

But this response left the fans utterly baffled.

Youjian Entertainment was forming a boy group as well? And not through a talent show, but debuting directly?

·

It wasn’t just the fans—other entertainment companies were equally at a loss. Youjian Entertainment had always played by its own rules, but after withdrawing from the live-action film and television scene and finding themselves at a dead end, were they now just following the crowd?

Faced with the public’s confusion, Youjian Entertainment leisurely updated its official homepage.

The homepage was awash in three richly textured colors: a blue that seemed to fall from the heavens, a black as deep as the abyss, and a gold like molten metal. These colors did not remain still but flowed slowly, never intertwining, yet inseparable.

Aside from this, there was only a single line of text.

“Eastern Myth” countdown: 4 days.

[Wait, only four days until debut? Isn’t that way too fast?]

[Are these three colors the support colors? So there are three members in the group?]

[Youjian Entertainment, come out and say something! This is driving me crazy!]

[“Eastern Myth”? Isn’t that name a bit much? Can three people really represent the myths of the East?]

But aside from stirring things up, Youjian Entertainment’s greatest skill was playing dead. Even as fans flooded the homepage with messages, there was no further reply. The helpless fans could only continue to wait.

·

On the third day of the countdown, Youjian Entertainment’s official homepage updated again, as fans eagerly watched.

A sky-blue background appeared, with a single hand reaching toward the sky, as if trying to grasp it, or perhaps to hold it aloft.

Fans were even more bewildered. The hand was beautiful, but what did it have to do with a boy group?

On the second day, the homepage turned black, with only a single red flower bud at the center. The red was so bewitching that it was clear this was no ordinary flower.

Fans stared wide-eyed. Was Youjian Entertainment addicted to being cryptic? Was this boy group really reliable? While other companies flaunted concert merchandise every day, here they were, solving riddles. Youjian Entertainment, do you think this is fair to us?!

On the final day of the countdown, the homepage became a golden sea of wheat, with the vague silhouette of a person standing at its edge. This time, there was also a line of text:

“Having traveled thousands of mountains and rivers, having seen all the world’s scenery.”

The fans calmed down a bit. Not bad, there were words now—Youjian Entertainment was making progress… Or not! Youjian Entertainment, just go out of business now! No, wait until the boy group debuts, then go out of business!

On the day Eastern Myth debuted, Youjian Entertainment’s homepage returned to its original appearance, except for a new play button.

Fans clicked on it with a mix of resentment and anticipation.

·

After entering the video, everyone was stunned. Youjian Entertainment had actually produced a brand-new holographic 3D animation?!

[Youjian Entertainment, instead of working on “Journey to the West,” you drag the animation team over to hype up the boy group. Get back to making “Journey to the West” right now, this instant, immediately!]

A barrage of flying comments across the screen startled everyone again. Had Youjian Entertainment updated their tech? Could they send bullet comments now?!

Suppressing their questions, they continued watching.

The scene was the familiar Heavenly Court, but the divine light of the Lingxiao Palace was dim, shrouded in desolation.

A man, visible only from behind, knelt before the Jade Emperor. His long white hair trailed on the floor, and his voice was as cold and clear as ice water striking jade. He said in a ringing tone, “I go to the mortal world to gather faith and continue the mandate of heaven. This is my duty; I beg Your Majesty’s permission.”

The Jade Emperor’s face showed emotion. “Be careful in all things. The mortal world is not what it once was. Above all, preserve yourself.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The man rose and slowly turned, locking eyes with the audience watching the video.

Before viewers could react, the screen went black, and the scene changed.

Unlike the previous Heavenly Court, this place was pitch dark, not even a hand visible before one’s face. Then came a soft sigh, sending a chill down every viewer’s spine. Just a sigh, yet it could seize the soul, so alluring was it.

After the sigh, light finally appeared—a multitude of glowing red flower buds filled the entire view.

“I didn’t expect anyone to come here.”

The voice in their ears made the viewers instinctively turn their heads, only to see a face of breathtaking beauty, with enchanting red eyes full of endless allure.

“Since you’re here, give me your love. I need your love.” The voice was bewitching, and viewers found themselves nodding involuntarily. In the next instant, the scene shifted again.

This was a cemetery, white tombstones everywhere, yet there was no sense of gloom—rather, a warmth pervaded the place. Following the path ahead, one soon saw a towering stone monument inscribed: “The People’s Heroes Are Immortal!”

Tears welled up in the eyes of Earthling viewers. This was where the martyrs rested!

“Oh dear, why are you crying?” A tissue was handed over by a smiling young man.

“I’ve been sleeping here for many years. Can you take me to see the world as it is now?”

The warm voice soothed the sorrowful heart. As the viewer reached for the tissue, they found themselves already leaving the scene.

The video ended.

Back on Youjian Entertainment’s homepage, they found a new line of text beneath the play button.

What is Heaven? Rules fading, faith waning. What is Earth? Desire at its root, all beings in suffering. What is Man? Heroes sleep forever—who will witness this flourishing age?

Eastern Myth invites you to bear witness.

·

The official homepage for Eastern Myth opened at the same time. Fans who found the site expected to see profiles of the three members, but they were mistaken.

There was only a play button and a title: “Eastern Myth Mini-Theater: Debut Night.”

[Youjian Entertainment, just go out of business—right now! Is being cryptic really that fun?!]

With table-flipping fury, fans quickly clicked the play button.

This time, it wasn’t a holographic 3D animation, but a regular 2D animation. Apparently, Youjian Entertainment’s ability to stir up trouble had its limits.

Strangely, the fans found their anger subsiding a little.

The animation opened with the three members meeting by chance on a narrow path, exchanging silent glances.

A white-haired youth in a Shangqing Daoist robe, a stunningly beautiful man in a loose black robe with wide lapels, and a boy in a white hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans—all in chibi, three-heads-tall style.

Aliens had never seen such adorable creatures. They were instantly smitten, completely losing themselves.

The animation continued. Above each of the three little cuties’ heads appeared a row of ellipses, as if by tacit agreement.

It was the boy in modern clothes who broke the silence.

“I’m Sui An. And you are?”

“Yao,” the white-haired youth replied coolly.

“Sui You,” the beautiful man said, throwing Sui An a flirtatious wink.

Sui An took a step back on his short legs, his round little face turning grave. “Judging by your attire, Mr. Yao, you must be from the Heavenly Court? As for you, Mr. Sui You, I can’t quite place your origins, but after the founding of the nation, no more monsters allowed…” Suddenly, Sui An transformed into a tall, handsome man with golden eyes, clearly ready for battle. “If your answers don’t satisfy me, don’t blame me for being rude!”

Yao remained calm. “Faith is waning. I am here to gather faith. The faith on your person is so strong—might I ask how you acquired it?”

“I became a spirit before the founding of the nation. I’ve never harmed a human,” Sui You protested, puffing his cheeks.

So they weren’t enemies. Sui An reverted to chibi form, only for Sui You to pounce on him the next second.

“You have so much love on you—share a little with me~” Sui You clung to Sui An, fluttering his arms.

“Don’t… don’t paw at me…” Sui An struggled, but it was no use. He had to turn to Yao for help. “Help me.”

“All right.” Yao nodded and pointed to the sky. “Heavenly thunder, strike.”

Before the thunder could fall, Sui You let go of Sui An in a flash.

“Using heavenly thunder on me? That’s too much!” Sui You protested, aggrieved. “I just wanted him to share a little love with me. Human love is beneficial for my cultivation.”

Sui An straightened his clothes, disheveled by Sui You, before speaking. “I am a spirit formed from the collective will of the martyrs, naturally carrying the people’s faith and love. But if you want faith and love, that’s not difficult.”

Yao and Sui You looked at Sui An with burning eyes.

“I heard the kids at the Martyrs’ Cemetery say that boy groups are really popular now, and they’re all the rage. We could form a boy group—then you two can openly collect faith and love,” Sui An said.

“We? You want to join too?” Sui You asked, puzzled.

“Of course. I have to keep an eye on you. Especially you, Sui You—I won’t let you harm the kids!” Sui An said, hands on his hips.

“I told you, I only want love! I’m not going to do anything bad!” Sui You huffed, only to stop when Yao stared at him.

“That’s a good idea, but how do we form a group?” Yao asked.

“That’s easy.” Sui An was confident. “Sui You, can you charm people?”

“I thought you didn’t want me hurting your precious kids?!” Sui You bristled.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Sui An pointed ahead, and suddenly a building appeared with “Youjian Entertainment” written on it. “Go charm the boss inside and have her arrange for our debut.”

“Good idea,” Yao immediately agreed.

Sui You snorted in annoyance, took a few steps, then turned back.

“Who’s their boss?”

The screen faded to black, and the animation ended.