Chapter 7: Debut Performance

After these two videos were released, the Interstellar Federation once again fell into a peculiar frenzy.

A virtual boy group, the contrast of chibi three-heads-tall cuteness, the looks, backgrounds, and personalities of the three members—all displayed Youjian Entertainment’s extraordinary idol-making skills, even if these “idols” were virtual.

There was no doubt: once again, Youjian Entertainment had firmly seized control of the hottest discussions on the StarNet.

This was a virtual boy group representing Heaven, Earth, and Man, brought to life with holographic 3D animation technology that created a perfect sense of interaction. Youjian Entertainment even made a special note that the voices were performed by real people, not AI.

The Interstellar Federation was in an uproar once more. Such beautiful voices, and they weren’t AI-generated?! Especially Sui You’s voice—every word seemed to strike right at the listener’s heart. Could such a voice truly exist?

The virtual boy group hadn’t even released a single yet, but they had already amassed a large fanbase. In the virtual community on the official Eastern Myth homepage, fans enthusiastically began all sorts of fan creations, readily embracing the concept of a virtual boy group.

The company behind “THE ONE” boy group breathed a sigh of relief. Though both were boy groups, they weren’t even in the same lane.

Their fanbases were different, so there would be no competition. Youjian Entertainment clearly knew where to draw the line.

After all, with the Interstellar Girls Group already a wildly popular act, it seemed they had no intention of forming another real idol group.

This reassured the other entertainment companies planning to continue with talent shows.

·

Meanwhile, at the heart of the storm—Youjian Entertainment’s core office, or rather, Feng Jingyu’s home—she was holding her face in her hands, gazing dreamily at the original character art of the three Eastern Myth members, letting out the occasional “hehehe” of strange laughter.

“Creating your own paper men with your own settings is the best,” Feng Jingyu said, eyes narrowing with delight. “So handsome, truly handsome…”

Yu Huaiyin, who had come by out of concern for Feng Jingyu, witnessed this scene and, without a flicker of emotion, closed the door behind him.

Ha! If I worry about her again, I’m a dog!

S-77, who had followed along, caught a glimpse—enough to see what was happening in the room.

“Yu Huaiyin, is this what you mean by ‘boy-crazy’?” S-77 asked seriously.

Yu Huaiyin was just about to reply when the door opened. Feng Jingyu stood behind it, face dark as a vengeful spirit.

“Don’t talk about people behind their backs,” Feng Jingyu said coldly, then turned to S-77 with a radiant smile. “77, you’re just in time. My housekeeper has developed a new milk tea flavor—come and try it.”

S-77’s first reaction was to look at Yu Huaiyin, who snorted and strode in with his head held high.

“I’m not only going to talk about you—I’m going to drink your milk tea, too.”

Feng Jingyu rolled her eyes wordlessly.

·

Once inside, they saw Cen Lan was there as well.

She greeted them with a smile and pointed to the milk tea on the table. “Today’s flavor is really good. I think you’ll both like it.”

“If Sister Cen says so, we have to try it.” Yu Huaiyin and S-77 sat down together, naturally picking up a cup and handing one to S-77.

S-77 took a small sip and said to Feng Jingyu, who had just entered, “It tastes wonderful.”

“I knew you’d like it.” Feng Jingyu sat down beside Cen Lan. “I’ll send you the recipe later, so you can make it at home.”

“All right.” S-77 tapped a few times on his terminal. “I’ve finished composing the debut single for the virtual boy group. Want to listen?”

“Of course, 77. You’re so efficient.” Feng Jingyu connected to the home audio system and played the track aloud.

When the song ended, Feng Jingyu looked at S-77 in silence, as if wanting to say something but hesitating.

S-77 sensed something was off. “What’s wrong?”

“77, the song is absolutely perfect. It’s grand and majestic, just right for our boy group’s concept. It’s just…” Feng Jingyu paused before continuing, “the voice actors aren’t that professional… The song is too difficult for them…”

S-77 tilted his head. “Weren’t you going to have AI imitate the voice actors’ voices to sing it?”

“Of course not! The voice actors are performing themselves,” Feng Jingyu explained.

Cen Lan interjected with a smile, “The voice actors have some vocal training, but their focus is on voice acting, not professional singing. We can’t hold them to a singer’s standard.”

“I see…” S-77 looked troubled, turning to Yu Huaiyin. “Can you help me revise it?”

“Sure.” Yu Huaiyin agreed readily. “Jingyu, send me the voice actors’ singing samples.”

“OKK.”

·

Yu Huaiyin was just as efficient. Within a few days, she sent back the revised demo. The song retained its grand, majestic style, but the difficulty was much reduced, perfectly fitting the vocal qualities of the three voice actors.

Feng Jingyu immediately arranged for recording. Once the final version was ready, she wasted no time launching the promotional campaign—posting a teaser on the Eastern Myth homepage and opening a reservation channel for the live broadcast.

Fans flocked to the site, delighted to see the Eastern Myth homepage updated once again.

This time, the homepage featured AI-rendered 3D models of the three members. They wore the same gorgeous outfits as in the debut concept art, smiling gently at visitors.

Unlike the hyper-realistic models popular at the time, Eastern Myth’s models, though realistic, leaned more toward a manga aesthetic. As Feng Jingyu put it, the virtual boy group was meant to be distinct from real-world groups. Clearly, Youjian Entertainment was determined to go its own way to the end.

Moreover, the three models used by Youjian Entertainment were all commercial models, patented and protected by portrait rights—no one else could use them without authorization.

In addition, three chibi versions of the members performed skits on the homepage.

For example, Sui You would pounce on Sui An and pin him to the ground, only for Yao to flash in and summon heavenly thunder, leaving Sui You a smoking little black ball; or Sui An, with his round head, would break out into a hot dance, while Yao and Sui You, eyes sparkling with amazement, applauded enthusiastically.

These interactions melted the fans’ hearts. On one side, the tall, handsome nine-heads-tall models; on the other, the adorable three-heads-tall chibis—fans felt their eyes simply weren’t enough.

The number of live broadcast reservations soared to an astonishing level in an instant.

·

On the day of the live broadcast, fans arrived on time, only to discover that the event was actually a concert. Every fan entering the stream had a front-row view—so close it seemed they could reach out and touch the performers on stage.

The show began.

The stage was shrouded in darkness. A white-haired youth, bathed in light, flew onto the stage, landing and dispersing the black mist that cloaked it.

As the mist cleared, a bewitching red flower bud appeared at the center of the stage. As its petals unfurled layer by layer, Sui You’s figure gradually emerged before the audience. He opened his eyes, the petals scattered and vanished, leaving only Sui You standing on stage.

Yao gathered the light around him and cast it into the sky. Golden radiance illuminated the entire venue, and a golden staircase appeared, stretching from the light down to the stage. Sui An descended the stairs, joining Yao and Sui You on stage.

“Hello, everyone! We are—Eastern Myth!” the three said in unison.

“I am the leader of Eastern Myth—Yao, from the Heavenly Court. Please give me your faith, and I will return the finest songs to you!”

“I am the visual of Eastern Myth—Sui You. So don’t hold back your love—love me with all your heart!”

“I am the ACE and rapper of Eastern Myth—Sui An. Little ones, your happiness and joy are what I wish for most!”

The fans cheered loudly.

Once the screams died down, the three continued.

“Today is our debut. Our first show is in such a large venue, with so many fans—thank you for your enthusiasm. I can already feel a steady stream of faith pouring into me,” Yao said, earnest and precise.

Sui You laughed. “I think making you the leader was a mistake. Can an old fossil like you even understand fan memes?”

“It’s fine, Yao. If you don’t get it, just ask me,” Sui An, the surfing expert, chimed in immediately.

“Why do you always side with him?” Sui You protested. “We both have the surname Sui—we’re family!”

“You’re not the same species. There’s reproductive isolation. You can’t be family,” Yao said, hitting the nail on the head.

Sui You’s face froze.

“Hahahaha… Well done, Yao. That mouth of yours is number one in all three realms,” Sui An laughed, clutching his stomach.

The fans burst out laughing as well.

Some sharp-eyed fans noticed that this wasn’t a pre-recorded stream, but a live performance: the voice actors were dubbing in real time backstage, while AI rendered the models’ movements in sync with their words.

A live broadcast was truly a live broadcast—Youjian Entertainment never faked these things.

·

After the jokes, it was time for the debut performance of the single “Heaven · Earth · Man.”

As the music started, the three began singing and dancing on stage. The choreography, specially designed by Huo Yuexing to match the song’s style, was elegant yet powerful in every movement.

Though the model designs leaned toward fantasy, their movements were smooth and natural, just like real people.

At the end of the performance, the fans’ cheers nearly raised the roof.

“Little ones, do you like our debut song?” Sui An asked with a bright smile.

“Yes—we—do!” the fans shouted back.

“That’s great. All of Sui You’s effort charming Youjian Entertainment’s boss wasn’t in vain,” Sui An’s words instantly reminded everyone of the debut night mini-theater, prompting another round of laughter.

Sui You lifted his chin. “Of course. I had to overcome countless obstacles to find their boss.”

“Indeed, Sui You’s contribution was the greatest,” Yao said. “But is it really okay for us to talk so openly about charming Youjian Entertainment’s boss?”

The other two froze.

Sui You was the first to react. “Maybe I should charm everyone watching the stream so they forget about it.”

“No, charming that many people at once would hurt the little ones,” Sui An objected, then turned to the fans. “We hope you’ll help us keep this a secret, okay?”

“Okay—!”

“Good kids, good kids.” Sui An made a gesture as if patting their heads from afar.

“It’s about time. Today’s live broadcast is coming to an end,” Yao reminded them.

“No, don’t end—!” the fans protested, reluctant to leave.

“Don’t worry, we’ll meet again,” Sui You’s voice turned ethereal and alluring. “Look forward to our next meeting. Goodbye.”

As Sui You finished speaking, the fans found themselves already exited from the live stream.