### Chapter 2: The Blessing of Wings
Night Watcher Base.
Xi Xia walked alone towards the entertainment district.
According to the patterns observed by the Night Watchers, the Tragic Shadow Theater would start their activities today, likely on one of the stages in the entertainment area.
As per the notices from the Night Watcher organization, all Night Watchers could only observe the Tragic Shadow Theater and were forbidden from taking action against them.
Xi Xia knew exactly what to do and what she was about to prepare for.
She wouldn’t rashly attack the Tragic Shadow Theater under such circumstances, even if she could theoretically eliminate them single-handedly—she simply had to follow the rules.
The only way to deal with this was to revoke the special permissions given to the Night Watchers, essentially making the Tragic Shadow Theater hunting targets once again.
Could she pull it off with an Audience Performer present?
Xi Xia didn’t know.
But for her friend, she could take the risk.
“Let’s go.”
A glint appeared in Xi Xia’s blue eyes, already determined.
This operation was to be conducted in secret. Nobody knew her plan and nobody would know what she was about to do.
She would change the current situation silently.
Xi Xia possessed that ability.
For that reason, she qualified as a special Night Watcher who hunted numerous Star Eclipses across the vast lands.
Near the entertainment area.
The mysterious Rising Sun Theater Group returned, ready to bring thrilling performances to the audience.
Night Star had long donned her active attire and blended into the troupe members, feeling slightly anxious.
No matter how many times, she always felt this way.
Why her? She was such a timid, socially anxious person, after all.
Fortunately, her true identity remained unknown to others.
When the moment came, even if she appeared alongside other troupe members in public, no one would recognize her.
Thinking about this, her courage grew immensely; she even dared to attempt things she’d never considered before.
This was why people would say, “Seemingly wearing a mask, but actually baring one’s soul.”
Soon, the troupe found an empty stage and slowly made their way over.
This place wasn’t like the last time.
Different location, different stage, perhaps different audience as well.
All members of the troupe stepped onto the stage, enabling those around to become visible through Existence Interference.
The number of people staring at the stage slowly increased.
When did a bunch of oddly dressed people start standing on the stage?
Many people were curious about what they were doing.
Some stopped to watch, their expressions showing significant anticipation.
Among the passersby, there were some who had seen the performance just a week ago.
They voluntarily paused because these performers seemed interesting.
To this, the Group Leader gently said, “Singer, warm up for the performance.”
“Alright.”
Immediately afterward, the stage was left with just the slender silhouette of the singer.
Just like last time, she used her singing to attract basic audiences, setting the perfect opening for the troupe.
In the next second, beautiful singing rose.
The singer’s voice, reminiscent of a siren’s song, touched souls and hearts, captivating anyone within earshot with an intensity that was almost hypnotic.
Within moments, those passing near the stage couldn’t help but be drawn in.
The Audience members gathered, eager to see which formidable Songstress was performing so secretly.
This wasn’t your typical folk artist’s performance.
Even seasoned listeners who had been listening to songs for decades could tell this was top-tier stuff—only the top-ranked Songstresses could deliver such a voice, and few could match it.
“Isn’t this the same singer from before? I can’t believe we met again.”
“Are she and her band here again today?”
“This troupe puts on excellent shows, far more engaging than some of the online entertainment programs.”
These were the old audience members from last week.
“Oh? Really? So engaging?”
“This little miss sure sings beautifully! Which Songstress is she? Why don’t I recognize her?”
“Could she be an unknown genius? But this level of talent is crazy!”
These were the newcomers.
A mix of a few old faces and a lot of new ones made the scene quite chaotic for a while.
But as the singer continued, the atmosphere calmed down gradually.
Everyone focused intently on the performance, quickly falling under its spell.
News reached the Night Watcher base at the same time.
Waiting in the entertainment area were the Night Watchers, scoping out where the Tragic Shadow Theater might be and observing covertly.
They weren’t going to intervene; they’d just observe the State of the troupe.
As long as the Star Eclipses in the troupe weren’t hurting innocent civilians, they would be content acting as dedicated spectators till the very end.
In the crowd.
A black-haired woman with an earphone stared intently at the stage, her eyes showing calm and indifference; her presence went unnoticed by most.
Xi Xia blended naturally into the crowd, almost as if she had come solely to support the troupe rather than as a Night Watcher.
But was that really the case?
Xi Xia wasn’t purely benevolent; guilt didn’t easily weigh on her, nor did she feel pressure about what was to come.
She hadn’t become a Night Watcher to maintain order or protect the people; otherwise, she would have settled down in some city long ago.
As to why she was still a Night Watcher, it was simply because she had the ability.
She didn’t want to be a hero who protected citizens or maintained order, preferring instead to hunt Star Eclipses, thereby eradicating potential dangers and eliminating possible threats to the city.
Special Night Watchers like her performed tasks efficiently when incentivized.
Regarding Star Eclipses, she felt no remorse at all.
She was a certified Star Eclipse Hunter by the Night Watchers.
Back at the stage.
The singer paused, and thunderous applause erupted, a sign of their support.
Clap clap clap!!
The Announcer smiled and walked to the center of the stage, addressing the audience below, “Welcome all to watch the performance of the Rising Sun Theater Group. Tonight, our troupe will showcase a brand-new play—a grand opera featuring performances from multiple members. We hope you look forward to it.”
In the next second, the Announcer vanished, and the scene on stage rapidly transformed, as though transported to a completely different environment.
The sky changed, appearing as though the stars had shifted unpredictably, shifting from dark and quiet to an eerie sight.
All electronic noises ceased.
What replaced them was a quiet yet haunting melody, creating a unique atmosphere.
This was the Announcer’s domain—through the enhancement provided by the Star Eclipses, additional interference opened up space, allowing for a brand-new effect on stage.
Audience members looked shocked.
“What kind of advanced virtual reality technology is this?!”
“It’s incredible!”
“I’m looking forward to it!”
People didn’t panic too much.
In this age, technologies that could alter environments were abundant, but often they just deceived the eye without actually transporting people elsewhere.
Now, with the sudden dimming of the lights and the focused beams on stage, it felt like a proper theater experience.
They understood it this way, staying calm.
Xi Xia raised her eyelids and stared at the figures on the stage, murmuring softly under her breath, “The blessing of wings.”
Gray feathers began to materialize around Xi Xia, floating gently near her.
Under her direction, the feathers soared into the air and lightly drifted down onto the stage.
No one knew.
