Chapter 19: The Popular Audience Performer
The incident with the Rising Sun Theater Group has come to a close.
The Night Watcher Base is back to its usual operations, while the Sunlight Night Watchers, who returned to support Yun Chang City, can only shake their heads in confusion.
Wasn’t it an urgent situation, a prehistoric catastrophe?
Yet it ended in less than a day.
All they could do now was turn around and head back.
Chi Hao and Yan Que arrived at the station and booked tickets back to Shanghe City.
This was probably the third or fourth trip for them.
Once in the private lounge, the two began chatting.
“The entire Rising Sun Theater Group went out of control, yet they successfully put on a Grand Performance. Given the situation, it was definitely more dangerous than the Supernova Star Eclipses,” Chi Hao offered succinctly.
Yan Que nodded in agreement, “Yet this kind of disaster was resolved in a day. It was even faster than the last incident in Doll City.”
“I heard it was the audience performer who did it.”
“That girl? She’s truly impressive. It’s hard to find someone among humans who can pull off something like that.”
Chi Hao relaxed, leaning back in his chair. “I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve seen that audience performer before; it’s just on the tip of my tongue.”
“Are you feeling the same?”
“Oh? You too?”
“Yeah.” Yan Que nodded casually.
Chi Hao sighed dramatically.
“The world of Stars and Star Eclipses is really bewildering. Even someone of our caliber among Night Watchers can be so easily perplexed. Quite the letdown, huh?”
“Yeah.”
The two fell silent as the topic shifted.
“Word has it that this Star Eclipse incident was planned by a Night Watcher named Xi Xia. Do you know her?”
“Sort of. I heard she’s a Star Eclipse hunter, which is quite different from a genuine Night Watcher.”
“They say she did it for a hefty bounty. I can’t understand how it led to such a disastrous event.”
“Who knows? Night Watchers often get tangled up in all sorts of incidents. Who’s to say one day, your heart won’t be slowly eroded, leading you to do something just as baffling?”
Chi Hao scoffed.
“Please, my will is unbreakable. If something tries to taint me, I’ll reduce it to ashes.”
“Let’s hope so.”
The conversation took another turn.
“Speaking of which, are you interested in catching the Rising Sun Theater Group’s Grand Performance? It seems Yun Chang City recorded it, and they say there’s no Star Eclipse contamination. It could be entertaining or even useful for research.”
“Sure, I’m not really in the mood for chatting anyway.”
In summary, Yan Que had no desire to continue the conversation. If it weren’t for Chi Hao initiating it, he’d rather not engage.
Just then, an electronic screen popped up before them, displaying clear footage.
The opera performance by the Rising Sun Theater Group was about to begin.
During the viewing, Chi Hao was completely engrossed.
“The announcer’s scene transitions are quite impressive. They say the Star Eclipse effects covered the entire city, but I think my ‘Burning Stars’ could just torch it all.”
“Yeah, if you had been there, it would probably have turned into a different spectacle.”
“What kind of spectacle?”
“Probably you being targeted crazily.”
“Ah ha! That’s true.”
Chi Hao felt a bit guilty about wrecking someone’s stage, just like he did last time when he burned down the Puppet Master’s carefully crafted grand stage.
But last time, there was only one Puppet Master Star Eclipse to deal with; this time, there were six.
Facing six guaranteed Ultra Star Eclipses, Chi Hao figured no one would stand a chance unprotected.
“Enough about that. Don’t you think the announcer’s Star Eclipse effect seems a bit familiar?”
“Quite a bit, actually.”
“Right? It’s similar to Mo Tu’s Stellar Power. Last time, he locked us in some small space, which is quite akin to the announcer’s Star Eclipse.”
Chi Hao scratched his chin and continued, “And considering Mo Tu’s been missing for so long, he wouldn’t have gone to join the Rising Sun Theater Group as an announcer, would he?”
Yan Que didn’t reply.
Chi Hao then conversed with himself, “But that would be impossible. That guy’s a dashing young lad, while the announcer is a cute little girl. No way they could be correlated. That guy could never be that absurd.”
Yan Que gazed out at the passing scenery, lost in his thoughts.
“Who knows, really?”
…
At the Night Watcher Base.
It had been several days since the Grand Performance of the Rising Sun Theater Group.
In the circles of the Night Watchers in Yun Chang City, the topic of the Rising Sun Theater Group was absolutely dominating the conversations—people wouldn’t stop chattering.
This once-dreaded Star Eclipse theater troupe, following an unprecedented Grand Performance, made quite a few Night Watchers change their views on them.
Especially the audience performer; her dazzling presence during the Grand Performance captivated many Night Watchers.
Adding to that, she was human, giving the Night Watchers no reason to dislike her.
Thus, the silver-haired girl, as an audience performer, gained notable popularity among the Night Watchers.
This popularity wasn’t only confined to Yun Chang City but spanned the entire Night Watcher community.
After all, all data on Star Eclipse incidents from various cities was shared, allowing Night Watchers from other cities to stay updated on specific city situations via the official website.
That unprecedented “Grand Performance” was uploaded to the official site for all Night Watchers to study.
“That audience performer is quite interesting. Since she’s also a Star Holder, why doesn’t she join the Night Watchers?”
“Maybe she’s the chosen one, able to coexist peacefully with Star Eclipses; it doesn’t matter where.”
“I think she’s perfect for staying in the theater group. That Grand Performance totally wowed me! Why was it so extravagant? She stood on stage alongside those Star Eclipses without any sense of incongruity. She fit right in!”
“Exactly. For a human to peacefully coexist with Star Eclipses without being eroded is impressive; her Stellar Power is simply extraordinary.”
Various Night Watchers began to express their opinions, many of them curious about the audience performer.
Of course, there were also some critical and dismissive remarks, but they were few and far between.
At least, in this short span of time, the audience performer had become a legendary figure in the Night Watcher community, immensely well-known.
Well, at least on the surface.
Meanwhile, the audience performer’s other self seemed to be a rather low-profile entity, almost like an anonymous mascot.
At the same time…
In the room of Zero Meow.
A group of little loli were munching on snacks and sipping afternoon tea, the atmosphere very cozy.
At that moment, Zero Meow was engrossed in appreciating the Grand Performance of the Rising Sun Theater Group, seeming quite serious.
“Meow~ I’ve decided! I’m going to draw some spicy art of the audience performer!”
Upon hearing this, White Fish just smiled without saying a word.
Night Lan, sitting nearby and munching on treats made by Neko Shinna, felt a bit exasperated.
Drawing lewd art of her was one thing, but now she wanted to draw Night Star too? Talk about ridiculous!
However, it seemed Zero Meow didn’t realize the audience performer was actually her. Otherwise, her expression would definitely be entertaining to witness. Just the thought made her chuckle.
Then Zero Meow slumped over the table.
“Meow~ It’s a pity the audience performer always wears a mask. I can’t see her face! My motivation to draw just dropped by half!”
Night Lan hesitated, then decided to pretend she didn’t know anything.
