The production team didn’t invite them just for popularity—only a group truly understands another group.

A cool, aloof queen and a sweet princess—two women with strikingly different yet captivating styles entered hand in hand, instantly sending the venue into an uproar.

“Miss Ashley is so cool, I love her!”

“No wonder my blood sugar suddenly spiked—it’s because I saw Olivia!”

“Two gorgeous women in one frame, I won’t miss a single episode of this show!”

……

Amid the screams of the live audience, the final heavyweight mentor made his entrance: the king-level superstar of the Chinese music scene—William Howard.

Before the show aired, the identity of the last mentor was kept under wraps, and no one expected a superstar to join. This undoubtedly added a golden touch to the program.

As a fan favorite spanning three generations, William Howard, though nearly fifty, still set the venue ablaze with his powerful presence and ageless looks. The screams were deafening.

All four mentors who had just taken the stage stood up to greet him, their eyes shining with fan-like admiration.

“Mr. Morgan, I grew up listening to your songs!”

“Mr. Morgan, you’re still so young! That scene where you got a nosebleed riding a motorcycle totally charmed me!”

……

Once William Howard was seated in the center mentor’s chair and exchanged brief remarks with the other four mentors, the stage recording officially began.

With an inspiring background track, the contestants entered one by one from backstage. After briefly waving to the audience at center stage, they took their chosen seats.

Since there were no restrictions on group composition, there were mixed-gender duos, same-gender duos, and even larger groups. The uneven numbers made the stage seating look a bit awkward.

In the blink of an eye, most contestants had already taken the stage. Brian Clark and Grace Carter had made their way from the end of the line to behind the curtain, from where they could see the entire stage.

“Stop staring, Grace, you could probably recite it backwards by now!”

Brian Clark snatched the crumpled handwritten lyrics from Grace Carter’s hand. “You’ve been in plenty of competitions, you’re not lacking stage experience, so why are you still so nervous?”

Grace Carter blew on her sweaty hands and shook her head. “It’s… it’s different. This time, I’m helping you.”

“Tsk tsk, didn’t expect you to be so good at flattery…”

Brian Clark was snickering when he happened to glance at the stage. “Whoa, what the heck!”

He clearly saw that the entire first row of seats was empty—no group had chosen it. Even the second row had only a handful of groups; most had clustered in the third and fourth rows.

Wow, everyone’s so humble, huh?

……

Judges’ table.

“Too timid, way too timid. Did they all come here just to fight for second place?”

Mentor Ryan Cooper slammed his sunglasses on the table, looking at the contestants who had already entered, clearly dissatisfied.

Mentor Olivia Harris crossed her arms and agreed, “Exactly, not a shred of confidence. Whichever group dares to sit in the first row, I’ll consider giving them a high score!”

……

Backstage screening room.

Chief director Eric Grant frowned deeper and deeper as he looked at the empty first row. Suddenly, he picked up the walkie-talkie and said, “Make sure to give plenty of camera time to the first group that sits in the front row!”

“Copy that!”

The cameraman replied, put down the walkie-talkie, and glanced toward the stage entrance.

After the previous group had taken their seats, the big screen at center stage flashed, displaying the information for the next group about to appear.

【No. 58】

【Phoenix Perched on the Parasol Tree】

【Contestant’s Declaration: Strength is not innate—it can grow!】

At the same time, Brian Clark and Grace Carter waved and walked out from backstage together. Both wore leather jackets and jeans—the handsome guy and pretty girl combo was eye-catching, making a strong impression as soon as they appeared.

“Wow, that girl is so pretty—she’s got that first-love-at-school look!”

“The guy is the real looker! His looks could rival Yvonne, but his fashion sense is questionable. There are sequins on his jacket—so tacky. Is he a rapper or something?”

As the two approached the contestants’ seats, the audience’s curiosity was piqued.

Where would they sit?

Since the first row was slightly lower than the stage and required stepping down from the second row, Brian Clark and Grace Carter first arrived at the aisle by the second row.

Another group choosing the second row?

The audience was a bit disappointed—they were hoping to see a scramble for the front row. A competition without rivalry is just too boring.

While waiting for Grace Carter to go first, Brian Clark glanced at the second row and happened to spot his ex-girlfriend Emily Thompson and her new flame. The two were also looking at him.

Their eyes met…

Although Emily Thompson didn’t say anything, her disdainful, annoyed look seemed to say—what makes you think you’re on my level, sitting in the same row as me?

Brian Clark curled his lip.

You’ve got it wrong. I never planned to sit in the same row as you. I’m here to take first place.

As he sat down, taking the center seat above all others, the first group to claim the “strongest” spot finally arrived.

“Hurry, give them a long shot!”

Chief director Eric Grant finally relaxed his furrowed brow, urging the crew with his radio.