Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Rap

The results were just as everyone had guessed.

The “ancient style” theme was niche, but it wasn’t too difficult. All the contestants had to do was incorporate a few elements.

After all, while they didn’t know the truly ancient styles, they were familiar with ancient-style pop songs.

So, most people didn’t lose points on the theme. Many even directly imitated the style of “Blue and White Porcelain.”

Others imitated Jiang Qin’s other songs as well.

However, the ten composers who advanced to the finals were, for the most part, genuinely talented.

Jiang Qin was the only one left from the Federation.

The Empire had Karl, Jones, Finland, Rister, and Ali Cook.

The Elf Clan had Yi Lin and Ize.

The Mechanical Clan had Amos.

The Sea Clan had Hai Ning.

Just looking at the proportions made it clear that the pride of the Imperial people wasn’t blind arrogance, but a confidence born from immense strength.

The next episode of the show would be the semifinals.

It could also be called the ranking match.

In addition to the scores still being given by the mainframe judge and the live audience, off-site viewers could also join in the voting.

The live audience’s votes were no longer limited to one per person; they could now cast a vote for any song they liked.

The final scores and vote percentages would be used to rank the contestants from 1 to 10. After the finals, the scores and votes from both rounds would be combined to determine the show’s final rankings.

In other words, in just one more week, she could return to the Federation.

The host was drawing the theme.

“Let’s see what the theme for the next round will be!”

The large screen displayed the final result: Rap.

“Oh, it’s rap! That’s also one of the more niche themes in recent years. Looks like we’re in for another exciting challenge!” the female host said cheerfully.

Enough time had passed that everyone had finally come down from the high of Jiang Qin’s performance.

Upon hearing the theme… well, some were excited, while others weren’t exactly thrilled.

[Rap? It’s awful, sounds like a monk chanting.]

[I think it’s cool! I love it.]

[It’s mainly that the lyrics are too weird. I doubt many people in our Empire like it. It’s more popular with people from the Federation.]

[Especially the ethnic minorities in the Federation, they really love this kind of music.]

[You guys only dislike it because you don’t get it. Rap is super cool, okay?]

[But it doesn’t seem like Qin Bao has ever done this type of song. She’s probably not good at it, right?]

[Hahaha, finally, something Jiang Qin isn’t good at! Boycott the Federation person from getting into the top three. Everyone, don’t vote for her.]

[That’s right, vote for the composers from the Empire. You don’t want to see someone from the Federation get all high and mighty, do you?]

[You guys are disgusting!] Wen Xueli furiously typed out the comment.

She then called over her partners, her voice full of grievance. “What are we going to do? Those Imperial people definitely won’t vote for Qin Bao.”

“There’s nothing we can do but call on our fellow Federation people to vote for her.”

In terms of population, the Federation had more people.

But a large portion of them were Half-beastmen and pure humans, as well as the old, weak, sick, and disabled. It wasn’t even certain if these people had Light Computers.

Let alone whether they could vote.

Meanwhile, the Empire had its own population, plus many other clans that supported them.

In previous years, the Federation composers who made it into the top ten always received fewer votes than the composers from the Empire.

Wen Xueli could accept Jiang Qin not winning the championship, but she couldn’t accept her losing for reasons other than her opponent’s skill.

Sigh, but popularity was also part of the competition.

“I’ve decided!” A fire ignited in Wen Xueli’s heart.

“Let’s go to the impoverished areas to canvass for votes!”

Her partners quickly tried to dissuade her. “Lili, that’s too dangerous.”

“Yeah, the people in the slums are crazy. I’m afraid something will happen.”

“How about this? You don’t go. We’ll go. We can buy a batch of low-level nutrient liquid, and we’ll give five vials to anyone who casts a vote. What do you think?”

Citizens without a bound Light Computer could still go online at the Star Network halls provided by the government.

These places were similar to internet cafes, but they were managed by the government. Besides charging Star Coins, they also limited each person to three one-hour sessions per month.

This was a convenience provided for those without a Light Computer.

So, they could totally go make a deal with these people.

Five vials of nutrient liquid was a pretty good price for a vote, and they could also pay for the Star Coin usage fee.

After all, it was only 100 Star Coins per person per session.

Hearing this, Wen Xueli immediately agreed.

She transferred money to her partners and instructed them, “You should all split up. Try to find as many people as possible. The voting window is only open for two hours.”

“Why are you giving us Star Coins? We’re your partners. What’s wrong with us spending a little money to make you happy?”

Her newest partner, looking displeased, transferred the Star Coins right back.

“That’s different. As your partner, it’s normal for me to spend your money. But this is me spending money on my idol. It’s about the sentiment!”

Wen Xueli was not short on money. As a B-level female, she already had five partners, fulfilling the marriage quota, and the Federation paid her a monthly stipend.

She also occasionally took on ordinary “pacification” jobs, so she was never short on cash.

Not to mention the dowries her partners had all given her when they married her.

Then there was the monthly household contribution and the allowance they gave her.

It could be said that as long as a B-level female in the Interstellar era didn’t have outrageous spending habits, she would basically never be poor.

“Alright, now hurry up and go.”

Her partners were very easy to coax. With just one sentence, they immediately cast aside their displeasure and went to handle business, full of fighting spirit.

Meanwhile, Wen Xueli posted this method in the group chat.

She added, “For those in other cities or on other planets who are willing to help but are a bit short on cash, you can contact me.

I can cover the cost of the nutrient liquid and Star Coins for another 30 million people.”

At that, all the wealthy fans in the group chat started popping up.

“I’m in Golan City. I’ll cover the slums in this city.”

“I’m in Fire Element Star Center City. I’ll cover the slums in this city, too.”

“I’m in…”

“White Tiger Star. I’ll cover all the urban districts on the entire planet. Anyone with time to help, contact me.”

…

One after another, more and more people came out to offer their support.

On a map on her Light Computer, Wen Jiaqi marked down each person’s name and the area they said they would be responsible for.

Then she sent the map to the fan group chat.

“Once you’ve handed out the nutrient liquid, remember to send back the recipient list for verification.

Everyone should be clear on the Federation’s laws, right? I don’t think anyone would knowingly break the law for something so trivial.”

As long as you were a registered citizen, you were implanted with a chip at birth.

This chip was usually dormant, only being activated if a person broke the law or went missing.

Combined with the Skynet system and so on, the risk of committing a crime was extremely high.

Although Wen Jiaqi felt that no one would be foolish enough to throw away their life over a little nutrient liquid, you couldn’t rule out someone who was driven mad by poverty, or who had their head turned by greed. So, she had to state the ugly truth upfront.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep