Chapter 180
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Chapter 180: Butterfly of the Underworld, the Predecessor of "Dazzling Stage", the Past of "Dream Weaver"
The next day.
Sea City Hongguang International Airport.
The young girl lowered her head and pulled down her hat brim, dragging her suitcase as she walked off the plane. She looked like a star trying to hide her private moments from paparazzi, wearing sunglasses that covered her ocean-blue eyes. Her delicate face was hidden by a mask, only her fair skin and shining golden hair were visible.
Even so, her graceful figure, outstanding presence, and stylish clothing still drew many curious gazes. Some girls even approached with shining eyes, gathering their courage to ask:
"Um… are you Xie Qing Yu from Enfer Butterfly?"
—Butterfly of the Underworld.
This popular girl group that went international a year ago still holds great popularity in Daxia.
Xie Qing Yu glanced around, snapped her fingers, and a magical violet energy began to swirl around her, transforming into dancing butterflies that filled the air. This magic, invisible to ordinary people, temporarily blurred the lights around her.
Then, the girl took off her sunglasses and mask, placed her fingertip on her lips, raised the corner of her eyes with a curve, and revealed an enchanting smile as she said:
"Shh, don’t let everyone find out! Do you want an autograph?"
Little Fan was so excited that she couldn’t find the words. She covered her mouth with her hands to stop herself from shouting. She nodded happily, then hurriedly rummaged through her bag for a moment, pulled out a poster, and politely handed it over with both hands, blinking her eyes as she gazed intently at the beautiful face.
Xie Qing Yu glanced at the poster. It was promotional material from the first performance of "Dazzling Stage" in the Sea City competition. The person on it looked distant, their expression cold like a winter that wouldn’t melt. Their platinum hair fell like satin over their shoulders, and their lips were thin and delicate, radiating an air of extraordinary beauty.
Yes, my Honey Xuan is just so cute.
The young girl took a moment to admire it with satisfaction, the smile at the corner of her lips unchanged, keeping her thoughts private. She skillfully signed her name right next to the three letters Xie Qingxuan, then handed the poster back to Little Fan, put on her mask and sunglasses, and waved goodbye with a bright smile.
Little Fan stood there mesmerized, staring foolishly at the back of this national idol until she could no longer see her. Then she excitedly lifted the poster, looking at it in the sunlight for a while, murmuring:
"Today is definitely my lucky day! I actually got my idol’s sister to sign on my idol’s poster. Sister pairings are truly the best!"
…
…
Ten minutes later, on the highway.
Xie Qing Yu sat in the official car sent by the agency. She took off her sunglasses and mask, glancing sleepily out at the blue sky. A butterfly, painted in vibrant violet colors, flitted around her, dancing in the air. It dropped shimmering bits of light, chattering nearby:
"Little Yu, you used magic without permission, breaking the rules of the bureau. You’ll have money taken away when you go back!"
Xie Qing Yu sighed:
"Violet, you are so noisy."
As her words faded, the butterfly scattered into thousands of sparkling lights, gathering on her delicate wrist to form a finely-crafted watch.
The girl looked at the watch’s crystal face, where the enamel made the flowers shine a soft blue. The branches and leaves were made of curved stained glass, creating a rich gradient effect. The butterfly inside fluttered its wings in time with the hour and minute hands, no longer making any noise.
Xie Qing Yu mischievously shook her wrist, making the little butterfly flap its wings faster, beating them ten times in a row, looking quite adorable. She nodded in satisfaction:
"Hmm, you’re much better like this."
"What rules? I just signed an autograph for a fan. That’s part of being an idol. You can’t tell anyone else when you go back, or I won’t let you come out to play."
After saying that, the watch broke and vanished, turning into a drooping little butterfly that hovered a bit sadly above the other person’s head and muttered softly:
"Little Yu is disliked by Honey Xuan because of this personality!"
Xie Qing Yu’s smile became stiff. She grabbed the little butterfly in her hand and poked it with her fingers, unable to hold back her retort:
"What is wrong with my personality? It’s clearly Honey Xuan who is too stubborn, saying out of nowhere that she wants to be an idol. How could anyone not want to choose her as a magical girl in ‘Dazzling Stage’ when she is so cute?"
"I don’t want her out in danger! I tried to talk to her nicely, but she wouldn’t listen, so didn’t I have to be a little mean and scold her?"
The little butterfly flapped its wings, not letting her poke it, and said confidently:
"You deserve to be disliked for such a foolish way to handle things. If I were Honey Xuan, I would dislike you too."
The little butterfly spoke earnestly with innocent and simple words:
"And the truth is, it’s because you don’t understand each other at all. If you hadn’t been so awkward during your rebellious phase and had cared more about Honey Xuan, she definitely wouldn’t have misunderstood you."
"Besides, didn’t you go over there this time because you were very worried that Honey Xuan would get into trouble, and you were thinking a lot about how to apologize indirectly? This shows that you think your personality is quite bad!"
Xie Qing Yu didn’t want to listen anymore; she bashfully covered the little butterfly with her palm.
Although it is an Artificial Lantern, after merging with a soul and reaching the stage of "blossoming," the lantern has long become a product of soul manifestation. Violet, as the intelligence born from it, can be considered the "person" in this world who knows her best.
Lies do not hurt; the truth is the sharp knife.
Every word from the little butterfly pierced her heart; it was very hurtful.
The two of them played around for a while, and they got closer to Zhelong Town.
The little butterfly flitted about cheerfully and asked:
"Little Yu, can I meet Honey Xuan this time? She must be a reservist witch now, right?"
Xie Qing Yu lifted her chin and proudly replied:
"No, aren’t you the one who knows the rules best? The reserve is just the reserve. Unless Honey Xuan passes the mental test within the organization, everything related to [witch] is forbidden to be revealed."
"Back when I was overflowing with magic, I was only told about these things when my [flower bloomed], so Violet, you still can’t meet Honey Xuan, and talking to her is not allowed either!"
The girl said this, feeling a little cautious, and glanced at the little butterfly, asking:
"Besides, she’s my sister. Violet, why are you so eager?"
The little butterfly flapped her wings and said seriously:
"Because I am more suitable to be Honey Xuan’s sister than Little Yu."
Xie Qing Yu felt a bit anxious and exclaimed angrily:
"Just a little lantern, and you really talk so big!"
The little butterfly couldn’t help but chuckle, then quickly stopped smiling. To avoid making the other person angry and turning back into a watch, she started to discuss the important matters:
"Is Little Yu ready to face the battle?"
"This time, we might run into a big fellow."
Xie Qing Yu was full of confidence as she said:
"Of course! I have practiced in the Dreamweaver simulation training ground. As long as it’s not a complete form, we can defeat a Grade B disaster beast. The chance of winning is about seventy-four to ninety percent!"
The little butterfly knocked and said:
"You may be strong in the virtual world, but it’s still fake!"
"Don’t forget, the Dreamweaver simulation training ground always reminds you that it’s just a simulation. Real disaster beasts have very changeable abilities and are extremely dangerous!"
"You must be careful, okay? I don’t want Little Yu to be forced to use Full Power Mode."
At the mention of that term, the girl’s expression became serious, and she nodded as she said:
"Well, Violet, I know what is important. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, I will never use [Full Power Mode]. But… if it really comes to that, I can only trouble you to join me."
The little butterfly flapped her wings and gave her a few gentle slaps, saying unhappily:
"Don’t curse yourself! I still want to see Honey Xuan!"
Xie Qing Yu was a bit annoyed.
What do you mean you want to see Honey Xuan? She is my little sister!
Xie Qing Yu took a deep breath and continued:
"Anyway, Grade B Disaster or whatever, ever since [Pure White] appeared, it hasn’t shown up in Daxia. If I really am that unlucky, then let it be my contribution to humanity."
At that moment, the vehicle slowly rolled into Zhelong Town. In the core area, there were almost no signs of people around, only the beautifully lined ancient buildings still standing tall.
This is one of the entrances to the base.
Xie Qing Yu got out of the car. She put away her lively violet and did not wear sunglasses or a mask. Carrying her suitcase, she walked like a tourist into a waterside pavilion, where a hidden door opened by itself. She followed it through a corridor and took a ride in a clear elevator.
Beyond the carved transparent material lay a vast underground project, with beams of light moving like mayflies, brightening the deep darkness. The space was beautifully designed and grand, resembling a giant spiral that extended beyond the limits of sight, showcasing a glimpse of human civilization.
The views seen from this special passage were much more than those seen by the contestants when they entered the base, naturally offering more visual impact.
Xie Qing Yu looked down at the scene, her fingertips touching the wall, and couldn’t help but mutter:
"Zhe Long, one of the refuge bases built by Daxia."
"It turns out to be even more intricate and magnificent than I imagined. I truly hope… we never have to use it."
Then, a familiar voice reached her ears:
"That’s why we need more sparks."
Dream Weaver Rabbit had somehow come to Xie Qing Yu’s side. It too overlooked the vast space inside Zhe Long and continued:
"This time, you will be a special guest for Sea City’s ‘Dazzling Stage,’ staying at the site of the second performance to protect these kids, just like your predecessors."
Xie Qing Yu felt a touch of emotion.
Before the official launch of ‘Dazzling Stage,’ there were many earlier plans, and Daxia’s talent search from back then was one of them. The current group of witches in the world was nurtured through similar selection methods.
The existence of ‘Dazzling Stage’ is a product that takes the best from those plans and discards the bad.
Back in those days, witches focused more on being magical girls rather than idols, so facing the trials of Calamity Seeds or even disaster beasts was essential to sharpen their battle awareness and magical skills.
Xie Qing Yu had not been a witch for too long; she was in the trial phase. The danger she faced was much less than that of the first batch. She had encountered accidents, been protected by her seniors, and had even seen… what is called ‘Full Power Mode,’ making her feelings quite complicated at this moment.
"I will, Teacher Dream Weaver."
The girl’s tone was firm, but when she looked back at the mascot of ‘Dazzling Stage,’ she showed a somewhat subtle expression. Although she already knew what the other looked like now, Dream Weaver’s current form was still hard for her to get used to.
Dream Weaver Rabbit didn’t mind; it smiled.
"Do you want to meet your sister?"
"As long as it doesn’t go against the rules, it’s no problem to temporarily give you access to Area A1."
Xie Qing Yu’s heart skipped a beat, but after thinking about some possibilities, she held back her feelings and shook her head in front of the little butterfly’s confused gaze, saying:
"Never mind, I’ll wait until after the second performance."
"And since she is now an idol, maybe watching this child on stage will help me better understand her growth during this time."
"Some things cannot be explained through conversation."
Dream Weaver Rabbit smiled upon hearing this, patted the girl’s head, and said no more as it left the elevator.
Violet, unable to hold back after seeing Dream Weaver leave, angrily fluttered her tiny wings and bumped her head against Xie Qing Yu like a wild buffalo, making her dizzy while chattering:
"Little Yu is a fool! A big fool! You don’t want to see Honey Xuan, but I do! Why act so serious and cool? You must have played too much rock music before!"
Xie Qing Yu was a bit annoyed. How could a silly butterfly insult the great rock music? She immediately started to argue with her lantern, and they continued to fight even as they went down the elevator. They only stopped when they reached the area where a few mentors were, and then they argued in a way that communicated through their souls.
…
…
On the other side, in the A1 area, there was a practice room.
Xie Qingxuan wore yoga clothes, and her shape looked especially beautiful in the virtual sunlight. The sporty tank top showed off her healthy curves, and her flat belly remained smooth even after her slim waist straightened.
The girl’s platinum eyelashes drooped low, and her hands naturally rested on the bar. Her heels were together while her toes were slightly apart, using her toes to lift her beautifully arched feet, with her knees straight and thighs squeezed together, leaning her torso upright as she squatted down until her bottom touched her heels.
Even though her dance training since childhood made her body very flexible, stretching was still a daily habit for her.
Recently, she felt that her training was getting easier, almost like her strength and overall fitness were slowly improving, giving her plenty of energy and making her mind wander to think about odd things.
For example, what could be a more advanced Mana Regeneration Method than dancing the waltz?
For example, Honey Qing has no family and lives a very hard life. How can she gently tell someone that she can support them without hurting their pride?
Xie Qingxuan felt a bit troubled.
These questions were really too difficult; she thought that Master Liuli’s knowledge was not enough, at least she couldn’t find answers from the other person.
The golden retriever did not know that its most disliked sister had already arrived at the base. Her beautiful face looked calm, but her usually fierce dark eyes showed signs of being distracted, as if pretending to be serious but really just being naturally silly.
Twenty minutes later,
Chu Yuanqing gently poked the girl’s soft waist with her delicate fingers and reminded her:
"Qingxuan, you have been in this position for a long time. Are you daydreaming?"
Xie Qingxuan came back to herself, tensed her toes, pulled on the railing with her small hand, and gracefully stood up, looking at the Pure White Witch’s alluring face, she said:
"Hmm, I was thinking about my sister."
This is a lie.
Xie Qingxuan thought that no one would think about Xie Qing Yu; she just didn’t want to tell Chu Yuanqing about her plan to support Chu Yuanqing yet. Since she struggled with words, she could only use her sister to cover up the lie.
After hearing that, Tang Liuli quietly moved closer, listening attentively, ready to eavesdrop.
When Chu Wang Shu heard, she also put down her sheet music and blinked, looking over in this direction.
Sister Xie’s sister? Isn’t she the famous girl group leader? When she was a freshman, she often heard her classmates talk about their name, and at that moment, she felt a magical sense that a legend had come to life, filling her with curiosity.
Kirimi Miyuki was also a bit interested; she admired idols who gained millions of fans but remained calm and focused on bringing wonderful performances to the audience. Xie Qing Yu happened to fit this type of idol perfectly.
Chu Yuanqing thought for a moment and asked:
"Qingxuan’s sister? Are you two close?"
Xie Qingxuan thought for a moment and honestly said:
"No, we have a very bad relationship; we are enemies."
Once those words were spoken, the entire room fell silent.
The green-eyed cat trembled; if their relationship was so bad that they were enemies, then she must be lost in frightening thoughts about how to cut her own sister into pieces! What a scary bad woman!
Chu Wang Shu felt conflicted; Xie Qing Yu was so sunny and charming on stage, yet why was her relationship with Sister Xie so bad? Could there be some hidden truth?
Kirimi Miyuki was one of only two people present who were not only children; unlike Xie Qingxuan, who had an older sister, she had a younger sister who was five years old.
Little Sakura had a strange feeling; she imagined Sister Xie Qingxuan’s perspective. If Little Yuki disliked her so much, she would surely be sad enough to cry, right?
Chu Yuanqing felt like she had stepped on a landmine. She petted the golden retriever’s head to offer comfort, then changed the subject and looked at Little Sakura, asking:
"In two days, we’ll have to perform on stage. Shall we try using the virtual system to project a real performance stage and practice both dances?"
Kirimi Miyuki immediately chimed in:
"Well, it’s about time to do this. After we finish dancing, let’s look back at the video to check how we did. If we’re not satisfied, we can practice a few extra hours in the last two days."
As the lead singer, Tang Liuli doesn’t have many parts in the two dance songs, but because she feels better and better lately, dancing a few more times doesn’t make her tired, and she has no complaints about it.
Chu Wang Shu is even more impressive; this girl has been sneaking back to the practice room every night to rehearse. If it weren’t for a certain Pure White Witch who catches her at 10 o’clock every time, she might even practice late into the night. So, she nodded eagerly in agreement.
Thus, Xie Qingxuan’s little incident was easily brushed aside, and everyone got back to training for the dance songs, heading towards the second performance stage.
Meanwhile, the spirits in Sea City remained still, as if they were also aiming for the second performance, making the tense atmosphere even thicker.
