Chapter 53

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

This chapter is edited by eldar aziz. Thank you for your contribution!

Chapter 53: Ignited, Reborn in Flames

Kirimi Miyuki’s message was brimming with meaning, her dramatic words igniting chaos in the livestream chat:

“OMG, it’s all fired up!”

“Is this the secret skill of Japanese idols? Loving it, loving it!”

“Even though she’s an idol, this is serious business!”

“Little Sakura’s purity is off the charts. If someone could reach her level of immersion, entering the Heart Flow should be a piece of cake, right?”

“Too good. I now have a reasonable suspicion that she didn’t put in her full effort during the initial evaluation round!”

For Chu Yuanqing, this talk about Heart Flow might seem like child’s play in terms of skill.

However, this “magical realm,” which combines complete immersion, heightened efficiency, potential stimulation, accelerated thinking, and many other benefits, remains an unattainable dream for 99.9% of the global population.

Those who can truly access and control the Heart Flow are top talents in their respective fields, destined to claim the crown of excellence in their industries.

For idols, whose careers hinge on their stage presence and charisma, mastering Heart Flow is especially vital. Industry rumors suggest that members of elite girl groups, with billions of streams and Carry Center rankings, are all idols well-versed in Heart Flow.

Take, for example, Enfer Butterfly, a rising global phenomenon. The group’s leader, Xie Qingyu, is said to have mastered Heart Flow.

This Purple Star and national sensation is also the reason netizens already consider Xie Qingxuan the core of the Great Devil, even before her official debut.

Kirimi Miyuki’s current interpretation method resonated so strongly with viewers because it wove her personal experiences into an immersive technique unique to herself. If she stays true to this path of self-discovery, she might one day master Heart Flow.

In the language of fantasy novels, this potential is akin to the mark of a king.

Chu Yuanqing, however, felt her mind buzzing with confusion. Wasn’t she supposed to be learning how to overcome her shyness while dancing? How had the conversation spiraled into such an abstract, perplexing topic?

Despite her confusion, the principle behind Kirimi Miyuki’s interpretation method was surprisingly simple:

By firmly convincing herself, Chu Yuanqing could temporarily boost her mental fortitude, synchronize with the deepest part of her soul’s breath, and achieve a brief resonance—unlocking miraculous progress in the process.

If anyone could grasp this concept fully, it was Chu Yuanqing.

After all, the prerequisite for activating her “immortality” was an unwavering belief that she would not die.

Theoretically, to activate this gift, one must believe with absolute certainty in their survival, even as their soul and flesh disintegrate.

When Chu Yuanqing first awakened this gift, the end-of-the-world city was rife with disbelief. No one could fathom that she, of all people, might become the savior who could avert disaster.

But in reality, she did just that.

She twisted her will, tainted her soul, distorted the memory of her gift, and repeated the process after every rebirth. Through relentless self-deception, she reached the end.

This mental technique of self-suggestion had become second nature. Upon resurrection, her mind instinctively reset to its original state, erasing the true conditions for activating the gift—like a hidden switch buried deep within her soul.

The gift of “immortality”, exploited to its extreme, was the core reason Chu Yuanqing could single-handedly protect the essence of civilization.

However…

The cost was immense. Her inner core of spiritual willpower had withered like a dying flower, plunging her into a chaotic state where distinguishing her true self became nearly impossible. At the end stages of the world, she even found herself actively seeking death to reset her soul, just to breathe again.

Chu Yuanqing’s hesitation about undergoing gender transformation stemmed from her uncertainty about her own identity. Was she still herself? Her current body had become the only tangible evidence of who she used to be. From this perspective, transforming her life form felt akin to a rebirth.

Looking back at her past self, Chu Yuanqing resembled a statue gradually petrified by a curse.

But now?

Her current self felt like flesh and blood growing out of that cursed, frozen statue—lighter, freer, no longer as dull as before. Even her personality and beliefs had shifted, becoming more vibrant, more human, more alive.

Reflecting deeply, she wondered: would the Chu Yuanqing of a month ago have felt this much shame about dancing in a skirt?

Her thoughts wandered, delving into the nature of life and her true self.

Kirimi Miyuki noticed her moment of distraction. Believing Chu Yuanqing was overwhelmed, she gently added:

“The method I mentioned is just what works for me—it may not work for everyone.”

“If Little Qing finds it too difficult, she could try focusing less on herself and instead imagine being a world-class idol on stage. That might work wonders, don’t you think?”

Chu Yuanqing snapped out of her thoughts, suddenly struck by an idea. She repeated the suggestion aloud:

“Imagine oneself as a world-class idol?”

It made sense.

If she couldn’t even overcome the embarrassment of wearing a skirt and dancing, why not imagine herself as someone else entirely?

Though she still had to contend with the influence of the Sea of Truth, which limited her ability to fully manipulate her mind, pretending to be a powerful idol might just help her get through the secondary rating and the big show. At the very least, she wouldn’t hold everyone back!

But with her limited knowledge of the entertainment world, no world-class idols came to mind.

After much thought, the name that first popped into her head was that of a close and reliable comrade, known as The Last Diva—the world’s funeral agent.

Charlotte.

Chu Yuanqing felt a spark of inspiration and thought to herself:

“That’s it! If I pretend to be Charlotte on stage, all the cute moves and smiling winks will feel perfectly natural!”

Her realization filled her with confidence.

Being Charlotte meant being naturally cute.

Being Charlotte meant shedding all shame.

Being Charlotte meant standing tall among world-class idols.

With renewed determination, Chu Yuanqing asked Kirimi Miyuki to count the beats again. She was ready to redo the tricky part she had struggled with earlier.

Ten minutes passed.

The livestream room exploded with joy:

“Hahaha! I’m sorry, Honey Qing. Mommy didn’t mean to laugh, but you’re just too cute—I couldn’t help it!”

“It’s only the second day! Qing Qing will definitely make it!”

“Honey Qing is too mature, which actually makes it difficult to convey a girlish charm in her dancing. But I believe there will be progress later!”

Kirimi Miyuki blinked, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Chu Yuanqing’s movements remained stiff, her expressions still lacked finesse. Her more delicate hand gestures were often off, and even the turns that were meant to exude grace felt mechanical—like a music box’s gears in motion, or a puppet dancing jerkily. Yet, somehow, there was an indescribable beauty in it all.

To sum it up, there was almost no progress.

If her recent performance were replayed in front of Chen Baijiu, he would likely critique it harshly for ten minutes straight.

At this moment, Chu Yuanqing felt disheartened. She realized she had lost what could have been a shortcut to success.

How awful! Just because Charlotte is so adorable, it’s hard to imagine ever being good enough to emulate her!

What a deceptive method—it’s all fake!

Chu Yuanqing couldn’t help but reminisce about her past self, who always triumphed with ease.

Kirimi Miyuki watched the despondent Chu Yuanqing, feeling a mix of sympathy and optimism.

Little Qing clearly held great respect and love for the stage; it was obvious she was anxious about the upcoming evaluations.

But this restlessness and pain were hurdles every qualified idol had to overcome. Only by enduring such trials could one truly appreciate the preciousness of standing on stage.

Kirimi Miyuki’s thoughts drifted back to her own past.

When she first joined her idol group, she was the last member to be added and often struggled to keep up with the seniors’ progress.

Her debut, initially promised by her company, was postponed due to claims of “poor performance.”

The delay stretched into a grueling two years.

A girl from the countryside of Hokkaido, brimming with innocence and dreams, had ventured to the bustling city. She faced countless anxieties, insecurities, and doubts—fearful of never stepping onto the stage. The despair was overwhelming at times, yet she chose to persevere.

Work and training consumed her life.

There were countless moments when she thought about giving up, but she refused to break. Her determination carried her through to eventual success.

Life after debut proved even tougher, and the stages she initially performed on were modest at best. But the first time she stood under the spotlight, sweat on her back, and heard even a few audience members cry out “Encore,” it all felt worthwhile.

From that moment on, she began to dream bigger.

She wanted to stand on grander stages.

She wanted to become a better idol.

She longed to hear an “Encore” that roared like a tsunami.

Kirimi Miyuki wasn’t one to romanticize hardship, but she couldn’t deny that those grueling times had polished her resilience. They had drawn out her unyielding passion for the stage and shaped her into someone who never gave up.

Even now, she believed that only by accumulating enough sweat and effort and stepping onto the real stage could one experience the intoxicating sweetness of success—a sweetness that inspires others and reveals the true weight of being an idol.

This sweetness could awaken the passion needed to conquer any difficulty.

Dream Weaver Rabbit had once said that a second chance is akin to rebirth.

But in Kirimi Miyuki’s eyes, true rebirth came from standing before a massive audience and embracing the transformative power of a large-scale performance. Only then could one seize the opportunity for profound change.

Kirimi Miyuki’s thoughts brought a smile to her face.

“Don’t worry, Little Qing. Just keep practicing until you get it right,” she said warmly.

“Shall we practice together a few more times?”

Her gaze softened as she watched Chu Yuanqing begin dancing again, her movements still tender but imbued with determination. Kirimi Miyuki’s eyes glimmered with hidden, fiery hopes.

The second performance rating was approaching, along with the first public show.

Little Qing, how much will these two opportunities help you grow?

She couldn’t wait to find out.

If you’re anything like me, Little Qing… then embrace it.

Be reborn in the fire.