Chapter 2218 - 2221: The Spotlighted Top 8 Showdown

The sneering glances from the crowd made Gong Ziyi's face turn a few shades darker, but he forcefully took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and sneered at Shen Qiang, "Shen Qiang, don't think that just because you have some trashy contestants supporting you, you can win."

"This is my world, Gong Ziyi's world. Whoever I want to be famous will be famous, and whoever I want to win will win. As for you, you're nothing but a joke."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiang smiled calmly and said, "Gong Ziyi, you've said a lot of trash talk, but it doesn't help at all. Anyway, with so many people here now, let me say it straight: you may be tough, but you won't beat me. Not in the past, not now, not in the future."

Immediately, Gong Ziyi's eyes turned cold.

"Shen Qiang, facts will prove everything. Today, Ai Ruoling is definitely going to be number one. Just wait and see, this is the ability of Gong Ziyi."

Shen Qiang burst into laughter, "Keep boasting, I'll be honest with you, my Qian Ning will definitely not lose."

"Come on, let this small stage witness who is stronger!"

Gong Ziyi's tone was filled with coldness.

The surrounding cultivators fell silent immediately.

At this moment, many cultivators watching the live broadcast in the Immortal Realm Forum were instantly excited.

"Impressive, real gold isn't afraid of fire. Shen Qiang and Gong Ziyi are going head to head, this has to be a direct confrontation now!"

"Shen Qiang has recently gotten a bit full of himself, not knowing his own place. Who is Gong Ziyi? A nobleman from the Abyss, and even before meeting him, I've heard the legends about him. In the world of pop music, two-thirds of the top musicians are under his command. Saying he couldn't beat Shen Qiang is a joke!"

"Makes sense, Gong Ziyi is the number one young master in the cultivation world. This kind of talent show is his specialty; he doesn't lose to anyone he wants to win!"

Some cultivators familiar with Gong Ziyi couldn't resist being vocal.

With this kind of strength, it's natural for the cultivators supporting Shen Qiang to feel a bit uneasy.

"Shen Qiang is a cultivator, the King of Demons, the Medicine King, and also a famous antique dealer and a gourmet, but this singing competition has nothing to do with those skills. Is he stretching himself too thin?"

"I suppose it's risky. I saw the list of artists under Gong Ziyi's company. More than half of the hit songs in the pop music scene come from their company, and most pop stars are from his company."

"Alas, you bring misfortune upon yourself. Even if Shen Qiang wanted to compete with Gong Ziyi, of all things, why choose a talent show for singing? This doesn't match with his abilities at all. He'd only win by some miraculous stroke of luck!"

In the Immortal World Forum, most cultivators unanimously didn't favor Shen Qiang.

By this time, as the clock ticked forward, the show was about to start.

Since it was a live broadcast across the internet.

It started early to include some warm-up activities.

A reporter, holding a microphone, began interviewing the three judges individually.

"Hello Mr. Li, many viewers have been paying attention to our Heavenly Voices program since yesterday, especially regarding the ongoing debate about whether Qian Ning or Ai Ruoling is better. I'd like to ask for your opinion on this matter and your predictions for today's competition on behalf of the online audience."

In front of the live cameras, the bald judge frowned and then said, "Ai Ruoling is an excellent singer. She has a good voice, very accurate pitch, is youthful and beautiful, with limitless potential."

"Mr. Li, do you mean to say she'll win the championship today?" The reporter's question was sharp.

The judge frowned upon hearing this and then answered evasively, "As for contestant Qian Ning, she is the most perfect, hall-of-fame music master I have ever witnessed. She shouldn't participate in this kind of competition; her stage shouldn't be here."

"Mr. Li, does that mean Miss Qian Ning can win the championship?" the reporter pursued.

"I have things to attend to, sorry!"

The judge brusquely turned and walked toward the band, nearly rudely.

But his words made all the cultivators present gravely serious.

Because it was clear from this judge's perspective that Ai Ruoling and Qian Ning were not in the same league or level as singers. However, his words also made everyone realize that although Qian Ning might be very strong in singing, clearly this wasn't the right place for her.

"Survival of the fittest, that's the eternal truth of any era that no one can change."

"The Mermaid Princess Qian Ning, beautiful enough and sings well, but listening to the judge, she shouldn't have come here. Could she really not win? If so, it seems clear, Shen Qiang has lost."

"Indeed, Gong Ziyi seems a step ahead. Even before the show starts, he already holds the winning hand."

Numerous cultivators looked at Gong Ziyi with shock in their eyes.

This filled him with immense pride.

"Shen Qiang, if I were you, I'd go buy a mask right now so that when you lose face, you have something to cover up."

Shen Qiang smiled and said calmly, "You seem to have forgotten what I said before. You couldn't beat me before, you can't beat me now, and it'll be the same in the future."

In the banter between Shen Qiang and Gong Ziyi, the competition quickly commenced.

"Oh God, why aren't they letting Miss Qian Ning, with her heavenly voice, take the stage first, but making us watch so much low-standard performance?"

After the show began, many musicians from around the world who were watching the live broadcast clearly expressed dissatisfaction.

"Excellent singers are usually saved for last; that's the routine for TV stations. So for Miss Qian Ning's performance, just wait patiently." Likewise, world-renowned musicians were patient.

"Oh, the lackluster program is making me sleepy."

"So poor; if it weren't for considering that ethereal voice master in this program, I wouldn't be watching."

Both online and on-site.

Ordinary contestants of these local talent shows always failed to satisfy.

So the early part of the program couldn't arouse interest at all.

Because the singers, from stage presence to appearance to songs, were so ordinary, they couldn't invigorate anyone. Under such circumstances, everyone endured the early part of the program with patience.

But soon, among the eight singers, four had finished singing.

The fifth performer, decided by lot, was Ai Ruoling.

"Up next, let's welcome our semi-final champion, Ai Ruoling, Ms. Ai to the stage. Scream, get excited, and welcome her with your applause!"