The Faceless Knight’s final tearing sound concluded the performance.
The audience was already on their feet, applauding enthusiastically.
As "Masked Singer" entered its third episode,
the singers had indeed brought out their skills. Rock music heavily tested live audience engagement, and both Red Dragon and the Faceless Knight had performed admirably today.
The audience's emotions were fully ignited.
"It seems the King of Singers for this episode will emerge from these two," Yin Na said, sitting back down and taking a deep breath.
The raw, metallic energy of their performances had completely exhilarated her, the sheer power making her heart race.
Red Dragon’s stage presence, in particular, was steady, with impeccable interaction with the audience.
The Faceless Knight, however, possessed a stronger explosive power; his sudden bursts were like rolling thunder, striking the heart.
"Not necessarily. Perhaps Dark Night Rabbit still has a surprise up his sleeve. He hasn't disappointed me in any episode so far," Han Qi suddenly interjected.
Over so many episodes, Dark Night Rabbit had given the impression of being as unfathomable as the sea.
It was a feeling akin to listening to Rain Listener during the city qualifiers.
Just when you thought he couldn't possibly do more, he would suddenly deliver a surprise.
Moreover, Dark Night Rabbit had the backing of Rain Listener, a person renowned for creating miracles.
Sometimes, Han Qi wondered if Dark Night Rabbit would continue to win the King of Singers title consecutively and eventually achieve the status of Music God.
Though the thought struck her as rather absurd, it genuinely crossed her mind after every performance by Dark Night Rabbit.
"How is that possible? If Dark Night Rabbit were to sing another mellow song, who would you vote for?" Yin Na, however, was dismissive.
She had asked Dark Night Rabbit earlier if he could sing songs in that style, and he had replied that he only knew a little.
It was clear she had believed him.
And in her subconscious, she genuinely felt that way.
Because, in her opinion, if Dark Night Rabbit truly possessed such a skill, he would have shown it already. He had sung five songs so far; while "Moonlight" was technically brilliant, even she couldn't replicate it, it was still a very mellow song. This indicated that although Dark Night Rabbit's vocal timbre was incredibly versatile, his primary style was this.
"Let's not jump to conclusions yet," Mo Yan said expressionlessly.
He then cast a deep glance towards the backstage entrance.
"Great taste, bursting with fruitiness, choose Xiang Guo Wu Yu, and you'll be so delighted you'll be speechless. We'll see you after the commercial break!"
Commercials were inserted during broadcasting, but certainly not during recording.
After the host finished speaking, he paused and then smoothly transitioned to the next segment: "Welcome back! Please welcome Dark Night Rabbit for his musical performance!"
He said this and quickly walked towards the side of the stage, clearing the space.
The lights slowly dimmed.
Boom!
A clap of thunder resounded.
This wasn't a sound effect, but actual thunder.
Although the venue was indoors, this kind of stadium wasn't completely soundproof.
Everyone could still hear the thunder.
After the thunder, the sound of rain pattering down actually followed.
"Is it raining?" Su Yu emerged from backstage, pausing in surprise, then his face filled with bewilderment.
Could it really be that effective?
More effective than a rain dance?
Backstage.
Black Knight, who had been relaxing with his legs crossed, watching the live broadcast, flinched when the thunder struck.
"Holy crap, why does this feeling seem so familiar??"
After saying this, he involuntarily hunched his neck.
"This is not a good omen," the Faceless Knight mumbled.
On stage.
Su Yu walked to the very front.
He then placed the microphone he was holding onto the microphone stand.
He held the stand with his left hand and slowly raised his right.
The audience, after a brief moment of clamor, gradually quieted down.
The stage lights grew dimmer, with a faint, flickering red glow.
"Snap!"
He snapped his raised fingers.
Breaking the silence of the venue.
Following that,
a hoarse electric guitar riff accompanied by a drum beat began.
A spotlight suddenly cascaded down,
enveloping Dark Night Rabbit.
It wasn't ordinary light, but a red-tinged illumination.
"Rock??" Mo Yan slammed his hands on the table in front of him, a spark of excitement flashing across his face!
As a legendary producer, he naturally knew what the appearance of these instruments signified. Moreover, the style of the song's prelude was too distinct. Not to mention him, even a layman would feel the metallic essence of rock upon hearing it.
"No... it can't be!" Yin Na shot up from her seat.
Didn't Dark Night Rabbit only know a little?
He dared to perform this genre with just a little knowledge?
"This is interesting, a clash of rock styles."
Liu Huan leaned back with his arms crossed.
The audience members also sensed something was amiss.
The prelude seemed to possess a magic, compelling people to nod along with the rhythm.
At this moment,
Dark Night Rabbit lowered his hand, gripping the microphone on the stand with his left hand: "Roar... Ooooh!!!"
"The swaying wine glass,
lips stained with blood.
That unusual beauty,
a sin that cannot be forgiven..."
The red lights flashed wildly,
exuding a dark style, and Dark Night Rabbit's vocal timbre shifted once again.
Hoarse, yet possessing a very strong, gritty texture.
It was as if he was born for rock.
As soon as his voice emerged, that metallic resonance swept over everyone's eardrums.
Yin Na was dumbfounded!
Liu Huan's eyes widened in disbelief.
Han Qi, with her hands on the table, swayed her body to the rhythm.
All the audience members' heads buzzed, their bodies swaying to the beat, creating a surging tide of movement.
"Who follows loyally,
at most becomes a guard.
With roses underfoot,
return a kiss as comfort.
Pity..."
Dark Night Rabbit stood there in the red spotlight, singing with his left hand on the microphone and his right hand gripping the stand, without any extraneous movements.
Yet, he exuded an inexhaustible power, captivating everyone.
"Holy crap, is he cheating?" The Faceless Knight finally reacted and let out an expletive.
This Dark Night Rabbit was just outrageous, he could even sing rock, and not only could he sing it, but his voice could transform into a timbre so perfectly suited for rock.
Although Dark Night Rabbit's vocal range had been incredibly diverse and astonishing before, he had a common characteristic: his style tended to be mellow.
But from this moment on, "outrageous" no longer sufficed; this was simply cheating!
"I don't believe it, they must have swapped him!" Black Knight was also bewildered. His first reaction was that a replacement had been made, but then he reconsidered. This show had official supervisors; unless the production team wanted to ruin their reputation in the Chinese music industry, they wouldn't make such a foolish move.
But if it wasn't a replacement, then Dark Night Rabbit was just too unbelievable!
"Amazing, my friend!!"
Yin Na clenched her fists, standing still, her teeth gritted, muttering a few words.
If anyone in the entire venue was most shocked, it was her.
The immense psychological gap left her legs feeling weak.