Chapter 169: Unable to Fill Ten Pages

Following Yan Mi’s final evaluation, the cheers throughout the arena grew even more fervent. With glowing praise from the first three mentors and the overwhelming acclaim of the audience, everyone felt that Su Chen had secured his place in the next round.

Host Liu Shao stood on stage with a smile. "It seems that Mentor Yan Mi, much like mentors Zhou Zhiqian and Han Hong, has offered her own high praise for this song, *Blue and White Porcelain*."

"Now, let us hear what Mentor Cai Xukun has to say about this piece."

As Liu Shao spoke, the cameras cut to Cai Xukun. However, unlike the other three mentors, Cai did not wear a smile. Instead, his brows were tightly furrowed, his expression grave. He instinctively scanned for the camera before locking his gaze onto Su Chen.

"Regarding *Blue and White Porcelain*," Cai began, "I actually hold a different view from the other three mentors."

The audience paused, then erupted into curious murmurs. How could Cai Xukun not like such a beautiful piece of New Traditional Chinese music? Even the notoriously picky Han Hong had offered her appreciation with such certainty for the first time.

Amidst the confusion, Cai continued, "First, I do not deny that this is a pleasant song, but I do not believe it meets the criteria of our 'Ancient Style' theme."

"As everyone knows, 'Ancient Style' music should embody the essence of traditional Chinese opera. That is the culture it ought to carry."

"Although this culture is backward and perhaps cannot compete with the advanced musical concepts from abroad, we still cannot innovate to this extent."

"Innovation is not invention, and creative interpretation is not nonsense. This song has completely stripped away the elements of opera. Therefore, I do not recognize this as any sort of 'New Ancient Style' music."

A hush fell over the venue. Then, discussions broke out in the audience and among the judges, while the livestream chat flooded with conflicting opinions.

"At first glance... what Kun says does make some sense. I've never heard 'Ancient Style' music like this. I also think whether *Blue and White Porcelain* counts as 'Ancient Style' is up for debate."

"How could it possibly count? *Blue and White Porcelain* just uses some archaic melodies and poetic lyrics; it still feels like pop music, doesn't it?"

"It uses ancient melodies and lyrics, so why isn't it 'Ancient Style'? If you want to get technical, opera is just one element of the genre; it can't define the entire category, can it?"

"Why are you all arguing? Kun already said it's not 'Ancient Style' music. What do you audience members know?"

"Exactly! Leo is the king, Cai Xukun is the emperor! Kun's words are the life creed for us 'IKUNs'! If he says it's not an 'Ancient Style' song, then it isn't!"

The scene, both in person and online, was in an uproar. On the mentor panel, Cai Xukun watched the chaos with a satisfied nod, a trace of vindictive pleasure rising within him. *Claiming English songs aren't as good as Chinese ones—isn't this Su Chen clearly taking a swipe at me? Heh, what a pathetic hater.*

Cai had been keeping a close eye on Bilibili. His inner state was far from the indifferent persona he projected; it was filled with spite. However, his every word and action were strictly managed by his agency, including the script he had been given for today’s performance. Everything was meticulously designed to cultivate his image as a sunny, innocent young man. Even his makeup, his signature overalls, and his center-parted hair made him feel nauseous whenever he looked in the mirror.

Whenever Cai thought of the parody videos on Bilibili, he was so furious he wished those anti-fans would drop dead; he was in no mood to play along with self-deprecating humor. So, when he finally had the chance to speak on stage, he seized his freedom of speech. He certainly wasn't going to go easy on Su Chen—he would say exactly what he wanted. *English music is clearly far superior to Chinese music, yet he has the gall to claim that 'Chinese flow' is the best. It’s disgusting.*

While Cai Xukun basked in the surrounding debate, Su Chen frowned. For the first time, he took the initiative to pick up the microphone and asked Liu Shao, "Liu Shao, I have a few questions for Mentor Cai Xukun. May I?"

Su Chen's voice echoed through the studio and into Cai's ears. Cai leaned past the host and, before Liu Shao could speak, said with a saccharine smile, "Of course. Does contestant Su Chen have questions about my critique?"

Cai was smiling on the outside, but inside, he was cursing up a storm. *This is my first critique as a mentor, and this brat dares to interrupt and argue back? Does he have any idea how the industry works? I am the mentor—what are you? No wonder Zheng Huayu targets him; the kid deserves it.*

Liu Shao, standing next to Su Chen, had originally intended to refuse, but seeing Cai Xukun’s response, he had no choice but to yield.

Hearing Cai’s permission, Su Chen spoke directly. "I’d like to ask Mentor Cai: you just said that Chinese opera is a 'backward culture' that can't compete with foreign ones. Are you serious about that?"

Cai replied with a look of entitlement, "I am serious. Isn't that the reality?"

Su Chen smiled. "I can accept your critique of my music. Everyone's aesthetic is different, and I am willing to listen to and tolerate dissenting voices."

"But I cannot agree with your statement that Chinese opera or our musical culture is inferior to that of other countries."

Cai squinted. Though he was seething with rage, his long-held persona had made him accustomed to wearing a mask. He remained poised, his expression unreadable, presenting that same soft, handsome facade to the world.

"It is common knowledge," Cai said, "that foreign musical culture has supported the development of modern music. Current pop music emerged precisely because of those foundations. Isn't it a fact that foreign musical concepts are more advanced?"

Su Chen shook his head silently. "Not at all."

"If you were talking about hardware in technology, I might agree. But when it comes to culture and philosophy, when has our magnificent China ever lost to those 'barbarians'?"

"China has five thousand years of continuous history, the only ancient civilization in the world to have endured until today. How could five thousand years of history be inferior to foreign nations that can't even fill ten pages of a history book?"