Chapter 069 Divine Refinement 5: The Orchestra Selection

The next morning, following the selection for the string and woodwind sections, as well as the brass and percussion players, today was the screening for all six major sections.

During this period, Bi Muyang never made a move. Whether out of hesitation or indecision, only he knew the answer.

The sun today blazed even more fiercely than yesterday, and the agents’ spirits soared correspondingly.

Because of these rehearsals, the criminals crowded along the Eighty-Eight Pearl String Grand Steps from all directions, joining the spectacle—though their participation was purely to jeer.

Zhang Hao and Ying Dengbo did not appear.

Le Xiaotian paid no heed to the criminals’ antics, nor did he shy away from the selection process.

Meanwhile, thanks to the agreement reached, the Empress had arranged for many professional musicians from the cultural troupe to audition.

Le Xiaotian and the Empress both stated that the focus of this battle performance was to inspire all combat participants. Even if others performed, the effect would still be motivating, but nowhere near as powerful as if the fighters themselves played.

Nonetheless, many musicians hurried to the scene. Their reasons were twofold: patriotism, and the fame of Le Xiaotian. To participate in this battle performance was to ignite one's reputation in Fama, ensuring a worry-free future. And so, many were desperate to succeed.

With more and more people arriving, Le Xiaotian conducted another round of screening.

It was not until the afternoon that he began selecting members for the six major sections.

Standing atop the car hood, Le Xiaotian called out loudly, “The position of first soprano is of paramount importance. For most listeners and spectators, all they hear is the resonance.”

Thousands nodded, and over a thousand beautiful women grew intensely anxious.

After his opening remarks, Le Xiaotian sat down. “Alright, let’s begin the screening for ‘Victory.’”

The first woman clenched her fists and sang the soaring passage from “Victory” as required, “Ah, ah, ah, ah…”

Le Xiaotian frowned; the skill level of these thousands was truly disappointing, even with lowered standards, he remained unsatisfied.

But there was little he could do. He understood well that these people’s physical abilities were limited. All he could do now was to push them to the utmost limits their bodies and souls could reach.

“Next.”

“Next.”

“Next.”

“This ‘ah’ must be drawn out, using a glissando technique, not simply skipped.”

One after another, the women clenched their delicate fists, sang with heads held high, their expressions nearly identical.

Yet the elimination rate was swift and relentless. Few earned any comments from Le Xiaotian.

At last, after three hours of relentless selection, the musicians for all six sections were confirmed.

The string, woodwind, brass, vocal, percussion, and color instrument groups were all in place, and Le Xiaotian pressed on to the next round, granting them not a moment’s rest.

His voice was somewhat hoarse now, so he raised a small megaphone. “As the saying goes, a band is a band. As Fama soldiers, you should understand this. Now comes the final selection for the orchestra.”

At these words, tension gripped the thousands, while others wore faces of despair—they had been eliminated.

Le Xiaotian’s gaze sharpened, his tone softened. “After our pleasant exchanges, I’ve come to understand your thoughts. Just like those criminals on the Grand Steps, they were once your comrades. But lacking money, they ended up in this tragic state.”

A chorus of derision erupted from the criminals, all raising their middle fingers at Le Xiaotian.

He ignored them and continued, “There are far too many examples of talent left unused. But I won’t let that happen here. Whoever is chosen for the final orchestra will be promoted by one rank. If you fail, don’t worry; there will be substantial earnings from this performance, and everyone present will share in it. If you die, your families will receive compensation.”

After yesterday’s round of motivation and soul-stirring, the agents and elite soldiers were deeply moved—though it was fleeting. Ultimately, fame and fortune still held deadly allure.

Now, the agents and elite soldiers were wildly excited. Succeed, and you rise in rank; fail, and you get paid—a perfect match.

Le Xiaotian raised his hand to quiet the murmurs. “We’ll start with the string section. First violinists, step forward. The audition piece is measure five of ‘Victory.’”

Instantly, over three hundred first violinists grew nervous. Yet, remembering it was a group performance, they relaxed.

The sound surged forth.

The ensemble of over a hundred created an overwhelming, majestic effect. After all, these last days had only seen solo performances.

As the phrase ended, Le Xiaotian pointed into the crowd below. “You, you, you, and you—those two as well… step out.”

Seeing this, the criminals on the steps laughed, “He’s just picking by looks, don’t let yourselves be fooled.”

A wave of raucous laughter swept across, voices roaring in a tidal wave.

Some even shouted aloud, “See, he doesn’t even know I’m mocking him!”

Faced with scorn and contempt, the agents and soldiers burned with fury, itching for battle, but held back.

Le Xiaotian beckoned a young man closer, took up his rifle, and turned toward one of the criminals on the steps. “Stand up. Repeat what you just said if you dare.”

In an instant, the scene fell utterly silent.

Following Le Xiaotian’s gaze, tens of thousands felt a tsunami rising in their hearts!

Voices, wind, trees, footsteps, laughter, clashing weapons—a cacophony of millions of sounds, yet he heard it all?

His gaze never wavered; he wasn’t guessing, nor was it mere psychology. It was pure, terrifying auditory acuity. He was no ordinary man—he was the Great Dance Conductor!

The burly man who had shouted the loudest blushed and lowered his head.

Having survived so many killings, he wouldn’t fear a crowd of thousands. Yet, under the gaze of so many, and confronted with Le Xiaotian’s rifle, fear and tension overtook him.

Seeing the big man blush and lower his head like a shy girl, even tugging at his clothes, Le Xiaotian tossed aside the rifle and looked elsewhere.

He continued, “Alright, next group—second violinists, step forward for ensemble. The piece is still measure five of ‘Victory.’”

After that episode, the agents settled down, now quiet and tense.

So the commander really was that formidable. There was no way to bluff through.

After the second violinists stepped up, Bi Muyang’s face grew even paler in the crowd. Le Xiaotian was simply too powerful!