Chapter 106: Divine Refinement, Point 12 — Harmony

Twelve days remained until the battle performance "r" and the Celestials at the Northern Pearl Grand March.

After yesterday’s initial rehearsal, the atmosphere here had grown incredibly serious and tense.

First, the deputy fire chief accompanying Le Xiaotian on site, the deputy minister of culture, the deputy director of the landscaping bureau, and others had all vanished without a trace, lest they be scolded outright.

Second, the fifteen hundred special agent musicians participating were all extremely nervous, carrying within them a powerful sense of responsibility and mission.

Lastly, the workers on site, the police maintaining order, and the journalists attempting to record from the sidelines all kept their distance, retreating as far as possible. Even the criminals on the Grand March dared not utter a word.

Standing before the orchestra, Le Xiaotian waved his right hand, signaling "normal speed, r."

Clang clang clang.

Sixteen pianists struck the opening notes. Several senior stage designers fixed their eyes intently on the thirty-two speakers nearby, fearing any mishap with the electronic music or sound effects. Their expressions were taut with tension.

Seeing Le Xiaotian approach, lost in listening and ready to conduct, the sixteen pianists focused all their attention on their playing, striving not to glance up at him.

As the ferocious drumbeats erupted, the melodious violinists swept in with stirring melodies, their movements synchronized and pitch impeccably precise—like one hundred and sixty-eight graceful fairies dancing in unison.

Though the viola and cello sections were harder to discern amid the sound effects, their role was to support the violins, ensuring they never wavered.

The brilliant brass section blew with fierce spirit, heads thrown back as they roared in perfect unison. Each breath was synchronized, more exacting and challenging than marching in step, for breath control was the most difficult element to master.

In contrast, the brass’s volume was so great that any mistake was easily detected. In the quieter string section, even minor errors were caught by Lieutenant Li yesterday—so it was even more critical for the brass to be flawless.

After a mix of tension and release, the female choir began to sing. There were soprano, mezzo-soprano, and alto sections, alongside the three main male vocal parts.

Unlike typical four-part harmonies, this piece employed six vocal sections, increasing the complexity of the blend.

With the addition of the deep, resonant bass, the entire composition entered an exhilarating prelude phase.

Suddenly, Le Xiaotian clenched his right hand sharply, leaving the whole orchestra dumbfounded.

Damn, what mistake had been made this time?

He halted, scanning the hundreds of beautiful female agents before him, and said, “The two soprano sections each lead their groups to form concentric circles around me.”

The sky is vast, the earth immense, but the conductor reigns supreme.

Within moments, the hundreds of sisters arranged themselves systematically. The expressions on their faces revealed that this was more difficult than assassinating a king.

Once lined up, Le Xiaotian surveyed the formation and nodded. “Harmony and blend—this piece will sound as if two sopranos are singing to the audience, only two. Everyone hold hands.”

The inner circle of sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, and altos joined hands, forming a sealed ring, mirrored by a larger circle outside.

As the beauties adjusted, Le Xiaotian paced back and forth, issuing precise demands. “The inner circle handles the first soprano. This voice must sound mature, victorious, and divine—a sacred high note. The outer circle carries the second soprano. This voice should be lively, bright, and piercing, less solemn than the first but embodying youth and vitality perfectly. Understood?”

The women responded in unison, “Understood, conductor.”

Raising his right hand to signal silence and unify their frequency, Le Xiaotian commanded softly, “r choir, begin.”

Though not professional singers, their harsh training had forged exceptional physiques. Under Le Xiaotian’s exacting and rigorous tutelage over these days, the sopranos had surpassed apprentice and professional levels, reaching performance-grade standards.

Though not yet halfway through the highest level, their spirit was unwavering—the sense of responsibility and mission to save the score was ignited. Coupled with the tears of those scolded the previous day as a cautionary tale, the sisters’ singing was impressive.

“Ah ah ah ah,” over a hundred voices rose in unison. Without witnessing it firsthand, no one would believe so many could sing together so harmoniously.

To achieve the most perfect harmony and blend, Le Xiaotian began his inspection, finally pulling out the conductor’s baton unused yesterday.

Maintaining the volume, he gave precise directions and adjustments.

Tapping a beauty’s chest, he said, “Diaphragmatic breathing—why is your chest trembling so much?”

Tracing lightly down from her chest to abdomen, he instructed, “Imagine a rope pulling here, don’t let your voice drift.”

Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, “This is a lyrical soprano; your voice must carry more emotion—feel it deeply.”

He lightly touched another’s throat. “You’re a mezzo-soprano. Don’t aim for loud singing. Your duty is to support the other sopranos.”

He tapped a goddess’s legs. “Gather all your strength for stability. You are an alto, the highest demanding alto. You must anchor the sopranos and mezzos, highlighting the soprano’s emotion.”

Nodding, Le Xiaotian continued his rounds, pointing out flaws. “Listen carefully to the in-ear feedback. When you can’t hear them but know they are singing with you, that’s when it’s right.”

Finally, he approached Lieutenant Zhang face to face. “Now, they are indistinguishable from you—over a hundred voice lines weaving together, culminating in your voice. Feel it. Keep your breath steady, let your emotion flow naturally. Chest up a bit more, raise that pitch slightly, control your breath sound. Engage your oral cavity, throat, tongue, teeth, chest, abdomen, and limbs.”

Step by step, he pressed on with adjustments. Gradually, this soprano became a unified whole. Apart from the hundred-plus singing beauties, everyone present could clearly sense the transformation in the sound, their eyes wide with astonishment.

So perfectly synchronized!

With the first soprano adjusted, Le Xiaotian moved to the second circle, fine-tuning the second soprano.

“Widen your range. This voice must be more playful, more piercing. Focus all your energy into your oral cavity.”

“Coloratura soprano—bright, bright, understand? Push higher, let your larynx move quickly and smoothly.”

“Feel your vocal cords—are they vibrating? Is the vibration centered or at the edges? Or are you not using your vocal cords? Listen carefully, control your breathing.”

Thus, a new round of harmony and blend rehearsals entered a rigorous, meticulous phase.