Chapter 51: I’ll Really Sing Now, You Know?

Chapter 51: I’ll Really Sing Now, You Know?

The Music Goddess Aphnora tilted her head slightly, her expression one of utter bewilderment.

Every word Yu Sheng’an had just spoken was familiar to her, yet when strung together, they became inscrutably profound.

“Do you know why you struggle to grow your believers? Because you’ve been going about it the wrong way from the very start!”

Yu Sheng’an’s words struck like thunder:

“Look at who your believers are—nothing but musicians raised by nobles! Even the nobles who come to study are just here to gild their reputations, to boost their charm, to better woo women or secure marriages!”

“Can you really expect them to become true believers? Impossible!”

“Only those musicians who rely on music for their livelihoods would worship you—because they fear you might revoke their divine-granted ability to perform sacred music!”

“What does such a pitiful number of believers amount to on the Azarea Continent, with its population of billions? A drop in the ocean!”

“Let me tell you, the only way to amass sufficient Source Essence is by following the mass line. Whoever wins the support of the lowest commoners will possess the mightiest Source Essence spring in all of Azarea!”

“The Five Great Righteous Gods are clever. They’ve established churches, using divine authority to govern mortal regimes, trading fear and petty favors for the faith of their believers. And so, most deities imitate them.”

“But have you ever considered that their model is already outdated?”

“Look at me—in less than two months, everyone in the Keville Empire, from the God of Magic down to the lowliest beggar, has become my believer!”

“Most of them don’t even worship me. Some despise me, fear me, or distrust me. Yet they still become my believers, even praying daily, willingly offering up every shred of Source Essence their souls can produce. Do you understand the principle behind this?”

Yu Sheng’an wore an expression of unbridled arrogance.

When pitching for investment, you had to spin a compelling story and boast a little. If you didn’t even believe in yourself, how could you convince investors?

The Music Goddess Aphnora finally rose from her divine throne. She descended the steps gracefully, her eyes gleaming as she regarded Yu Sheng’an. “Oh? And what principle is that?”

The key wasn’t whether she was moved—it was whether she was willing to listen at all.

Having witnessed countless speeches by self-proclaimed “money-disdaining” gurus, Yu Sheng’an continued with unshakable confidence:

“The principle is simple: only by addressing the life pain points of the common people can you win their support!”

“Take my internet, for example. I’ve enabled illiterate rural grandmothers to speak with their grandchildren thousands of miles away in real time. I’ve given the lowest commoners a chance to learn magic and Battle Aura, changing their fates.”

“I created the Forum, ensuring commoners are no longer cheated by nobles due to information asymmetry. I updated the lighting function, freeing them from the blindness of night. I built the Empire’s official website, centralizing imperial power like never before and giving commoners a channel to voice their grievances.”

As Yu Sheng’an spoke with fervor, Aphnora took a deep breath. “I admit, what you say makes sense. But all of this stems from the power of your Divine Spark authority. What does it have to do with me?”

Damn it all!

Yu Sheng’an nearly felt the urge to slap her across the face.

Fuck! His brilliant ideas were being dismissed as mere quirks of his Divine Spark authority?

This was downright infuriating!

He wanted to roar: Open your eyes! I wield the Contract Godhood!

Take a look at what a sorry state the Contract Godhood is in Tang En's hands!

What’s impressive is me, not the godhood!

However, Yu Sheng’an didn’t dare to say that out loud.

Once those words slipped out and reached the ears of the Five Great Righteous Gods, trouble would be inevitable.

"My lovely Goddess, can’t you see it yet? Expanding faith—your power is too narrow. Developing divine techniques—your power is only usable by a select few, and its applications are severely limited. So your target audience, just like mine, must be the common folk. It has to be the common folk!"

"Impossible!" Aphnora shook her head. "On the Azarea Continent, most commoners struggle just to survive. How could they possibly learn music, let alone divine music?"

"That’s exactly why you need to cooperate with me." Yu Sheng’an flashed a tempting smile. "You can use your music authority to open a music section on my internet. Whenever someone plays a song, the Source Essence consumed during that time will be split fifty-fifty between us. How about it?"

The moment these words left his mouth, Aphnora’s pupils dilated sharply.

"This way, you could gain twenty million of my users overnight! And as my user base grows, so will yours. I provide the platform, you provide the content—it’s a mutually beneficial partnership!"

"Even the lowliest beggar could then listen to your divine voice and provide you with an endless stream of Source Essence!"

"You could even create celebrities, packaging your disciples—or even yourself—as superstars! Spread through the internet, attracting adoration from nobles and commoners alike! You could hold concerts all over the world, harvesting Source Essence like believers gathering for prayer!"

Yu Sheng’an passionately painted this grand vision, his voice brimming with fervor. When he finished, he extended his right hand and said in a bewitching tone:

"Join me. Together, we can create glory!"

Aphnora stared blankly at Yu Sheng’an.

To be honest, she didn’t fully grasp some of what he said.

But that didn’t stop her from understanding the vast, sweeping future he was describing.

"I’m sorry, but I refuse."

Aphnora glanced at Yu Sheng’an’s outstretched hand, then turned and walked toward her divine throne.

"…" Yu Sheng’an was dumbfounded.

What the hell?!

I just gave such an impassioned pitch, and you’re rejecting me?!

"Why?" Yu Sheng’an couldn’t accept it.

This made no sense. This was a completely mutually beneficial deal—twenty million believers! Where else could she get such an advantage for free?

"You didn’t sing."

"…" Yu Sheng’an was utterly baffled. What… what kind of nonsense is this?

"In the past century, countless gods have sought to cooperate with me. I must admit, none of their visions were as enticing as yours."

Aphnora leisurely took her seat on the throne, her gaze cold as she looked down at Yu Sheng’an.

"No matter how shoddy their proposals were, once they entered my Divine Kingdom on Earth, they at least followed my rules. You alone refused. That tells me you weren’t sincere from the start—you were just trying to use me. Though I don’t know how you planned to do it, that very uncertainty makes it all the more terrifying, don’t you think?"

Yu Sheng’an was completely stunned.

In his mind, a piece of wisdom from countless successful people flashed like a bolt of lightning:

Details determine success or failure!

Countless interview cases flashed through his mind—like deliberately dropping trash on the ground? Setting up small obstacles... and so on.

Damn it!

I should’ve realized it sooner! Making someone sing like an idiot upon entering the city is clearly a pledge of allegiance!

It’s just like drinking. I know alcohol tastes awful! I know it wrecks your stomach!

But if you don’t chug it, you’re disrespecting the host.

If you do, your attitude is "down to the gut"!

Goddammit!

No matter how sharp-tongued Yu Sheng'an was, at this moment, he was left speechless, unable to refute.

"Big sis, I’m tone-deaf! I just can’t sing in front of people! I’m not trying to disrespect you—how about I sing for you privately right now?"

Yu Sheng'an scrambled to salvage the situation, thinking, What if this is just the Music Goddess’s little joke before cooperation?

Lowering his stance couldn’t hurt.

"Too late!"

With a wave of Aphnora’s hand, a strange force surged through the hall, distorting the surroundings.

By the time the distortion settled, Yu Sheng'an was already standing outside the palace.

At the entrance, the palace guards stared unblinkingly.

A passing group of maids, however, cast curious glances his way.

Yu Sheng'an panicked and shouted toward the Divine Palace, "Aphnora, don’t push me! I’ll really sing, you know?"

The grand hall remained silent, offering no response—only the maids’ eyes burning with intense gossip-fueled curiosity.

Fine, you wanna force my hand?

You asked for it!

Steeling himself, Yu Sheng'an cleared his throat and picked one of the countless divine music pieces in his mind.