The rules of Eve of the Summit were straightforward: 800 audience members and 50 professional judges would cast their votes. The audience votes accounted for 800‰ of the "Summit Value," while the judges contributed 200‰. The closer a contestant was to the summit, the greater their chance to advance to the Pure Victory Organic Milk Presents: Bird's Nest Summit Night Carnival.
(Note: The "Summit Value" was just a convoluted way of saying the total score was 1000 points, with each judge's vote weighted as four points.)
"Whether you're in the audience or on the judging panel, your votes matter greatly to our eight contestants," host Gu Nanxi said, then joked, "Though you could spare one for me—I may not sing, but I've put in the sweat and fatigue!"
The audience chuckled. Being a host-contestant had pros and cons: easy vote-pulling (thanks to screen time) but extra vocal strain from all the talking.
Performance Order:
Zheng Yingying
Lin Xia
Yang Guiyun
Koguchi Yoshihiro
Hou Yubin
Gu Nanxi
Li Xingwei
Chu Zhi
The judging panel wasn't just for show. Critics like Fang Sheng, Zhang Mingyi, and Er Li delivered razor-sharp feedback.
After Zheng Yingying's performance, Fang Sheng raised his hand for commentary.
"If this were Gu Nanxi singing, I wouldn't be surprised. But you—your technique relies on Hong Kong's traditional style: reducing nasal resonance in high notes and throat support in mid-range," Fang began, educating viewers. "That's why 80s-90s Cantopop singers had such velvety mid-ranges—perfect for love songs. But it limits your vocal range. You're young; break this habit. Tonight was solid, but technique determines your floor. I voted for you, but push higher."
Zheng bowed deeply. "Thank you, Fang-laoshi. I'll take this to heart."
Unlike hollow critiques, Fang offered solutions. Zhang Mingyi was equally incisive but peppered his remarks with jargon, leaving audiences awed yet confused.
Lin Xia's Turn
"Lin Xia, I've always envied your natural stereophonic tone. You could've mastered sphenoid sinus resonance," Zhang said, referring to a advanced head-voice technique that creates a 3D-like vocal effect (pioneered by singers like A-Mei). "But tonight, you didn't tap into it. Your harmonics are lacking, and your physiology can't sustain high notes. No vote from me."
Lin Xia stiffened. "I… fell ill last year and neglected training. I won't disappoint fans again."
The crowd erupted: "We'll always support you, Fei-Fei!" ("Fei" = "trash," a self-deprecating fandom term.)
Compared to Zheng Yingying's pond-sized fan section, Lin Xia and Li Xingwei's supporters were oceans—glowing with lightsticks and banners.
"Surprise me next time," Zhang said sternly but not unkindly.
Most judges were concise, but Yang Guiyun clashed with choreographer Li Yu after his soulful 7:30 AM performance.
"Great song, but the arrangement feels… elitist," Li Yu ventured.
Yang cut him off. "What do you know about soul? It's not 'music'—it's feeling. If it's 'mass-appealing,' it's not soul." The air turned icy until Fang Sheng defused the tension.
Er Li, the "sound behavior artist," simmered. The show had invited him for clout but never let him speak. "At least I'm getting paid more than Fang and Zhang for doing nothing", he consoled himself.
The Setlist:
Zheng Yingying: Love Forever (classic Cantopop)
Lin Xia: Hanging River (melancholic rock)
Yang Guiyun: 7:30 AM (critically acclaimed soul)
Koguchi Yoshihiro: Empire's Fall: Operation Directive (anime anthem, dubbed a "vocal nuke" on Bilibili)
Hou Yubin: Conquest of the King's Court (epic OST)
Gu Nanxi: If Without If (pop ballad)
Li Xingwei: Ài (sultry R&B)
Chu Zhi: Against the Light (original)
Among these titanic hits, Chu's unknown original stuck out like a gamble.
8:00 PM
The atmosphere was electric—until Li Xingwei's flawless performance earned unanimous praise.
Then, the screen flashed:
NEXT: CHU ZHI – AGAINST THE LIGHT
The audience rustled. The real battle was about to begin.