“This looks better than neighboring ‘Street Dance of China’ finals!”
“Mo Xun seems to have won international competition awards”
“He Yan has always been Chinese music’s best singing-dancing artist—this powerhouse collaboration is truly satisfying!”
“Xiao Fei isn’t weak either—I never expected Xiao Fei’s dancing to be this good”
What surprised audiences more was the appearance of several high notes and vocal runs during the second chorus round.
At this time, He Yan and Mo Xun continued dancing in front.
Surrounded by backup dancers, Fu Fei raised his head toward the sky and began a high note run.
Instantly, like brilliant sunlight breaking through clouds.
All listeners felt their ears brighten.
Though Xiao Fei’s tone quality couldn’t match Fang Yinnian and Tang Che’s distinctiveness, his energetic youth voice was actually very pleasant, and his vocals were genuinely strong.
Usually he was called FTM’s comic relief atmosphere maker—causing trouble and jokes on variety shows, losing shoes during music shows, producing countless screams and memes during escape room games.
So netizens hadn’t realized how strong Fu Fei’s abilities were.
Today was truly eye-opening!
With Xiao Fei’s level, in other boy groups he’d definitely be a center position powerhouse… yet in FTM he seemed least noticeable.
Perhaps his teammates were all too strong?
At this stage’s end, they performed shocking synchronized choreography—15 people dancing together with grand scale and movements so uniformly precise they were flawless.
The live stream was flooded with “666.”
When music ended, the three stood together in front—He Yan at center, Mo Xun and Fu Fei left and right, striking an ultra-cool ending pose.
The stage quieted.
But the passion they ignited hadn’t extinguished!
All three’s performance outfits were completely soaked with sweat, but they danced satisfyingly and sang satisfyingly.
Regardless of outcome, they had truly enjoyed today.
Leaving behind a classic collaborative stage meant they hadn’t come in vain!
Host: “Please have the judging panel vote for this round.”
The judging panel was also shocked by these performers’ high-difficulty dancing, raising blue signs representing Ji Ying’s team.
Ji Ying’s team won 80:21.
Audiences: “666!”
“Strongly suggest Mo Xun go to neighboring ‘Street Dance of China'”
“Shouldn’t this skill level compete for dance king?”
“After watching today’s performance, I feel Mo Xun’s dancing ability is undoubtedly TOP-1 among domestic entertainment idols”
“Fu Fei is the most all-around ACE, right? He can hit high notes singing, handle difficult choreography dancing, and he’s funny on variety shows.”
“Our youngest Xiao Fei is actually all-talented!”
…
After this episode ended, Mo Xun and Fu Fei also experienced explosive follower growth, with netizens even digging up videos of Mo Xun’s international dance competitions.
Meanwhile, FTM’s original “Red vs Blue Competition” variety show where Xiao Fei fell and knocked over teammates was also excavated for “archaeology.”
This wave of archaeology army came fiercely. They searched online for FTM’s past variety shows and stages, actually sending “Red vs Blue Competition”—which had finished airing over a year ago—into Taohe Platform’s top three trending searches.
After watching, everyone couldn’t stop laughing.
This group was too entertaining!
Playing relay races, the entire team fell in succession. Playing blindfolded battles, Fang Yinnian and Mo Xun chased each other fighting the whole way, turning their team’s score negative?
“Hahaha following this comedy group”
“The more archaeology, the more interesting this group becomes”
“Very lively and adorable boy group”
“I’ve never been a fan, but after archaeology I’m a bit tempted to join the fandom”
“This group is truly all kings!”
From initial netizen mockery of FTM as “Prince Fang Yinnian with four bodyguards” to current recognition as “all kings”…
They spent five episodes proving themselves.
They never feared losing or criticism.
On “Sounds of Nature’s” stage, each of them grew rapidly. They could honestly say that for every episode, they prepared carefully and gave their all.
Win or lose, these were their most precious experiences.
Time flew to late May. “Sounds of Nature” Season 5 was entering final stages with only the last episode remaining.
At this point, Ji Ying’s team had won 10 victories in 9 weeks of competition, while Luo Liang and Yang Dahong’s teams had 9 and 8 respectively.
Score gaps between the three groups weren’t large—until the end, no one knew who would win this season’s championship.
So the final episode became extremely crucial.
According to previous seasons’ format, the final episode had no flying guests, requiring mentors to personally perform on stage.
Meaning each group’s 3 regular guests paired with mentors, with each group preparing two stages for round-robin competition fighting for the final 3 victories.
After long consideration, Ji Ying finally said: “I’ll harmonize with FTM. Xiao Xi and Jingjing, you two collaborate—how about it?”
If Ouyang Xi and Zhao Jing faced other groups’ mentor teams, they might lose. But Ji Ying and FTM’s collaboration had greater winning chances.
They currently led in points—securing one win in the crucial deciding matches would stabilize them!
Even if Luo Liang’s team won 2 straight to tie 11:11, they’d have hope in overtime.
Competition stages required strategic deployment.
Both women readily agreed to their mentor’s decision. They’d become good sisters during this time and wanted another collaborative stage.
Everyone began intensively practicing songs.
To Fang Yinnian’s surprise, they saw a familiar figure in Teacher Ji Ying’s practice room.
—Qiao Anhua, their vocal teacher.
Teacher Qiao was the person who influenced Fang Yinnian most, not only recommending him to join FTM but teaching him many high note techniques, breathing methods, and stage performance skills.
When FTM first formed, Teacher Qiao was extremely strict—Tan Junwen was scolded nearly numb. But precisely this strictness gave FTM solid vocal foundations, making later new song learning very quick.
Fang Yinnian walked forward to hug her: “Teacher Qiao, why are you here?”
Ji Ying smiled: “Teacher Qiao is my good sister, haha. I specially asked her to help arrange harmony scores.”
Qiao Anhua smiled slightly: “Because I understand you well and know how to arrange to highlight each person’s characteristics, when Teacher Ji Ying called, I rushed over overnight.”
All five were moved. With Teacher Qiao’s assistance, their collaborative stage with Senior Ji Ying would definitely be twice as effective.
***
On May’s final Saturday, the final episode of music variety “Sounds of Nature” officially began.
Season 5’s finale actually set new viewership records for all “Sounds of Nature” seasons.
Even higher than the previously popular Season 2 finale.
TV station leaders couldn’t believe it.
Season 5’s variety show viewership surpassing previous seasons could only mean—this season had gone viral.
In live streams, countless audiences excitedly spammed comments.
“Finale here to witness history!”
“This season’s Ji Ying team should be stable, right?”
“Not necessarily—what if Luo Liang team takes 2 straight points, or Yang Dahong team suddenly explodes for 3 straight?”
“Tonight mentors personally take stage—definitely exciting”
Amid audience anticipation, the first round of competition officially began.
Ji Ying team vs Luo Liang team, both mentors freely playing cards.
This tested not only singers’ stage qualities but mentors’ psychological warfare. After consideration, Ji Ying sent out the Zhou Jing and Ouyang Xi combination.
Luo Liang’s team sent out their mentor + regular guest combination.
Audiences expressed concern.
“Facing a mentor team, this round is precarious”
“Luo Liang will definitely sing rock—the two female singers might not lose”
“Zhao Jing and Ouyang Xi both sing beautifully, but beating Teacher Luo Liang is still difficult—we’ll see”
Ouyang Xi and Zhao Jing performed very well today—a quite perfect performance leaving behind a classic film-TV cover song.
But Luo Liang’s rock stage with his teammate was simply too explosive, ultimately losing by 5 votes to Luo Liang’s team.
The host excitedly announced: “Congratulations to Luo Liang’s team for winning the first round! Luo Liang team’s current score is—10 points.”
At this time, Ji Ying’s team also had 10 points.
So the next match absolutely could not be lost.
Second round: Luo Liang team vs Yang Dahong team. Both sides sent trainee combinations, with Yang Dahong’s team ultimately winning.
Host: “Congratulations to Yang Dahong’s team! Yang Dahong team’s current score is—9 points.”
Ji Ying 10, Luo Liang 10, Yang Dahong 9—close scores.
If Ji Ying’s team lost to Yang Dahong’s team in the third round, the extremely rare 10:10:10 tie would occur.
The final match was crucial.
Netizens’ hearts also hung in suspense.
“Could all three teams tie and go to overtime?”
“Yang Dahong and Ji Ying teams’ regular combinations have already performed—what’s left are mentor combinations. Next round is direct mentor PK”
“This is getting exciting!”
In the crucial third round PK, Ji Ying and Yang Dahong each brought guests to the stage.
They drew lots to determine order.
Ji Ying drew the second position—Yang Dahong would sing first.
Yang Dahong’s adapted song today was also high-level—an extremely difficult high-note showcase piece. Such songs were his comfort zone, and he especially loved massive vocal runs and technical displays.
His partner was a vocally powerful little diva. One male and one female sang themselves hoarse in duet, continuously pushing the song to climax.
Sitting below, Fang Yinnian felt this song was truly flawless. Obviously, Teacher Yang’s team had also prepared extremely thoroughly for the finals.
No weak contestants reached this stage—competition among the strong would be more spectacular.
Host: “Thank you Yang Dahong’s team for the wonderful performance. Next, please welcome Ji Ying’s team.”
Ji Ying smiled and brought five handsome guys onto the stage.
She was very happy today. In all her years since debut, this was her first collaboration with idols as a veteran senior.
Previously, music industry seniors looked down on idols, considering their vocals inferior to KTV singers, but this season’s FTM changed many minds.
Familiar intro music played—a smooth, beautiful konghou melody that instantly quieted the previously noisy, shouting stage.
Teacher Ji Ying’s voice reached everyone’s ears very clearly.
As a powerhouse representative, both her tone quality and vocals ranked first-tier in Chinese music. Netizens flooded comments: “Kneeling from the opening!”
Mentors were mentors—once they opened their mouths, that full-bodied presence couldn’t be matched by newcomers.
After Ji Ying finished the first verse, Fang Yinnian took the second.
To listeners’ surprise, following behind her, Yinnian wasn’t completely overshadowed.
You know, sharing stages with such major seniors—singing poorly would create stark contrasts.
But Fang Yinnian held steady and even smiled while making eye contact with Teacher Ji Ying.
The young idol, through extensive stage training, actually possessed first-tier singer grace and presence.
Audiences’ surprises weren’t over.
Third verse—they began harmonizing. Ji Ying harmonized with Mo Xun, with Tang Che, with Tan Junwen, with Fu Fei…
Her tone had strong compatibility.
Moreover, she became supporting role in these harmonies, letting four young voices serve as main melodies.
So audiences heard different tones—deep and husky, lazy and sensual, soaring and bright, sunny and warm—contrasted against gentle female voice backdrop.
Ji Ying was actually supporting FTM.
Judging panel: “…”
No one expected her to arrange songs this way.
For stage PK victories, many mentors highlighted themselves with teammates supporting, but Ji Ying actually emphasized FTM’s tonal advantages, becoming a “featured guest” to support them.
“Holy crap, Teacher Ji Ying is so generous!”
“This move shows real class—she must really appreciate FTM as juniors”
“First time discovering harmony can be this charming”
“My ears are truly enjoying this”
“Listening carefully, the distinctiveness is quite high—every line sounds beautiful”
“Full-team harmony is amazing!”
When Fang Yinnian joined the harmonies, 6-person vocals pushed the entire song to its climax.
He and Ji Ying delivered a high note run together.
Both alternating vocals made the live judging panel’s scalps tingle, with live stream audiences flooding “awesome” comments.
After finishing high notes, Fang Yinnian suddenly descended.
Like snow gently falling to earth, he used clear, moving vocals to coordinate with Teacher Ji Ying, giving the song the gentlest ending.
Accompaniment stopped as enthusiastic applause erupted.
Host: “Thank you Ji Ying’s team for the wonderful stage!”
“Final round competition ends—please have the judging panel vote. Those supporting Ji Ying’s team raise blue signs, those supporting Yang Dahong’s team raise red signs.”
“Please have the first row judges show signs.”
5 blue, 5 red.
“Please have the second row judges show signs.”
5 blue, 5 red.
Everyone: “…”
This brutal? But thinking carefully, though Ji Ying and FTM’s harmonies were beautiful, Yang Dahong’s team’s technical showcase today wasn’t weak either. With judging panel preferences varying, close vote counts were normal.
20:20
24:26
36:34
…
45:45
Live stream viewers nervously held their breath.
By the ninth row—still tied.
The host’s voice trembled with excitement: “Please have the final row judges prepare to vote. Countdown 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!”
The final row had 11 people whose votes would determine today’s outcome.
Fang Yinnian nervously gripped his fingers.
Though competition wins weren’t most important, who didn’t want to win? Obviously winning the season championship sounded better!
Fu Fei was already mentally praying, calling upon various deities just hoping the final row judges would give two more votes.
The final row uniformly raised their signs.
6 blue, 5 red.
Ji Ying’s team narrowly won 51:50.
Host: “Congratulations to Ji Ying’s team for winning this round! Since Ji Ying’s team previously had 10 points plus this match totaling 11 points, they are this season’s highest-scoring team.”
“Let us congratulate Ji Ying’s team for winning ‘Sounds of Nature’ Season 5 championship! We also thank Luo Liang and Yang Dahong’s mentor teams for leaving audiences countless spectacular stages!”
Fang Yinnian excitedly embraced his teammates.
Three months of variety show recording was actually very tiring—flying weekly between Jiangzhou and Nancheng with extremely tight practice schedules. Everyone endured tremendous pressure and frequent insomnia.
But fortunately, their efforts received the best rewards.
They helped Ji Ying’s team win the season championship!
Ji Ying gave thumbs up: “Well done, handsome guys.”
Zhao Jing and Ouyang Xi also ran onto stage, excitedly embracing team members. They’d also secured many points for Ji Ying’s team during previous competitions—the team’s honor belonged to them too!
Ji Ying had everyone hold hands and bow to the audience: “Thank you!”
TV station leaders presented the golden championship trophy to Ji Ying. Everyone took photos on the main stage as countless confetti sprayed overhead.
Looking at the overhead confetti, Fang Yinnian couldn’t stop smiling.
Perfect. Their first regular music variety show, recorded for three full months, finally reached a satisfying conclusion.
Moreover, shortly after finale results were announced, besides Fang Yinnian already surpassing 10 million followers, FTM’s other four members’ Weibo followers all broke 10 million tonight.
All five entered Weibo’s celebrity [Ten Million Followers Club].
Not only was FTM’s group popularity explosive, but each member attracted countless loyal fans through different personalities and talents. Individual super topic data could now compete with first-tier traffic stars.
Actually, these statistics weren’t what they cared about most.
What made them happiest was that after breaking into the music track, FTM finally gained recognition from audiences and industry peers.
Everyone could proudly say: We are a music group.
FTM represented “For the Music”—born for music!
**
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
