Real World, Station 13.
'Families, doesn't this scene look like what Tendo said to Chen Xing when the first season first aired?'
'No need to just "look like." I just paused and checked the first episode of the first season, and it's indeed quite similar. Chen Xing really stole the show perfectly.'
'To the previous comment, what do you mean "stole"? This is clearly Chen Xing diligently pursuing Tendo's shadow, striving to do everything he did! It's a homage!'
'Top-tier understanding. Our Green Mountain Asylum needs patients like you! Because you're definitely beyond saving!'
As the dimensional bullet comments enthusiastically scrolled by, Kong Cheng, a high-tier Second-Grade Star Envoy, finally overcame his inner trepidation and chose to be the first to challenge Chen Xing. After all, he was the highest-ranked Star Envoy among everyone present. If he didn't step out first, wouldn't that make him seem too cowardly?
However, the other branch captains in the audience weren't very optimistic about his choice.
"Old Kong is still too concerned with his image. He thinks his high-tier Star Source awakening is his biggest advantage, unaware that the potential between people… is different."
The person next to him nodded. "Indeed, potential is harder to tap the deeper it is. Old Kong always feels superior after completing a high-tier awakening, but in reality…"
Before this branch captain could finish his sentence, the person next to him lazily interjected, "Perhaps he doesn't fail to see it; he just can't accept this reality."
"True."
Amidst the discussions of the Steam Branch's captain-level powerhouses, Kong Cheng dramatically ripped off his flamboyant red cloak and proudly leaped onto the arena stage. But when his gaze met Chen Xing, who stood opposite him with one hand on the hilt of her demonic blade, his confidence vanished. However, the thought of being ridiculed if he lost too miserably spurred him on. At this point, giving up was simply not an option!
"Ah!"
With a roar, Kong Cheng unleashed his Star Source—Wrathful Flame—without reservation. This was a special Star Source that could transform his anger into actual flames. And due to Chen Xing's earlier 'humiliation,' Kong Cheng, despite his rage, surprisingly maintained a rare sense of 'calmness.'
Feeling the immense power continuously surging within him, a flicker of understanding crossed Kong Cheng's mind. He seemed to faintly touch the threshold of the 'Third-Grade' realm that had eluded him for years.
Thinking of this, Kong Cheng couldn't help but say, "Little girl, although I know the power gap between us, at this moment, I seem to have stepped halfway into that crucial step."
"And this has made my current rage not only more vigorous but also more controllable…"
Flames crackled on Kong Cheng's fists, his tone carrying the confidence of one who had broken through adversity. "…So, if you continue to underestimate me, you'll suffer a great loss!"
"Take this, my full-powered, serious punch!"
With that, Kong Cheng charged fiercely towards Chen Xing. His substantive wrath emitted terrifying high temperatures around him, even causing the air to slightly warp. His display actually made many in the audience's eyes light up, thinking that Kong Cheng had finally made some progress.
"Flame Fist!"
In Kong Cheng's roar, he shot out like a meteor, then unleashed a punch at the motionless Chen Xing. This punch, Kong Cheng believed, was the most powerful he had ever thrown. Because at this moment, he was in an unprecedentedly good state!
But just when everyone thought they were about to witness a 'clash of dragons and tigers,' Chen Xing didn't even move. She merely casually swung her palm.
Slap!
As the crisp sound of the slap echoed throughout the arena, Kong Cheng, who had been arrogant a second ago, was sent flying by Chen Xing. After tracing a magnificent parabolic arc in the air, he crashed heavily outside the arena.
In addition, the production team of Stars even thoughtfully gave him a slow-motion close-up. In the scene, Kong Cheng's cheek was twisted into a bizarre arc. A bloody front tooth flew out with a whoosh, spun twice in the air, and finally landed on the ground.
Boom!
Kong Cheng slammed heavily outside the arena. His head, seeing stars, kept him from getting up for a long time. And his missing front tooth made his breathing come out with a sort of 'hissing' sound, like a broken bellows, which was quite comical.
Chen Xing didn't even bother to lift an eyelid, merely uttering three words indifferently: "Next one."
Looking at the expressionless Chen Xing on the stage.
And Kong Cheng splayed out on the ground below the stage.
The dimensional audience was thrilled.
'Seriously, old man! You went all out, even ripped off your cape, and that's all you got?'
'Kong Cheng: I feel stronger! Chen Xing: Oh. (Raises hand)'
'Stolen, Chen Xing definitely stole our Tendo's script!'
'To the previous comment, Tendo and Chen Xing are both from the Chen family, don't talk about stealing scripts, our Chen Xing will even steal people by then!!!'
'Tendoka Faction: Elements detected, suddenly alert! (Meow, looks up)'
'I've said it many times, how can you get stronger without going bald? Since you're not bald yet, don't try to throw a "serious punch" like others! You won't get it right.'
'Kong Cheng, Kong Cheng, difficult to succeed. With a name like that, how could you possibly succeed!'
After Kong Cheng, Yu Chen and another examiner also successively underwent Chen Xing's assessment. Among them, only Yu Chen, relying on his 'Infallible Silver Spear,' unexpectedly managed to last for a minute. The other examiner, like Kong Cheng who was the first to appear, was easily sent off the stage by Chen Xing. Throughout this process, Chen Xing never once drew her blade. Her right hand remained on the hilt of the demonic blade, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind about her claim of using only '20% of her strength.'
Yet, despite this, some branch captains grew dissatisfied.
"The purpose of the assessment is for the assessed to display their full potential. What's the point of this assessment if the Demonic Blade of the Scorching Sun family acts like this?"
The person next to him nodded. "Indeed, we know she's strong, but this assessment isn't for her to show off her strength. It's for us to see the true power of the assessed."
"If you ask me, this Demonic Blade isn't here to help us with the assessment; she's here to cause trouble."
That being said, these branch captains did guess one thing correctly. Chen Xing's sudden purpose in becoming the chief examiner wasn't actually to help them with the assessment. It was to test a certain individual about whom she was uncertain. Although she had only seen that person's back at the time, and this person's appearance was almost completely different from the one in her memory, Chen Xing trusted her intuition. After all, no one who had been constantly chasing someone's back knew that feeling better than she did.
Yes, it was just a feeling. A 'feeling' completely unsupported by objective reality, entirely subjective emotion. Yet, it was precisely this 'feeling' that made Chen Xing feel as if she had crossed through layers of mist and caught a glimpse of someone.
Thinking of this, Chen Xing immediately looked at the only remaining challenger in the arena—Tendo. Unlike her expressionless demeanor towards others, at this moment, Chen Xing's lips curved into a rare arc, and even her voice carried an uncontrollable excitement.
"Come on, I believe… you will bring me a surprise."
Surprise?
More like a fright!
Tendo, looking at the excited Chen Xing, was already sweating profusely.
No, Xing, hold back a little! If you keep looking at me like that and saying such easily misunderstood words, my hard-earned identity is going to be exposed right here and now! Didn't you see the people around us already influenced by you, starting to scrutinize me seriously?!
Feeling the spotlight-like gazes from all directions, Tendo felt 'pressure' for the first time. This pressure was the feeling of the script going beyond his control. In his plan, this Fifth Squad assessment wouldn't have involved so many complications. He just needed to casually act, put on a show, and he would easily pass. But Chen Xing's appearance had completely disrupted everything.
And this experience also made Tendo understand one thing: no matter how perfect his script design was, there would always be some scene-stealers who would mess everything up!
However…
It was just a small bit of extra acting from Chen Xing; everything… was still under control!
Thinking this, Tendo immediately looked at Chen Xing, his acting skills maxed out as he put on a standard, formal, gentle smile.
"Then I might have to disappoint you. After all, I'm… just an ordinary calligraphy enthusiast."
With that, Tendo walked into the arena, under Chen Xing's expectant gaze.
A battle of acting?
He, Tendo… has never feared anyone!