Chapter 129: Tian Dao, Drenched in Sweat

Reality World, Station 13.

"Guys, is this moment exactly like when Lao Tian told Lao Xing back in Season 1’s premiere?"

"No 'kind of'—I just paused to check Season 1, Episode 1, and it’s literally the same line. Lao Xing really stole this script."

"Wait, 'stole'? No, this is Lao Xing chasing Lao Tian’s Shadow, trying to replicate everything he did. It’s a tribute!"

"Top-tier interpretation. We definitely need someone like you at Qingshan Hospital—because you’re clearly incurable."

As the Dimensional Audience laughed and chatted, Kong Cheng—the second-tier Upper-Grade Stellar Envoy—finally overcame his fear and stepped forward to face the first challenge: Chen Xing.

After all, he was the highest-ranked Stellar Envoy present.

If he didn’t go first, wouldn’t that make him look weak?

But the other branch captains in the audience weren’t optimistic.

"Old Kong’s still too full of pride. He thinks his Upper-Grade Stellar Source Awakening is his ultimate trump card, but he doesn’t get that potential varies wildly between individuals."

"Yeah, the deeper the potential, the harder it is to uncover. Old Kong acts like just reaching the Upper Grade makes him superior—really, he’s just—"

Before the speaker could finish, another voice cut in lazily:

"Maybe he does see it. He just can’t accept this Reality."

"True enough."

Amidst the murmurs of the Steam Branch’s elite captains, Kong Cheng ripped off his flashy red cloak with a dramatic flourish, then leapt onto the stage with a bold stride.

But the moment his eyes locked onto Chen Xing—standing calmly with one hand resting on the hilt of the Yao Dao, blade sheathed, posture effortless—his confidence wavered.

Yet, remembering the humiliation of being mocked if he lost badly, he forced himself to stand tall.

There was no turning back now.

"AAAAAAH!"

With a roar that tore through the air, Kong Cheng unleashed his Stellar Source—Rage Flame, a unique ability that transformed his fury into real, searing flame.

And because of the earlier humiliation at Chen Xing’s hands, Kong Cheng was now, strangely, both furious—and unusually calm.

As power surged through his veins, a spark of clarity ignited in his mind.

He felt something… almost within reach.

The long-elusive threshold of the Third Rank.

A grin tugged at his lips.

"Little girl, I know there’s a gap between us in strength. But right now… I’ve already stepped halfway across that critical boundary."

His fists crackled with flames, voice sharpened with the confidence of rebirth.

"And that means my rage isn’t just wild—it’s controlled.

So if you still underestimate me… you’re going to regret it."

"Take this—my full effort!"

With that, Kong Cheng charged forward like a meteor, fists blazing.

The heat radiating from him warped the air around him. Kong energy rippled like heat haze.

For the first time, the audience stirred.

Some leaned forward, impressed.

"Flame Fist!"

The crowd watched, breathless, expecting a clash of titans.

But Chen Xing didn’t budge.

She didn’t even draw the blade.

Just a single, casual backhand—

Slap!

The sound echoed through the arena.

One second, Kong Cheng was roaring with fury.

The next, he was flying backward.

He arced through the air in a graceful parabola, then crashed hard outside the stage.

The production team, ever the showmen, gave him a slow-motion close-up.

On screen, Kong Cheng’s face twisted into a grotesque curve.

A bloody tooth shot out like a bullet, spinning twice in midair before landing on the ground with a soft plink.

Boom!

He hit the ground hard, stars dancing before his eyes. He couldn’t move.

The gap in his teeth made every breath whistle through like a broken bellows—hilarious, really.

Chen Xing didn’t even blink.

She simply said, coldly, three words:

"Next."

The audience erupted.

"No way, old man! You ripped off the cloak, you roared like a beast, and this is what you got?!"

"Kong Cheng: I feel stronger! Chen Xing: Oh. (Raises hand.)"

"Stealing! Lao Xing definitely stole our Lao Tian’s script!"

"Earlier guy—Lao Tian and Lao Xing are both Lao Family members. Don’t say 'stealing'—our Lao Xing might steal you next!"

"Tian-Kalolin Faction: Element confirmed. Sudden alert! (Paws up, ears twitch.)"

"Keep saying it—no baldness, no strength. If you’re not bald yet, don’t try to throw a serious punch. You’ll never get it."

"Kong Cheng… Kong Cheng… you’re doomed. Just look at your name—how could you possibly succeed?"

After Kong Cheng, Yu Chen and another challenger took their turns facing Chen Xing.

Yu Chen, thanks to the Silver Spear of Certain Hit, surprisingly lasted a full minute.

But the other challenger? Just like Kong Cheng—crushed in a single strike.

Throughout it all, Chen Xing never drew her blade.

Her right hand remained on the Yao Dao’s hilt the entire time.

No one doubted her claim: she’d used only 20% of her power.

Still, some branch captains grew restless.

"The purpose of this test is to reveal the candidates’ true potential. Why is this Liao family’s Yao Dao doing this? What’s the point?"

"Yeah, we know she’s strong. But this isn’t about showing her strength—it’s about seeing their limits."

"To me, she’s not here to help us. She’s here to ruin the test."

They were right about one thing, though.

Chen Xing hadn’t come here to assist.

She’d come to test someone—someone uncertain, someone whose presence had triggered a deep, instinctive unease.

She’d only seen the back of the figure—just a fleeting silhouette.

And the face? Completely different from the one in her memory.

But she trusted her gut.

After all, who knew better than someone who’d spent years chasing a shadow?

It wasn’t logic.

It wasn’t proof.

It was pure, subjective feeling.

And yet… that feeling had led her through fog and illusion, almost close enough to grasp a certain Shadow.

She turned her gaze to the final challenger standing in the arena—Tian Dao.

Unlike her cold indifference toward the others, Chen Xing now wore a rare, faint smile.

Her voice trembled with barely contained excitement.

"Come on. I know you’ll surprise me."

Surprise?

More like shock.

Tian Dao stood frozen, drenched in sweat.

Not you, Star—cool it!

If you keep looking at me like that, and saying things that sound way too suggestive…

My carefully crafted disguise is going to crack right now!

Can’t you see everyone around me is already starting to stare?

The weight of those probing eyes—like searchlights—pressed down on him.

For the first time in his life, Tian Dao felt pressure.

The kind that came from a script spiraling out of control.

In his original plan, this Fifth Squad assessment was supposed to be a breeze.

Just a little performance. A few fake struggles.

Then walk away with a pass.

But Chen Xing’s arrival had turned everything upside down.

And this experience taught him one hard truth:

No matter how perfect your script, the Central Council always had a few actors who loved stealing scenes.

But…

Just one extra scene from Chen Xing?

No problem.

All still under control.

With that thought, Tian Dao turned to her—his face instantly softening into a polished, textbook smile.

"Sorry to disappoint you. I’m just… a simple calligraphy enthusiast."

He stepped onto the stage, meeting Chen Xing’s expectant gaze with practiced calm.

Acting?

Tian Dao had never feared a challenge.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end