Chapter 208: The Most Impossible Enemy

【Reality World, Station 13】

On the screen, Tian Dao sat casually before the Steam Furnace—yet an invisible aura of overwhelming presence clung to him, his presence radiating power like a storm gathering in silence. Even through the dimensional barrier, the Dimensional Audience could feel the sheer weight of his dominance. For the first time, they couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Chen Kong.

“Sending a rookie Kong to fight the ultimate Kong? That’s like throwing a newbie hero straight into the boss fight.”

“Back in Season 1, the sealed Tian Dao—handcuffed by Doctor’s protection—still wiped the floor with everyone. Now he’s fully awakened? How the heck is Kong supposed to win?”

“Kong barely survived a ranked battle against the 2nd-to-last Kong. How is he supposed to take on the #1 Kong in the Stellar Rankings?”

The audience’s mockery wasn’t baseless.

Tian Dao’s performance in Season 1, and even more so in the second half of Season 2, had made it clear: not even a fully powered Chen Kong in his prime stood a chance. Not even the darkened, rage-fueled version of Chen Kong—Black Kong, who had once effortlessly crushed the Hidden Star Society’s Xian Nv Zuo—had survived the soul-space clash against the six-year-old Tian Dao. And that was before the full evolution.

Now, six years later, the fully awakened Tian Dao stood not just as a peak warrior, but as an existential force.

This was the only enemy the Dimensional Audience believed the main cast could never overcome—no matter how hard they tried.

Because through Tian Dao’s exclusive side story “Innate Strongest”, and his recent official return arc, they now knew two undeniable truths:

1. In Season 1, Doctor had forcibly sealed Tian Dao’s unique ability—Overclocking Computation—to protect him. That meant the Tian Dao of that era was essentially training with his hands tied.

2. The six years of “sleep” weren’t truly sleep. Instead, Tian Dao had been undergoing a form of secret cultivation—something the audience couldn’t comprehend.

True, among the current Stellar Prodigy cast, only Jing Ruli could train while sleeping. But given Tian Dao’s status as the favorite son of the Stellar Production Team, the idea of him growing stronger in his slumber didn’t seem so far-fetched. After all, the audience would believe anything—if he could grow stronger just by breathing.

Facing a being like this—naturally born a powerhouse, a living anomaly—no strategy, no twist, no miracle seemed plausible.

And if Chen Kong actually won… what would become of Tian Dao’s legend?

That would break the entire narrative.

“What kind of madness is this? Making Kong fight Tian Dao?”

“Kong: Tian Dao’s a Stellar Prodigy. So am I. Why don’t you ask him if he fears me?”

“Can I surrender and still get half the points? Live, please.”

“You hurt my teammate. Now you can’t touch me.”

No one believed Chen Kong could win—not even Chen Kong himself.

But then, it wasn’t just Chen Kong standing there.

Other Steam Branch Stellar Envoys had arrived.

“Deputy Captain Yu,” a voice spoke from the couch, “if I were you, I wouldn’t do something so foolish.”

Yu Chen, already quietly drawing his Silver Falcon, froze mid-motion.

Tian Dao’s tone was calm—but the effect was instant. The weapon trembled in Yu Chen’s grip. The entire room fell silent. Every Stellar Envoy held their breath. Their hearts clenched as if gripped by an invisible fist—stilled, suspended.

Tian Dao didn’t acknowledge the tension. Slowly, he straightened, leaning back into the sofa. His right hand rested casually on his chin, eyes drifting toward Yu Chen—calm, serene, utterly composed.

Yet in that simple gesture, that quiet gaze, lay an undeniable aura of supreme authority. An oppressive, indescribable presence that screamed dominance.

As if in response, two Gear Guardians—each towering over five meters tall—materialized silently behind Tian Dao. Like loyal knights, they stood at his back, watching down upon Chen Kong and the others with cold, unblinking red optics.

When their lenses swept across the group, the very air seemed to freeze.

“Gear Guardians,” one of the Stellar Envoys—evidently well-versed in Steam Capital history—whispered, his face pale.

He hurried to explain:

“The Gear Guardians are the twelve original founders of the Steam Furnace. From the beginning, their quantum data was fused into the Steam Furnace·Gear Central.”

“Though their physical bodies died long ago, their data preserved them in a kind of spiritual immortality. They’ve guarded the central core ever since.”

He pointed to the two figures behind Tian Dao, voice heavy.

“Third Rank… each of them is at least Third Rank. And if we trigger the protection protocol, they’ll attack without hesitation.”

“So… put the weapons away, Deputy Captain Yu. Now is not the time.”

Yu Chen glanced toward the distant Steam Furnace—where Vivian writhed in agony, her form visibly fading, becoming translucent. His jaw clenched.

“But what are we supposed to do? Just watch? What’s the point of us being here?”

The envoy opened his mouth, then closed it. He had no answer.

On one side stood Tian Dao—unbeatable, untouchable.

On the other, twelve Gear Guardians, each powerful enough to rival, or even surpass, most branch captains.

No matter how they looked at it, victory was impossible. Despair, like a thick fog, crept through every heart.

“This isn’t a battle. It’s a one-sided massacre.”

“Tian Dao: I can handle it myself. Twelve of you? You’re here to bring me water when I get tired?”

“Is this our stellar matchmaking system? Suburban king vs. world champion?”

Just as the Dimensional Audience began to wonder why the production team had crafted this moment…

A blood-curdling scream tore through the silence.

“Aaaah!!!”

The Steam Furnace erupted in a violent burst of white vapor. Inside, Vivian’s body was dissolving before their eyes—her form growing thinner, fading into mist, on the verge of vanishing entirely.

Yu Chen and Chen Kong could no longer hold back.

But before they could move—something unexpected happened.

The four Gear Guardians in the corner suddenly flared with crimson light. Their joints screeched as gears twisted violently, and without warning, they attacked their own allies—crushing the nearest Guardian with a brutal, mechanical hammer blow.

The targeted Guardian retaliated instantly. The others surged forward, forming a defensive formation.

Chaos erupted.

The traitorous Guardians roared with distorted mechanical voices.

[Core Contamination Purge Protocol Activated.]

The loyal Guardians responded in unison.

[Protect the furnace. Suppress the rebellious units.]

Watching the Gear Guardians tear each other apart, Yu Chen and Chen Kong locked eyes.

No words were needed.

This was their perfect opportunity.

If they could just hold Tian Dao’s attention—just for a moment—then they could rush into the Furnace and save Vivian.

But as the two exchanged that silent understanding…

The screen focused back on Tian Dao.

He remained perfectly still, seated on the couch. His left hand tapped lightly against the armrest—calm, almost playful.

And his eyes—quiet, serene, yet laced with faint amusement—watched Chen Kong and the others.

As if everything unfolding before him—the betrayal, the chaos, the desperate hope—had been anticipated all along.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end