Chapter 21: Becoming the Greatest in the Viewers' Hearts

The sudden shift in Chen Kong didn’t catch the audience off guard.

After all, if he’d kept up his previous performances, they couldn’t have imagined why he’d be the protagonist.

What truly surprised them, however, was the lingering presence of Tian Dao in this pivotal moment—Chen Kong’s shining hour.

To many viewers, it felt as though Chen Kong’s awakening had only been possible because of Tian Dao’s earlier words.

That line alone accounted for at least fifty percent of the breakthrough.

“Dude, Tian Dao’s fully in the game now.”

“Fake Protagonist: Chen Kong. Real Protagonist: Tian Dao. Suggest renaming this series Stellar Chronicles: The Tale of Tian Dao.”

“Kalolin, Chen Xing, Yun Meng, Jing Ruli—so far, Tian Dao’s connected to every major character except the newly arrived Yezhen Lin. It’s obvious—Tian Dao is the true main character.”

As the chat exploded with theories, Chen Kong not only awakened his own bloodline power—but revealed a unique trait.

He wasn’t just a typical Stellar Prodigy.

He possessed two Stellar Cores.

Essentially, he had the power of two.

This revelation sent the chat into overdrive.

“Wait, everyone else has one Stellar Core, but you’ve got two? No wonder you’re the main guy!”

“After four episodes, this protagonist finally feels like a protagonist.”

“To be honest, even with two Stellar Cores, that Ordinary trait still feels like a setup. Probably another ‘overpowered but useless’ main character—some kind of plot device where the power’s there, but he can’t use it.”

Just as Chen Kong activated his Void Pattern on the arena stage, the screen abruptly cut to Tian Dao standing at the edge of the platform.

“Oh? Finally gone.”

“Gone? What’s gone?”

“Why, the weakest one, of course.”

“After all, in this merciless world, the weak survive only by exploiting the strong’s contempt, don’t they?”

“???”

Kalolin stared, confused.

But the viewers—those with the godlike perspective—immediately understood.

A chill ran down their spines.

“Wait… does Tian Dao mean he knew all along about Chen Kong’s power?”

“Earlier, he said Chen Kong’s Stellar Core was special. Even bet against Chen Xing about it. There was setup from the very beginning.”

“Is it because of those strange cerulean eyes? Why can only Tian Dao see what others miss?”

“Plotting since episode one? This guy’s terrifying.”

“Seriously, check if Tian Dao’s a time traveler.”

“Fake Protagonist: struggling to awaken. Real Protagonist: calmly observing.”

The audience’s reaction was electric.

Tian Dao’s words, coupled with his calm, all-knowing demeanor, painted a picture of someone who existed on a different plane entirely.

He didn’t just watch the others—he saw them.

As if he were a god peering down at puppets dancing on strings.

That chilling confidence, that sense of absolute control, sent shivers through the viewers.

It felt like his friendly banter with the others was just a mask.

Beneath it, he saw them all as cute, harmless little creatures—playthings in his grand design.

And when combined with everything he’d done so far, it made perfect sense.

To the audience, Tian Dao was undoubtedly the strongest figure in The Prequel of the Stars: Embers.

Not because he was currently the most powerful—no, not yet—but because his actions, his words, his very presence, all pointed toward one inevitable conclusion:

He was destined to become the ultimate power in the story.

After all, unlike real life, viewers could predict the narrative arc.

They could sense the creators’ intentions.

Even if Tian Dao wasn’t the strongest now, they all knew—deep in their bones—that he would become the strongest.

Because that was the role he was being crafted for.

And once the audience believed it, his mission was complete.

He had never forgotten—he was in a story.

And his ultimate goal?

To occupy the single, unshakable throne in the hearts of The Stars viewers:

The one and only strongest character.

Every move, every plan, every word—was just a step toward that final, perfect image.

In the cafeteria, Tian Dao watched the screen flood with “???” pop-ups, the chat utterly consumed by the revelation.

He smiled slightly.

His two-year-long strategy had finally succeeded.

Yes.

He didn’t need to be the strongest in reality.

He only needed to be the strongest in their minds.

“Kalolin, I’m done. You take your time.”

“Alright.”

Tian Dao picked up his dessert, turned, and walked toward his dorm.

On the way, he shut off the Popularity System’s virtual display—no longer watching the aftermath of The Prequel of the Stars: Embers, episode four.

Because he knew—once the creators chose to reveal that line of his, spoken during Chen Kong’s awakening—nothing afterward could shake the audience’s perception.

The viewers would fill in the blanks.

And imagination?

It was the most ruthless, illogical force in the world.

Just look at the chat now:

“Sure, two Stellar Cores are broken, but I’m convinced Tian Dao has his own secret ability. After all, he’s the only one who saw it coming.”

“Exactly. Chen Kong’s evolution is impressive, but knowing all this from the start? Tian Dao is scarier. I’m starting to wonder—what if he never becomes the villain? Then the heroes would be way too overpowered. I can’t think of any enemy who could even threaten him.”

“Wait… I’ve got a bad feeling. Right now, Tian Dao’s way too strong. What if the writers try to balance things by killing him off? He’s already more popular than Chen Kong. How’s the main character supposed to rise with him around?”

“Don’t even say that. If they do, I’m mailing every single one of them a box of knives.”

“Relax. No sane team would kill their highest-rated character. That’s just dumb.”

Tian Dao, now back in his room, didn’t see the chat.

His focus had long since left the story.

He looked down at the Doppelgänger Bracelet on his wrist.

“One secondary Stellar Envoy, multiple first-tier Stellar Envoys. I know their weaknesses. With half a year to prepare, I still have a real shot at taking them all down with me.”

“But to make this firework truly unforgettable… I need to grow stronger.”

“Ugh… borrowing from tomorrow to pay today. When will I ever pay off this popularity debt?”

He looked up, fingers scrolling through the Popularity Store in his system.

Soon, once he’d earned enough Popularity Points, he’d claim that special item—one that could drastically boost his strength.

With it, and the Vector Control Stellar Source he’d receive tomorrow—

He’d have the power to climb several levels in strength within just six months.

And when the first season of The Prequel of the Stars: Embers ended…

He’d deliver a final, breathtaking, and heart-wrenching spectacle.

PS: Once again, I couldn’t make it. Three o’clock promises, postponed yet again. Maybe tomorrow…?

Daily thanks for reading, and if you’re able—please support with a monthly vote!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end