Chapter 29: Version Prodigy

When the fifth episode cut back to the protagonist, Chen Kong, the production team of Stellar had deliberately shot the scene from Chen Kong’s first-person perspective—maximizing audience immersion. Through his eyes, viewers quickly learned what had transpired over the past three days, as the surrounding medical staff whispered updates.

They discovered that eleven Stellar Prodigies had already secured a Stellar Source perfectly suited to them—among them, Tian Dao, the strongest figure in the entire Stellar hierarchy.

Intrigued beyond restraint, Chen Kong, accompanied by a medical officer, set out just after noon toward the Yujin Organization’s training facility. He couldn’t wait to witness firsthand the extraordinary transformations wrought by a Stellar Source.

And so, too, were the viewers watching The Prequel of the Stars: Embers—equally eager to see what kind of miracle would unfold.

As Chen Kong stepped into the training chamber, he was immediately greeted by the film’s first-ever “Dual Star.”

Jing Ruli—ranked No. 3 among trainees, wielding both the Stellar Core: Eternal Night Butterfly and the Stellar Source: Daydream—was lounging in a relaxed daze, half-asleep, yet still capable of chatting casually with others.

The moment the screen showed her casually drifting off mid-conversation, the audience was stunned.

“Wait… I’ve seen people lie with their eyes open, but I’ve never seen someone tell the truth with their eyes closed.”

“Coach, I wanna learn this skill!”

“Learn? You’re not even good at grocery shopping—I don’t even know how!”

Just as the viewers were dying to know what kind of Stellar Source had landed in the hands of this legendary “lazy queen,” Chen Xing arrived—promptly delivering the explanation.

“Damn, Stellar Source: Daydream? Well, looks like this lazy fish finally snagged a jackpot!”

“Hey, kid, time to wake up—mom’s calling, dinner’s ready!”

“While others train through sweat and sacrifice, Lily just dreams her way to power. How does the world even allow this kind of unfair advantage?”

Perhaps sensing the envy and longing radiating from the screen, Chen Xing—queen of intensity—immediately adopted a commanding stance, demanding “Dream Candy” from Jing Ruli, clearly unwilling to let her enjoy this lazy bliss.

After all, everyone else was grinding their guts out—why should she be the only one on vacation?

You’re not allowed to slack. You’re not allowed to rest. You’re not allowed to win by sleeping.

But to everyone’s surprise, the usually trembling Jing Ruli—normally paralyzed by the mere mention of “Chen Xing”—now completely flipped the script.

She shot back with surprising defiance: “Nope. I’m not giving you anything. This is my free ride.”

Yet, just like Tian Dao’s moment of cool confidence had lasted only three seconds, so too did Jing Ruli’s bravado.

Before she could even finish her declaration, Chen Xing swept in like a storm, effortlessly lifting her off her feet—then giving her a vigorous shake.

Instantly, a cascade of colorful candies tumbled out of her loose sleepwear pockets.

The absurdity of the scene sent the audience into uncontrollable laughter.

“Lily the Lazy King: Encounters Chen Xing, the Ultimate Grind King—fights hard, loses fast.”

“Now I understand why Lily fears Chen Xing so much. The ultimate ‘lazy’ vs. ‘hustle’ dynamic—pure natural law.”

“Stop shaking! The kid’s gonna puke!”

Watching Jing Ruli get utterly humbled once more, the audience didn’t feel pity—only approval.

Why? Because she’d been living too well.

If nothing were done to crank up the pressure, she’d just keep drifting through another episode like nothing happened.

And that? That was unacceptable.

But even a lazy fish can snap.

Seeing Chen Xing bully her again, even the ever-calm Jing Ruli finally snapped.

“One candy. I’ll pay you back later—after I use up the rest of my meal-time sweets.”

“Liar!”

“Your meal-time sweets were already all gone—what did you even win from Tian Dao?!”

“….”

Chen Xing froze, face turning awkward—speechless.

The audience, relishing every second of the chaos, erupted into laughter.

“HAHA! Chen Xing, you’re finally getting your comeuppance!”

“Wow! Our Jing Baobao’s finally grown up—finally used a ‘Lazy Fish Counterattack’!”

“Offering me something you don’t even have? Star Lord, you really have a big mouth!”

“Nine-Rank Minor Official Chen Xing: Who dares to accuse me in court?”

Chen Xing stood there, utterly speechless.

Fortunately, Chen Kong stepped in—offering a week’s worth of his own dessert as repayment for the stolen Dream Candy.

Classic: Sister’s debt, brother’s pay.

But as the audience marveled at Chen Xing’s sudden obsession with Dream Candy, the entire training base suddenly trembled violently.

The shaking ceased. Chen Kong exhaled nervously.

“Sister… what was that? Did someone launch a surprise attack?”

Chen Xing remained silent.

But Jing Ruli, unfazed, replied with a shrug: “No big deal. Probably just Tian Dao messing around with his Stellar Source again. Normal, normal.”

“…What?!”

Chen Kong’s expression was pure shock. And so was the audience’s.

How could such a massive quake possibly come from a person?

“Is Tian Dao’s Stellar Source that powerful?”

Before Jing Ruli could answer, Chen Xing cut in—calm, certain.

“Kong, the strength has never been in the Stellar Source itself. It’s always been in Tian Dao.”

“Because if it weren’t for Tian Dao, I can’t imagine who else could push a Stellar Source to this level.”

“Come on. If you want to see, I’ll show you.”

“Tian Dao doesn’t care if people know his power. He’s not hiding.”

“Three days ago, he said: Only weaklings live in fear, always looking over their shoulders. True strength? It’s the confidence to stand above all, beneath no one, above all.”

“So even if the world knew exactly what his power could do… he wouldn’t care.”

“Because Tian Dao Siming doesn’t fear any challenge.”

“That… really fits Tian Dao’s personality.”

As Chen Xing led Chen Kong toward Tian Dao’s private training chamber, The Prequel of the Stars: Embers—Episode Five—came to a close.

Though the episode lacked any explosive action, it delivered pure, satisfying joy through quiet moments: Yun Meng’s “lucky socks” tease, Tian Dao’s effortless “king’s posture,” and the eternal clash between Chen Xing and Jing Ruli.

Sometimes, the best stories aren’t about battles—but about the rhythm of life.

And The Prequel of the Stars: Embers understood that perfectly—mastering the art of tension and release.

Yet, in the final seconds, one crucial piece of information emerged.

Tian Dao—already the undisputed peak of power—had just received another legendary upgrade.

He wasn’t just strong.

He was no longer human.

“Guigui… Three days, and Tian Dao’s Version Prodigy just got even more broken?”

“Tian Dao Siming—man among men, male among males, ruler of men, master of dominance, king, god, emperor, demon, the ultimate force of masculinity!”

“Not the source. It’s him. Haoji Tian… you’re terrifying.”

“Tian Dao: You adapt to the version. I am the version.”

Fueled by curiosity and excitement, viewers immediately clicked on Episode Six.

They needed to know: just how terrifying had the Version Prodigy become?

But amid the flood of comments hyping Tian Dao’s power, one question stood out—quiet, overlooked.

“Hey… didn’t anyone notice? Jing Ruli just sneaked through another episode… again?”

“…???”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end