Hearing the Lens Star-Emissary's words, Hannah nodded in agreement.
"Yes, as long as a better replacement doesn't emerge, the President, who is an adherent of the philosophy that the ends justify the means, won't easily move against them."
"After all, from the current perspective, the disadvantages of replacing them far outweigh the benefits. However…"
Hannah looked at the crowd in the plaza, which was several times larger than previous Starry Sky Ladder competitions, and said, "...with so many people, I feel like a few suitable candidates are bound to appear."
With that, Hannah tucked away her microphone and clipped the 'Qualifier Contestant No. 0878' badge to her chest.
After finishing this, she turned to the "Lens Star-Emissary" behind her.
"Let's go, 0879. If we, as frontline reporters, can't even pass the first assessment, then this breaking news... won't have anything to do with us."
The indicator light on the Lens Star-Emissary flickered, and its metallic arm gave an 'OK' gesture. The two walked one after the other toward the center of the plaza.
[Real World, Site 13]
'It's a shame that Tendo's acting skills aren't used for acting! I almost believed him when he said he was a commoner!'
'The Lens Star-Emissary is so cute! The way its metallic face tries to hold back a laugh is adorable!'
'Deliberately took off his Star Energy bracelet! Full marks for detail! This "commoner persona" is quite thoughtful!'
'Tendo: I used my full strength, how are you guys still alive?'
'So has joined the President's ship? It seems he's here with a "mission."'
Although it was just a brief interview, the dimensional audience on Site 13 still gathered a lot of key information.
While they were discussing these pieces of intelligence, the camera of the series turned to the main characters.
"Kōng, the number of people this time... is a bit much."
Liu Ma looked at the surrounding 'contestants,' a rare expression of nervousness on his face.
In the crowd, there were people wearing black cloaks, their fingertips wrapped in dark purple Star Energy—clearly Shadow-type Star-Emissaries.
There were also burly men carrying giant axes, whose every step made the ground slightly tremble—obviously, they were formidable Enhancement-type fighters.
However, more than these, Liu Ma was actually more wary of the seemingly harmless 'reporter duo' not far away.
Because the female reporter's Star Energy fluctuations appeared gentle, but hidden beneath was an undercurrent.
As for that bizarre humanoid lens creature, it was clearly a specially modified Mechanist Star-Emissary, and its aura was also significant, at least Level 3 or above.
Chen Kōng naturally noticed these and looked serious.
But unlike the tension of these two big men, the Isabelle beside them was relaxed and confident.
"What's there to be afraid of? My 'Absolute Zero' can freeze any Star Energy. If they dare to come, I'll let them taste what it's like to be an ice sculpture!"
As she spoke, Isabelle shook her fair wrist.
The next second, light blue Star Energy condensed into small ice crystals on her fingertips, floating in the air.
This fully displayed the confidence that came with having the top-tier natural Star Source, 'Absolute Zero.'
"Isabelle, don't be careless."
Vivian interrupted Isabelle's showing off, giving a kind reminder.
She held up her tactical tablet, which was densely packed with data on its screen.
"According to the Star-Emissary Association's public data, among the 3,460 participants this time, there are a full 412 Level 3 Star-Emissaries. It's better not to take this lightly."
Hearing Vivian's words, Isabelle still maintained her arrogant expression.
But her serious eyes undoubtedly showed that she also realized the gravity of the situation.
After all, standing out among so many 'monsters' was indeed very difficult and challenging.
Just as Isabelle was about to ask Vivian who these specific Level 3 Star-Emissaries were, the plaza floor suddenly began to shake violently.
In the next second, the crowd instantly panicked.
Chen Kōng subconsciously bent down to stabilize himself, then looked up at the sky.
The originally clear weather was now covered with a faint blue halo.
It was clearly the work of the organizers!
After this, the camera of the series began to shift, focusing on others.
[Tendo and Caroline's side]
In the most severely shaking area of the plaza, Tendo stood as steady as a mountain.
A faint vector field shimmered around him, like an invisible shield that not only protected himself but also enveloped Caroline beside him.
Caroline, however, ignored the commotion around her, her fingers sliding rapidly across her screen, as if the trembling beneath her feet had nothing to do with her.
Quickly, Caroline analyzed the cause.
"It's a Spatial-type Star Energy fluctuation. Someone is manipulating the spatial nodes of the plaza. It should be the signal for the assessment to begin."
Tendo nodded, then looked at the sky above, which was constantly shifting, and joked, "Starting with something this big right away, it seems some people don't want us to pass too easily."
As his voice fell, the camera of the series changed again.
[Jing Liuli and the Frost Tone Family's side]
In the scene, the moment the tremor occurred, Jing Liuli flipped onto her Illusion Dream Pillow. Pale purple Star Energy supported the pillow, keeping her suspended in the air and immune to the effects of the earthquake.
At the same time, she reached out and pulled Danica up with her, then waved to the people behind her.
Immediately afterward, more than a dozen Star-Emissaries in purple and blue uniforms quickly surrounded Jing Liuli, protecting her.
Among these people was Jeremiah, the Instant-Noodle-Head who was No. 7 of the Starfleet.
Jeremiah looked up at the sky and frowned. "Liuli, the spatial fluctuations here are getting stronger. Do we need to activate the protective barrier?"
Jing Liuli shook her head.
"No need. This is just the 'appetizer' of the assessment."
[Chen Xing and the Blazing Sun Family's side]
Chen Xing, who had been absent from the dimensional audience's sight for a while after the theatrical version, appeared again.
She was wearing a fiery red tactical suit, standing in the middle of a group of Star-Emissaries also dressed in red.
Facing the sudden spatial fluctuations, Chen Xing pressed her right hand onto the demonic blade hanging at her lower back. A powerful blood flame erupted from her body, forming a special fire barrier that shielded her and the other Blazing Sun Family Star-Emissaries from the effects of the shaking.
"Everyone maintain formation!"
"After the transmission ends, search for the Star Tears immediately. Do not act alone."
"Understood."
Chen Xing's voice was clear, carrying an undeniable command, and the surrounding Blazing Sun Family Star-Emissaries responded in unison.
After this, the series' camera showed many faces familiar to the dimensional audience.
Night God Lin, No. 5 of the Starfleet, was hidden in the shadows, completely unaffected by the tremor.
Phantom Thousand Shadow, No. 30, leaned against her, using her shadow to counteract the effects of the spatial tremor.
Mi Yao, No. 13, sat on the ground unconcernedly, playing a handheld game console, the screen showing a 'Battle Royale' type of mini-game, as if the current chaos had nothing to do with him.
[Dimensional Bullet Screen Zone]
'No wonder Xingxing (Chen Xing) and Liuli disappeared for a while. It turns out they were called back to lead their respective teams.'
'Liuli has Jeremiah beside her! Has the Frost Tone Family finally ended its internal strife?'
'Night God Lin is still so mysterious! Hidden in the shadows, you can't even find her!'
'Mi Yao is still playing games! Isn't he afraid of falling when he gets teleported?'
Amidst the curiosity of the bullet screen, the entire plaza suddenly emitted an eerie blue light.
In the next second, all the contestants vanished from the spot, their whereabouts unknown.
As the pale blue light completely enveloped the entire plaza, a strong sense of weightlessness surged into Chen Kōng's heart.
"Ugh, my head is spinning."
After everything settled, Chen Kōng shook his head, then looked up at his surroundings.
The hard stone pavement was no longer beneath his feet but rather waist-high green grass.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, the grass blades shimmered with a faint fluorescence, looking beautiful like flowing starlight when the wind blew.
But before Chen Kōng could admire the beautiful scenery, a huge virtual screen appeared out of thin air above all the contestants.
[Starry Sky Ladder Qualifications Match Selection]
[Task: Find and hold the 'Star Tear' within 3 hours. Those who hold the 'Star Tear' at the end of the assessment pass the qualification match.]
[Rule 1: The coordinates and some information of the 'Star Tear' holder will be publicly revealed in real-time.]
[Rule 2: The initial Star Tears are held by 300 seeded contestants who received an 'Invitation Letter.']
[Rule 3: The first person to touch the 'Star Tear' holder can seize the 'Star Tear.']
[Rule 4: Upon cumulative accumulation of a certain amount of 'damage,' you will be automatically teleported out of the assessment venue: Streamer Grassland.]
[Rule 5: Contestant rankings are determined by the length of time the 'Star Tear' is held.]
[Current Participants: 3,460 people]
Looking at the rules displayed, Chen Kōng's expression slowly turned grim.
Because he was one of the seeded contestants who received an 'Invitation Letter.'
This meant his coordinates and some information had already been transmitted to the other contestants.