CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 77: THERE IS ALWAYS A HURDLE IN LIFE THAT ONE CANNOT OVERCOME

"Director Min, the ratings broke four this cycle!"

In an era where the internet is advanced and most people haven’t watched TV in years, a rating breaking four is already a very impressive achievement.

At least, none of Min Jian’s favored programs from recent years had broken four.

"What about online on-demand views?"

"Sixty million views immediately upon release, and barring any surprises, it will break a hundred million by tomorrow morning."

"Not bad! There are only two episodes left: Friday’s competition for the top seven warriors, and Sunday’s final battle to decide the champion. Although we’ve already achieved a significant milestone, we can’t let our guard down. After the Star Martial Warrior competition concludes perfectly, I’ll give each of you a big bonus, out of my own pocket."

"Director Min is mighty—"

"Director Min is powerful—"

As Wolf’s popularity continued to soar, he gradually showed signs of becoming a national idol.

The Star Martial Warrior competition boosted Wolf’s popularity, and Wolf’s consistently stable performance, in turn, sustained the competition’s buzz. The two were mutually reinforcing.

And Wang Lan felt more and more as if his identity were splitting. Sometimes he would feel confused: was he Wang Lan, or Wolf? It seemed that once he put on the mask, he, Wang Lan, transformed into someone else.

The usual Wang Lan continued his school routine, as unflappable as ever. Sometimes, he would pretentiously discuss the Star Martial Warrior competition with his classmates, arguing heatedly until their faces were red about who would win the championship.

Every time Jiang Xinyu saw this, she couldn’t help but cover her face, unable to watch. She really hadn’t realized before that Wang Lan was such a good actor.

During the break, a cellphone rang.

Jiang Xinyu quietly stood up and walked outside the classroom.

"What’s up?"

"Miss, the sponsor just called me. There’s a talent agency that wants to unlock Wolf’s information. They’re offering ten million..."

"Are we short on money?"

"Not really, Miss. But even if we aren’t short on money, every little bit helps, right? Ten million just for Wolf’s real information—this deal is too good to pass up."

"Hmm! If Wolf’s real information gets leaked, you’d better disappear. Preferably to another country."

"Ah?"

"That’s settled then. Go to the central data computer, delete Wolf’s registration file, and shred it completely. Wolf’s information must never be leaked. Understood?"

"Understood."

"I have to get back to class. Hanging up."

「Friday evening, as the city lights began to shine.」

Wang Lan took the subway with the crowd to the vicinity of Suzhou City’s TV station and quietly put on his mask in a secluded corner. Just as he was about to head to the TV station, he heard a familiar voice.

"Brother Lang, you’ve placed all the bets, right? I’m confident in my strength."

"Are you sure? Perhaps you’re the only one in the whole world who’s confident. But whatever, since you believe in yourself, go ahead. But remember, the deal is final once you buy."

"I understand! But you can’t scam me."

"Huh? You think I, Brother Lang, built my reputation by bragging? I, Brother Lang, navigate this world by upholding principles and loyalty, and I have many brothers. If you didn’t trust me on that, you wouldn’t have come to me. Besides, I wouldn’t dare scam a Star Martial Warrior, right?"

"Good!"

Hu Qing turned and waved goodbye, only to spot Wang Lan standing not far away, wearing a moon-white mask. Hu Qing strode over. "You’re here?"

"What kind of deal were you making with him?" Wang Lan frowned. Although he hadn’t heard everything, he had a general idea.

"Nothing much... Let’s go, the competition is about to start."

Wang Lan hadn’t known Hu Qing for long; it wasn’t enough time to forge a deep friendship. But at least to Wang Lan, Hu Qing seemed like a decent person.

This was particularly evident given that someone had offered three million for Wang Lan’s real identity. This fact would have been well-known among the Star Martial Warrior competition participants. Especially in the last two days, many Star Martial Warriors had secretly tailed Wang Lan after he left the TV station. But Wang Lan, using Xiao Ai to control the cameras and his own nimble movement technique, had shaken them all off.

Hu Qing had no reason not to know about this. As the only one aware of Wang Lan’s true identity, taking the three million would have been easy for him. Yet, Wang Lan’s identity remained unexposed.

Initially, Wang Lan hadn’t expected to suddenly become so famous, which was why he had exchanged real identities with Hu Qing. Hu Qing desperately needed money, yet he had protected Wang Lan’s identity, proving he was a man of principle with a clear moral compass. Therefore, Wang Lan didn’t want to see Hu Qing go down the wrong path.

"Since I was young, I’ve known that gambling has only one end: utter ruin. Actually, many people know this, but it’s like an addiction they can’t quit. Once trapped, they see no hope and just live day by day. But smoking only harms oneself; gambling harms oneself and one’s family."

Hu Qing’s steps halted. "I know, but my sister’s illness..."

"Your sister’s illness isn’t an excuse for your downfall. Many people dream of getting rich overnight, but they all know gambling won’t make them rich; that tempting money is just bait on a trap."

"This might be my last stand." Hu Qing pulled out a crushed pack of cigarettes from his pocket. "Do you know how heavily I used to smoke? Three packs a day. I had to have one before bed just to be able to sleep.

"My comrades gave me this pack of cigarettes when I was discharged from the army. I’ve been smoking them sparingly ever since, and I still have half a pack left. All to save that cigarette money.

"For her, I even quit smoking.

"I originally thought I could win the Star Martial Warrior Competition and earn those three million. But having come this far, I’ve realized I can’t go any further. You asked me the other day why I hadn’t slept well? That night, the hospital issued another critical condition notice for my sister.

"She’s so well-behaved, and only ten years old.

"I don’t know how long I can hold on; my parents are on the verge of giving up. I can’t take it, I really can’t take it anymore. It’s a bottomless pit, a true bottomless pit. But I swear, even if she ultimately has to leave us, I’ll spend every last bit of my strength to keep her here until the very last second.

"I’ve bet on myself to win. This battle, I must win."

"And if you lose?"

"I won’t lose!" Hu Qing glared, his eyes bloodshot, killing intent erupting from him.

"After the competition, take me to see your sister," Wang Lan said calmly.

"Alright!" Hu Qing managed a faint smile. "Let’s go. Lately, fans looking for you have been all over the place outside the TV station. I just don’t get it. They don’t even know what you look like, so why do they like you so much?"

"Perhaps it’s precisely because of this sense of mystery."

"Dear live audience and viewers at home! Responding to your overwhelming demand, the third season of Suzhou City’s Star Martial Warrior Competition, the battle for the top seven, is officially kicking off!

This battle for the top seven will be broadcast live—no delays, no editing. What our viewers at home are seeing is exactly what’s happening here, right now.

This program is produced by Jiang Brand Entertainment and brought to you by..."

The host rattled off several hundred words of advertisements in under a minute.

"Alright, let’s turn our cameras to the backstage preparation area. Tonight, three rounds of duels will take place, producing three champions who will advance to challenge in the next round of the Star Martial Warrior Competition.

Behold the heavens, where the four winds stir the clouds! With sword in hand, who in this world is the true hero? Let’s eagerly await who can stand undefeated on this stage and become the champion of our third season’s Star Martial Warrior Competition!

Please welcome our first-round contestants: ’Swift-Blade Octo-Arm’ Hu Qing, and our very own ’Iron Mountain Kong’ Chang Shuangyue!"

Amidst the stirring background music, Hu Qing stepped into the arena, his expression grave. This battle, he could not lose!

Chang Shuangyue was a powerful Physical Shield Type Warrior, his defense and strength unparalleled. Normally, Star Martial Warriors who emphasize defense and strength usually have speed as a shortcoming. Chang Shuangyue, however, seemed to have no such weakness.

His punching speed only seemed slow because it was overshadowed by his astonishing defense and strength. In reality, his fist speed was not inferior to any other contestant in this competition. Even Hu Qing’s renowned speed was only marginally faster than Chang Shuangyue’s.

Chang Shuangyue’s Star Martial Art talent seemed to be his own physique. When he activated his Star Martial Skill, his skin would turn red. In this Red Skin Mode, his physical defense was monstrously strong.

Wang Lan had personally witnessed a match where a wind-attribute Star Martial Warrior used slicing attacks, attempting to breach his defense. But in the end, even the sharpest wind-attribute attacks couldn’t scratch his skin.

Star Martial Warriors with physical-type talents also form a large category. Some undergo partial Beastification when using their Star Martial Skills. Whether this ability stems from activating some primal, beastly part of human genes or something else entirely, biologists have yet to explain.

In Wang Lan’s view, this was an opponent who, so far, hadn’t revealed any weaknesses. Hu Qing’s weakness, on the other hand, Wang Lan had already identified.

"In a match, surrendering, being knocked down, or being knocked out of the ring all count as a loss. I must reiterate: victory and defeat are common in battle. Do not stubbornly persist out of mere pride. Do both contestants understand?"

"Understood."

"Stop nagging!"

"Then, cameras in position! Barrier up! Match, begin!"

The instant the whistle blew, Hu Qing surprisingly deviated from his usual style. Instead of instantly closing in on his opponent, he suddenly slammed his hands to the ground.

In an instant, countless concrete spikes erupted densely from the stage.

"Holy crap, I had no idea Hu Qing was an Earth Attribute Star Martial Warrior! I always thought he was a close-combat specialist."

"Don’t say you didn’t know; I didn’t know either. It seems like since the competition started, Hu Qing hasn’t used any Earth Attribute Star Martial Skills, right?"

"Didn’t you two watch the episode before last? In the battle Hu Qing barely won, he turned the tide with an Earth Attribute Star Martial Skill. His opponent from that match must have felt incredibly wronged. Just when he thought victory was in his grasp, Hu Qing caught him off guard with a sudden Earth Attribute Star Martial Skill, causing him to make a mistake and fall out of the ring.

If his opponent hadn’t made that mistake, Hu Qing might not have even made it into the top thirteen, let alone be competing for the top seven now."

The stage was made of concrete, so the emerging spikes were naturally concrete spikes. How could their hardness compare to ordinary earthen spikes?

But these concrete spikes were like tofu under Chang Shuangyue’s fists, shattering with a light touch and exploding with a gentle squeeze.

A forest of countless spikes surrounded Chang Shuangyue. Suddenly, he activated his Red Skin Mode and charged at Hu Qing like a tank.

The resulting dust cloud obscured vision like a dense fog. Not just the audience, even the host closest to the stage couldn’t clearly see what was happening inside.