Crushing Domination

"Tiandao, do you think Chen Xing can pass the assessment?"

Outside the arena, Caroline watched the Earth Dragon Lizard in the field, whose aura was clearly off.

She was deeply worried about Chen Xing's upcoming assessment.

Because if not for Tiandao and the others' earlier "offense," then even with the massive gap in strength between Chen Xing and the Earth Dragon Lizard,

they would still have had a decent chance of achieving a good result if the Earth Dragon Lizard had held back.

But all of that had been completely shattered by Tiandao's earlier strike.

Looking at the now-serious Earth Dragon Lizard, Caroline knew very well that Chen Xing and the others' upcoming assessment would be true Hell difficulty.

Especially since they had chosen to take the stage after Tiandao's group.

In response to Caroline's question, Tiandao adjusted his sunglasses. "Who knows? But..."

Tiandao turned to look at Xing's two teammates, who had yet to step onto the arena.

Chen Kong of No. 036, and Rin of No. 005.

"...as long as Xing's two teammates can play their parts, their result may very well surpass everyone's expectations."

"Oh?"

Caroline glanced at Tiandao in surprise, clearly not expecting him to say that.

After all, she had personally encountered the Earth Dragon Lizard just moments ago.

She knew exactly how terrifying this thing was.

Yet Tiandao said that Chen Xing and the others might achieve a good result.

Then the only variable could be Chen Kong, that "ordinary person."

Because she knew Tiandao's personality. He would never speak recklessly.

Since he had repeatedly said that Chen Kong was special,

there had to be something about him that Tiandao valued.

Caroline's guess was actually correct. According to the original plot, this Earth Dragon Lizard had been a mere tool lizard meant to create a "moment in the spotlight" for Chen Kong.

The difference was that Chen Kong's group had taken the stage first back then, not second.

Although the current situation differed somewhat from the original work,

Tiandao felt that the eventual outcome should not change too much.

Because Chen Kong's teammates were still Chen Xing and Yagami Rin.

Moreover, in the original work, Chen Kong and the others had likewise been suppressed by the Earth Dragon Lizard the moment they took the stage, with virtually no chance to fight back.

Only at the critical moment had Chen Kong relied on the abilities of his "Black Star" and "Mark of the Void"

to temporarily nullify the Star Power Field raised by the Earth Dragon Lizard, creating an opening for Chen Xing to attack.

That was how they had managed to "injure" the Earth Dragon Lizard and create a miracle.

And that had been the protagonist Chen Kong's first moment in the spotlight in the original work.

Only, Tiandao had stolen it ahead of time.

But considering Chen Kong's special bloodline and that absurd Black Star: Star Core,

Tiandao felt that they still had a decent chance of recreating that scene.

It was just that with Tiandao's dazzling feat preceding them,

even if they accomplished the same thing, it would only be a "clumsy imitation" of Tiandao.

While Tiandao and the others were talking, Chen Kong and Yagami Rin finally chose to step onto the arena.

Though they truly did not want to face an Earth Dragon Lizard that was clearly in a berserk state at this time,

Chen Xing's words just now had changed their mindset to some extent.

Because, just as Chen Xing had said, as Starborn, they could not keep hiding behind others forever.

Besides, Tiandao and the others had already proven with their strength

that even a Rank 2 Earth Dragon Lizard could bleed.

"Sis."

Chen Kong came up behind Chen Xing, nervously holding a training star power pistol.

Seeing the star power pistol in his hand, many people outside the arena, as well as many important figures in the VIP Room, revealed disdainful looks.

With the arrival of the Star Source era, aside from certain special firearms enhanced by the Mechanical type,

most conventional firearms had completely lost their dominance.

They could only deal with some weaker Rank 1 Star Envoys and Star Beasts.

Against powerful Rank 1 Star Envoys and Star Beasts, let alone beings at Rank 2 and above, conventional firearms posed no threat at all.

Thus, an unwritten rule existed among Star Envoys: aside from those of the Mechanical type, anyone else who used a gun was practically equating themselves with weakness.

Therefore, among the 36 of Stellaris this time, Chen Kong was the only one who had chosen a firearm as his weapon.

Even Caroline, who was of the Mechanical type, had not done so.

It was not that she could not, but that she did not want to become reliant on such an "external tool" too early.

Though Chen Kong holding a pistol made many people look down on him,

as his older sister, Chen Xing was quite satisfied with it.

"Not bad. At least you know you're useless and didn't come here empty-handed to die for the sake of some pointless pride."

Hearing that, Chen Kong awkwardly scratched his head, not knowing how to respond.

Yagami Rin, dressed in a "ninja outfit" nearby, also showed unusually little prejudice toward Chen Kong's choice.

After all, as a pragmatist, if the Final Assessment had not restricted them to carrying only one main weapon,

she would not have cared about any nonsense involving the weak and the strong.

As long as it was useful, she would even bring a rocket launcher onto the arena.

"So? Are you ready?"

Yun Meng came over to the three of them and asked with a smile.

Chen Xing calmly nodded, giving her answer.

"Alright, then... good luck."

With that, Yun Meng retreated outside the field.

"The second round of the Final Assessment... begin!"

"ROAR—"

The Earth Dragon Lizard's roar made the arena barrier tremble.

Its amber vertical pupils stared fixedly at the newly entered trio, Chen Xing, Chen Kong, and Yagami Rin. Sulfur-scented white smoke billowed from its nostrils, while the metallic scales on its dorsal fin clanged sharply.

Clearly, Tiandao's earlier strike had completely ignited this creature's fury.

And Chen Xing's group was now the perfect target for it to vent that fury on.

"We're done for. Someone's definitely going to die..."

Watching the berserk Earth Dragon Lizard, one of the Starborn could not help muttering under his breath.

Then, amid everyone's terrified gazes, the enraged Earth Dragon Lizard charged before Chen Xing and swiped with its claw.

Bang!

Amid sparks from clashing metal, Chen Xing barely raised her Blood Flame Blade to block the Earth Dragon Lizard's claw.

But the astonishing force behind it immediately sent her staggering back six or seven steps before she managed to steady herself.

Though she had luckily endured the blow, blood was already seeping from the corner of her lips, and the web between her right thumb and forefinger had split open. She was clearly badly injured.

So heavy. Is this what a Rank 2 Star Beast is like when it gets serious?

Feeling the changes in her body, Chen Xing's heart grew incomparably heavy.

Could they truly defeat such a monster?

Had Tiandao only injured this creature because it had underestimated him?

"Shadow Bind: Dark Thorns!"

Seeing Chen Xing forced back after just one exchange, Yagami Rin's black hair stirred without wind.

Dozens of Black Shadows shot up from the ground, wrapping around the dragon lizard's limbs in an attempt to delay its movements and create an opening for Chen Xing to attack.

But only one second later—

Crack!

Every shadow chain shattered.

Rin let out a muffled groan, and a trace of blood flowed from the corner of her mouth as well.

"No. Xing, in its berserk state, I can't restrain it!"

Hearing Rin's words, Chen Xing forcefully suppressed the surging blood and energy within her body, gritted her teeth, and charged toward the Earth Dragon Lizard once again.

As for Chen Kong?

He could not even think of attacking right now. He could not even see everyone's movements clearly, and could only stand there in a daze.

Outside the arena, watching Chen Xing's group get completely crushed, the observing Starborn fell utterly silent.

So not everyone... was Tiandao Siming...