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Chapter 143 - 142: You Think You’re Worthy of Clout-Chasing?

Jiang Wenbin finally snapped back to reality, "You... where did you take the original host?"

"Of course, she was killed, otherwise she would have been a nuisance." The woman spread her arms, pretending to be innocent, "And I didn’t come alone, you see, there are quite a few partners who share my ideals."

At this point, the audience realized that the three exits of the filming hall were locked, and it was actually the TV station’s security guards standing at the doors.

Considering that even the pillar host could be replaced, it seemed only natural that the security guards had become Lu Lixin’s people.

"Is this... a terrorist attack?" Finally, someone realized the seriousness of the situation.

"Quick, call the police."

"Be careful, don’t let their people hear..."

Chen Xuan overheard the crowd murmuring softly.

"It’s okay, go ahead and make your calls. Whether it’s a final message to family or calling the police to save you." Lu Lixin said unhurriedly, as if she had anticipated their reaction, "I deliberately lifted the signal blockade to let the whole world see what’s happening in the filming hall!"

"Is there such an event in the historical records?" Chen Xuan leaned over to Lin Qing and asked.

If a terrorist attack caused by ability users had indeed happened, resulting in numerous civilian casualties, it would certainly have been recorded in history.

Lin Qing quickly searched the database, "No."

"Then can you find 9/11?"

"There are two records."

Chen Xuan felt relieved. Since there was no historical record, it meant two possibilities: either her gas had limited damage, unable to kill everyone in the hall, with possibly only a few injured, or someone stopped her violence—most likely the Dimensional Limit Mechanism.

They are the most professional ability users and are certainly paying attention to this show.

Perhaps an execution team from the mechanism was already on their way.

"Since there’s no record, let’s retreat first." Chen Xuan whispered. By stepping into a relatively dark corner, they could quietly leave the place using the store manager’s recall. "Otherwise, if we disappear suddenly when the mechanism people arrive, it could raise suspicion."

Lin Qing thought for a moment and agreed with this judgment.

"Why are you doing this!" Jiang Wenbin loudly questioned, but anyone could hear that his tone was far less confident than when he threw out a billion in cash, "Let the audience go, they are innocent, I’ll give you whatever money you want!"

"Do you think I’m doing this for money? Wrong... I’m standing here with noble ideals!" Lu Lixin let out a strange laugh, "The one I follow is the very villain you speak of, the one who revealed the existence of ability users to the world, the Masked Tutor!"

Chen Xuan, who was about to get up, was stunned.

Masked Tutor? Could she be referring to the Masked Woman mentioned in the media at the time, which was Lin Qing?

What nonsense is she spouting!

Meanwhile, Jiang Wenbin was also signaling to his bodyguard—the latter was slowly moving out of her line of sight, edging closer to the backstage.

"My purpose in assembling a security team was to guard against scum like you, the outcasts among ability users!" He shouted angrily.

"Say whatever you like. To us ability users, the Masked Tutor is like a rebirth parent, granting us power and a new mission!" She said, speaking passionately, "All ability users in the world, listen to me! We should unite to resist the Dimensional Limit Mechanism, and defy the capital that seeks to enslave us. No one can stand above us, for we are the true masters of this world!"

Just as Lu Lixin opened her arms and passionately spoke to the camera, the bodyguard suddenly charged from behind, his hands like a tiger’s claws aimed straight for her throat.

"Ah!"

On stage, contestant Si Tian screamed in shock at the sudden change.

"Hmm?" Lu Lixin turned around to find the bodyguard already within reach; she seemed too late to react and was already being choked tightly!

"Well done!"

"Don’t let go, killing her is justifiable self-defense!" Everyone’s spirits lifted instantly, cheering loudly!

But in less than a second, the situation turned dramatically downward. The bodyguard clutched his face, screaming in pain as he fell, rolling on the ground, his skin visibly ulcerating and peeling off, exposing the red and white muscles underneath.

The crowd fell silent in an instant.

"Didn’t I warn you? I can change the composition of gases, and that includes the exhaust I breathe out. Rushing in so close without any defensive measures won’t do." Lu Lixin calmly kicked him aside, "You all want to join the defense team to fight against ability users like me, right? Wouldn’t it be most fitting for me to be the assessor? I’ve given plenty of introductions... Now let’s move on to the main topic."

She then extended her hand, pointing to the girl who had cried out earlier, "Your reminder was excellent; I like you a lot. Let’s have you be the one to open the show. Will you choose to face me... or one of the enrolled audience?"

Si Tian was so frightened her face turned pale, "I, I..."

"You have five seconds to choose; if you can’t, by default, it’s me." Lu Lixin began counting down, "Five..."

"Chen Xuan?" Lin Qing suddenly saw him turn and walk toward the stage.

"The things we did to oppose the mechanism aren’t an excuse for their wanton behavior." Chen Xuan said coldly.

A lunatic, daring to defame him and Lin Qing?

"Wait, put this on." Lin Qing took out her sunglasses from her pocket and handed them to him, "I’ll go to a corner where no one will notice, and as soon as it’s done, we’ll leave immediately."

Sure enough, she instantly understood what he wanted to do.

Chen Xuan nodded, "Don’t worry, it will end soon."

With that, he put on the sunglasses, pulled up his mask even higher, and then strided toward the stage.

"...Two, one, zero." Lu Lixin finished the countdown, contemptuously declaring, "You ultimately chose me as your opponent. By becoming the company’s lackey for money and fame, you have betrayed the independent ability users’ camp. Seeing a fellow like you who resorts to sensationalism, the Masked Tutor would probably be disappointed too."

"I... I didn’t..." She retreated repeatedly, only to be blocked by other contestants.

"Stop retreating, you can’t leave the stage, or she’ll kill everyone!"

"Using your Flame Magic to stall for time would also be good!"

Everyone whispered quickly among themselves.

Until someone saw Chen Xuan step onto the stage.

Be it the enrolled audience or the ten contestants, they all froze in place. They never imagined that in a place they desperately wanted to escape from, someone dared to approach voluntarily.

And who is this person anyway, a member of the audience? His face was covered tightly by a mask, sunglasses, and a hat; he didn’t look like a good person. Who wears sunglasses at night like a regular spectator!

Could he be another of Lu Lixin’s accomplices?

"You..." Lu Lixin also frowned, but as the figure approached, she suddenly felt a chill rise from the soles of her feet!

No, this person is different from those on stage!

Whether it’s the show contestants or the audience, it’s clear they pose little threat; they have no understanding of her depths, foolishly trying to make a name with laughable abilities—stupid and shallow.

But this person before her is different... Even without seeing his eyes and expression, Lu Lixin could tell—because her body had already responded involuntarily, her fingers actually trembling slightly.

The more blood someone has seen, the more sensitive they are to threatening auras.

This kind of incredible reaction was something she encountered for the first time.

No, she had to strike first!

She, no longer calm and poised, stealthily put a hand behind her back, making a hollow grip, an almost imperceptible shadow leaped towards him from the side!

No matter what ability he has, grabbing it first is always the best!

Indeed, it’s the Strong Robbery initiation...

Chen Xuan activated the Divine Eye Technique, seeing clearly the path of the black shadow’s advance. This ability he had also experienced, it’s not a strong rule-based ability, it needs to hit effectively to take effect. So when the Strong Robbery Technique was about to touch him, he suddenly stepped forward forcefully, darting forward in an instant, letting the shadow miss!

To onlookers, it looked as if he had suddenly teleported a short distance!