“Do it!”

A sudden change occurred in the arena. With this loud shout, the audience stands erupted in chaos. About one-fifth of the players suddenly launched an attack, figures soaring into the air, heading straight for Han Xiao on the main stage, their hands glowing with various weapons. They were all responding to the call, determined to be heroes who sacrificed themselves for a noble cause.

As if a taut string had suddenly snapped, the remaining players revealed excited, gleeful expressions.

In the crowd, Wolf Whistle Winter's eyes lit up, and he loudly commanded on the channel.

“The opportunity has come! Let's go!”

In the next moment, several hundred more players suddenly rose up, about to attack the audience stands around them.

Wolf Whistle Winter took flight, frost condensing around him, leaving behind a trail of ice crystals as he charged toward the celebrity guest seats.

His pupils reflected the astonished faces of many celebrities turning their heads. A look of excitement appeared on Wolf Whistle Winter's face. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, preparing to unleash his Esper ability to spew ice and snow, ready to turn this group of social elites into ice sculptures.

At the same time, the heroes rushing toward the main stage also noticed this group of people taking the opportunity to cause trouble. Many of them immediately revealed expressions of shock and anger.

The plan didn't include harming the audience. Subconsciously, some people were about to turn around and stop the guild spy force led by Wolf Whistle Winter from killing innocents.

All these changes happened in a flash. Just as the chaos was about to erupt, dazzling electric light suddenly burst forth from the center of the arena!

Crack!!

Countless bolts of mechanical force lightning suddenly shot out, like a spider web instantly spreading out. Mechanical soldiers, ambushed in the various audience seats, instantly activated, swiftly pouncing toward the players making trouble around them.

These deployed ambushers were all "Restrainers-Modified" specializing in control. They could decompose into high-tech restraining suits, using their bodies to capture and imprison targets. Now, with Han Xiao's mechanical force enhancement, their stats far exceeded the players, who were currently at most Grade B.

Zzzzzz—

Black shadows darted through the arena, electric light flashing. All the players charging toward Han Xiao were like birds with broken wings, completely controlled by the Restrainers' electromagnetic chains and force field restraining devices, unable to move.

Freedom Flies and the other contestants on the main stage were immediately blasted away by the burst of energy, crashing at the edge of the stage.

Just as the group was gritting their teeth, about to climb back up and continue their charge, they saw Han Xiao lightly flip his palm. A powerful psychic shockwave slammed down, directly crushing them onto the ground. The metal floor, under the influence of mechanical force, suddenly transformed into ropes made of nanoparticles, instantly binding Freedom Flies and the others tightly.

Before the various guests could react, the crisis that arose unexpectedly had been quelled by the prepared Han Xiao.

'Phew, thankfully, I was prepared.'

Han Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The players' current strength was not even at the Calamity Grade. In front of him, they were not much different from ordinary people. Their numbers alone couldn't threaten him, but if they attacked others, they could definitely harm the ordinary audience.

Even if he could react quickly, he couldn't guarantee there would be no casualties. But now, with preparation against unpreparedness, the players had just started their uprising before he subdued them all, ensuring that no guest was injured. The brief process was dangerous but ultimately safe. They couldn't stir up any waves under his Wuzhi Mountain (referring to the Buddha's palm in Journey to the West, implying absolute control).

This operation was triggered by Freedom Flies leading the charge. So many people were roped into causing trouble, making them akin to a mob. Moreover, most participants were simply acting impulsively on a whim – which was normal for players. Plus, with the limited time and lack of planning, it was impossible to expect them to formulate a meticulous plan.

The entire operation reeked of a desperate, last-ditch attempt.

“His reaction is too fast!” Wolf Whistle Winter only felt a blur before he was captured, unable to resist. He was shocked.

He struggled to turn his head and saw that all his companions had been caught by mechanical soldiers, stuffed into the Restrainers' bellies, unable to move.

“Damn it, not even one person died… But it's alright. With us as an example, it's enough to enrage the legion and reduce their trust in all their players, thereby lowering the treatment legion players receive in this camp…”

Wolf Whistle Winter was somewhat regretful that the raid failed and the effect was greatly reduced, but judging by the strategic goal, the operation hadn't completely failed.

These changes happened too quickly, the danger resolving even faster. The guests and viewers in various star systems were stunned for a long moment before gradually understanding what had happened.

Wait, didn't we just drift around the edge of death?

“What was that just now?”

“It seems like the Black Star Army's people rebelled?”

“They said Black Star isn't Black Star. What does that even mean?!”

“That scared me! Is this part of the show?!”

Coming back to their senses, the guests in the arena immediately erupted in an uproar. Because it happened so fast, they didn't feel the danger approaching at all. They didn't feel any lingering fear, only surprise and astonishment. The arena immediately became chaotic.

Everyone discussed excitedly, their eyes all turning toward Han Xiao on the stage, filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

Many army executives immediately gathered around Han Xiao, making a protective stance, scanning the players with extreme hostility.

Hela strode forward, her face filled with killing intent. She shouted, “Take all these traitors down for strict interrogation. I want to know who ordered them to do this!”

“Hey, don't be so tense. I still have some questions to ask them, and the guests probably deserve an explanation as well.”

Han Xiao raised his hand to stop Hela, signaling the soldiers to step back.

Feeling the confused and curious gazes of the entire audience, he calmly raised a finger. Nanoparticles immediately detached from the metal floor, binding Freedom Flies and the others as they floated into the air, slowly drifting in front of him.

Deliberately revealing a perfectly timed look of confusion, Han Xiao asked curiously:

“What do you mean by what you just said? Why do you think I'm being impersonated by the Mechanic Emperor?”

Freedom Flies was somewhat frustrated at this time. Such a sudden action by so many people failed to stir up any waves. In the blink of an eye, they were all wiped out, becoming the Mechanic Emperor's prisoners.

But at least he had shouted out to the entire universe, achieving his goal. All that remained in his heart was a sense of heroic self-sacrifice. Hearing this, he shouted:

“Mechanic Emperor! Even if you pretend to be like him, I know you're not the real one!”

“Do you have any proof?” Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.

Only players could see the character card screenshots. This evidence was useless against NPCs. Moreover, they had already used the character card to prove their identities, so this reason naturally had no persuasiveness.

Freedom Flies had long guessed that he would face this question and knew very well that he couldn't convince anyone other than the players. He had already prepared to start berating the "Mechanic Emperor" and shouted without hesitation:

“It's the aura!”

“Huh?” Han Xiao was also stunned.

“Hmph, our Black Star Army Commander is such a noble and upright figure, his heart filled with the universe's creatures. Just looking at him will make people feel respect and admiration. But you, Mechanic Emperor, are acting out of selfish desires, disregarding the safety of the universe. You actually want to privately take the source of the Intelligent Plague. Your despicable aura has betrayed you!”

“The Mechanic Emperor is despicable?” Han Xiao raised his voice, deliberately adding a hint of threat.

“He's extremely despicable!” Freedom Flies wasn't afraid at all. “Who is Black Star? He rose up in just a few decades and can fight you to a standstill. You're an ancient one? I think you've lived your years like a dog. You and our Army Commander are completely… incomparable!”

Many Super-As present awkwardly touched their noses… Did it feel like they were being scolded too?

Han Xiao's face twitched. He did his best to not laugh.

Excellent!

That's the feeling. Iron brother, keep bashing!

“So… that's your reason for betraying me?”

“It's not a betrayal! Don't try to distort our motives! We have contributed to the army, we have shed blood for the army. We are already inseparable from the army. Only Black Star is qualified to lead us forward. Any outsider who attempts to interfere with the army will be met with our resistance! Even if you kill me today, I will shout in my coffin—never compromise!”

Freedom Flies spoke with great righteousness, and Han Xiao was almost moved.

His infectious words made many of the captured old-school players feel their blood boiling. The feelings accumulated over multiple versions surged into their hearts, filling their chests with fearlessness (because they were not afraid of death anyway). They shouted loudly:

“This is the Black Star Army! Mechanic Emperor, get out!”

“May Black Star rise as usual!”

“Army Commander is awesome!”

“Undying, we will never be slaves!”

The shouts broke through the clouds, echoing in the arena. The heroic spirit and conviction contained within moved many viewers.

—We good citizens have never seen the world. So this is the daily life of a warlord? I love it.

On the other hand, the Super-As present twitched their faces, remaining in a state of bewilderment throughout the entire process.

In their minds, such a situation was absurd and incomprehensible.

At this time, Kant suddenly spoke, “Actually, I can understand the thoughts of these Undying…”

Everyone turned to look at him, their faces seemingly writing "What illness have you contracted?".

Kant coughed and said, “Actually, I have also recruited some Undying. They are mostly normal, but occasionally they experience mental impairments that cause them to do things I cannot understand…”

“For example?”

“…Someone asked me to turn into a naked female human in front of me. I accidentally killed him… three times.”

Kuseye next to him deeply agreed, "I also have Undying under my command. Even I can't understand their thought processes. There was actually someone who wanted to steal my underwear, can you believe it?"

"I think I heard a theory that some experts say the Undying's immortality causes their thinking to undergo synchronized mutations, leading to intermittent mania, paranoia, logical disorders, three-phase emotional disorders, and other mental illnesses."

“Oh, that makes sense…”

They suspected their boss was fake just because his aura wasn't right? Who normal would do such a thing!

But if the people doing this were Undying, everyone instantly accepted the fact… It seems like anything an Undying does is not strange.

Once the topic was opened, many Super-As who recruited players immediately started complaining. Soon, they happily reached a consensus that the Undying had problems with their brains. They admired Black Star for managing the unpredictable Undying in their eyes so well.

At this time, the Arcane Master coldly snorted, “What nonsense are you all talking about? This is obviously a play directed and acted by Black Star himself, deliberately tarnishing the Mechanic Emperor. My eyes have already seen through everything.”

“It's a pity the Mechanic Emperor isn't here, otherwise his expression would definitely be interesting.” Old Man Dragon chuckled.

Everyone imagined the scene and made malicious smirks.

Just as the group was chatting enthusiastically, Han Xiao and Freedom Flies had already had several rounds of dialogue, one playing the straight man and the other the comedian, taking turns in bashing the Mechanic Emperor from head to toe over and over again.

“Come on, kill me.” Freedom Flies looked like he was about to heroically sacrifice himself.

Seeing that the situation was about right, Han Xiao said, "Although you inexplicably think I'm being impersonated by the Mechanic Emperor, you've indeed misunderstood... The Mechanic Emperor doesn't have the ability to impersonate me. He's not capable enough, far from it."

Hearing this, Kant couldn't help but laugh and say, “Do we not know if he's the real Black Star? You guys are too young and too hasty. At least investigate and find solid evidence before acting.”

We have evidence… but only we can see it.

Seeing Han Xiao and the other Super-As' reactions, Freedom Flies and the others were also somewhat shaken, becoming doubtful. Even more people originally didn't quite believe the replacement theory, agreeing with what they heard.

The character card effect wouldn't lie. So, the possibility of the other main guess increased, that Black Star had learned the Mechanic Emperor's abilities through some means.

Seeing everyone's hesitant and thoughtful postures, Han Xiao waved his hand and said, “Take them down first. After the closing ceremony, I'll have a good chat with them.”

He didn't do anything to the group on the spot. Dealing with this group was the army's internal affair and didn't need to be shown on this occasion. He still had to settle this score properly.

The Restrainer unit escorted all the troublemaking players away from the arena. Sylvia came up to stabilize everyone's emotions. The Black Star Cup closing ceremony continued, but many people's attention was no longer on the ceremony. They were all thinking about this small disturbance.

The closing ceremony was originally just a routine segment, but now it immediately had more topicality, enough to spark media attention. Han Xiao’s goal of using Freedom Flies and the others could be said to have been achieved.

The closing ceremony ended without any more twists and turns. The events that happened here were also broadcast to the entire universe by the news media.

Freedom Flies’ performance led to a new saying that countless people enjoyed talking about, becoming a common idiom in the Star Field—“Pointing at Black Star and scolding the Mechanic Emperor”.

Its meaning was roughly equivalent to beating around the bush.

…

The live broadcast ended, and the darkened screen reflected Mentherson's expressionless face.

His eyes narrowed, a cold light mixed with annoyance flashed past.

What mistaken identity? I don't believe you! This is clearly a play he directed and acted himself!

Inviting me really had malicious intent. He just wanted to embarrass me on the spot.

Mentherson clenched his fist.

Black Star, you're going too far!

I'll chop you up and turn you into a prisoner sooner or later!