Chapter 2: The Momentum Must Not Falter — "To Win"!

Beihai, a major coastal metropolis of the Republic of Fama, August.

Xiao Tian Le, dressed in a suit but without a tie, his white shirt left unbuttoned at the collar, exuded an air of casual nonchalance. He exited the subway and ascended the pedestrian bridge, where he immediately noticed a beggar soliciting alms.

With a smile on his face, he fished a coin from his pocket and tossed it into the beggar's aluminum bowl, producing a ringing clang. The beggar sprang to his feet, his expression ingratiating. "Boss, one can tell at a glance you're not ordinary. Even your coin sounds ten times louder than the others. Truly extraordinary!"

Xiao Tian Le paused, arching an eyebrow. "Heh, I appreciate your candor. I like people who speak their minds." He then pulled a twenty note from his wallet and placed it in the beggar's bowl.

As he straightened, his tone was calm. "You have hands and feet, your mind is sound. If you have the time, why not seek proper employment? Leave opportunities for those who truly need help."

The beggar gazed at the twenty in his bowl, then watched Xiao Tian Le's figure recede into the distance, lost in thought.

Ten minutes later, Xiao Tian Le arrived at the headquarters of Lotus TV.

Headed straight to his destination, he reached the interview hall on the eighteenth floor, where hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people crowded the corridors.

Seeing the bustling scene before him, Xiao Tian Le quickly grasped the situation. Though Su Yun was right—being a singer-host was a prestigious occupation—for the most part, only accomplished singers or instrumentalists could handle it. One needed a repertoire of hundreds of songs, fluency in several languages, mastery of several instruments; otherwise, the show would be impossible to host.

Yet, the standards varied. The majority were low-level singer-hosts, the pyramid principle at play. Hence, so many came to apply.

Hundreds around him warmed up their voices or played instruments, the atmosphere tense. But it was also a feast for the eyes, reminiscent of an art school audition or an open casting call.

"Sister Zhang, I'm so nervous—more than when I took the grade nine piano exam."

"They've already eliminated thousands over these past days, ten thousand in ten days, and only one will remain. How could the competition not be fierce?"

"I think I'll just stick to working in bars; this high-paying job is hard to get."

"Yeah, I wonder if coming here was the right choice. Here, toss a coin."

"I call heads."

Watching the beautiful women psyching themselves up in various ways, Xiao Tian Le's mind raced.

Since yesterday, when he decided to become the Nemesis of All Stars, choices had become paramount. The system's first task was to reshape the music industry—a vast undertaking, for music was everywhere.

Given his own circumstances, street performances, bar gigs, talent shows, wedding gigs, endless certifications—all were unsuitable.

To be honest, in a crowd of dozens or hundreds, to perform unaffected by their presence—sing, dance, play, act—he simply wasn't capable yet.

Though the masterpieces on his phone, once published, would stun the world, they were finished works, lacking the opportunity for interaction with listeners. This made them less effective for honing his skills or building fame.

But being a singer-host was different. In a broadcast studio, there was no need to worry about the audience’s gaze; everything depended on the voice.

Instant interaction, immediate performance, respectable societal status—this was the best springboard available.

This position is mine.

After surveying the environment again, he found an opportune moment and slipped into the interview room, closing the door behind him.

The moment the door shut, he sensed the change in sound—the room’s soundproofing was excellent, and the noise outside vanished.

At that moment, one of the interviewers, Zhao Dezhu, spoke in a grim tone, "Who told you to come in? What are you doing here?"

Finding no chair, Xiao Tian Le could only stand. He smiled. "Aren’t you hiring singer-hosts? I’m here to apply."

The three interviewers exchanged glances, each noting a trace of admiration in the other's eyes—this young man had guts.

The female interviewer, Li Hongmei, said, "Resume."

Xiao Tian Le spread his hands. "I don’t have one. It’s all meaningless. Just test me directly, whatever you want."

Admiration turned to anger. Zhao Dezhu began to sing: "Love, sing me this song—complete."

Xiao Tian Le frowned, displeased. "You haven’t given me the tune or melody, no rhythm, no scale, not even a theme. You’re asking me to sing a whole song from a single word—are you kidding me?"

Zhao Dezhu waved him away impatiently. "Get him out of here."

Immediately, two security guards stepped forward to escort Xiao Tian Le.

It was blatant contempt, giving him no chance at all, and Xiao Tian Le's temper flared. "If you’ve got the guts, don’t play dirty. Test me however you want—hey, wait."

With a loud bang, the door slammed shut, and Xiao Tian Le turned to the applicants, a bit embarrassed and angry. "What are you staring at?"

After venting, he walked to the restroom at the end of the corridor.

He splashed his face with cold water and looked at himself in the mirror. Though his looks were average, his presence was exceptional.

He addressed his reflection, "Brother Tian, let it go—don’t stoop to their level."

Then he switched to a stern expression. "Damn it, the system’s mission is clear: fame by merit, humiliation must be absolute. One day, all those big stars will kneel at my feet—let alone these three petty interviewers."

"Brother Tian is right. To achieve greatness, start with the small. If I can’t deal with minor celebrities, how will I handle the big ones?"

"Exactly. If you don’t show these small-time players your strength, they’ll think you’re powerless. It’s all about perspective."

"Brother Tian speaks true—the darkness in the music world is due to these minor stars wreaking havoc. We must not let it slide. We are the Nemesis of All Stars—arrogance is what we need!"

"Brother Tian’s temper is fierce—when he rages, even I’m scared!"

"Laughing." After this self-dialogue, Xiao Tian Le laughed.

What matters most to a person? Presence!

Chosen by the system from billions on Earth—there must be a reason.

From the moment he accepted his mission, he became the Nemesis of All Stars.

If today, even three insignificant interviewers dared to suppress him, how could he ever stand in the music world?

He took a breath, pulled out his phone, and donned white headphones.

Swiping across the screen, he tapped the loop button on "For the Win," a top track from the renowned music label TSFH [Hell's Edge], volume at maximum. As the electrifying sound surged, he stepped out of the restroom.

His restless mood calmed; his heart became tranquil, serene, filled only with reverence and love for music.

As the stirring melody rose, he lifted his right hand and began a soulful performance: "Ah" (a deep note), "Ah" (an ethereal tone), "Ah" (a bright inflection), "Ah" (a trembling sound), "Ah..."

The sudden, stunning female voice, his confident stride, the earnest expression on his face, the slightly raised right hand, the conspicuous white headphone cord—all drew puzzled looks from the other applicants in the corridor.

Astonishment soon gave way to shock.

In an instant, the corridor fell silent, as quiet as the depths of the sea.

They all heard the song playing through Xiao Tian Le’s headphones.

The uninterrupted melody of violins, explosive, dense drumbeats, soul-piercing electronic sound, captivating choral female vocals—breathtaking!

This was a divine song, one they had longed for!

Bombarded daily by dreadful tunes, burdened by endless chores, entangled in intrigues and calculations—how long had it been since they truly listened to music? How long? How long? How long?!

In truth, music was always their true love—tears welled up!

In a flash, a thousand applicants knelt, singing along in tears, finally understanding their own hearts.

All their emotions and feelings poured into the music; their voices strained, as if striving to break through the heavens and challenge the sky itself.

They rejoiced, grateful to rediscover their passion for music at this moment.

Oblivious to his surroundings, Xiao Tian Le continued to sing the divine song!

To appreciate a masterpiece required unbridled imagination: armies marching, despair unending, rebirth from the abyss, blood ignited, splendid vistas, the cosmos, stars and seas, past and future, hope, love, and miracles.

Why was he chosen as the Nemesis of All Stars? He did not know.

But he knew what he possessed.

Music granted him boundless courage, rendering him fearless!

With headphones on, listening to his song, he was invincible!

Burning, blazing, flames tearing through the sky!

Perishing, annihilated, hell obliterated!

He would crush them all—he was the Nemesis of All Stars!

When he reached the interview room door again, Xiao Tian Le lifted his right foot and kicked it hard.

Bang!