In the midst of the audience's cheers, Xing Fu Xing and his entourage took their seats in the contestant area, awaiting the self-introductions of other planets.
With over 300 teams of conservationists participating in the competition, the proceedings were expected to be lengthy.
Lu Ming Ming's young cubs occupied prime seats in the first row of the audience, offering a close-up view of the day's events.
Lu Yan and the short man who had previously graded the conservationist assessments also appeared, taking their places as invited guests in the judges' row. They both nodded towards Lu Ming Ming, offering a silent greeting.
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Was the bald man absent today?
Lost in thought, Lu Ming Ming reciprocated the gesture with a polite wave.
While waiting, Cheng Shi Qin leaned in and whispered, "The competition venue for this year doesn't seem to be in the stadium. Look, all the equipment isn't set up yet…"
Lu Ming Ming surveyed the surroundings upon hearing this.
Indeed, the venue was bare. Unlike during Xing Fu Xing's competition, the prepared arena was not yet revealed. Only the densely packed spectator seats and the celebratory cannons firing into the azure sky gave a sense of the competition's reality.
"It doesn't feel like we'll be competing here…"
Cheng Shi Qin had visited the main planet before and was familiar with the grandeur and solemnity of past events.
"Let's wait to hear the host's announcements. No need to rush."
Lu Ming Ming soothed Cheng Shi Qin's agitated thoughts and turned her gaze back to the main stage.
After a lengthy preamble of pleasantries, the host enthusiastically announced, "Today, we have a special guest gracing our competition, here to cheer on all the contestants! Please give a warm welcome to—the candidate for Alliance Heir, Count Gude Fen!!"
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The announcement of his name caused a minute of stunned silence throughout the venue, which was then broken by a torrent of applause.
Gude Fen's fervent supporters immediately unfurled banners in the audience, transforming a section of the venue into something resembling an election rally for the Alliance Heir.
"Hello everyone, I am the investor for this competition and also a candidate for the Alliance Heir, Gude Fen."
Gude Fen presented himself in an elegant and intellectual manner, aiming to garner favor.
"As this competition is being hosted by me, I have made slight alterations to the format of previous years' events."
This statement caused an uproar.
After all, the competition had adhered to a set format since its inception. Any changes made so casually seemed to disregard the established rules, and the lack of prior official notification naturally led to dissatisfaction among some.
"I knew something was up."
Cheng Shi Qin's face was grim.
Gude Fen raised his hands to signal for quiet, but few in the audience heeded his request, continuing to whisper and murmur amongst themselves.
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At this moment, black rivers seemed to surge forth from the competition grounds. Unknown troops clad in law enforcement uniforms, brandishing firearms, automatically aimed their weapons at the disruptive seats as a warning.
The crowd fell silent, their mouths sealed, no longer daring to speak out of turn. The venue became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
The little white tiger's expression was clouded with uncertainty.
Normally, unless one reached the top ten, there was no need for the main planet's officials to intervene. What was Gude Fen planning today?
Even the weekly updates from the Steward's office yesterday had not been reported… Was there an internal issue within the Alliance?
The little white tiger looked up at the nearest enforcement officer, a rough guess already forming in his mind.
He projected into their mental sea, addressing Morian and Yi Fu, "You two stay here to watch Ming Ming's competition and ensure her safety. I'm returning to the Alliance officials."
Before they could respond, Oranar, seizing the moment when the enforcement police were not looking, used his mental powers as cover and hastily leaped from the spectator seats, making a swift departure.
Watching his friend depart safely, Morian's expression remained solemn, his mind racing with thoughts.
Gude Fen had better not be planning a rebellion, or things would become exceedingly difficult to manage.
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Contestant area.
A trace of unease flickered through Lu Ming Ming's mind.
Faced with the threat of firearms, several streamers from the major planets wore expressions of indignant protest and were about to stand up, but were quickly pulled back to their seats by more authoritative elders from their families, who signaled them not to get involved.
Gude Fen was essentially a shoo-in for the next heir, and offending him would bring no good. It was better to feign ignorance and preserve one's own life and that of one's family.
Streamers from the smaller planets, like Oscar, having never witnessed such a scene, could only shrink back, unwilling to be the first to step forward.
Gude Fen stood on the central stage, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. "The entire judging panel has unanimously decided to set the competition venue outside the Alliance's Great Forest. Each childcare provider will be paired with one young cub for a three-day outdoor activity.
"Do not worry, everyone. Under our thorough investigation, the outer areas are extremely safe. The competition will be fully transparent and broadcast in real-time via large screens and cameras, ensuring the selection of this year's most outstanding conservationists."
Although his words conveyed support for the competition, Lu Ming Ming found something amiss upon careful consideration.
The situation today was unlike any other.
In the interstellar realm, there were two types of individuals with strong mental powers: the military and conservationists. By gathering all the outstanding conservationists in one location under surveillance, their actions monitored every minute, it effectively reduced the overall combat capability by one-fifth.
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Furthermore, all the conservationists' young cubs were located outside the competition area, making it easy to threaten the conservationists by using them.
Coupled with the gathering of talents from various industries and ancient families from other planets today…
She detected an ominous premonition, like the calm before a storm.
She hoped she was overthinking things.
Lu Ming Ming took a deep breath to steady her heart, glancing towards the young cubs in the audience. However, the constant movement of the enforcement officers prevented her from getting a clear view of their situation.
"Don't worry. The Alliance Heir hasn't been found yet, he wouldn't dare do anything drastic."
Cheng Shi Qin tried to rally his spirits, forcing a calm demeanor as he patted Lu Ming Ming's shoulder, though his voice trembled slightly.
On the central stage, Gude Fen continued his address:
"The competition will be scored by points. Protecting a young cub for one day will earn 100 points. Finding one to ten crystal stones in the outer area will award points decreasing from 1000 downwards, with the highest score winning. Any arbitrary requests are permitted!"
Arbitrary requests are permitted?!
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Oscar's eyes lit up, his fear momentarily vanishing as he excitedly stood up to ask, "Even if one holds a noble title?"
Gude Fen noticed him, but his gaze lingered on Lu Ming Ming, a hint of interest evident.
"Even if one holds a noble title." Kuaishu Pavilion
Lu Ming Ming met his gaze unexpectedly, goosebumps prickling her skin. She feigned ignorance and shifted her eyes away.
Having received an affirmative answer, Oscar grinned.
This was a far greater reward than anything before. If he could win the competition, he would successfully advance his noble rank and enjoy endless prosperity!
For a moment, the thoughts of the contestants across the venue were varied.
Under the arrangement of the staff, the audience remained in the stadium to watch the competition. The contestants were escorted by the enforcement police onto a spacecraft, departing for the Alliance's Great Forest.
The only leniency was that all streamers were allowed to bring their personal carry-on bags.
Lu Ming Ming had brought a backpack that morning, filled with many snacks she had prepared earlier.
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Her original plan was to ration them over the subsequent competition days to help with her appetite. Now, they would serve as emergency rations in the forest.
She bounced the backpack on her back, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
Why did it feel… a little heavier than when she brought it?
Lu Ming Ming dared not unpack her bag in the stadium, her mind constantly preoccupied with this matter.
Upon disembarking from the spacecraft, the streamers, organized by planet, were led to different areas on the outskirts of the forest to prevent large gatherings and reduce the chances of finding crystals.
Black cameras floated through the air, and a massive bowl-shaped enclosure was firmly placed above the Alliance's Great Forest, forming a special protective shield to prevent any beast tide from attacking the cities within.
Cheng Shi Qin looked at the protective shield with concern, "Once we go in, can we still get out?"
No one dared to answer him. They proceeded independently to the tents outside to collect their assigned competition cubs.
The streamers lined up and entered the tents, emerging with the knee-high little ones. The cubs looked bewildered, unaware of what awaited them.
When Lu Ming Ming entered, the bald staff member was turned away, putting on a mask and hat.
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In response to Lu Ming Ming's inquiry, he coldly stated, "I'm sorry, you do not need to collect a cub."
His voice was strained, as if squeezing through his throat.
"Are you joking? There are cameras watching outside."
Lu Ming Ming noticed the Gude Fen family crest on his uniform and frowned, her mind remaining sharp.
The staff member cleared his throat and pulled a token from a drawer. On it, written with some unknown pen, was a bright number "1".
"Your task is to protect this token until the end of the competition."