I handed over the game to the gaming industry, and the government gave me a hacked version.

Chapter 428 The Struggle of Capital: Too Cruel

Sander looked down at Chen You, the muscles around his eyes twitching with emotion.

The term "Great Demon King" accurately captures her deep-seated desire for power and domination, and perfectly aligns with her recent obsession with "art".

"Me?" Sander's voice dropped an octave, carrying an almost timid probing tone. "Can I really do it?"

"You must be able to." Chen You's tone was resolute, without the slightest hesitation.

"Hidden Star City doesn't need a talent show champion who follows the rules step by step, and the Origin Realm doesn't lack a city lord who can only sing and dance."

Chen You raised his hand and pointed to the messy backyard, "But this era lacks a demon king who dares to trample the old rules underfoot and redefine what it means to be a 'top star'."

Sandra followed Chen You's finger and looked over. The broken stone slabs and collapsed courtyard walls were no longer traces of venting in her eyes, but symbols of breaking down the old era.

"Look at yourself now." Chen You sighed, his gaze sweeping over Sander's ripped overalls and disheveled hair.

"He threw a tantrum and even ruined his battle robes. How could a great demon king descend upon the stage in such a state?"

Sander blushed, his huge hand awkwardly tugging at the tattered strips of cloth covering his body.

"Mentor, I..."

"No need to say anything more," Chen You interrupted her. "Come on, I'll take you to get a new outfit."

"Tonight's final, I'm going to make you the sole focus of the entire stadium."

Sander waved his hands repeatedly, indicating that there was no need to trouble himself and that he could just find any armor to wear.

"Nonsense!" Chen You frowned. "Armor is for fighting! You're an idol, a trainee, a king about to ascend the throne! You need a special battle robe befitting your status!"

After half an hour.

The city's top tailor shop was forcibly cleared out by the city's defense forces.

The master tailor, over sixty years old, stood trembling to one side.

He had been in the industry for forty years, making robes for the God of Magic and cloaks for the Sword Saint, but he had never taken on such an outrageous design as this.

Chen You sat in a grand chair, holding a teacup in his hand, occasionally offering guidance.

"Pull the waistband up a bit more, yes, it needs to be high-waisted."

"Change the material of the straps to iron wire, otherwise they won't be able to support the Lord's chest muscles."

"The color must be black and white stripes; that's what makes minimalism sophisticated."

Sander stood in front of the huge fitting mirror, letting several tailor apprentices climb ladders and work on her.

She looked at the imposing figure in the mirror—wearing oversized overalls and a center-parted wig—and fell into a brief silence.

"Mentor," Sander turned her head, her custom-made wig swaying with the movement, "Isn't this outfit a little...tight?"

"That's the right way to tighten it." Chen You put down his teacup, stepped forward, and shoved the specially made basketball into Sander's hand.

"The tight-fitting clothes accentuate your muscle definition and showcase your wild beauty. Paired with your melancholic middle-part hairstyle, it's simply a perfect combination of strength and beauty."

Chen You took two steps back and looked him up and down.

That's just right.

The overwhelming sense of oppression, the unparalleled presence of an old friend.

This tribute will definitely be recorded in the history of the Origin Realm.

"Remember," Chen You said, his expression turning serious. "Once everything is ready, you'll be waiting backstage."

"You must not show your face without my signal. You must suppress all your anger, resentment, and yearning for art within yourself."

"Don't detonate them completely until I call your name!"

Sander nodded vigorously, his eyes shining.

She hugged the basketball tightly, as if she were embracing the center of the entire world.

With Sander secured, there's less than half an hour left before the start of the final.

Chen You walked out of the tailor shop and headed straight for the final stage.

At this moment, the central square of Cangxing City was completely in an uproar.

Since Cangxing City is the birthplace of "Star Source Voice", the finals were naturally held here.

The system has enabled temporary teleportation permissions, allowing shortlisted contestants to be teleported directly to the center of the plaza through the event interface.

However, the situation on the scene was completely beyond Chen You's expectations.

The square was packed with people, but the vast majority of them were not enthusiastic fans, but rather the unsuccessful candidates who had traveled from afar to protest.

As soon as Chen You reached the outer edge of the square, he heard a deafening roar.

"There's something fishy going on! There's definitely something fishy going on!"

A three-meter-tall berserker, shirtless, held up a huge wooden sign with the words "Refund" written on it in crooked handwriting.

He shouted and spat at the city defense soldiers who were maintaining order.

"I cleaved a three-headed earth dragon in two with one hand, and smashed half a mountain with a single hammer blow. What makes you say I 'lack dance flexibility'? That's war dance! Don't you understand war dance?!"

A scantily clad succubus nearby chimed in, "Exactly!"

"I used my charm magic to make all the men in the audition hall bleed from the nose, but the judges said I was 'immoral and didn't fit the mainstream'!"

As soon as Chen You appeared, someone in the crowd screamed.

"It's Chen You! That heartless referee!"

"Shut up, what does this have to do with the procession?"

"Isn't he one of the referees?!"

"What do you know? The wandering god certainly has his own reasons!"

The crowd erupted instantly, surging towards Chen You like a tidal wave.

Chen You stood still.

The surrounding city defense troops immediately stepped forward, forming a human wall to desperately hold back the angry crowd.

"God of the Road! Say something!"

"You're at fault, it's all my fault! I'll take the blame, just shift the blame onto me!"

Chen You was speechless for a moment, but it seemed that quite a few people were still on his side.

A high-level player mage stood on a high place, pointing at Chen You's nose and shouting.

"I've seen the finalists' list, and it's full of freaks! What makes them think they're even in?"

"Yes! Why should we?!"

The protests were deafening, threatening to overturn the city of Cangxing.

Chen You frowned slightly, but his expression remained calm and undisturbed.

He cleared his throat, channeled his spiritual energy, and his voice boomed throughout the entire venue.

"Quiet down, all of you!"

A massive sound wave swept across the entire venue, and the crowd fell silent briefly.

Countless eyes were fixed on him, waiting for his explanation.

Chen You sighed.

He slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with exhaustion, helplessness, and deep heartache.

"Do you think that list is what I wanted?"

The entire audience was stunned.

"Do you think I don't feel heartbroken and distressed when I see those tone-deaf, stiff-limbed contestants advance?"

Chen You clutched his chest, his brows furrowed, and his voice trembled slightly.

"I am the initiator of 'Star Source Voice'! More than any of you, I want this stage to be flawless!"

"Then why eliminate us?" the elven girl demanded loudly.

Chen You sneered and extended a finger, pointing it straight at the sky.

"Because of capital!"

These words caused an uproar in the room.

The NPCs don't understand what capital is, but the players understand it all too well.

"The judging panel is not my personal fiefdom! I, Chen You, am merely a puppet!"

Chen You vehemently accused them, as if he had suffered a tremendous injustice.