Chapter 374

In the utterly renewed Pinoconny, you looked at each other—joy at parting, sorrow at separation, the awkwardness of strangers, and the shy timidity of reunion—all surged into your hearts at once.

Come on, try conveying this moment of mixed sorrow and joy—to me—with precise acting!

The strict judge,

presented Lyu Ying and Star with a performance scenario of considerable difficulty.

This is never-ending... why don't you try that one?

That one... the clock trick.

Lyu Ying thought this would take too long,

so she suggested Star use the clock trick,

to see if they could speed through it.

Star: "Hehe, this time it was Yingbao who egged me on."

Star: "I didn't mean to."

March 7th: "Here we go with the disclaimer again, huh?"

Lyu Ying: "Uh... the performance difficulty she demanded was just too high."

Lyu Ying: "Without some unconventional methods, I doubt we'd get through even in half a day?"

Botio: "Performing a mix of sorrow and joy?"

Botio: "Damn it, unless you're a born actor, I think by the time the Harmony Festival officially opens, you still won't give her anything satisfying!"

Botio: "That'd be pure waste of time."

Botio: "You'd better just pull out your gun—she'd be even more thrilled."

Funingna: "But then you'd get dragged back by the family, wouldn't you?"

Himeko: "In this setting, Star's clock trick is still more reliable."

Hu Tao: "Suddenly I wonder—how did that red-haired contestant, the one with the highest score, even pull off such a harsh performance?"

Funingna: "Maybe that person is a professional actor?"

March 7th: "Well... if that person really is Yin Zhi..."

March 7th: "He's no actor."

Yin Zhi: "I need no performance—my every action is a pure, heartfelt manifestation!"

The video continues.

Star agreed Lyu Ying was right,

and began subtly activating the clock trick on the strict judge.

She paused for thought,

first testing the waters with a feeling of indignation.

"Cut!!!"

"A self-made millionaire dares to treat his former companions with such contempt—I can't help but feel furious!"

The moment the clock trick activated,

the strict judge screamed through gritted teeth.

"Huh? We haven't even done anything... she's imagining way too much?"

Seeing this,

Lyu Ying couldn't help but comment.

"Your performance even surpassed the original!"

"It's just... just... just—"

"NO! IT'S! NOT! ACTING!!!"

Silver Wolf: "Damn, your clock trick's as sinister as ever."

Silver Wolf: "Look at her expression—she's about to burst into tears."

Lyu Ying: "Hehe... sorry about that..."

Lyu Ying: "If we weren't in such a rush, we'd have passed this honestly through pure acting."

Star: "Ah, pity—we're rushing to save the world, no time to waste here."

Star: "Hope we get to come back someday and experience it properly..."

The video continues.

"Though we passed the trial, let's hurry—Star Core is urgent."

After clearing the trial,

Lyu Ying pulled Star into a sprint.

"Congratulations, contestants—you've cleared the trial!"

"But more than clearing, we care—did you have fun?"

"Fun matters more than success!"

"By the clock, you're much faster than that red-haired contestant!"

At the junction leading to the next major stage,

the two met the guide again.

"Who exactly is this red-haired contestant...?"

Hearing about the red-haired contestant again,

Lyu Ying grew curious.

"You'll find out—but only if you pass the next trial!"

【Welcome to the 20th Annual, 33rd Edition of the Hot Sands Festival, Stage Two—Gunfire Time! Sponsored by Su Leda Corporation!】

【You may choose Gunfire and undergo the trial of the Hano Brothers...】

【Or you may choose Time and undergo the trial of the Clockwork Boy.】

323【Now—make your choice!】

Stelle: "Damn, I almost forgot there's another big stage ahead!"

Flowing Fire: "This is such a waste of time."

Flowing Fire: "Maybe we really should've done as Silver Wolf suggested—set the venue on fire right from the start..."

March 7th: "Oh no, so many stages—I wonder how far Himeko and I have gotten by now..."

March 7th: "Could we be stuck at the very first stage already?"

Himeko: "Hehe, little March, have faith in yourself."

March 7th: "That's right! This level of challenge won't stop us!"

The video continued.

【Time Trial sounds like such a waste of time.】

【Better go with Gunfire Trial.】

To save time,

Stelle and Flowing Fire conferred,

and chose the seemingly more direct Gunfire Trial.

Then, they boarded the track cart,

and arrived at the Gunfire Trial stage.

【Dear friend, welcome to the wondrous world crafted by the Clockmaker!】

【Ahead of you awaits the charismatic, morally ambiguous figure from the Clockwork Boy animated series—the Hano Brothers!】

【It is said that these cartoon characters were inspired by the Clockmaker's own experiences.】

【According to Clockwork Boy scholars, the real-life prototypes of the Hano Brothers once shared a deep friendship with the Clockmaker, akin to battle comrades.】

【Pass through the door's television to enter the world of the Hano Brothers and embark on a thrilling, unforgettable adventure—may you clear the trial successfully!】

At the entrance,

the guide once again explained the stage details to them.

【If it's a Gunfire trial... we should be able to solve it with combat, right?】

【I hope it won't waste too much of our time.】

Flowing Fire said to Stelle,

and then they walked together into the stage.