The world expected a cosmic war. Instead, they got "The World's Most Sovereign Talent" (WMST), a reality show that took over every screen on the planet overnight.
Chen Feng didn't just join a show; he acquired one. He sat at the center of a mahogany judging table, still wearing the red blazer, flanked by a bewildered pop star and a terrified world-renowned choreographer.
From the Pentagon to the back-alleys of Bangkok, everyone was tuned in. The "Aegis Net" satellites, once calibrated for orbital strikes, were now being used by governments to get a high-definition feed of Chen Feng's facial expressions.
"Is he... is he really critiquing a unicycle-riding fire-breather?" General Vance whispered in the D.C. war room. "He has the Sun-Disk and the Manuscript of Fate under his desk, and he just gave that kid a '4' because his spandex was 'too loud'?"
The public was obsessed. Every time Chen Feng spoke, the "Lifestyle Sovereignty" movement grew. He wasn't just a thief anymore; he was a lifestyle icon. He gave advice on everything from soul-searching to the perfect way to flip a pancake, all while maintaining a level of brutally honest wit that made contestants weep with both terror and enlightenment.
After a long day of judging "Interpretive Dance based on Quantum Physics," Chen Feng retreated to his dressing room—a space he had "expanded" to include a private balcony overlooking the Tokyo skyline.
His phone buzzed. It wasn't the Gala Five. It was Lin Xia.
He answered, and her face filled the screen. She was in her bedroom, looking tired but genuinely amused.
"So," she said, her voice a soft contrast to the chaotic noise of his day. "I hear you told a world-class opera singer that she sounded like a 'very talented teakettle'?"
Chen Feng leaned back, the violet glow in his eyes softening. "She was over-singing, Xia. She was trying to reach the heavens when she should have been trying to reach the back row. People always try too hard."
"Like you're trying too hard to be 'normal'?" she asked, her gaze piercing through the screen. "Chen Feng, the whole world is watching you. My cousin hasn't slept in three days. Why a reality show? Why now?"
"Because," Chen Feng sighed, looking at the Star of the Nile sitting on his coffee table like a paperweight. "I spent too much time being the 'Solution' to the world's problems. I want to see if I can just be a part of the 'Noise' for a while. It's... relaxing."
"You're the loudest noise on the planet right now," she laughed. "But... I liked the red jacket. It suits you better than the god-complex."
"I'll send you one," he promised. "And Xia? Don't worry about the treasures. I'm not going to reset anything. I'm just building a very expensive collection of hobbies."
"Just come back safely," she whispered. "The tea here is getting cold."
As the call ended, Chen Feng looked at his "Lifestyle List." He crossed out [ ] Reality TV Judge with a satisfied flourish.
"Gary!" he shouted toward the dressing room door.
Gary stumbled in, wearing a headset and carrying a clipboard. "Boss! The ratings are through the roof! We've been renewed for ten seasons in the next five minutes!"
"Cancel them," Chen Feng said, standing up and stretching. "I'm bored of being a judge. I've decided on the next lifestyle. It's time for something... quieter."
"What is it?" Gary asked, bracing himself.
"I want to be a Librarian," Chen Feng declared. "A very mysterious one. In a place where people only whisper."
"A librarian?" Gary blinked. "Boss, you have the Manuscript of Fate. You're going to be a librarian for a book that writes itself?"
"Exactly," Chen Feng grinned. "Imagine the late fees I can charge."