Chapter 108: Divine Refinement, Point 14 — Attire

There were seven days left until the combat performance.

After days of grueling training, the preparations for the combat performance were finally showing results.

First, the transformation of the venue: the leisurely atmosphere of a tourist destination was gone. While the scenery remained beautiful, the site was now filled with a grim, murderous aura. It was a bloody battlefield, a place where many were prepared to shed their blood.

Second, the personnel changes: the chaos had been replaced by the orderly command of Le Xiaotian. From logistics to the command center, down to the precise entry and exit records of every person on site and their specific responsibilities, he had a firm grasp on everything.

Finally, the shift in external perception: From the very beginning, Le Xiaotian’s entry had been dramatic, triggered by the framing and entrapment by General Ying and Zhang Hao. He had become a sensation in the nationwide live broadcast, while simultaneously being reviled in the shadows.

When he arrived, few held any hope for him. After all, no matter how formidable a human might be, they could not withstand the bombardment of dance-weaponry.

Fortunately, this was not a solo revenge mission; Le Xiaotian had the support of the entire Fama nation. This was an internal reshuffling of the country. Through his own unique capabilities, he had successfully secured supreme command.

Relatively speaking, with the support of the system "Xiao Jiu," Le Xiaotian was an absolute king in the realm of art. Thus, the anticipation for the combat performance was significantly high.

More importantly, people had never witnessed such a massive combat performance, a fact tied to the standoff with Zhang Hao’s faction. Because Zhang Hao and Ying Dengbo possessed powerful military forces and terrifying dance-weaponry, neither side dared to strike easily, resulting in mutual constraints and limitations.

Much like the Holocene era of peace, where major nations, various ethnic states, and even the transcendent groups of dancers who existed on entirely different levels could coexist, everyone was held in check by the balance of power. It was not that greater power meant total freedom; on the contrary, the greater the power, the greater the constraints. For instance, in the current national conflict, both sides could engage in an all-out war, but neither could bear the consequences.

Consequently, Le Xiaotian became the focus of attention. Following the press conference a few days ago, the media and internet coverage, and the training of nearly a million people across Fama, the combat performance had become the nation's most significant event. Media outlets and people from all walks of life were paying close attention.

Standing before the Northern Eighty-Eight Pearl String Grand Staircase, Le Xiaotian felt a sense of satisfaction as he watched dozens of large trucks pull in, personnel unloading cargo, traffic being directed, and participants registering for their roles.

After surveying the entire operation, he paused in front of the stage. Soon, the 1,500 performers in their costumes took their places exactly as rehearsed. Indeed, clothes make the man; as products of nature, the attire also possessed its own refined artistry.

Watching the performers neatly dressed, Le Xiaotian hopped onto the stage. He had a few beauties twirl, and after checking the fit and texture of their costumes with a few touches and adjustments, he nodded in satisfaction.

Ascending the five-meter-high platform, he picked up a pair of binoculars and activated the megaphone: "Everyone, stop what you are doing. We are beginning a comprehensive drill."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The moment he finished speaking, the thousands of people on the field began to move with nervous but disciplined precision.

Simply put, the field was divided into three zones.

First, the combat personnel in special uniforms were stationed closest to the Northern Eighty-Eight Pearl String Town Star Tower. This seven-layer human wall served to prevent Star-rank criminals from causing trouble during the performance and to stop outsiders from wandering into the area. They moved rapidly toward the eastern, western, and southern staircases, employing a seamless, advancing attack formation. Their purpose was to continue isolating the audience and provide orderly combat reinforcements for the teams attacking the tower from the other three sides.

Second, the audience and media reporters, who were situated between the seven-layer human wall and the stage, were now being simulated by soldiers in special clothing. Under the guidance of personnel on the flanks, they quickly dispersed. Many soldiers simulated the reactions of terrified reporters or audience members—pushing, falling, crowding, and creating a ruckus. The soldiers responsible for this section displayed great flexibility.

Third, the 1,500 performers on the stage and the military personnel behind them. At this moment, the 1,500 performers, having just donned their new gear, tore their specially designed clothes to simulate the berserk state triggered after a combat performance. They leaped from the two-meter-high stage, grabbed their equipment, and advanced toward the Northern Pearl String Grand Staircase directly ahead.

The soldiers in the forward wave were fully armed; although there was a proposal for a large-weaponry agreement, a firefight was inevitable if things went south. Meanwhile, as the 1,500 performers changed gear and the reporters and audience members were evacuated, they became the primary strike force. Armed with cold weapons like blades, spears, and staves, they were to enact the iron-and-blood slaughter of close-quarters combat.

At the same time, the simulated "Le Xiaotian" led the charge. This was the strategy: use the capture of the Northern Grand Staircase as a breakthrough point to take the Town Star Tower directly, while the other three sides focused on containment and entanglement.

The military personnel in the final layer remained motionless. Previously, they had been maintaining the site, preventing unauthorized entry. Now, they were also tasked with preventing anyone from trying to sneak into the four sides of the Eighty-Eight Pearl String Grand Staircase during the chaos, and stopping any criminals from fleeing down from the Northern staircase.

This was a position of "fight to the death." The orders for the day were to charge without retreat. No mid-battle medical rescues were allowed. This was a battlefield of death, with one purpose: charge forward, never stop until the end! Anyone attempting to pass through would be stopped. Regardless of who they were, Le Xiaotian’s order was one word: Kill!

The sounds of gunfire, shouting, war cries, running, and screaming intertwined. The scene was chaotic, yet under complete control; everything was methodical. Seeing this, the criminals on the Northern Eighty-Eight Pearl String Grand Staircase were terrified, as they had witnessed their enemies improving day by day.

Ten minutes later, Le Xiaotian roared, "Cut!"

Wherever his voice reached, everyone stopped and quickly gathered around. Le Xiaotian now had a clear, practical picture in his mind, which differed slightly from his mental simulations.

Unlike typical musical performances, the combat performance required not only the performers but also the audience to wear distinct, special attire. This was true control of the entire venue.

After this comprehensive drill, Le Xiaotian re-examined the problems in every sector, devised countermeasures, and communicated them one by one. Due to his extraordinary memory and command capability—or perhaps due to the unique influence of Xiao Jiu—he quickly ensured that every individual understood their duties and responses.

Thirty minutes later, the error rate in the drill dropped significantly. This was why he wasn't afraid of Zhang Hao or General Ying knowing his plans; in the span of a few days, no one could analyze and command the entire field as he did. Without total insight, they could not fully analyze the situation, and thus could not mount an effective counterattack. This was Le Xiaotian's advantage—the immense advantage of a terrifying genius of command.