The crowd watched with bated breath, thoroughly engrossed in the spectacle. Liu Shanhe, however, was far from pleased.
The reappearance of "Aya" suggested only two possibilities:
First, "Aya" wasn't a fabricated identity at all. Cifera had employed far more audacious methods than anyone had imagined, levitating all the jewelry without any prior tampering.
Her initial appearance as "Aya" in the luminous mist served as a psychological suggestion, intentionally leading everyone to associate her with "Aya."
This hadn't been part of her original plan. She'd only improvised the cruel mind game when she noticed the real "Aya" had gone to the restroom.
Second, "Aya" was indeed a fabricated identity, as Lin Zhiyuan had correctly analyzed. But the entire escape sequence outside the dome—the flying getaway—had been a false projection!
Cifera herself had long since returned to the scene, preparing to reappear as "Aya."
Like many self-assured "criminals," after executing what they believed to be a flawless crime, they often return to the crime scene disguised as bystanders, eager to witness firsthand the reactions to their "masterpiece."
Cifera couldn't have failed to anticipate that the Pursuit Team would connect her to "Aya," yet she still chose to return.
This clearly demonstrated her unwavering confidence that the Pursuit Team could never prove Cifera was "Aya," or vice versa.
For Liu Shanhe, either scenario meant the Pursuit Team had once again been thoroughly outsmarted by Cifera.
If the latter were true, it would be even more galling—the entire Pursuit Team had been utterly underestimated by Cifera!
How could Liu Shanhe possibly feel any joy in this situation?
Though his heart ached with frustration, when Liu Shanhe approached "Aya," he showed no trace of his inner turmoil, maintaining the authoritative demeanor of the Pursuit Team's leader.
His gaze was sharp, but his tone remained polite:
"Miss Aya, I apologize for the intrusion. You've likely heard about the recent incident.
"Due to these extraordinary circumstances, we must resume the security screening we previously concluded to eliminate any lingering possibilities.
"As you surely understand, capturing Cifera is our Pursuit Team's paramount duty.
"Please accompany us to the Temporary Interrogation Room."
Hearing Liu Shanhe's words, "Aya" showed no surprise or dissatisfaction. She had long anticipated this development.
Because she was, without a doubt, Cifera herself.
In fact, the second possibility Liu Shanhe had considered was broadly correct in its overall direction.
However, the details were wildly inaccurate.
Cifera had indeed deliberately used her identity as a tailor to gain access to all the models' jewelry, but she hadn't tampered with them in the slightest.
Let's not forget that Cifera's Lies Become Reality Ability, the Magician, could be activated without any prior preparation.
All it required was for someone to believe that "magic" could happen, and it would certainly happen!
Of course, if convincing people that her magic could happen counts as preparation, then Cifera had indeed prepared in advance.
Every ability she had showcased on the show for all to see served as "preparation" for her magic—the very foundation that supported others' belief in its success.
For all her other abilities, the Magician—the first ability she had acquired—was all-encompassing. Virtually every ability she obtained afterward would bolster it.
Therefore, although the Magician's Trust Level wasn't the highest—in fact, it ranked relatively low among her Abilities—it still produced exceptionally powerful and flawless effects.
Throughout the entire Starry Light theft, Cifera primarily activated just one Ability: the Magician.
While hiding in the restroom stall, she mentally conceived the entire trickery process. By invoking the Authority of Trickery, she activated the Magician's power.
As a result, the jewels floated effortlessly according to her will; the Moonlight Mist naturally materialized beneath the dome; and she instantly teleported from the stall into the mist, descending as a "goddess."
With a mere thought, she could darken the sky and instantly revert to her original form. The Moonlight Mist transformed into Moonlight Steps, allowing her to tread upon them.
She could make the venue's speakers play the sound of her own head hitting the ceiling; teleport back to the restroom stall through the mist; and even project an illusion of herself leaping from the dome, sprouting wings, and soaring into the sky!
For this entire magic performance of stealing the Starry Light, one could say that Cifera had made absolutely no concrete preparations.
In truth, however, everything Cifera had done from the moment she first appeared on the show until now had transformed into preparations for this very magic act!
Without her sustained campaign of deception, persuading as many people as possible to believe in her diverse Abilities;
Without her sustained efforts to deceive, create sensational content, and amass Popularity to increase Trust;
She would never have acquired so many powerful Abilities, and these Abilities naturally couldn't have been fed back to the Magician, enabling tonight's flawless "Starry Light Theft" performance—a spectacle achieved entirely through deception!
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Lies Become Reality: 7 + 1 (Prototype)
1. Magician (Trust Level: 100 Million+)(Additional Bonus Acquired)
2. Hacker (Trust Level: 50 Million+)(Additional Bonus Acquired)
3. Ventriloquist (Trust Level: 50 Million+)(Additional Bonus Acquired)
4. The Scholar-Warrior (Passive Skill)(Trust Level: 80 Million+)(Additional 5% Trust bonus for other Abilities)
5. Imposter (Trust Level: 50 Million+)(Additional Bonus Acquired)
6. Gadget Master (Trust Level: 50 million+) (Additional Bonus Acquired)
7. Seamstress of Romance (Trust Level: 20 million+) (Additional Bonus Acquired)
Divine Speed (Prototype) (Trust Level: 10 million+) (Additional Bonus Acquired)
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As the show transitioned into the evening, the first day's warm-up, Cifera's afternoon press conference announcement, and the subsequent buzz generated by "Aya" through her captivating charm, drew a massive wave of attention from the fashion world.
Tonight's viewership soared to new heights, with even a significant number of foreign viewers tuning in.
Cifera's breathtaking magic show, which culminated in the theft of the Starry Light, directly boosted her popularity. The Trust values of her other Abilities all experienced substantial increases, with even Divine Speed (Prototype) gaining a staggering 9 million.
Without a doubt, since the surge in popularity stemmed from the magic show, the Magician ability benefited the most, surging past all other abilities to become the first to reach the hundred-million mark.
Looking at the growth of her various abilities on the Panel, Cifera felt deeply satisfied. Her recent efforts had clearly paid off.
Now, she needed to continue pushing forward, creating even more captivating moments in the show to further boost her popularity.
By consistently moving in the right direction, she would inevitably achieve her ultimate goal of achieving Godhood!
Cifera's seemingly lengthy train of thought occurred in a mere instant.
Meeting Liu Shanhe's gaze, she nodded in agreement.
"Of course, Old Liu, I completely understand. Cooperating with your work is only natural."
However, her tone shifted as her gaze drifted to a specific spot, and she offered a tender smile, tinged with a hint of dependence.
"But... I have a rather unconventional request."