At precisely 2:00 PM, Director Zhao stepped back onto the high-altitude plateau. He looked noticeably tired, his eyes carrying the heavy fatigue of someone who had spent the last three hours on emergency video calls with network executives, legal teams, and regional authorities.
Yet, as he stood before the standing cameras, he forced a professional, perfectly composed smile onto his face, attempting to project an aura of total administrative control for the millions watching at home.
"Welcome to the Phase Three Station," Director Zhao announced, his voice amplified clearly through the production PA system scattered around the clearing. "Given the recent weather-related detour and safety clearing in the lower canyon, Phase Three will operate on a specialized Milestone Trial structure before both teams return to the open, unguided terrain of Phase Two."
