Phil Simons was articulate on the show, conversing easily with the other three mentors, communicating as equals. He could effortlessly catch and respond to any jokes thrown his way, showing no signs of stage fright.

Not only that, Phil often poked fun at himself, telling several jokes that had the live audience laughing heartily.

But when it came to the selection phase, things developed exactly as everyone had predicted: Phil simply couldn’t recruit apprentices with real talent.

SUCCESSOR had already gone through preliminaries, and those participating all had the potential to become superheroes, yet even among them, only a few could gain the mentors’ favor.

During the live selection rounds, participants’ main task was to leave an impression on the mentors and audience. The ways to leave an impression were varied: it could be good looks, special talents or skills, or having a compelling story.

Those who were eloquent and likeable, especially if they also had an attractive face and very special talents and skills, greatly increased their chances of winning a mentor’s favor.

Of course, if lacking all of that but happening to have a complex background that aroused audience sympathy, giving them a special label, they could also potentially gain a mentor’s favor.

In the first episode, all outstanding contestants were basically divided among the other three mentors. Even the weakest among them managed to secure at least one apprentice, while only Phil Simons’s team remained empty.

After the first episode aired, it immediately generated enormous buzz online.

Some people believed Phil had no qualifications to serve as a mentor on this show, taking delight in his misfortune; while others felt Phil was well-spoken, holding his own against the other mentors. When discussing professional matters, he was articulate and knowledgeable, showing he had genuine ability.

Moreover, Phil made no attempt to advertise his real estate business on the show. With no desire for fame or profit, his appearance fee was likely insignificant compared to his net worth, suggesting he participated in this show purely as a carefree attitude toward life.

In contrast, those apprentices failed to see Phil’s merits and still treated him as an incompetent rich second generation. Even the producers seemed deliberately to manufacture drama by making Phil “play the victim.” It was too much!

Both sides argued furiously online, triggering another wave of heated discussion.

Behind many of these voices were clearly Phil’s behind-the-scenes support and guidance.

Amid this extremely high buzz and controversy, SUCCESSOR continued filming and broadcasting simultaneously.

In the second episode, Phil finally gained his first apprentice. He was visibly delighted, warmly embracing this unremarkable Black apprentice and promising to get him into this competition’s top five.

Online discussion flared up again, saying Phil was making empty boasts, that such a mentor wasn’t worth following.

The other three mentors also teased him about this on the show, with one even jokingly suggesting Phil could still withdraw. But Phil showed no anger, maintaining complete confidence that he could lead his apprentices to victory in the team competition.

Soon, the first part of SUCCESSOR concluded.

All four mentors’ teams were filled. The other three mentors’ teams looked very impressive, while Phil’s appeared quite shabby: most apprentices joined later, and they were types rejected by other mentors. The live audience’s response was lukewarm. In the end, with two spots still vacant, the producers had to open a revival round, selecting two from previously eliminated candidates to complete Phil’s team.

For the upcoming team competition, no audience member was optimistic about Phil’s team. In the TV station’s random survey, over 70% believed Phil’s team would definitely finish last. Almost no one thought Phil’s team could place in the top two.

But what all the audience didn’t know was that this was all part of Phil’s planned script.

The second part of SUCCESSOR featured team competitions led by the four mentors, with four formats:

First, speeches/debates. The producers would present a topic, often a high-profile hot-button issue, usually related to superheroes.

Each mentor would prepare their team for live speeches and debates against teams with opposing views, with winners determined by how many audience members they convinced.

Superheroes represented specific groups, had their own stances and programs, and frequently gave speeches. This team competition format tested the apprentices’ abilities in this area.

Second, rescue planning. The producers would present specific scenarios, like hostage situations, with apprentices developing rescue plans.

They wouldn’t need to personally rescue hostages – professionals would execute their plans as rehearsals.

Superheroes often participated in similar rescue operations, but they couldn’t be thoughtless brutes, as that might endanger hostages or cause greater damage to the city.

Intelligent superheroes were more popular with the public, and this team competition format tested the apprentices’ capabilities in this regard.

Third, combat ability tests. The producers would present specific physical challenge courses, including inter-team physical confrontations to see which group performed better.

While superheroes needed brains, necessary physical fitness and combat skills were essential. A “capable” superhero made the public feel more secure, avoiding the sensation that “this superhero is wasting their powers.”

Fourth, comprehensive evaluation.

These tests often included multiple aspects, requiring team captains to coordinate, allocate personnel, and complete tasks for comprehensive evaluation by producers.

These four tests were progressive. The producers would record all teams’ preparation processes, giving key players more screen time, gradually familiarizing and endearing these future potential superheroes to the public.

During this process, mentors had to guide appropriately – not taking complete charge, which would steal apprentices’ spotlight and hurt their chances in popularity votes; but also not being completely hands-off, risking total team defeat.

In short, the team competition was like a preview of superheroes’ future work.

The first team competition episode indeed unfolded as expected, with Phil’s team suffering a crushing defeat against other teams.

The producers gave Phil’s team the least screen time, creating the illusion that Phil did nothing, his team was as useless as him, and they quickly lost.

Discussion about Phil dominated online forums again.

But immediately after, in the second episode, Phil’s team seemed transformed, achieving an excellent second place.

Yet the producers still gave Phil’s team minimal screen time, causing information gaps in the preparation process that frustrated viewers.

Viewers felt the producers looked down on Phil’s team, not giving them proper attention, allocating more footage to the other three teams. Despite Phil’s team’s good results, they weren’t treated fairly.

So in the third team competition episode, the producers gave Phil’s team more screen time. This time, viewers could see Phil’s team’s full preparation process.

Phil Simons played a crucial role during preparation. He constantly boosted the apprentices’ confidence, providing hints and guidance without directly dictating plans for execution. Instead, through a more inspiring approach, he led them to devise near-perfect plans themselves.

The formerly scattered apprentices suddenly became spirited. Not only did team trust increase tremendously – transforming from individual battles to a cohesive unit – but their individual abilities also began to shine.

Phil’s reputation and public opinion began to shift.

Many people’s impressions of Phil dramatically improved, with evaluations becoming more multifaceted:

He was a playboy, a rich second generation, born at the finish line for many, evoking both envy and jealousy;

He was genuine, speaking freely on Twitter, liking the same things as poor youth, seeming down-to-earth;

He was highly educated, running a successful company. For his age, this showed exceptional business talent and achievement – both smart and hardworking;

Most impressively, he had remarkable insight into many issues, understanding them far better than average people. On SUCCESSOR, he not only conversed easily with the other mentors but also strategized brilliantly, leading a mediocre team to victory, performing at the same level as industry giants.

Of course, criticism of Phil still existed and grew stronger.

But voices supporting Phil grew even stronger, completely drowning out the criticisms.

After all, Phil’s performance on the show had conquered many viewers. Those questioning Phil were easily labeled as suffering from “red-eye disease,” “resenting the rich,” or having a “loser mindset.”

After the show ended, the Black apprentice from Phil’s team achieved second place with his outstanding final performance.

Phil’s earlier promise to get him into the top five was fulfilled – and exceeded.

On the show, the Black apprentice tearfully thanked Phil, but Phil simply smiled and said, “This is all your own effort. I just helped you discover your potential.”

This made viewers believe Phil had an excellent eye for talent, truly worthy of the “mentor” title.

After the show, the producers partnered with major talent agencies, with several standout apprentices debuting as superheroes to great fanfare.

Many people speculated that Phil would also use this opportunity to debut as a superhero.

But Phil tweeted that participating in the show was purely on a whim, with no intention of becoming a superhero.

After that, Phil didn’t engage with any superhero-related topics, much to viewers’ regret.

What they didn’t know was that Phil’s Phase One plan had succeeded perfectly.

While he didn’t debut as a superhero, he gained enormous attention and successfully transformed public perception: from a rich second generation completely unrelated to superheroes, to a genuine industry insider with professional knowledge of superhero matters.

Next, Phil would wait for the right moment to continue implementing his following plans.