Zhong Shenxiu and Hong Zhentian smiled.
"You'll find out the second thing soon enough."
Fang Xian was embarrassed; he hadn't expected the two elders to be so secretive.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Knock knock!"
Ning Feng gently pushed the door open and entered.
"Elders, Fang Xian, it's time."
"Okay."
Fang Xian stood up, greeted the two elders, and turned to head towards the press conference.
…
The press conference.
The spacious and brightly lit venue was filled with rows of neatly arranged chairs.
Invited media reporters, dressed in formal attire and carrying various interview tools, awaited the start of the meeting.
Fang Xian and several other Chinese athletes, including Cao Xiong Ying, followed Ning Feng and the others, slowly entering the venue and heading towards the stage.
Upon seeing this, everyone immediately began taking pictures.
After Fang Xian and the others were seated, Ning Feng began to speak.
"Hello everyone, this press conference can actually be called an 'Awards Ceremony'."
"We are honoring all the contestants who brought glory to the nation in the 'Genius Competition'."
After Ning Feng's impassioned opening remarks, he began to commend the various contestants.
Ning Feng's praise was as follows: other contestants received praise, Cao Xiong Ying received a few words of commendation, and Ning Rong'er received repeated compliments.
Fang Xian, if not for time constraints, could have spoken at length.
"Alright, that's all I have to say. Now, let's welcome our contestant Fang Xian to speak."
Enthusiastic applause erupted in the room, and flashbulbs went off incessantly.
The reporters didn't hold back in snapping photos of this young man who had shone brightly in the "Genius Competition."
Fang Xian remained calm and composed, smiling slightly.
"Hello everyone, I'm Fang Xian. I'm extremely happy to have represented our country in the 'Genius Championship' and, as expected, won the championship, bringing glory to our nation."
"Furthermore..."
At this point, Fang Xian's eyes hardened, and his voice boomed.
"This championship also means that our Dragon Kingdom will henceforth embark on the path to becoming the world's leading power."
Upon hearing this, the reporters instantly stopped snapping photos, staring at Fang Xian in astonishment.
Then they frantically pressed their shutters, excitedly capturing Fang Xian's bold statement.
While there was agreement, there were also dissenting voices.
A foreign reporter raised one hand, repeatedly gesturing for him to ask a question.
Ning Feng looked at Fang Xian with satisfaction; young people should have such spirit.
He paused, waiting for the reporters to finish taking pictures before speaking.
"Thank you very much for your bold words, Mr. Fang Xian. We also wish our nation prosperity and strength."
"Now it's question time. That foreign friend, please ask your question."
The staff handed the microphone to the foreign reporter who had just raised his hand to ask a question.
He took the microphone, looking at Fang Xian with displeasure.
"Mr. Fang Xian, what makes you think that winning this 'Genius Championship' will make China the world's number one?"
"Don't you think your words are a bit unrealistic?"
Fang Xian smiled slightly and said decisively:
"Because my arrival will surely suppress this entire era."
These words caused another uproar.
They hadn't expected Fang Xian's words to be so astonishing, his confidence making them feel unreal.
The foreign reporter's face turned somewhat ashen. He asked again.
"I acknowledge that you can suppress your contemporaries."
"But I strongly disagree with your claim that you intend to suppress the entire era."
"I'd like to ask, where does the courage to say that come from?"
Fang Xian nodded meaningfully at Ning Feng.
"Heh, you ask where my confidence comes from?"
"Please watch the video."
A video appeared on the screen, showing Fang Xian raising his staff, unleashing a rain of fiery meteors that crashed down on the altar.
The people inside the altar worked together to resist the attack, but their defenses were as fragile as paper, easily breached, and they all died.
The reporters below were terrified by this scene.
Such immense power—was it really a skill used by Fang Xian?
Even the foreign reporters scratched their heads, exclaiming in amazement.
"Oh my god! Isn't that our country's strongest knight—Michael?"
"And aren't those people beside him also our country's top awakened ones?"
"What on earth happened?"
They were even more astonished upon hearing this.
Upon closer inspection, it really was Michael, the number one knight of Earth.
They frantically pressed the shutter, their eyes filled with madness.
Fang Xian, a 20-year-old Awakened One, slaughtered the strongest knight, Michael.
This explosive news would definitely shake the world.
Foreign reporters slammed their fists on their desks, furious.
"Liar! This video must be fake!"
"How could a 20-year-old Awakened One kill Michael?"
The foreign reporters stared at Fang Xian with suspicion.
They too were skeptical of the video.
Just then, a rebuking voice rang out.
"You're questioning us?!"
Everyone was stunned by the voice, falling silent and silently turning to look at the speaker.
The speaker was Hong Zhentian, who strode confidently into the hall.
Zhong Shenxiu, hunched over, followed him in with his hands behind his back.
Hong Zhentian's sharp gaze locked onto the foreign reporters, his imposing presence radiating authority.
"So you're the ones questioning the authenticity of our video?"
"This…"
The foreign reporters hesitated, none daring to meet his eyes.
Hong Zhentian surveyed the group, and seeing no further questions, he snorted coldly.
"Since there are no more doubts, let's get down to business."
He looked at Fang Xian, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.
"This is your second surprise."