Chapter 323: Speech

Xia Wan's cold "acceptable," followed by "the exchange meeting is now beginning," was like a drop of water falling into a seething pot of oil, instantly exploding the atmosphere of the Shenkong Zhi Yan Hall!

The G. S. C. Advisor's fake smile froze on his face—he clearly hadn't expected Xia Wan to be so straightforward, even with a hint of… initiative? He'd merely intended to provoke, suppress "New Era's" momentum, and ideally humiliate them, never truly wanting an uncontrollable conflict in this setting.

Lei Dong's heart tightened too. Though he trusted Xia Wan, if the other side dared to challenge, they must have had backing. He instinctively glanced toward the shadowed side of the stage, where Qin Feng stood as if severed from the surrounding clamor. Qin Feng remained as calm as ever, even producing a cup of steaming Clear Tea from somewhere, gently blowing on it, exuding an air of detached leisure, watching the spectacle.

Lei Dong: "..." Fine, with this guy around, the sky won't fall.

The audience below stretched their necks, emotions intertwining—excitement, tension, anticipation, worry. The direction of this "exchange meeting" would directly shape their perception and confidence in "New Era" and its claimed "supernatural powers."

Xia Wan ignored the crowd's reactions. She stepped forward, leaving the podium behind, standing alone before the circular Holographic Screen projecting a starry backdrop.

She made no combat stance, summoned no astonishing energy fluctuations—she simply stood there. Yet the aura naturally emanating from her, resonating subtly with the entire hall and even the greater space beyond, made her seem the very center of this world.

The G. S. C. Advisor forced composure. Behind him, a black-suited attendant, cold and sharp-eyed like a hawk, stepped forward. This man was clearly a supernatural being recruited or cultivated by G. S. C., serving as the "backing" for this challenge.

"Since Miss Xia Wan agrees to 'exchange,' let's keep it simple—a light sparring match, point taken, agreed?" the Advisor forced a smile, trying to seize control of the pace.

Xia Wan didn't answer. She merely gazed calmly at the black-suited attendant.

The black-suited attendant felt Xia Wan's gaze—his pupils shrank slightly, an invisible pressure like a mountain crushing down on him! He roared, no longer hesitating, unleashing his inner energy, vanishing from his spot like a phantom, reappearing instantly beside Xia Wan, his palm-slash slicing through the air with a piercing shriek, aimed straight at her neck! His speed far exceeded human visual limits!

This strike was ruthless and lethal—not the "point taken" he claimed!

A chorus of gasps erupted from the audience!

Yet facing this lightning-fast attack, Xia Wan didn't even shift her gaze.

Just as the palm-slash was about to touch her skin—

Hum!

A thin, pale golden energy shield, as delicate as a cicada's wing, appeared silently around her body.

The palm-slash struck the shield, producing a dull, resonant sound like striking an ancient bell.

The expected scene—shield shattering or Xia Wan being flung back—never came. The pale golden shield didn't budge, not even a ripple. The attacker, however, slammed into an unyielding wall of sighs, flying backward faster than he'd advanced, his arm bent unnaturally, blood spraying from his mouth, crashing heavily onto the empty floor before the guest seats, struggling twice, unable to rise!

The entire hall fell silent!

A pin could be heard dropping!

Everyone stared, eyes wide, unable to believe what they'd seen.

The black-suited attendant's speed and power had surpassed their comprehension—he was undeniably a true supernatural being! Yet even such an attack couldn't make Xia Wan take a single step, or even shake her shield? Instead, he was violently rebounded, grievously wounded?

This… this gap was too enormous!

Xia Wan finally turned slowly, facing the G. S. C. Advisor, whose face was pale and drenched in sweat, her tone still utterly calm:

"Any more?"

Three casual words, like invisible slaps, striking the G. S. C. Advisor's face—and every doubter's heart.

The Advisor's lips trembled, unable to utter a word. His greatest asset had been shattered before her, utterly powerless!

Xia Wan no longer looked at him. Her gaze swept across the faces below—shocked, fervent, terrified, contemplative.

She knew showing power alone wasn't enough. Power could intimidate, but it couldn't truly unite hearts or point the way.

She needed these people to understand why they fought, and where their future lay.

She took a deep breath. Her inner "Tiankong Guardian" power resonated with her own will. Her voice no longer traveled merely through amplifiers—it carried an uncanny magic, echoing directly within each soul.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

She spoke, her voice clear, soothing the agitation.

"What you just witnessed was power. But power is not the entirety of why we gather here today."

She raised her hand, pointing to the vast starry landscape projected behind her on the Holographic Screen.

"We gaze at the stars not because of their beauty, but because they represent the unknown, infinite possibilities, and… potential threats."

"We develop technology, explore genetics, seek evolution—not to dominate, not to plunder, but to… survive, to endure, to claim a place for our civilization in this cold universe."

Her voice was quiet, yet each word weighed a thousand catties, striking every heart.

"I know many of you here may feel lost about the path ahead, fearful of the unknown. That's normal."

"But I want to tell you—we are not fighting alone."

Her gaze grew distant, as if piercing through the hall's dome, seeing the boundless Star Sea, seeing Yun Ge, Jing Yi, those silent guardians in the darkness, and the shadow drawing near.

"In this vast universe, there are enemies, and there are allies. There is destruction, and there is guardianship."

"And the purpose of our 'New Era' is to unify all our strengths—the power of technology, the power of wisdom, and… the power some call 'supernatural'—to discern friend from foe, to resist destruction, to fulfill guardianship!"

Her voice rose, filled with unshakable conviction and resolve.

"This path is destined to be strewn with thorns and sacrifice. We may face unprecedented challenges. We may lose everything we cherish."

"But!"

She paused, her gaze blazing like the brightest stars, sweeping across the hall.

"If we retreat because of fear, abandon because of hardship, then our civilization will vanish like countless extinguished stars in this river of stars, buried in the dust of history."

"Are we willing?"

Her final question exploded like thunder in every mind!

Not willing!

Almost everyone's heart surged with the same answer. Those seated here were all human elites—possessing wisdom, courage, and above all, responsibility for the future of civilization!

"So," Xia Wan's voice returned to calm, yet carried a deeper, heavier power, "let us lay aside pointless suspicion and internal strife, and unite."

"Let our technology forge swords and shields!"

"Let our wisdom guide our path forward!"

"Let our courage face every challenge!"

"For our homeland, for our descendants, for the flame of human civilization to burn forever in this Star Sea!"

She raised her right hand, clenched into a fist, pressed against her chest.

"I, Xia Wan, swear by the name of 'Tiankong Guardian'—I will spare no effort to guard this world, until my dying breath!"

With her words, the pale golden light around her flared again—not blinding, but profoundly warm and unwavering, as if embodying humanity's indomitable will and the light of hope!

The entire auditorium sank into a silence lasting over ten seconds.

Then, like a mountain collapsing and ocean surging, thunderous applause and cheers erupted! This time, it was not out of politeness or shock, but from heartfelt recognition, excitement, and boiling passion!

Lei Dong gazed at the girl on stage, radiant as if guiding humanity's path, and his eyes grew moist. He knew that from this moment on, "New Era" was no longer merely an organization, and Xia Wan was no longer merely a powerful individual.

They had become a symbol, a belief, a banner!

Standing at the side of the stage, quietly sipping tea, Qin Feng watched Xia Wan's back, and deep within his calm, unrippled eyes, a faint, nearly imperceptible…

Satisfaction?

He set down his teacup and gazed beyond the auditorium, toward the endless sky.

The speech was brilliant.

But the true storm had only just begun.