Lin Genxu was no match for the National King Xiaowang at this time.
Five Lin Genxus combined could not defeat the National King Xiaowang.
"There are still dozens of days until the Chinese New Year. You're wishing me a happy new year so early. I haven't prepared any red envelopes," the National King Xiaowang said with a smile, looking at Lin Genxu kneeling before him.
Lin Genxu looked surprised and was about to speak when someone chimed in from the side, teasing, "Little Lin, so this is how you got your bed scene."
The voice belonged to none other than Lin Genxu's director for this drama, Feng Dagang.
Lin Genxu quickly got up and said with a laugh, "Director Feng, don't misunderstand. I just slipped. King Xiaowang was just about to help me up. With my skills, I can definitely handle this bed scene."
Feng Dagang smiled and left without a word.
"When did you become so powerful?" Lin Genxu asked the National King Xiaowang.
"It's a secret. The Buddha said it cannot be told," the National King Xiaowang replied, adopting an air of a master, placing his hands behind his back, and leaving as Lin Genxu watched in surprise.
Xia Lin had been discussing the movie with Liu Qiangxi. The film was nearing completion, and the next steps would be Liu Qiangxi's responsibility.
"Lin'er, the movie will wrap up in three days. Will you be attending?" Liu Qiangxi asked Xia Lin.
"I'll see then. You've all worked hard to finish the movie so quickly," Xia Lin said with a smile.
"It's not hard work. Everyone has been working diligently to ensure it can be released on the first day of Chinese New Year. This isn't just my achievement; it's thanks to your good leadership, Lin'er. The greatest credit goes to you. Under your wise leadership, everyone has been dedicated and completed the filming in the fastest possible time."
Liu Qiangxi did not dare to claim credit rashly; the major credit belonged to Xia Lin.
In fact, Liu Qiangxi was not wrong. With Xia Lin, the central figure, holding the fort, everyone could work together to achieve the most perfect outcome.
A good leader can lead a group of capable people.
This is the core of leadership; natural-born leaders possess such an advantage.
Xia Lin was once again showered with flattery by Liu Qiangxi, but she was immune to it. She then said, "I won't forget your contribution. Once the movie is wrapped up, I'll treat everyone to a meal and invite the directors. You've all worked hard."
"Yes, yes," Liu Qiangxi said with a smile. Receiving Xia Lin's recognition was precisely the result he had strived for with his hard work.
...
Outside the Fudan University gate.
Xia Feng asked Pope Paul, "What happened?"
"Eastern Immortal, something big has happened. King Hughes and Dark Spirit are seriously injured, and some bird-men have descended to the mortal realm," Pope Paul said quickly.
"Bird-men descending? Angels?" Xia Feng asked, his brow furrowed.
"Yes, I was only spared because I had this staff. They said I had a similar aura to them, which is why they let me go," Pope Paul said, taking out his staff.
"Take me to see their injuries first," Xia Feng said.
These people were, after all, his professional enforcers. If something happened to them, he had to take care of it.
"This way." Pope Paul then led Xia Feng to a white van.
King Hughes and Dark Spirit lay inside the van, their faces pale and their auras chaotic. Xia Feng sensed an aura from the immortal realm as he approached.
It was as he had suspected; they had indeed come from the immortal realm. However, they likely hadn't descended in their true forms, and he didn't know what secret methods they had used.
The Westerners who ascended did not go to the Tianxuan Continent, nor the Anxu Continent, and certainly not the Wanyao Continent. This meant they had all gone to the Hongming Continent, including Susanoo, who had ascended before his eyes.
He had discussed the Hongming Continent with Wujizi before. It was a place filled with all sorts of demons and monsters, a chaotic mess. The demon race was the strongest in the Hongming Continent, followed by the human race.
It seemed that the place Western cultivators ascended to was the Hongming Continent.
Xia Feng extended his hand, erased the auras from the two, then took out two elixirs and tossed them to Pope Paul, saying, "Feed them these."
Pope Paul took the elixirs and put them into their mouths one by one. After a short while, both of them awoke.
"Master."
"Eastern Immortal."
Upon seeing Xia Feng, their faces lit up with joy.
"It's good that you're alright. Now tell me the specifics," Xia Feng said, gesturing.
"Let me explain," Pope Paul offered, then said, "They are Western angels, subordinates of the Goddess of Light. They came down to the mortal realm to select divine representatives and find talented individuals to take back with them."
"And you were chosen?" Xia Feng asked, glancing at Pope Paul.
"Heh heh..." Pope Paul gave an awkward laugh. "If I hadn't agreed, the three of us would be dead. This was just a temporary measure. They saw I had a similar aura to them, so they chose me."
Pope Paul then felt that his actions might be interpreted as betrayal, and quickly explained, "Eastern Immortal, Paul is willing to be your servant and be loyal only to you. If I go against this, may I be struck by lightning."
Xia Feng waved his hand and said, "I have no intention of holding you accountable. In such a situation, survival comes first. You came to find me immediately and informed me of this matter; I have already seen your loyalty."
Although Pope Paul feared death, he was meticulous and would not resist pointlessly. Deceiving those bird-men was truly a last resort.
If he truly intended to betray, he would not have come in person.
"Thank you," Pope Paul said sincerely.
"Continue," Xia Feng urged.
"They chose me as a divine representative, which is to say, they use people for experiments. They capture talented individuals, keep those who meet their criteria, and kill the rest. I am a person with a conscience, how could I do such a thing?"
Pope Paul even praised himself.
Xia Feng nodded. He was very curious why these bird-men were looking for so many people.
He couldn't find the reason without personally going to the Hongming Continent.
What also made Xia Feng curious was how they could bring people from Earth back to the Hongming Continent.
This point puzzled Xia Feng greatly. Did they also possess divine artifacts like the Eastern Emperor Bell?
"Where are these bird-men now?" Xia Feng asked.
"The Vatican," Pope Paul replied.
"Alright, find a place to rest for a few days. I'll go personally then. I'll notify you when I'm about to depart," Xia Feng said, dismissing them.
"Yes." The three quickly agreed. Pope Paul had come here precisely to enlist Xia Feng as reinforcement.
Xia Feng walked back to the academy, his mind occupied with the matter of the angels descending to the mortal realm.
It was not strange to him that others could also return from the immortal realm if he could.
He just didn't know what they needed so many people for.