Everyone felt a sense of admiration hearing Elder Li speak.
It was true, the country was poor back then, and everyone was poor too.
Things were different now; everyone was prosperous, and the nation was strong. Aid was readily available from all directions when one region faced hardship.
China's speed was not just talk; it was real action.
"Come, let us raise our glasses together, and toast to the prosperity of China," Elder Li said, lifting his wine glass.
Everyone raised their glasses upon hearing this, stood up, and shouted, "To the prosperity of China!"
Even Xia Lin, Qin Wen, and Ma Yuqin, who did not drink, raised their glasses to wish for China's prosperity.
"Alright, everyone sit down. I believe China will get better and better with everyone's efforts," Elder Li waved his hand, signaling for everyone to sit.
Following this, Xia Feng and Elder Li were toasted by the crowd.
As everyone feared Elder Li might drink too much and harm his health, each person offered him just one cup.
The dinner concluded with a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.
Tonight, there were no distinctions of status or position. Xia Feng never put on airs, Elder Li did not flaunt his authority, and neither did Old Wang or the others with their wealth. Everyone was like ordinary people, celebrating lively as if it were a festival.
The dinner continued until eight in the evening, with Elder Li and Xia Feng still drinking.
Elder Li mentioned that since he was here, he wanted to drink to his heart's content. When he wasn't with Xia Feng, he couldn't drink freely, as medical personnel constantly had to remind him.
Furthermore, he didn't have much time to drink. Only when he was with Xia Feng could he drink to his fullest without worry.
The younger generation, like Xia Lin, had finished their meal. Old Wang and Jack Ma sat by the dining table, with Xia Lin pouring drinks and Qin Wen and Ma Yuqin constantly warming dishes.
National Young Wang and the others were in the living room, chatting casually.
During this time, National Young Wang secretly took a photo and sent it to the Shanghai Four Young Masters group to tease Yu Wei.
Yu Wei: "Young Master Wang, what did you send? I can't see it. Don't withdraw it."
National Young Wang: "I'll show you, withdrawing in thirty seconds."
National Young Wang: (Photo of Elder Li and Xia Feng drinking).
Shortly after, National Young Wang withdrew the message.
Yu Wei: "Haha... I've saved it."
Qin Dou: "Idiot... I'm just showing it to you, don't spread it around recklessly."
Yu Wei: "I understand, I'll use it to show off to my dad."
National Young Wang: "Just understand, don't be foolish and drag me down."
Yu Wei: "Don't worry."
Yu Wei: "But speaking of which, I envy you guys so much. When can I be like you?"
Qin Dou: "There will be opportunities. Just wait. If there's a chance, we'll help you."
Yu Wei: "Thank you, Young Master Qin, muah! (*╯3╰)"
Qin Dou: "Get lost..."
Yu Wei indeed took the photo to show off to his father. Yu Zhaoyi was shocked seeing the photo of Elder Li and Xia Feng drinking and lamented how useless his son was.
National Young Wang and the others were staying at Xia Feng's house, while he was still showing off photos taken by others.
Yu Wei's attempt to "steal a chicken" had resulted in losing the "rice."
It wasn't until around ten in the evening that Elder Li finally left Xia Feng's villa.
Although Xia Feng didn't ask for any arrangements, Elder Li still had Long Aotian rush over that night. After all, having an extra layer of defense was always better than having none.
The next day, Xia Feng flew directly to an island in international waters.
When Xia Feng arrived at the island, King Hughes had not yet arrived, but Long Aotian was already there.
"Master," Long Aotian respectfully called out to Xia Feng.
Xia Feng nodded in acknowledgment.
Seeing Long Aotian's presence, Xia Feng guessed that Elder Li, worried about him, had made prior arrangements.
The members of the Dragon Division behind Long Aotian looked at Xia Feng with excitement.
These were the same people from the team Xia Feng brought Long Aotian to rescue last time. They had been stationed on the island and hadn't returned.
"The Team Leader's Master looks so young and handsome. I didn't get a good look last time," Bai He whispered to Ye Lang beside him.
"What? Do you have any ulterior motives?" Ye Lang glanced at Bai He.
"Hmph, if you spout more nonsense, I'll kick your balls," I'm just admiring him. Bai He made a gesture as if to lift his leg, and Ye Lang quickly jumped away.
"Kick his balls and shut his loose mouth," Huang Bao said with a smile, looking at the two.
As they were talking, a US warship approached. The warship stopped far away from the island's perimeter, and then a helicopter flew directly to the island.
The first to jump off was a middle-aged man in a US military uniform, followed by an elderly man with long hair gracefully disembarking from the helicopter.
Xia Feng stood motionless on a reef, squinting to glance at the old man. This was the esteemed King Hughes of the United States.
This was the most powerful person Xia Feng had encountered since entering the mortal world. He was half a step out of the painting.
Xia Feng became interested; he actually met someone who was half a step out of the painting.
After King Hughes disembarked, his gaze swept towards Xia Feng. His eyes were deep and somewhat solemn.
This was because he could not discern Xia Feng's strength at all.
At his level, he felt few rivals in the world. He had encountered Chinese cultivators before, and he could at least sense their strength.
However, looking at Xia Feng now, he felt nothing of the sort. Xia Feng seemed like an ordinary person.
If ranked by strength, King Hughes had surpassed the Beast God and the Princes.
Therefore, he was half a step out of the painting. If he had more time to explore, he might truly step out of the painting.
The gap between being "in the painting" and "out of the painting" was a vast chasm, though it sounded simple.
King Hughes had likely only just reached the "half a step out of the painting" stage after decades of seclusion. He probably thought he was invincible.
The moment King Hughes stepped off the helicopter, the Pentagon in the United States was watching through satellite systems.
The US Chairman pointed at King Hughes and Xia Feng on the screen and said, "Tell me, who is superior between King Hughes and Xia Feng?"
"Of course, it's Lord King Hughes. King Hughes was invincible decades ago, and his strength has only increased since coming out of seclusion."
A high-ranking US military official replied without hesitation.
King Hughes was their faith, the pillar of the United States.
The Chairman nodded, believing this, and then added with concern, "However, Chinese cultivators have always been very mysterious. We need to act cautiously."
Everyone nodded. Acting cautiously was precisely why they were negotiating with China to jointly develop black gold ore.
The scene shifted. King Hughes moved. He floated towards Xia Feng and asked, "Cultivator?"
"Mm."
Xia Feng nodded casually.
"It's been many years. I haven't dealt with cultivators for a long time. I remember decades ago, a cultivator from your country challenged me. Unfortunately, I was just about to go into seclusion then."
King Hughes seemed to recall events from decades ago.
Seeing that Xia Feng was not responding, King Hughes continued, "Nascent Soul stage?"
Xia Feng looked at him upon hearing this and shook his head.
.........
(ps: I just want to make a cute appearance and have you praise me. mua! (*╯3╰))