Walking down the hallway to the station director's office, listening to the murmurs of discussion fade behind her, Luo Manli took a quiet breath. Her refined, intelligent face was filled with a mix of gravity and anticipation.
As a professional in the television industry, she was keenly aware of the importance of this interview.
The Celestial Demon, this special life form that had just officially appeared in the public eye, was now the focus of the entire nation. It wasn't just ordinary people; even elites like her were filled with a sense of dread toward this creature. Yet, they were also filled with intense curiosity.
At the sa ti, the recent series of reforms in Donghua also made her keenly aware that this special life form, which had appeared so suddenly, would have a huge impact on the entire landscape of Donghua, and perhaps even the entire world.
From what she could tell, since the news about the Celestial Demon was announced, a great deal of chaos had erupted across the country. That was why the higher-ups had planned this filming and interview—its purpose was to quell the public's panic through the dia.
She herself had been given this opportunity due to her imnse popularity, striking looks, and a naturally intelligent and gentle temperant that could effectively soothe people's anxieties, coupled with certain factors related to her family background.
The responsibility was imnse. If this interview was a success, she would beco the go-to host for all future business related to the Celestial Demon, allowing her more contact with that magical world.
However, whether the interview could even proceed still required further approval from her superiors. She had been very worried that it might be canceled, but now it seed the higher-ups had likely already approved the interview request.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
Arriving at the station director's office, Luo Manli knocked on the door.
"Co in."
A middle-aged man's voice ca from within the office. Luo Manli took a deep breath and pushed the door open to enter.
The director of Channel One was a middle-aged man in a white shirt. He had also started his career as a host and could even be considered Luo Manli's senior from her school days. Although he had reached middle age and started to put on weight, you could still faintly see traces of his forr dashing self in his face and hairstyle.
"Manli, you're here. Have a seat."
The director stopped what he was doing and said with a smile as he looked at Luo Manli.
"Director, about that interview we discussed..."
Luo Manli sat down in front of the desk and asked, unable to hide her eagerness.
"Heh, the higher-ups have given their approval. The interview is a go. What's more, it will be broadcast on the 'Focus' program, right after the evening news."
The director said with a broad smile.
'The Focus program...'
Luo Manli took a deep breath. She knew exactly how prestigious this program was. Airing right after the national news broadcast, it typically tackled major national affairs or pressing social issues. This showed just how much importance the higher-ups were placing on this interview.
"So, when can the interview begin?"
Luo Manli inquired.
"The higher-ups want it done as soon as possible, which ans this afternoon. The relevant script and plan will be ready shortly. I called you in so you can start preparing imdiately. You'll probably have to leave soon. You can familiarize yourself with the script in the car on the way there."
As he said this, the director's expression turned serious.
"So soon?"
Luo Manli was taken aback. For such an important interview to be prepared so hastily, she felt a little uncertain.
"You know the current situation. We have to rush. This interview carries imnse responsibility. You must overco any difficulties and execute it flawlessly. This is also related to your future career. It's an opportunity, but it's also a challenge."
The director nodded and said.
"I understand, Director. I'll do a good job."
Luo Manli nodded.
"By the way, Director, I heard an S Class Martial Artist will be participating in this interview. Do you know who it is?"
Luo Manli asked curiously.
"The choice was just finalized by the higher-ups. There's no harm in telling you. It's Mr. Zhou Yuanjue, the Vice President of the Martial Arts Association."
The director said with a smile.
'So it's him...'
A glint flashed in Luo Manli's eyes.
...
...
「Afternoon.」
WHIRRR!!
The Channel One interview vehicle sped along the highway toward the secret facility on Zixiao Mountain.
By now, Luo Manli had completed her preparations. To her relief, the interview itself was not actually very complicated.
As she settled down, a profound interest in the interview—and its subject—began to grow.
Zhou Yuanjue. Twenty-five years old, S Class Martial Artist, Vice President of the newly established Martial Arts Association, Principal of the first Martial Arts University. And the information she had seen contained even more than this publicly available data.
Donghua's youngest S Class Martial Artist in history, the central figure in the Songyang University incident, and one of the main combatants who recently reinforced Nanjiang, resolving its crisis. In a way, you could call him the savior of a city.
She found it hard to imagine that behind all these titles and achievents was a young man two years her junior.
'Even the legendary young marquises of ancient history, granted their titles at sixteen, were probably no more impressive than this, right?'
Today, Zhou Yuanjue was known online as "Principal Zhou," his prestige unparalleled. But in most of the videos related to him, he only ever appeared as a blurry silhouette. Luo Manli was incredibly curious about what kind of person he truly was.
By this ti, the Channel One vehicle had entered a restricted area. The road was lined with all sorts of strict checkpoints. On both sides of the road, ard personnel in the black uniforms of the Secret Inspection Bureau, carrying live ammunition, were visible everywhere. Having traveled only half the distance, their vehicle had already been through at least seven security checks. An oppressive atmosphere inevitably began to spread among the group.
Although Luo Manli ca from an extraordinary background, she had never seen such a display of force. A faint nervousness began to rise within her, and her palms started to sweat.
'The Secret Inspection Bureau... a clandestine departnt dedicated to handling special dostic incidents, the backbone of the nation's resistance against the Celestial Demon...'
After passing through a total of fifteen checkpoints, Luo Manli and the others finally arrived at the main gate of the secret research institute.
The one who received them was the middle-aged man from the research institute who was in charge of reception.
"Everyone, please temporarily surrender your communication devices and confirm that your cara equipnt is turned off. You may only begin filming when you have our permission."
The middle-aged man said with a serious expression.
Hearing this, everyone nodded slightly and did as the middle-aged man said, not daring to disobey in the slightest.
They knew very well what kind of place this was.
"Is Mr. Zhou Yuanjue here?"
Luo Manli asked curiously.
"Mr. Zhou is waiting for you at the interview location. You'll see him when you get there."
"If your preparations are complete, please get in the vehicles."
The middle-aged man said, beckoning to the side. A few tour buggies drove over. The group boarded the buggies and were driven all the way to a building that resembled a laboratory.
Led by the middle-aged man, the group pushed open the laboratory's main door.
The laboratory had clearly been tidied up. It didn't have much experintal equipnt and seed rather empty. In the very center of the lab was a tal table, and behind it sat a handso young man with his eyes lightly closed, seemingly in ditation.
The mont the group pushed open the doors, the young man opened his lightly closed eyes.
At that mont, Luo Manli couldn't help but look away.
She finally understood what the exaggerated phrase "eyes like stars" from certain novels actually felt like.
'It turns out so people's eyes really do glow.'
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