Chapter 174: Zhao Manying's Secret
Chapter 174: Zhao Manying's Secret
Shi Renzhong was only thirty-two years old. It was impossible for someone so young to have built the Imperial Star Club from scratch and amassed a net worth of billions.
Most of his wealth came from his prestigious family.
He was the second son of Shi Hongyi, the richest man in the Asia-Pacific Community. Endowed with exceptional talent from a young age and a passion for martial arts, Shi Hongyi invested heavily in his son, providing him with the best coaching team and optimal cultivation conditions, ensuring he started life already ahead of the pack.
Shi Renzhong underwent his first evolution at eighteen, becoming a Metahuman.
Over the next decade, he evolved three times, rising to the rank of Super Metahuman and climbing the global ladder, with his ranking rapidly ascending.
During this period, Shi Hongyi bought the Imperial Star Club and handed it over to Shi Renzhong to manage. Step by step, he led the club from the first division into the Super League, with their performance improving year after year. From being at the bottom of the league, they eventually claimed the championship, and Shi Renzhong was the architect behind the club's glorious transformation.
It wasn't uncommon throughout history for an owner to build a championship-winning club from scratch.
What set the Imperial Star Club apart was that the owner was also an active member of the team, personally participating in competitions. His personal strength progressed alongside the club's performance.
Although Shi Renzhong was known for his high-profile behavior, he was straightforward and open-minded, and the team's achievements were indisputable.
With his strength, capability, looks, and status as a top rich second-generation, he garnered a massive fan following.
His nickname, "Martial King," was extremely arrogant, with a style that surpassed even some of the Heavenly Kings. Yet, among Shi Renzhong's numerous exaggerated nicknames, this was one of the more modest ones.
It just didn't sound very pleasant when said quickly.
Ji Xinghuo looked at Shi Renzhong, his expression indifferent.
Even before he met Zhao Manying, he had come across Shi Renzhong's name numerous times online, especially after Zhao Manying joined the Imperial Star Club. There had always been rumors that Shi Renzhong had been pursuing her for many years, and it was almost an open secret.
So, when Zhao Manying publicly revealed her relationship, the vast majority assumed that her boyfriend was Shi Renzhong.
Many CP fans went wild with joy and immediately sent their blessings.
But Shi Renzhong quickly denied it.
Among Ji Xinghuo's numerous "enemies" were some die-hard fans of Shi Renzhong, who hurled the most vicious insults and displayed the greatest hostility.
In a sense, the two men were rivals in love, even though they had never met.
However, on the few occasions when Zhao Manying mentioned Shi Renzhong, she didn't show any particular emotion, no different from when she talked about her other teammates.
Ji Xinghuo didn't pry further.
At this moment, amidst the shouts of hundreds of thousands of spectators, Shi Renzhong ran through the passage, the beam of light following his footsteps. As he entered the fully transparent registration hall and stepped onto the platform, he waved to the fans all around, his face bearing a smile of triumph.
During this process, the host enthusiastically recited Shi Renzhong's information—his age, height, weight, education, profession template, rank, and career data, among other things.
At the same time, the big screen played a highlight reel of his best moments, all showcasing his brilliance on the field.
Shi Renzhong stood firm on the stage.
Then, the beam of light returned to the entrance of the passage, and the host shouted, "Qi Feng!"
The second member to make an appearance, Qi Feng, was also a core member of the Imperial Star Club. He was a top-notch Thermal Stringer, ranked 85th on the global ladder, and within the team, his strength was second only to Zhao Manying, and his tactical position was even higher than Shi Renzhong's.
One by one, the competing Metahumans made their entrance.
Usually, a club team had a maximum of 12 members, with five people starting the match and the rest serving as substitutes.
Apart from the core members, the other teammates who took the field often rotated.
Depending on the different spiritual realm worlds, different tactics were formulated, and the coach selected the most suitable players to form a professional combination—a profound knowledge in itself.
Soon, 11 competing Metahumans had made their entrance, leaving only one more to go.
The arena fell silent for a few seconds.
Everyone held their breath in anticipation.
Boom boom boom...
Amid the deafening music, a beam of light descended from the sky, illuminating a tall and slender figure. Zhao Manying stood within the circle of light, her body clad in a form-fitting battle dress, her posture graceful, her eyes clear and bright, and her peerless face bearing a faint smile, like a celestial fairy descending to the mortal realm.
Just by standing there, she exuded an aura of confidence and power.
The audience's enthusiasm reached its peak, their passion ignited to the fullest.
At this moment, not only the 300,000 spectators present but also the hundreds of millions of fans watching the live stream were screaming themselves hoarse for Zhao Manying.
"Sword Immortal!"
"Sword Immortal..."
The sound waves were like a raging tide, one wave after another, as if trying to flip the entire arena.
The big screen played highlights of Zhao Manying's most glorious moments, and amidst the host's passionate and high-pitched voice, she strode calmly through the passage towards the platform in the registration hall.
Ji Xinghuo's family joined in the enthusiastic shouting.
Liang Qiu Feiyan gazed at Zhao Manying, not far away, her eyes dazzled and filled with envy.
Zhong Ming sighed, "It must feel so amazing to be the number one star of the Super League! When will I get to stand on the stage of the Super League..."
Ye Dongyun smiled and said, "You can do it, little brother."
Unknowingly, Wang Zichen clenched his fists, a determined look flashing in his eyes.
Ji Xinghuo's heart was also stirred.
An indescribable feeling rose within him as he recalled the private moments he had shared with Zhao Manying. Those memories intertwined with her current image of being the center of attention, making her even more vivid in his heart.
With light steps, Zhao Manying walked through the passage and looked up towards Ji Xinghuo's direction.
They were only a few meters apart.
But her siblings knew that Zhao Manying was greeting Ji Xinghuo. Zhong Ming gently bumped Ji Xinghuo's shoulder, a smile on his face.
With the arrival of the last member, the Imperial Star team was now complete.
The arena lights brightened, signaling the commencement of a grand and solemn championship ceremony.
Following the Super League's competition procedure, the opening match of each year was held at the previous season's champion's home stadium. Before the match, a ceremony was conducted to present the championship rings to the winning Metahumans. Each ring was a custom-made piece of Superpower One-star equipment, not only imbued with abilities but also symbolizing honor and valued at tens of millions of Asia-Pacific Yuan.
In addition to the superpower ring, there was another unique reward called the "Golden Crown," awarded to the individual with the most outstanding performance from the winning side of the championship final.
The crown was crafted from gold but was not a superpower artifact.
It represented a pure honor, a title coveted by countless Super League Metahumans, signifying the pinnacle of one's career.
The host announced enthusiastically, "Please welcome the chairman of the Shi Ying Group, the great Heavenly King, the 'Grand Magician,' Mr. Shi Hongyi, to present the awards to our champions!"
A man with an imposing demeanor strode onto the platform.
His magnificence was displayed on the big screen.
Ji Xinghuo, like the spectators around him, watched intently, but his gaze was not on the screen; he was observing the man himself.
One of the thirteen Heavenly Kings of the Asia-Pacific Community, nicknamed the "Grand Magician," with a profession template of a Superconductor Sorcerer.
Shi Hongyi founded the Shi Ying Group.
Not only was he personally powerful, but he was also immensely wealthy, a global powerhouse whose influence shook the world.
Shi Hongyi was ninety years old, but his appearance belied his age. Standing next to his son, Shi Renzhong, he looked more like a brother, perhaps even younger. He stood at just over one meter and eighty centimeters tall, his features unremarkable, and his build not particularly robust. Dressed in a well-tailored black suit, his gaze was calm, and a gentle smile played on his lips, giving him the air of a government official.
Through magnetic field sensing, Ji Xinghuo perceived that Shi Hongyi's magnetic field strength was more potent than the combined might of all the Metahumans on the stage.
However, his etheric energy fluctuations were incredibly restrained, similar to that of an ordinary person.
"Fathomless!"
Ji Xinghuo's pupils contracted.
This was the second Heavenly King he had encountered at such close proximity, the first being "Zeus" Heinrich Muller at the Midway Fortress. Like Shi Hongyi, Zeus was also a Superconductor Sorcerer, ranked higher at ninth on the Heavenly King rankings.
Shi Hongyi, on the other hand, was ranked 26th.
However, Ji Xinghuo's intuition told him that Shi Hongyi's strength seemed even greater than Zeus's!
"He must be hiding his strength."
"Or perhaps the distance was greater when I observed Zeus, so my perception wasn't as intense as it is today."
These thoughts ran through Ji Xinghuo's mind.
As the true owner of the Imperial Star Club, Shi Hongyi gave a brief speech on stage, congratulating the team on their championship victory.
Then, the award ceremony commenced.
He presented each team member with a championship ring. When he reached his son, Shi Renzhong, he gave a slight nod and a look of approval, clearly satisfied with his son's achievements.
Shi Renzhong was visibly moved, but in the public eye, the father and son exchanged no words.
After distributing the rings, a staff member brought out the Golden Crown.
Shi Hongyi took the crown and gently placed it on Zhao Manying's head, offering words of encouragement.
The arena erupted in cheers.
This was Zhao Manying's second Golden Crown.
Her expression remained composed, and she merely nodded slightly towards Shi Hongyi, her demeanor calm, unlike the others who were more emotional. The audience attributed her attitude to her usual aloof and proud personality, believing that she viewed her achievements as rightfully earned, and so they were not surprised.
However, Ji Xinghuo sensed something amiss.
Zhao Manying was different from her usual self! Although she often maintained a distant facade in public, explaining that it helped her avoid unnecessary trouble, at this moment, the coldness and indifference in her eyes seemed genuine, not an act.
Others couldn't discern the truth, assuming it was just her nature.
But Ji Xinghuo, having spent considerable time with her, knew her well and could detect her true emotions.
Zhao Manying showed no joy and seemed to be suppressing her feelings, striving to maintain her composure.
Ji Xinghuo was puzzled.
"Why?"
He had always thought that Zhao Manying led a perfect life, with success, fame, and a bright future, free from worries.
Now he realized that she had her secrets.
After the championship ceremony concluded, the atmosphere in the arena settled, and the host began introducing the away team, the Skywalker Clan.
As the opponents for the day, they naturally did not receive a warm welcome from the audience, and their entrance was a mere formality.
Then, the head coaches of both teams were introduced.
The away team selected the spiritual realm world for the match, after which the home team announced the first player to enter the field, followed by the away team announcing two players, taking turns choosing their combatants and strategizing until both sides had selected their five starters, who then proceeded to enter the spiritual realm login cabins.
The arena's center stage projected the chosen spiritual realm world, and the match officially began.
(End of Chapter)
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