Chapter 601: For Five Thousand Years, the civilization of Great Xia has Spanned Without Interruption! (2)

Translator: _Min

Si Fuqing flipped through the information sheet once more.

Together, there were nearly four hundred stars participating from different countries; indeed, the number was vast.

The fastest APM was a top star from the Muston Dukedom, with a record of 323.

“The competition won’t be easy,” Cheng Yiqiao said, taking it in stride. ‘We’ll do our best.”

Si Fuqing nodded. “I will definitely do my best.”

Sang Yanqing was silent for a moment.

Do your best? Your definitions seem to differ, don’t they?

After a brief rest, the group went out to dine and take a stroll.

As they passed a square, Cheng Yiqiao suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“Our athletes!” she exclaimed excitedly. ‘Qingqing, look, that’s the women’s swimming team!”

This edition of the International Sports Games was also being held in the Muston Dukedom.

Beginning in November, athletes from various countries had gradually arrived by the end of October.

“Xu Wangtong!” Cheng Yiqiao’s excitement grew. “She’s my idol! She made her debut at the International Sports Games at fourteen and has won four consecutive championships. By eighteen, she was already a grand slam winner!”

Hearing this name, Si Fuqing paused for a moment.

She looked over, her gaze lingering on the woman under the flag, slightly lost in thought.

Yuejian, with her keen perception, noticed Si Fuqing’s gaze. “Do you know her?”

“Yes,” Si Fuqing responded, her tone light and without much detail. “We met on a mission before. I didn’t expect she had retired.”

Meanwhile, the women’s swimming team also spotted them.

A girl around fourteen or fifteen tugged at Xu Wangtong’s sleeve, whispered something, then excitedly ran toward Si Fuqing.

“Sister Qingqing,” the girl said shyly, “I’m a fan. May I have your autograph?”

Cheng Yiqiao was surprised. “Qingqing, you’ve made it. Your fans are quite impressive. ”

“Of course.” Si Fuqing bent down and patted her head. “Would you like a photo together?”

“Yes, yes!” The girl nodded vigorously. “Sister Qingiqng, wait till I get a medal!”

“Alright,” Si Fuqing smiled. “I’ll be waiting. Then I can brag to others that I’ve taken a photo with a world champion.”

After obtaining the autograph and photo, the girl happily returned. Si Fuqing turned around. “How did Xu Wangtong become a coach?”

“You didn’t know?” Cheng Yiqiao sighed. “Four years ago, the International Sports Committee wrongly accused Xu Wangtong of doping and banned her for ten years. Only this year was the truth revealed.”

“Even though the ban was lifted, her golden years have passed, and she can’t compete for gold medals anymore. So, she chose to become a coach.”

Si Fuqing’s eyes flickered. “A wrongful accusation?”

“Whether it was wrongful or not, how could we possibly know?” Cheng Yiqiao whispered. “Every circle has its conflicts of interest, and the competition in sports is even greater than among us stars.”

Si Fuqing fell silent.

Indeed.

Many athletes train from a young age, spending decades without the chance to stand on the international stage, only to remain as subsitutes.

“Let’s go,” Cheng Yiqiao shook her head. “It’s time for dinner.”

She always remembered Si Fuqing’s alcohol allergy, ensuring no alcoholic dishes appeared on the table.

The next morning.

The Oracle hosted its first celebrity match, inviting stars from various countries, drawing attention from both the gaming and entertainment circles.

Media from all countries arrived on-site for live broadcasts.

The opening ceremony was in the morning, with the competition officially starting in the afternoon.

At the backstage entrance, the stars had all gathered.

There were many different skin and hair colors, indeed a grand assembly.

Under the organizers’ arrangements, the stars began to enter.

“Why is he right in front of us?” Cheng Yiqiao frowned. “Qingqing, we must be cautious in our approach.”

The Great Xia Empire’s entry order was in the middle.

The team ahead was Andrew’s.

Andrew also noticed the Great Xia Empire following behind and a scornful sneer appeared on his face.

Si Fuqing glanced over indifferently. “No need to be cautious. Let them come.”

“Next up, the team from the Great Xia Empire,” the host announced. “Let’s welcome them with the warmest applause!” The audience’s applause thundered.

But then, Andrew’s team suddenly stopped.

The stage was split into two teams.

This had never happened before.

The host paused, about to intervene, but Andrew had already spoken. “I heard that the Great Xia Empire is inferior to the Western Continent in every aspect, especially in gaming. Why bother registering?”

His voice, amplified by the microphone, reached everyone

His voice, loud and amplified by the microphone, was audible to everyone, both on stage and off.

As the audience continued to enter, they were momentarily stunned by his words.

Si Fuqing slowly lifted her head.

“Let it go. We’re all actors here, so today, let’s not talk about gaming. Let’s discuss our abilities as actors instead,” Andrew said, arms crossed and his tone dripping with scorn. “I wonder how many international award -winning actors or actresses your country has produced in recent years, or how many have been admitted to the Glenn awards?”

“It seems there are none,” he said, smiling disdainfully. “The Great Xia Empire really is declining. I don’t know how you have the confidence to stand here. Maybe you should go back and practice for another ten thousand years before you try to compete with us.”

Cheng Yiqiao had advised Si Fuqing to be cautious and to ignore such provocations.

But now, her anger flared, yet she had to restrain herself from confronting him physically.

It was clear to all with eyes that Andrew had been deliberately put forward.

They aimed to embarrass the Great Xia Empire before so many people, indifferent to sacrificing a competitor’s eligibility.

Silence fell over the audience.

MO Yanwen immediately looked towards Yu Xiheng, who paused before speaking. “Sir.”

Yu Xiheng’s eyes slightly closed, but his intent to confront was overwhelmingly clear.

At that moment, Si Fuqing made her move.

She stepped forward, unhurried.

This action changed the expressions of Cheng Yiqiao and the others.

Cheng Yiqiao’s palms sweated as she reached out to grab Si Fuqing’s arm. “Qingqing…”

They were not in the Great Xia Empire, and though it was just a celebrity exhibition match, it was an international event!

Everyone, in front of the large screens on and off the stage, was watching.

Even a diplomat could face endless troubles for a single misplaced word.

The opponent was aggressive. Not responding would seem cowardly.

But to respond might be seen as making a mountain out of a molehill.

It seemed there was no right choice.

They were momentarily at a loss for words, unable to find a perfect retort. Meng Xue stood by, her head lowered, her gaze filled with undisguised mockery and schadenfreude.

Si Fuqing had already stepped forward.

If she didn’t make a statement now, her career in the entertainment industry would be over.

Not just the entertainment industry, she wouldn’t be able to continue in the Great Xia Empire at all.

The event was indeed being broadcast live.

The domestic audience was very interested in this celebrity exhibition match. [Damn, let me at that guy! Who is he to look down on us?]

[This generation of stars really isn’t up to snuff, rendered speechless by a challenge. It’s embarrassing.]

[??? Try answering yourself. You don’t even have what it takes to stand up there.]

[I want to see what Si Fuqing can say. Smart people know that keeping quiet and letting the organizers handle it is the right approach.]

Andrew’s expression remained contemptuous.

He was quite handsome, but in his eyes, most stars from the Great Xia Empire were merely pretty faces.

Good to look at, but lacking in substance.

“Why?” Si Fuqing began calmly, “Because we discovered fire by drilling wood, while you awaited heavenly gifts.”

“Because when floods came, you hid in your boats, whereas we did not hesitate to control the flood to save the world, when we could have hid in our home mere steps away (1).”

“Because you worship the sun as a deity, we dared to shoot arrows at it (2).”

“Because for five thousand years, the civilization of Great Xia has spanned without interruption!”

She smiled. “If you have the audacity to stand here, why shouldn’t we be confident?”

Refers to the story of Yu the Great Subdues the Flood

Refers to the story of Hou Yi’s shooting down of the 9 suns