novelraw Chapter 436: Awakening Festival
Chapter 436: Awakening Festival
It was late autumn.
Yet within Daxia there was a fervent atmosphere that did not match the season.
Because the grandest annual event, the Awakening Festival, was about to begin.
This festival was not held to celebrate any single victory.
It commemorated the birth of the very first human Awakened one during Blue Star’s darkest, most desperate days when the Mist invaded.
His arrival was like the first ray of dawn piercing an eternal night, proving humanity was not destined to be slaughtered without resistance, that they had ignited a spark capable of protecting their civilization.
Thus, the Awakening Festival held extraordinary meaning for all Daxia citizens.
As the festival mood swelled,
the encrypted communicator on Su Zhan’s wrist lit up, and Li Su’s steady voice came through as always:
“Mr. Su, the Awakening Festival ceremony will be held at the Central Square in the Capital three days from now. The Council of Elders and the festival organizing committee formally extend their most sincere invitation, earnestly requesting your presence as an honored guest to join the celebration with the people.”Su Zhan was not surprised to receive this invitation.
Given his current status in Daxia, his power and symbolic significance, his absence from such an important national ceremony would have seemed abnormal.
“I will arrive on time.”
Su Zhan replied calmly.
Three days later, in the Capital.
Completely unlike the grim atmosphere when he attended the press conference a year ago.
Now the Capital was decked in lanterns and banners.
Wide streets were lined with vivid crimson flags.
Huge projections in the sky displayed images and deeds of Awakening heroes through the ages.
Festive music rang through every corner of the city.
Countless citizens dressed in their finest, faces beaming with smiles and pride, streamed toward the Central Square, eager for the ceremony to begin.
Su Zhan rode in the official vehicle arranged for him.
Escorted by a convoy of guards, he slowly drove toward the Central Square.
When his convoy appeared on the main thoroughfare leading to the square,
it immediately triggered frenzied cheers from people on both sides of the road.
“Su Zhan! It’s Su Zhan!”
“Hero! Look this way!”
“Thank you for protecting us!”
…
Their shouts were filled with genuine admiration.
Completely different from the doubts of a year ago.
Children waved small flags, young people stood on tiptoe in excitement, trying to catch a glimpse of this legendary figure.
Su Zhan sat inside the car, watching the boiling sea of people through the one-way window, his expression calm.
The convoy finally reached the heavily guarded Central Square.
Guided by Li Su, Su Zhan ascended to the tall reviewing stand.
On the reviewing stand,
the Council elders, military bigwigs, celebrities from all walks of life, and representatives from the Five Great Academies had already gathered.
When Su Zhan appeared,
every gaze turned to him as if by unspoken agreement.
Without exception, each looked on with formal respect.
Su Zhan was seated in one of the most central positions on the reviewing stand.
Beside him sat several familiar elders and senior military officers.
That spot alone signified his lofty standing in Daxia today.
With the solemn sounding of ceremonial salutes, the grand ceremony officially began.
The honor guard marched with measured steps, fighter jets streaked across the sky trailing brilliant colored smoke.
One item after another passed through the splendid program.
Several esteemed elders,
meritorious generals,
and representatives from various sectors delivered stirring or heartfelt speeches,
drawing rounds of applause.
The host of the festival, in a voice full of passion, announced to the crowd:
“Everyone! Today we have a special guest who will share his insights with us. He bears a legend, yet at a young age has already stood at the pinnacle of power.
Though controversial, he has won the trust and love of hundreds of millions of compatriots through his repeated, selfless acts of protection.
He is… Daxia’s Special-Grade Strategic Advisor, Mr. Su Zhan!
Let us give the warmest applause to welcome Mr. Su Zhan to speak!”
“Wah——!!!”
Before the host finished,
the audience erupted in thunderous applause.
The roar exceeded any previous occasion.
Countless people waved their arms frantically, necks craned, eyes fixed on the reviewing stand, on the young figure slowly standing.
Live cameras locked onto Su Zhan,
broadcasting his image to every corner of Daxia.
Su Zhan walked steadily to the podium.
Today he still wore simple dark clothing, not a flashy formal suit.
But the composed bearing cultivated by absolute strength and undeniable achievements made him more striking than any ornate attire.
He scanned the jubilant sea of faces and flags below with calm eyes.
Miraculously, the square’s clamor gradually subsided.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for his voice.
Su Zhan adjusted the microphone, and his words, amplified by the sound magic circle, spread clearly to every corner of the square and into the ears of countless viewers watching the live broadcast:
“My fellow citizens, today we gather to commemorate the pioneers and celebrate new life.
I once fell into the Mist and saw the deepest darkness.
I once became someone else and experienced the most complicated stares.
But I always remember that I am human, that I come from Daxia.
Power may change a person’s form, but it cannot change a heart that wishes to protect.”
Su Zhan raised his hand, a thread of condensed Flame of Destruction flickered at his fingertips, bringing a ripple of low murmurs from the crowd, but he then closed his fist and the flame dissipated:
“This power originates from darkness, but its edge, from this moment on, will be used only to cut through the Mist, only to protect this land behind me and those who live on it… you.
The pioneers lit this spark; our generation must make it burn ever brighter until it… illuminates the entire future!
The road ahead may still be difficult, the Mist may still be dense, but as long as faith does not die, as long as the heart to protect endures, Daxia will prevail!
Daxia will prevail!”
Those last four words ignited the pent-up emotion of the entire venue.
“Daxia will prevail!”
“Su Zhan! Su Zhan! Su Zhan!”
“Protect! Protect!”
On the square, countless people wept with joy, their voices hoarse as they shouted in unison, waving flags; wave after wave of sound surged, coalescing into a torrent forged by belief.
On the reviewing stand,
many prominent figures watched the scene unfold.
They looked at the young man who, with just a few sentences, had completely seized the crowd’s emotions, their expressions unbearably complex.
Su Zhan’s speech ended.
He bowed his head slightly, and amid the roaring ocean of people, he calmly returned to his seat.
The Three Elders sitting beside him leaned in slightly, one gently patted Su Zhan’s arm, speaking in a voice not loud but audible to those nearby:
“Good! Well said! Power cannot change a guardian’s heart — that rang like thunder, striking the core! Su Zhan, not only is your strength exceptional, but this character and insight are rare!”
On the other side, a senior military officer said: “What a shout for Daxia’s victory! Advisor Su, hearing that from you is uplifting, much better than those flowery long-winded speeches. This is the spirit our Daxia sons should have! I love your vigor!”
…
Many important people did not spare their praise.
Su Zhan inclined his head slightly and replied calmly, “You elders flatter me. I only spoke what was in my heart.”