Wenwu considered how much to reveal, then decided on honesty. Smith deserved to understand the strategic picture fully if he was approving this initiative.
"Ying Li reclaimed the dragon power she'd previously sealed," Wenwu explained carefully. "This power is extremely significant because it contains accumulated energy passed down through generations of Dragon Heart wielders. Each person who awakens the bloodline adds to a communal reservoir of strength."
He paused, ensuring Smith grasped the implications. "When Ying Li sealed her Dragon Heart to be with me, that power returned to the reservoir. Now that she's reclaimed it, she's accessing not just her own potential but centuries of accumulated dragon energy from previous guardians."
"Shang-Chi's situation is different," Wenwu continued. "He awakened his own Dragon Heart, but he's starting fresh. He doesn't inherit the accumulated power—he has to build his own reservoir from the beginning. So while he has access to the Great Protector's energy and can channel dragon power, his strength will take considerable time to develop fully."
Understanding clicked into place in Smith's expression. That explained the discrepancy between expectations and reality. In the original timeline, Shang-Chi had accessed accumulated power after specific circumstances in Ta Lo, allowing him to match Wenwu despite being newly awakened. He'd even managed to claim control of the Ten Rings through his Dragon Heart connection, then defeated the Dweller-in-Darkness—an entity the Great Protector could only seal, not destroy.
But this timeline diverged. Shang-Chi was starting his journey without that accumulated inheritance since his mother had taken her power, which meant his growth trajectory would be slower and more conventional.
Smith leaned back in his chair, reassessing his concerns. "Shang-Chi has the capability, so let him participate in the recruitment process."
He raised a hand forestalling gratitude. "However, Eddie is managing this initiative. Building a superhero team is important work, and I won't interfere with his selection criteria. I can't promise anything on his behalf."
A smile crossed Wenwu's face. "Leader, Shang-Chi will earn his position through his ideals, strength, conviction, and merit. I'm not here asking for favoritism—I'm simply reporting on my leave and what we accomplished in Ta Lo."
Smith nodded, satisfied with that answer. "Then we understand each other. Good luck to your son."
After Wenwu departed, Smith returned to reviewing training schedules. The conversation had been informative, revealing nuances about Ta Lo's power systems that his transmigrator knowledge hadn't covered in detail.
Wenwu's next stop was Eddie Brock's office at Red Ribbon Corporation headquarters. The building was considerably more modest than Universal Capsule Company's main facility, but it radiated professional energy. Media personnel hurried through corridors, promotional materials covered walls, and the ambient sound of creative work hummed through every floor.
Eddie looked up from his computer as Wenwu entered, surprise flickering across his features before professionalism reasserted itself. "Mr. Xu. This is unexpected. How can I help you?"
What transpired during their private conversation remained between them. But when Wenwu departed an hour later, both men wore expressions of satisfied understanding.
Within days, Shang-Chi's campaign exploded across the recruitment website's rankings.
His profile appeared near the bottom of the registered candidates initially—a late entry with minimal visibility and no established vote base. But then the Ten Rings organization's full resources mobilized behind him.
Golden Daggers Club members coordinated social media campaigns across Asian platforms. Ten Rings operatives in controlled territories organized registration drives, bringing thousands of people online specifically to cast votes for Shang-Chi. Money flowed into advertising across multiple continents. Professional media consultants refined his messaging and presentation.
His promotional video had been carefully crafted—demonstrating his Dragon Heart abilities through spectacular displays of mystical energy, articulating his superhero philosophy using language directly adapted from the Fraternity's principles.
The campaign's momentum was ferocious. Within a week, Shang-Chi had climbed from obscurity into the top twenty. Within two weeks, he'd broken into the top ten. By the end of the third week, he was competing for a top-six position.
A month passed in a blur of campaigns, vote tallies, and media frenzy.
Eddie Brock knocked on Smith's office door, carrying a tablet and several printed documents. Smith gestured him in, noting the satisfaction in Eddie's expression.
"Boss, we've completed the global recruitment phase," Eddie announced, settling into a chair and spreading his materials across Smith's desk. "These are the six candidates with the highest vote totals. I'm planning to select two from this group to complete The Paragons roster."
Smith accepted the documents, scanning the names with interest:
Shang-Chi
Matt Murdock (Daredevil)
Chen Haoran (Vermillion)
Donnie Gill (Frost-Byte)
Danny Rand (Iron Fist)
T'Challa (Black Panther)
"Kingo didn't make the top six?" Smith asked, remembering the Eternal's prominent early showing.
Eddie shook his head. "Kingo had strong support initially, but his follower base wasn't deep enough to sustain momentum. He's still in the top ten—respectable, but not enough for final selection."
Smith studied Matt Murdock's profile with mild surprise. "Daredevil remained in the top six throughout? That's impressive."
"Matt's popularity has been consistently high," Eddie explained, pulling up additional data on his tablet. "Once he revealed his identity as a blind lawyer who fights crime at night despite his disability, public support became overwhelming. People love that narrative—the underdog who refuses to accept limitations."
The psychology made sense. Daredevil represented something aspirational without being intimidating. Enhanced individuals with godlike powers inspired awe but also distance. A blind man who'd trained himself to superhuman capability through sheer determination felt more accessible.
"What's your assessment of these six candidates?" Smith asked, setting the documents aside.
Eddie's expression grew more animated as he shifted into presentation mode. "Boss, I want you, Tony Stark, and Ivan Vanko to serve as judges for the final selection round. We'll evaluate these six candidates in person."
He swiped through his tablet, displaying proposed competition brackets. "They'll demonstrate their abilities live, articulate their philosophies about superhero work, and explain why they should be selected. My recommendation is dividing them into three groups based on similar capability profiles."
The brackets appeared on Smith's desk projection:
Group 1: Shang-Chi vs Danny Rand (Iron Fist) Group 2: Matt Murdock (Daredevil) vs T'Challa (Black Panther) Group 3: Chen Haoran (Vermillion) vs Donnie Gill (Frost-Byte)
"These pairings group candidates with similar power sets," Eddie explained. "Choosing one from each pair avoids redundancy and ensures The Paragons has diverse capabilities. Shang-Chi and Danny both channel mystical energy through martial arts. Matt and T'Challa are both enhanced humans with exceptional combat skills but no flashy powers. Chen and Donnie are elemental manipulators with opposing specializations."
Smith nodded slowly, appreciating the strategic thinking. Eddie had clearly put serious thought into team composition beyond just raw power levels.
The pairing also had political dimensions Eddie probably recognized but wasn't stating explicitly. Chen Haoran and Donnie Gill were certainly S.H.I.E.L.D. plants—Smith's intelligence network had confirmed Donnie's S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy enrollment, and Chen's sudden power enhancement bore the hallmarks of government super-soldier programs.
The question was whether they were Nick Fury's agents or HYDRA infiltrators. S.H.I.E.L.D. had access to incomplete super-soldier formulas that could theoretically boost Chen's pyrokinetic abilities. HYDRA possessed similar resources through their own development programs.
Smith would need to verify their allegiance through S.H.I.E.L.D. intelligence databases—assuming Fury hadn't deleted or classified the relevant information beyond Smith's Level 7 clearance.
If they were Fury's agents, Smith could tolerate one embedded observer. Annoying, but manageable. If they were HYDRA assets, however, they'd need to be eliminated and the infiltration network traced back to its source.
"Your proposal works," Smith said, making his decision. "I'll participate as a judge alongside Tony and Ivan. Schedule the final selection and send me the details."
Eddie's grin widened. "Thank you, boss. This is going to generate massive publicity. Having the three primary sponsors present as judges will legitimize the entire process."
The day of final selection arrived with media fanfare exceeding even Eddie's optimistic projections.
The Red Ribbon Corporation had secured a massive venue in Manhattan—a converted warehouse retrofitted with stadium seating, professional lighting, and broadcast equipment that would stream the event globally. Thousands of spectators filled the stands, their excited chatter creating a roar of anticipation.
Smith arrived with Tony and Ivan, all three men dressed casually but projecting authority through sheer presence. They took seats at a judges' table positioned prominently at the venue's center, elevated enough to provide clear sightlines to the demonstration area.
Tony leaned back in his chair, surveying the crowd with amusement. "Eddie really went all out with this production value. I'm half expecting a halftime show."
"The man understands spectacle," Ivan agreed, his Russian accent adding weight to the observation. "This isn't just recruitment—it's entertainment."
Smith said nothing, content to watch the proceedings develop. His scouter was already active, scanning the six candidates who waited backstage. Their power levels would provide objective data to complement subjective impressions.
The lights dimmed dramatically. Spotlights converged on a stage entrance. And then the World Martial Arts Tournament Announcer bounded into view, microphone in hand and enthusiasm radiating from every gesture.
Smith felt genuine surprise. He'd arranged for the Announcer to handle tournament hosting duties at Fraternity headquarters but hadn't assigned him other work. Eddie had apparently recognized the character's value and recruited him for this event.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the Announcer's voice boomed through the venue's sound system, perfectly modulated to reach every corner. "Through fierce global competition and enthusiastic voting from people around the world, we have selected six extraordinary candidates!"
The crowd roared approval.
"And now," the Announcer continued, his excitement building, "with the world's three greatest superheroes serving as judges—GOD! Iron Man! Blue Dynamo!—they will select the final three candidates to join our magnificent seven-person team!"
He paused for dramatic effect, letting the crowd's energy peak before delivering the final line. "Together with Night Walker Selene, Red Guardian Alexei, Wolf Knight Michael, and Shadow Shot Wesley, these heroes will form The Paragons—fighting evil and promoting justice across the globe!"
The Announcer's theatrical delivery was perfect, his natural enthusiasm for tournament work translating seamlessly to this new context. Smith made a mental note to thank Eddie for the creative recruitment—the character was clearly born for this kind of public-facing