Western audiences had always loved Eastern martial arts, which meant they were more than open to that kind of choreography. So, when Laila had the action director design the fight sequences with that in mind, the results were spectacular. They weren't clunky like traditional Western fights, nor overly graceful like classical Eastern wuxia—just strikingly dynamic and visually impressive. No one would watch the heroes in action and think, "Are they using kung fu now?" It just looked cool.
What was even more impressive was how well the film maintained its pacing—even now, well into the second half, the audience didn't feel even a hint of fatigue from sitting too long.
Even those employees of Laila's company who were seeing the final cut for the first time were bursting with pride. Many of them had worked on the film themselves—this was their baby, something they'd raised with their own hands. And seeing that child now, so dazzling and well-received, brought a deep sense of pride that words could hardly describe.
Some of them were starting to think of a different question now. Even though the movie wasn't over yet, and its quality was already beyond doubt, could it really do what the boss had said before filming began—challenge the highest-grossing film of all time?
If it actually managed that feat…
Then maybe their names would go down in cinematic history right alongside it.
Everyone involved in the production—even the VFX artists who had gotten sick of watching the same scenes hundreds of times—was now clenching their fists in quiet excitement.
If this film really hit #1, it would be something they could brag about for the rest of their lives.
Even the critics in the audience who had previously scoffed at Laila's "bold claim" were now questioning themselves—could she actually pull it off?
The movie was undoubtedly brilliant. But would the box office match its quality?
Then again, the number three billion—Avatar's legendary box office record—loomed over their thoughts, reassuring them. That number was too high, too out of reach. There was just no way a comic-book-based superhero movie could touch it.
Meanwhile, Laila was quietly observing the crowd—especially the audience members behind her. So far, their reactions were exactly what she had expected. And while she was satisfied with that… it wasn't enough.
Earlier, right before entering the theater, she had spotted a few familiar faces trying to hide in the crowd. Faces that thought they were well-disguised. That was when she realized—it was time to throw more fuel onto the fire.
They thought that just because they were hiding in the dark, she wouldn't notice?
They had no idea that after being reborn, Laila's ability to read people had leveled up tenfold.
The best example of her talent was none other than Xiao Ye, aka "Jia Xiaoming." No matter how advanced his disguise—voice changer, skin tone, scent, even height—the moment he showed up in front of Laila, she'd see through him immediately.
To this day, he still had no idea what detail had given him away. The experience had nearly become his trauma.
So if even Xiao Ye's god-tier disguise couldn't fool her, what chance did a few people using basic props to cover their heads and mouths have?
She had recognized them the moment she stepped through the door.
How they got in didn't matter—wasting time wondering about that was pointless. What mattered was that they were here. And their presence might spell trouble.
Add to that the ticket fraud scandal still hanging over her and Dragon Soul Studios like a guillotine—if she didn't settle that once and for all, then even if the Avengers did break every record, all that glory would rot into an eternal disgrace.
And Laila would never allow that to happen.
She quietly pulled out her phone, glanced at the time, then dialed a number. But instead of waiting for someone to pick up, she let it ring twice and hung up.
"What is it?" Roy noticed the light from her phone screen.
"Nothing," Laila said with a smile. "Just checking how much longer we've got."
Roy chuckled. "You getting bored with your own movie?"
"Of course," Laila said half-jokingly. "Don't forget—I edited this whole film myself. I've seen every frame a hundred times. How could I not be bored?"
Roy thought about it and had to admit—she had a point. Even chewing gum gets bland after a while. Editing a movie meant watching and rewatching the same scenes over and over. If he had done the editing, he'd probably be sick of it too.
"So… what now? Want to step out for some air?"
"Nope!" Laila shut that down instantly. "I was just joking. This movie's like my baby. No matter how many times I watch it—ugly or beautiful—I'll always love it. How could I abandon my own child halfway through?"
She added with a smile, "If the director ditches the premiere before the movie ends, can you imagine how hard the press would roast me?"
Roy gave her a helpless look—she'd said she was bored, but also said she wasn't. She called the film her child but also compared it to flavorless gum.
So… what was she really trying to say?
By now, the movie had entered its final act.
Each superhero was showing off their unique abilities, battling the alien army in full force. The screen also cut to ordinary civilians—terrified, fleeing, getting rescued, being evacuated—serving as a contrast to the heroes. Their efforts gave the Avengers even more admiration and emotional weight.
The spectacular scenes kept coming—one after another—leaving the audience dazzled.
No one dared look away from the screen, not even for a second. Blink, and you might miss something extraordinary.
Explosive battles, stunning VFX, earth-shattering war sequences, and a gleaming city caught in the chaos—even the harshest critics had to admit, this movie was incredibly well done. No moment felt dull or skippable.
Among the die-hard fans in the audience were teenagers, twenty-somethings, and plenty in their thirties. And all of them were thoroughly enjoying it. That meant the film had a massive potential audience across a wide age range.
In other words, once the film hit full release, it would likely draw in even more viewers from that key demographic. And if anyone checked, they'd find the gender ratio wasn't far off either—this film had appeal for everyone.
With its gorgeous cast—heroes and heroines alike—it had eye candy for every kind of viewer. If you came for the visuals, you'd definitely find someone on screen who made your heart race.
And while the premiere was still underway…
A storm outside the theater was already brewing—one that would soon shake the world.