"Zhou Hong, you'll have to rely on yourself from now on," the students from Class 30 said helplessly. Most of them were at the mid-stage of the Fusion realm, with only a few at the late-stage. Class 1, however, was entirely composed of late-stage Heartbeat cultivators, a completely different level.
"Alright, just jump off the stage later. I'll handle the rest."
At this moment, the referee shouted, "Are both classes ready?"
"Ready!"
"Very well, begin immediately. The two classes will compete until only one person remains on the battle stage. The class of the remaining person wins."
As soon as the referee finished speaking, all the students from Class 30 behind Zhou Hong voluntarily jumped off the battle stage. After all, the rules stated that the class of the person left on the stage would win.
Thus, Zhou Hong stood alone on the stage, facing all the students from Class 30.
"Everyone, hit him hard and teach him a lesson!" the captain of Class 1 roared.
The next second, all 100 students from Class 1 charged towards Zhou Hong almost simultaneously at their fastest speed. These 100 students came from various continents, and in their hometowns, each of them was a top-tier genius. They were all filled with pride. Soudan Novel Network.
However, at this moment, Zhou Hong's figure flickered. His shadow became like an afterimage, while the 100 opposing students seemed to be solidified by glue in the air, their movements becoming extremely difficult and slow.
"Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang bang...!" One by one, the students were sent flying off the stage like raindrops, falling to the ground below.
"Job done!" A few seconds later, with Zhou Hong's final boastful shout, all 100 students were sent flying off the battle stage.
"Holy cow." All the teachers and students present were stunned. Not to mention the seniors from higher grades, even the mentors, and the referee in mid-air, none of them understood how Zhou Hong had so decisively, in just a few seconds, knocked all 100 students off the battle stage.
"My heavens, is this still Zhou Hong?" Lu Qianqian muttered to herself from the stands.
Similarly, in another corner of the stands, Ye Ziran's mouth hung open in shock. She thought to herself, "He's actually this powerful. No wonder the Emperor of the Supreme Empire wanted to take him as a prince."
At this moment, for some reason, the gloom that had been hidden in Ye Ziran's heart suddenly vanished. She had been feeling miserable for the past few days because the Emperor had betrothed her to an ordinary man, and she couldn't resist. But today, seeing this so-called ordinary man defeat an entire class by himself, she no longer dared to consider him ordinary. Not only that, but she also felt a little happy. Although Zhou Hong's current cultivation realm was lower than hers, with his talent, he would eventually surpass her.
"Referee, can you make the announcement now?" Zhou Hong glanced at the referee, who was still standing in mid-air with his mouth agape.
"Yes, yes, I now declare that in the collective battle between Class 30 and Class 1 of the first academic year, Class 30 wins."
The entire venue erupted in an uproar, as if the sky had changed. Class 30 could now rank ahead of Class 1.
At this moment, Zhou Hong spoke to the referee again, "Hello, referee. I shouldn't need to participate in the second round, the individual strength ranking competition, right?"
"Of course not. The top 100 combined couldn't defeat you. You are already invincible within the same academic year. You are now the strongest in the first academic year." The referee then announced loudly, "I declare that student Zhou Hong has won first place in the freshman competition's individual event."
The entire venue was in an uproar again. The freshman competition had just begun, and he had already been granted first place, a first in the history of the Taigu Academy.
"Thank you, referee," Zhou Hong said with a grin.
At this moment, below the stage, a girl with a bruised and swollen face was looking up at Zhou Hong.
This bruised and swollen girl was none other than the genius beauty, Dugu Shuang, who had been very popular in the first academic year.
Dugu Shuang naturally remembered the time she had encountered Zhou Hong in the cafeteria. Zhou Hong had wanted to say hello, but she had looked down on him.
But today, she realized that Zhou Hong was the true peerless genius. Being able to defeat their entire class by himself, without a doubt, even the usually proud Dugu Shuang felt immense admiration at this moment.
Originally, Dugu Shuang had some appreciation for the strongest male student in their Class 1. Now, it seemed that that male student was like a firefly compared to the stars when standing before Zhou Hong.
At this moment, the entire venue burst into cheers. Some people now felt immense admiration and respect for Zhou Hong.
Of course, there were many more who felt jealous, especially some of the talented students from higher grades who felt a pang of envy.
Ye Ziran, sitting in the crowd, couldn't help but clap her hands. The memory of that night flashed through her mind, and her face unconsciously turned red.
It seemed that Ye Ziran's impression of Zhou Hong had completely changed.
"Thank you, everyone. You continue with your competition, I'll be leaving now," Zhou Hong said with a chuckle, waving his hand as he walked off the stage.
"Zhou Hong, well done," Lu Qianqian quickly rushed forward.
"Instructor Lu, I didn't embarrass you, did I? You looked so disappointed earlier when I said I wanted to challenge Class 1."
Lu Qianqian couldn't help but glare at Zhou Hong and say, "I praise you for just a moment, and you're already getting ahead of yourself."
"Heh heh, so now Class 30 doesn't have anything else to compete for, right?" Zhou Hong looked like he was about to leave.
"Even if there's nothing left to compete for, you should still quietly stay and be a spectator, cheering for others."
"I don't have that kind of leisure!" Before Zhou Hong could finish speaking, he suddenly saw a familiar woman in the audience, Ye Ziran.
"Oh!" Zhou Hong was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected her to be here watching the freshman competition of the first academic year.
Zhou Hong hesitated for a moment, then decided not to leave.
He then walked in the direction of Ye Ziran.
"Zhou Hong, where are you going?" Lu Qianqian quickly called out to him.
"Guess," Zhou Hong said with a smile.
Lu Qianqian also saw Ye Ziran at this moment, and Zhou Hong was walking in Ye Ziran's direction.
For some reason, Lu Qianqian felt a little unhappy.
"Instructor Lu, where is Zhou Hong going?" a nosy student quickly asked.
"What's it to you? Hurry back to your seats in Class 30." Lu Qianqian shouted impatiently. The other students from Class 30 returned to their seats.
Zhou Hong also arrived at the spectator stands, in Ye Ziran's direction.
Ye Ziran also saw Zhou Hong walking towards her at this moment. She felt a little nervous, unsure how to face Zhou Hong. Moreover, all eyes in the venue were still on Zhou Hong.
"Ziran, you're here too," Zhou Hong said with a smile as he approached, acting as if they were old acquaintances.
(No more today)