"No need to be polite. Then I should head home too. We gather at school tomorrow to depart for the provincial capital."
Zhou Hong chuckled. The dean had already called, instructing all participating students to gather at the Jinzhou University Martial Arts College early the next morning and then take a bus to the provincial capital.
Therefore, Zhou Hong had to go home tonight. He hadn't seen Qiao Xiaoyu for several days, and with him leaving for the provincial capital tomorrow, he naturally wanted to spend some quality time together tonight.
"Zhou Hong, how strong are you really?" Just as Zhou Hong was about to leave, Changsun Ruoyan quickly asked from behind.
"Heh, I don't know," Zhou Hong replied with a faint smile.
"Show-off," Changsun Ruoyan muttered disdainfully, thinking Zhou Hong was unwilling to say. Who wouldn't know their own strength?
"Believe it or not."
"Then you'll definitely win the Martial Arts Competition this time."
"Heh!" Zhou Hong curled his lips. "I'm not interested."
"Ugh, if you're not interested, why are you participating?" Changsun Ruoyan asked speechlessly.
"The dean of the Martial Arts College asked me to. He said it could bring an honor to Jinzhou University. I thought it would be a simple favor, so I agreed to participate. Since you're also from Jinzhou University now, it doesn't matter who wins. I won't compete with you. The first place is yours, I'll take second."
"Speechless," Changsun Ruoyan rolled her eyes. However, she was certainly interested in winning the championship. It was just that she might not be able to. After all, a provincial martial arts competition would attract geniuses from many first-tier and even super-tier cities, not to mention second and third-tier talents who would come to join the fun.
Zhou Hong said no more and walked out of the park gate.
However, as soon as he stepped out, a television reporter rushed towards him.
"Hello, are you Zhou Hong from Jinzhou University?" the female reporter asked, holding up a microphone.
"Yes," Zhou Hong nodded.
"Hello, we are from Jinzhou Television. A few days ago, we learned that you were staying at Captain Changsun's home. And the Martial Arts Competition is starting tomorrow and the day after. We've been waiting for you here for a long time and have many questions. May we interview you?" the female reporter asked politely. It turned out they had deliberately waited for Zhou Hong, as they seemed to know that Zhou Hong and Changsun Ruoyan had been training here. They just hadn't approached to disturb them, only coming up for an interview after Zhou Hong emerged.
"Fine, ask whatever you want," Zhou Hong nodded reluctantly. Since they had waited for him here, he had no choice but to let them interview him.
"You've been staying at Changsun Qinghe's home these past few days, haven't you?" the female reporter asked.
"Yes, for five days."
"During the mobilization meeting held earlier, Changsun Qinghe said she would guide you in the coming days. I wonder if you have gained anything under her guidance these past few days? The citizens are particularly concerned about you. Could you tell us something?"
"Heh, the gains have been tremendous," Zhou Hong said with a wry smile, surprised that the citizens were concerned about his cultivation progress.
"Could you be more specific? You know, ever since the last mobilization meeting, your name has spread throughout Jinzhou City. Many people know that Jinzhou University has a martial arts genius like you. You went from being a poor kid from a shantytown to becoming an idol for many people."
"Haha," Zhou Hong couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"How should I put it? Under Captain Changsun's guidance these past few days, my strength has advanced by leaps and bounds. Not only that, but my martial arts realm has also improved like climbing stairs. In just a few days, I've advanced several levels."
"No way!" The female reporter was stunned. This was the first time anyone had described their cultivation breakthroughs as climbing stairs.
"Yes. I was at Martial Practitioner Level 22 before. These past few days, I've had tremendous gains and reached Martial Practitioner Level 28."
"My goodness!" The reporter seemed dumbfounded. To have risen so much in just a few days, she suspected Zhou Hong was joking with them. Su Dan Novel Network.
Zhou Hong naturally said Level 28 because his goal was to get second place in the Martial Arts Competition. Why not take this opportunity to mention a few more levels, which would then seem natural?
"Heh, here, I want to specially thank someone, and that is Changsun Qinghe. Without her meticulous guidance, it would have been impossible for me to climb from Level 22 to Level 28 like climbing stairs in just a few days. Thank you, Captain Changsun, you are truly a great person." Zhou Hong performed for the camera, acting as if it were all true, with genuine emotion.
"Senior Zhou Hong, you are my idol," the reporter holding the microphone said with admiration in her eyes.
"Haha, you're too kind. Are there any other questions?"
"One more question. You've broken through to Level 28 now, doesn't that mean you're the same as Changsun Ruoyan?" the reporter asked again.
"Not quite. Changsun Ruoyan has also broken through to Level 29 these past few days, just one level stronger than me," Zhou Hong said with a chuckle.
"Wow!" The reporter exclaimed again.
"Alright, I need to go home now. Bye." Zhou Hong didn't want to drag it out any longer and waved goodbye as he left.
"Senior Zhou Hong, I wish you victory. All the citizens of Jinzhou City are waiting for your good news!" the reporter shouted from behind.
"Haha, I will, I certainly will," Zhou Hong replied with a wry smile.
"Quick, go back to the station immediately and organize this news report." After interviewing Zhou Hong, the female reporter hurried away, sensing that the news of her interview with Zhou Hong would shock Jinzhou City tonight.
Soon, Zhou Hong returned to Tianhe Community.
Qiao Xiaoyu and Qin Mengxue had also returned from school.
"Wifey!" Zhou Hong saw Qiao Xiaoyu and called out with a smile, hugging her from behind.
"Zhou Hong, you're back. Mengxue is over there," Qiao Xiaoyu turned to Zhou Hong with a blush.
Indeed, Qin Mengxue turned her head away awkwardly.
"Qin Mengxue, you're here too," Zhou Hong chuckled as he looked at her.
"Yes, you're back. You don't have to stay at Captain Changsun's place tonight, do you?"
"Of course not. We gather at Jinzhou University tomorrow morning, and then all the contestants head to the provincial capital. The competition officially begins the day after tomorrow."
"Mm-hmm, I wish you great success."
"Thank you."
At this moment, Qiao Xiaoyu quickly said, "Zhou Hong, Grandpa wants us to have dinner at home tonight. He's made delicious food for you to see you off to the provincial capital tomorrow."
"Great!" Zhou Hong nodded.
"Mengxue, why don't you come back to the Qiao family with us?" Qiao Xiaoyu invited.
"I won't go with you. I've been staying here for so many days, it's time I went back to my own home."
"Mm, will you be staying here tonight?" Qiao Xiaoyu asked.
"Hehe, I won't be coming back to Tianhe Community tonight, so I don't have to worry about not being able to sleep," Qin Mengxue winked ambiguously. She seemed to guess that there would be a fierce battle here tonight. After all, Zhou Hong and Qiao Xiaoyu had been apart for five or six days, and they were going to the provincial capital tomorrow. Therefore, tonight would undoubtedly involve a fierce battle. If she were to sleep next door again, then... Qin Mengxue dared not imagine.