"Alright then, I'll agree to participate for you, but I don't want to go to your Martial Cultivation Academy. I'll stay here. Just notify me when it's time for the competition."
"How can that be? The competition is still a few days away, and we were planning to take you to the Martial Cultivation Academy to train you properly," the Dean of the Martial Cultivation Academy said hastily.
"No need. I practice very well on my own and don't require guidance from others."
"Then... alright. You must practice diligently."
"Okay, I know. Don't disturb my classmates' class. Go do what you need to do. Don't bother me before the competition," Zhou Hong waved his hand.
"Alright, we'll be going then."
The Dean and others from the Martial Cultivation Academy then turned and left.
"Dean, this kid is quite arrogant."
"Heh, to reach this level without guidance is indeed a reason for his arrogance."
After the Dean and others from the Martial Cultivation Academy left, the students in Zhou Hong's class immediately surrounded him.
"Zhou Hong, you are my idol. Please accept my reverence," a boy immediately knelt down and said.
"Zhou Hong, I admire you immensely too."
"Me too, I didn't expect you to be so awesome."
For a moment, all the students surrounded Zhou Hong, seemingly unable to express their adoration in words.
"Zhou Hong, don't forget about me, your teacher. I'm your fan too," the teacher who had just taught the class walked over, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Zhou Hong.
Zhou Hong was speechless. He had only defeated Yu Tao, and it had earned him the admiration of so many people in his class. If they knew his true capabilities, he suspected they would prostrate themselves on the ground.
At this moment, although Qiao Xiaoyu did not surround him, she looked at Zhou Hong with a radiant smile, feeling a sense of admiration that she couldn't express in words.
"Alright everyone, there's nothing to admire. There are always greater talents than oneself, and many are far more powerful than me," Zhou Hong said with a helpless smile.
Much later, the class finally quieted down and resumed its lessons.
However, no one was truly paying attention to the class. They were all using their phones under their desks, expressing their admiration for Zhou Hong in the class chat group.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Qin Mengxue, bored out of her mind, was watching her phone while accompanying her father.
Just then, Qin Mengxue saw her classmates buzzing with discussion. She then realized what had happened, and her face was filled with shock.
"Mengxue, what are you looking at?" Qin Changhui asked, seeing his daughter's expression change.
"It's Zhou Hong. My classmates are all talking about him. Not long ago, Zhou Hong defeated Yu Tao, the eighth-ranked genius from the Martial Cultivation Academy, at the school. Then, the Dean of the Martial Cultivation Academy, along with the vice-dean and over a dozen other leaders, personally came to our class to invite Zhou Hong to the Martial Cultivation Academy."
"Ah." Qin Changhui was completely stunned. Zhou Hong had suddenly become the eighth-ranked genius of the Martial Cultivation Academy, and the Dean and a dozen leaders had personally come to invite him.
At this moment, Qin Changhui had to admit his profound regret.
He had once had such an excellent son-in-law right before him, but he hadn't cherished him. Now that he had lost him, he was filled with regret.
"Mengxue, I'm sorry. It was my indecision back then that caused you to lose such a good husband," Qin Changhui said remorsefully. He finally understood his father's words – that Zhou Hong could bring prosperity to their family and had the demeanor of an emperor, destined to be a ruler in ancient times.
It was a pity they had let him go.
Qin Mengxue let out a wry smile, her eyes suddenly moistening.
Just then, Qin Mengxue's phone rang. She picked it up and saw it was a call from the family.
"Dad, it's a call from the family's elder."
"Hurry and answer it."
Qin Mengxue immediately answered.
"Hello, Great-Grandfather," Qin Mengxue said quickly.
"Mengxue, come back to the family for a meeting immediately. The family is going to convene a general assembly."
"I'm accompanying my father at the hospital right now. He'll be discharged tomorrow," Qin Mengxue refused, not wanting to attend any more family meetings. The last time she attended a family meeting, it was to discuss expelling Zhou Hong after he had caused chaos at the company.
"You must attend. The family assembly today is related to you and Zhou Hong."
"Uh."
"Come back quickly."
The caller hung up.
"Mengxue, since the call has been made, you should go and attend," Qin Changhui said.
"I really don't know what the family is up to, to have it related to Zhou Hong," Qin Mengxue said with a puzzled expression.
Qin Changhui let out a wry smile, as if he had guessed.
Soon, Qin Mengxue returned to the Qin family. Everyone was already gathered in the Qin family hall. Qin Mengxue was the last to arrive.
"Elder, everyone is here. The meeting can officially begin," a Qin family descendant said.
"Ahem," the Elder coughed, and everyone fell silent.
"Everyone, we are holding a family assembly today for a very important matter. I believe some of you already know that Qin Mengxue's former fiancé, that Zhou Hong, has now become famous at Jinzhou University."
A buzz of discussion arose in the hall.
"That's right. I just received this news too. I don't know what fortunate encounter Zhou Hong had, but he suddenly developed martial cultivation talent. Moreover, he defeated the eighth-ranked genius. This means he is now at least ranked eighth in the Martial Cultivation Academy."
The hall erupted in another wave of murmurs. However, several people wore displeased expressions. These were none other than Qin Dingyuan, Qin Wei, and others, who had been beaten by Zhou Hong before. However, the gap between them and Zhou Hong had now become as vast as the heavens and the earth.
"Elder, why did you call everyone here? This Zhou Hong has already left our Qin family and is no longer Qin Mengxue's fiancé."
"Yes, I heard he is now the live-in son-in-law of the Qiao family."
"That's right. However, Zhou Hong is no longer the person he was. His existence is crucial to the future and development of our Qin family. Even if the hope is slim, we must strive with all our might to win him back."
"Elder, how do you plan to win him back? He is such a genius now. If he could return to our Qin family, our family would surely reach new heights."
All the descendants of the Qin family nodded excitedly, seemingly very eager for Zhou Hong's return.
"I will have Qin Mengxue personally call Zhou Hong now and ask him to come back."
At this moment, Qin Mengxue snorted and said, "I'm sorry, I won't do such a disgraceful thing."
"Qin Mengxue, it's not your place to object. This matter concerns the hundred-year plan of the family. You must make this call."
"Excuse me, I will not make it." Qin Mengxue's attitude was firm. Zhou Hong was now the man of her best friend. If she were to make such a call to Zhou Hong, how could she face her best friend? Would their friendship fall apart? Besides, Zhou Hong might not even agree to return.