Chapter 228: You're the Challenger, Eagle vs. Snail: Xue Jing's Popularity Secret (Thanks to Dalong

Chapter 228: You're the Challenger, Eagle vs. Snail: Xue Jing's Popularity Secret (Thanks to Dalong Alliance Master!)



The excessive commotion outside the studio had long attracted the attention of everyone nearby.

Zhou Yinglin was already the most watched player in this U19 Finals. As the disciple of the Eternal Title Holder, his every move was closely followed by countless people.

Both inside and outside the studio, staff members, participating players, and journalists turned their heads toward Xue Jing, and the sound of camera flashes filled the air as the journalists excitedly captured this unexpected piece of news.

"Isn't that one of the U19 contestants, Xue Jing? I've seen some information about him. Isn't he from the Outer Ring? How does he know Zhou Yinglin?"

"It sounds like there's some history there?"

"Both of them have such intimidating auras... To be able to stand up to Zhou Yinglin, the disciple of the 'Gun Saint,' is truly remarkable. I think we'll need to thoroughly investigate Xue Jing's background when we get back. There should be recordings of his matches on the old web, right?"

"I thought for sure that this championship would go to either Zhou Yinglin or the enigmatic Okarina Suzukaze, but now it looks like it's anyone's game!"

"Don't be ridiculous. What does a clash of auras prove? Someone from the Outer Ring can't possibly compare to the disciple of the esteemed 'Gun Saint'..."

"Wei Junwu and Song Nanxing still have a chance, don't they?"

"Well, if you put it that way..."

The few people present paid no heed to the whispered discussions around them. Zhou Yinglin, his eyes sharp as eagle's gaze, fixed his attention on Xue Jing and said calmly,

"You may have thought yourself an incredible genius because everyone you've encountered since you started practicing martial arts has been mediocre."

"In a backwater place like the Outer Ring, your perception may be accurate, but you'll soon realize..."

Zhou Yinglin emphasized each word, "Genius is merely the threshold to meet me."

Xue Jing blinked, "You seem to have a misunderstanding."

"I didn't join this competition to meet you... Think carefully. Why are you standing here?"

He took a step forward and walked into the studio.

"It's not for me to meet you, but for you to meet me."

As he passed by Zhou Yinglin, he whispered, "Don't mistake your position... You're the challenger."

With that, Xue Jing didn't linger and continued into the studio.

Jiang Siwei snapped out of her daze and quickly followed Xue Jing, clutching her documents.

Her expression was excited.

Although she had long suspected that Xue Jing was no ordinary person and would surely become a top-tier star player in the future,

she never imagined that it would be so soon that he would already be capable of going head-to-head with someone of Zhou Yinglin's caliber.

As a manager, there was nothing more thrilling than having a client like Xue Jing, whose potential was visibly top-notch, who was still in his 'infancy' and had not yet reached his peak.

Her only regret was that Xue Jing showed little interest in building his personal brand, which made her role a bit redundant...

But that was a minor detail now. As long as she could stay by Xue Jing's side, her future was secured!

"...' Zhou Yinglin's expression remained unchanged as he turned his head to watch Xue Jing's retreating figure until he disappeared from view.

Beside him, Okarina Suzukaze wore a smile as she teased, "Zhou, it seems your verbal sparring skills pale in comparison to Xue's."

Zhou Yinglin didn't react much and simply replied, "Martial arts aren't practiced with the mouth."

Okarina's curiosity piqued, "Does that mean you admit to losing the verbal duel?"

Zhou Yinglin didn't engage in that discussion. Instead, he looked at Okarina, narrowing his eyes slightly, "You seem to have taken a liking to him?"

A mischievous smile played on Okarina's lips, "I take a liking to anyone who is pure and powerful."

Zhou Yinglin started to walk away, "Then take a few more glances at him while you can, because soon, you won't be seeing him again."

Okarina watched Zhou Yinglin's departing back and, after he was out of earshot, murmured to herself in Far Eastern, "I don't think so."

"...But, Xue is quite handsome. I should take a few more looks indeed."

With that, she turned and entered the studio.

...

In the interview room, Xue Jing leaned back against a blue backdrop that read '37th U19 Unlimited Elite Fighting Competition Finals,' sitting in a chair with a small wireless microphone clipped to his lapel.

He was surrounded by a total of eight cameras... Initially, there were only three, but when the director in charge of the interview saw him in person, he immediately gestured for more to be brought in and positioned at various angles.

Jiang Siwei whispered in Xue Jing's ear, "This guy knows how to generate buzz.

"Xue Jing had no objections to this, but he declined the host's suggestion to put on some makeup. He sat in the interview room, quietly waiting for the interview to begin.

"Lights... OK, OK, we're all set."

"Alright, let's begin!"

The director waved his hand, and all the cameras started rolling. A female staff member in her twenties stood outside the camera's view, holding a small notebook and smiling at Xue Jing.

"Then, why don't you introduce yourself to everyone first?"

Xue Jing nodded and said, "Hello everyone, I'm Xue Jing, a contestant from Qingcheng in the Outer Ring."

The female employee admired Xue Jing's face secretly.

No wonder the director suddenly said that this person's interview time should be extended, and more critical questions should be asked...

With a face like that, even if he just sits there doing nothing, the ratings and views will be through the roof.

She straightened up, flipped open her notebook, and asked with a smile:

"So, the first question."

"What does contestant Xue Jing think about advancing to the U19 Finals?"

Xue Jing tilted his head, "Isn't that a given? What's there to think about?"

He spoke frankly, and the director in the control room was instantly energized.

Generally, professional Budoka players tended to be conservative and humble due to the overall cultural atmosphere in the Zhusha Federation. To cater to the majority of the audience and avoid attracting haters, they would speak very cautiously and humbly during interviews at the request of their clubs or agencies.

It was rare to find a player as 'blunt' as Xue Jing.

And whenever such a player appeared, it meant that popularity was about to skyrocket!

Whether his statements were proven wrong by future events or he demonstrated his strength to back up his bold words, he would stir up the emotions of the audience and attract attention.

The director immediately grabbed the microphone by his mouth and whispered:

"Ask him a few more questions..."

In the interview room, the female employee listened to the instructions coming through her earpiece and looked at Xue Jing. She smiled and asked:

"Second question, contestant Xue Jing, among the finalists, is there anyone you think you need to pay special attention to?"

Xue Jing also understood that the host was intentionally trying to get him to say something provocative. Normally, this would be the time to give a humble response to leave himself an out.

However, since he didn't rely on professional matches for a living, he didn't care about any of that and saw no need to leave himself an escape route. So, he lazily replied:

"No one in particular stands out. They all seem about the same."

The female employee's eyes lit up, "What about contestant Zhou Yinglin? Don't you need to pay special attention to him?"

"Who's Zhou Yinglin?"

"Hehe... How about contestant Song Nanxing?"

"Huh? Is there someone by that name?"

...

As the interview progressed, Xue Jing kept making 'explosive' statements, stimulating the staff members, whose eyes sparkled with excitement.

This time, the ratings and views would explode!

He's handsome, skilled, and knows how to play the game! How could he not become popular!?

"...And for the tenth question, does contestant Xue Jing have a girlfriend?"

The female employee asked with anticipation in her eyes.

Xue Jing gave her a strange look.

"Can't you ask something more meaningful...? By the way, is this interview going to go on for much longer?"

The female employee quickly checked her small book and apologized, "Sorry, we only have a few more questions left, and then we'll be done."

"So, does contestant Xue Jing have a girlfriend?"

Xue Jing was speechless, "What do you think? No comment."

The female employee sighed, "I think this is a question that the audience is very concerned about. Please answer it directly..."

Xue Jing crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, giving her an indifferent look, "Then yes, I have quite a few."

"Huh... That's so perfunctory."

The female employee was not satisfied, feeling that Xue Jing was just giving a casual, insincere response.

As Xue Jing began to show signs of impatience, she asked a few more questions.

"...And this is the very last question. I promise."

Under Xue Jing's gaze, the female employee felt her scalp tingle from the pressure, and her heart raced.

"Contestant Xue Jing... do you have anything you'd like to say to the other contestants?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Jing thought for a moment, then stood up from his chair and slowly walked towards the exit.

All the camera lenses in the interview room followed his movements.

"There's an ancient Egyptian saying—'Only two animals can reach the top of the pyramid, an eagle and a snail.'"

Xue Jing spoke softly.

"Don't be discouraged. You have a chance to catch up to me. Good luck."

"

With that, he opened the door and stepped out of the interview room.

The room fell silent, and the staff members were stunned.

"What... What does he mean by that?"

"Damn, I get it now! He's comparing himself to an eagle and the other contestants to snails!"

"Holy crap, that's so arrogant! I love it!"

"Unbelievable, I'm in awe. This Xue Jing really knows how to put on a show. Whether he wins the championship or not, his level of arrogance is unmatched by anyone in this competition!"

"He's obviously being arrogant, but he makes it sound like he's encouraging them... Simply amazing."

The room buzzed with excited chatter as the staff members enthusiastically discussed Xue Jing's words.

The director, in the control room, was so thrilled that he slid on his knees in celebration.

This was definitely a memorable moment that would boost the ratings through the roof!

...

"Xiao Jing, that was amazing!"

Jiang Siwei, excited, hugged Xue Jing tightly, giving him an enthusiastic greeting.

"What you said was fantastic! With this, the focus of the entire finals will shift towards you. You were born for this; it's incredible!"

Xue Jing first reached out to soothe the slightly irritated Angry Cat Cat, then gently pushed Jiang Siwei away and said, "I was just speaking my mind."

Aside from his comment about 'Who's Zhou Yinglin?', which was clearly meant to irritate Zhou Yinglin, the rest of his interview answers were given honestly, without any intention of showing off.

The 'encouragement' he gave to the other contestants was a spontaneous idea.

Being in the same era and sharing the same stage with someone like him would likely be a source of despair for the others.

Although Xue Jing didn't feel guilty about it, he did have a sense of compassion for them, which was why he offered those words of 'encouragement'.

Of course, he also understood that his statements might be misinterpreted in the short term... But he didn't really care.

Since he didn't rely on this profession for a living, he didn't have to worry about his public image or popularity.

"Mr. Xue."

At the studio door, Yukagazilka stood gracefully, looking at Xue Jing, who was approaching, and said softly with a smile.

His figure was straight, and his appearance was beautiful. Anyone who passed by, regardless of gender, would be attracted and would linger their gaze on him for a long time.

Xue Jing nodded at him in greeting and said, "Mr. Zilka."

"Mr. Xue, your words earlier were wonderful."

Yukagazilka praised.

"The eagle and the snail, what an apt metaphor. In this world, those who can achieve great things are either extremely talented geniuses or relentless strivers. Most others are half-baked and find it difficult to accomplish much."

"These people may not understand the true meaning of your words for now... But someday, when they reflect on it and realize the value of what you said, they will surely be grateful to you."

Yukagazilka's voice was soft and gentle as he looked at Xue Jing with eyes that seemed to hold a hint of affection.

Xue Jing twitched his mouth, feeling a bit creeped out. He waved his hand and said:

"It's an Egyptian saying. I'm just quoting it... Well, the match is about to start soon, so I'll see you later."

Yukagazilka smiled lightly and said, "I'm looking forward to your performance, Mr. Xue."

After leaving the studio, Xue Jing asked Jiang Siwei, who was following him, "Sister Wei, how much time do we have before the match starts?"

He was Player 1 and would be the first to take the stage, facing Player 2, Yin Mouhu.

Jiang Siwei quickly checked her watch and replied, "About an hour and a half."

"Do you want to go and see Yin now? I know where her resting room is."

Jiang Siwei suggested.

Xue Jing thought about it for a moment and then said softly, "No, it's not a good time to disturb her now. Let's just go back to our room and prepare."

Jiang Siwei had no objections and nodded, "Okay."

Back in their room, Xue Jing took out the green Rubik's Cube.

This time, he only twisted one side of the cube with one hand and then threw it into the air.

A vortex of green light, like a wormhole, appeared in the air, and Xue Jing reached into it to slowly pull out the Forgotten Giant Sword.

He held the giant sword with one hand and performed a spinning sword flower in the air, stirring up a massive airflow that blew away everything in the room that wasn't too heavy.

"Are you sure it's not too much to use that against her?"

Cat Cat asked worriedly.

Xue Jing gripped the hilt of the sword, letting the blade rest lightly on the ground.

Even so, the moment it touched the ground, a deep, resonating 'dong' sound echoed through the room.

Xue Jing smiled and said, "Yin said she would give me a surprise, so I can't hold back either."

...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end