"Actually, the safest option for Lu Chong now isn't to keep pushing deeper. He should make the most of the next four days and aim for a steady, secure win."
"If he returns to the area with lower-level Exotic Beasts and focuses on scoring, then he'll have the Provincial Top Scholar title in the bag."
Unlike the provincial livestream, the host in Guanyun City's official livestream had a very different take.
What she said also reflected the feelings of a great many locals.
They didn't want Lu Chong to compete against the top scholars from every province in the country. They just thought securing the title of provincial martial arts champion would be enough.
In all the years of the martial arts exams, Guanyun City had never produced a Provincial Top Scholar.
The local government and education department officials in particular shared this view.
After speaking, the host turned the camera toward Wang Tong, who had just been invited over. "As Lu Chong's head teacher, what do you think, Teacher Wang?"
Principal Wei had said that the outcome was all but decided that morning, then gone home to rest. He'd pushed the somewhat reluctant Wang Tong forward in his place.
Facing the livestream camera and its audience of several million, Wang Tong seemed a little shy. "From what I know of Lu Chong, he isn't reckless."
"If he wasn't confident, he wouldn't keep going deeper," Wang Tong said with conviction.
Still, some viewers in the livestream were doubtful.
Few people were bad-mouthing Lu Chong now. Most viewers were well-disposed toward this dark horse, offering advice from afar or predicting the outcome of the exam.
"Actually, I think the host is right. If Lu Chong turns back now and heads to the areas he hasn't swept yet, he can make it