Chapter 426: Second Round Opponent
Chapter 426: Second Round Opponent
"Didn't expect you to actually have some real Capability when you get serious..." Bei Ling gave Xiao Tan a rare compliment as he returned from his match.
"Hmm, especially that last move where you ditched your advantage to go for the decisive strike", Feng Bu Jue grinned slyly as he pointed at Bei Ling. "That moment practically made someone's heart skip a beat. Looks like showing off matters more than winning - that's the universal truth."
"Commander", Bei Ling narrowed her eyes and glared sideways at Feng Bu Jue. "Please refrain from fabricating baseless scenarios. It's quite misleading."
"I saw it too", Si Yu immediately betrayed her cousin without hesitation.
"Cousin!" Bei Ling's cheeks flushed as she gave Si Yu a resentful look.
Xiao Tan simply chuckled awkwardly, staying out of the banter. He was a kind-hearted person who usually avoided pushing situations further.
Feng Bu Jue knew when to change topics appropriately. "So... since you've entered the winners' group, assuming no surprises, you won't have any matches for the next two days. Now that your consecutive tournament grind has ended, you should use this rest day to level up, right?"
"Hmm... I hope so", Xiao Tan replied. "But... that last victory doesn't guarantee my advancement to the second round yet. What if my record places me at the bottom 120th in the winners' group? Then I'd still have to compete in the playoff matches."
"Have some confidence in yourself! You already have 42 wins", Bei Ling encouraged. "The winners' group has 1,500 participants, and only 8% need to compete in the playoffs. You always assume others perform better than they do. In reality, most contestants needed full 50 matches to qualify, and very few even reached 45 wins. Your record is clearly above average."
"Is... that true?" Xiao Tan scratched his head.
"Of course it is", Feng Bu Jue chimed in. "From her tone, she definitely did some Investigation already. Must've spent hours on forum threads analyzing match results." He paused with a smirk. "According to detective instincts and experience, when a certain skeleton girl devotes this much attention to someone, it usually indicates ulterior motives..."
"You were supposed to be an artist and literary giant!" Bei Ling interrupted with obvious irritation. "Switching careers again?"
"Hmph... I can become anything necessary", Feng Bu Jue retorted with classic middle school syndrome. "My hidden identities are countless. Just hours ago, I saved Earth from Martians' clutches."
"You just had some octopus balls after dinner..." Xiao Tan knew him best. This particular joke from Feng Bu Jue had been used more than once.
"Hmph..." Feng Bu Jue's lips twitched in annoyance before shifting topics again. "Anyway, time's getting late. Let's form a team grind session. If Xiao Tan wants to go further in the Summit Confrontation, his spirit arts level desperately needs improvement."
"Tch... You care about Xiao Tan's affairs too, yet keep teasing me with nonsense..." Bei Ling muttered under her breath.
Standing closest to her, Xiao Tan clearly heard every word. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Well... that might actually be true."
Bei Ling shot him a glare. "What might be true?"
"Hehe..." Xiao Tan grinned without answering.
"You'd better believe I can log off right now, drive to your place within fifteen minutes, kick down your door, pull you out of your Gaming Pod, and smother you with a pillow", Bei Ling threatened in one breath.
"Alright, alright, nothing nothing", Xiao Tan wisely backed off. "I surrender completely..."
Meanwhile, at the game mall.
On the main screen, two commentators had just finished broadcasting a highlight match - [Xiao Wen Cang Tian] VS [Vishnu].
This was a direct showdown between the 6th and 7th ranked contestants on the Combat Power Leaderboard.
In the end, Xiao Wen Cang Tian, known as "The Laughing Lord", successfully eliminated Vishnu, The Gods' number two player, sending him to the playoff matches.
As audiences were still discussing the intense battle, another match was switched to the main screen.
"Welcome back, viewers", Commentator A began. "I'm Pan Feng."
Commentator B followed, "I'm Hua Xiong."
"Just witnessed an absolutely thrilling duel that left many of us wanting more", Pan Feng said.
"However, tonight's broadcast isn't over yet", Hua Xiong continued. "There are still many matches in progress. Now, let's refocus and join another ongoing combat situation."
The two game administrators didn't appear on screen, their voices being the only presence.
Meanwhile, the main screen had already switched to the scenario map.
The match footage was naturally captured by system cameras, typically employing overhead views with frequent zooming effects, occasionally shaking for dramatic effect. The lighting effects simulated real scenes precisely - bright light, darkness, sandstorms, water splashes, etc., all affected the broadcast visuals.
Sound-wise, it was full 360-degree surround audio without any microphone static. Any dialogue between combatants would be clearly broadcast as long as they spoke clearly and loudly. Whispered conversations or quiet muttering would remain unheard.
"In the first round, only the recently concluded match between Xiao Wen Cang Tian and Vishnu involved two Top Twenty Combat Power Leaderboard contestants", Hua Xiong continued. "The other high-ranked contestants have already secured victories. The only remaining contestant still competing is... [Meng Jing Chan]."
Pan Feng added, "Viewers certainly recognize Meng Jing Chan - one of the 'Order's Drunken Life and Death' Four Experts. This contestant stands as a superstar among Class players." He paused. "As for his opponent, many might be unfamiliar. Let me briefly introduce... this contestant [Long Ao Min], belonging to the Blade Guild. His level matches Meng Jing Chan's at thirty level 7. His title is... [Raging Shield]."
Hua Xiong continued, "Like our audience, we just saw the match footage. From the current battlefield situation, Meng Jing Chan appears to be dominating, continuously pressuring Long Ao Min." His tone changed slightly. "Seems like this match is nearing conclusion. As expected from the higher-ranked combatant..."
Suddenly, Pan Feng interrupted his partner, "Wait! Viewers, look! Long Ao Min's entire body is suddenly enveloped in golden battle aura! He's counterattacking! Is this an all-or-nothing last stand?"
Hua Xiong followed up, "Meng Jing Chan is also unleashing powerful skills to suppress him. From the special effects alone, we can tell this ability is extraordinary - undoubtedly an instant kill attack! Oh! The attack was ineffective! Long Ao Min has reached a highly advantageous position!"
The commentators spoke rapidly, but the two players on screen moved even faster.
The clashing sounds of steel were a symphony of sword and shield.
The roaring explosions were a chorus of speed and power.
Within the scenario, Long Ge, now radiating golden light, had closed in on Meng Jing Chan's position. At this moment, Meng Jing Chan's stamina value had already hit zero, leaving him like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
To the audience's eyes, Meng Jing Chan had been dominating Long Ao Min until now. In reality, Meng Jing Chan was the one in a passive position. His continuous attacks were a necessity rather than choice.
From the scenario's beginning to this moment, Meng Jing Chan had failed to break through Long Ao Min's Defense system. Once his stamina depleted, Long Ge activated his title ability, launching a decisive counterattack with unstoppable momentum.
"Hehe... Didn't expect to lose here..." Seeing the battle was already decided, Meng Jing Chan sat down with a bitter laugh.
Long Ao Min, a naturally magnanimous person, wouldn't humiliate his opponent unnecessarily. "Your swift blade met my steady shield. Just bad luck. With your ability, playoff matches shouldn't pose any real obstacle."
"Who knows..." Meng Jing Chan smiled. "Don't let my current situation fool you. Our studio has performance requirements for me... Hehe... The pressure's really on now."
"Wishing you luck then", Long Ao Min said, delivering his final strike.
Meng Jing Chan shrugged. "Same to you..."
(End of Chapter)
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