Ch. 68 - I Can't Let My Precious Disciple Be Deceived
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Inside the Heavenly Sword Stadium, dazzling fireworks exploded from the sky.
Finally transforming into the shape of a giant sword, it stayed in the sky for a long time before slowly fading away.
Even in broad daylight, it appeared incomparably dazzling.
The top eight competition had an opening ceremony.
Apart from the fireworks display, there were other performances too.
This lively opening ceremony didn't end in two hours.
"Everyone! The long-awaited moment is approaching. Next, please welcome our top eight contestants to the stage. They will draw lots to randomly determine their opponents.”
On the massive central stage, eight figures of varying heights slowly rose from the hidden elevator.
Among them, Meng Li was the most recognizable one.
At a glance, that concave figure was undoubtedly her.
"Next, everyone, please vote for your favorite contestant. The top four will step forward and draw lots."
As the host's voice fell…
Countless spectators at the venue began swiping their fingers to vote for their favorite contestants on the small tablets at their seats.
The central large screen showed the list of the top four one after another this time.
NO.1: Liu Muxiao (Support Votes 860,000)
NO.2: Chu Tianhe (Support Votes 480,000)
NO.3: Cheng Shi (Support Votes 460,000)
NO.4: Ye Xiaoxiao (Support Votes 220,000)
Support votes didn’t represent their strength.
It was just a representation of their popularity among the audience present.
Of course, the higher the popularity, the higher their commercial value.
After the competition ended, they would also receive advertising endorsement invitations from major equipment, potion, and item manufacturers.
Of course, the advertising fees were also considerable.
As for why Ye Xiaoxiao was on the list…
The reason was simple: because her contrast was too high.
She was clearly a Mage, yet she was passionate about melee combat.
Along with her cold and arrogant personality, beautiful appearance, and her look as if she saw trash after defeating an opponent…
This strong contrast gained her many fans online.
Even if she didn't perform well in the upcoming top eight competition, she still had considerable commercial value.
"Since that's the case, let contestant Ye Xiaoxiao, fourth on the popularity list, step forward to draw her opponent first."
To maintain a certain level of spectacle and viewership…
Usually, the contestant ranked first on the popularity list would appear in the finale.
This was to prevent the situation where some off-site supporters would leave after watching their favorite contestant fight.
After sighing helplessly, Ye Xiaoxiao slowly stepped forward.
The style of her outfit today was relatively dark.
A long black dress extended to the base of her thighs, outlining a slender waist that could be held in one arm.
The original white over-the-knee socks were changed to black stockings.
A black skull mask hung diagonally on top of her head.
This wasn't the outfit she wanted for herself, but one tailor-made for her by the program team to fit her persona.
The overall design was detailed and eye-catching, maintaining its aesthetics without hindering her in combat.
As Ye Xiaoxiao reached out to draw a lot…
Soon, the large screen displayed her opponent for this match.
[Kaiyang Academy: Ye Xiaoxiao VS Skyforge Academy: Cheng Shi]
Seeing the draw result displayed on the large screen, the whole venue went wild.
Popularity number four drew popularity number three?
Undoubtedly, this was an extremely eye-catching battle.
"The draw for the first battle is complete. Then... the other contestants can rest backstage first."
Except for Cheng Shi, the hidden elevators of the contestants slowly descended.
In the huge arena, only Ye Xiaoxiao and Cheng Shi were left.
"Both sides can now choose their corresponding potions. The match will begin in 5 minutes.
By the way, the free potions provided for this competition are all sponsored by 'Heavenly Alliance Pharmaceutical Company'!
Next, it's advertisement time..."
In the top eight competition, one could choose to bring their own potions, or they could choose to use the free potions provided by the sponsor.
On the other side…
Inside the VIP box.
Seeing Ye Xiaoxiao facing Cheng Shi in the top eight, everyone present was stunned.
"She actually drew the top three? The level gap between the two is a full 10 levels."
"It seems like this time, Ye Xiaoxiao's chances of winning are very low. Cheng Shi's class is notorious for being the king of duels.
In 1v1, his damage immunity effect can reach 80%. When facing two people, he’s immune to 75% from each. It almost completely counters her melee Mage abilities."
"Ying Xiaocheng, who originally countered him, has already been eliminated. Now, apart from Liu Muxiao and Chu Tianhe, almost no one can break his defense."
The people in the box all discussed spiritedly.
"Good disciple, what do you think of this match?"
Xu Qingfeng turned his head to look at Jiang Linyue.
After his shock the previous two times, he completely believed in Jiang Linyue's choice.
And he also speculated that this precious disciple of his…
Definitely had a deep relationship with the Agent behind these two players.
Last night, when he was taking the hotel elevator, he bumped into Jiang Linyue.
The floor she stopped at was the 2nd floor, while Jiang Linyue's hotel residence was on the 10th floor.
The 2nd floor was basically where the program team settled the participating contestants, as well as the contestants' Agents and the academy recommenders.
This made Xu Qingfeng recall that some time ago, Jiang Linyue always went out early and returned late.
Sometimes, she didn't even come home at all.
There was one time when he was downstairs at the agency department.
He saw, with his own eyes, Jiang Linyue going out with an unfamiliar man after work.
At that time, Xu Qingfeng didn't pay much attention to it.
Thinking about the frequency of Jiang Linyue's outings now, it was hard for him not to be suspicious.
‘Sigh~ A grown daughter cannot be kept at home. I didn't expect that my always-cold, precious disciple would actually have a day when she would fall in love.
I just don't know how that kid's character is.
This girl's mind is too simple. She's a blank sheet of paper when it comes to relationships.
I have to keep an eye out, so she doesn't get taken advantage of for nothing and ruin her own innocence.’
While sizing up Jiang Linyue, Xu Qingfeng secretly planned in his heart.
Jiang Linyue was the child his deceased best friend entrusted to him.
So he had to be responsible for her.
"If Ye Xiaoxiao drew someone else, perhaps her winning rate would still have some suspense.
But if it's Cheng Shi... Then she’ll definitely win!"
Jiang Linyue smiled craftily.
On her way to the dormitory to find Ye Mo, she had seen Ye Xiaoxiao and Meng Li spar in the training room.
So she had witnessed the girls’ true strength.
Of course, her knowledge of Ye Xiaoxiao was only from a week ago.
Now that she had leveled up to Level 25, she must have comprehended a new skill.
Her strength must be even stronger than then.
Along with the blessing of the Seven-Colored Divine Artifact in her hand, there was almost no suspense about her complete victory over Cheng Shi.
"So confident?"
Hearing Jiang Linyue's reply, Xu Qingfeng instantly became interested.
[Preparation phase ends!]
[Both contestants, please return to the arena!]
The five minutes passed quickly.
With the continuation of the broadcast, everyone's gaze returned to the arena again.
Ye Xiaoxiao held her pitch-black staff, wearing a black dress, and walked onto the stage slowly with a cold expression.
[National Competition Top Eight Match 1... Begin!]
With the countdown reaching zero.
Ye Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Scourge Descent!"
The domain trait erupted abruptly!
In an instant, monstrous black energy, like a violent storm, quickly spread across the entire field!
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T/N - And start! Go Ye Xiaoxiao, kick his ass!