Afternoon, 2:45 PM.
The 64 contestants of the elimination round were led by the chief examiner to the first basement level beneath the square, where they prepared for the elimination round scheduled to start in 15 minutes.
"Group A: Su Yan, Xu Haolong, Fang Pingyuan, An Shihua, Yang Jianming..."
"Group B: Qin Yao, Li Changxiao, Lü Shuyu, Qin Hansheng, Su Yuyue..."
The chief examiner held a list and read out the names of the grouped contestants one by one. Based on the groupings on the list, he had the 64 contestants line up in two lines, forming an obtuse triangle facing him.
Once the lines were formed a moment later, the chief examiner stood with his hands behind his back and began to briefly introduce the rules of the elimination round to the contestants before him.
