"Lin Fan, get up! Do you even know what time it is?!"
In the early morning, as I opened my eyes, I saw Xin Yu's beautiful face.
I suddenly remembered that I was so happy last night that I didn't fall asleep until one in the morning. Just last night, Xu Lin had already transferred over 120,000 RMB into my personal account. Since I quit WAR3 a year ago, I hadn't received so much money. All the money I earned before went to my parents, leaving me incredibly poor later on, yet they cruelly kicked me out of the house. Does playing games really mean I have no future? When I was a professional player, my annual salary was 200,000, which is not something an ordinary office worker could earn. Why can't everyone acknowledge e-sports?
Now I'm a millionaire again, so I won't have to keep mooching off Murong Shanshan for meals!
After reaching level 32, I couldn't gain any more experience in the Muddy Marsh, and the three quests available there were also completed, so there was no need for me to stay. To level up further, I would have to find a new leveling map. The four main cities in the China region would only open after the first Champion Challenge, and the Champion Challenge would last for four days. If I played all the way to the end, I wouldn't have time to level up. I could wait until the main city system opened to find leveling spots. By then, with players gathered in the main cities, it would be much more convenient whether taking on mercenary quests or selling items.
In two days at the Muddy Marsh, I obtained 17 pieces of equipment, plus 1 blue equipment dropped by a Guardian. Excluding two weapons, the other 16 pieces sold for over 60,000 RMB in total, while the two weapons together sold for nearly 40,000. Especially that high-attack axe, its price was actually hyped up to 2 billion, which was a bit beyond my expectation. However, the competition was coming soon, and having a top-tier weapon is definitely every player's dream, so it wasn't surprising when I thought about it.
At the dinner table.
Before the meal, Xu Lin gave a speech: "The Champion Challenge starts in an hour. From 8 AM to 11 AM, there's a match every 15 minutes. These two days are for team matches, and the next two days are for individual matches. I believe the champion's reward should be very substantial, so we have only one goal—to be the champion!!"
Everyone shouted in unison, united in their determination: "Champion!!!"
"Absolutely no—underestimation!"
"Underestimation!!!"
"..."
Dinner started. Lu Xuehan handed me a bowl of soy milk and said with a smile, "I still can't equip that purple necklace. Even though I trained very hard these two days, I only reached level 27. I'll have to wait until next month's challenge to use that necklace."
"Level 27 is not bad. Murong Shanshan, who is second in the entire city, is only level 28."
Murong Shanshan worked exceptionally hard after recovering from her illness, surprisingly surpassing Ye Qiu to become the second-highest level player in the city within two days of intense training.
Xin Yu, who had just finished her facial skincare, sat beside me, exuding a refreshing fragrance: "The blue bow Lin Fan gave me has really high attack. Otherwise, I wouldn't have reached level 28. Tell me, how do you want me to thank you?"
Xin Yu deliberately puffed out her chest and winked at me.
I quickly buried my head in the pile of steamed buns... After dinner, everyone went to their rooms. Xu Lin had already taken everyone to register yesterday, and now we just had to wait in the city for the system to teleport the five of us to the competition area.
Before the top 16 were decided, all players' matches were conducted simultaneously under system supervision. However, once the competition narrowed down to the top 16, the subsequent matches would take place one by one in the arena in the city center. All players could watch the final few matches through the system's viewing program.
It is said that matches after the top 8 will be broadcast live on the entertainment channels of city television stations in Jiangsu and Shanghai. At that time, the advancing players will compete under the gaze of game enthusiasts across the province. The time for fame and glory will have arrived. Needless to say, the individuals and teams who ultimately win the championship will become instant hits. This is also why Xu Lin attaches so much importance to this competition. If we become the number one studio in Jiangsu and Shanghai, the money we can earn in the future will be immense!
As I was thinking, Xu Lin, Xin Yu, Lu Xuehan, and Li Qing all arrived at East Gate Bridge. This had almost become our unspoken meeting point. Everyone's equipment had just been repaired. We didn't know if there would be an NPC for equipment repair at the competition venue once the match started. It would be embarrassing if our equipment's durability broke during the match.
Xu Lin checked the time and said in the team channel: "There's a round of competition every 15 minutes, and each match lasts 10 minutes. That means we have 5 minutes to observe the opponent's class composition and discuss strategy. There's no use saying anything now; let's wait until the match starts. Everyone, turn on your communicators. We can just use voice chat to communicate during the match."
Everyone agreed. This was the first competition in moons constant, and our first experience with it. There was too little to draw upon, and experience would have to be accumulated in the upcoming matches.
The 10 minutes passed quickly. Amidst the tense countdown, the few of us were teleported to competition venue number 1025211. Suddenly, five players also appeared on the opposite side. These were our first opponents in the group Champion Challenge—
Two cloth-wearers, who seemed to be a Mage and a Priest, and two heavy armor wearers. One of them had a shield, and the other wielded a Battle Axe. It was obvious one was a Knight and the other a Battle Axe Warrior. The last one was in leather armor, holding what appeared to be a white dagger, likely the legendary Thief.
Time was ticking away, second by second. Li Qing, being the most impatient among us, couldn't help but ask, "How do we fight?"
Xin Yu and Lu Xuehan both laughed. The opponents' equipment clearly consisted mainly of white gear, while even our worst gear was already a full set of green equipment. This meant that the upcoming match was completely in our favor, serving entirely to accumulate PK experience for us.
Xu Lin also smiled, but still replied, "Xue Han, pay attention to Lin Fan's health. Don't let him die. Xin Yu, use mobile attacks and use Concussion Arrow anytime to help me and Xue Han out of trouble. Absolutely don't let the Thief and Battle Axe Warrior get close to us. Li Qing, just direct your pet to coordinate with Lin Fan to attack their Priest and Mage!"
The two sides were separated by a blue light from the system. Five minutes later, the light disappeared, and the match began!
Immediately, the opponent's Thief vanished right before our eyes...