With the thunderous blast of a salute cannon and stirring music, the final championship match of the individual competition commenced.
To the shock of many, among the two athletes vying for the championship title was the freshman Yue Xinghe, whom no one had initially favored.
Discussions erupted across the Star Network.
Everyone knew that the Alliance University tournament was more than just an intramural competition. Beyond identifying exceptional talent, it also served to showcase Earth’s emerging generation of power to extraterrestrials beyond the planet.
Students who shone brightly in the competition would not only draw attention from the Earth Alliance government but also capture the interest of other star systems. Their fame would catapult from Earth to a cosmic scale.
Without a doubt, Yue Xinghe’s name had already been inscribed in the government’s little red book of key personnel. Upon graduation, he would likely be recruited directly into a government department, starting at a higher level than most.
Comparing oneself to others would only lead to frustration.
In addition to government agencies, major private enterprises and renowned organizations extended olive branches to Yue Xinghe within minutes of the final match’s start. Offers included annual salaries in the tens of millions, the latest mech models each year, and an array of resources that would leave ordinary people speechless.
Even if Yue Xinghe ultimately fell short and didn’t claim the championship, one had to remember, he was only a freshman. With such a strong foundation and innate talent, as long as he didn’t squander the next four years, he was undoubtedly the rising star of Earth Alliance.
On the Star Network, the Earth Alliance’s official account usually posted current events and news related to people’s livelihoods. Even those who didn’t typically follow such competitions would still keep tabs on the official account.
Today, for the first time, the Earth Alliance official account posted a highlight reel of the Alliance University competition. Even those who weren’t usually interested found themselves captivated by the exhilarating matches. Some might have found the violence excessive, but they couldn’t look away. After all, the contestants were simply too attractive, who didn’t enjoy watching handsome men and beautiful women?
Soon after, the Earth Alliance official account reposted the live stream link, sending the final match’s viewership soaring even higher.
The backend staff worked tirelessly, keeping the servers from crashing, ensuring that the live stream continued to serve billions of viewers faithfully.
“Are you sure this isn’t an idol debut stage?”
“I actually had to check the stream title, it really is the Alliance University tournament, not some entertainment industry idol competition.”
“Haha, are you living under a rock? Alliance University is famous for producing attractive students. Any one of them could outshine the biggest stars in the entertainment industry.”
“‘Any one of them’ might be an exaggeration,” someone retorted with a sneering emoji. “There are maybe a hundred good-looking ones per rank, and Alliance University has twenty to thirty thousand students.”
“I’d believe they surpass the plastic surgery-fueled entertainment industry. No matter how advanced the tech, it can’t compete with natural beauty. But don’t sleep on Lan Ji, her new album is amazing, more soothing than being back in the womb. It’s already sold millions of copies.”
“Lan Ji fans, get out. This isn’t a fan club. Stop pushing your agenda!”
Lan Ji, a mermaid alien who came to Earth two years ago, bore a resemblance to the mermaids of Earth’s ancient fairy tales. With her beautiful appearance and clear, ethereal voice, she had a unique ability to cleanse the soul and refresh the spirit. She had amassed a legion of fans and was arguably the most popular star in the entertainment industry today.
The fans of the mermaid, collectively known as “Fish Fans,” were loyal followers of Lan Ji.
Meanwhile, in the capital district, inside one of the most expensive villas, the mermaid Lan Ji was lounging by the pool, her gaze fixed on the ongoing match through her light-brain’s projection. Her aquamarine eyes sparkled with brilliance.
“Xiao Lanlan, guess what the total sales for the new album ‘Listen’ have reached?”
Her manager, having failed to find her in the front living room, immediately made his way to the pool to share the good news, unable to hide his excitement.
Lan Ji absentmindedly brushed her hand through her seaweed-like blue waves, her clear, ethereal voice casual as she asked, “Mm, how much?”
The manager laughed joyfully. “Fifteen billion! A full fifteen billion! The title track has even climbed to the top three for Best Song of the Year, and it’s still rising. In a few days, I’m sure it’ll reach the top.”
Lan Ji gave a perfunctory clap. “Oh, that’s really amazing.”
After laughing heartily for a while, the manager began discussing the upcoming schedule. It was then he noticed Lan Ji’s distraction. Stepping closer to look at the projection, he let out a surprised sound. “Oh, you’re following this competition? Speaking of which, Alliance University did invite you to perform at the freshman dance, but I turned it down. You’re so delicate, and those students are so rough, if something happened…”
Before he could finish, a splash of water from a large blue fishtail hit him in the face.
“What?” Lan Ji’s naturally melodious voice, even when raised in surprise, never cracked. “Alliance University invited me? And you turned it down?!”
The manager was taken aback. “Uh… what’s wrong?”
Lan Ji pointed at him. “I’m going. You, right now, immediately, get back to them and accept!”
After hesitating for a few seconds, the manager was hit with another splash of water. “Fine, fine, I got it. I’ll contact Alliance University right now.”
Her eyes sparkling, Lan Ji watched the golden-haired figure on the stage deliver a kick that sent his opponent flying. She twirled happily in the pool.
Ahh, she was so happy! She was finally going to see her savior again!
Lin Luxi had no idea that the three most popular female characters in the original novel were about to gather in one place.
The final match to decide the champion had already gone on for over forty minutes. Both sides were locked in a stalemate, covered in injuries. Yue Xinghe’s shoulder was dislocated, while his opponent, Zhou Xuxu, had a fractured arm. Both had minor bleeding from their heads and were gasping for breath. It was unclear who had the advantage.
“I still think Senior Zhou is stronger. Yue Xinghe is still a rookie, he lacks experience.”
Others chimed in, nodding in agreement.
Hearing the loud discussions from the audience behind him, Lin Luxi smiled, feeling a sense of control and satisfaction from knowing the plot.
Who said experience always guarantees victory?
There are things that diligence and experience simply cannot compensate for. More often than not, one has to admit that those with exceptional talent can achieve in a fraction of the time what takes others years to accomplish.
Unfair as it may be, that’s just the way it is.
And on stage, Yue Xinghe did look worse off than Zhou Xuxu, his temple was bleeding, and he seemed unsteady on his feet.
But!
Anyone familiar with novels knew that protagonists were practically tanks with unbreakable health bars. No matter how dire their situation appeared, they would always stage a comeback. And this was far from a desperate situation.
Beside him, Chris and Qin Hao were completely absorbed, their fists clenched tightly, half off their seats.
Lin Luxi glanced at the stage and stood up.
At that moment, Yue Xinghe and Zhou Xuxu launched their final attacks. In the critical instant, Yue Xinghe seemed to stumble, as if his leg had given out. But the misstep allowed him to evade Zhou Xuxu’s punch perfectly, and his own, loaded with all his remaining strength, landed squarely on Zhou Xuxu’s temple. Zhou Xuxu collapsed on the spot.
The host flew onto the stage, excitedly circling the champion before raising Yue Xinghe’s hand high. “I declare the champion of this tournament’s individual competition, Yue Xinghe!”
The arena erupted. Countless screams and whistles set the atmosphere ablaze.
Yue Xinghe’s chest heaved as his breathing remained slightly ragged. Amid the celebration, his eyes instinctively sought out his team’s section in the contestants’ seating area. Chris was so thrilled she kept pounding Qin Hao’s arm. But the seat beside them, where someone should have been sitting, was empty.
The inexplicable warmth that had risen in his chest moments earlier abruptly cooled. Yue Xinghe wasn’t sure what he was disappointed about.
Author’s Note:
Keeping the word count in check.
Xingxing: I genuinely want to be friends with you, but why did you leave?