Chapter 339: Can't Help Having Too Many Fanboys

"Ahem, this is a bit too much praise for us. Can we even live up to it?" Huo Ying asked with a lack of confidence; even with his flamboyant personality, he felt the pressure was too great.

"Whatever Second Brother does, as long as he wants to, there is nothing he cannot accomplish," Cheng Konghai said, patting his chest; he, on the other hand, was impatient.

"Look, Ant, this is what you said, I didn't say it!" Li Hao felt like the duck being driven to the pond. "Brothers, sisters, this is a competition. It is full of experts. Participation is what matters. If it doesn't work out this time, there is always next time. Don't put such heavy pressure and shackles on yourselves. It's just life."

Everyone laughed. It was clear that Li Hao's mind was calm and he had not become inflated by the hype of public opinion.

"In this tournament, as long as we enter the top 16, we can split 10 million in prize money. The top 8 gets 20 million, the top 4 gets 50 million, the runner-up gets 100 million, and the champion gets 500 million. It's quite substantial," Tan Ziyuan said with a smile. "I feel like if we make the top 16, we can improve our quality of life. As for the prize money, the school keeps half, and the other half goes to the team. Team Leader, go... go for it."

Everyone suddenly felt the atmosphere was not quite right and looked at Li Hao. Li Hao had a look of silence on his face.

"That much money? We can split half?" Li Hao asked suspiciously. "Are they really giving it?"

Sheng Man couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Of course they're really giving it. This bit of prize money is a piece of cake for EMP. The point isn't the prize money; it's the honor and the future!"

Honor, future, and the like were automatically ignored by Team Leader Li. The calculator in his mind had already been turned on. If he got this money, he felt his life for the next few years could be improved. He wouldn't have to keep borrowing money from Dita, and he could treat others to meals to improve their stereotypical impression of him. Deep down, he was a very generous person. 500 million... 250 million for the team. As the team leader, he should be able to take a bit more, right? Lord Long was a principal after all, so he wouldn't do anything like skimming off the top.

Wow...

Thinking about it, Li Hao couldn't help but smile, as bright as the sunlight outside. Originally, participating in the S Tournament was just working for the principal; he had actually forgotten about the salary. Plus, there was a huge prize pool. How very thoughtful.

"Alright, wipe your drool and wake up!" Zhou Naiyi interrupted Li Hao's daydream.

"Everyone, don't be disturbed by the outside world. How they evaluate us is their business; how we act is our business. Before we achieve results, keep a low profile during the interviews this afternoon. Especially you, Ma Long, don't talk nonsense!" Zhou Naiyi said. Everything had to be verified at the S Tournament; saying anything beforehand was useless.

"Sister Yi, that's unfair. I'm much better than Ant; his talking is what's scary." Ma Long looked at Zhou Naiyi with resentment.

"He doesn't need to talk." Zhou Naiyi felt it was better to be safe. Given the qualifications and status of Tianjing Martial Arts, they shouldn't make any harsh remarks. They were already in a vortex of public opinion.

Before the S Tournament begins, people from all major EMP war zones send teams to conduct short interview videos for the participating teams. They can introduce themselves or express their goals and wishes for this S Tournament, giving the teams ample space and a stage to express themselves.

In the afternoon, everyone changed into clean school uniforms, adjusted their school badges, and tidied their hair. Tan Ziyuan, Sheng Man, Huo Ying, and Lu Lingxiao also appeared as staff members. The girls, of course, had to dress up carefully, applying exquisite light makeup, down to the tips of their eyebrows. Even the Class Monitor tidied herself up.

In the dormitory, the flashiest one was naturally Ma Laoshi. That hair was styled perfectly, handsome as can be. Standing together, he was definitely the face of the group.

The reporter sent by the EMP Earth District was the ace, Huo Verna. She was considered an ace reporter and anchor. She took the initiative to choose Tianjing Martial Arts. Compared to veteran teams like North Caro and the Round Table Knights, an internet-famous team like Tianjing Martial Arts had more topics of discussion, not to mention an interesting Puppet Team Leader.

Verna greeted everyone politely while the cameraman prepared. At the same time, she observed them. Compared to other teams that were generally tall, cool, and strong, Tianjing Martial Arts looked quite distinctive: a silly little fatty and a small, thin team member who kept his head down... She highly doubted this body could handle it.

"Everyone, we have two steps. First is the collective goal, which can be expressed by the Team Leader. The second part is the individual interview. I hope everyone can say a bit more. This is an opportunity to show yourselves to all the mecha fans in the Solar System."

Verna smiled sweetly.

Li Wu nodded.

"Team Leader Li Hao, no need to be nervous. I will ask questions in a moment; feel free to speak your mind and be bold." Verna, who had done two S Tournament interviews, still had a sense of superiority, especially since she felt the legendary Puppet God was a bit shy and didn't seem to have much presence. "Please face the camera. Hmm, this angle is very good."

"Team Leader Li Hao, due to your excellent performance on EMP a while ago, Tianjing Martial Arts is receiving a lot of attention for this S Tournament. May I ask, what is your goal, and which team is Tianjing Martial Arts' biggest opponent?"

"Our team's goal is to be able to enter the top 8. As for opponents... every team in the knockout stage is the biggest opponent," Li Hao laughed.

Verna signaled for Li Hao to say more, but Student Li Hao had already stopped. That was fine, though; the focus was on the individual interviews later, which could be edited. She had ways to make the other party talk more.

"Student Zuo Xiaotang, don't shake your legs, straighten your back. Yes, just like that. Look at me, very good!" Verna adjusted Zuo Xiaotang's state and had to exert some of her own charm.

It was a bit difficult. Verna could only try her best to find topics to make the other party say more, so it would be easier to find usable footage later.

"Student Ma Long, um, you are too deliberate. We need to film your front, not your profile." Verna was also left between laughter and tears; either they were too nervous, or they had camera-craziness.

"Student Cheng Konghai, how about you just say something? Student Wuzang, as a descendant of the Wu Family, what is your goal..."

Others took an hour, and Verna also rested for a while. Finally, it was the turn of the key figure, Puppet. After all, she was a professional; she touched up her makeup and instantly became radiant and full of spirit.

"Team Leader Li Hao, about to participate in the largest mecha competition in the Solar System, what are your thoughts?" Verna crossed her legs, striking the most attractive pose in her short skirt, while deliberately using her hand to cover the key area.

"A bit excited, and also a bit nervous. This is my first S Tournament," Li Hao said.

Looking at Li Hao in front of her, Verna felt a bit of regret. He was completely different from the cold, domineering CEO she had imagined. Where was the arrogance of a strong person? Opponents would look down on him.

"Team Leader Li Hao, do you prefer others to call you Li Hao, or Puppet God?" Verna crossed her legs and changed positions, revealing a glimpse of skin.

"Li Wu, I guess. That's just an ID. Daily training doesn't count for much."

"Too humble. USE fans are all very concerned about you, but everyone is worried that the lineup of Tianjing Martial Arts will find it difficult to achieve good results. What do you think?" Verna stared at Li Hao with burning eyes, trying to use her charm to stimulate his male hormones. So far, he was a bit too cowardly.

"Ah, not at all. Everyone is very tolerant of me. I know I still have many shortcomings. I will definitely go all out during the competition and won't hold the team back," Li Wu said earnestly.

Verna's expression was slightly awkward, but she adjusted quickly.

"Your fan, Kuangwu Daren, ranked you and Tianjing Martial Arts first. Do you think this ranking is appropriate?" "Oh, if he thinks it's appropriate, then it's appropriate. Everyone has the right to express their own thoughts."

"If Tianjing Martial Arts runs into the Langwu Team, do you have the confidence to defeat Lone Wolf Romero again? Now Mars fans all think the training match had a lot of water in it, and Romero didn't show his true level at all." Verna threw out a hot topic; this was also her purpose for coming.

"Let's talk about it when we run into them," Li Hao waved his hand helplessly.

"Ahem, Team Leader Li Hao, we are in an interview. I mean, hypothetically!" Verna's sexy eyes locked onto Li Hao, seemingly hinting for the other party to be bolder, more like a man, harder!

"Right, you said hypothetically. Isn't an interview supposed to be based on facts? Who knows about hypothetical things?" Li Hao said with an innocent face.

If it weren't for the recording, Verna would have rolled her eyes. She racked her brains and went to great lengths to find topics, but Li Hao was impervious to everything. Finally, the interview was ended by Zhou Naiyi on the grounds of training. Ma Laoshi expressed that he could do a retake, but was ruthlessly rejected by Verna. What was the use of such a pretty boy? Who would want to watch that.

The highly anticipated Tian

jing Martial Arts interview ultimately didn't produce any explosive topics. Overall, the Tianjing Team was still quite low-key and down-to-earth. Puppet didn't become inflated like those internet celebrities who suddenly became famous; instead, he was very capable of recognizing his own position. This also made the evaluation of Tianjing Martial Arts a little better.

Even a well-known ROM commentator remarked: Puppet has great self-awareness.

A few days later, the expedition videos of the major participating teams began to be released on EMP one after another.

This convention originally didn't cause any waves. The Tianjing Martial Arts interview also explained the situation from the side. Just when the funny incident was also identified as a means for a new anchor to become famous, a team video caused things to reverse again, and it even got out of hand.

USE—Udier Team.

This was a relatively lower-ranked team in the USE. Basically, their goal was just to enter the main tournament. However, this team was quite wealthy; the team leader, Udier, was a genuine desert prince, incredibly rich.

"Our team's goal this time is to witness a miracle. Li Ge, I am your fan!"

"Puppet God, we are all your fans, win the championship!"

"Tianjing Martial Arts must win!"

"They are all opponents, but there are no opponents. Puppet God is invincible!"

"I knew Li Ge wasn't serious in the previous battles. I'm looking forward to the 'Serious Series'!"

"Li Ge, let them see the ceiling of our Earthling mecha combat!"

A group of team members roared excitedly, leaving the USE war zone reporter with a dumbfounded look. Of course, she also knew about that funny ranking by Kuangwu Daren. Was this pre-match relaxation?

"Udier Team is very relaxed; it seems they are already prepared for the S-Tournament," the reporter could only conclude.

Of course, given Udier's overall combat power, no one held much hope for them to make a big impact; participation was the main goal.

The video of Udier Team was posted in the comment section of Kuangwu Daren, and the fans of Puppet suddenly got hyped. In fact, a considerable portion also felt that Kuangwu Daren was just talking trash, essentially the same as Huonan, both supporting their own war zone. Moreover, the pre-match videos for Tianjing Martial Arts had also come out, which were quite reasonable; it was just unexpected that a participating team would actually cooperate with the performance, even offering a special interpretation.

However, it was only Udier Team after all, ranked at the bottom, so it didn't really count as a big deal.

But as the videos of other teams were released, things started to change.

USE—Cougar Team

Luo Bi being left off the Twelve Transcendent list still caused huge dissatisfaction within Cougar. After all, as one of the Six Dragons and a representative of Earth, were the official selectors blind? Luo Bi himself, however, was very calm.

"There's no disappointment or lack thereof; everything will be settled at the S-Tournament."

"Yes, after all, even Li Hao could be ranked first," the reporter laughed. She could feel the huge change in Luo Bi; his past hot temper and eagerness to prove himself had been replaced by a glow of full confidence.

"That's different, Second Brother deserves the title; he has always been our idol!"???

USE—Round Table Knights Team.

"Team Leader Aofei, do you think there is a possibility for us in the USE to win the championship in this S-Tournament?" The reporter looked at Aofei before her with a bit of admiration; in person, she was so beautiful, and her temperament was even better.

"Yes," Aofei said very firmly, "We are unprecedentedly strong!"

A smile also appeared on the reporter's face, "Stopping NUP's three-peat depends on the Round Table Knights and North Caro; this year is a battle for hegemony among the three nations."

A strange smile suddenly appeared on Aofei's face, "This year, we are the biggest favorites."??? USE--North Caro

After a round of interviews, the reporter had already felt the terrifying pressure of North Caro. From Chao Qinglong to the Supernova Ye Tong, every one of them was a top-tier powerhouse, and their momentum was unprecedentedly high and united. Pressure is motivation; North Caro had reached a critical juncture where they must win the championship—either erupt in Silence or perish in Silence.

"Lord Chao Qinglong, do you think the biggest opponent this time is Galaxy, led by Maxis? You are old rivals, after all?" "Tianjing Martial Arts and Hailong; Galaxy can only be ranked third," Chao Qinglong said in a deep voice.

"Ah?" The reporter was a bit stunned, then smiled.

"You've also heard about that matter; that joke really added a lot of fun to the S-Tournament." Chao Qinglong looked at the reporter strangely, "Tianjing Martial Arts has the strongest player in this S-Tournament, and Hailong is currently the strongest overall with no weaknesses. These two teams are T0-tier; the others all have problems to a greater or lesser extent."

"Ah? How is this possible?" The reporter was dumbfounded. Is this a tactic to pass off fish eyes as pearls?

"Those who understand, understand," Chao Qinglong said indifferently, not explaining further. Although North Caro could not make it into the top three, there were many variables in the S-Tournament, and everyone had a chance.

Once the interviews with Chao Qinglong and Aofei were broadcast, they instantly bombarded the entire USE War Zone and soon spread to other war zones. Did they in the USE discuss this together to stir up trouble?

Is this a tactic to confuse everyone's vision?