Chapter 451

Inside the hall.

Many people were already seated in the spectator area.

The air in the competition area was filled with a subtle silence, mixed with anticipation and tension.

The giant screen hanging above the venue suddenly lit up, and a clear image appeared before everyone's eyes.

On the screen, the female host Sawada Rika, dressed in a proper suit with a capable temperament, held a microphone, wearing a professional smile, and began the opening commentary in a clear and provocative voice:

"Good morning, everyone! Welcome to the exciting competition of the third round of this 'New Talent Shogi Tournament'!"

Her voice spread to every corner of the hall through the high-quality sound system.

"After the intense and cruel eliminations of the first two rounds—the total number of remaining players is now 512."

The footage switched at the right time, quickly flashing clips of some players thinking intently or resigning during the first two rounds, including Xia Xia Xia Mujun.

"And the third round, just like before, is divided into four zones, with each zone further divided into three sessions, and today's three sessions have 42 players competing."

"Now—these 42 people on the big screen are the participants for this round."

The number "42" was specially marked on the side of the screen, eye-catching and huge.

"Compared to the grand occasion of the first round, these 42 shogi players are all strong individuals who have emerged from heavy fighting, and their strength is absolutely not to be underestimated!"

Her tone rose, full of affirmation.

"But precisely because of this, starting from this round, the challenges will become unprecedentedly severe!"

The camera zoomed in, giving Sawada Rika a firm close-up.

"All the players present have proven their ability to defeat others. However, the road to the peak has no end."

"To reach that one and only throne, everyone must burn their fighting spirit and charge towards higher peaks!"

She paused for a moment, setting the stage for the next highlight.

"And as the rounds deepen, the temptation of the prize money becomes even more astonishing!"

The screen switched to a simple and clear prize money increment chart.

"In this round—that is, the third round, the winning player will receive a prize of forty thousand yen!"

"And, the prize money will double round by round at an astonishing speed!"

"Forty thousand, eighty thousand, one hundred sixty thousand, three hundred twenty thousand..."

The numbers on the chart jumped and grew rapidly with her commentary, and the visual effect was very impactful.

"Finally—"

Sawada Rika's voice rose sharply, full of shock, and at the same time, the screen froze, and a number so huge it made people hold their breath occupied the entire screen.

"—The only winner who fights to the tenth round, the ultimate round, will be able to lift the final crown of this New Talent Shogi Tournament and exclusively enjoy a huge prize of 40.96 million yen!!"

The number "40,960,000" shone with golden light, instantly grabbing the attention and heart of every spectator in the audience.

And when Xia Xia Xia Mujun passed by, he also glanced at the prize money displayed above, but quickly looked away.

He looked ahead, intending to find a seat before the match started.

And in the competition area.

There were actually player seats and spectator seats.

But the player seats were limited, and that small area was already full of other people.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun, who was nearby, had to look for other places.

Just at this moment.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun spotted Sawada Rika, who, after finishing her introduction, was looking for someone to interview in the player area.

Many players were very eager to become famous.

Whether they were professionals, or from the training association, or female shogi players, they were all the same.

Everyone looked forward to it, hoping to be interviewed by Sawada Rika.

And Sawada Rika was among them, as if looking for someone, her eyes scanning left and right.

Just when Xia Xia Xia Mujun saw her, she also saw him.

Sawada Rika's eyes lit up, her goal clear, and she walked straight towards him.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun acted as if he had seen a ghost, pretending not to see her, and quickly detoured.

After witnessing this, Sawada Rika's mouth twitched, and she felt a bit exasperated inside.

Seriously!

Everyone else begged her to interview them, but this guy, every time he saw her, he ran.

It was infuriating!

When the tournament ended today, she would wait at the door and see how he would run!

Just as Xia Xia Xia Mujun was looking for a seat.

His phone suddenly rang, and when he took it out, he found it was Furukawa Masahiro calling.

【Furukawa Masahiro: Xia Xia Xia Mujun, I see you, you're looking for a seat, right? We have seats here, come over quickly.】

【Xia Xia Xia Mujun: Yes, where are you?】

The person on the other end of the phone pointed out a seat for Xia Xia Xia Mujun.

Soon, he found that there were indeed many empty seats there, and at the same time, he found Furukawa Masahiro and Furukawa Saio.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun approached them.

However, when he sat down.

He not only found the grandfather and granddaughter, but also an acquaintance, Horikawa Kaori.

Furukawa Saio was the happiest to see him arrive, running over and wanting to pull him to sit down:

"Big brother, Saio has finally waited for you to come. Sit quickly, grandfather has also been waiting for you for a long time."

Xia Xia Xia Mujun smiled and rubbed her little head:

"Mm."

Horikawa Kaori was also inevitably very excited after seeing Xia Xia Xia Mujun:

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, you must do your best in today's match!"

Xia Xia Xia Mujun replied politely:

"Mm, I definitely will."

And just after Xia Xia Xia Mujun sat down.

Fukuda Tsukasa, known as the Newbie Shogi Killer, rubbed his stubble, sat down slowly behind him, and hummed:

"Yo, kid, you're here."

Xia Xia Xia Mujun turned back and asked in surprise:

"Mr. Fukuda, you're here too?"

Fukuda Tsukasa nodded slightly:

"Naturally, large shogi tournaments are rare anyway."

"It's a day off anyway, so it doesn't hurt to come."

Horikawa Kaori glanced back and complained: