Chapter 453: A double-headed coin! What do you have to win against me?

Inside the hall.

Many people were already seated in the spectator stands.

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

The giant screen hanging above the venue suddenly lit up, and clear images entered everyone's eyes.

On the screen, the female host, Ze Tian Lixiang, dressed in a proper suit with a capable temperament, held a microphone, wearing a professional smile, and provided the opening commentary in a clear and provocative voice:

"Good morning, everyone! Welcome to watch the wonderful competition of the third round of this 'New Sharp Shogi Tournament'!"

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

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

The screen switched at the right time, quickly flashing clips of some players thinking intently or resigning in the first two rounds, among whom was Natsume Chikage.

"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 each have 42 players competing."

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

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

"Compared to the grand occasion of the first round, these 42 shogi players now are all strong individuals who have emerged from heavy fighting, and their strength absolutely cannot 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 Ze Tian Lixiang a firm close-up.

"All the players present have proven that they possess the ability to defeat others. However, there is no end to the road to the peak."

"In order to reach that one and only throne, everyone must burn their fighting spirit and launch an assault on higher peaks!"

Her words paused slightly, setting the atmosphere for the upcoming focus.

"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 shogi player will be able to receive a prize of 40,000 yen!"

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

"40,000, 80,000, 160,000, 320,000..."

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

"Finally—"

Ze Tian Lixiang's voice rose sharply, full of shock, and at the same time, the screen froze, and a number so large it made one gasp for breath occupied the entire screen.

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

The number "40,960,000" shone with golden light, instantly capturing the eyes and hearts of all the spectators in the hall.

And when Natsume Chikage passed by, he also glanced at the prize money displayed above, but quickly withdrew his gaze.

He cast his gaze forward, intending to find a seat before the match started.

And in the competition venue.

There were actually player seats and spectator seats.

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

Natsume Chikage, who was nearby, had to look for other places.

Just at this moment.

Natsume Chikage spotted Ze Tian Lixiang, who, after finishing her introduction, was looking for people to interview in the player seats.

Many players were very eager to become famous.

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

Everyone had expectant eyes, hoping to be interviewed by Ze Tian Lixiang.

And Ze Tian Lixiang was among them, as if looking for someone, her gaze scanning left and right.

Just when Natsume Chikage saw her, she also saw him.

Ze Tian Lixiang's eyes lit up, her goal clear, and she walked directly toward him.

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

After witnessing this, Ze Tian Lixiang's mouth twitched, and she felt somewhat exasperated inside.

Really, I give up!

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

It was truly infuriating!

When the match ended today, she would squat at the door specifically to see how he would run!

Just as Natsume Chikage was looking for a seat.

His phone suddenly rang, and when he took it out to look, he found it was Gu Chuan Changhong calling.

【Gu Chuan Changhong: Natsume-kun, I see you; you're looking for a seat, right? We have seats here, hurry over.】

【Natsume Chikage: Yes, where are you?】

The other end of the phone pointed out a location to Natsume Chikage.

Soon, he discovered that there were indeed quite a few empty seats there, and at the same time, he found Gu Chuan Changhong and Gu Chuan Cai Xu.

Natsume Chikage approached.

However, when he sat down.

He discovered not only the Gu Chuan grandfather and granddaughter, but also an acquaintance, Ku Chuan Jia Zhi.

Gu Chuan Cai Xu was the happiest to see his arrival and ran over, wanting to pull him to sit down:

"Big Brother, Cai Xu finally waited for you to come. Sit quickly, Grandfather has also been waiting for you for a long time."

Natsume Chikage smiled and rubbed her little head:

"Mm."

Ku Chuan Jia Zhi was also inevitably very excited after seeing Natsume Chikage:

"Natsume-kun, you must do your best in today's match!"

Natsume Chikage replied politely:

"Mm, I definitely will."

And just after Natsume Chikage sat down.

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

"Yo, kid, you're here."

Natsume Chikage looked back and said in surprise:

"Mr. Tian Feng, you're here too?"

Tian Feng nodded slightly:

"Naturally, no matter what, there aren't many large-scale shogi matches anyway."

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

Ku Chuan Jia Zhi looked back and complained: ===== CHAPTER 454 =====