Chapter 471

The broadcast sound echoed.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun slowly stood up from his seat.

His eyes were calm and waveless, he stepped out, and walked toward the center of the competition field, which was like a gladiator arena under the spotlight.

Seeing Xia Xia Xia Mujun and Suzuki Takayuki both preparing to move to the center of the competition field.

Furukawa Masahiro and others almost all stood up, either waving or speaking out, cheering for the two.

Except for Fukuda Tsukasa, who was still hugging his arms, looking like a leisurely spectator.

After simple greetings and eye contact.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun and Suzuki Takayuki turned around, one after the other, and walked toward the passage leading to the draw and the competition field.

The backs of the two soon disappeared into the slightly dim passage entrance.

Before officially entering the draw area and the competition venue.

All contestants must undergo a strict security check process.

First, all personal items carried must be stored in the designated lockers.

The two quickly stored their items and passed through the security gate.

The metal detector swept over their bodies silently.

The staff nodded to signal passage.

They finally arrived at the draw area.

The faces of the eight contestants gathered here.

Almost the moment they stepped in.

The live director who had been waiting here immediately cut in the signal.

The auxiliary screens hanging everywhere, as well as the giant screen in the center of the competition field, instantly switched to the real-time picture of the draw hall.

The camera swept over each contestant's face one by one.

Morimoto Yūki of Private Tenhou Academy had undisguised arrogance and anticipation on his square face.

Ishida Ishida Kazuo had a calm expression, his eyes peaceful, as if he were just here to participate in an ordinary practice.

The brat Fukuda Yasuhiro beside him had a small face tightened, his eyes occasionally glancing fiercely in a certain direction.

Suzuki Takayuki pursed his lips tightly, his chest rising and falling slightly, and the fighting spirit and some kind of scorched emotion intertwined in his eyes.

And when the camera finally settled on Xia Xia Xia Mujun's face—

Even though he didn't do anything, just stood there quietly.

In the spectator seats, a burst of noise and cheers erupted that was far more enthusiastic than when other contestants appeared.

Many spectators, especially female spectators, couldn't help but lean out to look, their eyes shining.

At this time.

Because Xia Xia Xia Mujun was in a relatively early position.

Soon.

The staff called his name.

He walked to the transparent organic glass draw box with a calm face.

Inside the box, eight small balls marked with numbers were waiting quietly.

Without hesitation.

He stretched out his finger and pressed the red button on the side of the box.

The internal mechanism started, and the small balls began to roll and collide urgently.

Making a crisp clattering sound.

A few seconds later.

A white small ball rolled along the preset track and fell into the retrieval port below.

The staff picked it up and looked at the number label attached to the ball.

"Number 1."

He handed the small ball to Xia Xia Xia Mujun, and at the same time turned sideways, pointing to the match table area already arranged in the competition field.

"Table 1, over there. Please go directly over and wait now."

Xia Xia Xia Mujun took the cool small ball.

Nodded.

Turned around, and his gaze cast toward the direction pointed by the staff.

There, eight shogi tables were arranged completely.

Table 1 was located on the far left, empty at the moment, with only two chairs facing each other quietly.

Apparently, his opponent had not appeared yet.

He stepped forward and walked toward Table 1.

And behind him.

The remaining contestants who had not yet drawn lots, the moment they saw Xia Xia Xia Mujun walking toward Table 1.

Different expressions appeared on their faces.

Morimoto Yūki stared at Xia Xia Xia Mujun's back, his face involuntarily darkening a bit.

Recalling the ear-piercing cheers triggered just by the camera sweeping over Xia Xia Xia Mujun's face.

Comparing it with the almost negligible waves when he appeared.

A poisonous fire mixed with jealousy and unwillingness surged high in his heart.

Why?

Why could this guy win so much attention just by relying on a face?

If he also had such looks...

How could he still be single until now?

How could he only vent all his energy on the boring shogi board?

If he could defeat this popularity king here with a crushing posture...

Then, would some of the gazes originally focused on Xia Xia Xia Mujun shift to himself, the winner?

Perhaps... could he also attract female fans who appreciated his strength because of this?

This thought made his breathing slightly rapid.

The corners of his mouth twitched upward uncontrollably, revealing an arc mixed with desire and ferocity.

He desperately hoped that the next person to draw the number 1 ball would be himself.

And that 12-year-old brat named Fukuda Yasuhiro was also staring at Xia Xia Xia Mujun at this moment.

The humiliation of being reprimanded in public by his master last time, and his master's undisguised appreciation for Xia Xia Xia Mujun, all made him full of hostility toward Xia Xia Xia Mujun.

He desperately longed to crush this guy on the chessboard.

To prove to his master who was the genius truly worth pouring his heart into!

As long as he won against him, his master would understand that Xia Xia Xia Mujun was just so-so.

All the attention and resources would belong to him alone!

Thinking of this, his small fist clenched quietly.

It was Fukuda Yasuhiro's turn to draw.

He almost rushed to the draw box, full of anticipation, and patted the button heavily.

His eyes widened, staring dead at the rolling small ball.

The staff picked it up and took a look.

"Table 2."

The anticipation on Fukuda Yasuhiro's face froze instantly.

Then it turned into deep disappointment and resentment.

He grabbed the small ball, glared fiercely at Xia Xia Xia Mujun who was already sitting by Table 1 in the distance, and walked toward Table 2 angrily.

While walking, he thought hatefully in his heart: You're lucky to have escaped a disaster!

But with your three-legged cat skills, it's the same no matter who your opponent is!

In the first battle, you will definitely lose!