Chapter 985

It was no longer an impassioned march, but changed into a deeper, more oppressive rhythm, like precision gears meshing and running under huge pressure.

"The sixth round will be different from the previous zone divisions!"

"We are still divided into four zones: A, B, C, and D!"

"But each zone will only conduct a single round!"

"And, starting from this round, the cross-zone random mechanism is enabled!"

"This means that any opponent you meet may come from any zone, full of unknowns and variables!"

"At this moment, in A-zone, eight top shogi players are already in place!"

"Among them, only four can win and get the ticket to the next round—that is, the final top sixteen stage!"

She paused slightly, letting this cruel "eight into four" probability sink into people's hearts, and then said clearly, word by word:

"The winner advances, the loser exits."

"There is no second chance, no room for adjustment."

"Once defeated, all the advantages you accumulated in the first five rounds, all the persistence and sweat, will at this moment, vanish into thin air, stopping at the top thirty-two, which is this sixth round!"

"Only the absolute strong who win this battle in front of you!"

"Can seize one of the only sixteen tickets, step into the true top circle, and continue to launch an impact on the final throne!"

The number "32" on the screen behind her began to flicker and split violently.

Then, as if torn by invisible force, it quickly split, collided, and reduced.

Finally, in a piece of sharp silver light, it froze at—

"16"!

"That is to say—after all the matches in the sixth round are over, the contestants who can continue to advance are only... sixteen!"

She took a deep breath, her gaze burning as she swept across the eight young or mature faces in the contestant area.

Her tone softened slightly, but injected a deeper, heart-striking temptation.

Her gaze was like a hook, as if weighing the weight of every chess player's soul.

"Of course, along with the significant increase in the difficulty of advancing..."

"The value of the fruits that the winner can pick will also rise with the tide!"

The screen switched in response.

The brilliant golden numbers roared and emerged like a volcanic eruption, carrying suffocating weight, and froze fiercely.

"Sixth round, winning prize money—320,000 yen!"

The number "320,000" flickered with solid and tempting luster.

For the vast majority of spectators in the stands, this was already a quite generous return.

Many people's monthly after-tax income might not reach this number.

This was a reward that required a whole month of hard work to exchange for, but now, it might change hands between the victory and defeat of a duel.

"And as long as you keep winning! Win the subsequent rounds! Complete an epic journey that is more difficult than the last, and closer to the divine realm than the last!"

"Then, finally waiting for you at the peak of glory, is still that—which is enough to completely reshape life, making mortals tremble—"

"40,960,000 yen!!!"

The final astronomical figure once again occupied the entire giant screen with the posture of a king ruling the world, and the golden light almost overflowed the screen.

The background music climbed to the most violent and glorious climax at this moment!

The majestic symphony and the heavy beat like the wheels of fate rolling forward were crazily intertwined, pushing the atmosphere in the hall, which was already boiling to the extreme, to the crazy peak!

In the contestant area, there was a dead silence, but deep in countless gazes, there was a desire and determination like wildfire burning.

This money was enough to make any dream within reach!

And at this time.

All the inflammatory expressions on Ze Tian Lixiang's face retreated like a tide.

Leaving only a piece of solemnity like the deep sea and anticipation like magma.

She announced in a deep voice, every word as clear as an ice cone falling to the ground, beating on the silent venue:

"The eight contestants who will participate in this A-zone are—"

She paused deliberately, and the big screen quickly listed eight photos, names, and brief information side by side.

Natsume Chikage (Private Moonlight High School, no rank)

Shi Tian Hewu (Professional 6-dan)

Honda Chongsi (Private Tianhao Academy, professional 4-dan)

Xiaodao Jiantai (Professional 5-dan)

And four other strong chess players with ranks between professional 4-dan and 6-dan.

"Eight strong people, four tickets."

Her gaze was as sharp as an eagle, sweeping across the contestant seats.

"The winner advances to the seventh round and moves towards higher honors and prize money."

"The loser, the journey of this tournament, will draw a period at this moment."

The voice fell.

The excitement of the spectator area reached a new height, and everyone couldn't wait to witness which four of these eight strong people could win and continue to advance.

Ze Tian Lixiang responded to the near-fanatical reaction of the live audience with a smile that controlled everything.

Subsequently, she shouted excitedly towards the microphone with all her strength:

"Then, 'New Sharp Shogi Tournament' Sixth Round, A-zone, matchup draw—"

"Start now!"

The giant screen switched instantly!

The photos, names, and brief information of the eight contestants began to roll, collide, and intertwine crazily at a dazzling speed!

Natsume Chikage's calm face, Shi Tian Hewu's steady portrait, Honda Chongsi's face full of publicity and unruliness, Xiaodao Jiantai's determined photo...

And their competition highlights of thinking intently or waving pieces like swords flashed by like a glimpse.

The gears of fate, in this low, violent music like industrial giant hammers beating and the deafening heartbeat roar synchronized by the whole venue, once again bit together coldly and ruthlessly, and began to turn.

In the contestant seats, someone subconsciously clenched their fists, their knuckles turning white; someone took a deep breath, adjusting their state; Honda Chongsi narrowed his eyes, staring at the screen, the arc of his mouth carrying bloodthirsty anticipation.

And Natsume Chikage was still sitting there quietly.

His gaze calmly watched the whirlpool of names rolling crazily on the screen that decided the next opponent.

As if the cruel slaughter that was about to come, and the huge prize money that was enough to make people crazy, were just a piece of floating cloud passing outside the window.

His indifference seemed out of place in the nearly boiling, scorching air around him, yet it remained exceptionally steady.

Shi Tian Hewu on the side watched all this, nodding secretly in his heart.

This calmness far exceeding his age was indeed an indispensable quality for a top chess player.

It's a pity that under such strong enemies, just relying on calmness, I'm afraid it's not enough to help him break through.

【Please A-zone contestants, follow the guidance of the staff, and go to the draw area to gather!】

【Repeat, please A-zone contestants, go to the draw area to gather!】

The broadcast sound fell.

The contestants stood up one after another, temporarily stored their personal belongings, and then walked to the draw area in the center of the venue one after another.

Natsume Chikage walked up first.

Inside the transparent draw box, eight small balls representing different game table numbers were jumping slightly in the gentle airflow.

He pressed the draw button without any hesitation.

The small balls in the box rotated rapidly, and then one fell slowly.

The staff took out the small ball, took a look, and announced loudly:

"Ball number 1. Contestant Natsume Chikage, please go to game table number 1 to wait."

Natsume Chikage nodded slightly, took the small ball, and walked to the side of the game table marked with the number "1" and stood still.

Shi Tian Hewu, who drew the lot subsequently, looked at the draw box, and a complex thought flashed through his heart.

Having been rejected twice, if he could defeat this desired "candidate for disciple" head-on in the arena, perhaps he could make him realize the gap in their strength more clearly, and who knows, he might even change his mind.

He pressed the button.

The small ball fell.

"Ball number 2. Contestant Shi Tian Hewu, please go to table number 2."

Shi Tian Hewu took the small ball, looked at Natsume Chikage who was calm in the direction of table number 1, sighed in his heart, only feeling that he had to use other means. ===== CHAPTER 986 =====