Chapter 565: Opening

The opening ceremony this morning should be considered a fairly formal cocktail party.

The visiting guests each held a wine glass, sitting or standing. After listening to a simple speech by Mr. Rick, the vice president of the Association of Seers, Mr. Addis Stan, the president of the local association, announced the final rules of the 1853 Dacheng Player Luo Luo De Pai Tournament.

Xia De stood with his friend Baron Lavender, and beside him was Baron Rwanda, who was a bit short and very incompatible with the Baron.

"Finally started."

Baron Rwanda raised his head, looking very confident, as if he had heard inside information early. Baron Lavender held a champagne glass, his fingers constantly tapping the cup body.

Similar to previous "Dacheng Players," this competition is also divided into three stages.

Stage one is the preliminary round. From today, the sixth day of the Harvest Moon, the 1273 players who received the "numbered Luo De card" before the registration deadline yesterday will unfold competitions with other contestants inside the Association of Seers, which has been completed, under the supervision of the staff of the Association of Seers.

Xia De heard that not only were the rooms from the first floor to the third floor all serving gambling games during this period, but even the rooftop was set up with Luo De card tables.

Each registrant has 10 points, losing one game deducts two points, and winning one game wins one point.

By five o'clock in the afternoon on the thirteenth day of the Harvest Moon, one week later, contestants with 20 points in their hands can participate in the next stage of the semi-finals.

The preliminary round is a fixed rule for each "Dacheng Player," and specially invited players, such as Xia De, can skip the cumbersome first stage and directly participate in the semi-finals.

"The second stage this year is different. This is a brand-new rule formulated for Tobesk!"

President Stan announced loudly, causing a burst of discussion below. People looked at him with great anticipation, and even Xia De had a smile on his face. He was very happy that besides wine, the association also prepared fruit juice:

"The Association of Seers cooperates with local clubs and shops. The semi-finals are not only held in the Association of Seers. In order to reflect the spirit of 'Dacheng Player' as much as possible and let Luo De card players gathered from all over the world enjoy the autumn of this city, the association has set up semi-final competition venues in different districts of Tobesk. Players with 20 points, or our specially invited players, can go to six venues in the city starting next Wednesday to conduct multiplayer card games. The rules of the multiplayer card games are as follows..."

The rules of the multiplayer card games he announced were exactly the rules of the card game that Xia De participated in and won 【Founding Darkness】 at the Wang Hou's birthday banquet. Of course, the Wang Hou provided 10 gold stars at that time, while the association only provided "Dacheng Player 1853 copper commemorative coins," and these commemorative coins could be kept privately after the competition.

It seems that the guesses of the people at the Wang Hou's banquet were correct. The Association of Seers had long been prepared to do this at this year's Dacheng Player.

"Where are the six locations?"

Baron Lavender beside Xia De asked loudly. Vice President Stan gave the answer, while the staff of the Association of Seers carried huge oil paintings and city maps to show the locations to people.

"East District—Hou Jue Martinez's mansion, the Hou Jue also participates in the competition as a specially invited player; I hope you like the architectural style of the nobles in the north of the Old Continent!

West District—Shadis Cotton Textile Factory, thanks to the factory owner for owing us a large sum of money; Luo De cards and textile machines, steam engines, maybe they will match very well!

North District—Three Cats Inn first floor, Lady Madame Sangmei generously lent us the venue and hopes we can help her promote it; experience the civilian inn, play cards in the sound of lutes and singing, this is the truly interesting card game!

South District—Delarion King Opera House Hall 3, thanks to the generosity of His Majesty the King; Luo De cards are elegant games, but don't forget to wear formal wear to appear!

University District—Tobesk University Assembly Hall, this is rented by us, thanks to everyone's registration fee; the academic atmosphere in the University District is strong, playing Luo De cards in this kind of venue, maybe there will be a different experience!

Central City District—Silver Cross Avenue Association of Seers third floor, which is this room we are in now, I hope you won't hate it!"

His witty metaphors drew bursts of laughter, and Xia De also calculated what he needed to do.

From next Wednesday to next Sunday, a total of five days, he needs to participate in six multiplayer card games and try to accumulate as many copper coins as possible in his hands. Although only the top sixteen players can enter the final stage, according to the proportion of previous years and the information Vice President Mark told him quietly, the number of Luo De card players who can enter the semi-finals should be less than one-tenth of the total number of participants.

Therefore, winning the top sixteen out of a hundred is not very difficult.

"Finally, the finals! Next Sunday afternoon, the association will conduct a draw based on the ranking to conduct a draw combination for the top sixteen players. Next Monday, the sixteenth of this month, the round of sixteen to eight will be held, Tuesday eight to four, Wednesday four to two, and Thursday the final duel. This year's winner, in addition to the usual 3000 pounds of prize money, 【Dacheng Player 1853 Tobesk Champion】 special rule card, will also receive prizes provided by the Tobesk branch and local Luo De card clubs."

President Stan quickly read the prize list, which was a physical reward provided by local shops and clubs to promote themselves. For example, the Three Cats Inn promised to provide the final winner with a 30% discount on housing and catering privileges for one year.

It seems that Lady Madame Sangmei was sure that she could make a lot of money during

It seems Madame Madame Sangmei was certain she could earn a large sum of money during this year's Dacheng Player event.

Sometimes, an Outlander really has to marvel that the people of this other world lack no business acumen at all. Even if he were to host this "Dacheng Player" competition himself, he couldn't have done it any better.

President Sitan's high-pitched voice and the exciting competition about to begin made the Friday morning reception even more lively. Reporters from the "Three Penny News" and the "Steam Bird Daily," who had been invited, even interviewed Xia De separately before the reception ended.

As the holder of three Founder Series cards, he had quite a reputation among Rod card players. Therefore, the two newspapers offered a high interview fee of 3 pounds, specifically asking Xia De to express his views and opinions on this year's Dacheng Player competition.

Xia De was, of course, happy to earn this money. He answered the questions very earnestly and even flattered Vice President Make a little for the efforts he had made for this year's competition. But when asked to take a photo at the end, Xia De did not take a front-facing shot; instead, he let the reporters take a back-view photo of him leaving with other players.

Xia De did not want clear photos of himself to circulate. This was not because he was some criminal who needed to cover up his crimes, but simply because he still occasionally had to visit Coldwater Port.

But at least for now, he would only enjoy the steam-era card tournament in this city, in the entire Pearl of the North.

【Are you really not a criminal?】

Xia De declined Baron Lavender's invitation to go out for a drink. On the way home, "She" suddenly asked.

Xia De thought about the things he had done:

"Indeed, I am not."

【Then why did you have to think about it?】

Xia De was choked by her words, and that pleasant laughter reached his ears once again.

Taking advantage of having nothing else to do this afternoon, Xia De visited Priest Ao Gu Si again. The priest had already received definitive notice that he would be leaving Tobesk next week and was busy packing his luggage these past few days.

Due to his age, Priest Ao Gu Si had not been sent on official business by the church for nearly ten years. This unexpected assignment puzzled not only him but even Bishop Ouwenzhu. However, the Holy See never provided a reason for the assignment, only saying that a group of elderly, devout clergy had been gathered to attend a meeting and training session in a southeastern city.