The Collapse of Etiquette and Music

Friday night, 8 PM, Hundred Blossoms's home ground, the stadium was packed.

Although Hundred Blossoms lost the first round of the regular season, as a famous team, it still had a solid fan base, and the crowd cheered for Hundred Blossoms. Interestingly, the loudest cheers were not for the current Hundred Blossoms captain, Zou Yuan, but for team member Tang Hao.

"Hao Ge, it's so embarrassing that the loudest cheers at their Hundred Blossom's home ground are not for their captain," Wang Ze laughed.

"It is a bit embarrassing, but in e-sports, strength is everything. Tang Hao plays better, so it's natural he gets more cheers," Liu Hao smiled, glancing at Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu happened to look back and made eye contact with Liu Hao, smiling, "From what you're saying, do you think you're better than me and can beat me?"

"That's uncertain," Liu Hao replied.

"Ha, bragging!" Su Mucheng immediately sided with Ye Qiu, opposing Liu Hao.

Soon, the match was about to begin, starting with the solo competition. This time, Ye Qiu arranged for Su Mucheng to go first, and her opponent was Hundred Blossoms's captain, Zou Yuan.

Zou Yuan initially thought that going first would likely pit him against Qiu Fei or Shen Jian, giving Hundred Blossoms a good start. He didn't expect Ye Qiu to send out Excellent Era's chief gunner.

Su Mucheng was an all-star player, while Zou Yuan had never made it to the all-stars since his debut. In the end, Zou Yuan lost, and Excellent Era took the first point.

Proud of her victory, Su Mucheng smiled at Ye Qiu as she returned to Excellent Era's player area. Spotting Liu Hao nearby, she immediately lifted her chin proudly and snorted as if to show off, "See, I beat the Hundred Blossoms captain!"

Liu Hao smiled, clapped, and then praised in a deliberately annoying tone, "Wow! As expected of the chief gunner, so~ amazing~"

His words instantly made Su Mucheng feel stifled. How could Liu Hao still provoke her even after she won? And what was with that annoying "so~ amazing~"?

"Liu Hao!" Su Mucheng gritted her teeth.

"What? Do you want me to praise you again?" Liu Hao pretended to be innocent.

Su Mucheng's eye twitched slightly, and she whispered, "Just shut up~."

"Alright."

Ye Qiu ignored their bickering. He had gotten used to it over the week. Initially, he tried to intervene, but later, he gave up. Instead of wasting time and effort, he preferred to spend more time playing Glory.

Ye Qiu looked at Qiu Fei, who was still looking down and fiddling with his fingers like a distracted student in class.

He was the second player for Excellent Era in the solo competition.

"Don't be nervous," Ye Qiu said softly. "Your skills and awareness are excellent. What you lack is experience and a steady mindset."

"I know, but I just... fear losing," Qiu Fei whispered.

"Heh, e-sports is not just about winning and losing," Ye Qiu smiled. "All you need to do is enjoy the game."

Qiu Fei shuddered. Enjoy the game? Since his promotion to the team, he had been worried about losing and performing poorly. He had never thought about enjoying the game.

Enjoy the game? Was this Ye Qiu's mindset during matches?

"I understand!" Qiu Fei gained confidence, stood up, and walked to the stage.

Liu Hao glanced at Qiu Fei and then at Ye Qiu, asking, "Do you really see him as your successor? The inheritor of One Autumn Leaf?"

Ye Qiu nodded, "I've taught him a lot, and he has great talent."

"Remember what I said?" Liu Hao looked around to ensure Cui Li was not nearby, then whispered, "Tao Xuan favours Sun Xiang. One Autumn Leaf won't pass to Qiu Fei unless you're willing to show your face."

"It doesn't matter. Whether he gets One Autumn Leaf or not, Qiu Fei will have a bright future. After all, in e-sports, strength is everything," Ye Qiu smiled.

In this battle, Qiu Fei performed steadily, defeating Hundred Blossoms' Zhu Xiaoping and giving Excellent Era another point.

In the third round, He Ming took the stage and also won, leading to a 3-0 sweep for Excellent Era.

After the intermission, the team competition began. Liu Hao was still Excellent Era's first player in the team competition.

Ye Qiu initially thought his presence would be enough for the team competition and assigned Liu Hao to the solo competition for a sure win. However, Tao Xuan insisted on putting Liu Hao first in the team competition. Ye Qiu disliked outsiders dictating to professionals, but Tao Xuan was the boss, and signed players had to follow the boss's orders.

Liu Hao was already on stage. Who would Hundred Blossoms send as their first opponent?

After the match with Tyranny, Liu Hao's strength was fully recognised. No one thought he was just an average player anymore; this guy could even single out Zhang Xinjie and overpower Han Wenqing.

Some people watched Hundred Blossoms's player area, while others stared at the electronic screen above.

"Tang Hao!" Someone shouted, and then the entire venue erupted.

It was indeed Tang Hao. He chose to go first instead of staying as the final defender!

Seeing his opponent, Liu Hao was also surprised. He thought Tang Hao would be the final defender, not the first player. What did this mean? Did he think he couldn't beat Ye Qiu, so he went early to avoid him?

That would be too cowardly, wouldn't it? Liu Hao didn't think Tang Hao was a coward. This guy represented the rise of the underdogs!

To Liu Hao, Tang Hao was a disruptor of etiquette and order. After his rise, "senior" lost its authority. Even seniors could be defeated by newcomers.

In some ways, Tang Hao and Liu Hao were alike. Both had ambition and enjoyed disrupting order. Seniors? So what? Liu Hao not only dared to scheme against Ye Qiu but also to openly say Han Wenqing was old!

In e-sports, strength is everything. Respect the elders? Then, go volunteer at a nursing home and earn a red flower!

...

Both players took the stage. Tang Hao, the home player, had the choice and immediately locked in the stage.

Once the match started, Tang Hao's Delilo charged at Liu Hao without hesitation. Liu Hao was unfazed, controlling Total Darkness to sweep with a Glare Wave Sword.

Tang Hao, unfamiliar with Liu Hao's terrifying prediction skills, tried to dodge. Unexpectedly, a small jump put him right in the path of the magic wave, hitting his head.

Thinking it was a fluke, Tang Hao attacked again after recovering. Liu Hao, with a flick of the mouse, had Total Darkness release a dark purple wave cut—Evil Light Slash.

Tang Hao instinctively dodged but got hit solidly, sliding several meters on the ground.

Now, Tang Hao realised that Liu Hao's terrifying prediction skills were fundamental. This guy could indeed see the opponent's future!

With two consecutive hits, Excellent Era's fans cheered. Liu Hao's skills weren't a flash in the pan; he maintained high-level prediction and skill accuracy.

"Coach Li, have you noticed that Total Darkness's Glare Wave Sword seems to chant faster?" Pan Lin wondered.

Li Yibo felt the same, moved closer, and saw Total Darkness's ornate purple short sword—a new silver weapon!

The director smartly gave a close-up of Total Darkness's silver weapon.

"Bellflower? Looks like a new silver weapon for Total Darkness, probably designed by Excellent Era to enhance chant speed," Li Yibo said.

"Indeed, Liu Hao's performance in the first round was brilliant, so it makes sense for Excellent Era to design a new silver weapon for him," Pan Lin commented.

(End of the Chapter)

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