Chapter 108: The Night Before the Tournament (Third Update!)

Yang Hao glanced through the list of invited streamers that had been released. While he didn't recognize everyone, he wasn't completely unfamiliar with them either; he had at least a slight understanding of most. Those invited were, for the most part, influential streamers of the moment, each boasting a substantial fan base.

The so-called "Celebrity Streamer Invitational" was, in reality, an event jointly organized by several major domestic streaming platforms, which had begun building hype half a month prior. During this period, Yang Hao had heard whispers about it here and there, though he hadn't paid much attention at the time.

Although Lin Zijin had signed with Tomato TV—and with her following, she certainly ranked in the top three—Yang Hao never imagined she would have anything to do with this tournament. Such invitationals were generally entertainment-focused; while they weren't entirely devoid of technical skill or competitive standards, they were a far cry from professional play. Even if there were some skilled players among the invitees, they wouldn't amount to much in Lin Zijin’s eyes. This wasn't an exaggeration; Lin Zijin had every right to be that confident. She yearned for the professional circuit, the real arena, and the duels between top-tier masters.

Yang Hao was puzzled as to why she would suddenly decide to participate. If it were for the money, he found that unlikely. Lin Zijin started streaming to ease her financial pressure, but her streaming income was already enough to support an entire team. The signing bonus she received from Tomato TV alone had been quite significant. How did Yang Hao know this so well? Because he had helped her handle the contract in Beijing, so he knew the details inside and out. Although he hadn't been keen on her streaming at first, he knew she wouldn't accept direct financial aid. With no other choice, he not only refrained from opposing it but personally stepped in to manage the contract. He couldn't trust her to handle it alone; what if there were traps or predatory clauses? Even if Yang Hao didn't fear trouble, he didn't want to create unnecessary headaches for himself or Lin Zijin.

Ahem... getting off track.

Thinking it over, Yang Hao still couldn't grasp why she had suddenly signed up for this invitational. But he was too lazy to dwell on it; as long as he was there to accompany her, it didn't matter. This tournament was slightly different from previous ones: invited streamers were required to invite one partner to participate alongside them. The invited partner could be a fan, a high-ranking player from the ladder, or even a professional player—there were no restrictions.

Since Lin Zijin had joined, it meant she needed a partner. That person was undoubtedly him. That was exactly what Ling Xueer had conveyed to him earlier. Presumably, Lin Zijin had been too shy to ask him herself, so she had asked Ling Xueer to pass the message along. Yang Hao wondered, Lin Zijin hadn't been this bashful before; how had she become so easily embarrassed after kissing him just once? Did his kiss possess some sort of magic? But if it did, the effect was lasting quite a while. Theoretically, if it really had magic, it should have taken effect back in the third grade of elementary school... Ahem.

Evening arrived quickly. Lin Zijin wasn't streaming tonight, yet her chat room remained filled with people—a habit that seemed to have taken root for many. A group of people chatted, joked, boasted, and shared their worries; those who came here gradually opened up their hearts. Without her realizing it, the room had become a sanctuary for the soul, a place free from the hustle and bustle of the city and the pressures of the outside world, where everyone could unload their burdens.

Just then, a push notification popped up in the chat room. Many users frowned at the sight and clicked the "X" without a second glance. Of course, some curious souls clicked through. With a mouse click, a new webpage appeared, and the screen soon shifted. It was the promotional page for the Celebrity Streamer Invitational. The event had been heavily advertised recently, and many had heard of it. On the promotional page, a graphic suddenly emerged, quickly dominating the screen:

[Reveal Your Mysterious Star Streamer! They Have Arrived!]

Seeing this, some clicked the reveal button out of curiosity. A photo gradually came into focus, and four figures appeared on screen.

"Wait... is this..."
"Goddess Zijin?"
"Ling Xueer? Lu Ziqi? Shen Muxi?"

"The mysterious star streamers are them?"
"The Qingmeng Team?"
"Are you kidding? Goddess Zijin would join an entertainment tournament like this?"

The reveal sent the internet into an uproar. No one had expected the "mysterious streamers" touted by the officials to be these four. "Qingmeng Team" was the name of the team formed by Lin Zijin, Ling Xueer, and the others. Ever since Lin Zijin founded the team, they hadn't been seen in any online or offline competitions. If this promotion was true, it meant the invitational starting tomorrow would be the first public online tournament for the Qingmeng Team, even if it was just an entertainment event.

If the news were true, many would be waiting in anticipation. Although the team had been established for nearly a month, they had never officially competed, and many teams and viewers were watching them with extreme interest. As the news reached Lin Zijin’s chat room, it erupted in excitement. In terms of popularity, perhaps no professional team could currently surpass hers. Setting Lin Zijin aside, the mere presence of Ling Xueer, Lu Ziqi, and Shen Muxi was enough to cause a sensation. In the world of esports, female pro players were few and far between, and these three were among the best. Lin Zijin went without saying, while Lu Ziqi and Shen Muxi had both achieved significant results in professional arenas. As for Ling Xueer, though she hadn't yet competed in top-tier events, she had long been crowned a prodigy, having been brought up by Lin Zijin from the Legend Club’s youth training camp.

Each of them carried an aura that many could only dream of. Though the Qingmeng Team was young, it was highly regarded and greatly anticipated. Now, their first collective appearance was destined to bring them into the sights of many more.

As the mysterious streamers were revealed, the internet descended into chaos. The streamers already participating in the invitational were particularly anxious, struck with dread by the sudden arrival of Lin Zijin and her team. It was a night destined to be sleepless for many.