All-Star Lottery Ceremony

Inside the competition venue, the soft and layered lighting made the entire draw stage appear exceptionally solemn.

A huge league logo floated behind the stage, and the air was filled with a passionate atmosphere that could awaken dopamine, accompanied by a progressively rhythmic theme melody.

"Hello everyone, I'm Bao Xiaoxing, the host of this afternoon's lottery ceremony!"

A clear and lively voice jumped out from in front of the camera first.

Bao Xiaoxing deliberately moved closer, first giving the audience a slightly playful close-up of her profile, then took a half step back and smiled broadly, making a cheerful peace sign at the camera.

"It's a pity that everyone can't be there in person to experience the lively atmosphere of the lottery ceremony."

Her tone carried just the right amount of regret, then she raised her voice again: "But it's okay! If you have any questions you'd like to ask the contestants, feel free to leave them in the chat. I might as well act as your mouthpiece later~"

The draw ceremony was held in the competition venue, but only the players assigned to draw lots were allowed to enter.

The stands will not be open until the official start of the game tomorrow.

In other words, only sixteen contestants and the host were able to attend today's draw ceremony in person. Even the other members of the participating teams could only stay in the courtyard and watch the draw process through the live broadcast, just like ordinary viewers.

Of course, not selling tickets does not mean that the lottery ceremony lacks popularity.

On the contrary, the draw ceremony, as the only warm-up activity before the start of the main competition, attracted much attention.

The reason is simple: almost every team sends its most popular and representative star player to participate in the draw. With sixteen top players gathered together, the lineup itself is equivalent to an all-star event.

It was no accident that Bao Xiaoxing was able to secure this hosting opportunity, which was the envy of countless colleagues.

Clearly, her bedrock backing has worked its magic again.

As soon as the league's official live streaming channel went live, viewership surged like a flood bursting its banks.

In less than five minutes, the number of real-time online viewers in the upper right corner of the live stream jumped to 1.5 billion. This terrifying number ruthlessly crushed the record of 1 billion online viewers set during the preliminary round of the "Lanzhiyuan VS Leimingyuan" competition, leaving it far behind.

The barrage of comments instantly covered the entire screen.

Hey girls, let's gather!

Why is it the commentators for the preliminary rounds who are hosting this?

I don't know, but I remember this person's commentary was pretty unprofessional...

[Can the commentators please step aside? We want to focus on the players!!!]

【…】

Seeing these comments criticizing him, Bao Xiaoxing's eyes widened, and he was furious.

If it weren't for her professional ethics, she would have already retaliated with a barrage of insults.

However, doing that would be a major live broadcast mishap. It would incur public wrath, and even if she had a powerful backer, her hosting career would be over.

Bao Xiaoxing still knows what's important.

She's just a little annoyed, not stupid.

Taking a deep breath and glancing at the process documents in her hand, Bao Xiaoxing forced herself to forget her earlier displeasure, flashed a sweet smile, and said:

"There are now only fifteen minutes left before the lottery ceremony officially begins! Of the sixteen contestants representing their respective colleges, fourteen have successfully arrived. Let's follow the camera and see which familiar faces we have!"

At this moment, there are still fifteen minutes before the draw ceremony begins. Fourteen contestants have arrived, with only two remaining.

[Lady Flame Princess! I want to see Lady Flame Princess!]

[Please give Lei Ying some screen time first!! Please!!]

Has Lady Minghua arrived? What is she wearing today?!

Putting everything else aside, can you please tell us who those two latecomers are? They're acting like such divas!

【…】

Bao Xiaoxing glanced at the comments and got a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Compared to the six new teams that just emerged from the preliminary rounds this year, the vast majority of viewers' attention was clearly still firmly focused on the established veteran players.

"Okay, I can feel everyone's enthusiasm!"

Bao Xiaoxing gracefully gestured forward with her right hand: "As our first stop today, let's interview the representative sent by last year's champion school—Yougui Academy. I'm sure everyone has been eagerly anticipating this. That's right, she is none other than Manluo, the self-proclaimed leader of the Ten Heavenly Kings, known as the 'Witch of the Underworld Flower'!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the director immediately understood and moved the camera away from Bao Xiaoxing, steadily turning it to the side of the stage.

In the scene, a girl dressed in an elaborate black Lolita dress comes into view. She has long, smooth, jet-black hair that almost blends into the black skirt.

What's most striking is the girl's skin tone, which is completely opposite to her clothing.

Unlike the snowy white of Xue Youyou, the white of Manluo is pale, a white that is imbued with coldness, as if it has just crawled out of the underworld.

She wasn't tall, about the same height as Meng Yanqing, both being petite and delicate. Standing there quietly, she resembled an exquisite and silent doll.

Since arriving at the lottery venue, Manluo stood quietly alone on the stage, her hands folded in front of her, her posture like that of a well-mannered young lady.

She didn't talk to anyone, not even exchange glances.

The chilling aura she naturally exuded caused the other contestants to unconsciously keep a safe distance from her.

There's a saying that has always circulated in the Yuuki-in district—those who have too much contact with Manro will inexplicably experience extremely bad luck.

Bao Xiaoxing's initiative to step forward can be described as a heroic sacrifice for his hosting career.

However, she didn't take it to heart, feeling that her fate was strong enough that she shouldn't be killed after just a few words.

Bao Xiaoxing walked up to Manluo in a few steps and greeted her, "Hello, Manluo, last year's champion!"

"Hello." Manluo nodded slightly, her demeanor exuding an innate elegance.

She even returned a proper ladylike greeting, showing no disrespect whatsoever because Bao Xiaoxing was just a host.

Bao Xiaoxing was flattered by the sight and couldn't help but compare Manluo and Xue Youyou in her mind.

Sure enough, not everyone is like that rude guy!

Look at that champion, how well-mannered and polite he is!

Some people dare to arrive late, even though it's their first time participating, while others, already champions, still know to arrive early and wait patiently.

How can the difference between people be so great?

After silently sighing to himself, Bao Xiaoxing put aside his extraneous thoughts and asked the question he had prepared beforehand: "Manluo, you must have heard about it. Ever since Xue Youyou defeated Lei Ying in the preliminary rounds, the outside world has been comparing the two of you."

"I believe that a huge number of viewers are looking forward to your head-to-head matchup with Xue Youyou in this league. I'd like to ask on behalf of everyone—are you confident you can defeat her?"

Without beating around the bush or asking trivial questions, Bao Xiaoxing went straight to the point, asking the question that was being most frequently asked in the comments and that billions of viewers wanted to hear the answer to most at that moment.

The camera remained fixed on Manro's pale yet delicate face.

Under the gaze of billions of viewers, Manluo opened her mouth, but did not speak immediately.

After a full thirty seconds of contemplation, she slowly spoke, "She is a very strong opponent, but I am also very confident in myself."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the live stream.

What shocked the audience wasn't the content of the statement itself. After all, Manro's answer to almost every interview with any opponent was this watertight, official statement, without exception.

The real point is that she thought for a full thirty seconds.

You should know that Manluo has a habit: the stronger her opponent, the longer she will think about answering questions.

If the opponent mentioned is one of the last ten Heavenly Kings, Manro will only think for two or three seconds.

If it were one of the top ten kings in the middle ranks, Manluo would think for five or six seconds.

Last year, Princess Lei Ying and Man Luo fought a near-equal battle in the finals. Before the match, a reporter asked Man Luo who was stronger, and Man Luo only thought for about ten seconds.

But this time, for the first time ever, he thought about it for a full thirty seconds!

Does this imply that Xue Youyou's strength surpasses hers?

Everyone was stunned.