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Chapter 186
However, no one had expected that just as they were guessing who Bei Lingyu would challenge, another announcement came:
"Second place, Quan Tianheng, timed at 1 minute 12 seconds."
Everyone present: ??
"What's going on?"
"What a coincidence, they both had the same time of 1 minute 12 seconds?"
"But that doesn't make sense, if they both had 1 minute 12 seconds, they should be tied for first place, how did Quan Tianheng end up second?"
Since the competition was still ongoing, the host didn't intervene, until the round ended and the top 40 players from Layer C were decided, only then was an explanation given:
"Although both players had the same time, the system defaulted to the alphabetical order of the first letters of their names in pinyin, which is why Bei Lingyu was announced as first place."
Quan Tianheng: ...
"Of course, this is just the system default, how to make the final decision is up to our three guest judges and instructor."
The next second, the camera panned to the four people on the guest panel, and a new announcement came:
"Please have the instructor and guests make the final decision."
And so, the audience was treated to another two minutes of commercial time.
Comments: ... I really am thankful.
But what to do? Who would have thought this show was so damn good, I'm hooked.
[Alright alright, two minutes huh? Let me go take a piss, and I'll watch again after.]
[Haha, it's just two minutes, why make such a big deal out of it?]
[Program crew, you'd better not leave us hanging, or else...]
And so, even though it wasn't a live broadcast, the program crew felt a chill from all directions.
Two minutes later.
"Alright, please have the instructor give the final verdict!"
"There's nothing to decide." Older Jin took the microphone after the few guests politely deferred to him, "Since they finished at the same time, they naturally both have the right to challenge the Pioneer Seat members, let them compete together."
Wow—
A wave of cheers erupted from the audience, clearly a crowd that loved drama and excitement.
You have to understand, the previous challenges were just one-on-one, but this was different, if they both won, it would be a two-for-two swap.
One match, replacing two Pioneer Seat members.
Thrilling!
Extremely thrilling!
Ji Ruochu thought: Great! Very great! Extremely great!
You say she might not be chosen out of four, but surely she'd be chosen out of two?
"Then, let's invite Bei Lingyu and Quan Tianheng to the stage!"
"Congratulations to both of you for placing first in our previous Layer C round."
"According to the rules, both of you have the right to challenge the members of the Pioneer Seat, and if you win, you will replace the member you challenged and become a part of the Pioneer Seat."
"Now, please tell us your decisions."
Hearing the host's inquiry, Bei Lingyu and Quan Tianheng both picked up their microphones, exchanged a glance, and then Quan Tianheng put his microphone down.
In his view, Bei Lingyu was more likely to challenge Yuan Xiyuan, so he didn't need to compete for that, he couldn't embarrass his alma mater when out in the world, he should be modest.
But the next second, he saw Bei Lingyu look resolutely at the first seat of the Pioneer Seat, and then say:
"I choose Ji Ruo—"
Quan Tianheng: Σ(⊙▽⊙"a!!
"I choose Ji Ruochu!"
Sorry, no modesty at all.
"Chu?"
Bei Lingyu, who had just dropped the last syllable: ??
As the two of them dropped the last syllable at the same time, a commotion arose in the venue.
Bei Lingyu looked at Quan Tianheng in bewilderment, his face full of "How ungentlemanly of you?"
"Oh? If I didn't hear wrong, you two just both chose to challenge Ji Ruochu, is that right?" The host asked again.
"Yes."
"That's correct."
Hearing the firm answers from the two, the host turned to look at Older Jin:
"Instructor Jin, can we initiate the format where two players challenge one player at the same time?"
Everyone: ??
What format?
"I think it's okay." The previously indifferent Older Jin finally sat up straight, "What do the guest teachers think?"
"No objections!" The three answered in unison.
"Alright, then I'll announce, your choices for both of you are in effect. Now, Ji Ruochu, what is your choice?"
Upon hearing this, the players present and the audience watching the show were all stunned.
"What does that mean? What riddle are they speaking in?"
"Does it mean they can have a three-way match?"
"In theory it should be possible, just see who has the best results after and give the seat to them."
"I don't think it's that simple, otherwise the host wouldn't have asked Older Jin if they could initiate the two-against-one format."
[The host just said 'can we initiate now', so does that mean there would have been a multi-against-one format later? It's only because of this unexpected situation that it was triggered early?]
[I don't get it, I have a feeling this isn't a good thing.]
[I don't get it either, since their choices were the same, doesn't the initiative now lie with Ruochu? Can't she just counter-choose one of them?]
...
"You can choose one between Quan Tianheng and Bei Lingyu to enter the challenge, or you can accept both their challenges."
As everyone was confused, the host continued to explain, "But I must remind you, if you choose to accept both challenges, the format will automatically be upgraded."
[Ah, I see, that's why they were asking if they could initiate the two-against-one format, they were waiting for this moment.]
[The host's expression, it's clear there's something fishy, it's definitely going to be harder.]
[This... feels like a trap, wouldn't it be better to just choose one?]
[Haha, weren't Ruochu's fans boasting earlier about how she was unmatched? Now they're hesitating?]
[Wow! Look, there's a troll here!]
[Where where? Let me see? Oh my, it's been so long since I've seen such a fresh troll!]
[Indeed fresh (drool~)]
[???]
[Ruochu's fans are gradually becoming deranged...]
...
"Oh?" A new puzzled voice sounded, and everyone's gaze instantly locked onto Ji Ruochu in the Pioneer Seat.
The post-production even gave her a close-up.
And it was precisely because of this that her interest and eagerness to try were fully displayed.
"It will become more interesting if upgraded?"
"..." The host paused, "It will become more challenging, so I suggest you—"
"Okay, I accept! Upgrade quickly!"
The host: ...
At the same time, the large screen in the center of the stage flashed red, and the alarm sounded as expected.
"Attention all players! Attention all players!"
With the electronic warning, everyone present was stunned.
"The format is being upgraded immediately!"
"The Pioneer Seat Challenge is about to enter Three-Player Challenge Mode!"
Everyone present: ??
What mode?
Comments: ???
Three-Player what?