Chapter 86: The Sudden Clench of Anxiety

“Originally, there was nothing wrong with them coming to participate in the tournament. But the key issue is, this time, they’re clearly here to stir up trouble. Just a day before the matches, they already made some vicious remarks, saying they’re going to grind us into the dirt.”

“Grind us into the dirt?”

Hearing what Jiang Weitao said, Yang Hao and Zhang Tian seemed to imagine a rather peculiar scene, and the corners of their mouths curled into knowing smiles.

Anyone with half a brain could see their thoughts had gone somewhere a bit indecent.

Jiang Weitao could only sigh helplessly.

“They’ve come over this time just to make a scene. If we really let them take first place, it’d be a slap in the face for us.” With a bitter smile, Jiang Weitao turned to Yang Hao and the others, and pleaded, “So, for the sake of our esports club, and even the school’s honor, I hope you seniors can step in.”

He really had the makings of a club president—even his words carried a hint of officialdom.

Still, if the home team gets humiliated on their own turf, and word gets out, it certainly wouldn’t sound good.

Since they’ve come in such a provocative manner, it’s not unlikely they’d rub salt in the wound afterward and tarnish the school’s reputation.

After all, Tianhai University was Yang Hao’s alma mater. He’d spent almost four years here.

But Yang Hao didn’t agree right away. Instead, he glanced at the young man in glasses among them and suddenly asked, “Even you aren’t confident?”

The bespectacled youth was Zhou Chen, who, in Yang Hao’s memory, was the strongest among them.

Of course, that was back then—Yang Hao hadn’t seen him for quite some time.

As for how Zhou Chen performed in PUBG, Yang Hao wasn’t too sure.

Still, he figured Zhou Chen couldn’t be weak.

“It’s hard to say. Both of those teams have some really strong players. It might be tough,” Zhou Chen replied, adjusting his glasses.

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Yang Hao became interested. For Zhou Chen to say that meant the opposing teams were formidable enough to make even him wary.

Back when Yang Hao and the others hadn’t graduated, Zhou Chen was hailed as the top player in the esports club. Even he was saying this much, which meant the opponents were truly something.

“Tianhai Institute of Technology’s team has someone called Shen Muyan. He’s really skilled—currently ranked twenty-seventh in the Asia server. Rumor has it quite a few pro teams are in talks with him, hoping to bring him onboard. It’s likely he’ll show up in the pro circuit soon.”

“Tianhai Normal University also came well-prepared for the chicken dinner tournament. They specially brought in two external players—both retired pros, fierce competitors back in the day, and both currently ranked within the top two hundred in the Asia server.”

Zhou Chen’s expression grew serious as he finished introducing the two teams, and he couldn’t help but look to Yang Hao and the others, his gaze filled with eagerness and expectation.

These were clearly formidable opponents who gave him a headache. But if Yang Hao and his friends were willing to step in, things would be much easier.

Though none of them had ever joined the esports club, their strength was unforgettable to those who’d witnessed it.

Speaking of which, there was an event that everyone present remembered vividly.

No one knew what possessed the previous club president, but he ended up provoking these four, inciting their wrath.

The four of them challenged the entire esports club—and the result took everyone by surprise.

Even with all its members combined, the club couldn’t withstand their assault.

The match was utterly one-sided; the club was crushed.

Zhou Chen, proud as he was then, had also been among them.

To call it a rout would be an understatement—it was a massacre.

Who could have imagined that these four were so terrifyingly strong?

Fortunately, after that storm, Yang Hao and his friends never troubled the club again, much to everyone’s relief.

Luckily, not many people knew what had happened, which saved the club’s reputation.

But even now, some of the club’s veterans would shudder at the memory of that day and those four.

They had become a taboo within the club.

While Zhou Chen waited anxiously, Yang Hao suddenly asked, “What’s your current Asia server ranking?”

“Forty-second!”

Knowing Zhou Chen’s ranking, Yang Hao nodded to himself.

That’s no minor feat—against pro players, he’d have a real shot.

Though the ladder standings don’t tell the whole story, they do serve as a solid reference.

Anyone within the top two hundred of the Asia server is an expert.

The top hundred are truly elite.

Within the top fifty, you’re on a whole other level.

As for the top ten, that’s truly monstrous.

No one among the top ten is an unknown; each has a glorious history.

Lin Zijin, for instance, was ranked seventh.

In truth, with her skills, she deserved a much higher ranking.

But lately, Lin Zijin had been busy training and playing the national server more often, spending less time in the Asia server, so others had overtaken her.

Nonetheless, even after an extended absence from the Asia server, she remained firmly in the top ten—a feat that inspired awe.

Who else could not play for so long and still not slip out of the top ten?

“I’m confident I can take on those two retired pros. But if I have to face Shen Muyan, I’m not so sure. I’ve gone up against him in-game before—he’s not easy to handle.” Zhou Chen’s voice broke the silence again.

Yang Hao grinned. Although Zhou Chen only said the guy was tough to deal with, Yang Hao and the others knew full well he’d suffered at Shen Muyan’s hands—and more than once.

Otherwise, with Zhou Chen’s competitive nature, he’d never admit such a thing.

Some people really have a hard time admitting defeat.

But Yang Hao decided not to call him out—it was better left unsaid.

“So, seniors, what do you think?” Club president Jiang Weitao finally broke the silence, unable to wait any longer.

“Is there even a need to think about it?” Yang Hao responded, a bit exasperated.

Seeing Jiang Weitao and the others still not getting it, Yao Cheng sneered, “Since we’ve already made it to the finals, why would we hold back against anyone?”

That finally made them see the light.

Of course! Since Yang Hao and the others had entered the tournament, if they wanted to win, there was no reason to go easy on anyone.

Their concerns were clearly unnecessary.

Whether or not they were approached, the outcome would be the same.

Noticing that everyone—including Zhou Chen—looked relieved, Yang Hao couldn’t help but find it amusing.

He had something on his mind, unsure if he should say it.

Should he?

After a moment’s thought, Yang Hao decided it was better to say something.

“Of course, if we come up against you guys, it’ll be the same result,” he said, knowing Zhou Chen would also be leading a team in the tournament. Seeing his expression, Yang Hao just couldn’t resist the reminder.

Zhou Chen’s smile froze.

Damn! How could he have forgotten that?

The memory of being utterly crushed by these four still cast a shadow over his heart.

Was the tragedy about to repeat itself?

He suddenly felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine—a cold, uncomfortable tightening...