Chapter 99: This Champion Is For My Fans
In the QQ Speed event operations backend, the staff member responsible for monitoring data had a smile on his face from the start of the match that never disappeared, until the match ended, when the corners of his mouth began to solidify.
“Ma… Manager Wang, come look quickly!” He pointed at the steeply dropping curve on the screen, his voice starting to tremble.
Because the numbers dropped so amazingly fast, it completely startled him.
In this situation, he could only hurriedly report this data to the leader.
The middle-aged man called Manager Wang quickly walked to the screen, looking at the plunge from over three million high point straight down to below five hundred thousand in just a few minutes.
Ultimately stabilizing at around two hundred thousand popularity, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but twitch.
Over two hundred thousand popularity means the live stream room’s online viewers should be around twenty to thirty thousand.
Aren’t you guys really this real?
“This… this is too real, isn’t it?” He smiled bitterly and shook his head.
“As soon as Group A match ended and Li Fan confirmed advancement, the popularity dropped like the tide going out. Looks like eight out of ten people in the live stream room were there just to watch him.”
The staff member next to him nodded along, and even felt the statement was a bit conservative.
It should be all ten out of ten were there for him.
Before, in QQ Speed live streams, even when Car King was streaming, there were only five or six hundred people in the room. How could it reach twenty to thirty thousand?
However… he definitely couldn’t refute what the boss said.
But they who handle the data also had a good sense of it.
But this traffic came so surging and left so decisively, still leaving the official team with complex feelings.
Just like riding a thrilling roller coaster, infinite glory at the peak, inevitably feeling a bit empty when suddenly dropping.
QQ Speed match popularity can match that of League of Legends matches. Having experienced this feeling once, they were also looking forward to tomorrow’s semifinals and finals.
“However, these remaining twenty to thirty thousand should be our Speed’s core audience and the real strangers attracted by the match.”
Manager Wang quickly adjusted his mentality and instructed: “Notify the venue, prepare the interview segment as planned. Even if most people left, the necessary process can’t be skipped. These who stayed have a good chance of becoming our players.”
“Li Fan this guy is really talented. Speed actually has so many operations… and he can discover them all.”
But this is also normal. They designers finish writing the code, and how the game is played is up to the players.
If designers were to teach players how to play the game, they could go reference League of Legends’ mythical version.
In the venue, although many audience members stood up satisfied and left after seeing Li Fan 7:0 sweep others to advance, after all, QQ Speed is incomprehensible to them.
Whether Group B remaining doesn’t matter.
There were also many who lowered their heads to browse their mobile phones, but overall, a considerable number of audience stayed in their seats, looking forward to the upcoming interview segment.
On the big screen, the footage didn’t immediately switch back to the commentator booth, but started playing highlights from Group A match.
Especially Li Fan’s several overtaking operations that everyone found hard to understand, matched with exciting music. Even though everyone had seen them once already at the time, the replay still drew cheers from the venue.
After preparing for about enough, the screen switched to the center of the stage.
A host in formal attire held a microphone, standing there with a beaming smile. Next to her was Li Fan, who had just finished the match looking relaxed.
“Alright, welcome back! I’m Qian Jin. First, let’s give another round of warm applause to congratulate player Li Fan for advancing to the top four!”
After Qian Jin spoke, she led the applause, and warm applause rang out in the venue.
After all, these Speed professional players, even all added together, don’t have as much popularity as Li Fan.
“Hello Li Fan, today’s match score was incredibly shocking. You achieved consecutive wins with a crushing posture, ending in just six games. How are you feeling now?” Host Qian Jin handed the microphone to Li Fan.
Li Fan took the microphone, thought for a moment: “Feeling pretty good. Winning the match is always happy, especially since this is my first QQ Speed offline match.”
“We noticed you used many very novel running methods in today’s match, especially that overtake before the Time Sand finish line, simply unbelievable. Many audience and commentators were stunned. Can you briefly reveal the key to it?” Qian Jin asked the question everyone cared about.
“Um, actually many people might have seen me leap down just now and thought it was lock tire going down, then achieving such exaggerated speed. He drifted at the jump point, then on landing left add drift then drag drift through the corner, then pull drift to rush straight over the line at extreme speed…”
Li Fan simply explained the principle of this ultimate skill.
But to truly operate it still requires hands-on teaching.
【Unreal he’s actually trying to teach us?】
【Is this something we can learn?】
【Hm? You guys didn’t learn it? Isn’t it just do this first then that!】
【Right, I learned it too. Not bad for Speed Car God Unreal.】
The host clearly didn’t expect Li Fan to do operation explanation right on stage. Although she is QQ Speed’s host, she really doesn’t play this game well.
Even hands-on teaching might not allow learning… let alone just saying it verbally, which makes it even more incomprehensible.
With an awkward smile, she asked the next question: “We saw player Jiang Zhangchuang choose Rainbow Windmill Island in the match. Although he couldn’t challenge your first place, he successfully used similar skills to get second. What do you think? Do you feel pressure?”
Li Fan glanced toward the players’ seats: “Jiang Zhangchuang is a very strong opponent, extremely talented. Learning ability is also very fast. As for the new running method he researched being learned, it’s only a matter of time.”
“Moreover, I’ve also made many tutorials for similar running methods. It can promote the overall game level improvement, so I think it’s a good thing.”
Actually, when discovering Jiang Zhangchuang using this move in the match, Li Fan was still very surprised.
Even ordinary Sky Break Drift has some difficulty, not that simple.
Didn’t expect Jiang Zhangchuang to learn it from a video without finger instructions.
No wonder… who is Car King, from S4 to S18 it’s all him winning!
Brother Men is still Brother Men. From this moment, he already showed his talent.
And this guy really endures humiliation to learn things. Calling bro here, once he learns and feels he’s awesome, he’ll turn around and kick you off.
Then for money, he sets up his own boss…
So looking at Jiang Zhangchuang who still looks like a kid, Li Fan still keeps his distance. As long as he doesn’t provoke, he doesn’t want to deal with him.
Otherwise, if he yin yangs him sometime, it would be disgusting. Just abuse him on the racecourse.
“Last question, also what many League of Legends fans want to ask.” The host threw out a very rhythmic but indeed very watchable question.
“As an active LPL professional player, coming to participate in QQ Speed’s professional match, do you have anything to say to fans from both sides?”
Li Fan thought for a moment, said seriously: “Actually, I really thank the club and the fans’ support, and also thank the QQ Speed players’ recognition.”
“Both are games I love very much. Having the chance to prove myself on another racecourse, I feel very lucky. In the upcoming matches, I’ll continue to effort, hope to bring more exciting performances, strive to win the QQ Speed champion and dedicate it to my fans.”
The interview ended amid applause. Li Fan bowed to the audience seats and walked off the stage.
The official live stream room’s popularity actually saw a slight rebound after the interview started.
Ultimately stabilizing at around four hundred thousand.
And the bullet comments also became much purer, no more sarcastic ones from the start of the match.
【What to do? I think Unreal saying this champion dedicated to my fans sounds so handsome!】
【Strength strong, mentality good too…】
【Uh… handsome is handsome, but if this champion were World Championship champion it would be even handsomer. QQ Speed this feels more like playing with things and losing ambition.】
【The remaining brothers are real Speed fans. Let’s chat about Group B match this afternoon. Is there anyone who can threaten Unreal?】
【Luo Wei although is three-time champion but his state has dropped quite a bit. Group B Liang Haihui or Hu Xu maybe.】
【Gone gone, come back tomorrow to watch Unreal massacre.】
In QQ Speed official backend, Manager Wang looked at the finally stabilized popularity data and gently exhaled.
“Although traffic comes fast and leaves fast, this wave did let more people see our match. Um… since that’s the case, hurry and release the Group A slices to boost tomorrow semifinals and finals promotion.”
QQ Speed’s race system is like this.
First day eight into four, second day decides the champion.
Second day’s match four into two, followed immediately by two-person duel.
To win champion, besides melee, duel is also necessary.
QQ Speed every match’s champion has very high gold content.
After Li Fan’s interview ended, the atmosphere in the venue clearly relaxed.
At the commentator booth, Cui Jin and Li Li also adjusted state during the brief break.
“To be honest, after commentating Group A match, my mood still can’t calm down for a long time. The shock player Li Fan brought us was too big.” Cui Jin smiled at the camera.
“Yes, believe at the start of the match no one thought it would be such a result, but isn’t this the charm of esports? It’s these unknown challenges.”
“Although Group A match has ended, the upcoming Group B match is also a showdown between top masters in our Speed world. I believe their matches will be equally exciting… even possibly more anxious.” Li Li looked at Group B’s list, saying this with quite some confidence.
Because Hu Xu, Liang Haihui, veteran Luo Wei, and Chen Zi, the four have strength on par, no player like Li Fan with a huge leading advantage.
How well they run depends entirely on today’s afternoon match state.
Soon Li Li’s words were verified.
The match fell into stalemate from the very start.
First King Map, Liang Haihui’s Spring heart happy.
Hu Xu grabbed lead at start, but Liang Haihui used an ultimate skill in mid-section to take lead, maintaining the advantage to the finish, seizing first blood with two points.
Everyone was also very surprised by this ultimate skill Liang Haihui pulled off.
Because it was already very fast!
Match car is A car Renault, Li Fan’s time was 1:57, Liang Haihui ran 1:59.
Merely two seconds difference, shocking everyone.
Liang Haihui can actually achieve this level?
Next competitions between King Maps, no one could successfully take.
This is also very normal. Your King Map even top professional players can run very well.
Unless it’s a unique tier map.
For example, Jiang Zhangchuang Airport, even Zhang Yunbin has to tremble, win rate very low.
Zhang Yunbin’s West Lake, Mist Mountain Maple Chant also take when have.
So when all King Maps finished, Liang Haihui held a one-point advantage…
Map selection entered big chaos mode.
Every map’s contention was exceptionally fierce, rankings changed frequently.
Collisions, positioning, mistakes, limit overtakes… the suspense on the racecourse lasted until the last moment.
Making many audience who don’t watch Speed matches suddenly feel these confrontations are quite interesting.
“My god! Liang Haihui this corner edge sticking too limit! He grabbed back first!”
……
“Hu Xu! Hu Xu held steady! His current state is really hot, another first!”
……
“Luo Wei the veteran is still steady. Although speed not superior, but almost no mistakes.”
……
“Chen Zi very unfortunate, he had a few key corners handled not well today. Steady is his advantage, but in this situation it seems to become a disadvantage.”
Ultimately, after a fierce battle of full 23 games, Group B match settled.
Big screen showed final points:
Hu Xu: 6+1 points
Liang Haihui: 6 points
Luo Wei: 6 points
Chen Zi: 5 points
“Match end, congratulate player Hu Xu! He withstood the pressure in fierce competition, first to get seven points, advancing to top four as first in Group B!” Cui Jin announced loudly.
“Also congratulate player Liang Haihui.” Li Li added, “In tie score situation, relying on more second places, he edged out player Luo Wei, got group second, advancing to tomorrow’s semifinals together with Hu Xu!”
Not long after match end, QQ Speed official Weibo quickly updated the top four advancement list.
【SSC Spring Split Quarterfinals Report】
After fierce competition, SSC Spring Split top four list fully out!
Group A: Li Fan, Jiang Zhangchuang
Group B: Hu Xu, Liang Haihui
As for each player, photos were also attached.
Congratulate the above four players for successfully advancing!
April 18 afternoon 14:00, semifinals & finals heavy hit coming! Everyone lock official live stream room, see you there!
Of course under this Weibo, comments broke ten thousand in minutes.
In the official arranged hotel standard room, the atmosphere was somewhat depressing.
Jiang Zhangchuang sprawled on the bed… although advanced to top four, but his mood wasn’t great.
“Sigh…” Jiang Zhangchuang let out a long sigh, “Turtle, what do you say we do tomorrow? That guy isn’t human at all.”
Liang Haihui didn’t lift his head, dully replied: “What to do? Give it our all.”
“You saw it today too, I couldn’t even see his taillights! Spring I won’t mention, that’s his specialty map, but Time Sand? And some other maps… his King Maps stable two points!”
He paused: “If we three teamed up from the start, no infighting, just target him with positioning?”
“Li Fan this guy as long as he’s first, the venue audience will definitely shout big! Once they shout, confirm he’s first and go after him…”
“Team up? Position him?” Liang Haihui was stunned.
“Right, what’s a League of Legends professional player doing coming to snatch our champion?”
“Idea is good… but actual operation difficult. First, would Hu Xu be willing?”
Hu Xu isn’t in the same small group as them.
“As long as champion, right? Kick him out first then Hu Xu has chance at champion, otherwise he’s directly eliminated.”
“At least, team targeting can increase variables. As long as his scores aren’t so easy to get, believe Hu Xu can think of it.”
“Later you go chat with them directly…” Jiang Zhangchuang said to Liang Haihui.
Liang Haihui and Hu Xu they can still talk a few words… if he goes himself, argument before words out.
Liang Haihui nodded, opened the room door and went out.
Jiang Zhangchuang watched Liang Haihui’s back, silently calculating in his heart: “Team up… then tomorrow three vs one, don’t believe you can still be like today!”
