Chapter 674: Chapter 496: The First Bu Yuanlong

When the 394 contestants appeared on stage, it marked the official start of the ’Might Makes Right’ semifinals.

The homepage of the Martial Artist Forum was covered by a huge poster at this time.

The poster showed the backs of 396 contestants.

Beneath the poster was the official live broadcast room, and as the semifinals were about to start, the number of viewers was rapidly climbing.

At this moment, the live broadcast room showed that there were 423.21 million viewers watching online.

This was just the Martial Artist Forum; some people were watching this live broadcast through other means.

In Hua Country alone, a conservative estimate is at least 800 million viewers watching online.

Globally, it probably far exceeds a billion.

As the country with the most student slots and recognized as a powerful nation, Hua Country is the focus of attention globally.

Every contestant who secures a spot is also a research target for different countries.

"It’s about to start; this semifinals is sure to be exciting."

"Absolutely, popularity voting compares popularity, but nothing is as thrilling as ’Might Makes Right’ with real combat."

"There was a surprise ending the day before yesterday; I wonder if there’s one today?"

"Zhao Zhou and Zhou Long are in the audience; they probably don’t dare to participate in ’Might Makes Right’!"

"The strength gap is a bit too much, but Zhang Junhao does have a chance."

"If Jing Feiyang competes, how many can be his match?"

A flood of bullet comments flew by, and if you don’t turn them off, you can’t even see the live broadcast screen clearly.

Compared to the popularity gala live broadcast the day before, today’s audience number and bullet comment popularity are much higher.

Although popularity voting involves nationwide participation and fan attention is higher, which contestant can get a student slot is mostly predictable, so yesterday was just a star-studded event without too much excitement and thrill for the audience and fans.

But today is different.

No one is unanimously recognized as a guaranteed slot-winner.

Combat itself is exciting and with suspense, it’s all the more thrilling.

"It’s about to start."

Zhang Junhao and his team appeared in the light curtain, causing cheers from the audience, and they politely waved at the camera.

Although they’ve already secured student slots, it doesn’t mean they can rest easy.

The students who won the popularity vote are almost all retired professional players, and as former rivals and teammates, they know each other’s strengths and fighting styles well, but they are unfamiliar with those who made it to the semifinals.

Those who could enter the semifinals are not weaker than them, and those who can secure student slots in this semifinals should indeed be stronger.

If not, they would have participated directly in ’Might Makes Right’; why bother attending events and campaigning for votes?

Of course, this is not absolute, as masters like Jing Feiyang, even without participating in popularity voting, have a high chance of securing a student slot.

Some just choose to be conservative, while others hide their strength.

"Out of 394 contestants, only 34 can get student slots; the competition is ten to one, even more brutal than popularity voting."

Xie Yixiao sat behind Zhang Junhao, secretly thinking.

As an assistant, he did not have the qualification to sit alongside Zhang Junhao.

At this moment, he also felt excitement and pressure.

It even reminded him of when he first entered the Glory Alliance.

The core of popularity voting is not just about reputation but more factors like strength.

Even for professional players like them, their popularity and favorability are certainly higher than those retired All-Star players, giving them an advantage, but there are still not many votes.

Because from the audience’s perspective, their chances of becoming kings are too low.

Fan voting considers many factors, with the foremost being strength.

Strength should not be too weak, at least reaching the Ninth Grade.

Next is talent; talent represents the future, and without enough talent, what qualifications are there to join popularity voting? Directly participating in Might Makes Right is better, even personality and other traits can influence votes.

If one aspect is below standard, high votes are impossible.

"All major forces and consortiums have appeared today."

Zhao Zhou sat beside Zhang Junhao, looking around and commented.

The attention on this semifinal is indeed higher, as evident from the presence of these major forces.

Zhao Zhou knew that the presence of so many forces was also for recruiting talent.

This talent is not limited to the slot winners; even those who get eliminated, or anyone who made it to the semifinals, are considered talent.

Rumble...

Amidst the discussions, as the ground vibrated slightly, the competition venue slowly rose.

The popularity voting had many themes and tricks, while ’Might Makes Right’ was much simpler, almost monotonous.

No contestant introductions or campaigning, no challenge matches, no dazzling visual ranking; after a few opening remarks from the host, the competition officially began.

From a high-altitude view, this competition venue looked like a blooming flower, with 34 petals of different colors, each over thirty meters in diameter, as the stages atop steel stems.

"It’s really beautiful!"

"34 petals, 34 stages, will they start simultaneously?"

The appearance of the stages sparked exclamations of admiration.

Because this competition venue was simply too dazzling.

It truly resembled a magnificent blooming flower.

Compared to the audience’s amazement, the contestants in the semifinals showed slight changes in expression.

They were not informed of the competition rules beforehand; they thought it would be a simple stage match, but it was clearly not.

"Are these the rules of the Throne Challenge?"

Lin Feng asked curiously.

Even before the host announced the rules, as a member of Red Cloud University and a former First Throne winner, he had already guessed the rules.

Except it was without the previous melees compared to the Throne Challenge.

petals, actually 34 thrones.

Whoever could remain on a petal would secure the student slot selection.

"This is better, also more thrilling."

Ye Qiu said excitedly.

He hadn’t participated in the Throne Challenge but had seen it, naturally knowing the rules.

"34 petals mean 34 student slots; contestants can freely choose and must consecutively win three matches to temporarily lock the student slots. After each challenge, a Therapist will step forward to heal, so contestants need not worry about injuries and Soul Power depletion. If a contestant accumulates five failures, they are automatically eliminated. The semifinals have no time limit."

The host’s passionate voice confirmed Lin Feng’s guess.

"Does this rule mean someone can win without a fight?"

Upon hearing the rules, Yun Tianqi curiously asked.

The challenge matches are flexible, but with failure limits; five failures lead directly to elimination, meaning everyone chooses weaker opponents.

Some recognized stronger contestants are naturally avoided.

This does indeed mean someone might win without a fight.

"Yes, indeed, but such masters aren’t afraid of challenges!" Ye Xing nodded.

"Choices matter; if chosen poorly, even strong players might get eliminated, but with five failure chances, it prevents elimination due to choice mistakes."

Lin Feng said.

Once the competition venue appeared, the atmosphere became somewhat subtle.

On stage, the 394 contestants seemed a bit hesitant, none acting rashly, as no one wants to be the first to expose their strength.

A cacophony of noise and discussions lasted for a minute or two until the first contestant lightly tapped the ground and leaped onto a petal, causing a tsunami of cheers.

"It’s Dean Bu!"

Dong Yunan exclaimed in surprise.

The first figure to leap onto a petal was Bu Zheng, originally named Bu Yuanlong!

A presence that once made countless geniuses feel inferior.