"The half-year hiatus has ended, and the players surely have regrouped and adjusted to their optimal states. The bell for the unauthorized challenge rings again, and even through the screen, I can feel the enthusiasm of the audience."

The female host smiles as well: "Yes, I can feel the anticipation. People are cheering for their favorite teams, and everyone wants to know how this match will unfold. Who will be the dark horse of the league this season? Which team will shine brightly in the competition? To whom will the Honor of Key be awarded? I'm excited too."

"This league might change the fate of many. A group of people who don't know each other in reality, separated by thousands of miles, come together for the dreams they hold in their hearts, joining the league, burning their youth and passion, striving hard just for that golden fruit."

"I have a different perspective on this," the male host said after listening carefully.

"Perhaps after all the passion, they will return to their ordinary lives. Just like flowers and the moon, there are separations; life is always accompanied by regrets, with gatherings and partings being the norm. But to journey with a group of once-passionate strangers, becoming close friends, having worked, argued, cried, and laughed heartily for the same goal."

"These precious memories are the true golden fruit. In their future, even during times of failure, recalling these valuable memories will bring a smile to their face and a sense of having overcome a multitude of mountains."

"I believe that regardless of the outcome, no matter who claims the league's crown, they have already harvested their own golden fruit on this journey."

"Well said, the memories of journeying together are precious. A chance meeting is fate, not to mention partners striving for a common goal?" the female host nodded.

"During this half-year, the players have not stopped on their journey of battle. They've shone in various events, big and small. It's clear the audience can hardly wait. So before the league officially begins, let us first enjoy their highlights!"

The official live broadcast started playing the highlights of the players from the past six months. Then followed the dreaded sponsorship commercials, such as the infamously despised account security insurance.

"Worried that all your efforts might go to waste due to negligence, or that you'll lose all your equipment? Buy it!"

"Worried about being targeted by enemies and killed on the streets? Buy it!"

"Worried about falling behind the main forces' progress? Buy it!"

"Professional staff provide hands-on guidance, with a team of analysts tailoring your development route, and celebrity professional players ensuring your protection throughout the process!"

"Light Chasing Garden x Elegy of the Day presents the White Kite joint account security insurance, your second strategic partner you can fully trust!"

"Order now and receive Cosmos star Tang Xin's platinum album~"

Ten minutes before the league started, Xu Xiaoyou casually opened her event live room, immediately drawing tens of thousands of viewers, the popularity instantly skyrocketing to the top. Watching the screen filled with 'CS', she smiled.

"Am I handsome just standing there? Of course I know I'm handsome just standing here; my photos get resold every day. Low profile, low profile, stay calm."

The level of 'popularity' of Xu Xiaoyou in Oasis and even globally can no longer be described simply as infamous, with the notorious Dark Gold Rose now infamous to all. Who would have thought this title once symbolized dawn and hope when it first appeared in public view?

In the pure white space, four other figures were transported over, led by Lu Shuhang in formal attire. The Assassin's Creed team appeared in the audience's view, also greeted with cheers and screams upon their appearance.

"Chairman Lu, you're dressed so formally today?" Xu Xiaoyou smiled and greeted.

"I received your gift, it's weighty and must have taken some effort, right?"

"A gift that fits the Assassin's Creed style perfectly."

"A small token of appreciation." Lu Shuhang smiled. "Standing on this stage alongside Chairman Xu is an honor for me."

Of course, he never expected that the bomb in the café could kill Xu Xiaoyou. But to send this gift, aside from the amount, the craftsmanship of this bomb was almost top-notch, with a stealth coating excellent enough not to be detected by military-grade radar, and it easily blocked human perception.

"These two's schemes together could circle Oasis once!"

"Hang is alright. His schemes are all spent on Nanjia Wood, not as devious as a certain woman who manipulates people everywhere."

"Just thinking about Angelina being played around by the bad woman every day. Can't hold the laughter. JPG"

"Assassin's Creed vs. Light Chasing Garden, the most anticipated episode!"

The VIP seats had long been filled with analysts from major guilds. This match was expected to be more interesting than the Light Chasing Garden vs. Heterogeneous Front game, as it was the first time Light Chasing Garden faced off against a Grand Guild in a 5v5 match.

Moreover, that was a bounty game with a half-performance nature, but this was an official league match. To win, it's estimated that both sides would use all their secret moves.

Many guilds still hadn't fully figured out the characteristics of the "Rose Destiny Armor."

"Oh, look who just arrived?" a tactical analyst said half-mockingly.

Nanjia Wood, also dressed in formal attire, adjusted his collar and walked out, drawing all the attention as soon as he appeared.

"Old Nan, is this a couple's outfit with you two?"

"Couple your sister!" Nanjia Wood's forehead bulged with veins as he couldn't hold back a curse. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"I just want to see how badly Hang will lose." Nanjia Wood muttered,

"It can't be just me losing."

"If he can beat Dark Gold Rose, won't he be stronger than me?"

"Though I don't think he can win."

"Did Dark Gold Rose bend your spine?"

"Stop it, ever since he lost to Dark Gold Rose, he became her little fanboy, staying up late every night under her posts fighting with Dark Gold Rose's haters."

"Screw your fanboy!" Nanjia Wood got angry, "I admire an opponent who can defeat me, it's called admiration, don't you understand? They deliberately smear Dark Gold Rose, implying that I'm even more useless for losing to her, isn't it?"

Nanjia Wood mumbled about 'learning from failure', 'the enemy being one's teacher', 'what doesn't kill him makes him stronger', and the air was filled with a joyous atmosphere.

"Then how do you explain your room being filled with Dark Gold Rose figurines everywhere?" someone shouted.

"That's... that's called enduring hardship to achieve greatness, you idiot!" Nanjia Wood retorted angrily.

"Chairman Lu, are all your team members here?" Xu Xiaoyou noticed there were only four figures from Assassin's Creed present and casually asked.

"Aren't you the same?" Lu Shuhang replied, "Chairman Xu, isn't Rice Wine coming due to some circumstances?"

This optimistic and lively girl left a deep impression on him, like the time she jovially offered the Assassin's Creed members some 'gum', the kind where touching the 'gum slab' would zap you half to death.

"We have substitutes," Xu Xiaoyou said.

"If your team is also not complete, we can play 4v4. We're an iron triangle, the best partners; friendship first, competition second."

Lu Shuhang didn't respond, only silently observing the five girls opposite them. He didn't know Su Sui well, but he studied Bai Youyou, Angelina, and Tang Xin's match footage repeatedly, from combat habits to decision-making logic to the characteristics of their Divine Gift Mimicry, leaving no stone unturned.

Lu Shuhang looked at the teammates standing beside him.

This match, he had reasons he absolutely couldn't lose.

As time ticked by, just a minute before the league was to start, as the audience began to count down in unison, the final light appeared, and a youth arrived just in time.

Zhou Zhao, breathless, put on his headset, adjusting his breathing, looking as if he had just escaped from a crisis.

"This time, I won't be late again."