Chapter 23: Prelude to the Storm

With the Central Star System and the Third Star System serving as cautionary tales, the remaining alien teams no longer dared to play by the book.

Their tactics became noticeably fiercer; whenever an opportunity arose, they initiated team fights, and their strategies underwent sweeping changes. Resources were no longer the primary objective—pushing towers became the utmost priority.

The level of excitement in the matches shot up, dispelling the earlier monotony. Combined with the commentators’ nearly voice-cracking shouts, the alien audience finally understood what Earthlings meant when they talked about a “tower-pushing game.”

Every match sparked heated discussions on the StarNet. The most talked-about topic was the urgency of time.

Many team members updated their personal feeds after the matches, marveling at what it felt like to be chased by the clock.

It was as if an invisible blade was always pressing closer, and only by desperately running forward could one avoid being caught. Every single day was like this.

[The Earthlings’ sense of time is honestly terrifying. I can’t imagine living under such pressure.]

[I tried following Earth Standard Time for about seven days of the interstellar calendar. During those seven days, my efficiency was shockingly high. My parents, friends, and colleagues all asked me what had happened and whether I needed medical attention. I had to explain it to each of them, half laughing, half crying. In the end, they all asked me in confusion if I’d caught the “short-life disease.”]

[I’ve heard that many people with short-life disease have moved to Earth. Their StarNet feeds all look so happy that I can’t help but tear up when I see them.]

[Earth Standard Time is truly a blessing for those with short-life disease! Now, when my star system discusses the condition, it’s no longer a taboo topic.]

[Earth is truly wonderful! I love Earth!]

·

Central Star System · Governor’s Residence.

Wordweaver Star Anchor returned from Earth and went straight to an old friend’s home.

“Star Anchor, you’re finally here.” Yuelü welcomed her in with a smile. “Every day I see your updates on StarNet, I can’t help but envy you.”

“No need to be envious. Won’t you go to Earth yourself one day?” Wordweaver Star Anchor laughed, taking Yuelü’s hand.

“Who knows when I’ll get the chance to go to Earth.” Yuelü sighed with regret.

“That’s true. You’re in your prime, your approval ratings are sky-high, and your re-election is all but guaranteed.” Wordweaver Star Anchor patted his old friend’s back reassuringly. “No worries—when you retire, I’ll be your guide.”

“You’ve only been to Earth twice, and you want to be my guide? Yuhui would be more reliable than you.” Yuelü grumbled good-naturedly.

“If Yuhui’s your guide, that’s as good as me being your guide.”

“Now I know who taught Yuhui to be like that. You really are a role model.”

The two of them sat down together in the soft chairs, still laughing.

“This time, I brought you a gift.” Wordweaver Star Anchor pulled a scroll from his folded space. “Quantum transmission can’t send food, art, or living things, so I had to bring it back myself.”

“Art from Earth? Then I’ll have to savor it properly.” Yuelü unrolled the scroll and was stunned.

It was an ink painting, but the figure depicted was a traditional dancer from the Central Star System. The dancer’s face wore a serene smile, clearly enjoying the pleasure of the dance.

“I commissioned Qing Lan to paint this,” Wordweaver Star Anchor said softly. “Earthlings have a saying—sending feelings through objects. I thought this would suit you better than an AI-generated image.”

Yuelü’s eyes brimmed with tears. She stroked the painted figure’s face, then looked up at Star Anchor with a smile. “Thank you, old friend. This is the best gift I’ve ever received.”

·

Earth · Youjian Entertainment Data Center.

This was the most important place in Youjian Entertainment.

Back then, to help Feng Jingyu access StarNet data as quickly as possible, Cen Lan had specially applied for the most powerful AI to assist her.

After Earth’s lockdown was lifted, the AI remained at Youjian Entertainment, continuing to gather data for Feng Jingyu. Later, as work became busier, Feng Jingyu could no longer keep an eye on the data herself, so she entrusted the task to Wang Pei.

For Wang Pei, this place was paradise. He had never been good at socializing. When Cen Lan first assigned Chang Yu to him, Wang Pei thought the sky was falling. But with his naturally gentle temperament, he didn’t dare protest, so he nervously handed over some miscellaneous tasks to Chang Yu.

Fortunately, Chang Yu didn’t mind at all. He completed every task diligently and even offered many suggestions. What’s more, he always communicated with Wang Pei via text. This considerate gesture put Wang Pei at ease, and he gradually adapted to working at Youjian Entertainment, eventually becoming a core member of the team.

Some of his peers, about his age, thought Wang Pei was wasting his talent. As a mathematician widely recognized as outstanding on Earth, to be holed up in an entertainment company was, in their eyes, the epitome of a lack of ambition.

But to Wang Pei, it was like a fish in water. The AI at Youjian Entertainment was almost overqualified for just collecting and analyzing StarNet data.

Wang Pei didn’t want to waste the AI’s computational power. With Cen Lan’s approval, he used it to analyze several mathematical models and even published a highly influential paper, which shut up the colleagues who used to mock him.

Once the calculations were complete, the AI automatically connected to Wang Pei’s workstation and displayed the results.

When Wang Pei saw them, his pupils dilated in shock.

·

Earth time, March 7, 5208—the day of the much-anticipated “Federation Cup” Grand Finals.

On the round stage of the arena, besides the two finalist teams, a trophy pedestal stood at the very center. The highest symbol of championship glory sat there, silent and watchful, observing the competitors.

Only the ultimate victor would stand on the stage, bathed in golden confetti, raising that trophy high to receive everyone’s congratulations.

The match had not yet begun. Feng Jingyu sat in her seat, uncharacteristically nervous. Her hands twisted together unconsciously, clenching and releasing.

A hand reached over, grasping Feng Jingyu’s own. Warmth spread through her skin, carrying a calming power.

“Sister Cen Lan?” Feng Jingyu looked at Cen Lan in confusion.

“Hold my hand,” Cen Lan said, smiling gently at her.

Feng Jingyu lowered her head, staring at the hand holding hers. A vague image surfaced in her mind, but quickly faded.

Her fingers twitched, and cautiously, gently, she squeezed back. In return, she felt a strong, steady grip.

It was as if someone was telling Feng Jingyu: I will never let go.

Feng Jingyu’s lips curved upward, but she quickly pressed them down again.

·

“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Grand Finals of the very first ‘Federation Cup’! Today’s winner will decide who is the number one e-sports powerhouse in the Interstellar Federation! The moment the victor’s name is engraved will be a bold, unforgettable stroke in the history of e-sports! And we, we are the witnesses to this history!” The host’s opening speech set the audience’s passion ablaze. “And now, it’s time for our traditional segment!”

The arena dimmed, and a holographic projection began playing above the stage. After introducing the members of both finalist teams, it was time for the much-anticipated trash-talking segment.

The Earth team, true pioneers of e-sports culture, declared, “Today, I will get that chicken dinner!” Not only was this a tribute to another classic game, but it also played on their own team name—a double entendre that made their determination to win unmistakable.

The Galaxy Village team’s trash talk took a different approach. Their line, “The waves of the Yangtze River drive the ones before onto the shore,” referenced the relationship between themselves and the Earth team as predecessors and successors—or perhaps as master and apprentice—while also hinting at their own ambition to seize the championship.

The bold words from both teams raised the stakes of the finals to a new level.

The audience shouted the names of their favorite teams, eager for the match to begin.

The host didn’t keep them waiting, immediately announcing the start of the match. The teams’ virtual avatars appeared on stage.

After the two captains shook hands, they sat down at their computers. The stage’s holographic projection began to synchronize with the in-game footage.

The curtain rose on the Grand Finals.