Outside the circle, numerous reporters and cameramen immediately raised their "long guns and short cannons," broadcasting the entire process live.
Chen Yu was the first to jump onto the stage, reaching into the box to pull out a transparent glass sphere, exquisitely made.
Inside was a tiny number—9.
"Your number is 9," the proctor explained. "The other contestant who draws number 9 will be your first opponent."
"Come on," Chen Yu motioned to the long-haired man. "Come up and draw."
The long-haired man didn't hesitate, leaping onto the stage and pulling a sphere marked with a "2" from the box.
Chen Yu: "Trash."
Long-haired man: "Crap."
"Both of you get down."
One by one, the contestants took the stage to draw lots and check their spheres.
There were joys and sorrows.
A typical joy was the Transcendent who drew the number "9", giving Chen Yu a mix of friendly and challenging glances.
Indeed, Chen Yu's score from the last round was historically the highest.