Chapter 412 National Team Selection

April 30th.

Xuchang People's Stadium, Zhongyuan Province.

The top 32 contestants from across the country gathered, accompanied by their respective team leaders and teachers, and took their seats in a small section of the north-side stands.

The National Team Selection Competition was truly "confidential." Whether it was the preliminary rounds before, or the semi-finals being held today, only participating students and staff were present. Journalists and spectators alike were all turned away.

The 32 contestants, plus their team leaders and teachers, numbered no more than fifty people. Adding in the several dozen staff members on site, the vast stadium seemed particularly empty.

But it was this quiet, small-scale competition that would determine the 10-person roster for the National Team.

Today was the first round, the top 16 matches, a total of 16 matches.

The format and rules were infuriatingly simple, exactly the same as the World Cup Individual Tournament: a knockout stage.

One match determines the winner, with the winner advancing and the loser eliminated.

It was simple, even a little cruel. If there were no surprises, the top eight would be decided after two rounds of elimination matches. These eight contestants would represent Huaxia in the World Cup.

However, it was said that there were also two substitute slots. Those contestants who failed to directly enter the top eight still had a chance to compete for the remaining two slots. Although they were substitutes, they were still on the 10-person National Team roster.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Putting aside the substitutes, Jiang Xiao was only two matches away from becoming an official National Team member.

Two more wins, and Jiang Xiao would be one step closer to his ultimate goal!

In the stands, Hou Mingming sat next to Jiang Xiao and gently bumped Jiang Xiao's shoulder with his own, saying, "I heard you had an exclusive interview yesterday, and it was with CCTV, an interview with the host Ye Xunyuan."

Jiang Xiao's gaze was fixed on the green lawn, or rather, on a 6-year-old child.

This child was probably the only spectator at this competition, and also played an extremely important role. The two sides competing in the top 32 matches would be drawn by this child from a small box.

Jiang Xiao didn't know who this child was. Was he the son of some important figure?

Or... did the child simply symbolize innocence and hope?

Hearing Hou Mingming's question, Jiang Xiao nodded and said, "Yes, she interviewed me for two hours and told me in the end that only 20 minutes would be edited out."

Hearing this, Hou Mingming said with a hint of admiration, "Ye Xunyuan is one of the best new generation female hosts. Her *People* interviews aren't something just anyone can get on."

"Oh," Jiang Xiao said casually, "I don't watch much TV, but I do know her. She hosted the National Competition in my year. I didn't know she was doing so well."

To his side, on Jiang Xiao's left, Zhao Wenlong said, "She's the top of the four little *dan* that CCTV is promoting. She'll be present at all the major events in the future. Maybe she'll be the future leading lady."

Oh ho?

He knows a lot?

Jiang Xiao forgot that he didn't watch TV, but the Master Zhao beside him was a loyal TV enthusiast.

Zhao Wenlong looked at Jiang Xiao with a smile and said, "You haven't realized the value of this *People* interview. No matter what results you achieve, this interview is enough to get you into every household."

Jiang Xiao curled his lips, "What's the point of getting into every household? I'm not going to be a star."

Unexpectedly, Hou Mingming seemed particularly interested in Jiang Xiao and asked, "Did she say when it would be broadcast?"

"Uh..." Jiang Xiao scratched his head, "Whether it's broadcast or not should depend on how well I do. She said it would be broadcast if I made it to the National Team, and not if I didn't."

Hou Mingming: "..."

Zhao Wenlong: "..."

Is it really that real?

Jiang Xiao said weakly, "When I heard that, my reaction was exactly the same as yours. She laughed very happily at the time. She was probably joking, she didn't reveal too much."

"Number 07," the host's voice suddenly came from the microphone.

The six-year-old child in the green field was standing in front of a glass display case, his small hand stirring in the pile of ping-pong balls in the transparent glass box, and then grabbed a ball again.

The staff member knelt beside the child, took the ping-pong ball, unscrewed it, and faced the audience in front: "Number 81."

"Oh ho! King of Soldiers from Hunan versus the King of Solo from the Southwest!"

"Wow, is it that exciting?"

"So explosive in the first match? These two should both be qualified to enter the top 10 list, right?"

"Hehe, don't be so humble, who here doesn't have the strength to enter the big list?"

"I like hearing that."

"That's right, that's right..."

In Jiang Xiao's line of sight, he saw two tall figures. At the call of the staff, they stood up and raised their hands to signal that there was no problem and they could participate.

Of course, you better not have any problems...

This world is full of magical Star Power and Star Techniques, so colds, fevers, and diarrhea can all be alleviated and cured. These are not reasons or excuses. If you simply refuse to compete, or have personal matters, you'll probably be kicked out directly.

Jiang Xiao also saw that familiar figure, number 81, the King of Solo from the Southwest - Xing Yan!

This two-meter-tall bald man earned his reputation with the giant battle axe in his hand, and is also known as "God Xing" in the folk world.

Tall and strong body, knotted muscles, fierce temperament, beast-like eyes... Just one glance seemed to show the overflowing male hormones.

A real man! A true hero!

No one doubted his strength. In fact, in the online voting activity, Xing Yan firmly occupied a spot on the National Team, and even ranked in the top three at one point.

The staff's voice continued to come: "Number 59!"

The child was obviously very smart. This time he grabbed a ball, no longer handed it to the staff, but unscrewed it himself with a smile.

"Wow!"

"Woo hoo~"

"Opening the lottery, opening the lottery!" The buzzing discussion suddenly sounded. There was really a group of people who didn't mind seeing the excitement. Number 59 obviously caused a bigger shock than the Xing God just now.

Because...

Zhao Wenlong next to Jiang Xiao stood up and raised his right fist high.

The solo god from the Imperial Capital Star Warrior Academy!

The undisputed seeded player in the eyes of the world!

"Number 08!" The staff member called out again.

"Holy crap!"

"Wow!"

As soon as number eight came out, the audience was completely blown up. Another King of Soldiers from Hunan Military Academy!?

What kind of hand does this child have? He drew two Kings of Soldiers from Hunan in a row?

You know, in the World Cup Individual Tournament, the Hunan Military Academy has achieved the most results, producing 2 World Cup champion students! The Hunan Military Academy is also a powerhouse among powerhouses. Every year, there are Kings of Soldiers on the top ten list. As a result, the Imperial Capital Star Warrior Academy and the Hunan Military Academy met in the first round of the top 32?

When two tigers meet, only one can survive.

It's cruel... but also exciting!

In the audience, a young man in green camouflage stood up and raised his right hand to indicate that he had no objections.

The child obviously liked the feeling of being watched. The more he drew, the happier he became. His small hand quickly grabbed another ball and unscrewed it...

Staff member: "Number 09!"

Everyone: "..."

Another Hunan Military Academy!

Also Zhu Fengyu, the only female soldier in the trio!

In front of the audience, next to the young man in camouflage uniform, a petite figure stood up and shouted loudly, "Why don't you stir the balls!"

It doesn't seem to matter whether you stir it or not? It had been stirred a lot at the beginning. There seemed to be no rules in the transparent glass box filled with ping-pong balls?

In the dark, there is God's will.

The child pouted his small mouth, and his small arms also reached in, stirring the ping-pong balls randomly, and finally grabbed one at random.

Staff member: "Number 57."

"Haha, wiped out! We are about to witness the Hunan Military Academy being wiped out in the first round! Are we going to witness history? Haha!"

"What wipe out? 57 is not Hou Mingming, it's Jiang Xiaopi!"

"Well, it's okay, at least Hunan Military Academy can ensure that one person enters the top 16."

"Hehe, did you think Jiang Xiaopi was weak? Have you forgotten who brought you into the top 32?"

"If it wasn't for Jiang Xiaopi, at least half of the people in this field would have gone home."

"That's right, but if you were allowed to choose your opponent, who would you choose? I'm afraid most people would choose Jiang Xiaopi..."

"..."

Jiang Xiao stood up, raised his right hand, but looked at Zhu Fengyu.

This short-haired girl is the little spider who climbs around on the walls. Don't look at her petite figure, but she has a sweet appearance and beautiful abdominal muscles like Xia Yan, which left a deep impression on Jiang Xiao.

Four years of military academy career doesn't seem to have changed Zhu Fengyu's naughty character. She turned her small hands into a loudspeaker shape and shouted at Jiang Xiao, "Little poisonous milk, don't go crazy, you have to be gentle..." (九星毒奶)

Be gentle?

To women?

Hehe, is that my personality?

Where is the pity and cherishing jade? Never heard of it...

Jiang Xiao looked at her beautiful face with a hint of teasing, and said, "I like strength, miracles happen with strength!"

Zhu Fengyu: "..."

Jiang Xiao: "You should also use some strength, it doesn't feel like anything if it's too light."

Zhu Fengyu: ???

Holy crap?

Is this kid testing something?

......

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