chapter 22: lu xiang

Qin Ye logging in on the online game at this time was indeed to exchange his points for an orange weapon.

There are two exchange methods for the officially upgraded 24 weapons of Jiange Pavilion. The first is to convert the arena points into Jiange Pavilion points to redeem and the required points is 15,000. The second is material exchange. The materials needed are all very precious and rare. Most of the players who have the ability to collect materials and exchange them for orange equipment and weapons are all top experts of the major guilds. After all, orange equipment is very valuable and the more difficult the exchange method, the more it reflects the value of the equipment.

The arena is the typical “win = bonus points, lose = deduction points” mode, a player needs to have a 50% winning rate to save points and it wasn’t easy to save points. Players who can save more than 10,000 points are basically the super gods of the seventh battle level, that is, the professional players.

The online game equipment and the competition equipment of Wulin are separate and don't affect each other. All equipment in the game is free and there are player channels, live broadcast channels, and referee channels for references. Unfortunately, the online game equipment is only open during the league seasons and cannot be accessed at normal times. Replacing a weapon will definitely affect one’s rhythm in the game and if a player rushes to take a weapon directly into the field, it’s already hard to use it blindly, let alone cooperate with their teammates on the field.

That’s why, every time the officials upgrade weapons and equipment, a lot of professional players will log in to the online game to take a look at the attributes of the new weapons and along the way practice the new weapons.

Qin Ye hasn’t logged in to the game for a long time and forgot to put his status on invisible mode. As a result, an official golden blinding announcement caused a ruckus on the world channel. A full half a minute passed and the world channel was still queuing up to worship the Goddess Emei.

Qin Ye directly blocked the world channel and with the hand speed of a professional player, sent a line to the QQ group: “Cute Wulin Professional League”: Lu Xiang, come, arena ring number 1780, password 78789.

Back then, Xiao Sijing discovered a bug in the Emei’s weapon data and submitted it to the officials. The official fixed the weapon before the new zone opened today so Qin Ye wanted to play a few games to try the effect of the new weapon. It just so happened that a few professional players he was close with were idle tonight so Qin Ye made an appointment with them to play a few rounds in the game.

The Lu Xiang that Qin Ye called in the group was the vice-captain of the Bronze Sparrow Team and the youngest god-level player in the professional league who recently celebrated his 18th birthday, ID: “Flying Deer Warrior”.

For him, the league had to revise the rule: players under the age of 18 aren’t allowed in the professional leagues.

Before the fifth season, the league stipulated that only players above the age of 18 can participate in the competition as professional players. Underage players can only train in the youth training camp and can only join once they reach the age of 18.

——Only the appearance of the talented player Lu Xiang completely toppled this rule.

Under Liu Chuan’s proposal, the league’s upper management held a special meeting to discuss and finally lowered the 18-year-old limit to 16.

Lu Xiang participated in the competition at the age of 16 and became a god-level player in just one year!

Speaking of which, Lu Xiang’s path to godhood was because of Liu Chuan.

Back then, at the age of fifteen, Lu Xiang joined the Huaxia Guild in the online game. The guild leader of the Huaxia Guild found out that Lu Xiang had extremely fast hands so he recommended him to the Huaxia Youth Training Camp for an interview. Lu Xiang happily ran to the Huaxia Team, passed the assessment, and successfully entered the Huaxia Team’s Youth Training Camp. At that time, Liu Chuan had already led the Huaxia Team to create a brilliant record of a Grand Slam*. At that time, Little Lu Xiang was quite afraid of strangers. When he saw everyone on the team, he obediently called them seniors. He also had no sense of direction, could sleep for the entire day, and could even fall asleep on the table halfway through the game…

* Winning four major competitions

Fifteen-year-old, rather thin and small, confused all day long and quite unreliable at first glance…

As a result, the person in charge of the training camp directly sent Lu Xiang a bunch of videos about basic training and programs, asking him to practice slowly by himself. Dazed, Lu Xiang just fumbled there by himself.

A coincidence happened later.

During the offseason, Lu Xiang ran to the Imperial Capital alone. The subway routes in the Imperial Capital were confusing and Lu Xiang had no proper sense of direction. He took the subway in the wrong direction. When he found out and was about to change, the last subway train was out of service. Lu Xiang stood alone on the street against the cold wind and couldn’t find any vehicle to ride. He had to open the QQ group for help: “Are there any seniors in the Imperial Capital? I’m lost…”

As the captain of Huaxia, Liu Chuan was in the middle of doing something in Beijing. When he saw the news, he sent a reply to the group: “Where are you?”

Lu Xiang sent a row of crying expressions: “Captain, I’m halfway through the subway. There’s no service here… I don’t know the name of this street. There’s an ATM on the opposite side…”

After talking in circles for a long time, he still didn’t make it clear where he was.

Liu Chuan felt helpless: “Just tell me which subway station you got off at.”

“...I forgot. I’ll go back and take a look.” Lu Xiang quickly ran back to the subway station and took a look. This time, he finally made it clear. “Captain, how can I get back? It’s very deserted here and there are no taxis or bus stops.”

Liu Chuan felt a headache coming on and said, “Wait for me at the exit of the subway station. I’ll come to pick you up by car!”

Everyone in the group chat the messages between the two of them and was silently laughing that Lu Xiang, the newcomer of the Huaxia Team, was a person who had no sense of direction.

Liu Chuan was really surprised when he saw Lu Xiang.

The thin little child, whose height is visually less than 1.6 meters, had a flushed face because of the cold. He was bouncing there, rubbing his hands and stomping his feet. The child had not yet grown up, with his head only reaching Liu Chuan’s chest, and his eyes were shining when he saw Liu Chuan. He smiled and beckoned him over, “Captain, I’m here!”

When the little boy smiles, two cute tiger teeth are visible.

…Is this a newcomer in our team?

Liu Chuan was actually very worried at that time. What league tournament would allow such a young child to come and play? Did his parents actually allow it? As the captain, Liu Chuan didn’t pay attention to this at all which was his dereliction of duty as the captain.

In fact, Lu Xiang had only been in the Huaxia Team for three months and during those times, Liu Chuan was playing in the leagues so it was normal for him not to pay attention to the new recruits coming out of the training camp.

Because it was too late, Liu Chuan simply took Lu Xiang to live at home.

Professor Liu Boyuan frowned when he saw that the child brought back by his own son was playing games. He asked, “How old are you?”

Lu Xiang obediently replied, “Uncle, I am fifteen years old.”

At this, Professor Liu’s brows wrinkled even further. “Playing games when you’re only fifteen years old, do your parents know?”

Lu Xiang scratched his head and said, “I’m raised by my sister because our parents passed away when I was young. My grades are actually bad and I will definitely not be able to go to university. It’s better to play games. My hand speed is very fast and I want to be a professional player. My sister told me to try it.”

Liu Chuan couldn’t help asking. “Your sister agreed to let you drop out of school and play games?”

Lu Xiang replied seriously: “Yeah. My sister can also play games. Actually, she knows more about me in this aspect so she agreed and let me go to the Huaxia Team.”

Professor Liu’s gaze swept over. Looking at his gaze, Liu Chuan felt guilty and hurriedly took the child to the room upstairs.

To be honest, Liu Chuan has been the captain for so long, and only in Lu Xiang’s case did he feel guilty that he failed to fulfill his responsibilities.

Liu Chua borrowed his sister’s laptop, turned on two computers at the same time, and asked Lu Xiang to go to the arena to play a few games against him. He doesn’t know Lu Xiang’s level but was certainly taken aback. This kid’s hand speed… is actually comparable to him!

It’s just that this guy obviously doesn’t have enough understanding of the game nor enough experience to turn the basic hand speed into a terrifying one. Since his fingers were fast, he would press down the keys indiscriminately and play blindly.

Liu Chuan abused Lu Xiang for ten rounds. Lu Xiang felt embarrassed and his head drooped down. “Captain, am I too weak*?”

* Literal word used was cài, which means dish = a slang for weak.

Liu Chuan smiled slightly and said, “You are indeed too weak now… but not necessarily in the future.”

Liu Chuan turned off his computer and walked to the little boy: “Don’t be discouraged. You’re very talented but there’s still a lot of room for improvement.”

——Little Genius.

This is the conclusion Liu Chuan came to after he finished playing ten rounds with Lu Xiang.

Looking at the fifteen-year-old boy in front of him, he suddenly had the urge to accept him as an apprentice and teach him with everything he had.

Liu Chuan felt distressed by the untimely death of his parents yet the child in front of him was strong and optimistic, direction-blind, and a little muddle-headed.

It actually takes a lot of courage to play a game at such a young age. Society does not recognize those in the e-sports circle, players who aren’t famous can’t make a lot of money and the career of e-sports players are short-lived. From the age of 18 to 24 is the peak period for professional players. After 24, many people’s hand speed will decline and they have no choice but to retire. Finding a job after retirement is also a big problem.

Society right now is very cruel. In a society where college students are rampant, you can imagine how difficult it is for a person who only graduated from high school to find a job…

Lu Xiang didn’t even graduate from high school so it was obvious that he gambled all his money to come to play in the game. Once he fails to succeed, he won’t be able to gain a foothold in this highly competitive society.

——Since you have chosen this path, let me help you.

Liu Chuan smiled and said, “Lu Xiang, why don’t I accept you as an apprentice?”

“......” Lu Xiang was stunned.

His mouth opened in surprise and stared at his eyeglasses, as if he had been hit by a five-million lottery, unable to believe it at all.

What did the captain just say? Accept him as an apprentice?! The Chuan Shen that many people worship wants to accept him as an apprentice?

Liu Chuan looked at the boy’s big round eyes. He couldn’t help but smile, stretch out his hand, and rubbed the boy’s head. “So? I'm several years older than you and I have a lot more experience in competitions than you. I’m also the captain of the Huaxia Team… am I qualified to be your master?”

Lu Xiang nodded immediately as if he was pounding garlic. “Qualified! More than qualified! Master!”

Liu Chuan smiled and said, “Then from now on, you will be my apprentice?”

Lu Xiang was so excited that his eyes were about to burst into tears. “Yes, Master!”

Liu Chuan rubbed his head and whispered, “However, don’t talk to anyone about it for the time being. After you return, continue to call me captain. Remember to keep a low profile. I will accept you as an apprentice as soon as you enter the team. Other people in the youth training camp may be jealous, which isn’t good for you so I won’t specifically guide you in the team. After evening training is over, go back to the dormitory and go online. I will teach you there.”

Lu Xiang was about to cry with excitement and immediately nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

Liu Chuan said. “I accept you as an apprentice not because I pity you but because you work hard, are brave, and have a talent for playing games…”

Liu Chuan paused and stared into the young man’s eyes. He smiled slightly and said, “As long as you are willing and diligent, you will stand at the same height as me or surpass me. Even the green is born blue but beats blue.*”

* The student surpasses the master/teacher

Liu Chuan said this very calmly and at that time, Lu Xiang thought that the captain was just comforting him.

The same height as Chuan Shen? At that time, Lu Xiang didn’t even dare think about it…

***

One year later, Liu Chuan suddenly applied a petition to the professional league to change the age limit of professional league players to sixteen years old, taking Lu Xiang directly to the Professional League Headquarters to let him play games in person to show the officials.

——Everyone was stunned.

——This is definitely a rare genius player!

Liu Chuan said, “The career of e-sports players is already very limited. Since there are talented teenagers, why use these rules and regulations to limit their opportunities to shine? There’s Lu Xiang today and there will be more talented teenagers in the future. It would be unfair to them if they are forced to waste a few years because of age restrictions.”

The chairman of the alliance and the senior executives discussed for a long time and finally agreed to Liu Chuan’s petition.

In the fifth season, the Wulin Professional League changed the rules and adjusted the age limit of the contestants to 16 years old, shaking the entire e-sports circle!

***

On the day Lu Xiang left the Huaxia Team, his eyes were red and he looked at Liu Chuan, his master, reluctantly.

Liu Chuan smiled and touched his head. “Go ahead. The Bronze Sparrow Team will give you a better stage.”

The Huaxia Team of that year was full of masters and the main players were all top gods. There was no chance for Lu Xiang, a newcomer, to play. Therefore, Liu Chuan took the initiative to send Lu Xiang out to the Bronze Sparrow Team who were thirsty for new talents because of the retirement of the team’s main output.

For newcomers in the youth training camp like Lu Xiang, if they transfer to the team, the signing fee will definitely be cheap. The manager of the Bronze Sparrow Team only offered Lu Xiang a contract with a salary of 60,000 yuan* and a 5% share of the team’s advertisements and endorsements giving Liu Chuan face** for his introduction. In the future, the salary will naturally depend on the outcome of his plays. Compared to the usual, this price was actually already very high for a newcomer who has never played a game.

* $ 9008.20

** You guys probably already know what face is in cn context but to those who don’t, it’s like respect or reputation.

Lu Xiang was a muddle-headed worm and didn’t understand any of these things at all. Liu Chuan even had to help him sign the contract.

His Master arranged for him to go to the Bronze Sparrow Team. Although he was a bit reluctant to leave, he also knew there were far too many experts in Huaxia and it was difficult for him to have a chance to play.

Liu Chuan took Lu Xiang to the Bronze Sparrow Team, merely saying to Shao Zehang, the captain of the Bronze Sparrow Team. “Captain Shao, this is the apprentice I personally taught. I’ll leave him to you in the future.”

Lu Xiang hid behind his Master and secretly glanced at the expressionless Captain Shao.

After Liu Chuan left, Shao Zehang glanced at Lu Xiang coldly and said, “If you’re gold, you can stay in the Bronze Sparrow Team and shine. If not, I won’t take care of you even in the face of your master. You can do it yourself.”

Lu Xiang: “......”

Shao Zehang is a mixed race. His mother is of European descent although he inherited his father’s oriental face. His eyes are light in color which isn’t the same as ordinary people but being looked by his cold light-colored eyes, one would feel like their blood had run cold.

There were two major league captains that weren't easy to mess with: Captain Xiao with his sharp eyes and Captain Shao with his cold ones. Many people wouldn’t dare be presumptuous in front of these two people.

Lu Xiang met his new captain’s cold eyes and felt stunned. He could only stay where he was and raised his head, looking at the man who was more than 20 centimeters taller than him, in a daze.

Shao Zehang glanced at the little boy who was in a daze, frowned, and said, “Come and find me in the training room at 8 o’clock tomorrow morning.” Then he turned around and left.

Lu Xiang: “......”

The confused little boy scratched his head, feeling that his new captain seemed a little too fierce…

***

In the fifth season, a sharp duo suddenly appeared in the league.

A Beggar with extremely fast hand speed and a Mingjiao with extremely fast methods, the ice-cold sword flashing and a violent club method, the dazzling and dizzying* ice-cold sword and the shadow of the club, this double killing-style close combat play caused countless strong teams to get a headache and even the giants Huaxia and Seven Star Grass Team almost failed**, dancing in the tune of the new combination of the Bronze Sparrow Team.

* Idiom used was too much for the eye to take in

** Phrase used was the horse loses its front hooves which means failure due to miscalculation or inattentiveness.

That season, Seven Star Grass won the championship, Huaxia won second place and the Bronze Sparrow Team won third place for the first time. Bronze Sparrow, who has never won a trophy since the beginning of the league, this trophy could be considered a significant achievement!

Lu Xiang’s annual salary directly rose ten times!

The synergy between Shao Zehang and Lu Xiang successfully brought the Bronze Sparrow Team, which was in a slump, directly into the ranks of the top teams in the playoffs!

In the same year, during the official year-end awards celebration of Wulin, the sixteen-year-old talented genius Lu Xiang, with his extremely high popularity, became the representative of the brand new Beggars Club School and at the same time, won the Rookie of the Year award!

At the year-end awards ceremony, Lu Xiang held the Rookie of the Year trophy, showing his two small tiger teeth and scratching his hair while he did his acceptance speech. “First of all, thank you Captain Shao so much for the trust. Captain Shao resisted the pressure and let me, a newcomer, play. The main team also gave me the best opportunities… Thank you for taking care of me. I have gained a lot this year with the Bronze Sparrow. Some say that it was my arrival that made the Bronze Sparrow Team but no, I believe that it was the Bronze Sparrow team that created* me!”

* Created Lu Xiang as the Rookie of the Year

Lu Xiang paused, looked in the direction of the Huaxia Team, and said seriously. “Here, I would also like to thank one person in particular… my master. Master, without you, there would be no Lu Xiang today! Thank you, Master!”

Lu Xiang deeply bowed to the audience.

Then he added with a smile. “However, in the future, we will be in different teams. Once we meet on the field, I won’t be merciful to you!”

From a distance, Liu Chuan, who was sitting in the audience, smiled slightly and gave Lu Xiang a thumbs up.

It was not until this moment that everyone knew that there was such a powerful master behind Lu Xiang——Haina Baichuan*!

* Liu Chuan’s previous game ID; all rivers run into the sea

The friendship between Liu Chuan and Lu Xiang has since become a good story in the professional circle.

It only took one year for Lu Xiang to become a god.

Some people say that it was luck, some people say it’s the result of talent, and various mass media reported a different angle from one another, including getting lost in the Imperial City and accidentally encountering Captain Chuan and Captain Shao who was impressed with Lu Xiang, letting a newcomer play the main output and so on.

Without the help of Captain Chuan and Captain Shao, as a 16-year-old newcomer, Lu Xiang would never have made his debut.

Therefore, the name of the genius boy is often accompanied by a lucky boy.

Only the people around him know how hard-working this confused-looking boy is.

The reason why he falls asleep often is because he stays up late every day to train. He often has dark circles under his eyes because he keeps on practicing combos, practicing consecutive moves, practicing light step exercises… It’s the way that he has practiced over and over again so that his own fast hand speed talent is perfectly utilized!

In an interview with the reporters, Shao Zehang commented on Lu Xiang’s style, summing it up in just one sentence: “I let Lu Xiang play the main output because he has the strength. Opportunities are only given to those who are ready.”

***

Lu Xiang has been a god since the fifth season and has been affectionately known as “Xiang Shen” and “Beggar God” by his fans. His combination with Shao Zehang is called the “Light and Shadow Sword” Combination. The style of play of the two looks very aggressive and passionate, giving people a sense of pleasure just watching the fight.

With the ice-cold and sharp sword and the chaotic shadow club, the two melee schools assisted each other and had a full tacit understanding. Being targeted by these two people at the same time, one already knew how their fate was going to go. Countless teams made a stumble in front of the Bronze Sparrow duo and finally, the Bronze Sparrow Team ranked among the top giants and became a frequent team in the professional league playoffs.

Later, Lu Xiang repeatedly encountered Liu Chuan on the field and was repeatedly abused to tears by Liu Chuan.

During interviews, reporters would always ask him. “Vice-Captain Lu, didn’t you say that you won’t be merciful to your master? Why do you lose every time you meet your master?”

All the captains who were dragged down by Lu Xiang wanted to pull this little devil over and beat him up!

Why are you dragging us down with you?