The Esports Little Demon King Is a Sweet and Fierce Omega - Chapter 19.3

Everyone was swarming around him, talking all at once. Tian Jiu was completely dazed, not knowing who to respond to first.

“Move, move, move!” Shadow squeezed in from the outer circle and said, “Are you guys trying to smother him to death?”

The crowd finally backed away slightly, giving Tian Jiu some breathing room. Shadow walked up to Tian Jiu and held out his hand. “Come on, Champ. It’s time to go collect the prize.”

Tian Jiu glanced warily at his hand and then stood up on his own. This guy was a bit of a pervert; Tian Jiu didn’t want to shake his hand.

Shadow: “…”

“Pfft,” Okishima Kazutoshi mocked him without restraint.

Shadow made a clicking sound with his tongue, walked over to hook his arm around Okishima’s shoulder, and said, “Laughing at me, are you? It’s a real shame I couldn’t eliminate you personally this time.”

“Don’t get so close, your pheromones are leaking out,” Okishima frowned in disgust.

“I just finished a game; leaking a little is normal.” Shadow glanced at Tian Jiu and added, “Besides, that final showdown was thrilling. I got nervous and used too many pheromones.”

Ding Sa sneered, “Using that many pheromones and only hitting Tian Jiu in the chest. Your accuracy is pathetic. Do you really have the nerve to call yourself the top seed among the Gunners?”

“What’s a Beta without pheromones like you getting so salty for?”

Tian Jiu watched them bicker familiarly and realized that these top-seeded players actually knew each other quite well, and their relationships seemed quite good.

Meng Ruoruo, taking advantage of his Omega status, leaned in and grabbed Tian Jiu’s arm. His eyes were bright as he said, “Tian Jiu, let me take you to the awards ceremony. On the way, tell me how you trained. How on earth did you snap my staff like that?”

Tian Jiu thought about it seriously and said, “It’s probably natural, or maybe your staff was just too fragile.”

“Impossible. Zhuang Ke couldn’t even budge it.”

“Then maybe my strength is just… a little bit great,” Tian Jiu said modestly.

Shadow’s eye twitched. “You crushed my prize from the youth tournament, and you call it ‘a little bit’?”

Tian Jiu spoke the truth: “But I didn’t use any strength at all back then. I just accidentally crushed it.”

Shadow: “…” That’s a real heart-stabber!

“I’m telling the truth.” Tian Jiu didn’t understand why he looked so aggrieved and indignant. Everyone laughed, and the group headed over to the neighboring First Gymnasium together in high spirits.

******

The top ten contestants all received bonuses, but only the top three would be presented with awards. The rewards for the top three consisted of a trophy and prize money. The first-place prize was a full one million star coins. Combined with the bonus for being a top-seeded player, Tian Jiu was set to earn a massive windfall. The little money-grubber was incredibly happy.

After the awards, there would be an interview session where team representatives would come to look for players they wanted to sign, and some might even sign contracts on the spot. In previous years, the top finishers were offered olive branches from countless teams with very tempting conditions.

Tian Jiu was getting a little nervous. He didn’t know if Feng Wu would come, or if he would be willing to sign him. But even if Feng Wu didn’t make the first move, it didn’t matter. He could pitch himself. He could even take a lower salary, as long as he could join FOX. Hehe.

Tian Jiu and the others arrived at the First Gymnasium. At the entrance, they were greeted by bionic robots who led them inside. Thunderous applause erupted from the stands, and everyone stood up to cheer.

Shadow was used to being celebrated; he showed no stage fright at all, waving to the audience with a graceful smile. Meng Ruoruo had a cheerful personality and waved happily, even lifting Tian Jiu’s hand to wave along with him.

Tian Jiu looked in wonder at these people dressed in high-end suits and gowns. These were the aristocrats and tycoons that commoners rarely glimpsed, yet now they were cheering for their favorite players like simple fans. He scanned the crowd for a long time, but in the dense sea of people, he couldn’t find Feng Wu. He felt a bit worried, wondering if the man had even come.

“Look, here are our triumphant victors!” Fei Erfeng’s voice rang out clearly. Everyone looked up to see him standing on a flying vehicle. It looked like a hot air balloon; Fei Erfeng, dressed in a gaudy suit, stood in a small basket beneath the balloon.

“Wow, that’s so cool,” Tian Jiu marveled. It was his first time seeing a hot air balloon that could be manually controlled.

“It seems our little red panda is very interested in my aircraft,” Fei Erfeng joked. Only then did Tian Jiu notice that his enlarged face was being projected on the virtual screen in the air.

The crowd erupted. Someone started the chant, and soon everyone was shouting “Tian Jiu,” overcome with excitement. Tian Jiu looked at them in surprise. Aren’t they being a bit too enthusiastic?

Fei Erfeng laughed, “I’m giving our champion a special privilege today. Ride with me in the aircraft to your podium, shall we?”

Tian Jiu was pleasantly surprised. “Can I?”

“Of course.” Fei Erfeng slowly descended. The other contestants stood behind Tian Jiu as they watched him happily hop onto the craft.

Tian Jiu hadn’t ridden in a hot air balloon in his past life, so he was naturally thrilled, touching and looking at everything like a curious baby. Fei Erfeng’s paternal instincts flared as he whispered, “Little red panda, if you like it, I’ll give this aircraft to you.”

“Huh?” Tian Jiu was confused. “Why?”

“Because I like you! Your performance today was truly spectacular. I’m already your number one fan.”

Tian Jiu shook his head. “No, no, I can’t take things from fans.” Besides, he wasn’t the number one fan; Li Zhen was.

Fei Erfeng felt a bit of regret. “Alright. Then hold on tight, here we go.”

“Mhm!” Tian Jiu grabbed the railing of the basket. The aircraft ascended under the gaze of the entire stadium and flew toward the podium in the center of the gymnasium.

Tian Jiu hopped off and stood steadily on the champion’s podium. Shadow and Okishima Kazutoshi had also walked over, taking their spots in second and third place.

The subsequent process was a bit dry. Fei Erfeng introduced the guest presenters, all titled nobles. Tian Jiu didn’t recognize a single one of them, and he didn’t remember any of their names either. After that came the long speeches, group photos, and greetings. As the champion, Tian Jiu was inevitably surrounded.

*******

Once the nobles and tycoons left, reporters swarmed in.

“Tian Jiu, you achieved such a brilliant result right after leaving the Ji family. Is there anything you want to say to them?”

“Ji Kaile was praised as the most talented Omega, but he only took third place. Now that you’re the champion, do you intend to take that title for yourself?”

“The trial champion gets first pick of teams. Do you have a target in mind?”

The questions made Tian Jiu’s head throb. He couldn’t help but yawn, his eyes filling with tears. He looked even softer now, not at all like the decisive, monstrously strong cannoneer on the battlefield. A group of tall Alpha reporters held strange-looking cameras, and microphones were practically being shoved into Tian Jiu’s face.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and answer. “I have no relation to the Ji family, and nothing to say to them. Also, I’ll be changing my name to Tian Jiu from now on. I’ll no longer use the surname Ji.”

“I don’t want to be the ‘most talented Omega.’ I want to be the best professional Fengshen player.”

“I do have a target team, but I don’t know if they want me or not.” Tian Jiu looked past the crowd. Among the shifting sea of people, he finally saw that striking figure.

Feng Wu was standing outside the crowd in a well-fitted black suit. With his height and long legs, he looked better than a model; he was undoubtedly the center of attention. Tian Jiu’s eyes lit up, but he noticed that Feng Wu didn’t seem to have noticed him.

“Could you tell us how heavy your cannon actually is?”

Tian Jiu paused and replied, “I can’t say how heavy it is, but my weapon was made at Old Zhao’s Equipment Shop on the main street of the Lower District. It works great, everyone should check it out.”

The reporters continued to pepper him with questions. Managers from major teams, including WIN and AS, pushed through the crowd, handing out business cards and contracts, incessantly describing how great their teams were. They were practically fighting one another for his attention.

Tian Jiu’s head was hurting from the pestering, and he was getting anxious because Feng Wu hadn’t come to find him! He stood on his tiptoes, peering over the shoulders of the tall Alphas and Betas, seeing that Feng Wu was still standing in the same spot.

Feng Wu stood with his arms crossed, a faint smile on his lips, looking very casual. Two Omega contestants approached him and said something; Feng Wu smiled and shook his head. The two Omegas weren’t upset at being rejected; instead, they ran off with flushed faces.

Feng Wu really is in high demand!

Tian Jiu was desperate, fearing there wouldn’t be a spot left for him, so he tried his best to squeeze out of the crowd.

*******

After rejecting the fourth wave of self-pitching contestants, Feng Wu’s gaze shifted back to where Tian Jiu had been standing, only to find the boy was gone. He scanned the area but couldn’t see him.

Could he have been tricked away?

Although he didn’t want to sign Tian Jiu and potentially hinder his career, he also didn’t want to see him get scammed into some unfair contract. He didn’t know what his own motives or position were, but he simply didn’t want to see a good prospect be buried. Feng Wu walked toward where Tian Jiu had been, using his height to look over the crowd.

Tian Jiu finally squeezed out of the throng, only to bump straight into someone.

“Ouch!” He rubbed his forehead, apologizing without looking up. “Sorry, please excuse me, I’m in a hurry!”

Feng Wu looked down. The familiar silver-white hair came into view; the strands were a bit frizzy and looked very soft to the touch. He curled his lips, reached out to grab Tian Jiu’s arm, and rescued him from the huddle.

“What’s the hurry?” he asked casually.

Tian Jiu froze and snapped his head up. “Feng Wu!” His eyes lit up instantly.

“It’s me.”

Tian Jiu realized that up close, Feng Wu looked even more handsome than ever! He suddenly felt a little shy, but he didn’t act awkward. Instead, he looked up with a small, obedient face and smiled at Feng Wu.

“Hello! Can you let me join FOX?”

“I’m very strong.” Tian Jiu held up the trophy for him to see. “I took first place.”

Feng Wu was a focal point wherever he went, and Tian Jiu had made quite a splash today. The two of them talking together quickly drew everyone’s attention. The virtual screen also focused its lens on them. Seeing this scene, the noisy crowd gradually fell silent.

Feng Wu hadn’t expected Tian Jiu to want to be on his team; he was genuinely stunned. But he had to admit, looking into those sincere eyes full of expectation, he wavered.

Seeing him silent, Tian Jiu got a little anxious. “I’m really strong, and I…” He paused, his gaze shifting slightly.

Feng Wu thought he had something he was afraid to say out loud, so he thoughtfully leaned down slightly to get closer. “And what?”

“And,” Tian Jiu felt a bit embarrassed, his face turning red as he whispered, “and I really like you.”

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