Chapter Thirty-Six: Qingda Game Club

Ye Lingxue simply smiled, as if she had foreseen everything.
“I knew you’d say that, you rascal. Don’t you know that this year’s professional tournaments are held separately for the old and beginner servers? The individual championship for the beginner server is one million Huaxia coins, and the team championship is three million.”
“Hm? What about the guild tournament?”
“For the guild tournament, fifty participants are required, all members who have been in the guild for more than two months. The grand prize is one and a half million Huaxia coins, plus an extra reward from within the game, though that hasn’t been announced yet.”
Upon hearing Ye Lingxue’s words, Ye Yu’s expression finally shifted; Luo Feng and the others revealed a fervent look, clearly eager to take part. Since the beginner server was isolated from the old, everything was an unknown—it meant opportunities for them.
“Tempting as it is, I’m still not fully familiar with everything yet. I’ll need a bit more time. So…”
Ye Yu shrugged, grinning mischievously. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
At that moment, Ye Lingxue felt a surge of joy. Clearly, Ye Yu was moved. As his sister, she knew him well—this kid harbored dreams of being a professional gamer, and “Divine Ruin” was no doubt the perfect stage for that.
Yet, the challenge ahead surely needed no words to describe.
“By the way, that Wang Yao you mentioned earlier—did he have something special to tell me?”
“Yes, he’s made a comeback, but not as a pro player. He’s competing as the head coach of the Divine Ruin division of his gaming club. Right now, there are six newcomers in the club, all in the new server. But their server isn’t in ‘Xuanyan’.”
“A four-time champion becoming the head coach and commander for Divine Ruin? The price for hiring him must be unimaginable.”
Luo Feng spoke, a hint of surprise in his voice. In a world shaped by “Divine Ruin,” such a figure’s value was beyond comprehension.
“Twenty million annual salary.”
Ye Lingxue raised two fingers, shaking her hand as she spoke.
“What? Damn? Twenty million?”
Huang Hong exclaimed, then gave a round-faced clap. “Remarkable, truly remarkable.”
“Twenty million—that must be the highest salary among pro gamers now?”
Ye Yu’s gaze drifted to the golden glow of dusk outside the window. The brilliant gold painted his black pupils, impossible to discern what thoughts stirred within him.
“Based on what I saw just now, the six of you are definitely capable of entering the beginner server tournament. As Ye Yu said, you need more time to get familiar and improve your teamwork.”
Ye Lingxue glanced at Ye Yu, whose attention lingered on the dusk outside, and her smile faded just a little, her tone turning serious.
“I’ll follow Ye Yu’s lead. If he says go, I’m in.”
At this, Qu Zheng spoke up. His face was stripped of mischief, replaced with an unwavering resolve—his eyes as steadfast as mountains, unshakable.
Hearing Qu Zheng’s words, Ye Yu drew back his gaze from the window, looking at Qu Zheng. For a moment, Ye Yu was caught off guard, his expression clashing with Qu Zheng’s determined look.
A surge of indescribable passion welled up inside Ye Yu.
“I’m with Ye Yu too. We’ve known each other so long; if Ye Yu joins, Luo Feng is in all the way.”
Luo Feng lifted his right hand, resting it on Qu Zheng’s shoulder with a confident smile. It was clear he echoed Qu Zheng’s sentiment. Huang Hong shrugged, “Count me in as well.”
“Of course, I’m in too!”
Seeing this, Luo Wei chimed in with a smile.
Tan Cong hesitated, glanced around, then laughed wryly. “Everyone’s so quick to agree. If we’re all in, how could you leave me behind? Without me, it wouldn’t be any fun!”
Ye Yu looked at the five faces—each a little blank—then bowed his head with a rueful smile. “Enough, behave yourselves.”
“Hey, what’s with you? Don’t you want to join?”
Huang Hong, standing nearby, balled his left hand into a fist and gently tapped Ye Yu’s chest.
“Of course I want to join, but breaking through won’t be easy.”
Ye Yu’s expression grew serious. Seeing this, the others fell silent, eager to hear what he’d say next.
“I have the advantage in level, so right now we dominate in PK. But in the future, especially at year’s end, level alone won’t decide everything.”
“And more importantly, the game is full of cash players. ‘Three Years Short’ is a prime example—he’s in the same server as us. To stand out, we’ll inevitably have to get past them.”
Ye Yu’s words prompted deep reflection; he was spot on.
“This problem isn’t really a problem for you. Or rather, it’s a challenge, isn’t it?”
Ye Lingxue spoke then, watching Ye Yu, her lips curling into a barely perceptible smile.
Ye Yu looked up, meeting Ye Lingxue’s gaze. The seriousness in his face gradually melted into a faint smile, and his black eyes shone with an irrepressible fervor.
“Indeed, that’s what makes it interesting. The joy of gaming is in its allure, and this challenge fits us perfectly.”
Luo Feng and the others exchanged glances, then looked to Ye Yu.
“Third Brother, you mean we’re in?”
Ye Yu nodded slightly, his smile the best answer.
“But for now, we need to get familiar, master everything, and get through the beginner phase.”
Then Ye Yu asked, “Sis, next time you come, don’t pull a stunt like this again—you really scared me.”
“Who knows when next time will be? I have to leave for a while, so I came to see you before I go—and I caught a glimpse of hope.”
“What do you mean, hope? I’m already full of hope.”
Ye Yu blurted out, then frowned at his own words.
“Haha.”
Ye Lingxue chuckled, then her phone vibrated. As she read the message, her smile faded. She dialed a call, saying to Ye Yu, “Alright, I’m off. The USB drive stays here for now; I’ll come back for it when I’m done.”
Ye Yu noticed the change in her expression, but said nothing—he simply nodded, watching her leave.
“Why not see your sister off?”
Huang Hong asked. From their conversation, it was clear how close Ye Lingxue and Ye Yu were, and since she was leaving on urgent business, she’d be gone for a while. Why not see her out?
“She must’ve seen something urgent on her phone and has to go. Seeing her off would only interrupt her now.”
Not long after his words, the door to their dorm was knocked.
“Is anyone in A1212?”
Hearing the voice from outside, the six were surprised.
Luo Feng walked over and opened the door to find several casually dressed young men standing there. Maybe because of Luo Feng’s height and sturdy build, the newcomers seemed momentarily startled, almost intimidated.
“Can I help you? Who are you looking for?”
Luo Feng’s tone was calm but tinged with displeasure as he looked at them.
“No worries, we just wanted to ask if the girl who visited your dorm earlier is the senior from Qing University’s fourth year?”
“Yes. Why?”
“What was her reason for visiting you?”
As their questioning dragged on, Luo Feng was about to snap, but Ye Yu stepped forward, his face showing a gentle smile. “No other reason—she just invited us to join the gaming club. Nothing else.”
“What, direct entry into the gaming club? No trial or anything?”
The group of young men looked shocked.
“Trial? What trial?”
Ye Yu was momentarily puzzled. He’d intended to brush them off, but now his interest was piqued at the mention of a gaming club trial.
“To join the Qing University Gaming Club, you have to pass a trial. The hottest game right now is ‘Divine Ruin,’ as you know. What makes Qing University outstanding isn’t just the top students, but those with exceptional gaming talent. Every year, some graduates go pro, so the club’s entry trial tests your gaming aptitude. Only those who meet the standard can join.”
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