Inside the venue, time seemed to freeze the moment Qin Feng asked that question.
"Are you ready to embrace a bigger, more brutal stage that will better prove your worth?"
Under the spotlight, Han Feng, Sun Yu, and the other five members of the "Po Jun" team felt their hearts being squeezed by an invisible hand, then suddenly released, blood rushing to their heads with a "buzz." A bigger stage? Higher and more brutal than this city championship? Their eyes, which had been filled with the ecstasy of victory, instantly transformed into a fervent gaze mixed with shock, longing, and disbelief.
Below the stage, all the spectators, other contestants, and even the countless players watching via live broadcast held their breath, as a strong premonition permeated the air.
Qin Feng was very satisfied with this effect.
He paused slightly, allowing the suspense to reach its peak, then, facing the microphone, with a clear and steady voice, he dropped a bombshell that was destined to ignite an era, to everyone, to the entire league of legends player community:
"Based on the passion, talent, and fighting spirit we've seen in players and teams like 'Po Jun' emerging across various regions; based on the pure and powerful esports vitality we've witnessed erupting from the bottom up, from 'Jisu Internet Cafe' to 'Thunder Championship'…"
His voice echoed through the speakers, reverberating in every corner of the venue, and also transmitted via network signals to screens in thousands of homes.
"Riot Games has officially decided to build a unified competitive platform covering the entire nation! In three months, we will launch—the first league of legends National City Hero Championship!"
"National… City Hero Championship?" Someone below the stage murmured, their eyes full of disbelief.
"That's right, a national event!" Qin Feng's voice suddenly rose, carrying the grandeur of a pioneer, "We will establish hundreds of competition points across the country, using cities as units! Whether you are in a bustling metropolis like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Shenzhen, or a remote border town, as long as you have an esports dream, you can find your battlefield in the city nearest to you!"
The venue began to fill with uncontrollable gasps and discussions.
Hundreds of competition points! This meant that the spark of esports would truly spread to every corner of the nation!
"This is not just a larger competition," Qin Feng continued to elaborate, outlining the blueprint of the event, "This will be a true 'championship' in every sense! From city qualifiers to city finals, then to regional competitions, and finally, the strongest teams that emerge from the four major national competition zones—east, west, south, and north—will gather together, under the gaze of millions, to contend for the sole, supreme—National Grand Champion!"
Each level was like a higher threshold, and also a greater honor.
From city to region, and then to the nation, a clear and arduous path to the heavens was clearly presented to everyone through Qin Feng's words.
However, the most important news was yet to come.
Qin Feng's gaze swept over the excited, young, and eager faces below the stage, finally landing again on the members of the "Po Jun" team, who were clutching their champion medals and trembling slightly with excitement.
He smiled slightly and threw out the bargaining chip that was enough to drive any young person with a dream crazy:
"And to match the scale of this national event, to show our highest respect to all Summoners who dare to chase their dreams…"
He deliberately paused, and the venue was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"The total prize money for this National City Hero Championship will be as high as—one million RMB!"
"One million?!"
"Oh my god! One million!"
"Did I hear that wrong? Is it one million?!"
After a brief silence, there was an eruption like a volcanic explosion! Gasps, whistles, and shouts of disbelief almost blew the roof off the venue! This number, for most young players who were still students or had just entered society, was undoubtedly an astronomical figure, a huge temptation capable of changing their life trajectories!
But the significance of this prize money went far beyond the money itself.
It represented an unprecedented recognition.
In the past, playing games and competing was still synonymous with "neglecting proper work" and "indulging in trifles" in the eyes of many.
Even with some prize money from small competitions, it was often a drop in the bucket, barely enough to support the word "professional." And this one million was Riot Games officially announcing to the entire society, in the most direct and shocking way: esports can also create immense value, and it is equally worth dedicating youth and passion to fight for! This was not just a reward for the champion team, but also a spiritual incentive for all participants.
Han Feng felt his hands trembling, the number one million hitting his heart like a hammer.
Sun Yu next to him had his mouth wide open, Li Rui clenched his fists tightly, Liu Zhen and Wang Hao exchanged glances, both seeing burning flames in each other's eyes.
The thirty thousand yuan prize money they had just won seemed so insignificant in the face of this million-yuan grand prize.
A vaster world, a more magnificent journey, was unfolding before their eyes.
The other contestants below the stage, whether eliminated by "Po Jun" or never even had a chance to enter the finals, no longer had any disappointment or dejection in their eyes; instead, there was an almost hungry excitement and fighting spirit.
One hundred competition points, a million-yuan prize! This meant everyone had a chance! The previous city competitions seemed to be just an appetizer before this national feast.
Qin Feng looked at the completely ignited passion below the stage; he knew his goal had been achieved.
He did not mention any plans for future professional leagues; at this moment, he only needed to let this national championship flame burn brighter.
"This one million is a commendation for top-tier strength, and even more, a tribute to the esports dream!" Qin Feng's voice was full of infectious power, "We look forward to seeing more teams like 'Po Jun' and more rising stars shining with talent and perseverance on the battlefields across the country!"
He raised his hand, pointing to the camera, and also to everyone present:
"So, Summoners! Pick up your weapons, rally your comrades! In three months, the National City Hero Championship, we will be there!"
"Go fight! Go prove who is truly the City Hero of this era!"
As his voice fell, applause, cheers, and shouts roared like a tsunami, lasting for a long time.
Golden confetti once again floated down from the sky, reflecting the countless eyes below the stage that were longing for the future.
The members of the "Po Jun" team stood in the center of the stage, bathed in glory, their hearts, however, had already flown to a more distant battlefield.
The city championship trophy was still in hand, but it seemed to have become a footnote of the past.
Their gaze, by coincidence, turned towards the giant league of legends promotional poster behind Qin Feng, towards the vaster Summoners Rift that symbolized infinite possibilities and brutal competition.
A national competition with a million-yuan prize… A new era was right before them.
And they were already at the forefront.