A little earlier.
As the first batch of players entered matchmaking.
The remaining players could only wait anxiously on the forums.
They kept making posts predicting the outcome, analyzing the situation, and even arranging tactics based on the high-sequence players they knew.
But after a while, it inevitably grew boring.
After all, they were just armchair strategists. They could not see or touch what was happening inside, nor did they know what hellish maps the players on either side had been assigned.
Fortunately, the torment of staring helplessly did not last long.
Things soon changed.
Just five minutes later.
A system announcement rang out.
[System Announcement: T1 matches are now open for spectating. All players may enter through the spectator portal.]
As soon as the announcement appeared.
The forums, which had just quieted down, instantly exploded. Countless players who were not eligible to participate rushed into the spectator interface.
This spectator system was extremely comprehensive. Aside from automatic broadcasts that captured exciting combat moments, it also thoughtfully provided a list of fixed viewing angles. Players could click on the star players of each faction to directly lock onto their movements.
And among that row of glittering star player names.
[Nine Provinces · Lu Xiu] sat right at the top, in the most conspicuous first position.
After all, she was the only player in this thousand-person melee with a BUFF whose kills were equivalent to five core bonfires.
That meant many battles were bound to revolve around her.
Yet when Nine Provinces players saw that name, they all hesitated in unison.
"Guys—if we click in, it won't be another fucking black screen, right?"
"Don't even say it. During the last reclamation battle, I clicked in full of anticipation and got black screens for nine matches straight. I'm traumatized now!"