Changes

"A little frog, it hops and hops, and when you touch it with your finger, its white belly comes right out..."

The process of getting from the top 32 to the top 16 was so simple that Song Sijia could hardly believe it, and the same was true for getting from the top 16 to the top 8. She even had the leisure to sing along and make fun of it.

It wasn't until the semifinals began that Zhang Xuezhou's relaxed demeanor turned solemn.

It's difficult to distinguish who is who among 493 teams, but once the 493 teams have fought down to the last eight, even someone lacking information channels will know the information about the remaining team members.

"Several strong teams are coming up next, such as the 'Zhou-Zuo Legion' team led by Zuo Teng, the 'Please Make Way' team led by Luo Gaogao, and the 'Charge Forward' team led by Xu Zhihui..."

Each team that managed to emerge from such a large pool of participants must be exceptionally strong.

This even includes the two teams that Zhang Xuezhou swept out of the game that morning.

"Based on the information we have so far, Zuo Teng, Luo Gaogao, Xu Zhihui, Zhang Pan, and Wang Kaile are all extremely fast. If they encounter a group of these people, my mother's ability to scale walls and leap over obstacles is likely to be no match for them," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"In other words, we'll go from an active to a passive position," Zhang Manqian added. "They might even take our airdrop package, putting us at a significant disadvantage!"

Regardless of how many supplies are airdropped by the aircraft, and which of those supplies are merely for show, having them in the hands of the enemy undoubtedly poses a hidden threat.

If someone were to obtain a firearm with a range of over 100 meters, Zhang Xuezhou would be someone who would fall with a single shot.

While seemingly invincible, Zhang Xuezhou's strength is largely based on his side having the initiative.

However, once he was put on the defensive, Zhang Xuezhou inevitably felt the strain.

"Looks like we all need to lend a hand!" said Song Sijia, who had already paddled twice.

"As long as I don't get shot, I can easily take on two or three people," Wang Li assured, patting his chest.

"If I can't get anything, then all I can do is applaud and cheer you on!"

Song Fengying gave everyone an awkward smile.

But no one would complain about Song Fengying for this.

As the most inconspicuous member of the team, Song Fengying was a game-changer for everyone in the early stages of the game, and the importance of her participation in the game far exceeded everyone's expectations.

Of all the teams they encountered, no one was faster than Song Fengying.

Having livestreamed outdoor mountain climbing and wading for over a decade, Song Fengying is adept at handling almost any obstacle, and her "flying sheep and walking on walls "Gene Fighting Technique allows her to disregard certain terrains.

Even though Song Fengying's short-distance bursts or long-distance running speeds are not as good as many sequencers, Song Fengying undoubtedly holds a leading position in the obstacle course.

This resulted in a large number of teams being eliminated before they could lose any of their matches in the battle for airdrop supplies.

"Have you noticed that the number of airdrops is increasing?" Ren Anran reminded them.

Ren Anran initially encouraged everyone at the quarantine site and also oversaw any medical services that might be needed.

As the live-streaming incident unfolded, Ren Anran was forced to leave and stand by Ren Wuyang.

Once the livestream incident began to be largely under control, she avoided the controversy and arguments and returned to supporting the team from behind the scenes.

"You mean?" Zhang Xuezhou asked doubtfully.

"Based on my previous experience participating in competitions, the number of airdrops may increase in the later stages, and the quality of the airdrop items may also be improved," Ren Anran said. "There aren't many teams left now, so there won't be an overly rough selection process. If the organizing committee removes the barriers around the competition area and restores the original competition venue, that's entirely possible."

"I didn't encounter any familiar terrain areas during my two attempts," Zhang Xuezhou said, shrugging.

Zhang Xuezhou was most familiar with the Song family's areas, such as the shooting range, but in both competitions, he did not see any terrain that he was familiar with.

If Ren Anran's speculation is true, the factors determining the outcome of the final stage of the sequencing competition will continue to increase.

"Except for a few people, most people are currently experiencing deficiencies in physical fitness and genetic abilities, and some are even carrying injuries. Why add these unexpected factors at this time?" Zhang Manqian said.

"You mentioned a small group of people," Ren Anran said meaningfully, "And the sequencing conference ultimately needs just that small group of people!"

"The sequencing conference selects the best of the best," Song Sijia said. "Limited resources will be poured into this small group of people."

"Don't be fooled by the fact that the champions of the sequencing conference aren't famous right now. But as time goes by, these are the people who will likely be the ones to carry on the legacy," Ren Anran said.

The champions of Ren Anran's year, Zhu Shengnan, Zhen Mei, Jiang Feng, and others, were not well-known in Western Capital. This was not because they were incompetent, but because there were many more people above them.

It's difficult for newcomers to break through age barriers and reach the forefront, but as time goes by, the older generation moves behind the scenes, and it's time for these newcomers to step into the spotlight.

"It seems that a lot of acting is needed to get these resources flowing in," Zhang Xuezhou said. "If nothing unexpected happens, some people with real power and status should start to enter the arena to watch the game, right?"

"You guessed right!"

Ren Anran nodded.

The referees in the referee's room are merely going through the motions; they possess a certain degree of authority but lack real power and status.

Those who truly hold power and status are unlikely to spend their time watching the competition among sequencers.

Only competition among the elite sequencers can capture their attention.

"But more importantly, the researchers from the Sequence Committee have started to join," Ren Anran reminded.

Some people demand customized gene-based weapons, some demand higher-level Three-Star Combat Technique, some need tailor-made Gene Fighting Technique, and some need special blood serums, etc.

Among the researchers on the sequence committee, many possess corresponding research capabilities.

There weren't many of them, only a few hundred.

It is quite normal for only three to five people to be assigned to a specific field.

But any one of them in this group is a leader in their respective field.

These people may not be skilled in genetic combat, but they are undoubtedly the most senior theorists in the field.

While the top three teams at the sequencing conference will receive the awards designated by the conference, it doesn't mean that the other teams that finish lower have no chance of making a comeback.

If someone performs exceptionally well and catches the eye of a researcher, they too can possess unique and special potential.

"In other words, even if we lose, we might still benefit," Song Fengying concluded after listening for a long time. "But that depends on our performance!"

"That's right," Ren Anran said. "We don't need to worry too much about the result of the competition. Just give it your all, and someone will see your performance, which will likely bring rewards!"

"But I still want to win first or second place!"

Zhang Manqian muttered something to herself.

Compared to being chosen by others, the rewards for the top three teams are substantial, and they have the ability to choose for themselves.

"It would be best to do your best," Ren Anran nodded. "These kinds of competitions still have a certain degree of fairness and are difficult to completely manipulate!"

"Completely controlled by someone..."

Zhang Xuezhou seemed lost in thought.

When the announcement signaling the end of the break time came, he immediately got up.

"Zuo Teng and Luo Gaogao didn't even clash!"

During the team draw for the next competition, Zhang Xuezhou noticed something unusual.

Among all the teams, the team with the best chance of winning did not clash.

"Looks like we're just a weak team made up of numbers!"

Zhang Xuezhou still harbored a small hope that Zuo Teng and his team would clash with Luo Gaogao and his team, eliminating one of them. However, the strong teams did not clash; instead, they themselves became the backdrop.

In the quarterfinals, they faced Luo Gaogao's team.