"I'm telling you guys, that 'Eye-Graze Spinning Kick' move my master just pulled off? He did it effortlessly. What I did isn't much; I still need a lot more practice."
"Brother Hao, is that for real? I've been training at the camp for ages, and I can kick a dummy just fine, but the moment I get into a game, my hands feel like they belong to an old man."
"Yeah, sometimes I even kick in the wrong direction, trying to heal the dead and revive the injured."
"Heh, that's just because your talent isn't enough. Keep practicing, keep practicing. My master said my talent for playing Lee Sin is one in a thousand."
Xu Hao flicked the ash from his cigarette, his face radiating a smug, condescending expression. Ever since he became Qin Tian's disciple and learned that spinning kick, he'd been incredibly popular at the internet cafe, always hearing "666" from the players behind him.
"Oh, give it a rest. One in a thousand? Why don't you just aim for the sky!"
A dismissive, mocking voice cut through the air.
"Damn it, who said that!"
Xu Hao turned his head, glaring angrily. The few youths behind him also shot displeased glares in the same direction.
"Brother Tian, you're here!"
Just as one of them was about to blow up, Xu Hao suddenly exclaimed, jumping up with a face full of excitement. The youths around him were stunned into silence.
"Haozi, how's it going? How's your Lee Sin playing lately?" Qin Tian asked, approaching with Zhang Peng, a smile on his face.
"Heh heh... It's okay, I'm still far from your level, master." Xu Hao chuckled, scratching his head. He quickly made space, saying, "Master, come on, come on, you play and let these guys open their eyes."
Qin Tian didn't stand on ceremony. He nodded and walked over to sit down.
"Brother Hao, is this your master?" one youth asked Xu Hao, his gaze full of doubt. The others shared skeptical expressions. To them, he just looked like a school kid; how good could he be at games?
"You guys know nothing. Just shut up and watch, learn. That's all you need to do." Xu Hao glanced at them, then returned his attention to the screen, clearly not wanting to waste time talking to them.
The youths exchanged glances, about to say something more when the surroundings suddenly became noisy.
"Here they come, here they come, the gods have finally arrived."
"Let's go, let's go, to the spectator area!"
"Where's the boss? Quickly tell the boss to turn on the big screen in the spectator area."
"The boss doesn't seem to be here, go find someone at the counter."
"Holy crap, you guys are cutting in line!"
"..."
The few youths standing next to Xu Hao, still trying to process what was happening, were inexplicably pushed aside. The area in front was already packed, impenetrable.
"Brother Tian, you're finally here!"
"Brother Tian, Brother Tian, can you play other heroes today? How about a Fiora!"
"Get lost! Who are you to tell Brother Tian what to play? Brother Tian, just play Lee Sin."
"Everyone be quiet, don't disturb Brother Tian's play."
"Right, right! Keep it down, what are you yelling about? Anyone else yelling goes to the spectator area."
"..."
Watching the hyped-up crowd in front of them, each chiming in with their demands, the youths who were seeing Qin Tian for the first time finally understood. It turned out this guy was indeed a master! They wanted to squeeze back in, but it was clearly impossible. The people in front offered no chance.
"Stop pushing, don't push anymore, I'm about to fart!"
"Exactly, don't cause trouble. There's a big screen in the spectator area, go watch the stream there."
"Don't make noise from the back, everyone else get out!"
"All of you shut up, don't affect my learning!"
The youths exchanged helpless glances, biting their teeth in frustration as they hurried to the spectator area. In just about ten minutes of half a game, Qin Tian had demonstrated to the League of Legends players spectating at the internet cafe the difference between a novice and a master. The improvement in his physical fitness and reaction speed made his operations even more smooth and natural. High-level Lee Sin plays from his past life were effortlessly executed. Each dazzling maneuver drew gasps of amazement from the internet cafe, causing people in other gaming areas to sit up and watch with curiosity. Soon, the specially arranged large-screen spectator area managed by the internet cafe owner was packed, with no standing room left. The youths who had been bragging with Xu Hao now regretted their actions immensely. They had the chance to learn from a master up close but lost their spot. Qin Tian concluded the game with an overwhelmingly dominant score, effortlessly ending the match.
"Holy crap, Brother Tian, you're too cool. One more game, one more game!" Xu Hao exclaimed excitedly from his right.
"That blind monk is played well, it's really cool. Maybe I should give it a try too?" Zhang Peng muttered to himself, stroking his chin from his left. The crowd behind them also clamored, requesting Qin Tian to play another game.
"I won't play anymore today." Qin Tian shook his head with a slight smile and looked at Xu Hao, saying, "I still have evening self-study later. I came to the internet cafe to see how you're doing and to take care of some business. Help me set up a machine next to me."
"Oh, I see!" Xu Hao said with some regret, grinning. "Then, Master, please use my computer. Business is important, I'll play later."
"Alright, thanks. I'll log out of the game."
"Okay!"
"Everyone, disperse. I'll come back to play when school holidays start." Qin Tian said with a smile to the surrounding crowd. Hearing this, the onlookers dispersed with regret, returning to their own seats.
"Haozi, how's the boosting service going?" Qin Tian asked, opening a browser and downloading a drawing software. Having been an office worker in his past life, he was familiar with basic office software. The clothing design experience pack he redeemed also included instructions on how to use such drawing software.
"It's going quite smoothly. I've been using edited videos of you playing, Master, for advertising. The promotional effect is excellent. I've recruited quite a few skilled players and taken on many orders. We've already earned a good amount, which I've put into an account. Brother Tian, if you need money, I can transfer it to you." Xu Hao said with a chuckle.
"Not yet, for now." Qin Tian politely declined with a smile and continued, "By the way, can you get me computers with decent specs for playing League of Legends at a lower price?"
"Computers?"
"Yeah, I don't have time to come to the internet cafe, and I still have your account and those orders. If I get a computer, I can play at home at night."
"That's easy, but aren't you almost in the college entrance exam, Brother Tian? Aren't you worried it will affect your studies?" Xu Hao teased with a smile.
"Pfft!" Zhang Peng, who was beside them, suddenly burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at?" Xu Hao glared at him impatiently. Zhang Peng patted Qin Tian's shoulder and said with a smile, "Senior, let me introduce you. This is the dark horse of this year's Yuzheng Fourth Middle School. A few days ago, in the second round of the college entrance exam simulation, he scored 745. A true scholar. You're worried about his studies? Who do you think you're looking down on?"
"How much? 745?" Xu Hao exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"That's right, out of a perfect score of 750!" Zhang Peng grinned.
"My heavens!" Xu Hao's expression was as if he had seen a ghost, and his gaze at Qin Tian was filled with the reverence and incomprehension a struggling student has for a top scholar.