Starting with Zaozi Ge, a dream lineup

Chapter 294 A Clash of Titans! A Great Battle Begins!

Half past one in the afternoon.

With half an hour to go before the venue opened, the main participants and staff had already entered the venue, and the venue management was busy with a final round of equipment testing to ensure that everything would run smoothly.

The stadium was packed with spectators waiting to enter, including media reporters from major competitions around the world. Everyone was waiting to get in for this incredibly exciting battle.

Of course, since it was South Korea's home ground, South Koreans made up the majority of the audience, while the rest were mostly Chinese.

At 2 o'clock, the organizers began checking tickets, and the audience members entered the venue one after another to find their seats.

In just ten minutes, the once empty stadium was suddenly filled with people.

A massive 360-degree screen in the center of the venue has started playing highlights of this year's S-series tournament, while the screens on both sides are simultaneously broadcasting safety instructions.

Today, Incheon wasn't as cold as Gwangju, where it rained during the semi-finals. However, because Incheon is a port city, the cold air in November, mixed with sea breezes, still gave the city a chilly feel.

But the chill did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the audience. During the hour-long entry period from 2 to 3 p.m., the atmosphere in the stadium was electric.

Boom!
Boom boom boom!
dong dong dong dong!
The dull drumbeats interrupted the noise of tens of thousands of people in the stadium, instantly silencing the audience who were still laughing and joking in the lobby.

As the drumbeats reached their peak and abruptly stopped, two Arabic numerals appeared on all the screens—
59!

The countdown to the opening ceremony has begun!

The audience, who had been quiet, suddenly erupted in cheers again when they saw the countdown!
On the large screen in the center of the venue, the countdown began from 59, and on the stage lift, teams of dancers who were ready gradually rose up, waiting for the countdown to end.

By the time the number reached 10, the cheers from the crowd were deafening.

As the Arabic numeral 10 appeared, an AR projection suddenly appeared on the field. This is the same technology as the S7 dragon projection, but it was used for the first time in the opening ceremony countdown.

The incredibly realistic AR technology, along with the shattering of the number 10, further heightened the atmosphere at the scene.

9!

8!

When the count reached 8, the audience was even more shocked. Suddenly, a three-dimensional projection of Kai'Sa's original skin appeared next to the Arabic numerals. The figure was graceful and highly recognizable.

Before the fans who liked Kai'Sa could even cheer, the countdown started again.

7!

The Kaisa who was standing next to 8 suddenly transformed into a bolt of electricity and appeared next to 7, also donning new armor!

This is a new skin combination that Riot Games specially launched for this year's World Championship - K/DA Girl Group.

The model of KDA Kai'Sa is extremely detailed. The fact that such an effect can be achieved in such a small area made the audience scream with excitement.

After KDA Kai'Sa disappeared, Akali appeared in version 6, and then Akali's girl group version appeared in version 5.

Every time the numbers change, every time an AR model appears, the venue erupts in a thunderous cheer!

3!
2!

1!

As KDA Ahri swung her hand, it suddenly transformed into the classic screen-shattering animation of a fist.

Just then, a pleasant background music started playing—it was the single that Riot Games specially created this year for the virtual idol girl group K/DA.
Popstars!
The lifelike AR projection began to move forward, gracefully stepping out of the screen and performing in front of everyone.

A famous South Korean girl group, who had been prepared, also took to the stage and began to sing and dance together.

Although this new opening ceremony was not as grand or culturally rich as the one held at the Bird's Nest last year, it still captured the hearts of many male viewers and received positive feedback from those watching the live stream.

When anime characters and real people appeared on the same stage and sang the first song, "POPSTARS," the atmosphere became electric.

As the song ended, all the members of KDA gradually disappeared, but just when everyone thought the opening song was over, the band Glitch Mob appeared.

The highly recognizable electronic beat began to resonate in the speakers, and almost the next second, everyone realized that this was the intro to Rise!
Before everyone could even scream, something even more astonishing and shocking happened—
Where the KDA girl group disappeared on the screen, figures gradually began to emerge. Upon seeing these figures, any veteran player would almost immediately stand up!

This is!

Champion skin?

The first character to emerge from the screen across time and space was none other than Faker, the Rogue Mage who achieved legendary status in Season 5, and also the man who appeared in the Season 8 MV.

Lee has a total of three championship skins, but his choice of this skin speaks volumes about his intentions.

Faker entered the S5 World Championship with the rage of revenge. He still vividly remembered the entire year of S4 when he was overwhelmed by the strongest Samsung team in history.

SKT was repeatedly defeated by Pawn in the league, missing out on the championship. Even after Samsung disbanded, SKT could not escape Pawn's shadow, and was defeated by EDG, where Pawn played, at the beginning of the season at MSI.

Skt wasn't favored by many that year; people were more focused on EDG, who had the world's best jungler, and LGD, who had the genius mid laner Godv.

However, Faker used a single champion to dominate all the top mid laners from around the world. This moment showed everyone that in front of Faker, a champion pool is meaningless.

This is a hero for revenge, which also foreshadows Faker's return for vengeance.

But at almost the same time, another figure emerged from the screen on the left, standing shoulder to shoulder with the homeless.

It's Uzi's Vayne skin!

After the two figures stopped, more and more champion skins emerged. Unfortunately, Skt only had four champion skins, while RNG had a total of five.

Which one is strong and which one is weak is clear at a glance.

Then, a scene that shocked everyone unfolded.

Suddenly, the venue went dark, and in the center of the stage, an S8mv projection appeared as the music played.

Despite the swirling clouds and blizzard, Skt, though only four members, showed no fear of RNG's five and engaged in battle directly.

Welcome to the wasteland where good and evil intertwine.

"The smoke of war is still lingering before our eyes."

Electronic music, booming drums, and unique hymns created a feast for the eyes on the real stage in front of tens of millions of viewers.

As the background music suddenly rose and Rise's shouts appeared, the battle between the two sides finally ended.

A divine punishment descended from the sky, and suddenly a video appeared showing the entire S1Fnc team in an internet cafe, raising the Summoner's Cup and cheering to celebrate their team's S1 championship victory.

Riot Games kindly added extra shouts from the commentators and cheers from the audience to the video.

The scene shifts again, and the Assassins of S2 make their appearance. In an ancient star radiating black light, the five members of the Assassins stand proudly, holding trophies.

Immediately afterwards, the scene showed the double Zed battle between S3's YueLun and Faker, followed by the five members of SKT raising their championship trophy high, with a young Faker giving a thumbs up in front of a global audience!

Samsung's appearance at S4 was equally spectacular. Team strategist Mata wore glasses, and through the reflection in his glasses, the S4 trophy could be seen shining brightly.

S5 and S6 were two consecutive years of SKT's dynasty lifting numerous trophies. "Faker is on fire! His wandering style is an insurmountable mountain for everyone!"

"Faker's Viktor's damage is too explosive, even Bengi can't handle it. SKT is going to win their third championship!"

The commentator's heart-wrenching voice came from the screen, and then suddenly, it was time for S7!
"The puppy fainted! RNG's carry fainted at the crucial moment of the finals! Samsung is about to push in!"

"A regrettable defeat for RNG; their entire team was wiped out in the fourth game. Will Samsung take the championship?"

"The puppy is back! The man is back!"

"RNG! We are the champions!"

Golden rain fell from the sky, landing on each RNG player standing in the center of the stage to receive their award, making the scene dazzlingly golden.

"Ahhhhh!!"

"Rng!!! Rng!!!"

"RNG will win! Go RNG!"

The S8 celebration finally came to an end. Amidst everyone's anticipation, a trophy familiar to all players emerged from a crack in the center of the stage—the S8 championship trophy.

The two champion heroes stood still, their eyes fixed on the trophy!

Then, something even more exciting happened: two contrasting teams suddenly appeared on the moving stages on the left and right sides.

Standing on the left was none other than the golden RNG team, proud and confident, their hands behind their backs as they looked down at the stage.

On the right is the Skt team, with their red and black uniforms, unique color scheme, and familiar faces, which also drew screams.

The two teams taking the field have a clear symbolic meaning.
The S8 World Championship Finals have officially begun!
The stunning AR effects were used for the first time at the S-series finals, instantly bringing the atmosphere to a climax.

As the music ended, the heroes walked one by one into the screen and gradually disappeared from the stage, replaced by the Roaring Emperor, who was dressed in a white suit.

"Hello!!! Incheon!!! S8 World Championship Finals!"

Her unique voice immediately drew everyone's attention to the center of the stage from the very first second. It must be said that, under such an extravagant stage effect, the audience who had attended the S7 Bird's Nest finals could immediately feel a different kind of unique sensation.

If the competition at the Bird's Nest represents the gentle grace of women from the south, then today's competition embodies the rugged boldness of men from the northwest.

Even though the Roaring Emperor didn't say anything more, the screams from the audience continued.

Seeing the enthusiasm of the audience, the Roaring Emperor continued with great passion: "Today, here at Incheon Munhak Stadium in South Korea, on this long and arduous journey filled with passion, sweat, tears, and hard work, the two teams that have shed so much sweat and tears stand before the Summoner's Cup, these two champion teams are about to conclude this journey."

After the Roaring Emperor affectionately stroked the trophy, the camera, under his hand gestures, focused on the RNG and SKT teams on his left and right, respectively.

"After a long month-long competition, both teams have proven their strength. They are undoubtedly the most dominant teams and players in League of Legends. So today, a super champion will emerge from these two teams. Who will it be?"

Thud!

As the last note lingered, a dreamlike white mist was sprayed onto the stage, and the stage from both sides began to slowly move towards the center.

"Let's welcome all the players from both teams with the loudest cheers and the warmest applause!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the audience erupted in a deafening roar.

"First of all, let's welcome the last hope of our LCK region, our number one seed and the strongest team, the super galactic battleship that has won three World Championships, SKT!"

"Top lane, Khan!"

"Jungler, blank!"

"Mid lane, Faker"

"."

Every time the names of the SKT players were called, the audience, whether Korean or Chinese, would give them a warm cheer and applause. It's not easy for professional players to get to where they are today, and they deserve applause and cheers.

The Roaring Emperor also began to use his professional skills, elongating the last syllable of each player's name as much as possible to boost the morale of his team.

After introducing Skt, the Roaring Emperor paused for a moment before continuing to roar:
"Let's welcome the gem from the LPL region, last year's champions, and the terrifying team that still maintains an undefeated record this year!"

“R~~~~”

“N~~~~”

“G~~~~”

Every letter of RNG was drawn out extremely long by the Roaring Emperor, so even the Chinese viewers who couldn't understand Korean could tell that he was introducing their own team.

Suddenly, the light boards and glow sticks below the stage seemed to have been powered by electric motors, making the stage lose its luster.

"Top lane, Letme!"

"Top lane, mole!"

"Jungle, Spicy Hot Pot!"

"Jungler, Xiaotian!"

Mid laner, Xiaohu

"Ad carry, Uzi!"

"Support, Xiaoming!"

Every time an RNG player's ID was read out, the camera would give a close-up, causing the audience to erupt in cheers.

The Roaring Emperor's professional skills are outstanding, truly deserving of the title of top host. Just one introduction of the team members was enough to excite the RNG fans in the audience.

Back in Incheon during S8, although all the LCK teams had been eliminated, there were still three Korean players on the IG team. So the LCK audience cheered for IG a lot, considering IG their favorite team and sending them to fight against FNC.

But this time, all of RNG's members were Chinese. Every time the RNG players' names were called, the Koreans fell silent, while only the Chinese cheered. The difference in performance was immediately apparent.

"It seems the LCK audience isn't very friendly to us. Hopefully, RNG can withstand the pressure."

Seeing that there was no applause but only boos from those around him, Guan Daxiao, who was sitting outside the arena, said helplessly.

"But that's not hard to understand. RNG is much stronger than SKT right now. However, they're dreaming if they think they can mess with Uzi's mentality like this, haha."

Today, Grandpa Lu was dressed in a festive red Tang suit, standing on the commentary platform, speaking with great enthusiasm.

As a special guest commentator for the finals and a member of RNG, if RNG wins the championship today, his future honors will no longer be runner-up! But champion!

On the live chat, many people have already started using old memes.

"The players from both sides have begun to enter the arena. The final best-of-five series of the 2018 World Championship—who will emerge victorious? Let's witness it together. Now, we'll hand over the commentary to the players inside!"

(End of this chapter)