LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

As they left the teahouse, it was already late at night, and the neon lights on the street cast long shadows of the three of them.

"Well, now we're definitely going to be trending again." Rita shrugged helplessly, but there was a hint of a smile in her voice.

Luo Xin was a little worried: "Won't those two streamers retaliate against you?"

"Don't worry," Su Mo said calmly, "If I couldn't even handle this little bit of trouble, it would be ridiculous."

His words were understated, yet carried an undeniable weight.

In this world, EDG is no longer an ordinary club; it is a symbol, a totem of LPL and even the entire League of Legends esports scene.

Any malicious attack targeting its core players is futile and like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Sure enough, the fermentation and reversal that night came faster and more thoroughly than expected.

The guilds behind those two streamers, upon learning who their idiots had offended, issued a lengthy apology letter almost in a self-destructive manner the instant the video was released, and announced the termination of their contracts with the two streamers.

It was a minor incident that didn't even make it to the top of the trending topics before it vanished without a trace.

The EDG players' three-day holiday came to an end amidst this leisurely atmosphere and unexpected events.

Soon the holiday ended, and the EDG base returned to its usual bustling state. However, the air was no longer filled with the simple atmosphere of preparation for the competition, but rather with a unique commercial ambiance.

Business Week has officially begun.

The first stop was the LPL official photography studio, where the defending champions, who will be representing the LPL for the fifth time at MSI, shot official promotional videos and promotional photos.

The atmosphere in the huge photography studio was professional and serious.

"Jiejie, make your eyes even fiercer! Yes, you're not just a bully in the LPL, you're the king of the jungle in the world!" The director held up a megaphone, trying to ignite Jiejie's aura.

Jiejie tried to widen her eyes, but she used too much force and ended up looking rather comical.

"Cut!" the director yelled helplessly. "Never mind, look at Mozi over there!"

All eyes turned to the other side.

Su Mo was sitting listlessly on a high stool, letting the makeup artist touch up her makeup.

He glanced at the camera casually, his eyes carrying a hint of natural laziness and disdain, as if he were heading not to the world stage, but to the convenience store downstairs.

However, this casual glance, captured on camera, created a powerful aura that looked down upon all living beings.

"Yes! That's the feeling!" The director slapped his thigh excitedly. "That's what you call a king's composure! Okay, Jiejie, you just need to smile and show our champion's approachability."

Jiejie said with a long face, "Director, this is such a discriminatory treatment..."

The whole room burst into laughter.

During a break in filming, the EDG team encountered RNG members who were also there to shoot footage.

As the losers in the finals, the atmosphere within the RNG team was somewhat somber.

When Xiaohu saw Su Mo, she walked over and handed him a bottle of water, her eyes filled with complex emotions: "We still couldn't succeed in the challenge."

"You played pretty well," Su Mo said, taking the water, opening the cap, and taking a sip. "Keep up the good work in the Summer Split."

“It’s not just us,” Xiaohu glanced around and lowered his voice, “Race teams all over the world are studying you. They watch your replays more often than their own. This year’s DK team in the LCK reportedly trains twice as much as we do. Their only goal is to dethrone you in Iceland.”

“That’s good,” Su Mo shrugged. “Someone has to take on the challenge, otherwise it would be too boring.”

This conversation lacked the resentment of a loser; it was more like an internal entrustment within the LPL.

The task we were unable to complete is now yours to face the challenges of the entire world.

The news that EDG is about to compete has already spread to major regions around the world.

While LPL fans were celebrating the continuation of the dynasty, viewers and players in other regions were filled with a tense and excited feeling, as if they were witnessing a "boy who cried wolf."

In a post-match analysis program of the European LEC, the host quoted Perkz's statement on social media: "Over the years, we've changed countless talents and assembled all sorts of super teams, but in the end, we've found that at the end of every road to the world championship stands that man named Mo. This year, I'm not in Europe, and I hope the guys at MAD can help me... at least make him put in a little more effort."

On the North American LCS forums, fans expressed a complex mix of pessimism and anticipation: "Oh my god, it's EDG again. If our god-like C9 can even take one game from them this time, that would be a success!"

In LCK, the atmosphere was brought to its extreme.

When ShowMaker, the mid-laner of the renowned powerhouse DK team, was asked in an interview about his thoughts on EDG, their opponent at MSI, he looked at the camera and said in an extremely serious tone:

“When I first debuted, people said I was the next Faker. After I won multiple LCK championships, they said I was the best mid laner in the world.” He paused, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. “But I know very well that as long as that person is still playing, the title of best in the world will never be worthy of the name. I watched all his games, his mechanics, his decision-making… that’s beyond human capabilities. People call him a god, and I… want to go to Iceland and try it out, to see if a god really bleeds.”

This declaration was widely reported by major media outlets, igniting the tension of this year's MSI to its peak ahead of schedule.

An undefeated dynasty that ruled for four years.

A challenger alliance that brings together geniuses from all over the world.

Everyone understands that this year's Icelandic tournament will not only be a championship match, but also a battle to slay the gods—a new king challenging the old!
Meanwhile, the LPL's official "MSI Departure Ceremony" was held in Shanghai's Zhengda Plaza.

When the entire EDG team took to the stage in their new team uniforms with the five-star red flag subtly printed on them, the crowd erupted in cheers.

The league leader personally presented EDG with the flag, which, bearing the LPL logo, has long been EDG's "exclusive battle flag."

"Before we set off, each team member, please say a declaration!" Host Yu Shuang's voice was solemn and excited.

Meiko, Jiejie, and others spoke in turn, expressing their determination to defend their title.

Finally, the microphone was handed to Su Mo.

The entire room fell silent instantly.

Su Mo took the microphone, surveyed the sea of ​​golden flags below the stage, and slowly began to speak. His voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for the world to hear:
“I’ve heard from many people that teams all over the world want to challenge us.”

"Great, we accept the challenge."

A lazy smile played on his lips, but his eyes were sharp as knives.

"There are many regions in the world, and each region has its own champion. But there is only one throne in League of Legends."

"The one in Iceland, we've been sitting here for a long time."

"This time, I'm just going back to check if the chair has been dirtied."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a brief moment of deathly silence, followed by a deafening roar of celebration!

This is no longer a declaration! This is a verdict!

He didn't treat the other teams as challengers at all. Instead, he adopted the demeanor of a king surveying his territory, announcing to the world—the king is back!
After the ceremony, the EDG team headed straight to the airport.

Amidst the countless shouts of "The glory of LPL is in our hands!" from fans, they flew to that land of ice and fire. After more than ten hours of flight, EDG arrived in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

The biting cold wind and the desolate yet magnificent scenery gave the team members a completely different feeling from Shanghai.

This is the legendary abode of the Norse gods, and also the battlefield where they will soon defend their throne.

After arriving at the hotel arranged by the organizers, EDG did not rest for a moment and immediately began training.

It's worth mentioning that Abu actually managed to get DK to play a friendly match.

The other party's only condition was that Su Mo participate...

Su Mo sat in the top lane position, and the ID opposite him was none other than Khan, who was hailed as "the last glory of the LCK top lane".

During the draft phase, DK's coach Kkoma demonstrated the skill of a world-class coach, relentlessly targeting EDG's bot lane and mid lane, but leaving Su Mo's signature heroes untouched.

"They're... trying to test their skills against you in a training match?" Abu whispered behind Su Mo.

Su Mo smiled and said, "Then let's grant his wish."

EDG's last pick was one of Su Mo's signature champions—Irelia, the Blade Dancer!

Training match begins!
Everyone thought this would be a solo show for the top laner, but DK showed EDG with their actions why they are hailed as the "world's number one challenger".

Canyon's Nidalee and ShowMaker's Syndra relentlessly targeted the top lane from the very first minute of the game!
Level 3, mid and jungle synergy, forced Su Mo to use Flash.

At level 5, the jungler, in coordination with top laner Khan, once again forcefully tower dived.

Faced with this suffocating targeting, Su Mo, with his superb skills, managed to achieve a one-for-one trade under the tower, killing Khan, but was also taken down by Canyon.

“Damn it…” ShowMaker muttered a low curse as he looked at the gray screen in DK’s team voice chat.

In the last wave, his support was a step too slow, which resulted in Khan being replaced.

“It’s alright, he’s out of Flash and Teleport,” Canyon’s voice remained calm. “He’ll definitely die in the next wave.”

However, they underestimated how terrifying Su Mo was.

Back online, Su Mo's Irelia was behind in last hits, but every attack he made hit Khan's weak points precisely.

Ten minutes later, the Rift Herald was contested.

DK's mid, jungle, and support trio teamed up again, attempting to gank the lone Su Mo.

Just when everyone thought that Irelia was doomed, Su Mo used a perfect Q skill minion dash to dodge Syndra's fatal stun at the moment he was focused by three people. Then he used his ultimate to trap the three of them!
Q! Refresh! Q! Refresh again!

He was like an artist dancing on the edge of a knife, his figure weaving back and forth among the three DK members!

The Twin Blades were drawn out, precisely stunning ShowMaker and the support BeryL!

Double Kill!

When the notification sound of a double kill rang out, only heavy breathing could be heard in the entire DK training room.

In the end, Canyon's Nidalee managed to trade kills with the low-health Su Mo thanks to her Smite healing and exceptional healing.

A three-on-one attack resulted in a two-for-one exchange!

"Is this... the power of a god..." Khan murmured to himself, staring at his gray screen.

ShowMaker clenched his fists tightly, his eyes burning with an even more intense flame than before: "Interesting...very interesting!"

This incredible move completely disrupted the DK's rhythm.

The other EDG members regained their composure and began to operate steadily around Su Mo, who was regaining momentum.

Ultimately, this highly anticipated training match ended in victory for EDG.

In the training room, Jiejie let out a long sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead: "My God, Brother Mozi, I thought you were going to die during that last wave, I was so scared I almost had a heart attack!"

Su Mo took off his headphones, stretched his wrists, and wore a calm smile.
"I told you, I just came back to check on the chair."

"Looking at it now, it's actually quite clean; their strength is just so-so."

The gunpowder has been ignited.

The whole world is waiting for the start of the MSI main event!
The thrilling scrimmages with DK were not kept secret by either team. The news, like a stone thrown into a lake, caused quite a stir among the participating teams.

After completing the first round of assessments with teams from various regions, the factory manager and Abu made a decision that surprised everyone – while ensuring the daily basic training volume, they gave the players half a day to leave the hotel and experience the unique charm of Iceland.

“We can’t stay tense all the time,” the factory manager explained at the tactical meeting. “DK is strong, and MAD and C9 each have their own strengths. But we are EDG, and we have our own rhythm. Mentality is our biggest weapon on the world stage. This MSI, we not only want to win, but also to win by relaxing and being at ease.”

This decision brought cheers and excitement to a group of teenagers who were cooped up in the hotel and were practically rotting away.

Thus began EDG's "alternative preparations".

Instead of visiting famous tourist attractions, they embarked on a unique "Iceland exploration trip" accompanied and supervised by Riot Games staff.

Our first stop was a black sand beach not far from the hotel.

When the team members first set foot on that fine, ink-black sand formed from weathered volcanic lava, everyone was awestruck by the extraordinary sight before them.

"Wow! This place is so cool!" Jiejie ran around excitedly on the beach like a wild horse, not forgetting to livestream on her phone to show off to her fans back home, "Did you guys see this? This is Iceland! I'll bring you volcanic rocks as souvenirs when I get back!"

Scout and Viper were particularly captivated by the scenery.

Viper even took off his shoes and stepped barefoot into the icy seawater, feeling the biting cold, but his face was filled with an excited smile.

Su Mo did not participate in the young people's playful antics.

He walked alone to a high basalt rock, facing the biting sea wind, and looked out at the boundless Atlantic Ocean.

Meiko walked over to him and handed him a can of hot coffee: "What are you thinking about?"

"It's nothing," Su Mo said, taking the coffee and warming his hands. "It's just that compared to this world, winning or losing in the game doesn't seem so important anymore."

"Hey, is our god about to attain enlightenment and ascend to heaven?" Meiko teased with a smile.

"Pretty much," Su Mo smiled. "Perhaps, playing games is like sightseeing; the most important thing is to enjoy the process."

This conversation caused the factory manager and Abu, who were not far away, to exchange a smile.

They knew that Su Mo's mindset had reached a state of perfection.

He was no longer a mere victor, after all, the concept of defeat didn't exist in his life. (End of Chapter)