LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

"Oh my, so some people are already acting cute?" Rita watched from the side, pouting, but her captivating peach blossom eyes were full of laughter. She stood up and sat down on the other side of Su Mo without any hesitation, even putting her long, straight legs on Su Mo's knees. "Brother Mo, I'm cold too, can you cover me up with some blankets?"

Faced with Rita's blatant "competition for favor," Xiaoyu and Luoxin laughed uproariously across from them.

Yu Shuang shook her head helplessly, picked up the teapot, and gently refilled everyone's cups with hot tea. She knew that in this special little family, the girls' occasional jealousy was just a kind of fun in life, and Su Mo, that man who was like a pillar of strength, could always handle everything perfectly with his unique composure.

as predicted.

Su Mo glanced calmly at the long legs on her lap, but instead of pushing her off, he naturally reached out and gently patted Rita's knee with just the right amount of force.

"Go get a blanket if you want one. Or, you can do the dishes tonight." There was no reproach in Su Mo's tone, only an irresistible brotherly indulgence.

"I'll wash the dishes, as long as you can hold me a little longer." Rita didn't back down; instead, she nestled her head in the crook of his neck like a lazy Persian cat.

Listening to the cheerful laughter coming through her headphones, Lin Xuan, far away in Beijing, sighed softly.

"I'm so envious of you guys... I have to fly to Changsha tomorrow to record a show, so I probably won't be able to come back to Shanghai to see you until the playoff finals," Lin Xuan said somewhat sadly in the voice message.

Upon hearing her voice, Su Mo straightened up slightly, picked up his phone, and spoke into the microphone in a deep and gentle voice:
"Work is important. There's no need to rush back."

He paused, a resolute glint flashing in his deep eyes.

"Focus on recording the show. I'll reserve the best seat for you in the playoffs. On the final stage, I'll bring the championship trophy back and put it in this room."

This statement, devoid of any grandiloquent exaggeration, carries an air of absolute dominance and security.

All the girls present, including Lin Xuan on the other end of the voice call, felt their hearts skip a beat at that moment.

This is a promise from the seven-time champion.

Outside the window, the March spring breeze swept across the Huangpu River, dispelling the last trace of winter's chill.

The brutal battles of the 2024 LPL Spring Split playoffs will begin in just half a month, with an even more intense atmosphere.

In mid-April, with the conclusion of the LPL Spring Split regular season, the playoffs officially kicked off at the Shanghai Hongqiao Performing Arts Center.

With an impressive record of 16 wins and 10 losses, EDG secured the top spot in the regular season, directly qualifying for the playoffs semifinals (winners' bracket finals) and holding an extremely valuable "revival armor".

For the EDG players, this two-week waiting period was both a time for rest and an extremely grueling preparation period.

The atmosphere in the training room at the base was much more somber than during the regular season.

"The situation in the lower bracket is now clear." Mingkai stood in front of the whiteboard, holding the latest match report. "JDG swept NIP 3-0 in the first round of the playoffs, showing great resilience. If nothing unexpected happens, they will most likely be our opponent in the semifinals."

Abu adjusted his glasses and added, "JDG's rookie top laner Sheer was in incredibly hot form against NIP. He picked Kennen and Gwent, big carries, in three consecutive games and delivered explosive damage. Kanavi and Ruler also maintained a solid foundation. This team's ability to evolve in the playoffs should not be underestimated."

Upon hearing this, Ah Chen and Xiao Yue, who were in line, exchanged glances and both saw a hint of pressure in each other's eyes.

Although EDG won their final regular season match, the best-of-five series in the playoffs presents a completely different level of competition. Opponents have ample time to analyze your weaknesses and develop targeted strategies.

However, Su Mo, sitting in the corner, remained as calm and composed as ever.

He was wearing a loose black hooded sweatshirt, holding a thermos in his left hand, and slowly scrolling through the mouse with his right hand, watching the replay of JDG vs. NIP.

"Mozi, what do you think?" Mingkai walked up behind Su Mo and asked.

Su Mo pressed the spacebar, and the screen froze on Sheer's Kennen making his lightning-fast entry into the team fight. He unscrewed the lid of his cup, took a sip of goji berry water, and spoke calmly, without a trace of emotion.

"Young and impetuous, with plenty of skill, but too reliant on the jungler's protection and the team composition's margin for error." Su Mo put down his thermos cup, turned to look at Ming Kai, his deep eyes revealing a calmness that comes from having seen it all. "He was able to gain an advantage against NIP because the opposing top laner gave him a comfortable space to develop."

He paused, then looked back at the screen and lightly clicked the mouse on Kennen's portrait.

"If he were to attack me, his Kennen wouldn't even have a chance to unleash his ultimate ability."

These words, spoken casually, acted like a shot in the arm, instantly dispelling the tense atmosphere in the training room. Ah Chen and Xiao Yue both breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Mo Ge could hold his own in the top lane, this EDG team would remain the unshakeable super team.

……

April 20th, playoff semifinals, winners' bracket final.

The weather in Shanghai was already slightly warm, but the Hongqiao Performing Arts Center was remarkably cool. The fans were incredibly enthusiastic, with the red and black EDG support jerseys and the red JDG team jerseys clearly dividing the audience into two distinct halves.

This is a crucial battle to determine who will be the first to secure a ticket to the Spring Split Finals.

The commentators today are Guan Zeyuan, Miller, and special guest – former professional player Zz1tai.

"Alright viewers! Welcome to the 2024 LPL Spring Split Playoffs Semifinals!" Guan Zeyuan's voice was incredibly powerful. "Today, we will witness the ultimate showdown between the regular season champions EDG and the playoff powerhouse JDG!"

"That's right, the biggest highlight of this BO5 is undoubtedly the clash in the top lane," Miller continued. "In the final match of the regular season, Sheer picked Fiora but was mercilessly taught a lesson by Mozi's Shen. Today, facing his idol and nemesis again, can this 18-year-old prodigy avenge his defeat and prove his growth?"

Zita shook his head with a smile: "To be honest, if I were Sheer, I probably wouldn't be able to sleep well tonight. Playing against Mozi in a BO5 is an exponentially increasing pressure. You never know what outrageous hero he'll pull out in the counter-pick phase to mess with your mentality."

Accompanied by an exciting background music, both contestants officially took to the stage.

Su Mo, carrying his peripheral bag and a black thermos, walked calmly out of the passage. He was still wearing his black and white team uniform, his expression as calm as if he had just come to the internet cafe to surf the internet.

On JDG's side, Sheer took a deep breath. His eyes were resolute, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner tension. The humiliating defeat in the regular season remained a thorn in his side. Today, he had to prove himself.

The competition has officially begun.

[First Game]

JDG, on the blue side, demonstrated a highly targeted approach during the draft phase. Their first three bans were Camille, Gwen, and Olaf, effectively blocking not only SuMo's split-pushing champions but also his signature aggressive champions from the regular season.

Subsequently, JDG secured the jungler Xin Zhao with their first pick.

On EDG's side, Mingkai played steadily, securing the mid-jungle duo of Vi and Syndra, and picking Varus and Lena for the bot lane. In the second round of drafting, JDG's tactical intentions were completely revealed. They picked Zelli and Lulu for the bot lane, and then revealed their pick on the fourth floor—Kennium, the Heart of the Tempest!

"Kennen!! Sheer has picked Kennen, the signature champion he played so brilliantly in the playoffs!!" Guan Zeyuan shouted. "This is a versatile champion, a teamfight destroyer! And in the laning phase, his long range gives him an advantage over shorter range champions, making him dominant against many fighters!"

"JDG is betting everything on team fights. And Kennen, as long as he farms steadily, will have an immense impact in the late game," Miller analyzed.

All eyes were once again focused on EDG's fifth-floor counter-seat.

When facing Kennen, picking a standard heavy fighter makes you vulnerable to being kited, while picking a tank makes you vulnerable to being pressured in split pushing.

Su Mo looked at the little electric mouse on the screen, a very faint smile curving his lips.

He turned to Mingkai and said the name of a hero. Mingkai was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The moment EDG's fifth-floor avatar lit up and locked, the gasps from the entire audience almost lifted the roof off!
“I have climbed to the mountain peaks and ventured into the dark valleys, and both have benefited me greatly.”

Taric, the Gem Knight and Shield of Valoran!!!

"Gem Knight?! What the hell is this?!" Zz1tai's voice cracked in the commentary booth, his face full of disbelief. "What is Mozi doing?! Picking a pure support champion for top lane?! Is he looking down on Sheer's Kennen?!"

Guan Zeyuan was also stunned: "In such a crucial game in the playoffs, Mozi actually picked Taric top lane?! This champion has sustain and invulnerability, but his range is too short! Won't he get ganked by Kennen during the laning phase?!"

On the battle platform, Sheer's face instantly darkened when he saw this player selection. He felt it was a blatant insult.

"I'm going to beat him by fifty dollars this time!" Sheer said through gritted teeth in the voice chat.

Kanavi frowned as well: "Hold on, I won't go top before level six. There's definitely a trick to picking this Taric, maybe it's to protect the AD carry in team fights."

Welcome to Summoner's Rift!

The lanes converge.

Sheer's Kennen, equipped with Doran's Blade and Kleptomancy, played extremely aggressively from level one. He used his long range advantage to relentlessly auto-attack Taric across the minion wave.

But Su Mo's reaction surprised everyone.

He didn't back down, nor did he go to farm minions. Taric had learned his E skill [Dazzling Glow] at level one, and the instant Kennen raised his hand to auto-attack, Su Mo didn't retreat but instead advanced, directly walking towards Kennen's attack!
"What is Brother Mozi doing? Is he going to use his physical body to exchange for blood at the first level?" Miller asked in confusion.

The moment Taric stepped into Kennen's minion wave, Su Mo pressed his E skill!
A dazzling beam of starlight shot out in an instant!

But because Kennen moves very fast, the dazzling light looks like it's going to miss!

However, Su Mo's fingers glided across the keyboard with extreme delicacy.

"Shh!"

Shining with golden light!

E Flash!!

Taric used Flash in the last tenth of a second before the Radiance was about to be launched, abruptly changing the trajectory of the skill and stunning Kennen, who was originally at a safe distance, in place!

"E Flash stunned him!! Mozi used Flash at level 1!! What a temper!!" Zita exclaimed.

In the moment of dizziness, Su Mo didn't hesitate at all. He ignited the skill and launched a basic attack! Combined with the two extremely fast basic attacks with additional magic damage brought by the passive skill [Righteous Aura], they slammed hard into Kennen's fragile body!

Sheer was shocked and, upon waking from her dizziness, immediately used Flash to try and create distance.

However, Taric's passive not only provides attack speed, but also reduces the cooldown of his basic skills!

Su Mo had no intention of letting him go. He used a health potion and chased after him, enduring the damage from minions. Kennen, a squishy mage, is as fragile as paper once he gets close in the early game.

"Crack!"

The final basic attack, complete with a passive effect, landed.

"EDG.Mo has killed JDG.Sheer!"

"First Blood!"

"First Blood!!! Level 1 Solo Kill!!!" Guan Zeyuan pounded the table frantically, his voice completely hoarse. "Brother Mozi, using a support champion, used E-Flash-Ignite at level 1 to kill a full-health Kennen!!!"

"That was too violent! That was too unreasonable!" Miller clutched his head. "Everyone thought he picked Taric to coast, to get ahead in team fights! But deep down, he's still that bloodthirsty killing machine! He used the gentlest champion to deliver the most brutal laning phase!!"

The entire venue erupted in cheers!

Sheer stared at the gray screen, his hand gripping the mouse trembling slightly. He couldn't understand why Taric could deal so much damage at level one, and why the opponent dared to use Flash to kill him at level one!
After securing the first blood, Su Mo pushed the minion wave and safely recalled to base under the tower. He picked up his thermos and took a sip of water, his tone calm and utterly unflappable.

"Chen, you can play more aggressively in the bottom lane. He's already disconnected from the top lane."

This match turned into a complete "torture show" for Su Mo.

With his economic advantage, Taric built a full tank build. Not only did he render Kennen's poke meaningless in lane thanks to his Q's healing and W's armor bonus, but he also became a wall of lamentation in team fights.

A 15-minute mini-dragon ball.

Sheer's Kennen finally found the perfect position to flank, activated his ultimate [Thunderbolt Prison], and flashed into the EDG team!

"Kennen's in!! That lightning strike was perfectly positioned!! EDG's going to explode!!"

At this critical moment!
Su Mo pressed down gently with his left hand.

R skill: Cosmic Radiance!
A dazzling starlight descended from the sky, landing precisely on the five EDG players just 2.5 seconds before Kennen's ultimate ability unleashed its full damage!
"Invincible!! Group invincibility!!!" Zita roared, "Brother Mozi's ultimate timing was perfect! Kennen's full ultimate damage all hit the invincible shield!!" (End of Chapter)