LPL didn't want me? I joined SKT instead!

The semi-finalists:

SKT (LCK)

SSG (LCK)

KT (LCK)

RNG (LPL)

What a tragic situation this is.

LCK has surprisingly secured three of the four semi-final spots!

Originally, it was thought that the S7 tournament, held on home soil, would be the year of LPL's rise, but unexpectedly it turned into an internal battle between LCK teams.

The online discussion exploded instantly.

"Three South Korean teams! How are we supposed to compete?"

"RNG has become the last hope. If RNG also falls, the final at the Bird's Nest will be an all-Korean battle between the two teams."

"This is so disheartening. Is LCK's dominance truly unshakeable?"

On Hupu, Tieba, and Weibo, countless posts sprang up like mushrooms after rain.

Fans who used to fight tooth and nail in the league, even digging up each other's ancestral graves, showed unprecedented unity at this moment.

"Pig's Report: Although we lost, we hope Uzi can carry on with Mingkai's dream. See you in Shanghai, RNG, fighting!"

"60E are here! Although WE fell in the round of 16, at this moment we are all believers in the LPL. RNG, please keep the championship in Yanjing!"

"Royal fans are moved to tears, thank you brothers. This time, we're going to take on the entire LCK!"

Amid this tragic atmosphere, a "victory script" that was widely shared went viral:

Step 1: RNG defeated SSG in the semifinals, avenging their defeat in the group stage.

Step 2: SKT and KT will fight a fierce five-game battle in the other half of the bracket, ideally resulting in a draw for both sides, with SKT ultimately winning by a narrow margin.

Step 3: The ultimate showdown at the Bird's Nest. Amidst the cheers of the entire audience, RNG shattered SKT's dynasty head-on, with Uzi personally receiving the heavy Summoner's Cup from Faker.

The script was so moving that countless players typed "No regrets joining the League in this life, and wishing to be in Summoner's Rift in the next" late at night.

However, at SKT's temporary base, Xiao Yan looked at these comments on his phone and simply turned off the screen.

Emotions can get people excited, but victory in the arena is never scripted.

……

Shanghai, a high-end esports hotel rented by SKT.

Xiao Yan sat in front of the computer, undergoing intensive Rank training.

His hands danced across the keyboard and mouse, moving so fast they almost left afterimages. Since receiving the system's "Hands Enhancement" reward, he found himself entering a completely new realm.

He could feel that the muscle fibers in each finger were full of explosive power, yet still delicate.

The "walking A" technique, which originally required conscious effort, has now become an instinct.

Even if he clicks the mouse six times in a second, he can still precisely control the landing point of each pixel.

"call……"

Xiao Yan, playing Draven, breathed a sigh of relief after completing a 1v3 massacre in a high-ranking Korean server match.

He looked at his hands, a faint glint of light emanating from beneath his skin. The feeling was wonderful; no professional player could resist the allure of "never getting tired, never making a mistake."

"Xiao Yan, don't practice too late. Tomorrow is the first match after the draw." Faker walked over with a glass of warm water, stood behind him for a while, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "Your hand speed... seems to have gotten faster again?"

As a god in this game, Faker's sensitivity to micro-management is a hundred times that of ordinary people.

He keenly sensed that Xiao Yan's current state was even more terrifying than when he played against EDG in Guangzhou.

"I feel pretty good." Xiao Yan smiled and flexed his wrists.

…………

The first day of the semi-finals. Shanghai Oriental Sports Center.

The atmosphere at the venue was so enthusiastic it almost lifted the roof off. Although the first match was an LCK internal battle between SKT and KT, the venue was still packed.

The fans' mentality is complicated: they hope to see the two South Korean teams fight as badly as possible, ideally with each game lasting 50 minutes, until all their tactics and trump cards are exhausted.

When the SKT players stepped onto the stage, Xiao Yan felt a pressure completely different from that in Guangzhou.

This is Shanghai, the center of the LPL.

Although he is also Chinese, he is wearing an SKT team uniform at this moment.

"Sh-!"

When Xiao Yan's close-up shot appeared on the big screen, a chorus of boos erupted from the audience.

"traitor!"

"Even though you're very strong, why are you helping Koreans fight Chinese people?"

"I hope Deft destroys you!"

These sounds occasionally slipped through the gaps in the headphones and entered Xiao Yan's ears.

Xiao Yan adjusted the peripherals with a blank expression.

He doesn't need to explain, nor does he need to prove himself.

In the world of competition, the greatest patriotism is not to go down with a weak team, but to stand at the top of the world and let the whole world know that the strongest player is Xiao Yan, from China.

"Both teams are ready! This is the first match of the S7 semifinals, the LCK's 'Telecommunications War,' which officially kicks off in Shanghai!"

Miller's hoarse voice carried throughout the venue through the speakers.

"SKT vs. KT! One side is the defending champions, the other is the Avengers. Who will be the first to secure their ticket to the Bird's Nest?"

Wawa chimed in, "To be honest, I'm more interested in the bot lane matchup. What kind of sparks will fly when Deft and Mata, the championship duo, face off against the in-form Xiao Yan and Wolf?"

The large screen displays the BP interface.

In the first game, KT was on the blue side and SKT was on the red side.

The first three bans were given to Tristana, Kog'Maw, and Caitlyn.

Three Bans for ADC! This is giving Xiao Yan a lot of face.

"Targeting me?" Xiao Yan's lips curled up slightly.

"Xiao Yan, what do you want?" KkOma asked from behind.

"Give me the Frostbite," Xiao Yan said calmly.

"Ashes?" KkOma paused, "In this patch where Ardent Censer monsters are rampant, isn't Ashe's damage output curve too far back?"

"No, Coach." Xiao Yan tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "I picked Frostfire not for damage output, but for... rhythm."

When SKT countered by locking in Ashe in the first round, the entire audience gasped in surprise.

In this version, everyone is grabbing late-game carry champions like Tristana, Twitch, and Kog'Maw, while picking a utility ADC like Ashe seems a bit out of place.

"Has Xiao Yan been beaten into submission? Is he just using Han Bing to get by?"

"Deft picked Varus, so won't he have a easy time laning against Ashe?"

"It seems that Xiao Yan's legend is coming to an end."

The online comments section exploded instantly.

However, when the competition officially began, everyone realized just how wrong they had been.

Three minutes into the game.

While Xiao Yan's Frost was finishing off Deft, each of his basic attacks was precisely timed to coincide with the moment Deft was stunned while finishing off the enemy.

The slowdown from each arrow made Deft feel extremely uncomfortable.

"His distance control... how is it so terrifying?" Deft said, frowning into the microphone.

He discovered that whenever he tried to target the wounded soldier, Xiao Yan's arrow would inevitably land on him.

But when he tried to retaliate, Xiao Yan seemed to have calculated his attack distance and deftly pulled back a step.

This feels like playing against a robot with a distance display cheat.

In five minutes, Xiao Yan had 52 kills, while Deft only had 41.

In professional leagues, this kind of lane dominance is simply despair-inducing.

"Look at this! Xiao Yan has leveled up to level six!"

With a gasp from the commentator, Xiao Yan's icy sword suddenly drew back the longbow.

Magic Crystal Arrow!

Don't get lost while following the book; bookmark it and read it anytime: "LPL Doesn't Want Me? I Joined SKT Instead!"