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

"LPL Doesn't Want Me? I Joined SKT Instead!": The article has received rave reviews and overwhelming praise!

The next morning, the fog in Wuhan had not completely dissipated, and the Yangtze River Bridge was faintly visible in the haze.

Temporarily setting aside the pressure of the competition, Xiao Yan fulfilled his promise and transformed into a guide, leading a group of "internet addicts" from SKT onto the streets of Wuhan.

"This is the Yellow Crane Tower. The ancients have already ridden the yellow crane away, leaving only the Yellow Crane Tower behind." Xiao Yan stood atop Snake Mountain, pointing to the ancient tower with its upturned eaves, explaining to his teammates in Korean.

Wearing his team jacket, Faker stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the ancient tower like a retired official, and pushed up his glasses: "It has a strong sense of history. In China, is climbing to a high place just for a panoramic view?"

"It's to see a wider world, and also to let the world see you," Xiao Yan replied with a smile, then took out a selfie stick from his bag. "Come on, Xiang He, smile. Don't keep that bossy face."

"eggplant--"

The camera freezes on that moment.

In the photo, Xiao Yan is smiling brightly and radiantly, Faker is still making his signature "thumbs up" gesture with a faint smile, Peanut is making a big peace sign in the background, and Huni and Wolf are each holding a hot dry noodle and eating it with their mouths full of sesame sauce.

At this moment, they didn't look like a team about to face a life-or-death battle, but more like a group of college students on an autumn outing.

However, the reality on the internet is quite different.

As the group stage draws near, the media offensive targeting SKT, especially Xiao Yan, has reached its peak. After the group photo at the Yellow Crane Tower was posted on SKT's official Twitter account and then shared on Weibo in China, the comment section was instantly flooded with comments.

Still in the mood for travel? Looks like you're ready to head back to Korea.

[Hilarious! That Xiao Yan is laughing so happily. I wonder how badly C9 will beat him tomorrow.]

[RNG fans are here to check in, hoping SKT will crash and burn in the group stage.]

[Here's a joke: SKT's current AD carry is Xiao Yan.]

To be fair, Faker is still handsome, it's a pity he has a burden on his shoulders.

Although a few die-hard SKT fans offered weak rebuttals in the comments section, such as "The match hasn't even started yet, don't be too quick to judge" and "I believe in SKT's ability to adjust," these voices were like a ripple in the ocean, instantly drowned out by the spittle of "Royal Team fans" and bandwagon haters. Faced with the grand narrative of "the most promising year for an all-Chinese team," any support for SKT seemed "politically incorrect."

……

Time flows by amidst the interplay of noise and silence.

Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium.

The group stage of the S7 World Championship has officially begun.

The huge stadium was packed, with red and blue lights intertwined, and the air was thick with the smell of hormones and shouts.

Although it was a match between SKT and C9, the cheers in the arena were quite subtle. When Faker's name was called, the entire arena erupted in applause, but when "Xiao Yan's" ID appeared on the big screen, the cheers suddenly subsided, and were even mixed with a few harsh boos.

In the commentary booth, Doll and Miller sat upright.

"Alright, viewers, the upcoming match is a highly anticipated clash in Group C, between the defending champions SKT and North America's rising star C9!" Miller's voice was full of passion. "This is also SKT's new AD Xiao Yan's World Championship debut, and everyone is eagerly awaiting his performance."

"That's right," Wawa chimed in. "Although there was a lot of controversy online before, the proof is in the pudding. C9 has clearly done their homework."

The business proposal (BP) phase begins.

C9 is on the red side and has a counter pick, but they are clearly extremely wary of SKT's bot lane.

First ban: Kalista.

This is a hero that the red side will definitely ban in S7, nothing more to say.

Second Ban: Caitlyn.

A slight commotion arose at the scene.

The third ban: Xayah.

The current meta is dominated by strong AD carries, and the power of the Rakan-Xayah combo is well-known.

SKT, on the other hand, routinely banned Galio, Janna, and Jarvan IV.

Entering the second round of bans, C9 didn't hesitate at all.

The fourth ban: Tristana.

The fifth ban: Varus.

"Wow!!"

The moment C9's fifth ban was secured, the entire stadium erupted in uproar!

"Five! C9 actually banned five AD carries!" Miller exclaimed in shock. "What kind of treatment is this? This is giving Xiao Yan the treatment that should be given to Faker! Kalista, Caitlyn, Xayah, Tristana, Varus—almost all the viable AD carries in this patch have been banned!"

"This is too targeted!" Wawa exclaimed. "C9 coach Reapered has obviously studied SKT. He knows that it's the Ardent Censer meta now, and the bot lane is the core. Moreover, he seems to be very wary of Xiao Yan's individual ability, even at the cost of banning mid and top lanes, he wants to block the bot lane."

In SKT's voice channel.

"Heh, scared already?" Xiao Yan looked at the row of grayed-out marksman avatars on the other side, a playful smile curving his lips. "Senior Sneaky is giving you so much face."

"They're afraid of you." Faker's voice was calm and certain. He locked down the hero that Xiao Yan had already agreed upon on the first floor.

"It's time to eat!"

Kog'Maw (Big Mouth) – the Maw of the Abyss!

"Kog'Maw! SKT has locked in Kog'Maw!" Miller shouted. "Then the support will definitely be Lulu! This is going to be a four-protect-one strategy!"

Sure enough, Wolf locked down Lulu, the Fairy Witch.

The final lineups for both sides have been determined:

Blue side SKT:

Top Lane: Huni - Cho'Gath (Big Bug)

Jungler: Peanut - Gragas

Mid Lane: Faker - Ryze

ADC: Xiao Yan - Big Mouth

Support: Wolf - Lulu

Red team C9:

Top Lane: Impact - Maokai (The Great Tree)

Jungler: Contractz - Ezreal (EZ Jungle)

With the system's rousing female voice, ten heroes descended upon Summoner's Rift.

In this match, SKT's tactical intention was very clear: protect the bottom lane.

But C9 clearly didn't want Kog'Maw to farm safely. Right after going live, Sneaky's Twitch, paired with Janna, played very aggressively, attempting to use the stealth mechanic to burst down opponents.

"Wolf, don't rush to give the shield, save your E for the enemy Janna."

Xiao Yan's calm voice rang out in the earphones, his fingers dancing lightly on the keyboard, as if he were playing a piano piece.

At level 1, the range of the Big Mouth increases instantly after activating W [Biohazard Barrage].

Taking advantage of the brief range advantage, Xiao Yan timed his attack on the rat the moment it raised its hand to finish it off, and then used a small step to retreat, dodging the wind girl's whirlwind.

"That positioning..." Sneaky frowned.

He originally thought the rookie AD would be nervous and his positioning would be stiff in his debut at the World Championship, but the guy in front of him was as slippery as an eel.

Three minutes in, C9 jungler Contractz's Ezreal finished clearing the red buff and immediately ganked bot lane from behind.

"They've arrived." Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, as if he had already seen through everything.

He didn't use Flash or panic and retreat. Instead, he commanded Wolf: "Give me a speed boost, head towards the river, don't go back to the tower."

Wolf's Lulu instantly cast W [Whimsical Idea] on Kog'Maw, who then sprinted towards the river bush with bizarre movements. Contractz's Ezreal jumped out of the tri-bush and used his Q skill to predict Kog'Maw's retreat route back to the tower.

However, Kog'Maw did the opposite, using a sharp, angular movement to not only dodge Ezreal's Q but also to unleash his E [Void Sludge] on the ground.

The pursuit of the rat and the Janna was slowed down.

"Peanut, it's up to you now."

Peanut, who had been lying in ambush in the riverbed grass, charged out with his big belly, controlling the barrel!

E [Human Bomb Impact]!

flash!

boom!

Gragas' E-Flash precisely stunned the Ezreal who was chasing him the most aggressively!

"beat!"

At Xiao Yan's command, the Big Mouth, which had been "fleeing," instantly turned back.

W activated!

Beep beep!

A barrage of green bio-engineered projectiles rained down on the squishy Ezreal. With Lulu Pix's buff and Kog'Maw's W percentage-based damage, Ezreal's health bar vanished instantly.

First Blood!

SKT T1's Xiao Yan has eliminated C9's Contractz!

"First Blood! Xiao Yan got the First Blood he wanted!" Miller exclaimed excitedly. "That counter-gank was brilliant! And Xiao Yan's baiting was incredibly resilient. If he had run under the tower, he would have been ganked, but he dared to go into the river, which shows he trusted Peanut!"

After securing First Blood, Kog'Maw immediately went back to base and bought a Short Sword and Boots of Speed, instantly tipping the laning balance in his favor.

The next ten minutes became a nightmare for C9's bot lane.

Xiao Yan displayed breathtaking lane control skills. He tightly controlled the minion wave in that ambiguous position in front of his own tower, preventing Sneaky's Twitch from either coming up to last-hit minions or roaming.

As soon as the rat dares to show its head, Kog'Maw will unleash a precise R [Living Cannon] from the sky, smashing off a layer of health, and then activate W to chase and spray twice.

"This dominance...it's terrifying." Sneaky looked at his 20-creep deficit in CS and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. "Is this really a rookie? His distance control is like a machine."

What made C9 even more desperate was SKT's mid-jungle synergy.

Faker's Ryze didn't push the lane aggressively as usual this game, but instead frequently disappeared from the map, putting immense psychological pressure on C9's top and bottom lanes.

The Incense Burner Monster was formed in 14 minutes.

Wolf's Lulu made the Blazing Incense Burner.

"We can start the raid now." Xiao Yan glanced at Ghost Rope's Berserker Blade in his equipment slot, his eyes sharpening.

Team fight at Xiaolongkeng.

C9 didn't want to let the dragon go, so Impact's Treant Protector teleported behind to try and force an engagement with Kog'Maw.

"Protect me." Xiao Yan only said two words.

The giant tree unleashes its ultimate move, "Nature's Grasp," as massive roots sweep across the area.

"Huni, stop them!"

Huni's enormous worm stood directly in front of Xiao Yan, devouring all control.

The next second, Faker's Ryze activated his ultimate, Warp, and with Gragas in tow, cut off C9's retreat.

The main battlefield became a one-man show for Xiao Yan.

"Lulu, give it a big shot! Incense burner triggered!"

Get bigger! Grow wildly!

Its size increased dramatically, its body radiated golden light, and its attack speed instantly broke through the 2.5 limit!

Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep—!

The sheer frequency of the attacks was so intense that even the model of the giant mouth appeared as an afterimage.

Impact's Maokai, though tough and resilient, is like a sheet of paper in front of a fully stacked Guinsoo's Rageblade and a Kog'Maw with his W active. The percentage-based magic damage mixed with true damage caused Maokai's health bar to melt at a visible rate.

"This damage! I don't understand!" Doll exclaimed. "The tree can't withstand it at all! Xiao Yan's kiting is so smooth! He didn't waste even 0.1 seconds of his attack time!"

After killing the giant tree, Xiao Yan did not stop.

flash!

Flash forward!

He dodged the weaklings that Syndra had pushed out before she died and charged straight at Sneaky's rat face.

Spray! Spray! Spray!

There are no fancy skills, only simple and monotonous basic attacks.

But with extreme attack speed and positioning, this is the most brutal aesthetic.

Double Kill!

Triple Kill!

With the fall of Twitch and Janna, C9 suffered a crushing defeat.

"Is this SKT's four-protect-one strategy? Is this Xiao Yan's Kog'Maw?" Miller's voice trembled. "C9 banned five AD carries, but released the most terrifying monster! He's like a mobile turret in team fights; whoever gets close dies!"

At 22 minutes, SKT secured Baron Nashor.

The economic gap has widened to 10,000.

Xiao Yan's big mouth has already made the three-piece set of Sheep Blade, Hurricane, and Ruined King's Blade.

SKT's five players gathered at the mid-lane high ground.

C9 attempted a final desperate gamble. Contractz's Ezreal tried to use his E to force a trade with Kog'Maw, but Faker's Ryze used his W to freeze him in place, instantly killing him with two breaths from Kog'Maw.

"it's over."

Xiao Yan said calmly.

He controlled the giant mouth, standing on the high ground of C9, like an invincible demon god.

As the C9 main crystal exploded, the screen froze on Xiao Yan's terrifying stats:

8/0/4.

Last hits: 260 (24 minutes).

Damage percentage: 42%.

The moment Xiao Yan took off his headphones, he heard thunderous applause erupt from the audience after a moment's hesitation.

This time, the applause was for him.

He turned his head and looked at Faker beside him. Faker was looking at the damage panel on the screen, a slight smile playing on his lips. He turned to Xiao Yan and gave him a thumbs up.

"Well done, Xiao Yan."

Peanut rushed over and hugged Xiao Yan's neck: "Brother! You're amazing! That Flash to dodge Syndra's push was so cool!"

Xiao Yan smiled and rubbed his slightly sore wrist.

He stood up, his gaze passing through the stage lights to the dark audience seats, as if he could see through the darkness the silent trolls in front of their screens.

"This is just the beginning."

He said this silently to himself.

"C9 is just an appetizer; the real feast is yet to come."

Although he won the game and his stats were perfect, when Xiao Yan stood up and bowed to the audience, he was not greeted by the cheers he had imagined.

There was applause, but it was mostly polite, and even mixed with a lot of harsh boos and whispers.

"Pshaw, with a four-protect-one strategy, anyone could win. Even a dog could win."

"Exactly, Faker and Huni are tanking damage in front while he's picking up kills in the back. What's so great about that?"

"They were just lucky. C9 played terribly this game."

"I still miss Bang. Bang's big mouth attack was much more reliable than this."

The domestic bullet comments were even more sour:

[They're already bragging? They've already crushed C9, what a joke!]

To be honest, this game was entirely thanks to Faker's Ryze driving the pace and setting the pace. I could have easily played AD carry myself.

[Waiting for him to get punished in the next game; C9 definitely won't let him have a late-game carry like that again.]

After a short break, the second game began.

This time, the atmosphere in C9's preparation room was extremely tense.

Coach Reapered stared at the stats panel from the previous game, his brow furrowed. That rookie named Xiao Yan not only displayed impeccable laning skills, but his ability to find effective positioning in team fights was terrifying. Last game, they thought that shutting down five AD carries would cripple SKT's bot lane, but they were instead utterly destroyed by Kog'Maw.

"We can't let him develop comfortably anymore." Reapered drew a heavy circle on the tactics board. "This time, we need to take the initiative and disrupt his rhythm."