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

The atmosphere at the Wuhan Sports Center was so heavy it seemed like water could drip from it.

On the big screen, the score was clearly displayed: SKT 2:0 C9.

SKT holds three match points and is just one step away from advancing to the semifinals. Meanwhile, C9, North America's last hope, is on the brink of elimination, with an abyss looming behind them.

"Alright, welcome back to the match! This is the quarterfinals of the 2017 World Championship!" Wawa's voice was still loud, but it clearly carried a complex emotion. "SKT has reached match point, and this game is a do-or-die situation for C9. If they lose, they will be eliminated from this World Championship."

Miller pushed up his glasses, his eyes glued to the screen: "Xiao Yan's pentakill with Twitch in the last game was absolutely stunning. To be honest, I'm a little worried about whether C9's mentality has collapsed. Facing an AD carry who doesn't play by the rules and dares to engage with his tankiness in the World Championship is putting immense pressure on them."

However, the comments in the domestic live stream chat were completely different from the amazement expressed by the on-site commentators.

Despite Xiao Yan's recent pentakill and his leadership of SKT to two consecutive victories, in the eyes of the massive LPL fanbase—especially the "Royal Tramp," "Pig Tramp," and "60E"—this Chinese man in the SKT jersey remains a thorn in their side.

[Haha, getting lucky and getting a pentakill and all that bragging? That's because Faker protected him well!]

[Exactly, without Faker's Galio, that rat would have died a million times over.]

[C9 is terrible, they didn't even look back. If it were Uzi, he would have torn this rat to shreds by now.]

Just wait, C9 will definitely target the bottom lane relentlessly this game. Let's see how they can keep up their act.

A traitor is a traitor. Even if they win, they'll still be dogs for the Koreans. What's there to brag about?

These malicious comments, like sludge from a sewer, surged wildly in the live chat. In their view, the stronger Xiao Yan was, the more it proved that the LPL was "blind" and that he threatened the status of their idol. Acknowledging Xiao Yan's strength was tantamount to admitting their own blindness, something they absolutely could not accept.

BP begins.

In this game, C9 was on the blue side, while SKT was on the red side.

C9 was clearly scared after being beaten, banning Twitch, Caitlyn, and Kalista in their first three picks.

"It's still targeting AD! C9 is determined not to let Xiao Yan have a good time!" Miller exclaimed.

C9 immediately locked in Tristana. In this Ardent Censer meta, Tristana's long range, mobility, and strong finishing ability in the late game make her an absolute Tier 1 choice.

Following that, C9 acquired Lulu, forming the classic "Incense Burner Monster" combination.

It's SKT's turn to select players.

Faker picked Ryze, and Peanut locked in Gragas.

As for the AD position, SKT has yet to reveal their champion.

Until the very last second, the figure wearing sunglasses and a red cape appeared on the big screen.

"Let us hunt down those who have fallen into darkness."

Vayne, the Night Hunter!

The entire audience erupted in uproar!

"Vayne?! Xiao Yan locked in Vayne?!" The commentator nearly jumped out of her chair in shock. "With a strong pressure combo like Tristana and Lulu on the opposing team, picking Vayne? That's walking a tightrope!"

Miller was also shocked: "This is insane! Absolutely insane! Vayne wasn't a strong champion in Season 7, and she has slow wave clear and short range, making her vulnerable to being poke like crazy by Tristana in the early game. Is Xiao Yan trying to show off his skills in a do-or-die match?"

The barrage of comments instantly reached a fever pitch:

[Hilarious! Picking Vayne? Does he think he's Uzi?]

[Like Dong Shi imitating Xi Shi! Trying to show off one's skills in front of Guan Yu!]

[Just waiting to get crushed! Tristana can completely dominate Vayne in the early game!]

[This game is in the bag, SKT's bot lane is going to collapse, C9, go!]

The lineups for both sides have been finalized:

Blue team C9:

Top Lane Impact: Cho'Gath

Jungler Contractz: Jarvan IV

Mid laner Jensen: Syndra

ADC Sneaky: Tristana

Support Smoothie: Lulu

Red team SKT:

Top laner Huni: Trundle

Jungler Peanut: Gragas

Mid laner Faker: Ryze

ADC Xiao Yan: Vayne

Support Wolf: Janna

Game start.

As everyone expected, Xiao Yan felt immense pressure from the moment he entered the first level.

Sneaky's Tristana, taking advantage of its range and the explosive sparks from its E skill, relentlessly pushed the lane. Lulu would also frequently come in to slow the enemy with her Q or harass them with auto-attacks.

Xiao Yan's Vayne could only stay under the tower to last-hit minions.

"Xiao Yan is having a tough time this game," Miller analyzed. "He's already down 10 CS, and the turret's health has been whittled down a lot. With C9's lineup, Jarvan IV and Cho'Gath are two big frontliners, and Syndra has her push ball, making Vayne's output environment extremely difficult."

However, Xiao Yan's expression remained calm and composed.

He controlled Vayne, moving around the tower like a butterfly flitting among flowers.

Finish off the enemy, retreat, use your Q skill [Evasion Strike] to adjust your position, dodge Lulu's Q, and then finish off the enemy.

Despite being pressured, he didn't miss a single tower cut.

The match lasted 11 minutes.

C9's jungler, Jarvan IV, ganked the bottom lane and, together with the bottom lane duo, forcefully pushed down the first tower.

Xiao Yan had no choice but to retreat to the second tower.

At this point, C9's economic lead reached two thousand.

"C9 has a great rhythm this game!" Wawa said. "Contractz's Jarvan IV has been making plays all the time, and Jensen's Syndra in the mid lane has also suppressed Faker's Ryze. SKT is a bit passive now."

At 17 minutes, a team fight broke out at the dragon pit.

This was the first turning point of the match.

The second dragon is a fire dragon, which is crucial for both sides.

SKT took the lead in positioning, and Peanut's Gragas tried to gain vision in the river.

But just then, a prince suddenly darted out of the bushes!

EQ combo!

Peanut reacted quickly, using his E skill, Body Slam, to interrupt the Prince's dash.

But C9's real killer move is yet to come.

Jensen's Syndra pushed a Dark Orb from the shadows.

Weaklings, begone!

The angle of that ball was extremely tricky, directly stunning the Gragas and the Janna who was positioned far forward!

"We've arrived! Syndra has knocked two people unconscious!"

Impact's giant bug activated Righteous Glory and charged in like a heavy tank, instantly killing the half-health Gragas with a single R [Feast]!

SKT's formation collapsed instantly.

"Retreat! Retreat!" Faker shouted.

But C9 went berserk. Sneaky's Tristana activated her Q skill for rapid fire, then used her W to jump in and deal damage.

Although Xiao Yan's Vayne kept dealing damage from the sidelines and managed to weaken the Prince, he could only fight and retreat in the face of the well-developed Tristana and Syndra's firepower suppression.

Ultimately, SKT lost the Infernal Dragon at the cost of their jungler and support.

The C9 economy has expanded to four thousand.

The chat was filled with jubilation:

[Hahaha! This is the world's best AD carry? Where's the damage output?]

[Is that all for Vayne? She's gone invisible?]

[This is hilarious! Vayne got completely overwhelmed by Tristana's attacks. Is she trying to be funny?]

Hurry up and submit your vote, don't embarrass yourself.

[Uzi's Vayne would have already flanked and killed two by now; Xiao Yan only knows how to run away.]

The next ten minutes were SKT's darkest moment.

C9 capitalized on the dual frontline advantage of Cho'Gath and Jarvan IV, constantly forcing team fights and pushing towers. SKT's outer towers were all destroyed, and their vision was compressed to the vicinity of their high ground.

At 28 minutes, C9 secured Baron Nashor.

With the Baron buff, the C9 team gathered in the mid lane and besieged the city.

"We can't hold on..." Miller looked at the huge economic gap (7,000) on the screen, his tone heavy. "C9 played too cautiously this game, giving SKT no chance at all. Cho'Gath has 5,000 health now, and once Gargoyle activates his Stoneplate, Vayne will have to spend ages poking him."

SKT team voice chat.

"This wave will be hard to defend." Wolf frowned as he watched the enemy's aggressive push. "The Prince has Flash, Syndra has Push, Cho'Gath has Silence... Vayne will have a hard time getting in."

Faker glanced at Xiao Yan's location on the screen and said in a deep voice, "I'll drive and hold him off, you guys stall for time."

"No."

Xiao Yan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.

His voice was soft, but it carried a chilling undertone.

"No need to restrain them."

Xiao Yan raised his head and looked at the invincible C9 formation on the screen, at the little cannon jumping around, and at the huge, mountain-like bug.

Deep within his pupils, it seemed as if a golden flame was burning.

[Ding! The host has been detected to be in dire straits and facing massive amounts of external doubt and ridicule.]

The skill "Divine Descent" is ready.

[Enable?]

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and gently placed his fingers on the keyboard.

"Sang-hyeok hyung, give me a shield."

"I want to... kill them all."

[Divine Descent, Begin!]

boom!

In Xiao Yan's mind, the world seemed to freeze for a moment.

The surrounding noise, the commentators' shouts, and the teammates' conversations all disappeared.

His vision became clearer than ever before. Every pixel on the screen, every soldier's movement, even the trajectory of skill projectiles flying through the air, became slow and traceable.

A massive flow of information flooded his brain—a premonition of what would happen 0.5 seconds into the future!

29 minutes 15 seconds.

C9 pushed onto SKT's mid-lane high ground.

Contractz's prince seized the opportunity, using a double EQ combo to knock up Huni's troll, and then—

Crashed!

The prince's ultimate ability completely blocked the Trundle and Janna!

"It's started! The Prince has initiated the team fight! Cho'Gath is following up with his Q skill to knock up the enemy! SKT's front line is about to fall!" Wawa shouted.

At this critical moment.

Xiao Yan made a move.

Instead of retreating to find a safe position like a typical AD carry, he activated his ultimate ability—

The final moment!

Vayne's giant crossbow was instantly soaked in holy silver, and her cloak fluttered wildly behind her.

Q skill [Dodge Strike]!

Instead of rolling backward, he rolled to the side and forward towards the edge of the prince's ultimate ability!

Invisibility!

Just 0.1 seconds after he went invisible, Jensen's Syndra used a QE combo to push him back to where he was standing.

It's empty!

"She dodged it! Xiao Yan predicted Syndra's push!" Miller exclaimed.

Vayne appeared and shot an arrow into the prince.

Blade of the Ruined King's active effect: Take a breath!

Go with A! Go with A! Go with A!

In his "Divine Descent" state, Xiao Yan's every click was precise down to the microsecond level.

His Vayne was like a ghost dancing on a knife's edge, weaving through chaotic team fights.

The prince fell to the ground!

But the crisis is not over.

Impact's giant bug activated Gargoyle Plates, its size increased dramatically, and it flashed towards Vayne, using its W [Wild Scream] to try and silence Xiao Yan.

Predicted screen flash: 0.5 seconds later, the giant bug will use its W-flash ability.

Xiao Yan's lips curled into a cold smile.

The instant the giant bug landed, his finger almost instinctively pressed the Mercury Sash!

Instantly break the silence!

Immediately following, use the E skill [Demon Judgment]!

boom!

The massive crossbow bolted the 5,000 HP giant worm firmly into SKT's high ground wall!

"It's nailed to the wall! It neutralized the mercury in an instant! What kind of reaction speed is that?!" the doll exclaimed, clutching her head.

The Third Ring Road! The Third Ring Road! It's the Third Ring Road again!

Vayne's true damage exploded on Cho'Gath, making even a tank with 5,000 health as fragile as paper in front of her.

The big bug fell to the ground!

At this point, C9 only had three players left in the back row: Tristana, Syndra, and Lulu.

Sneaky's Tristana, sensing danger, tried to use her W ability to escape.

Sneaky's Tristana, sensing danger, tried to use her W ability to escape.

"Trying to run away?"

A brilliant golden light shone in Xiao Yan's eyes.

flash!

Vayne flashed over the wall and chased the enemy all the way to the outside of the high ground tower!

"Is he crazy?! Chasing three people by himself?!"

Facing the counterattacks of Xiao Pao and Syndra, Xiao Yan displayed superhuman movement skills.

He took a small step to the left, dodging the small cannon's W and landing to slow down.

Q skill is off cooldown.

Roll to the right and become invisible!

This roll not only allowed him to avoid Lulu's polymorph spell by losing his target, but also brought him to Syndra's flank.

Appears, basic attack.

Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!

Syndra didn't even have time to unleash her ultimate ability before Vayne's terrifying critical strike damage killed her with three shots!

Triple Kill!

Only Xiaopao and Lulu remained.

Sneaky panicked completely. He looked at the fully healed Vayne as if he were seeing a demon.

He used Flash to try and escape back to the jungle.

Vayne's passive, Night Hunter, is triggered, granting her increased movement speed when moving towards enemy champions!

Xiao Yan controlled Vayne, clinging to her like a leech, relentlessly attacking the little cannon.

One arrow, two arrows.

The little cannon turned around and used his R [Destructive Shot] to try and push Vayne away.

But in the instant she pushed him away, Vayne had already launched a basic attack.

Crit!

The small cannon turned into a corpse in mid-air.

Quadra Kill!

Lulu, trembling, huddled in the bushes when Faker's Ryze arrived and froze her.

Xiao Yan walked over and took the head.

Penta Kill!

ACE!

The system's rousing female voice resounded through the canyon once again, but this time, it was more awe-inspiring than ever before.

The entire Wuhan Sports Center fell into a brief silence, followed by a deafening roar of screams!

"Pentakill! Another pentakill! My God!" Wawa jumped up from the commentary booth, his face flushed and neck red as he roared, "What kind of Vayne is this? This is a god! Is Uzi possessing her? No! This is Xiao Yan! This is Xiao Yan's Vayne!"

"A god descends! This is absolutely a god descends!" Miller was so excited he was incoherent. "He predicted Syndra's push, instantly broke Cho'Gath's silence, and flashed to chase down three opponents! He was dancing on the high ground! He chased down and killed all five C9 players by himself! In this team fight, he was a god!"

On the big screen, the incredible maneuver from just now was being replayed.

In slow motion, people were horrified to discover that Xiao Yan's every move was almost a mere brush against the edge of the opponent's skill. One mistake and he would be instantly killed.

But he didn't make a mistake.

Not even once.

With this pentakill, SKT pushed back and ended the game in one fell swoop.

3:0!

SKT sweeps C9 and advances to the semifinals!

The moment Xiao Yan took off his headphones, the golden light in his eyes faded, and a great sense of exhaustion washed over him. His hands trembled slightly, his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, and his face was somewhat pale.

The side effects of "divine intervention" have arrived.

But he still forced himself to stand up, a signature, unruly smile on his lips.

However, even with such miraculous plays and leading the team to a 3-0 sweep of their opponents, the chat in the domestic live stream was still filled with sour grapes.