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

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Before the stage lights had completely dimmed, the host, Yu Shuang, was already standing in the interview area. She was wearing a well-fitting blue and white porcelain cheongsam, but the smile on her face seemed somewhat forced.

As an LPL host, witnessing her region's top seed RNG being so brutally crushed by SKT in the first round of the group stage, with even Uzi crying, one can only imagine her feelings.

But her professional ethics required her to keep smiling.

"Let's welcome SKT's ADC player, Xiao Yan!"

The spotlight shone on Xiao Yan. He had one hand in his pocket, casually waved the other, and wore that signature lazy smile that made you want to punch him.

Sparse applause rippled through the audience, but silence prevailed, along with faint boos. This was the Wuhan Sports Center, the home ground of the LPL, but now it had become Xiao Yan's personal stage.

"First of all, congratulations to SKT on their victory," Yu Shuang said, handing over the microphone, her voice a little hoarse. "Xiao Yan, this is your first time participating in the World Championship, and also your first time facing a legendary player like Uzi. Towards the end of the match, we saw that Uzi seemed to lose control of his emotions. Do you have anything to say about that?"

This is a trick question.

If Xiao Yan says "he is very strong," that's hypocrisy; if he says "he is very weak," that's arrogance.

Xiao Yan took the microphone, his eyes sweeping over the gloomy faces of those holding up "RNG Fighting" signs below the stage, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"What are you trying to say?" Xiao Yan chuckled. "Esports doesn't believe in tears. If crying could win a game, then babies should be allowed to play professionally; their win rate would be 100%."

boom--!

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Yu Shuang's expression froze; she hadn't expected Xiao Yan to answer so bluntly.

"As for Uzi..." Xiao Yan paused, his tone becoming nonchalant, "He was indeed a decent opponent, putting some pressure on me during the laning phase. But that's all. The so-called 'god,' in the moment of being shattered, is actually no different from a mortal. In fact, even more fragile than a mortal."

"Finally, I want to say something to the LPL fans," Xiao Yan said, his eyes sharp as knives as he looked at the camera, "Instead of feeling sorry for the losers, you should pray that the rest of your teams don't run into me. Because I haven't had enough fun yet."

After saying that, he shoved the microphone back into the dazed Yu Shuang's hand and turned to leave gracefully.

……

The SKT players were packing up to go back to the hotel. Faker was still looking down at the damage panel on his phone, while Wolf was humming a tune.

Just then, a group of people dressed in black and white uniforms walked towards them.

EDG.

As the LPL's number one seed, EDG was not grouped with SKT, so they can only meet after the group stage.

The two teams met in the narrow corridor.

The factory manager walked at the front, glancing at Xiao Yan with a complicated expression.

He watched the entire match from the locker room, and the breathtaking Vayne plays sent chills down his spine, even for a veteran like him.

But the rest of EDG don't seem to think that way.

"Hey, isn't this Xiao Yan, who just stole the show?"

A slightly immature yet defiant voice rang out. It was iBoy, EDG's prodigy AD carry.

At just 17 years old, iBoy is at the age where he's fearless and unafraid of challenges. His reaction speed is considered top-tier in the LPL, with some even calling him "Little Uzi." While he was surprised by Xiao Yan's performance, he was more unconvinced than impressed.

In his opinion, Uzi was outplayed because he lost his composure; if it were him, he would definitely have been able to react.

Xiao Yan stopped and turned his head to look at the boy chewing gum.

"What's up?"

"Nothing much," iBoy blew a bubble, his eyes full of disdain, "I just think RNG is a disgrace. If it were EDG, your Vayne wouldn't have been able to shine at all. Don't think you're invincible just because you beat Uzi. Tomorrow's match, I'll show you what real reaction speed is."

Meiko frowned and tugged at iBoy's sleeve, signaling him to say less.

But iBoy was clearly in high spirits and continued, "Your moves weren't anything special. You just got lucky. If you met me, I'd teach you a lesson."

Xiao Yan looked at iBoy and suddenly smiled.

He doesn't even take Uzi seriously, so why would he be afraid of this iBoy who's been touted as a mini-Uzi?

"Luck?" Xiao Yan took a step forward, getting closer to iBoy.

iBoy subconsciously took a half step back.

"Since you're so confident, then don't cower under the tower if you encounter this later." Xiao Yan's voice was very soft, only the two of them could hear it, "I'll use your head as my finishing blow."

After saying that, Xiao Yan patted iBoy on the shoulder, like an elder caring for a younger generation, and then led the SKT team away.

Watching Xiao Yan's retreating figure, iBoy gritted his teeth and spat out his chewing gum: "Stop pretending!"

The factory manager sighed, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: "Xianzhao, don't underestimate him. This person is very strong."

"Don't worry, Mingkai!" iBoy said dismissively. "RNG's four-protect-one strategy is useless, but our EDG has a multi-core system. Two against two, why would I be afraid of them?"

……

That evening, online discussions escalated once again.

After a brief celebration of RNG's loss, EDG fans (澱粉) began a frenzy of hype.

[EDG Super Topic:]

"Looks like EDG is the only team that can beat SKT. Go EDG!"

"RNG lost because they only knew how to use a four-protect-one strategy, which they figured out. EDG, on the other hand, is a macro-oriented team, specifically designed to counter SKT. Plus, Scout was Faker's substitute, so he knows Faker best!"

"I hope they meet in the quarterfinals, so iBoy can teach Xiao Yan a lesson and restore LPL's reputation!"

……

With the dust settled from the first round of the group stage, the standings are a mixed bag of fortunes.

SKT dominated with a 3-0 record, demonstrating the absolute dominance of the defending champions.

RNG followed closely behind with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss. Their only loss was to SKT.

The C9 team from North America had a record of 1 win and 2 losses, a mediocre performance, belonging to the kind of team where "winning is normal and losing is not surprising".

As for the European team known as the "Rabbit Team," they unfortunately became easy prey, finishing at the bottom with a record of 0 wins and 3 losses.

After a short break, the second round of the group stage, a do-or-die battle, began.

The first match is between RNG and C9.

The Wuhan Sports Center was packed to capacity once again. Although the previous loss to SKT had left fans feeling frustrated, it only fueled their anticipation for this match.

"Playing C9 is as easy as having hands, isn't it?"

"North American teams are just weaklings; RNG will win easily."

"As long as the puppy performs normally, the battle will be over in twenty minutes!"

"Let's crush C9 first, then get revenge on SKT!"

In the commentary booth, Miller and Wawa were also full of confidence: "As long as RNG plays steadily and brings out their familiar system, C9 will have a hard time having a chance. After all, in terms of raw strength, RNG is superior in every aspect."

However, the allure of esports lies precisely in its unpredictability.

The business proposal (BP) phase begins.

RNG continues to adhere to their creed: four protect one.

Top laner Letme locked in Maokai, a pick that perfectly suits his style: tanking, providing cover, and creating opportunities for Uzi to deal damage. His job is done as long as he can use his ultimate to bind enemies in team fights.

Meanwhile, on C9's side, Impact, the former champion top laner of SKT, looked at Letme's tree and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

"Tree? Trying to get by?" Impact pushed up his glasses and instantly locked onto a hero that made the whole audience gasp.

Singed the Alchemist!

"Alchemy? C9's up to something!" Miller exclaimed in surprise. "This champion isn't exactly popular in the current patch, but Impact's alchemy... well, there's more to it than meets the eye."

Game start.

This match did not see the intense exchange of kills that the audience had expected.

On the contrary, it presents an extremely eerie, even suffocating rhythm.

Impact's alchemy doesn't lane against Maokai at all.

Level 1: Directly dive the tower and cut off the minion wave!

Letme's Maokai was completely bewildered as he watched Alchemist running back and forth between his first and second towers, occasionally flashing a taunting emote. He wanted to chase after him, but Maokai's early game damage was pitifully low, and with the minion wave pushing into the tower, he would lose minions if he left.

"Jungler! Xiangguo, come quick!" Letme called out anxiously in the voice chat.

Mlxg's prince has arrived.

But Impact is as slippery as an eel.

He activated Sprint, turned around and released a cloud of poison gas. Using his passive speed boost, he managed to escape from the pincer attack of Jarvan IV and Maokai. He even managed to carry Jarvan IV under the tower, forcing Mlxg to use Flash.

"This alchemy is disgusting!" Xiangguo cursed, and could only helplessly go to farm jungle monsters.

If the top lane doesn't collapse, RNG can still accept it. But the problem is, this "disgusting" situation quickly spread throughout the entire map.

When Uzi was dominating his opponent in the bottom lane and preparing to coordinate with his teammates to take the dragon and force a team fight, he found that the minion wave in the top lane was always in bad condition.

Impact's alchemy, equipped with teleportation and sprint, frantically traversed the lines.

RNG wanted to engage in team fights, so C9 avoided them.

RNG wanted to gank Alchemist, so four C9 players went to push RNG's mid tower.

RNG wanted to take Baron to force a team fight, but Impact had already pushed a large wave of minions to the high ground.

Letme became completely withdrawn.

His Maokai was built with tank items, making him quite durable in team fights. However, against Impact's "4-1 split push" strategy, he was like a clumsy sandbag. When he went to defend a lane, he couldn't clear the super minions that had been enhanced by alchemy; when he went to join team fights, Impact would simply destroy the enemy base.

"Forget about that alchemy! Engage! Engage!" Uzi shouted in the voice chat. His Tristana was doing very well and desperately needed a team fight to take over the game.

RNG's five players gathered in the mid lane, attempting to force a team fight.

But the rest of C9 are incredibly slippery; it's the infamous "North American acrobatics." They don't go head-to-head with you, they just use skills to harass and pull you along.

Just as RNG was hesitating, bad news arrived.

"The top lane high ground has fallen!"

The camera cut to Impact's Alchemist, who was seen running wildly on RNG's high ground, followed by a swarm of minions, relentlessly attacking the inhibitor turret.

"Get back on defense! Get back on defense now!"

RNG panicked and had no choice but to hastily return to base.

But this was the moment C9 had been waiting for. Seeing RNG recall, four C9 players immediately counterattacked, managing to hold off their support player, Xiaoming, who was covering their retreat.

The army was defeated like a mountain.

Ultimately, in a match that didn't even involve large-scale team fights, C9, with their almost shameless "4-1 split push" and Impact's intellectual dominance over Letme, effortlessly destroyed RNG's crystal.

The match ended after 26 minutes.

C9 wins!

At this moment, the Wuhan Sports Center once again transformed into a library.

A deathly silence.

Second match

RNG's coaching staff, after much reflection, directly banned Impact's incredible performance with Alchemist during the draft phase.

"Press down the alchemy, let's see how you run now!" On the commentary panel, the doll's voice was still high-pitched, but her confidence was clearly lacking.

However, Impact simply adjusted his glasses and locked onto Jax, the Weapon Master.

Letme picked Cho'Gath in this game, trying to limit Jax with tankiness and control.

The result, however, was disastrous.

Impact's Jax didn't cut the minion wave like Alchemist did; instead, he opted for a more purely aggressive split-pushing strategy. With Blade of the Ruined King, even Cho'Gath couldn't hold his ground under the tower.

Whenever RNG tries to push in the mid lane using Uzi's Caitlyn, Impact will appear in front of the inhibitor turret in the top or bottom lane.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The sound of Jax striking the turret was like a death knell tolling in the hearts of everyone on RNG.

If RNG tries to gank, Impact will jump to a ward and escape; if RNG doesn't gank, their high ground will be lost.

The most desperate moment occurred at 30 minutes, when RNG forced a team fight at the Baron pit, and Impact's Jax directly pushed the minion wave and destroyed one of RNG's inhibitor turrets.

Uzi had to retreat to base to defend, and the main battle collapsed instantly.

C9 wins again!

The atmosphere in the break room was extremely tense. Letme's hands were trembling, and Uzi's face was flushed red as he chewed gum in silence.

"We can't let him split push anymore! We have to fight! Force them into a team fight!" Xiangguo shouted in the voice chat.

This time, RNG chose a strong engage composition with Rumble and Jarvan IV, attempting to gain an advantage in the top lane.

But Impact chose the Troll King.

This was not only a crushing defeat in terms of intelligence, but also a crushing defeat in terms of numbers.

The troll's pillars perfectly blocked Rumble's retreat every time, and with a single ultimate, Letme's Rumble was as fragile as paper.

It's the same familiar recipe, and the same familiar taste.

41 split.

C9 is like a cold-blooded robot, executing the same program over and over again. RNG, on the other hand, is like a reckless brute who only knows how to throw heavy punches, but every time he hits a brick wall, and is slowly bled to death by his opponent.

When the crystal exploded during the third match, the Wuhan Sports Center fell into complete silence.

The fans who were waving RNG flags and had "Royal Family" stickers on their faces were now ashen-faced.

Those voices that clamored before the game to "crush the European and American losers" and "the all-Chinese team is invincible" seem to have never existed.

In the live stream, the initial "RNG fighting!" chat turned into a screen full of insults and mockery, and finally, into a desperate silence.

The beliefs that the "royal sympathizers" were so proud of have collapsed.

Their proud "four-protect-one" strategy appears so cumbersome, outdated, and laughable in the face of extreme operations and single-player carry.

The door to the lounge was pushed open.

Uzi slammed the keyboard onto the table, his eyes red-rimmed, and plopped down in a chair, covering his face with his hands.

Letme huddled in the corner, his eyes vacant, as if he had lost his soul.