Chapter 13

Everyone caught just a glimpse of his shadow—a light goose-yellow hoodie, denim shorts, and two long, fair legs with slightly reddened joints exposed.

He was shorter than Xiao Yin beside him, and his overall figure was smaller. Even though he avoided the camera, his demeanor was impeccable. The aura of a Captain radiated from him at all times. Despite his face being obscured, one could still sense his upright and steady presence.

The Bullet Screen in the live stream was filled with question marks.

“??”

“Who is that! I’m screaming! Yin-Ge is so protective! Is he a new member of the team?”

“That’s the Mid laner! Yi-God ESAY!”

“Oh my god, I’m getting more curious! Who exactly is Easy, and why doesn’t he appear on variety shows or come on VIT?”

“Is it because of personal reasons that he doesn’t like to show his face? Damn, but it makes me even more curious!”

“I’m so jealous, Yin-Ge really dotes on him!! Who exactly is this new Mid laner!”

……

The vehicle started moving slowly.

The weather outside was gloomy today. Halfway through, it finally began to rain, with raindrops as big as beans splashing on the window, creating tiny white flowers.

More and more people were joining the live stream. The National Region League Official had already redirected today’s public Scrims to the game’s homepage. Not only the domestic league, but several major Regions had also shared the stream.

Many Team players, including those from RS, had stopped to watch this scrim live stream.

Noon was peak online time for the game, and the number of viewers in the live stream reached an astonishing figure. The pre-game atmosphere even grew somewhat tense.

After the Players confirmed their identities, Rong Yi sat down with the rest of VIT, put on his headset, and took a deep breath.

Returning to the Arena, it was impossible to say his feelings weren’t complicated. Moreover, he was facing a completely new position and a new Team.

Outside, the Commentators were ready, warming up the atmosphere.

“CH is one of our veteran teams. After the Summer Split, their Team Composition hasn’t changed much, mainly adding members from the second team. Although they narrowly missed the semi-finals in this year’s Summer Split, last year’s CH stood twice on the runner-up podium of the national tournament.”

“Speaking of CH, we can’t ignore their core player, Lu Feng. He is one of the top nominees for the best Jungler of the year.”

Another Commentator joined the discussion. “We initially wanted to compare Lu Feng with Yin, but we found that they are not the same type of Player, making it hard to compare.”

“Exactly.”

His partner glanced at the warm-up time and added, “Lu Feng, compared to conventional Junglers, excels at disrupting the flow and breaking the opponent’s rhythm. He is very adept at finding breaking points. For rhythm-based teams, this can be quite a challenge.”

“Yes, for rhythm-based teams like the RS Team, their Win Rate against CH is actually quite low. Last Season, there was a Regular Season match where RS was beaten 3-2. We don’t know yet what style VIT will bring in their domestic debut.”

As the BP phase began, Rong Yi focused on the opponent’s Lineup.

The first move from the opponent was to ban Yin’s signature Champion.

The audience went wild: “Whoa! Exciting! They banned Yin-Ge’s core champion right from the start! This is just the first game! CH is something else!”

“CH is badass, hahaha. Is this really just Scrims?”

In the game room, on CH’s side.

Their Captain, Lu Feng, smiled slightly, a gleam of determination in his eyes.

CH might be a veteran Team, but they are not the kind to treat public Scrims lightly. They took this match against VIT very seriously and valued every member of VIT.

The Transfer Window had just closed, and as a team with few changes, CH didn’t need to hesitate. They wanted to test VIT’s capabilities, not fearing a strong VIT but rather a VIT that wasn’t strong enough.

“Yin’s core champion being banned first. I’m sure this is a process Yin is very familiar with.”

The Commentator joked outside, trying to keep the atmosphere lively. “In every match, there are always crucial times when Yin’s champion gets banned.”

“There’s no way around it. Yin is an insanely strong Player. We often say the peak period for a Jungler is usually only two or three years, but he has been at the peak for five years.”

“This ban/pick phase now puts pressure on the rest of VIT. Let’s see how they handle it.”

Everyone held their breath, waiting for VIT to pick their Mid laner.

Rong Yi made the first pick, helping Xiao Yin secure another utility Jungler. The other three picks were their usual positions, and for the last pick, Xiao Yin locked in Li.

The Commentators gasped in surprise.

“Li?”

“Are they going for a Mid core strategy?”

Even the Netizens were a bit shocked.

Everyone knew that Rong Yi and Xiao Yin had Duo Queued with Li before, but they all thought it was just a quick way to Rank Up. No one expected a Team to use a Mid core strategy in a real match.

Countdown.

Three.

Two.

One.

Rong Yi received Li from Xiao Yin.

Locked in!

Xiao Yin’s voice came through the mic, sounding deep and calm: “This game is on you.”

Rong Yi responded with a quiet “Mm,” stretched his fingers, gripped the mouse, and his face remained composed.

The opponent’s Lineup not only restricted Xiao Yin but also featured a strong ADC and Support combination. The Hydralisk and Grey Cat duo in the bot lane would face immense pressure.

In the BP phase, VIT was actually holding back a bit.

Rong Yi had faced CH countless times during his time with RS, always ending in defeat. The opponent’s Tactics perfectly countered theirs, so he had prepared countless strategies.

This was his moment to shine.

Xiao Yin had invited him to join the team not only to meet the team’s needs but also because Rong Yi’s understanding and experience with domestic teams were crucial for VIT.

In this game, Xiao Yin played very conservatively. The Champion he chose was more of a utility worker, providing team benefits rather than aggressive plays.

In the first five minutes, CH adopted an aggressive approach, capitalizing on VIT’s slightly weaker Lineup. They abandoned resources and repeatedly targeted the bot lane duo.

This Season’s ADCs were very fragile, disappearing almost instantly if not careful.

Hydralisk had a tough time, getting caught three times and escaping only once. But no one paid attention to him.

The two teams, one targeting the bot lane and the other the top, seemed to be in a strange harmony.

Under these circumstances, despite CH’s repeated aggressive plays and Hydralisk dying several times, the economic gap between the teams didn’t widen significantly.

At the one-minute mark, thanks to the first blood bonus, the opponent’s Mid laner, CH.Fangcun, reached level two first and prepared to support the bot lane.

Fangcun was well-versed in this kind of support play. He confirmed Rong Yi’s vision鈥”three seconds ago, Rong Yi was clearing minions under the tower, while Xiao Yin was in the Top Lane.

This support move was supposed to be problem-free, but to be safe, Fangcun still approached from the side near their Base, intending to support the bot lane.

As he passed by the Thunderstrike jungle monster, a shadow suddenly leaped out from the bush.

Rong Yi’s key press was light but incredibly fast.

Li’s first skill was unleashed, crossing the path between the jungle monster and Fangcun, dealing damage and vanishing without a trace. As Rong Yi retreated, Fangcun stared at the now-greyed vision, eyes wide with surprise.

Outside the Arena, the Broadcast Director was frantically yelling to switch the camera for a replay.

Rong Yi’s precise spear had caused the jungle monster to lose its target after taking damage, transferring its aggro to the passing Fangcun.

The Thunderstrike monster: its effect is to stun every 2.5 seconds.

Fangcun was stunned, rooted to the spot and unable to move.

As Rong Yi soared away, Xiao Yin, who was supposed to be in the Top Lane, suddenly appeared and, taking advantage of the stun, secured the kill on Fangcun!

Fangcun, still in disbelief, said over the mic, “How did they get there? Fly?”

“VIT first set up false vision and used two Flashes. Yin even tanked the tower twice on a shortcut.”

Only the audience and Commentators with a God’s-eye view saw everything clearly. Even the commentators gasped, “Easy’s playstyle is really wild.”

“Have you ever seen Easy play so aggressively?”

The two commentators looked at each other.

They had only been Pro League commentators for a little over three years, and Easy had never been associated with “aggressive.” He had always been seen as the low-key Support.

Not to mention, even average players in Ranked matches couldn’t pull off such a maneuver; a single misstep would mean both carries dying.

Maximum reward, maximum risk play, executed perfectly.

“No wonder they call it Yin-God’s team. Their style can’t just be called aggressive anymore; it’s downright crazy. Who the hell has ever seen a play like this? If I were Fangcun, I’d be mentally shattered.”

“Pro League: aggressive playstyle. Normal Ranked: the entire game as Old Six.”

“High EQ: wild style. Low EQ: crazy.”

“This Li is just too fierce.”

In the Arena, Xiao Yin retreated, brushing past Rong Yi, who was hidden in the bush. The two exchanged only a few brief words through the mic when they initiated.

Rong Yi: “I’m ambushing him.”

Xiao Yin: “I’m on my way.”

The VIT mic was so quiet it was as if it were turned off. Hydralisk and Grey Cat continued their struggle in the bot lane. After dying for the third time, Hydralisk calmly announced, “Bosses, I’ve fed again.”

Rong Yi responded in a calm voice, “It’s okay.”

Hydralisk: “It’s… okay? QAQ”

The next moment, Rong Yi jumped out again, accurately catching Fangcun, who was once again attempting to support the bot lane.

Lu Feng and his teammates’ assault was interrupted, and they decisively turned to target Rong Yi, aiming to take him down as well.

Lu Feng and the Support activated their skills to engage, but everyone saw that VIT’s Mid laner, Li, managed to control Lu Feng from a safe distance and retreated just a second before death.

This skirmish that didn’t fully materialize still gave Hydralisk some breathing room in the bot lane.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yin confirmed the enemy’s position and, alongside Wu Daogu, executed a successful Tower Dive at the Top Lane, taking down the first tower.

In an instant, VIT seized the opportunity.

Everyone knew that this momentum was driven by Rong Yi.

His brilliance overshadowed even Xiao Yin. After gaining an advantage, he managed to Solo Kill Lu Feng twice.

On the other side, CH’s Lu Feng’s expression grew increasingly serious, even a bit grim.

Not just any national Team, Lu Feng had also competed on the World Championship stage several times.

He had faced many World-Class mid laners, but none were like VIT’s mid laner today, especially with such sharp movements and reflexes.

He was using his signature Champion, but the opponent repeatedly dodged his basic attacks and skills.

In the final small Team Fight, both sides suffered casualties, leaving only Lu Feng on CH’s side and two Low Health members on VIT’s side.

Lu Feng was still at full health, while Rong Yi and Xiao Yin retreated together. The Commentators were already excited, “Lu Feng, this wave—this wave—could be a Double Kill! A double kill here could basically end the game!”

“Lu Feng is entering the fight now, and his skills are still fully charged. Both of VIT’s remaining players are far from their Base! Li is in serious danger!”

Rong Yi’s health bar was almost empty, down to just 2%.

As the Commentator was declaring his imminent doom, Li dodged one of Lu Feng’s skills and basic attacks, creating some distance, but Lu Feng quickly closed the gap—he still had several chase skills ready.

“The first chase skill was dodged! With Li’s health, it’s going to be tough to escape unless—”

“Unless he can dodge Lu Feng’s skills four more times!”

As soon as the other commentator said this, Rong Yi managed to dodge another one of Lu Feng’s skills.

VIT’s new Mid laner had dodged Lu Feng’s pursuit twice in a row. The live stream’s popularity skyrocketed, with the Bullet Screen filled with “666” and exclamations.

Everyone was counting; all eyes were on this extreme chase, and everyone held their breath.

In the Arena, Rong Yi’s eyelashes lowered slightly, exuding a calm and steady aura.

He had never had moments like this before. As a Support and Shotcaller, he was usually the last to retreat, needing to assess and calculate everyone’s timing for withdrawal.

Even though he had never applied it to himself, no one was better at handling extreme situations than he was.

Third skill dodge, successful!

The live stream audience was now solely reacting with “666.” Time was moving too fast for anyone to say anything else, and the Bullet Screen was flooded with “666” and “WTF.”

Rong Yi’s expression remained unchanged, very casual. He dodged the fourth skill as well.

From the audience’s perspective, Li calmly left the core of the battlefield.

Lu Feng’s four skills all missed, and even the commentators were at a loss for new words, simply shouting, “He dodged it! He dodged all four!”

At this moment, the Tournament live stream reached its peak in popularity.