Chapter 86

Epilogue: World Championship

As an established world-class team, QILIN’s members, just like Xiao Yin, boast a reputation that precedes them. The veteran quartet, including the newly promoted Jungler Poppy, all have dazzling records and histories. Potato Chip nervously flipped through the list of current main team members on the car ride, hands trembling. Every name on the list belonged to a player who had created a new milestone in the game.

The rookie mid laner, who has dominated for four seasons, boasts a staggering 71% win rate in the arena. The top laner, with a 69% win rate in solo matches, is known as a “genius among geniuses.” The ADC, much like Xiao Yin, plays a champion to perfection. If his signature ADC, Mofa, is not banned, it guarantees a crushing defeat, getting steamrolled across the board, or dying upon first sight.

“Does it feel out of reach?” Xiao Yin asked casually, noticing the expression on Potato Chip’s face.

Potato Chip nodded honestly. Even Hydralisk and Grey Cat nodded in agreement.

They had been part of QILIN’s youth training team, and because of that, they were acutely aware of the gap between themselves and the starters.

Even though they were now playing in the final match of the World Championship, achieving runner-up with VIT, this new team, was an honor beyond what most could imagine. Yet, the distance still felt vast and surreal.

This gap wasn’t just about skill; it was about perception. No matter how talented a new prodigy is, looking at the profound records of their predecessors can be daunting.

“They were rookies too when they started creating their era,” Xiao Yin said. “No one knew they would become world champions. They all started from national tournaments, or even just campus and internet café competitions.

“Maybe you guys haven’t realized that you’re creating your own legacy.”

Rong Yi leaned back, gazing out the car window. “Yin-Ge was still in school at eighteen and had just signed up for the domestic youth training camp,” he said casually.

“Little Snake, Grey Cat, Potato Chip, look at yourselves.”

“Eighteen years old, already national champions, and maybe future world champions,” Rong Yi said, smiling confidently. His voice, calm yet audacious, carried his natural composure and boldness. “Damn right you are.”

Hydralisk perked up and opened his Wikipedia entry on his phone.

“I feel like I can take on ten Yin-Ges right now.”

Grey Cat quickly joined in.

Indeed, it was true. In their field, the rising stars of the new generation often shone brighter than many so-called seasoned veterans.

This industry was always about the new waves pushing the old ones forward.

The predecessors, having reached their peak too soon, might find it hard to advance further. However, newcomers, benefiting from the accumulated experience of the industry, started at a higher point and often went further.

The World Championship arena was nothing special. In fact, compared to the venues of the domestic league, it seemed somewhat outdated and narrow.

But walking across the pristine, red-carpeted floor and stepping into the hall of fame, filled with countless displays, the sight of such honor was still awe-inspiring.

This was the eighth year since the global professional tournaments began. In eight years, countless familiar and unfamiliar names had been forever etched on the hall of fame wall. Each trophy projection recorded the glory that the competitors once achieved.

The media and flashing cameras were kept outside the safety barriers, leaving a small, quiet space inside. Wu Daogu, with his sharp eyes, was the first to spot a specific area. “Here’s the captain’s projection and commemorative signature from five years ago.” Everyone crowded around.

Sure enough, it read:

“20xx World Champion, Mid laner, Easy. From China.”

“He was also the MVP of that tournament. He and his team of joyful and free-spirited members came here and ultimately won the championship. Our assessment of him is that he was unbeatable.”

Following this was Rong Yi’s flamboyant signature, “Rong Yi.”

The trophy from that year was not as intricate as the ones now, and the participating countries and regions were not as extensive, but it was still an impressive milestone. Because this was the Champion’s Wall.

Rong Yi paused, gazing at the trophy projection for a moment. Then he smiled, raising his hand to call everyone over. “Come on, let’s keep moving,” he said, his eyes calm and clear.

The past was a beautiful memory, and the five years of silence in between had left him with no regrets.

Only the present remained.

The QILIN team members entered the arena next. The biggest highlight of this tournament was the championship battle between Xiao Yin’s former team and his current team.

VIT included two QILIN youth training members as well.

Some mischievous netizens joked, “This is just QILIN’s China branch, family fighting against family. It doesn’t matter who wins.”

On the stage, both sides greeted each other with more enthusiasm and courtesy than usual.

In a typical meeting, a handshake or high-five would suffice. However, the VIT and GI members, who were as familiar as close friends, embraced and patted each other’s shoulders. Those who recognized each other or had heard of each other’s names greeted warmly.

Naturally, Xiao Yin received the most pats.

He was well-liked within the teams. Even the jungler who replaced him greeted him warmly, “I really miss you, Yin.”

Both teams’ compositions were announced simultaneously, and all team members could hear each other’s words. Under the global live broadcast cameras, everyone was courteous, dressed neatly in their uniforms, standing and chatting for quite a while. Xiao Yin held Rong Yi’s hand.

“This is my lover and also my captain.”

After introducing Rong Yi, he leaned close to Rong Yi’s ear, introducing each member one by one.

“That big guy on the left, the mid laner.”

“That’s Mofa, the ADC.”

“The support, we discussed tactics against him for three whole days.” Xiao Yin’s expression was calm as he said these seemingly cold and ruthless words in Chinese, but unfortunately, no one in QILIN could understand.

Rong Yi secretly gave him a thumbs-up.

QILIN’s team members exclaimed excitedly, rushing over to shake hands with Rong Yi.

“We know you, Easy. Five years ago, you won the championship with Li! Truly the best in the world.”

“You look even better in person than in photos.”

“Amazing. We watched your and Yin’s matches in the China region. Your tactics were incredible.” The foreign members’ translated accents overwhelmed Rong Yi, but he was happy nonetheless.

He smiled and nodded, “Thank you, everyone. I’m very pleased to meet you all. I’m also very familiar with each of you.”

QILIN’s ADC, KTK, immediately smiled wryly, “So this is a declaration of war? That sounds terrifying.”

Rong Yi smiled even more, “No, it’s not. I really am familiar with you. Your Mofa is truly impressive.”

“So, our Empress is ready as well.”

Xiao Yin casually continued the conversation, the couple working seamlessly together.

KTK immediately understood.

This was indeed a declaration of war.

The pre-match atmosphere was lively, with commentators in various languages ready to go.

Audiences worldwide were tuned in, and the discussions were diverse.

“VIT is practically QILIN’s branch team. QILIN is a China team.”

“QILIN is the mythical beast Qilin from China. The characters spell out QILIN. No one could miss that, right?”

“Actually, Xiao Yin is QILIN’s young master. More accurately, QILIN is like a gaming company founded by Xiao Yin, with its esports division being the overseas branch. He’s already moved the company’s registration to China.”

“Previously, Xiao Yin’s relationship with Leiya was exposed, and his identity couldn’t be hidden anymore. QILIN is Xiao Yin’s team, but QILIN is also QILIN.”

“VIT is also Xiao Yin’s team, but still, VIT is its own VIT.”

Commentator: “These two teams, though familiar with each other, have distinct styles.”

“VIT was established this year and has quickly risen to fame in China, currently holding a record of 27 wins and 1 loss in the Asian region. They also have the highest historical playoff points in the Asian region. Their core is Easy, a world-class player who won the championship five years ago. VIT’s main tactic is a mid-core strategy, where the other lanes rotate and cooperate, playing aggressively and reacting swiftly, leaving no chances for the opponent.”

“QILIN was founded five years ago. After Yin left last year, they brought in the new jungler, AEX. Their main tactic hasn’t changed; they still rely on a jungle core strategy.”

“This is the first time in league history that a mid-core team is facing a jungle core team in the grand final.”

Listening to the official commentary, the audience in front of their screens felt their blood pumping. The tension and excitement were building. Millions of eyes were focused on the live broadcast, and the arena was silent.

The ban-pick phase began.

Rong Yi sat in front of the screen, taking a deep breath.

With that breath, all his nervousness, worries, and fatigue were cast aside.

The level of focus on the arena was incomparable to any scrims.

Subconsciously aware of the importance of this match, their concentration was heightened.

The other team members were also highly focused.

Ban-pick phase.

Facing their former team and old teammates, they showed no mercy and first banned Li.

In a BO3 series, the first game was always the most thrilling.

The first game was bound to be a fierce clash because losing even one game in a BO3 was unacceptable.

Everyone who made it to the World Championship was excellent.

They didn’t choose to ban Yin, knowing Xiao Yin’s habit and position of using Yin as a jungler. No one knew how to counter this champion better than a teammate who had played with him for four years.

Instead, they preferred to force Xiao Yin to pick Yin, which showcased QILIN’s absolute confidence.

VIT didn’t show any leniency either. Mofa was banned, and Empress was picked first for Hydralisk.

Rong Yi, on the second floor, glanced at Xiao Yin. In such a tense moment in the Grand Final, he still had time to joke, “Should I pick Yin for you, Yin-Ge? How about we go head-to-head and see who’s tougher?”

Xiao Yin replied, “Captain Rong, mind your own business.”

Rong Yi stuck out his tongue, glanced at the lineup, and picked a warrior for Wu Daogu. He reserved the fifth pick for himself, with both sides waiting to see the opponent’s tactical champions, like Memory Key or mother of the earth. Both sides cautiously picked their top and ADC champions first, trying to gauge the opponent’s strategy.

What made VIT hard to target during the ban-pick phase was their adaptability. The same lineup could produce entirely different results.

“They’re not revealing their lineup,” Grey Cat said, looking at the four darkened slots on the opponent’s side, feeling a bit nervous.

QILIN was indeed extraordinary.

Like them, QILIN preferred to hold back their key picks, waiting to counter-strike.

This round, VIT had drawn the short straw and had to pick first, which was already a disadvantage.

But this was not unexpected. They had thoroughly studied QILIN, and their main goal and style had always been to invade the jungle and counter-strike.

“Captain, what should we pick?”

With ten seconds left on the countdown, Rong Yi closed his eyes and pondered.

The camera captured the young man with his eyes slightly downcast, seemingly deep in thought.

Outside, the discussions were varied.

“Picking Memory Key for mid lane is very stable. Easy often excels at mid lane. It can also provide the team with a margin for error. Given QILIN’s versatile style and ability to counter, Memory Key is a good choice.”

“Silver Hook is also excellent for defending the jungle.”

The debate was mainly about what tricks Rong Yi could pull off after Li was banned.

Hydralisk was in the selection phase as the countdown reached five seconds.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Hydralisk picked Memory Key.

Everyone remembered that Memory Key was renowned for Rong Yi’s legendary match.

Screams had already begun outside.

“Is Memory Key for Easy or Grey Cat?”

“They haven’t swapped positions yet.”

Hydralisk locked in Memory Key. It was QILIN’s turn to pick.

With Memory Key already selected, the other side was visibly hesitating.

A faint smile appeared on Rong Yi’s lips.

“I’m thinking about something.”

“What’s that?”

“We’ve thoroughly studied QILIN. Just in the past two years, we’ve watched over three hundred of their matches, scrutinizing every detail. If they take us seriously enough, they should’ve watched our games against CH hundreds of times too.”

As he finished speaking, QILIN’s lineup was revealed.

Fire God, Bird Ancestor, Grey White Spider.

Exactly the same.

The commentator exclaimed, “The same lineup! For those unaware, this lineup was used in the final match of the China playoffs this year when VIT faced CH. This lineup is characterized by high speed and high engagement. It looks like QILIN plans to continue their jungle invasions. But what’s puzzling is that VIT won against this lineup. Why would QILIN replicate the strategy of a losing team?”

At the broadcast desk:

“Captain.”

The others realized it too. “Just as you said. They’re really using this tactic.”

Rong Yi nodded and then selected their final two champions.

A common, standard mid lane champion, Silver Hook, with the Gale ability.

A strong jungler, Di.

Completely locked in.

But so far, no one knew who would take Memory Key and who would take Silver Hook for VIT’s mid lane and support.

This lineup was almost a replica of the final match in the domestic championship.

It was bizarre, yet it made everyone exceptionally nervous. Everything seemed so similar, yet there were subtle differences.

After VIT finished their picks, QILIN finally revealed their champions.

Their lineup was very similar to CH’s in that match but not exactly the same.

CH had Fire God, Bird Ancestor, Gray White Spider, ronin, and mother of the earth.

QILIN had Fire God, Bird Ancestor, Gray White Spider, Spring God, and Yin.

The jungler and support had changed, adding more sustain and the ability to cut into the backline.

“QILIN picked Yin!” The commentator was almost hysterical. “They picked Yin right in front of Xiao Yin! Is this a provocation? What’s going on?”

“It’s very strange. This year, QILIN’s lineup has been different from previous years, and their tactics are incredibly surprising, especially in almost replicating the losing team’s lineup from the China region.”

Rong Yi whistled.

Xiao Yin shrugged.

With the final selections locked in and the countdown ending, VIT’s mid laner and support didn’t swap champions, settling the dust.

This meant that VIT had also made some slight changes. The mid lane and support returned to their original positions. Previously, they hadn’t swapped to give QILIN the illusion of a replicated lineup.

Both sides were trying to outmaneuver each other, but neither succeeded.

Only VIT knew that QILIN’s chosen lineup today hinted at something significant.

CH’s high mobility was adopted and enhanced with sustain and assault, which meant QILIN likely noticed something in that match.

They intended to limit their vision.

No illusions, no holding back. In the first game of the Finals, QILIN, this long-renowned and ever-dominant opponent, was targeting their weaknesses and highest tactics without any hesitation.

This was the highest form of respect. At the same time, it showed why they were a world-class team.