LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

For the next two days, the tense atmosphere at the EDG base returned to normal.

Although it's the preparation period for the new season, EDG, who just won the S-series championship, is receiving a flood of scrimmages.

Whether it's LCK's T1 and DK, or several strong teams from the LPL, they are all eager to test the mettle of this "fully-formed champion" in the S13 version.

Inside the training room, the sound of keyboards clattering filled the air.

"Nice! That was a great play by Jiejie!" Meiko shouted.

On the screen, EDG had just scored a 4-0 exchange in a scrim, destroying DK's base.

Su Mo took off his headphones, stretched, and loosened his stiff neck.

"It's a bit boring. It feels like there's no one capable top laner in the LCK since Khan retired," Su Mo said half-jokingly.

"Brother Mo, have some decency," Jiejie rolled her eyes. "You beat Zeus so badly he was forced to AFK at the second tower last game. Even the enemy jungler Canyon camping the top lane didn't help."

Just then, the phone on the table vibrated.

Su Mo glanced at it, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

It's a group chat for my good sisters.

Rita: [Image] (A picture of my freshly done nail art)

Rita: @EDG.Mo, to celebrate your debut the day after tomorrow, I specially got my nails done in the support color. Does it look good?
Luo Xin: [Voice] "Go Mozi! I saw online that JDG is coming on strong this time. 369 has been practicing Gragas and Quesant all winter, so don't mess it up!"

Xiaoyu: I'm the host the day after tomorrow! If we win, I'll do your post-match interview! [Evil grin]
Xiran: Just finished rehearsal. I'm going to watch the match live the day after tomorrow. I brought you some throat lozenges; I'll give them to Coach Abu. Good luck! [heart]
Yu Shuang: Don't put too much pressure on him. What hasn't Mo Zige seen? But I heard the official promotional video this time is really explosive, and JDG is making some tough statements. Yeah, it's probably all at the official's request...

Seeing the chattering messages in the group chat, Su Mo quickly replied with his fingers:
"Don't worry, I don't know about 369's Gragas, but I have his mentality all figured out. I'll treat you guys to a late-night snack after I win."

After replying, Su Mo placed his phone face down on the table and refocused his gaze on the screen.

"Abu, has JDG released their promotional video yet?"

"It just went live, and it's already gone viral." Abu walked over with a tablet, a playful expression on his face. "369 really showed some backbone this time."

The factory manager, standing nearby, almost laughed: "His toughness and all that is just for the show. If he were to face Brother Mozi, he probably wouldn't even be able to laugh."

"Don't say that, what if he really learns to pull?" Abu joked, which made everyone laugh.

……

On January 14th, the opening match of the LPL Spring Split took place at the Shanghai Hongqiao Tiandi Performing Arts Center.

Although it was only the first match of the Spring Split, the atmosphere at the venue was comparable to that of the finals.

Fans crowded outside the venue early on, with EDG's black and gold flags and JDG's red and blue flags vying for attention.

The clash between the "Galactic Battleship" JDG and the "Defending Champion" EDG is undoubtedly the biggest bombshell of the new season.

On the big screen, the pre-match trash talk segment is playing.

The camera pans to JDG's training room.

369 sat in the chair, his eyes resolute, and he seemed much more mature than last year.

"Last year everyone said I could only draw 3 or 6, but this year is different."

369 made a "9" gesture towards the camera, a confident smile playing on his lips.

"Facing the FMVP, I'll show him what real toughness is. Su Mo, your Riven is strong, but my Quesant is the perfect counter to fancy moves."

The camera then cuts to Ruler, who has just returned from South Korea.

"Viper, long time no see. I couldn't beat you in LCK, but now that I'm in LPL, I'll take back what I lost with my own hands."

The camera cuts to EDG's side.

Su Mo sat on the sofa, idly playing with the small FMVP trophy in his hand.

"369 said they wanted to pull me along?"

Su Mo raised an eyebrow at the camera and couldn't help but laugh out loud:

"Alright, hopefully he can withstand my combo when he rolls a 9. As for dealing with fancy moves... sorry, what I'm best at is turning 'fancy' into 'simple' one-on-one kills."

At the end of the video, the team logos of the two teams collide violently, and the flame effects explode.

The audience cheered along in unison.

"Alright! Welcome to the opening match of the 2023 LPL Spring Split!!"

In the commentary booth, Guan Zeyuan, dressed in a formal suit, spoke in a loud and clear voice.

Sitting next to him were his longtime partner Miller and Rita, who was dressed especially brightly and beautifully today.

"This match is truly the focus of everyone's attention!" Miller adjusted his glasses. "JDG has assembled the ultimate super team, bringing in Knight and Ruler, and their strength on paper looks terrifying. EDG, on the other hand, is the original five-man championship lineup, with perfect synergy."

Rita looked at Su Mo's official makeup photo on the big screen, a barely perceptible tenderness flashing in her eyes, before she professionally analyzed:
"That's right. Although JDG's individual players are all very strong, EDG's chemistry has been proven at the World Championship. Especially in the top lane, I think Mozi's champion pool in this version is... unfathomable."

“He’s always been unfathomable!” Guan Zeyuan chimed in. “I’m also looking forward to seeing what hero Mozi will pick to counter 369’s hot streak with Quesanti.”

As the exciting background music played, both teams took the stage.

When Su Mo walked out of the passage and stood in the center of the stage, the screams from the audience were almost deafening.

He smiled and waved, his calm and composed demeanor befitting the face of the LPL.

……

On the playing field.

The factory manager stood behind Su Mo with a notebook in hand and patted him on the shoulder.

"In the first game, we're on the red side," the factory manager said in a low voice. "The other team will definitely pick Quesanti; that champion is either banned or picked these days. How are you going to play against him?"

Su Mo adjusted the mouse DPI and glanced at the serious-looking 369 on the other side.

"Give it to him," Su Mo said calmly. "Let him take the Quesanti. I want to try something new."

"Something new?" Jiejie turned her head curiously. "What kind of cutting-edge technology is this? Don't mess with my mind, bro."

"Don't worry, it'll be pure torture." Su Mo chuckled mischievously.

BP starts.

JDG is the blue team, and EDG is the red team.

JDG showed great respect by banning Jayce, Fiora, and Jax in their first three bans.

"Wow! This treatment!" Miller exclaimed. "Another three bans on top laners! JDG is treating Mozi like the big boss!"

EDG banned: Zephyr, Yuumi, and Lucian.

It's still targeting the bottom lane duo.

Selection stage.

JDG's first pick: Nazumang's Glory - Quesanti.

"It really is Quesanti!" Guan Zeyuan nodded. "He's a top-tier (T0) top laner in the current version. He's tanky, deals high damage, and can carry people over walls. 369 has been practicing him in ranked games lately."

EDG locked down the first and second floors: Sejuani and Viktor.

Nakano seeks stability.

JDG's second and third floors: Tree and Syndra.

Both teams' lineups are gradually taking shape.

JDG has a very solid dual-carry lineup, with Quesanti and Maokai in the front line, providing ample control and tankiness.

It's EDG's turn to be the last Counter.

All eyes were once again focused on Su Mo's fifth floor.

"What else can we choose?" Rita looked at the screen nervously. "Camille is still outside, Gnar is there too, or Gwen?"

Su Mo looked at the fully armed, muscular black man, Quesanti, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Quisanti, right? The all-powerful tank, right?"

"Then let me show you what 'cyber mad dog' tastes like."

Su Mo quickly moved the mouse, finally stopping on a hero portrait that didn't even belong to the top lane category.

The image had a ferocious grin and was holding two axes.

It's not Draven.

Instead, it was a Yordle riding a lizard.

The enraged knight—Kled!
"Kree?!!"

Guan Zeyuan was stunned for a moment: "This... Brother Mozi is going to use Kled against Quesanti? This hero has an extremely low pick rate in this version!"

Miller was also bewildered: "Is there any explanation for Krejciech hitting Quesanti? Wasn't that a bit too much?"

However, Su Mo did not lock onto it.

He only lit up briefly.

Immediately afterwards, he switched to another hero.

A bald, blue-skinned mage carrying a scroll on his back.

Ryze, the Rune Mage.

"Ryze top lane?"

Nor is it.

Finally, with 3 seconds left on the countdown, Su Mo locked in a hero that sent the entire audience into awe.

That eerie purple figure, holding a staff, possessed a graceful and elegant posture.

LeBlanc, the Deceiver!

"A vixen??!!"

Rita exclaimed in surprise: "Locked in!! LeBlanc top lane?! Am I seeing things? Did Scout pick the wrong mid laner or...?"

"Wait! Scout has already picked Viktor!" Miller shouted, "That's top lane LeBlanc! Could it be the legendary AD LeBlanc?!"

The online comments exploded instantly:

【? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 】

[Has Mozi gone mad? Is LeBlanc hitting Quesanti? Gua Sha?]

This is way too abstract!

[AD LeBlanc! A renaissance! But can this thing even beat Quesant?]

[369: Are you polite?]

On the field, 369 looked at the siren icon and his face turned green.

"How...how do you play this?" 369 complained in the voice chat. "Is Mozi out of his mind? LeBlanc top lane?"

Knight was also a bit confused: "Then be careful, don't get distracted by him. He might be Viktor top laner."

Once the game loaded, everyone was completely certain.

Because Su Mo's talent is [Swift Footwork], and his summoner spells are [Teleport] + [Ignite].

Starting gear: Longsword + Reusable Potion.

This is a pure AD crit build.

Welcome to Summoner's Rift!

Game start.

After positioning himself, Su Mo, controlling the Enchantress, sneaked into the top lane bushes ahead of time, using the enemy's vision as cover.

At 1 minute and 40 seconds, the minion waves converged.

Although Quesanti of 369 is muscular, he has short arms.

He cautiously stepped forward, wanting to use his Q ability.

The instant he raised his hand.

Suddenly, a basic attack appeared from the bushes!
Immediately afterwards, the Enchantress emerged from the bushes, utilizing her long reach to unleash her attack! E...AA!

369 wanted to Q with a backhand.

Su Mo made a small movement to break free, chained the attack, and continued to A!

Although AD LeBlanc's early game damage isn't high, the frequency of her auto-attacks and her long range made 369 extremely uncomfortable.

"This pulling..." Miller sighed, "Level 369 is really tough."

Level 2.

Su Mo learned W instantly.

369 wanted to use the bushes to avoid damage.

Su Mo immediately used W to step on it, and then used E [Phantom Chain] to chain it to his face!
Because he was carrying a longsword, Su Mo's basic attack still hurt a bit when it hit Quesanti.

"Crack!"

The chain triggered the confinement.

Su Mo chased after him and attacked three times before finally applying Ignite!
"Ignite! Use Ignite now!" Guan Zeyuan shouted. "Brother Mozi is going to kill us! Is he going to solo kill us at level two?!"

Seeing his health plummeting, 369 was so frightened that he immediately used Flash to pull himself back under the tower.

Although he didn't die, his health was down to only 100 points, so he had to go home and use his TP.

"She used Teleport! This LeBlanc top lane is really effective!" Rita exclaimed excitedly. "Quisant is most afraid of long-range kiting champions like this in the early game, and LeBlanc is too agile; Quisant can't even touch her!"

In the next few minutes, the top lane turned into 369's "jail simulator".

LeBlanc often uses her W to step on the target, auto-attacks a few times, and then uses her second W to retreat.

Quesanti of 369 was like a heavy sandbag, being toyed with by the enchantress.

6 minutes.

Kanavi's jungler, Maokai, couldn't stand it anymore and came to the top lane to gank LeBlanc.

"Arrest me?" Su Mo sneered.

The moment he saw the big tree behind him, Su Mo didn't retreat. Instead, he took the initiative to step on 369's face with W.

369 subconsciously activated W to charge up power.

Su Mo instantly returned with his second W, and at the same time copied W with his R, creating a distance of 800 miles between them with the two dashes.

Kanavi's big tree didn't even throw the sapling out before watching the Enchantress disappear from sight.

"We can't catch her!" Guan Zeyuan shook his head. "This LeBlanc is too slippery! Two Ws plus Flash, you can't kill her unless you have several hard CCs to lock her down."

11 minutes.

Su Mo has already gained a 369 CS advantage in the top lane and has also chipped away at three layers of the tower's plating.

At this point, his equipment had progressed to the small components of [Statikk Shiv] and [Triple Strike].

The core of AD LeBlanc is split pushing and kiting... and most importantly, annoying the enemy.

"Jiejie, come over to him." Su Mo glanced at Quesanti, who was huddled under the tower with only half health left.

"coming!"

Jiejie's Pig Girl came out from behind the tower.

Seeing this, 369 had no choice but to use his ultimate skill, "Proud Ambition," in an attempt to take Sejuani out of the tower and trade blows.

But just as he unleashed his ultimate move...

Su Mo's enchantress moved.

E [Phantom Chains] accurately predicted the landing location of Quesanti's ultimate!

"Snapped!"

Locked by chains!

369 had just landed and hadn't even had a chance to operate before being trapped in place.

Su Mo stepped on it with W, followed by a basic attack, then Q, then another basic attack, triggering Trinity Force and dealing explosive damage.

Jiejie took control.

Easily killed Quesanti.

"That's so smooth!" Miller exclaimed. "That prediction chain! 369's ultimate move looks like he just ran into it!"

This match turned into a complete solo show by Su Mo.

In mid-game team fights, AD LeBlanc may not be able to burst down enemies like AP LeBlanc, but her split-pushing and control abilities are simply unstoppable.

After Su Mo pushed down the first tower, he then single-handedly destroyed the second tower in the bottom lane.

JDG sends two people to gank, but they can't catch them at all; they send one person to defend, but Su Mo will use his range advantage to shoot them all over.

25 minutes.

EDG took advantage of SuMo's split-pushing to secure the Baron Nashor.

They then joined forces to advance.

JDG wanted to force an engagement.

369 Quesanti flashed Q3 in an attempt to pull Su Mo back.

Su Mo reacted with lightning speed, immediately using W to move to the side, followed by a critical hit with an auto-attack, and then using E to chain Kanavi who had entered the fray.

JDG's front line was being pulled and was in excruciating pain.

Viktor unleashed a barrage of attacks from behind, cleaning up the remaining enemies.

28 minutes.

EDG destroyed JDG's base.

1 is better than 0!

"Congratulations to EDG! They've taken the first game!" Rita clapped excitedly. "Mozi's AD LeBlanc has really taught the LPL top lane meta a lesson! Who knew LeBlanc could be played like this!"

Guan Zeyuan was also full of admiration: "This is the true value of the FMVP award. Whether it's a regular warrior or this kind of unconventional strategy, he can turn the impossible into reality. 369 really did his best this game, but his hero's attributes were completely countered."

The camera focused on Su Mo after the match.

He took off his headphones, his face still bearing that faint smile.

He turned his head, faced the camera, and gave a "V" sign. (End of Chapter)