My buddy is actually a Cao Cao type top laner?

Chapter 148 MSI Champion! New Contract Signed.

"Won!"

"we won!"

"MSI World Champions!!!"

The moment the game is over.

The first to cheer were not the V5 players, nor the commentators on the other end of the live stream, but a large group of V5 staff members who rushed in from outside the room.

For them.

V5's past six months have been a bit too dreamlike.

From Demacia Cup champions to regional champions, and now MSI champions, it's worth remembering that they were just a fake super team that was considered a lucky break at the beginning of the season. Their initial expectation was just to get a ranking in the playoffs, but now...
They've already secured the championship!
"That wasn't easy, V5."

What do you mean by "not easy"?

After a brief exchange of blessings, watching the jubilant V5 camera on the screen and hearing Miller's感慨 (expression/remarks), the colonel also joined in the celebration:

"Is it harder to draw cards, or is it harder to play the game?"

"It's not easy."

Miller responded with a smile.

Every champion is unique and cannot be replicated.

This year's MSI champions, T1, were clearly dragged down by their bot lane. Xiao Lu Bu's performance was disastrous. Even TES could break through V5's bot lane, but T1 couldn't, which speaks volumes.

of course
The bigger surprise is yet to come.

My dream was not simply about withstanding the pressure from Zeus; it was like an enemy from outer space, forcefully knocking Zeus off his throne.

What if we meet again in this year's World Championship finals?

They've already figured out how to film the vlogs for Riot Games' staff.

Let Luo Ji start the game with hairspray.

Singing upon meeting:

"In this circle, no one starts out standing in the sky, not even Zeus or Faker, not even Uzi who came to try to seize the fruits of victory."

"But the period of vacancy on the throne of heaven is about to end, and I will—stand at the top!"

This is used in conjunction with the V5 hero's mic going crazy.

Perfect.

At the Busan venue, the T1 team, having lost the match, silently left the stage.

Inside the venue.

The only sounds were the sparse noises of departing audience members, with only a small group of international students still celebrating wildly.

They lost.

Winners take all, losers eat dust—that's the cruel reality of esports.

Bengi looked at the group of players who seemed to have lost their minds, and a hint of pity flashed across his face as he spoke:

"To be honest, I don't know how to comfort you."

"The facts are clear: we lost. It wasn't a loss by a single move; the 3-1 score was, in a sense, a crushing defeat. As Xu Xiu said, failure is a constant throughout life; that's life."

"Your place here."

"Some people's journey has just begun, while others' journey has not yet ended. Instead of wallowing in self-pity here, try your best to become stronger and then get your revenge in this year's S-series."

in the room.

The flames of revenge were reignited.

As a veteran powerhouse that has been operating since S3, T1 has never lacked the resilience to start over. This strong sense of unwillingness to accept defeat will ultimately become the strongest catalyst for their growth.

As for the current stage?

At once.
Let's give them a brief reprieve for now, now that they've won.

After the game.

The interview option was given to Karsa, the jungler.

Throughout the entire BO5 series, Karsa's performance was indispensable, acting like a rescue team in the Rift, always there wherever needed.

lounge.

Rookie looked at Luo Ji, who was resting with his eyes closed in a chair, and hesitated to speak.

When they are too focused on the game, they often overlook certain details that are not meant to be noticed.

Such as now.

He then noticed that a large wet patch was visible on the back of Luo Ji's clothes, clinging tightly to his muscles.

Obviously
On the field, Luo Ji always had a calm and collected demeanor, giving his teammates a great sense of security.

In fact.

They're just newcomers participating in such a serious competition for the first time.

"I thought you would want to do an interview."

Rookie sat down next to him.

He said slowly:

"As long as you nod, no one can replace you. The authorities will be delighted by your initiative, not to mention the eager online audience."

"never mind."

Luo Ji opened his eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling:
"If it weren't for this damn accident, I would be happy to stand in front of thousands of people who bought tickets to watch the game and give an interview, but if it's just in front of a screen, then let me rest a bit more."

"That's true."

Rookie agreed.

This year's MSI brought a quick but fleeting sense of joy, mainly due to the lack of a supportive atmosphere at the event.

One best-of-five series is over.

It's like when the guys spend an afternoon playing games together at an internet cafe.

We've won.

And that's it.

That night.

MSI's victory undoubtedly created a huge wave in the country.

In an era where everyone is reducing their outings for various reasons and relying solely on online entertainment to relieve stress, V5's victory is undoubtedly a shot in the arm.

following.

This also led to a significant increase in Luo Ji's fame.

[For a rational discussion, is Mengke currently considered the world's best top laner?]

If T1's Zeus is the best in the LCK, then why can't Meng, who can dominate Zeus head-on, be the best top laner in the world?

[Congratulations! This year, the LPL has produced several more players who aren't afraid to compete internationally.]

The biggest surprise of the first half of this year was V5. Other teams that spent a fortune building super teams must be gritting their teeth right now.

It's more than just a painful bite.
present.

The managers of many LPL clubs even wished they could go to V5's offline event and snatch the players away.

Why?

Why should V5 be able to snag such a huge bargain? Especially after they found out the amount of the contract Luo Ji signed.

50 a year?

A mere ten thousand Ah Les bought the top laner.

Hey!
Why not give them a similar good thing too?
Even though it was just a preview of the transfer window after MSI, V5 had already received offers from several top clubs in the region.

Even though they knew that V5's contract with Luo Ji only had six months left, they were still willing to spend a lot of money to buy it and cultivate a relationship with it first.

This action.

This immediately put V5's management team on edge.

in the office.

The management team is having a tense and exciting meeting.

V5 is not like those clubs backed by big brands. They don't treat money as cheaply as one might expect, at least not with the kind of sky-high contract that JKL could command.

They can offer some top players contracts, but other clubs offer much higher amounts.

How to do?
What should they do?
Having exhausted all other options, they could only pin their hopes on V5's actual owner.

That end.

After receiving the phone call, the son of the gambling king, who was behind the scenes, glanced at the proposal submitted below, frowned, and then immediately stood up.

V5's victory was beyond his expectations. Even though he was the team's owner, his businessman's shrewdness made him realize the change in his status.

This time.

He can no longer listen to reports of results from below with a superior attitude, but should instead embrace the future of the club with an eagerness to seek out talent.

That night.

After a series of celebrations and replying to celebratory text messages from various people in the industry, Luo Ji finally dragged himself to bed, feeling exhausted.

however.

The sudden knocking interrupted all his previous plans.

Luo Ji found it hard to describe the feeling of opening the door late at night and seeing the club's big boss standing in front of him. Even when he tried to recall it afterward, he couldn't remember his state at the time.

I only remember that night.

The details of the contract were finalized one by one after the two parties discussed them in detail.

anyway.

This act of rushing back to the club overnight and the sincerity he showed made him feel that the other side valued him.

Once the details have been discussed and agreed upon.

Before leaving.

He warmly grasped Luo Ji's right hand, his eyes shining with a mixture of relief and solemnity.

"Although I didn't watch the entire MSI tournament, I didn't miss a single frame during any spare time I had."

"I can't be wrong."

"Your eyes burn with a purer light than mine, many others, and even some newcomers to the industry. Your future will extend far beyond this so-called MSI championship, or even becoming a League of Legends player."

"but"

"You are currently lacking a mentor, and I am willing to be that mentor. From now on, take my place as the pillar of V5."

past life.

NIP Group, owned by the son of the gambling tycoon, became the first listed company in China's e-sports industry in 2024, making him the youngest founder of a Nasdaq-listed company in Asia.

From beginning to end.

He is very optimistic about e-sports.

Luo Ji's appearance allowed him to see even greater potential than he had ever seen in his previous life.

To return a favor in return.

He also presented Luo Ji with two contracts that he couldn't refuse.

One contract is a five-year, 3500 million RMB industry contract, averaging 700 million RMB per year. In Luo Ji's memory, this is the top of the salary cap for S15 league players. It will take effect after Luo Ji's remaining six-month contract expires.

By keeping the salary at this level, there's no need to worry about the league cutting salaries later, or clubs using his salary as leverage.

Furthermore, 700 million is unlikely to trigger the team's salary cap, which gives V5 more leeway when buying players in the subsequent transfer period.

Another one.

This contract differs from the first one, mainly including a series of endorsements and business collaborations. This is the real bulk of the deal, and the revenue it generates is several times that of the first contract.

The terms include a range of clauses such as advertising, endorsements, factory partnerships, commercial building leasing, and technology-based equity investment.

It's more about leveraging the influence of the gambling king's son.

The next day.

After Luo Ji asked Rookie's agent and others for help, and had multiple lawyers carefully review the contract, Luo Ji's first and last long-term contract in the e-sports industry was successfully signed.

Although not as extravagant as the contracts in the sports world, such as basketball and football.

But it's an esports contract.

He has already benefited from the favorable timing of the times, and his contract is basically second only to JKL's original contract with Topsports.

"Amazing, my dream."

As a witness to the signing of the contract, Casa looked at the contract, which was almost identical to a retirement contract, and his mouth watered with envy.

"Alright, Ka-bro, you've been making money as a pro for so many years, be more mature."

Luo Ji looked very happy.

Having signed the contract, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. His career issues would no longer bother him, and he only needed to focus on achieving good results.

As for the path to capital...

In the long term, there's NIP stock; in investment, there's gold; in the short term, there are stocks like Xiaomi and Dazi; and in the real economy, there's the adult entertainment industry. If you grow big enough, you can create enough jobs and increase your influence in certain areas.

The chance to get rich overnight
He looked at the S12 World Cup, where Japan defeated Germany and Spain in the group stage. He wished that such a move could happen in this life.

Damn it.

He'd make a fortune!
From the end of MSI to the start of the Summer Split, there will be about two weeks of rest. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Karsa is also calling on Luo Ji to go out and have some fun together.

"Go ahead, Brother Ka, I have some very important work to do right away."

This time.

Luo Ji declined Casa's invitation.

Once he gains fame and has the money, he can start doing many things. What he lacks most now is time.

"Is the Holy Grail War about to begin again?" Kasa asked hesitantly.

"No, that's not it." Luo Ji shook his head and showed his phone screen to Kasa. What he saw made Kasa's eyes widen involuntarily.

past life.

Many people have discussed Rookie joining V5, perhaps because V5's senior management made some kind of deal with him.

After all, Rookie really needed some kind of proof to stay here.

Luo Ji also made the same request.

This requirement was particularly simple for the V5 boss; it was practically just a matter of making a phone call.

It is simply:
An offer of admission from the University of Macau.

(End of this chapter)