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Chapter 128: A crushing defeat! The farce is over! (Please subscribe)
"Nice! We won, brothers!" The factory manager leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Holy crap! Fan-ge! You're my god!" Meiko ripped off his headphones and excitedly patted Li Fan's shoulder. He almost cried during the match; the pressure was immense...

If they lose, the bot lane will be the scapegoat, and the backlash from the fans will be terrifying.

They didn't want to lose and put pressure on Li Fan.

Zet chuckled sheepishly. Although he had been badly beaten in the early game, he had managed to deal some damage in the last two team fights, and now he finally felt relieved.

The disabled man with a big mouth has finally stood up.

"See that? My two key ultimate moves and taunt completely paralyzed them!"

"Yes, yes, yes, Guang is awesome!" His teammates were full of praise at this moment.

"However... we only won the first game, there are still two games left. Everyone, cheer up, WE is still very strong. You could see that in the last game. If it weren't for Fan's strength, we would have lost." Clearlove said to everyone.

Everyone nodded and headed towards the back lounge.

……

This match was absolutely thrilling for the fans.

My emotions fluctuated wildly, like riding a roller coaster, but the aftertaste was amazing.

"EDG! Awesome!"

"Unreal is about to make its move!"

The fans' enthusiasm nearly lifted the roof off the venue.

The frustration of being pressured by WE fans with trash talk and early-game advantage was completely released at this moment!
What could be more satisfying than turning the tide in a desperate situation?

The live stream chat also erupted in a frenzy.

[Haters! Speak up! Are you all playing dead? Speak up!]

[A 7,000-strong economic turnaround... I'm asking you: Who else has it?!]

[This is amazing! Now that's what you call presentable! I'm really starting to like Unreal Engine more and more; even their trash talk has substance.]

[Unreal's vampire-like performance really got me all teary-eyed; that flash-in-the-battle move was pure art.]

[Are all the WE players stunned? Their winning streak has slipped away!]

[They're going to be humiliated. A 7,000 gold lead was wiped out. Only WE in the entire LPL could pull this off.]

Congratulations to EDG! 3-0! 3-0!

The post-match data panel popped up, and Li Fan's Vampire, with his ability to lead the team to a comeback and a total output of nearly 50,000, unsurprisingly won the MVP of this game.

However, everyone's attention was focused on Li Fan's official costume photos.

The entire audience burst into laughter.

Because Li Fan turned to the side, made a peace sign with his right hand, and tilted his mouth to the left! It was as funny as it could be.

No, it directly gives many people a feeling of being broken.

How did you, such a handsome guy, suddenly become a comedian?

"Hahaha! What is this? My eyes."

"Unreal! What happened to your image? Why don't you care about your good looks at all?"

"Help! This photo is hilarious! Under what circumstances was it taken?"

"So, the ultimate goal of being a handsome man is to become a comedian?"

The EDG fans at the scene laughed uproariously while raising their phones and cameras to take pictures of the big screen.

Even WE's fans couldn't hold back their emotions; it seemed like they weren't so upset to see their team lose.

The main problem is that this photo is just too contrasting!

Anyone who understands contrast knows how exciting this moment can be.

Even the three commentators couldn't help but burst into laughter.

After all, they are very professional and won't laugh casually unless they really can't help it.

Doll: "Hahaha! Unreal's MVP promotional photo... is really unique!"

"It seems our Unreal players are not only incredibly skilled, but also have an excellent and relaxed mentality. Was this a pre-prepared Easter egg?" Miller chuckled along.

"However, I think fans will really love this perk, and I expect the memes will be coming out soon."

Just as Su Xiaoyan had predicted, after a brief barrage of "???" comments in the live stream, people quickly took screenshots.

Then send it to various game groups.

[About the incident where my handsome mid-laner suddenly turned into a comedian]

[This book title is so interesting! I'm interested just from reading it.]

[Hilarious! I thought he was a cool, aloof guy, but he's a total goofball!]

[New emoji added: "Na Nie.jpg" (with an image of Unreal making a crooked mouth and a peace sign)]

[So, all you can do is make a fool of yourself? Just kidding.]

[That's it, there's no going back to that image. From now on, every time I see him carrying the team, all I'll remember is that crooked smile.]

[WE fans are furious: Did we really get beaten by this kind of rubbish?]

After a short break, both teams returned to the stage.

The atmosphere at the venue remained enthusiastic, but observant people could notice a subtle change in the atmosphere around the WE players' seats.

Before the first game started, they were chatting and laughing, looking relaxed.

At this moment, everyone from the coach to the players looked much more serious.

Because they knew how important the second game was, and if they lost... they would face EDG with three match points, which was unacceptable to them.

"Welcome back! After an epic comeback in the first game, we now have the second game of the finals! I believe both players have adjusted their form during the break." Miller's voice drew the audience's attention back to the competition.

"I think WE might make some adjustments to the draft in this game. In the last game, they had such a big advantage in the early game but failed to end the game. Besides Unreal's perfect performance with Vladimir, there might also be some problems with the lineup's ability to push in the mid-game and end the game."

"That's right. Although WE's lineup has strong poke ability, it's not that good at finishing games. They may have chosen to force a Baron because of the pressure from Vladimir. They probably won't play like that this game."

"And after EDG tasted success, will they continue to give Unreal these late-game carry champions? This Vladimir pick was truly outstanding, even exaggerated... To be honest, he's the first Vladimir player to leave such a deep impression on me!"

"However, it seems we won't be able to release the Vampire hero... It's better to consider something else."

Just as Wawa predicted, during the draft phase of the second game, WE, on the blue side, banned Vladimir as their first pick!
The pressure was too great; it was clearly not the right time for a vampire to unleash its power, yet it managed to do so and still win.

This isn't some vampire, it's clearly a duke!
"Just ban it! WE says they don't want to see this hero again!" Miller laughed.

A burst of good-natured laughter erupted from the audience, undoubtedly a testament to Li Fan's performance in the previous game.

That's how esports works; skill speaks for itself, and those with skill earn respect.

Even WE fans have to admit that Li Fan would face a lot of pressure if he got the Vampire champion.

If this isn't moved, they'll start criticizing Redmi!

What a load of crap, that Korean coach! He doesn't even know how to do a draft.

EDG coach QuickStar seemed to have anticipated this, and immediately banned Condi's Gragas, which had a good rhythm in the previous game, as well as 957's Kled and Galio, the current meta's dominant champions.

WE's subsequent bans were clearly more focused on the mid lane, blocking Syndra, which Li Fan had performed brilliantly in the regular season, and Clearlove's Rek'Sai.

During the champion selection phase, WE immediately locked in Lucian...

Li Fan immediately became alert the moment he saw Lucian locked down.

WE has an Ardent Censer-based strategy, and this champion needs to be watched out for by both mid and bot lanes, with a higher probability in the mid lane, because Xiye is indeed very proficient with this champion, and even solo-killed Faker in the Mid-Season Invitational...

The fact that they were able to pull this out in the Mid-Season Invitational already shows that they had practiced this system beforehand. If things didn't go well in the finals, there's a good chance they might be forced to use it in order to win.

"They might be about to release an incense burner!"

As soon as Li Fan said this, Coach Kuai Xing and his teammates immediately became serious.

During this past week, Li Fan did mention the incense burner system.

Then, after internal research by EDG, their terrifying late-game capabilities have been proven.

QuickStar believes that Li Fan can keenly perceive this, and WE, as a top team, cannot possibly not notice it... especially since the Ardent Censer has been buffed so many times over.

In this situation, caution is necessary.

They had no idea just how bizarre the incense burner was.

If this Lucian is in the bot lane, paired with an Ardent Censer support, he will have maximum early and mid-game pressure and be guaranteed a late-game advantage.

If it's a mid-lane champion, then the jungler will definitely choose a champion that supports the mid-lane.

In this situation, the incense burner can be obtained very quickly.

Quick-thinking, Xing made a decision immediately: "Let's take Ivern first, and if there's no Lucian in mid, how about Ashe?"

The following sentence was said to Li Fan.

Li Fan nodded, saying he'd been too focused on Lucian and should have added a Tristana instead.

However, removing the sapling can also serve a good purpose.

The enemy's Lucian-Mori combo is not working.

Then, because of the small tree, I can build Talon this game.

The pressure is greater before reaching level six, but once you reach level six, you can easily change the situation.

"So what will you take in the mid lane?" QuickStar asked.

"Tathrall, I guess... you can build Talon this game."

"Talon?" Quickstar frowned slightly upon hearing this choice.

This is another champion pick that isn't popular in the current meta, and Talon might be facing a Lucian with extremely strong early-game pressure, making the first few levels of the laning phase very difficult.

Moreover, the margin for error is indeed not high...

But if Li Fan says a hero can be released, then release that hero.

I have faith in the mid laner, and so far he hasn't let me down.

“Okay, but let’s not reveal our picks yet. Let’s see what they pick in their second and third rounds to confirm if it’s Lucian in the mid lane,” Quick Star said in a deep voice, choosing a more cautious approach.

The audience members present couldn't help but be puzzled when they saw the old man.

Ai Weng?

It seems like Ivern, the jungler, hasn't received any buffs.

Is this even an option? What on earth is EDG doing?
The three commentators in the commentary booth were also puzzled at this moment.

"EDG is going all out in the second game, they've even pulled out Ivern!"

"It seems EDG has made thorough preparations for today's match." Su Xiaoyan was also quite surprised. Clearlove has no problem playing utility champions, but she really didn't expect Ivern.

"Then let's look forward to the mid-jungle duo and see what champion EDG's mid laner will pick."

Seeing that Ivern is gone from WE... gave me a jolt, especially Redmi.

"Did the other side develop this system, or is it just a coincidence?"

If they figure it out, then today's match will be very difficult.

They considered it their trump card and planned to use it in the Mid-Season Invitational, but the opposing team figured it out.

That will be very troublesome.

Given that the opposing team has a mid-lane Lucian, there's a very high chance they'll develop the Ardent Censer comp.

But now the die is cast and there's no turning back. If the enemy team has Ashe, and we send Lucian to the bottom lane, and they counter with a Karma, then the bottom lane simply won't be able to lane.

That means Lucian has to hit it...

The options for jungling suddenly become much fewer.

EDG used to like using Jarvan IV in combination.

Now the only option is to take a prince.

They then secured another kill on Cho'Gath, demonstrating the strength of their top, mid, and jungle composition.

However, this also allowed EDG to confirm WE's mid laner, and they locked in Karma as their third pick, thus creating a powerful bot lane combination of Ashe and Karma.

In the second round of bans, Li Fan directly suggested banning Lulu and Janna.

They already have two incense burners here.

Regardless of what the other side is thinking or whether they've developed it, since we've already picked Ivern, there's really no need to hide it anymore.

Ivern is a hero who needs to be played as a utility champion; otherwise, he's useless.

When it comes to training heroes, Li Fan still believes that no one can outpace him.

If you're already using cheat codes, why are you afraid of this or that?
Does that mean I got this cheat for nothing?

Redmi saw that both Janna and Lulu were banned, leaving no room for luck at that moment.

Without these two top-tier champions, his bot lane options become less comfortable.

After some thought, I finally decided to pick the healer and Jhin.

With the ban/pick phase restricted, the bot lane can only play a utility role.

This move backfired badly; the draft was a complete disaster.

To be honest, Redmi was a bit hasty in choosing these heroes at this moment.

The lineup was terrible... absolutely terrible! EDG was so well-prepared!
Seeing the male knife locked on the fifth floor, he was even more flustered.

Once Talon gets farmed up, his two carries have no room to perform.

When did QuickStar become such a good draft pick?

"My God, Unreal has pulled out another hero! Just how deep is their hero pool?!" Wawa's exclamation echoed in the venue, filled with unbelievable excitement.

"And WE has confirmed that their mid laner will be Lucian... Lucian versus Talon, the mid lane matchup looks really exciting."

"However, Lucian's range and burst damage will overwhelm Talon..."

Although Talon is an assassin, he is not a traditional laning champion.

Although Miller had never seen Lucian play against Talon in the mid lane before, he still made a fairly reasonable judgment based on his Diamond 1 level.

The lineups for both sides were thus finalized.

Blue side WE: Top lane Cho'Gath, Jungle Jarvan IV, Mid lane Lucian, Bot lane duo Jhin and Soraka.

Red side EDG: Top laner Nautilus, jungler Ivern, mid laner Talon, bot lane duo Ashe and Karma.

The two coaches came to the center of the stage and shook hands.

The two coaches clasped hands, and Redmi looked at QuickStar and said in a low voice, "You won the draft... but I believe my players can win back on the field."

Upon hearing this, Quick Star's smile widened, and he confidently replied, "Then I'll wait for this farce to end."

After the handshake session, the two coaches returned backstage and handed the stage over to the contestants.

(End of this chapter)