Believe me, I really am a professional League of Legends player.

Chapter 153 Departure Ceremony: Where Did Unreal Go? (Please Subscribe)
Just as "Detention" unexpectedly topped the Steam best-selling list due to Li Fan's live stream, sparking heated discussions across the internet.

Within the EDG club, there was a small discussion about TheShy's trial performance.

Looking at the evaluation report submitted by FastStar, Ono said, "So, you mean that this TheShy... has potential, but also has many problems, and we can sign him as a reserve?"

Quick Star nodded: "Yes, Manager, his laning ability is indeed very good in the top lane, but his awareness of anti-gank and team communication are his weaknesses. The current version is all about tanks and team fights. We already have Mouse in the top lane, so we can just focus on the mid lane. However, his talent is worth investing in. In case the version changes, or we need to change our tactics, he may become a surprise weapon."

After saying these words, Kuai Xing was quite proud of himself. It really makes a difference to be able to speak Chinese; it's so great to be able to have daily conversations like this.

After a moment of contemplation, Ono glanced at the report which stated "communication barriers exist, he doesn't understand Chinese at all," and rubbed his temples with a headache.

"Communication is a big problem...and there are already quite a few Koreans in the team."

There was nothing more to say about this fast star.

Anyway, I gave the evaluation report to the manager, so whether the person stays or leaves is no longer my concern.

To be honest, he didn't have a very good impression of Jiang Chenglu. Judging from the information, he had been in WE's youth training for so long, but he couldn't even communicate in simple Chinese, which was a bit ridiculous.

If they really become my players, then I'll have to teach them a lesson just like Scout did.

Otherwise, it would really be a disgrace to the LCK region...

If all foreign players are of this quality, then who in future competitions will be willing to hire Korean players?

Ultimately, after careful consideration, EDG offered TheShy a one-year player contract, but made it clear that he would initially be a substitute player and would likely not have any playing opportunities. They also required him to learn Chinese as soon as possible and integrate into the team.

Compared to other offers TheShy might have received before, this contract is not the most generous, and is even somewhat harsh.

Following his past life's trajectory, he did indeed choose to leave EDG and go to IG.

But this time, it's unclear whether it was Li Fan's dominant performance in the training match that day that left a deep impression on him, or perhaps it was because EDG won the Mid-Season Invitational...

After receiving the notification, TheShy silently pondered for less than a day before making a decision that surprised Li Fan.

I chose to stay.

When TheShy arrived at the EDG base dormitory with his simple luggage, Li Fan happened to run into him in the corridor.

TheShy still seemed a bit reserved at this moment. When he saw Li Fan, he instinctively wanted to bow and greet him.

Li Fan reacted faster this time, quickly raising his hand in a gesture of support, and said in as simple English as possible, "Uh, welcome. We'll be teammates from now on, no need to be so polite."

TheShy understood some of it, and with a slightly shy smile, he tried his best to reply in broken Chinese, "Thank you...thank you, senior! I will try my best!"

Li Fan looked at him, feeling a mix of emotions.

The wheels of history seemed to have gently lurched here, and TheShy, the future god descending to earth, actually chose EDG.

Will IG, who will establish the first year of esports, be able to reappear?
Will my brother's World Championship title just slip away like this?

To be honest, those five players who won the championship that year were the most correct ones.

Don't say things like "it would be better to replace him with someone else"...

Did you know that changing players can create this kind of chemical reaction?
With TheShy's official addition, EDG's League of Legends roster for the 2017 Summer Split has been finalized and submitted to the league.

With Koro1 leaving the team, TheShy's addition filled the vacancy on the roster, keeping the total number of players the same.

The official starting lineup for the Summer Split remains the same familiar five-man starting five.

Top laner Mouse, jungler Clearlove7, mid laner Unreal, ADC Zet, support Meiko
TheShy, Scout, Iboy, and Ai Luoli are the substitutes.

Being a sister-obsessed player is quite prestigious; he's the only player without a substitute.

With the announcement of EDG's summer roster and Koro1's official announcement of joining RNG, esports fans immediately started discussing it.

This has sparked some debate, especially among EDG fans.

After all, Koro1 was once the invincible Tong of EDG. He performed amazingly at the 2015 MSI, helping EDG win their first official world championship and accumulating a large number of fans, especially female fans.

He is hailed as PDD's successor and the only remaining carry-type top laner.

In contrast, Mouse, while solid, lacks the wow factor of a star player and the ability to carry the team.

Top laners who play a steady, methodical style don't actually attract many fans.

Therefore, many of Koro1's fans felt disappointed when they saw him leave the team and join rival RNG.

Why let Koro1 go? Is Mouse really better than Koro1? Are the coaching staff out of their minds?

[Tong Wudi! Have you forgotten about Gnar and Hecarim from MSI? You just let him go to RNG like that? You'll be quiet after getting crushed by Tong Wudi in the Summer Split.]

Honestly, with a mid-lane carry like Unreal Engine, even a dog could win in the top lane. Wouldn't it be better to let Koro1 stay and compete for championships? What is the management thinking? Aren't they giving him any chance at all?!

My heart aches for Koro1! He barely got any playing time during his last period with EDG. I hope he can start again after joining RNG!

While these comments are somewhat extreme, they do represent the true thoughts of some fans.

After all, in most people's eyes, Koro1, with his experience in major competitions and his shining moments, should have a higher level of strength and development potential than Mouse, whose performance has been mediocre.

It's honestly a bit hard to accept that the braised pork was traded away like this.

However, EDG still gave Koro1 many opportunities during the Spring Split.

But there was nothing I could do; I lost right from the start.

Even if he performs better in the game, if he still loses, it means there's no chemistry.

Therefore, many rational fans have completely different opinions.

While Mouse isn't particularly flashy, his stability and obedience make him a good fit for EDG's system. Unlike some top laners, he's less likely to become a weak point and is more adaptable to the current meta.

[It's obvious that Koro1's performance has declined, otherwise he wouldn't have spent so long on the bench. Going to RNG might be a good thing for both him and EDG; it's a good parting of ways.]

Don't forget our mid laner is Unreal! Playing around him is the strongest strategy! Top lane, as long as you hold your ground and play a supportive role, that's your biggest contribution; we don't need a carry-type top laner.

I think this decision is quite reasonable. Since Koro1 doesn't have a starting position but wants to prove himself, going to RNG is a good fit. Letme in the top lane is ridiculously bad, otherwise RNG wouldn't have lost to EDG...

The draw ceremony for the 2017 LPL Summer Split was officially held.

Although the number of teams in the LPL remained at twelve that year, the landscape had already undergone subtle changes.

In addition to established powerhouses, the power of capital is beginning to intervene more deeply.

Suning and JD.com, two e-commerce giants, have made a strong entry into the market, acquiring existing teams and embarking on their own e-sports journeys.

Meanwhile, DAN, a team funded by Topsports, has also been promoted from the secondary league to the LPL, showing the fearless spirit of a newborn calf and intending to make a name for itself in the LPL.

The twelve teams are a gathering of strong contenders, with no truly weak teams. Even LGD can defeat strong teams.

It can only be said that they specialize in beating strong teams! The teams that can beat them are definitely not strong teams, but the teams that can lose to LGD are strong teams.

However, the group draw results will directly affect the performance of each team in the early stages of the summer season.

The host, Ren Dong, drew out the names of each team in turn and assigned them to groups A and B.

When the final group assignments were finalized, a murmur of discussion arose in the training room.

Group A: EDG, RNG, IG, DAN, Snake, IM
Group B: WE, OMG, LGD, JDG, SNG, NB
"Wow, our group is interesting." The factory manager said, stroking his chin. "RNG and IG are old rivals, and DAN is a newly promoted team. I heard they're pretty strong in scrims... Most importantly, their club has money and is planning to use the 'big reward will surely attract brave men' tactic. I feel like we in Group A are under a lot of pressure."

"It's actually the team that Top Esports invested in. Brother Fan can ask them for practice matches to see how they play," Meiko said.

Li Fan smiled...

The strength that Dan's team showed at the beginning of the Summer Split was truly astounding.

The original EDG team seemed to have experienced some setbacks at the beginning of this summer season, and even had the embarrassing record of being solo killed by DAN.

However, besides EDG, Snake Esports and IM were also victims...

DAN won both matches 2-0.

So later came the saying, "The Three Heroes of Ling Shi Road were destroyed in an instant."

With such a performance, DAN was very popular at the beginning of the Summer Split, and many people were crying wolf!

As it turned out, this newly promoted team only had three tricks up their sleeve. After they were figured out, they were repeatedly beaten by other teams. They started strong but ended up with a record of four wins and twelve losses, becoming the last team in Group A.

However, since the competition format has changed, there's no need to worry about being eliminated.

With the announcement of the Summer Split group stage results, LPL viewers immediately engaged in heated discussions on various forums.

However, it is generally believed that Group A is much stronger than Group B.

Group A boasts the Spring Split champions and third-place finishers EDG and RNG, along with the established powerhouse IG and the impressive IM from last season.

These four teams are widely regarded as the favorites to advance from Group A. They are strong teams, and their rivalries and grudges are enough to attract attention.

The remaining two teams, newly promoted DAN and veteran Snake, are definitely not easy opponents. In particular, the rumors surrounding DAN's training matches, coupled with the advantage of having a strong backer, have raised high expectations for both teams.

Group A is truly a group of death! EDG, RNG, IG, IM—it feels like these four teams will be the ones making the playoffs, right?

Every match in Group A will be a tough battle. Whoever scores more points in international matches will have the upper hand in qualifying, but I still favor EDG to lead the group.

[Dan might actually be a spoiler. If he manages to steal a few points from these four superstars, the situation will become even more interesting. It would be hilarious if someone lost their playoff spot.]

[Where's Snake? Does our Snake team have no prestige? Crystal's back in form, then we'll show you just how strong Draven really is!]

In contrast, the discussion surrounding Group B was much less heated.

WE, the runner-up, is widely regarded as the best team in Group B, with the clearest chance of advancing. They are also considered to be the leaders in Group B.

The remaining teams, OMG, LGD, JDG, SNG, and NB, are relatively evenly matched; to put it bluntly, it's more like a battle of the weak, vying for the remaining three playoff spots.

[Group B...WE should be safe. The remaining five teams are vying for three spots. It feels like it will be more exciting than Group A because everyone's skill level is about the same.]

[I'm a little confused whether you're just being sarcastic or genuinely believe Group B is more entertaining...]

[OMG seems to be improving this season. Cold and Sima Laozei are quite capable; they managed fourth place in the Spring Split, so they're not bad.]

[LGD! Always believe in the optimism family; they can beat any strong team and lose to any weak team... who knows, they might even secure a playoff spot? Remember, they're the S5 champions! They're not the optimism family.]

JDG and SNG are newcomers with no star players, so it feels like they're just learning the ropes this season.

Li Fan's live stream is incredibly popular, with the number of viewers steadily increasing every day, and it has now reached 180,000...

We're just 20,000 short of breaking the 200,000 mark.

So, he became the first streamer on the entire internet to have 200,000 online viewers.

This number is already terrifying.

At least at this stage, it is not replicable, since no one can attract fans from various games to watch his live stream like Li Fan.

At this moment, Li Fan was not playing the game, but looking at the official 7.11 version update announcement just released by League of Legends.

This version will also be the version for the upcoming Summer Split.

As he scrolled down through the updates, the atmosphere in the live stream chat gradually shifted from relaxed to somewhat heated, with viewers hurling insults at each other.

"...The jungle item penalty mechanism has been adjusted," Li Fan said calmly as he looked at the announcement. "When carrying jungle items, if you gain a lot of gold from minions too early, the gold you get from minions will be reduced."

This premature and excessive threshold for judgment is set very low.

This means that if the jungler tries to frequently help push lanes or steal minions in the early to mid-game, it will directly lead to a significant loss of gold and experience.

Holy crap! Is this targeting really that obvious?

[Isn't this all aimed at Fan Ge? The Lucian and Master Yi jungle strategy in the MSI finals was indeed overpowered, but it's not uncountable. Why target him like this?]

Are Riot Games' designers sore losers? Do they just nerf any new strategy they see? Do they enjoy telling people how to play the game? Unbelievable.

[Hilarious! Just because Fan used the jungle carry strategy to win the Mid-Season Invitational, they're going to completely ban this playstyle?]

[Designer: Unreal, huh? You think you're so great? What good is being great! In this business, you need to talk about versions and patches!]

[This is outrageous! How long has it been? They've already used knives?]

[It's understandable that the Mid-Season Invitational patch was Riot Games' way of assessing each team's understanding of the meta, and then developing targeted strategies to prepare for the upcoming World Championship.]

The live stream was filled with condemnations of Riot Games' designers.

Fans are well aware that this jungle-centric playstyle, which relies on quickly acquiring resources to achieve a level and economic advantage, was the key to Li Fan's outstanding performance at the Mid-Season Invitational and one of the reasons why EDG was able to win the Mid-Season Invitational championship.

Being targeted so directly now is bound to make people feel indignant...

Some people found this strategy very fun, and even though it was discontinued, they still felt they hadn't had enough.

Stupid League of Legends designer!

However, Li Fan did not appear angry or targeted like the viewers in the live chat.

"I thought I could last for another version, but I didn't expect it to be banned so quickly."

Li Fan's reaction stunned some viewers.

"However, there's no need to rush, because such changes are actually quite normal. When a tactic, a hero, or a position becomes too strong and affects the game balance, the designers will definitely make adjustments."

"The jungle carry strategy is actually very abnormal. It's normal that the experience and gold gain have been modified."

"From another perspective, this is not a bad thing at all." Li Fan changed the subject. "It actually shows that our previous tactics and ideas were ahead of the curve and were successful, so successful that even the designers had to react immediately to limit them."

"If a strategy is nerfed, we'll just develop new ones. League of Legends has over a hundred champions, countless item combinations, and tactical possibilities. Does that mean we can't play the game without that jungle carry strategy?"

[Holy crap, Fan's mentality! I love it! Unlike other players who get furious when their strengths are being targeted.]

[Is this the kind of team spirit that leads to the Street Fighter V Brazil regional championship? That's so cool!] [That's right, the version has changed, just adapt. With Fan's hero pool and game understanding, what's there to be afraid of! EDG can still win the championship in the upcoming matches.]

[I almost forgot, this guy has a huge hero pool! The heroes he picks are invincible.]

[It seems the more the designers target him, the stronger Fan Ge becomes...]

[Nerf me all you want, I have an invincible mid-lane carry!]

Li Fan's confidence acted as a reassurance, filling EDG fans with renewed anticipation for the new version and the upcoming Summer Split.

As the Mid-Season Invitational champions, EDG was unsurprisingly chosen by the organizers to be the main characters in the opening match of the Summer Split.

The opening match of the 2017 LPL Summer Split officially kicked off amidst much anticipation: EDG vs DAN.

This match attracted countless eyes.

On one hand, everyone wants to see if EDG can maintain its dominance from the Mid-Season Invitational after the version update.

On the other hand, I also wanted to see for myself how the DAN team, which was rumored to be extremely strong in training matches and was regarded by many as a dark horse, would perform against the recognized top teams.

Before the match, there was a lot of discussion on various forums and live streams.

The time has come to see if DAN is truly a dark horse! But I've heard that DAN is actually a team from Top Esports; the official organizers really know how to stir things up!

Will EDG slip up? The patch just changed, their strategies have been nerfed, and they need to adjust their form...

With Unreal on the team, EDG is very stable. Even if Dan is strong, he's still a newly promoted team. Where did you guys get the misconception that EDG would lose?

The course of the match completely surprised all the viewers who were expecting an upset.

Facing the formidable DAN team, EDG demonstrated the depth of a championship team and their exceptional adaptability.

In the first game, DAN once again fielded their dominant mid-jungle duo, which had been invincible in the secondary league, attempting to open up the game through frequent attacks.

However, Li Fan was like a pillar of strength in the mid lane, excelling in both lane dominance and anti-gank awareness.

Ggoong's attack was like hitting cotton; it was weak and powerless and couldn't withstand it... It had no effect at all.

The factory manager watched as the mid laner held off the mid and jungle duo, thus perfectly controlling the rhythm of the jungle.

As the match progressed into the mid-game, EDG's familiar operational rhythm began to take effect.

Li Fan's plane, carrying explosives, made a perfect entry, instantly destroying DAN's formation. Then, everyone rushed in and easily wiped them out.

EDG then played steadily and did not give DAN any chance to turn the game around, and destroyed the base in 28 minutes.

It was a resounding and exhilarating victory...

In the second game, DAN attempted to change their strategy, but EDG was clearly better prepared.

Mouse's Shen left no openings in the top lane and was able to provide feedback to his teammates, repeatedly using his ultimate to support the side lanes and defuse DAN's offensive.

Meanwhile, the bot lane duo of Iboy and Meiko steadily suppressed their opponents.

This surprised everyone; this little AD seems pretty good.

In this game, Li Fan picked Taliyah and, together with Clearlove's Elise, showcased mid-jungle synergy, turning DAN's jungle upside down.

Then, in the mid-game, Li Fan's precise use of the wall to block the way completely disrupted DAN's formation, helping EDG easily win the team fight at the Baron pit.

At 23 minutes, EDG, empowered by the Baron buff, launched a strong push and destroyed DAN's base crystal once again.

They easily won the match 2-0.

Clean, efficient, and without any unnecessary delays.

Li Fan delivered terrifying damage output and a perfect KDA in both games, rightfully earning two MVP awards.

The stadium resounded with cheers from EDG fans, and the live stream was flooded with messages congratulating EDG and praising Unreal.

After the match ended and the two players shook hands, Li Fan walked up to Cat, DAN's support player.

Cat's face still showed some disappointment and confusion after the defeat. It was his first time stepping onto the LPL stage, and he suffered such a decisive defeat.

It's really hard to accept... even though the opponent is EDG!
But can the gap really be this big?
When I saw Li Fan at the base before, I didn't think he was a particularly strong opponent.

Li Fan extended his hand to Cat Emperor and said, "Welcome to LPL."

After all, the DAN team members have met many times before, so it's no big deal for them to offer some consolation to those who lost after winning the game.

Cat paused for a moment, then forced a smile and nodded.

What did Unreal say to Cat? Cat seemed completely bewildered.

In a post-match interview, when Yu Shuang asked Li Fan for his thoughts on the new version...

Li Fan picked up the microphone and answered seriously: "The version is constantly changing. The important thing is how we adapt to and lead it. Today's victory is just the beginning. We will continue to work hard and play well in every game from now on."

Li Fan's words in the post-opening match interview were not meant to deceive fans. In the subsequent Summer Split, EDG used victory after victory to perfectly demonstrate why they were able to become the champions of the Jinzhong Tournament.

That's the kind of strength we have!

First, they easily defeated their old rivals Snake, IM, and IG from Group A.

Then came the highlight of Group A: the match against RNG.

Facing RNG, who have garnered much attention since acquiring Koro1, EDG showed no mercy and instead launched an even more powerful attack.

Li Fan held an absolute advantage in his matchup against Xiao Hu, excelling in both hero pool and team fight performance.

With the advantage of the mid lane, Clearlove successfully suppressed Mlxg's rhythm.

Although Uzi gained an advantage in the bottom lane, he couldn't make up for the huge gap between the mid and jungle lanes.

EDG decisively defeated RNG with a score of 2-0, once again silencing the voices that were indignant on behalf of Koro1.

It seems like there's little chance of getting revenge now.

In the cross-group competition, EDG faced a challenge from WE, the top team in Group B.

This match, which was seen as a preview of the finals, attracted a great deal of attention.

However, the match unfolded in a one-sided manner.

Li Fan was in superb form, easily dominating WE's mid lane in both games with Corki and Syndra respectively, leading EDG to a straight-set victory.

This made everyone sigh that Li Fan's performance was even more terrifying than in the Spring Split, with almost no flaws to be seen.

Thus, EDG achieved a remarkable six-game winning streak at the start of the Summer Split, defeating DAN, Snake, IM, RNG, IG, and WE, easily securing the top spot in the LPL standings and demonstrating an unparalleled competitive form.

After six matches were played and the league entered a short break, another important international event was scheduled.

2017 League of Legends Asia Rift Rivals.

This is a new tournament added by Riot Games this year. The top four teams from each of the three major Asian regions, LCK, LPL and LMS, will compete against each other to determine the strongest region.

The first Asian Intercontinental Championships were to be held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The LPL region attaches great importance to this new tournament.

This is not only an opportunity to compete for honor, but also an important stage to test the overall strength of the LPL, especially its ability to compete against the LCK region on the international stage...

After all, everyone says that even the worst team in the LCK can dominate the LPL, and they really want to prove it.

According to the rules, the four representative teams sent by LPL are: Spring Split champion EDG, runner-up WE, third place RNG, and fourth place OMG.

These four teams will represent the LPL in Kaohsiung, where they will face off against formidable opponents from the LCK region (SKT, KT, SSG, MVP) and the LMS region (FW, AHQ, J Team, M17) in a battle for regional glory.

Inside the EDG base, the players, who had just finished a high-intensity league match, immediately began preparing for the Intercontinental Cup without much rest.

The LPL region attaches great importance to this Intercontinental Cup. The coaching staff of the four participating teams gathered in advance to study their opponents from the LCK and LMS regions, share intelligence, and discuss tactics.

They are usually rivals in the league, but now they are working together for the common honor of the region. After all, if they share their research with their teammates, the chances of winning a point are much greater.

July 5th, the day the LPL region sets off.

At Shanghai Pudong International Airport, players and staff from the four LPL representative teams—EDG, WE, RNG, and OMG—gathered together, preparing to board a flight to Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

A brief but solemn send-off ceremony was held on site, attracting a large number of media and fans to see them off.

Reporters from Shanghai TV also came to the airport to conduct interviews, pointing their microphones at the players who are about to represent the LPL.

Because going to Taiwan Province to compete has always been a focus of attention.

"How do you feel about your first competition in Kaohsiung? What are your expectations for the environment and venues there?" the reporter asked the factory manager.

The factory manager faced the camera and showed his signature expression: "I'm actually quite excited to go to Taiwan, after all, it's my first time participating in a competition like the Intercontinental Cup. I've heard that Kaohsiung is a very beautiful city, and I hope to perform well there and bring glory to the LPL."

Players from other teams, such as WE's xiye, RNG's Xiaohu, and OMG's Sima Laozei, also gave interviews, expressing similar determination and expectations.

Of course, we also didn't forget to say that friendship comes first, competition second...

LPL officials captured this historic moment with their cameras and later uploaded a group photo of the four teams at the airport to their official social media account.

In the photo, players from EDG, WE, RNG, and OMG are wearing the uniforms issued by the LPL region, standing together in the airport departure hall in the background, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.

However, not long after the photo was posted, sharp-eyed netizens discovered a major problem!
Wait, where's Unreal on the EDG team? Where's Fan?

[I counted three times, everyone else from EDG was there: Mouse, Clearlove, Zet, Meiko… but Fan was missing! He wasn't even seen during the interview.]

[Where's Unreal? Where's my top mid laner? EDG's core player has vanished!]

[Holy crap? What's going on? Didn't Fan Ge go? Is there anyone there who can tell us what happened?]

[Impossible! No Unreal Engine in the Intercontinental Cup? Has EDG's management lost their minds?]

【Don't scare me! EDG without Unreal going to the Rift Rivals? Isn't that just feeding them points? How are the others supposed to compete with Faker? They're completely outmatched!】

What's going on with the authorities? Come out and explain!

After all, he's such a big shot and a key figure, so everyone was naturally very anxious when they didn't see him.

Faced with the sudden surge of questions on Weibo and countless private messages and inquiries from fans, Ono felt extremely troubled.

He put down his phone, rubbed his temples, and sighed helplessly: "Now I really understand how Abu used to have headaches... That kid Li Fan is really good at causing trouble."

He couldn't tell the truth of the matter directly either.

The real reason is that the main stage of the PUBG "Huya Bounty Tournament," hosted by the Huya platform, is scheduled to officially begin on July 10th.

This timeframe highly overlaps with the schedule of the Intercontinental Championships, differing by only one day.

Under these circumstances, it would be impossible for Li Fan, as a core player of the U.TES team, to return from Kaohsiung on the day the bounty tournament begins.

After in-depth communication with the club's management, it was ultimately decided that Li Fan would not travel with the team to this continental tournament.

Staying in the country to fully prepare for the Huya Bounty Tournament is essentially a short break.

For EDG club, this decision has its internal considerations...

Since Li Fan's contract expires in just over four months, we have no choice but to do our best to cooperate with Li Fan in order to have a chance of renewal.

Moreover, although the Intercontinental Cup is an international event, it is the first edition of the tournament, and its importance and prestige are not as high as the traditional MSI or the World Championship in the eyes of the club management.

This is a collective honor for the competition area; even if they win the championship, it's nothing special.

If they lose the game, all four teams will have to cover the losses.

After weighing the pros and cons, the club agreed to Li Fan's request.

Of course, the real reason cannot be disclosed to the public directly.

Are we going to tell everyone that our mid laner thinks PUBG competitions are more important, so he's not going to participate in the Intercontinental Cup...?

If these words were to be spoken out, the resulting public outcry would likely be ten times more intense than it is now!
Not only will it offend all the fans who are looking forward to LPL's triumph on the international stage, but it will also ruin its reputation among casual viewers.

Ono scratched his head in exasperation: "Forget it, the more I explain, the more confused things will get. Let's just play dead and get by for now. Saying more will only make more mistakes. The current situation is still good."

He immediately contacted EDG's team leader and coach, Kuaixing, who had already arrived in Kaohsiung, and instructed them to give a consistent and vague answer when facing media inquiries, and never reveal the real reason.

Therefore, in subsequent official responses and player interviews, EDG consistently stated that Li Fan's absence was due to "personal schedule arrangements," with no further details available.

This official and vague statement may have temporarily appeased some fans, but it failed to convince them.

[Personal matters? What could possibly be more important than the Intercontinental Championship?]

Something feels off, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

[Hmm, could it be because of the Huya Bounty Tournament? If Unreal participates in the Huya Bounty Tournament, they're ignoring the Intercontinental Tournament?]

Damn, now that you mention it, it seems more and more likely...

[Seriously, what's with you, a League of Legends pro player, playing in a PUBG bounty tournament instead of the Rift Rivals? Unbelievable!]

[I'll hate you forever!]

Why aren't they showing up when it comes to regional honors? When is Unreal going to stop this nonsense?

[Hilarious! You guys were so focused on Unreal Engine that you didn't notice Uzi wasn't there either? Their AD carry was Y4!]

[Fine, I won't go. What can you do about it? If LPL can't function without Unreal, then we might as well disband!]

(End of this chapter)