League: I really didn't tank!

Chapter 357 [Meditation Training], Initiated!

Seeing the GAM crystal shattered on the ground, Chen Dongqing, backstage, smiled and nodded, then bumped fists with Banbazi next to him.

Chen Dongqing opened the door to the lounge and greeted the team members with the coaching manager.

As soon as the door opened, Chen Dongqing heard Miller's resounding commentary echoing throughout the arena: "Alright, let's congratulate QG! They've once again achieved a perfect record in the group stage! They're also the first team in history to achieve two consecutive perfect group stage results! We hope they can continue their efforts in the upcoming knockout stage!"

Chen Dongqing listened to the commentator's praise with a smile, and soon saw his teammates appear from around the corner of the passage and quickly walked back.

Just like Linko used to, Chen Dongqing gave each of his teammates a thumbs up.

Finally, Chen Dongqing said to 369, "You got the Jayce skin! You haven't even seriously played in the LPL yet, and you've already gotten a championship skin. You're the first person in the world to do that!"

Last year, Lin Weixiang earned his skin after reaching the LPL through the promotion/relegation tournament, so theoretically, he can be considered an LPL starter.

As a player from the secondary league, 369 is the number one pure player; he was already in Rome before he was even born.

369 was quite hesitant, first scratching his head, then giggling.

Uzi chuckled from the side, "Aren't you going to thank Brother Tree?"

"Thank you, Brother Tree!" 369 replied honestly.

Suddenly, Xiangguo chimed in, "At this point, you should have said, 'Eat shit!'"

369 chuckled and was about to imitate her when Chen Dongqing pointed a finger at her and stopped her.

(Similar to this ↓)

The lounge was instantly filled with joy.

Before everyone could enjoy their happiness for long, there was a sudden knock on the door of the lounge.

Chen Dongqing, who was closest to the player, went over to take a look and was surprised to find that it was actually an FPX player.

"Hey, you guys just got here?" Chen Dongqing asked with a smile.

According to the rules, the draw ceremony for the quarterfinals must begin immediately after the last group of matches are completed, and all eight teams must be present.

FPX arrived at the hotel just in time, but they didn't have a lounge, so they came to QG's place to enjoy the air conditioning.

As soon as he entered, Lin Weixiang immediately struck up a conversation, lying down next to Uzi369, and then asked with a smile, "What's the story of today's draw?"

"What else can we say?" Chen Dongqing said with a smile, "It doesn't matter who we play against, as long as we don't draw EDG, that's a success, okay?"

Doinb, standing nearby, muttered, "Actually, we really wanted to draw EDG."

At this moment, the TV in the lounge is displaying the list of the eight teams that have advanced to the finals.

Group A: QG, SSG.

Group B: SKT, EDG.

Group C: G2, KT.

Group D: FPX, MSF.

After this presentation segment ends, and then we wait a bit for the guy to set up the venue, the lottery segment will begin.

FPX and QG are both first in their groups and are in the first seed pool, so they definitely won't meet in the quarterfinals, but EDG is the second seed.

Based on the principle of avoiding teams from the same group, if EDG cannot draw SKT from the same group, the probability of them drawing QG or FPX is quite high, roughly two-thirds. The exact probability will only be known after the teams in the first pool are drawn, since there is a possibility that EDG will draw SKT and then the draw will be postponed.

Chen Dongqing certainly didn't want a civil war, because it would be the same no matter who they fought.

But FPX is really looking forward to the internal battle.

They just wanted revenge against EDG.

After defeating WE in the gauntlet, FPX's goal for this World Championship is revenge!

They want to beat EDG and QG one by one until they win the final championship!

Of course, Chen Dongqing's assessment of their goal was—a pipe dream.

Before they had even had a proper rest, staff knocked on the door of QG's lounge. Chen Dongqing and Doinb went to the backstage entrance to wait. They saw staff bustling back and forth on the stage, moving some props for the raffle onto the stage.

Chen Dongqing also saw his girlfriend wearing a dress, holding a microphone, walking straight to his side.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

This scene was witnessed by the other contestants, who were terrified.

Faker was furious when he saw this.

Ilex, what a despicable man!

After everything was ready, Lin Yuanhua winked at Chen Dongqing, then adjusted her posture and walked confidently onto the stage.

Under her guidance, representatives from the eight teams took to the stage one by one, and then she brought Leng Shao from the OMG team, who was the guest of honor for this knockout round, onto the stage!

Leng Shao was well-prepared for today's lottery, wearing a Dior 2017 Fall/Winter polka dot jacquard wool suit and trousers, as well as a new white pure cotton shirt from the same brand. The clothes alone cost over 2 yuan.

Paired with the ChromeHearts gold and diamond ring worth 13.8 RMB worn on the ring finger of her right hand, it was simply the epitome of luxury.

Leng Shao bowed slightly to the audience, then stirred the No. 1 prize pool.

Soon, the first sphere was extracted. Leng Shao opened the sphere and unfolded the small banner inside, revealing a team logo with wings and a red team name.

Group B's number one team, SKT!

Standing next to Chen Dongqing, Faker, representing SKT, waved to the audience.

Upon seeing the team name, the factory manager on the other side of the stage immediately became nervous.

I hope I don't get G2 in the next draw!

According to the principle of avoiding being in the same half of the bracket, EDG cannot be in the same half of the bracket as SKT, so they can only go to the lower half of the bracket.

If G2 is drawn into the top half of the bracket, then the other two LPL teams will be placed in the bottom half, which means EDG will inevitably face an internal battle.

Leng Shao smiled at the camera and continued drawing lots. The next lot would soon reveal his path!

Unfortunately, it was G2!

The factory manager's face immediately darkened.

The best G2 draw is gone, so an internal conflict is inevitable.

Since that's the case, let's just try our luck with FPX instead; trying with QG is too risky.

Leng Shao continued the draw, and the remaining two LPL teams were also drawn.

FPX was drawn in the third draw and placed in the bottom half of the bracket, so QG, who was left last, would naturally be placed in the last position in the bottom half of the bracket.

Upon seeing this position, the factory manager raised an eyebrow slightly and let out a sigh of relief.

This is already the best possible outcome!

Because EDG cannot enter the upper bracket, they will automatically be drawn into the third group, FPX, regardless of whether they are drawn against SKT or G2!

In other words, if they are drawn in the first three draws, their opponent will be FPX!

That's great! We have experience playing against FPX!

A satisfied smile appeared on the factory manager's lips.

Doinb, standing in the first queue of his group, glanced at Clearlove, who had a wicked grin on his face. He knew perfectly well what Clearlove was thinking.

Doinb couldn't help but purse his lips.

But he wasn't flustered; on the contrary, he was somewhat excited.

Come on, FPX couldn't be happier!

Leng Shao quickly began the second round of the draw.

He reached into the pool and stirred it around for a moment, then quickly drew the first lot from pool number two.

MSF! They've fallen into the same group as SKT!

In the second group, Hans Sama, representing Team Rabbit, shook hands slightly with Faker in the center of the stage as instructed.

In the LCK live stream, the three members of the "Roaring Emperor" group couldn't help but burst into laughter as they looked at the draw: "Hahaha, we got a really good draw!"

Why is it a good fortune?

The team in the same half of the bracket is G2, the weakest team in Pool 1, and their opponent in the quarterfinals is MSF, the weakest team in Pool 2.

SKT has had all the advantages in this knockout stage, and is almost guaranteed to advance to the finals!

As for KT and SSG? We'll see.

Leng Shao continued drawing lots, and this time, he drew EDG directly.

Upon seeing the signature, the factory manager couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

Lin Yuanhua then added, "According to the rules, EDG cannot be in the same half of the bracket as SKT, so they will be moved down to FPX's group!"

Doinb and Clearlove walked to the center of the stage and shook hands firmly. They didn't speak, but there was an indescribable solemnity in their eyes.

Next up is the third draw, which will again be for G2 in the upper bracket to choose their opponent!

At this point, Miller thought for a moment and said, "Now only Samsung and KT haven't been drawn yet, so the result is actually already determined."

Samsung and QG are in the same group, so Samsung definitely cannot be placed in QG's group.

In other words, Samsung can only enter Group G2, while KT will naturally be placed in Group QG.

The next two draws were the same.

In the third draw, Leng Shao drew a 3-star character and placed it into Group G2.

To ensure fairness, Leng Shao still drew the last ball, which was KT!

Lin Yuanhua then announced, "Alright, KT will now be placed in the QG group! According to the schedule, the two teams drawn last will face off in the first match of the quarterfinals!"

Chen Dongqing and Xiao Huasheng exchanged a glance, then walked to the center of the stage and shook hands firmly.

This can be described as a replay of last year's S-series finals and a replica of this year's MSI finals, with QG and KT becoming opponents once again!

"We meet again, Tree Pot." Little Peanut blinked and said, "This time it should be our turn to win, right?"

Chen Dongqing blinked and laughed, "Don't even think about it!"

After a brief handshake, the two returned to their seats. At this time, the large screen in the venue was already displaying the division of this year's knockout stage.

Upper bracket: SKT vs. MSF, G2 vs. SSG.

Bottom bracket: FPX vs. EDG, QG vs. KT.

Chen Dongqing squinted at it, then shook his head secretly.

This draw was hardly good; in fact, it was rather bad.

All three LPL teams are in the lower bracket, which means there will likely be consecutive internal battles, which is really the worst possible situation.

However, there are advantages as well. After all, it guarantees at least a final match, and some viewers prefer this kind of relatively stable draw.

"Alright, the draw ceremony for the 2017 World Championship knockout stage is now concluded, and the regional assignments are finalized! Let's look forward to the exciting performances of the eight teams in the knockout stage!"

"See you in Guangzhou, everyone!"

The drawing of lots has now concluded, and representatives from all eight teams walked off the stage together.

Chen Dongqing first went back to the hotel with his teammates, changed into casual clothes, and then waited for his girlfriend, who had also changed into casual clothes, downstairs at the hotel.

Chen Dongqing joked with a smile, "Come on, come on, I haven't spent time with you for days, let's keep you company tonight!"

Lin Yuanhua immediately refused, saying, "Stop joking, it's just a meal! Now is not the time for that!"

Lin Yuanhua didn't want some trivial matters to affect Chen Dongqing's competitive state.

If this really happens, the online trolls won't hold back; they'll probably call him "evil god" and all sorts of other derogatory terms.

"What are you thinking about?" Chen Dongqing feigned surprise. "I mean, let's take a walk along the river tonight, instead of rushing back."

Lin Yuanhua glanced at Chen Dongqing, then immediately turned and left, not wanting to continue the conversation.

The two quickly got into the car and arrived at a small restaurant called Chilang Sichuan Restaurant, which Chen Dongqing had specifically inquired about; it was a relatively famous restaurant in Wuhan.

The two waited in line for ten minutes before finally sitting down and ordering their food. Only then did Chen Dongqing finally take out his phone and start surfing the internet.

The lottery ceremony had just ended, and the forum was full of posts discussing the draw.

[Damn, Icon really has terrible luck, what kind of signature is this?]

[I'm speechless. The quarterfinals are all internal matches, and the advancing team has to play against QG. If all the internal matches are eliminated, what's the point of watching?]

[icon even gave SKT a pair of rabbit teams and G2, that's the funniest thing.]

Is it really that hard to manipulate the draw for a domestic tournament? I want to see an all-Chinese final!

But it's not so bad, this draw guarantees a final match.

Does QG need a draw to secure a spot in the finals? The main focus is on whether FPX and EDG can make it to the finals!

[Bold prediction: QG will face SKT in this year's finals!]

[So confident? Aren't you afraid that the Rabbit Team or G2 will upset SKT?]

That's impossible, European and American teams are terrible.

Chen Dongqing looked at these posts and couldn't help but laugh.

In all these discussion threads, surprisingly, not a single person thought SSG would advance to the finals.

Do you really think G2 has a sure win against Samsung?

Chen Dongqing turned off his phone and started chatting with his girlfriend on the other end: "Are you still hosting the quarterfinals?"

"Yes!" Lin Yuanhua laughed, "I hosted the first match of the quarterfinals, and then there's one more match in the semifinals, and then my mission is over."

"Oh?" Chen Dongqing raised an eyebrow. "You can host the semi-finals? Looks like Tencent Games values ​​you a lot!"

Lin Yuanhua pouted smugly, "Of course! Aren't I excellent?"

"Walking along," Chen Dongqing replied with a smile, "Awesome!"

In fact, both of them knew perfectly well that Lin Yuanhua, as a newcomer, was able to host such an important competition not only because of her own excellence, but also because of Chen Dongqing.

Apart from the final match, Lin Yuanhua hosted almost all of QG's matches.

By this time, the dishes had been served slowly. After the two finished their meal, they went for a walk along the Hankou River Beach until nightfall, when they finally took a taxi back to their hotel.

See you at the airport tomorrow!

Today was their last night in Wuhan. The two said their final goodbyes, and Chen Dongqing returned to his room.

He noticed that Xiangguo hadn't returned yet; he was probably still playing games in the lounge.

Chen Dongqing didn't care about anything else. After washing up, she lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep a few seconds later.

Chen Dongqing is very sleepy tonight because he has something very important to do in his dream tonight.

In today's match, Samsung's vision control greatly troubled his split-pushing, and even killed him once.

Chen Dongqing felt it was necessary for him to review and rehearse the match.

The moment he fell asleep, the scene on the stage reappeared before his eyes.

Meditation Training, Let's Begin!

(End of this chapter)