League: Educating LPL is my duty.

The online discussions in China won't reach Brazil anytime soon, and won't affect EDG's normal matches at all.

Soon it was the third day of the group stage.

The third match was between EDG and GAM. Li Chen and Abu sat backstage, each holding a glass of juice and watching the TV screen, initially appearing quite relaxed.

However, as the game progressed, everyone gradually noticed something was amiss.

EDG did play quite well in the early game, with smooth mid-jungle synergy, and gained a slight early advantage. However, this advantage was not significant enough to determine the outcome of the match.

Moreover, as the game progressed into the mid-game, EDG seemed to suddenly become headless flies, not knowing what to do.

"No, what are you thinking? Factory manager, are you afraid to take this opportunity? You have a 3,000 economic advantage, but you're beating it like you're 3,000 behind."

Abu was already somewhat dissatisfied, as this game was played completely differently from the previous EDG games.

Under normal circumstances, Li Chen would be pushing a lane solo while the others either group up in a four-man team or split into 13 lanes to constantly put pressure on the opponent.

But right now, EDG's five players can't put pressure on the lanes, they can't engage in a head-on fight, and they don't even have the ability to force GAM into a fight.

At the 20-minute mark, EDG began using Baron Nashor to lure GAM into a team fight.

However, GAM didn't fall for that at all. With just one Shen, A Guang couldn't put any pressure on their side lanes. They just sent their top laner to defend. In a four-on-four situation, they could just stall.

EDG's lineup lacked a reliable initiation strategy, which resulted in them being unable to engage in team fights for a long time.

So both sides kept stalling at Baron Nashor until the 26th minute, when EDG finally seized the opportunity to focus fire on GAM's mid laner and take down Baron Nashor.

However, advancing the project became another challenge for EDG.

It's a joke to say that Shen can solo push towers in the top lane. Mid laner Scout was playing Orianna this game and also had to team fight, which meant that EDG could only slowly whittle down the tower's health by grouping up.

Until the Baron buff expired, EDG only managed to push down GAM's three outer turrets. Although they managed to chip away at GAM's mid lane inhibitor, they ultimately failed to take it down.

One of the LPL commentators today, Remember, watched the game drag on and could only try to salvage the situation.

"It seems that even though C-God didn't play today, EDG played quite steadily overall. The economic gap between the two sides has now widened to over 7,000. They just need to wait for the next Baron."

Zhihuan added, "That's right. EDG still has a significant economic advantage and maintains control of the game. GAM can only defend and will lose more and more resources."

"This is the normal situation in the current version, right? The game ends in thirty-five to forty minutes. There's nothing wrong with playing like this." Su Xiaoyan nodded.

However, no matter how much the commentators try to cover things up, LPL viewers aren't blind. They can still see the difference between this match and EDG's previous matches.

[Laughs, C's performance was completely exposed when he couldn't even play; he struggled so much even with GAM.]

[Thirty-five minutes? At least none of EDG's matches exceed twenty-five minutes.]

[Please understand, it used to be five against four, now it's five against five, are they the same thing?]

Without a carry player, EDG is at best a top-tier LPL team, not even the strongest. Their chances of making it to the MSI knockout stage are questionable.

Why doesn't C-Come on? Oh, because making money through live streaming is too difficult, so he can't go on.

[And who are you, you piece of trash?]

Because of the previous comments made by a certain "rational and objective" person on Weibo, the internal relationship issues within EDG are currently the focus of everyone's attention.

Li Chen's absence today provides a perfect opportunity for everyone to showcase their abilities.

Those who support Li Chen are making an issue of EDG's obvious decline in strength when Li Chen is not playing, while haters and online trolls are attacking Li Chen for staying up all night to stream and make money.

Both sides had their own reasons, and neither was willing to give in. The chat room was filled with arguments, and even the match itself was largely ignored.

In fact, everyone generally assumes that playing against GAM isn't very exciting. Regardless of winning or losing, can they really stop EDG from advancing?

Amidst this heated argument, the match finally came to an end. After 36 minutes, EDG secured the victory thanks to the Baron buff.

Although they won the game, many of EDG's players were clearly not happy. When they returned to the rest room, they all hung their heads and didn't dare to sit down, looking like they were ready to be scolded.

Especially Ah Guang, standing next to the factory director, looked just like a wronged little wife.

Seeing their expressions, Li Chen said, "Seriously? We won the game, why are you all acting like you lost? What's with those expressions? Can't you give us some positive feedback?"

Abu and Nofe remained silent. Playing against GAM like this was absolutely unacceptable. Their performance was basically at the bottom, considering that other teams were sweeping GAM.

Finally, Ah Guang couldn't withstand the pressure and stepped forward, saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't play well in this match. I was held up on the flanks and didn't put any pressure on the opponent. I apologize."

Li Chen walked over, put his arm around Li Chen's shoulder, and patted him on the shoulder: "Alright, it's just stalling for time, is it really a big deal? Look around, besides your brother Chen, which top laner doesn't play like this? If you can dominate every game, you'll be the God of Light. What, trying to usurp the throne?"

"No, no, how can I compare to Brother Chen!" Ah Guang quickly shook his head.

"That settles it then. I don't think your laning skills are any weaker than Huni's. After my special training, have some confidence in yourself, and you'll be the second best in the world!" Li Chen directly injected Ah Guang with harmful liquid.

Ah Guang was a bit stubborn, feeling that he played much worse than Li Chen and that he had let the team down. But after Li Chen said that, he suddenly understood.

Yeah, why does he need to compete with Li Chen? He doesn't need to face Li Chen in the match. He can just play his solid top lane role.

"You guys get ready too, we're about to do an interview, don't look so gloomy."

Abu knew he couldn't put pressure on himself at this time, so he didn't say much.

After they left for the interview, Abu asked, "Achen, what's the deal with the next game against TSM? Do you want to play?"

"Why bother? It's not like we lost. Let's keep playing. Five points is enough to secure our qualification. What are you worried about?"

Li Chen remained completely calm; he had his own reasons for not playing.