Successfully advancing to the next stage, DT became immensely popular, causing a sensation both domestically and internationally. Their popularity skyrocketed to the extent that they were almost on par with YK.
This level of fame startled South Korean netizens. They flooded forums with frantic questions, asking if DT’s strength was truly formidable. The variety of responses they received left them even more anxious.
On the day DT advanced to the finals, Brother Mu, who stayed behind in China, called them over ten times. Eventually, Coach Zhang got a bit impatient: “Oh come on, we’ll talk when we get back. Focus on your tasks in China. We have the competition covered with me and Shi Quan. Stop disrupting our training and just do what you’re good at.”
Brother Mu thought to himself: Do what I’m good at?
The next day, he posted on his social media about going up the mountain to pray and fulfill a vow, making his teammates laugh until their sides ached.
Lu Shi was laughing so hard he almost passed out, “Hahaha. Does he really think we got this far because of his prayers? Hahaha. Clearly, it’s because of me boosting you guys! You have no idea, yesterday during the fourth match, when it looked like you were about to lose, I gave it my all to support you and miraculously turned it around!”
He boasted about himself endlessly, trying to glorify his contribution. Suddenly, Jiang Jin turned to look at him with an expression that seemed genuinely convinced, making everyone laugh so hard they couldn’t stand straight.
“We’re done for. We’ve really become the metaphysical team.”
“Now the Korean internet is full of videos dissecting our metaphysics, even revealing that our boss believes in Buddhism.”
“They’re also saying Lu Shi’s mouth is blessed and Jiang Jin’s dolls have predictive powers.”
“And this one, they’re claiming Lin Lan can cast spells, hahaha…”
“Hahaha, this is so ridiculously absurd…!”
“Hahaha, check this out, it’s too funny. How are the Korean netizens describing us? Some kind of mysterious force from the East, hahaha…”
“Even now, TO still hasn’t figured out how they lost. So they’re attributing it to metaphysics…”
They were laughing and chattering away when suddenly, a voice full of mock amusement came from behind them: “Is it really that funny? Skipping training? Do I need to schedule extra practice matches for you?”
Startled as if they had seen a ghost, they quickly returned to their computers.
Following Shi Quan, Xiao Shengjing said helplessly, “With the finals approaching, Coach Zhang asked me to confiscate your phones. So, will you hand them over voluntarily?”
The group, who had been laughing just moments ago, instantly wore long faces. “Do we have to hand them in all the time? Not even at night?”
Xiao Shengjing sighed, “Yes, you’ll only have half an hour each day to check messages. The rest of the time, the phones need to be handed in. So, you should inform your families in advance. If there’s an urgent matter, you can come to me and explain to get your phone.”
Lin Lan, who didn’t have anyone to contact and disliked using social media, was the first to hand over his phone.
Next were Jiang Xu and Jiang Jin, followed by Xu Shenwei and the two relatively obedient substitute players.
Finally, it was Lu Shi’s turn. His face showed obvious reluctance. After unsuccessful attempts at negotiating, he suddenly realized, “I’m a staff, why do I have to hand it in?”
Just as he finished speaking, Coach Zhang’s cold voice came from behind, “Hmph, you’re the biggest distraction to them. If you keep distracting them, I’ll not only confiscate your phone but sew your mouth shut too.”
Frightened, Lu Shi quickly handed over his phone. The more he thought about it, the more he felt wronged. Damn it, they were the ones laughing with me, so why am I always the one taking the blame?!
During the few days without external internet, DT focused entirely on their training. Without outside distractions, their minds indeed settled a lot, and even Jiang Jin’s social anxiety seemed to disappear.
ENG, true to their promise, stayed in Korea to continue training with them. Three temporary teams were set up in China to practice with DT, ensuring their training volume remained substantial, even slightly more luxurious than YK’s.
After all, ENG was the team that dragged YK into a life-and-death match. Aside from YK, Korea couldn’t find another team as strong as ENG.
There were three days left until the finals.
Shi Quan didn’t push them too hard, allowing them some breathing room.
Lin Lan used this break to relax. Occasionally, he would gaze at the night scenery outside the window, reflecting on how far he had come on this journey.
The path one chooses to walk and the path one is pushed to walk are indeed different.
“Ah, the moon is so beautiful.”
Xiao Shengjing, still grappling with data, glanced at him and laughed, “Why do you make the same remark every day?”
Lin Lan: “It shows my feelings are genuine. Honestly, out of all the world championships I’ve participated in, this year excites me the most. This is Kuien at his peak, and I’ve dreamed of facing him in a match. I can’t believe it’s about to come true…”
Xiao Shengjing: “Are you nervous?”
Lin Lan: “Nervous, but also excited. Captain, you know? The most common thing the black fans in the old world used to say was that I was just lucky to be born at the right time and that I wasn’t actually as strong as I seemed. They said if I had been born two years earlier, my name wouldn’t even be on the world stage. After hearing it for so long, even I started to believe it, and I lost my confidence.”
Xiao Shengjing put down his pen, picked up the jacket from his chair, and quietly draped it over Lin Lan’s shoulders. “Do you still think about things from that world?”
Lin Lan nodded seriously, “I always feel like I left some things unfinished in that world, and there’s still some regret. But since I can’t go back, there’s no use dwelling on it. I try not to think about it.”
Xiao Shengjing paused to think about what Lin Lan said. “You mean Tai Zhen and Tai Yuan? If there’s a chance, I can help you complete things in that world…”
Before he could finish, Lin Lan hurriedly covered his mouth. “No, no, no, you stay here. That world isn’t important anymore. You being here is what matters most.”
Suddenly, Xiao Shengjing smiled, a fervent emotion bubbling in his eyes, his voice husky, “Lan Lan, you really know how to speak sweet words.”
As he spoke, he bent down to lightly kiss Lin Lan’s wrist. Then he looked up, rubbing Lin Lan’s earlobe with his cool, tingly fingers, his lips curved in a smile as he gazed at him. “I love hearing you say sweet things. Keep talking.”
Lin Lan quickly pulled back, wondering curiously how Xiao Shengjing could interpret that as sweet talk. What exactly was going on in his head every day?
There was only one day left until the finals.
Shi Quan didn’t schedule any training for them. Instead, he gathered everyone together to chat about lighter topics.
They discussed how to spend their prize money, which champion skin they would choose, and whether they should maintain a distance from fans after becoming famous.
Jiang Xu, being ambitious and never hiding it, spoke first about his ideas: “I want a champion skin of my own. That’s my motivation for winning the championship. I hope the skin feels good to use. The special effects don’t need to be too flashy, but it must have a great impact, something that every player gets addicted to when they use it.”
“Which champion would you choose?”
Jiang Xu’s eyes were bright with determination. “I want to choose Camille. It holds special meaning for me.”
This was a hero he rarely played, having picked it only twice during the entire world championship. No one had expected it to be so significant to him.
Following the order, it was Xiao Shengjing’s turn next. His aspirations were more modest: “I want to take a break from managing the team and have a good rest.”
Managing the team had indeed been exhausting for him. Everyone nodded in agreement and then looked at Xu Shenwei. “It’s your turn.”
“Well…” Xu Shenwei got stuck. He was the type who always had a blank mind. After struggling for a while, he finally said, “I hope the prize money is a bit more. My family wants to build a big house, but we’re still short of some money.”
“Wow, Xu Shenwei, you’re so filial.”
“You’re only 17, and you’re already thinking about building a house for your family?” Lu Shi was shocked. “My gosh, when I was 17, what was I doing…”
Jiang Jin’s dream was much simpler. He hoped: “Next year, it will still be the five of us.”
Everyone looked at him, feeling a bit touched. Lu Shi suddenly chimed in, “Of course, it will be the five of you! Your contracts haven’t expired yet. Where do you think you’re going?”
The group burst into laughter, lightening the mood, and then continued to chat freely and openly.
Even though they hadn’t won the championship yet, Shi Quan spoke to each of them as if they had, making their hearts and minds warm with anticipation, almost drooling at the thought.
This was the world championship, after all.
Winning just one would be enough to set them for life!
And to peak as soon as the team was formed, who could reach heights higher than the five of them?
Finally, Shi Quan suddenly turned to Lin Lan, “What about you? What are your thoughts?”
“Me?” Lin Lan thought carefully for a moment and slowly said, “I want to do many things. I want to try accepting this world, to experience more, to find a platform to start streaming, to open an independent social media account, and to interact with fans. If possible, the thing I want to do most is play a match with fans and play other games with my teammates.”
Everyone was surprised by how simple and sincere Lin Lan’s desires were. But these were indeed the things he wanted most now. In his previous world, he had everything, except the simplest joys.
Due to team requirements, he couldn’t have his own independent account or post what he wanted.
Due to the unfair distribution of prize money, his relationship with his teammates had always been delicate.
Because of sponsorship negotiations, he couldn’t choose the brands he wanted to endorse and had to passively accept the arrangements made by the operations department.
Due to the online harassment from black fans, he didn’t dare to open an account, didn’t dare to stream, and didn’t dare to post on social media, living as a marginalized person who only played games…
But in reality, he first got into this game because of that simple joy.
Fighting alongside his teammates, freely enjoying the game’s fun.
Exploring higher and more extreme meanings with people who love the game…
After he finished speaking, he noticed everyone was staring at him, especially Jiang Jin, whose eyes were shining. “Lin Lan, your thoughts align perfectly with mine! I knew it, we are the same kind of people!”
Lin Lan: ?
Who’s the same kind of person as you, you social anxiety sufferer!
Countdown to the finals: 0 days left.
The venue was packed with people, tickets were scarce, and countless LPL fans couldn’t get tickets but still traveled from afar to wait outside the venue, just to congratulate DT when they emerged victorious.
Because Coach Zhang didn’t allow them to interact with the outside world, they weren’t aware of how high the prices of World Championship tickets had been inflated. However, Jiang Xu knew, because every time he got his hands on a phone, Qi Rong would scream at him. She had cried for days over why there were so many people competing for tickets priced at 20,000 yuan each. In the end, Lu Shi helped her get a ticket, which turned her tears into smiles.
As the start of the match approached, both sides were preparing meticulously.
Lin Lan couldn’t help but feel that this year’s World Championship seemed more intense than ever before. The venue seemed to never quiet down, and the music sounded even more intense.
He glanced outside curiously. “Why does it feel like there’s Chinese everywhere? Are there really so many Chinese people here?”
Lu Shi leaned in, “Wow, there really are a lot of Chinese. Are the fans this intense this year…”
As the start time approached, all the players were ready.
Due to Shi Quan’s appropriately relaxed training approach, everyone was in great shape. Just before they took the stage, Coach Zhang wanted to boost their confidence a bit more: “Remember, this year’s World Championship prize money is for all of you. Brother Mu will also personally add another 200,000 as a bonus. For the sake of the money, don’t be careless. Be cautious.”
Upon hearing this, everyone instantly perked up.
Indeed, no matter how much motivational talk Shi Quan gave, it had little effect. It was Coach Zhang’s solid promise that truly boosted their morale!
