After several weeks, the first National City Hero Championship for league of legends, which swept across hundreds of cities nationwide, finally completed its most fundamental and also most brutal selection process.
From over 127,000 registered teams, after the bloodbath of online qualifiers and the peak showdowns of city finals, 128 champion teams (the actual number varied slightly due to division of competition zones), representing the highest level of their respective cities, were finally born.
However, the path to the final stage—the Capital Gymnasium—remained long and narrow.
These 128 city champions would be divided into four major competition zones: East, West, North, and South.
Through more intense and complex regional competitions, they would vie for the mere 32 spots in the National Grand Finals.
Qin Feng initially planned to hold the knockout rounds in other cities and the finals in the Capital Gymnasium, but after considering the safety of the contestants, he finally decided that only the matches would be held in the Capital Gymnasium, while other preliminary events could only be held indoors elsewhere.
The regional competitions were no longer internal conflicts within a city, but rather clashes of different regions, styles, and esports cultures.
Northern kings from icy lands would confront strong teams from the mild, watery regions of Jiangnan; the bold and uninhibited playstyle of the West would compete against the delicate and agile style of the South.
This was not just a test of strength, but also a battle for regional honor.
The regional competitions were conducted online, but with stricter supervision, and OB and live streaming resources were tilted towards these critical matchups.
Every match tugged at the hearts of countless players, especially supporters of their city's team, who eagerly awaited the results.
After another round of intense battles, filled with countless brilliant plays, regrettable defeats, and upset comebacks, the flames of war in the four major competition zones finally subsided.
Ultimately, the list of the 32 strongest teams that successfully broke through and qualified for the National Grand Finals was officially released!
This list was like a weighty hero's invitation, written with strength:
[Eastern Competition Zone] (8 teams)
Tiangong Team (Magic City), Lingyun Pavilion (Hangcheng), Jiangnan Misty Rain (Sucheng)... [Southern Competition Zone] (8 teams)
Pojun Team (Yangcheng), Spark Team (Magic City, advanced as a non-champion due to outstanding performance in the regional competition), Lingnan Tiger (Yangcheng, also advanced as a non-champion)... [Western Competition Zone] (8 teams)
Shu Road Mountain (Chengdu), Changan Prefecture (Xijing), Snowfield Wolf (Icewind Valley)... [Northern Competition Zone] (8 teams)
Forbidden City Peak (Imperial Capital), Jinmen Tiger (Jinport), Bronze Wine Goblet (Luoyang)... The list included dominant teams like "Tiangong" and "Pojun," which were widely anticipated, as well as continuously shining dark horses like "Spark," and grassroots legends like "Snowfield Wolf," "Bronze Wine Goblet," and "Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language" who had made their way up from small cities, carrying the hopes of their hometowns.
Behind every team, there was a story of their own struggle.
Along with the announcement of the list, the official also formally declared: The National Grand Finals will be grandly held in the Capital Gymnasium one month later!
As soon as the news broke, the player community completely erupted!
The long-awaited ultimate battle was finally coming!
However, just as everyone was cheering for these 32 teams and beginning to anticipate the peak showdown at the Capital Gymnasium, Riot Games once again dropped a bombshell, and this time, it was an announcement personally issued by founder Qin Feng.
The announcement was released in video format.
In the video, Qin Feng stood in front of the Riot Games logo, his expression as calm as ever, but his eyes held an undisguised excitement and admiration.
"Greetings, Summoners, and friends who have followed and supported the National Tournament all along."
"After months of intense competition, the final top 32 teams, who emerged from over 120,000 teams, have all been determined!
Here, on behalf of Riot Games, I extend my warmest congratulations to all the qualified teams!
You have earned the right to the final stage with undeniable strength!"
He paused briefly, then changed the subject, his tone becoming more solemn:
"To reach this stage, every team, every player, has put in unimaginable effort and sweat.
We are well aware that for many teams, especially those from non-first-tier cities, traveling to the Capital City for the offline Grand Finals is not just a test of competition, but also a considerable financial burden."
At this point, Qin Feng's gaze became sharp and firm, and he spoke clearly and forcefully into the camera:
"Therefore, to ensure that all players can participate in this final battle in their best condition and without any worries, and to show our highest respect and support for all the warriors who have fought this far, I hereby officially announce—"
"Riot Games will fully cover the round-trip transportation costs to the Capital City for all participating team members (up to seven per team, including substitutes and coaches) during the competition period of this National Top 32 Grand Finals, as well as their full accommodation arrangements!"
As soon as these words were uttered, it was like a thunderclap!
Full coverage! All transportation and accommodation included!
This meant that no matter if you came from a bustling metropolis or a remote town, no matter your family background, as long as you made it into the National Top 32 by your strength, you could travel to the Capital City for free and with dignity, stay in officially arranged hotels, focus on preparing for battle, and face the ultimate challenge!
This was not just financial support, but also an affirmation of identity and an bestowal of dignity!
It completely dispelled the last concerns of grassroots teams, truly achieving "only strength matters, not origin" on the final stage!
But the surprises were far from over.
Qin Feng then announced:
"At the same time, to commend the outstanding strength and competitive spirit displayed by all 32 teams in the previous competitions, we will establish a Top 32 base prize pool!"
"All 32 teams that successfully qualify for the National Grand Finals, regardless of their final ranking, will receive varying amounts of prize money provided by Riot Games, based on their final ranking!"
"In other words, as long as you step through the threshold of the National Grand Finals, your efforts and strength have already received the most direct, material reward!"
Although the specific prize money amounts were not detailed in the video, the official text announcement released afterward provided supplementary information: even the team ranked last among the Top 32 would receive a prize of tens of thousands of yuan, enough to cover many of their costs incurred for the competition and leave some surplus.
And the champion's million-yuan prize remained the most tempting ultimate goal.
All transportation and accommodation included! Prizes for all Top 32 teams!
These two major benefits completely ignited the passion of the player community and pushed the popularity and reputation of the event to an unprecedented height!
"Holy cow! Qin Feng is so generous!"
"This is the attitude for doing esports! So many fans!"
"Wuwuwu, so happy for 'Snowfield Wolf' and 'Bronze Wine Goblet'! They don't have to worry about travel expenses!"
"All teams get prize money! This scale is too grand!"
"Strength speaks, official escort! This competition is too pure!"
The 32 teams that successfully qualified were even more excited upon hearing this news.
Especially the teams from smaller cities, this meant they could proudly and without any burden head to the Capital City to realize that seemingly distant dream.
Qin Feng, in the most practical and heartwarming way, paved a broad road to glory for these final 32 teams.
Now, everything was ready, awaiting the coronation of the king one month later at the Capital Gymnasium!