On the second day of the finals, the atmosphere inside the Capital Gymnasium was even more fervent and solemn than on the first day.
Spectators held up support items for their respective teams, their eyes filled with anticipation and tension, because today, the eight quarter-final spots leading to the final throne would be decided.
From the top thirty-two to the top sixteen was an initial screening of strength; from the top sixteen to the top eight, however, was a true elite purgatory.
Those who could break through here were all absolute powerhouses possessing top-tier strength, powerful mentality, and excellent tactical proficiency.
On the large screen, the match-up list, like a wheel of fate, tugged at everyone's heartstrings.
The competition still adopted the BO3 format, but every point was as heavy as a thousand jun.
"Pojun Team" vs. "Coconut Breeze and Sea Charm"
This match, which was previously thought to have some suspense, once again demonstrated the Pojun Team's despair-inducing dominance.
Coconut Breeze and Sea Charm tried to create trouble for Pojun Team with its imaginative tactics, even gaining a slight early advantage in the first game through a brilliant jungle design.
However, Pojun Team's ability to adjust was terrifying.
Han Feng's (Sharp Edge) mid-laner quickly stabilized the situation, while Wang Hao's (Gui Shu) jungler, like the most skilled hunter, quickly seized on Coconut Breeze and Sea Charm's several minor aggressive moves and counter-attacked with overwhelming force.
Operations, awareness, team coordination... a complete crushing.
Pojun Team didn't even give Coconut Breeze and Sea Charm much chance to struggle, dismantling its opponent's defenses precisely and swiftly like a surgical knife.
In two games, with an average duration of less than twenty-five minutes, Pojun Team easily advanced to the top eight with a 2:0 score, without shedding blood.
The strength they displayed put immense pressure on all other teams that had not yet been eliminated.
The commentator sighed, "This Pojun Team seems to have already secured a spot in the finals."
"Tiangong Team" vs. "East Sea Dragon"
This was an internal battle in the Eastern Division and a clash of two different operational styles.
Tiangong Team brought its "art of operation" to its peak.
They didn't have the fierce offense of Pojun Team, but they were like an experienced chess player, with every move calculated far in advance.
Resource control, vision deployment, understanding of minion waves... they achieved near perfection.
East Sea Dragon tried its best to find breakthroughs locally, but Tiangong Team's defense was impregnable, always resolving crises with minimal cost and, in turn, using the opponent's impatience to gain resources.
The game process appeared calm, but undercurrents surged, and the economic gap was slowly widened under Tiangong Team's meticulous rhythm.
Ultimately, Tiangong Team also secured its quarter-final ticket with a clean 2:0, relying on its impeccable team execution and overall strategy.
They proved with their actions that in the face of absolute strength and discipline, any unconventional move might fail.
"Bronze Wine Goblet" vs. "Forbidden City Peak"
This was undoubtedly the most talked-about and most anticipated showdown of the day.
The veterans from Luoyang, Bronze Wine Goblet, challenged the imperial capital's king, Forbidden City Peak, who had the home-field advantage.
In the first game, Forbidden City Peak took the lead with superior individual ability and early game rhythm.
The deafening cheers of the home crowd put all the pressure on Bronze Wine Goblet.
However, these veterans, tempered by years, displayed their strong psychological fortitude.
In the second game, they brought out their trump card, a late-game team fight composition they were extremely skilled at.
They stubbornly dragged the game into a late stage of over forty minutes.
In the decisive Ancient Dragon team fight, Bronze Wine Goblet's veteran support (ID: Old Wine) once again stepped up, initiating a divine flash engagement, controlling Forbidden City Peak's key carry, helping his team achieve an ace, and narrowly tying the series!
"Old Wine! It's him again! Having an elder is like having a treasure!" The commentator's voice was hoarse with excitement.
The entire audience, regardless of which team's fans they were, gave them a warm round of applause.
In the deciding game, both sides gave their all.
The clash of experience and youthful vigor was exceptionally brutal.
Ultimately, the young players of Forbidden City Peak withstood the pressure at the critical moment, narrowly winning the game with more refined operations and more decisive choices.
2:1.
Bronze Wine Goblet's journey in the National Tournament ended here.
When the five veterans walked out of the battle room, they didn't show much disappointment; instead, they patted each other's shoulders, revealing a relieved yet slightly regretful smile.
They fought until the last moment and earned everyone's respect.
The entire audience stood up, giving a prolonged round of applause to bid farewell to these "ageless legends" of the e-sports arena.
Shu Road Mountain emerged victorious in its Western Derby against Kunlun Showdown, with both sides battling for three games, and Shu Road Mountain advancing with more stable performance.
Lingnan Tiger and Jinmen Tiger staged a "double tiger fight," with Lingnan Tiger ultimately winning a difficult 2:1 with a more aggressive offense.
Snowfield Wolf's dark horse journey continues!
They once again pulled off an upset, defeating the strong Steel City Will 2:1, proudly advancing to the top eight!
This team from a small northern city created miracles again and again with their unity and tenacity.
Changan Prefecture and Jiangnan Misty Rain engaged in an extremely close tug-of-war, with Changan Prefecture ultimately seizing a small mistake by its opponent and narrowly advancing.
When all the matches on the second day concluded, the large screen updated the quarter-final roster:
Upper Bracket
Pojun Team (Guangzhou)
Shu Road Mountain (Chengdu)
Lingnan Tiger (Guangzhou)
Snowfield Wolf (Icewind Valley)
Lower Bracket
Tiangong Team (Shanghai)
Changan Prefecture (Xi'an)
Lingyun Pavilion (Hangzhou)
Forbidden City Peak (Beijing)
The quarter-final roster still showed a wide geographical distribution, but the law of the strong remaining strong became increasingly evident.
Pojun and Tiangong, the two super powerhouses, remained firmly in place; traditional strong teams like Shu Road Mountain and Forbidden City Peak were all present; and Snowfield Wolf became the only, and most dazzling, grassroots light in the top eight.
Only through great waves can true gold be seen.
These eight teams, having fought their way out of over 127,000 teams, have already stood at the pinnacle of Chinese league of legends e-sports.
Next, they will face an even more brutal BO5 knockout stage, where every match is a life-and-death battle, and every step leads to that ultimate, sole throne.
The lights of the Capital Gymnasium temporarily dimmed, but an even fiercer battle was already burning brightly in the hearts of the top eight teams.