The Grand Finals entered its third day, and the air seemed to solidify with extreme anticipation.
The path to the ultimate throne grew narrower; from the Top 8 to the Top 4, it meant only half the teams could continue, taking another step towards that supreme glory.
Those who failed would stop here, missing out on the final stage.
The Best of 5 (BO5) format was introduced for the first time, which was not only an ultimate test of strength but also a comprehensive tempering of physical stamina, endurance, mentality, and tactical depth.
The atmosphere in the arena reached its highest point since the start of the competition.
The audience knew that from today, every match could be the birth or the end of a legend.
On the big screen, the emblems of the eight teams, like warriors awaiting inspection, were about to clash in four classic battles destined to be etched in history.
Pojun Team (Yangcheng) vs. Shu Road Mountain (Chengdu)
This was considered the most disparate in strength yet most enjoyable matchup in the upper bracket.
The Shu Road Mountain Team knew the hard-strength gap with Pojun, so they brought out an extremely unconventional "global support" lineup, attempting to tear through Pojun's defenses with quick multi-man advantages.
In the first game, their almost perfect early-game execution once put Pojun on the back foot, even leading them to be the first to push down Pojun's mid-lane high ground tower.
The entire arena was in an uproar! Was a dark horse miracle about to happen?
However, this is where the depth of top-tier teams lies.
Pojun displayed terrifying adaptability and teamfight resilience under extreme disadvantage.
Han Feng's (Sharp Edge) development was not significantly affected, and after Wang Hao (Gui Shu) desperately secured a crucial Baron, Pojun stabilized the situation.
Subsequently, in a decisive teamfight, the five members of Pojun, like precisely meshing gears, executed a breathtakingly perfect combo, instantly melting four members of Shu Road Mountain and completing an astonishing comeback!
After this battle, Shu Road Mountain's morale suffered a heavy blow.
Pojun gave them no further chances, winning two more games to advance strongly to the Top 4 with a 3:0 score.
Their undeniable performance declared that in the face of absolute strength, no clever trickery could shake their throne.
This was the ultimate test for the grassroots dark horse.
Snowfield Wolf faced their big brother from the same division, Lingnan Tiger, without fear.
They maximized their team cooperation advantage, like a true wolf pack, disciplined and orderly in advance and retreat.
In the first game, they successfully opened the situation with a brilliant jungle ambush and converted their advantage into a victory all the way, taking the first blood!
A team from a small northern city actually led the Southern Guangdong Tiger! The audience supporting Snowfield Wolf erupted.
But Lingnan Tiger, after all, was experienced and adjusted quickly.
In the second game, they strengthened their suppression of Snowfield Wolf's core rhythm points, winning back a game through more aggressive laning and individual skill.
The third game became the turning point of the entire series.
Both sides battled for over forty minutes, with economies remaining even.
In the decisive Ancient Dragon teamfight, Snowfield Wolf's ADC (ID: Alpha Wolf) made a fatal positioning error, seized upon by Lingnan Tiger's support who CC'd and instantly killed him!
Losing their core damage dealer, Snowfield Wolf collapsed like a mountain, and was pushed down by their opponent in one wave.
This mistake was like a bucket of ice water, abruptly stopping Snowfield Wolf's momentum.
In the fourth game, Snowfield Wolf, whose mentality was clearly affected, failed to organize effective resistance and was steadily defeated by Lingnan Tiger.
3:1.
Lingnan Tiger advanced to the Top 4, while Snowfield Wolf, this dark horse carrying countless grassroots dreams, ultimately fell outside the threshold of the Top 4.
As they left the match room, the five young men's eyes were filled with unwillingness and tears, but their striving figures had already won everyone's respect.
Their story proved the infinite possibilities of the esports stage.
Tiangong Team (Modu) vs. Changan Prefecture (Xijing)
This was an ultimate showdown of macro play.
Without too many flashy plays or intense skirmishes, both sides, like two peerless masters, engaged in a silent game of chess over minion waves, jungle resources, and vision.
Tiangong's macro play appeared more seasoned, like a silent, nourishing rain; while Changan Prefecture's defense was as solid as a golden fortress, carrying the profoundness of an ancient capital.
The match was dragged into a long war of attrition.
Ultimately, Tiangong Team, relying on superior team execution and more decisive calls at critical moments, seized opportunities in the mid-to-late game of the third and fourth rounds, winning two consecutive games with a 3:1 score, safely entering the Top 4.
Their victory was a triumph of discipline and patience.
Lingyun Pavilion (Hangcheng) vs. Forbidden City Peak (Imperial Capital)
Playing on home turf, Forbidden City Peak carried immense expectations.
Lingyun Pavilion, true to its name, brought the elegance and sharpness of Jiangnan.
Both sides engaged in an intense offensive battle.
Lingyun Pavilion's mid-jungle duo repeatedly executed brilliant coordinated plays, while Forbidden City Peak countered with its deep champion pool and stable teamfight execution.
The match went all five games, with a thrilling process and endless highlights.
In the decisive game, both sides brought out their trump cards.
The game went on for nearly fifty minutes, with both high grounds destroyed and economies completely even.
Finally, in a do-or-die Ancient Dragon teamfight, Forbidden City Peak's ADC player (ID: Dragon Soul) stepped up.
Using his signature hero, under the selfless protection of his teammates, he unleashed god-tier explosive damage, achieving a quadra kill, leading his team to wipe out the opponents, and decisively securing the victory!
"Dragon Soul! He saved Forbidden City Peak! The glory of the Imperial Capital continues!" the caster screamed hoarsely.
The entire arena erupted in the most fervent cheers since the start of the competition!
3:2! Forbidden City Peak narrowly defeated Lingyun Pavilion, defended their home glory, and arduously advanced to the Top 4!
When the last match ended, the big screen updated with the final Top 4 list:
[Upper Bracket]
Pojun Team (Yangcheng)
Lingnan Tiger (Yangcheng)
[Lower Bracket]
Tiangong Team (Modu)
Forbidden City Peak (Imperial Capital)
The Top 4 consisted of three teams from super cities with the deepest esports heritage and one from a major city in Southern Guangdong.
This regional concentration also heralded the arrival of the highest-level matchups.
Pojun and Lingnan Tiger will stage a Southern Guangdong Derby, competing for the upper bracket final ticket.
Tiangong and Forbidden City Peak will engage in a Beijing-Shanghai War, vying for the lower bracket qualification.
Only four teams remain on the single-plank bridge to the peak.
The battles to come will no longer allow for any luck; only the most extreme strength can knock open that dazzling golden door to the ultimate finals.
The lights of the Capital Gymnasium illuminate for the Top 4; even more brutal clashes are about to unfold.
(P.S.: Thanks to Baoxao Renshen, Gu Shaoqing who loves steamed chicken soup, and Su Xue who loves crispy green beans.
Thank you all for your generous tips!
They gave me great encouragement, and I will continue to create with dedication, living up to every bit of your kindness.
Thank you all!
Because I've been coding words all this time, I just saw them, so I'm pushing out an extra chapter today to show my gratitude.)