Chapter 154

ADT’s people had agreed to come watch the game today. Tang Qi saw Dreaming’s Moments post saying he wanted to support his brothers and felt an urge to go watch the game himself.

Coincidentally, there were no practice matches scheduled for the evening. Tang Qi reached out to ADT to see if he could join them, and they were happy to oblige, saying they had seats available.

Later, Ding Wenquan found out about this and wanted to go too. ADT was up against DSG, and since their opponents were all going to watch the game, there was no reason why they couldn’t go as well.

The bot lane duo agreed to go together. Soon, the top lane and jungle also expressed interest in going. With four out of five members of the team wanting to attend the game, the only one left was their team’s star player. It seemed inappropriate not to inform him.

The four discussed it and unanimously decided to send Tang Qi to invite Mo Yin.

“You’re so close with Mai Bao, after all. He forgave you even after that big incident on the live stream. Go on, go on.”

Tang Qi blushed deeply and muttered, “You guys are bullying me,” as they pushed him into the training room.

Mo Yin was in the middle of a game when Tang Qi burst in, standing awkwardly in the center of the training room, looking embarrassed.

The game ended quickly as the opponents surrendered. Mo Yin turned around. “What’s up?”

At that moment, Tang Qi really wanted to surrender.

**”Want to watch the game?”**

Tang Qi stared at Mo Yin’s profile, feeling as though the person sitting in the esports chair was actually an assassin, eyes shooting daggers, surrounded by an imminent ice wall. Tang Qi wanted to slip away.

“If you don’t want to go…”

Mo Yin stood up.

Tang Qi: “…”

For some reason, despite being teammates for almost half a year, he still felt intimidated by Mo Yin.

“I’ll go change my clothes.”

Mo Yin said this and Tang Qi stood foolishly in place.

The training room door opened, and several teammates who were curious looked innocent.

After Mo Yin changed his clothes, they informed ADT that their entire team would be coming, which silenced ADT.

Dong Jianguo was straightforward. “So, Brother Crazy has really become a fanboy, huh?”

Everyone’s thoughts were similar to Dong Jianguo’s. They all thought Mo Yin had come specifically to watch Ye Chi.

The sudden turn of events left the REAL team on stage bewildered. The coach clapped his hands and said, “Let’s focus. Are we supposed to be thinking about who’s watching the game from the audience right now?”

Everyone snapped back to reality. Ye Chi was slower to react than the others, gazing into the darkness for a moment before slowly withdrawing his gaze and looking at the computer screen.

**He had come to watch his match.**

**He had come to watch his match…**

It was hard to describe what he felt. Ye Chi’s palms trembled slightly. He took a deep breath and stared firmly at the screen.

Today, he would not lose.

The game began.

PHQ ranked seventh in the regular season, defeating the tenth and sixth teams in the regular season. They challenged REAL, ranked third, with two consecutive victories. If REAL was the dark horse of the regular season, then PHQ was the dark horse of the playoffs, playing better and better with each match.

PHQ was also a small team, rumored to be selling their team. The players didn’t know if there would be a team next season. The rumors were so true that they added a layer of tragic color to the PHQ team.

Dark horse vs. dark horse.

A newly promoted league team vs. a team about to disband.

This buff can be said to be evenly matched.

No one dared to predict who would lose and who would win.

The commentary and predictions from various organizations were similar, with about a 70-30 split in favor of REAL. After Tang Qi invited Mo Yin to watch the game, the system spoiled the next plot.

As Mo Yin stood up and invited the system to “tell it all,” the system, as always, was sarcastic and finally took the initiative to cue. The flood of words was endless.

“Led by the protagonist, the REAL team achieved impressive results in the regular season. However, due to their psychological flaws and lack of experience, they made frequent mistakes when facing PHQ and unfortunately lost. The spring season ended with such a regretful ending, casting a shadow over the REAL team and making them face their first real test. Success on the road will inevitably lead to failure. Overcoming this difficulty marks the beginning of their transformation…”

**The system’s final aria made Mo Yin chuckle coldly.**

**System: “…” Okay, it was used to it.

On the battlefield, the pick and ban phase (bp) was underway, and the professional players spectating began discussing the drafts.

Mo Yin sat by the aisle, surrounded by the magical barriers Tang Qi fantasized about. It seemed like he and those around him inhabited entirely different worlds, and no one dared to strike up a conversation with him.

In the first game, REAL played it safe with a conventional lineup, while PHQ opted for an aggressive composition right from the start, projecting an aura of “I’m here to challenge you.”

“Who do you think will win?”

“I’m not sure. In terms of draft (bp), PHQ seems more comfortable, but it ultimately depends on their performance in-game.”

“PHQ’s top lane looks strong; their jungle-lane synergy is solid.”

“REAL hasn’t played in a while; their team synergy might not be as good as PHQ’s.”

“There’s a gap in the mid lane; I think it’ll be tough for PHQ to win unless Taotao suddenly goes off. Otherwise, Quit can easily dominate him in mid.”

Mo Yin crossed his arms and quietly listened to the discussions around him.

Meanwhile, the system spoiled the outcome, “Due to REAL’s overly conservative draft and the nervousness of their first playoff appearance, PHQ dominated the first game with overwhelming force.”

As the game began, the stadium’s big screens split into two, one blue and one red, with all the heroes making their appearances.

The spectators cheered loudly from both sides, their voices hoarse with excitement. At this stage, for everyone involved, winning was the only acceptable outcome.

The first game unfolded exactly as the system had spoiled.

REAL’s lineup was too balanced, perhaps out of fear of losing. The heroes were chosen to be effective in all stages of the game, but it felt awkward, like a strange vehicle assembled from various parts, making it difficult to handle.

Shortly after the game started, REAL showed signs of weakness.

PHQ’s jungle-lane synergy caught Supercool in the top lane and killed him within three minutes.

Since Ye Chi’s hero was more late-game oriented, he could only stay in lane to farm, while being cautious of the top lane.

The top lane also knew PHQ was adept at coordinating jungle-lane ganks, so he quickly apologized, “My bad earlier, I was zoning out.”

REAL’s jungler, who was also the team owner’s younger brother and the reason the team was initially formed, attempted to help regain advantage in the top lane but ended up flashing into a wall due to nerves or pressure.

The audience burst into laughter and murmurs.

Sun Yuanyang was also flustered; he remained silent, his breathing becoming rapid.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Chen Dong reassured, “Our bot lane has the advantage, and top lane is just stalling.”

Before he could finish, the top-lane jungler suddenly appeared in the bot lane, resulting in a 4v2 exchange that took out both of REAL’s bot lane players!

“0 for 2! This lane, REAL is in trouble; both top and bot lanes are under pressure, and even the jungle is going to face issues. Quit’s hero pick seems like a kidnapping, won’t be effective until at least thirty minutes later.”

“Now they can only drag it out, but looking at PHQ’s momentum, they won’t let it drag out until mid-game. Look at the items on PHQ’s top and bot lanes; they’re terrifying. What will you do when PHQ controls the dragon and the dragon soul team fight comes?”

“We can only pray it’s an air dragon soul.”

“Too late, it’s a wind dragon soul.”

The commentators laughed on stage, while PHQ’s players roared with passion. In contrast, REAL’s side seemed lifeless.

Through the microphone, teammates reassured each other, but comforting words didn’t translate to economic advantages. Despite saying “it’s okay,” the mental pressure was at its peak. In several skirmishes, REAL failed to gain any advantage; each team member’s performance turned negative, even Ye Chi got caught multiple times while clearing minions, widening the gap between both sides.

PHQ consecutively secured two elemental dragons, with the third dragon spawning an attack-enhancing fire dragon soul.

“We’re done for, fire dragon soul.”

“Now REAL must contest the dragon team fight.”

“But with this equipment…”

“Sea is going in to steal the dragon! Ah—didn’t get it—oh no, it’s over, it’s over, it’s going to be a team wipe, Quit’s ultimate hit three of them! All survived with low health, 0 for 5, team wipe…”

On the commentary desk, both commentators shook their heads.

“This is going to be tough to turn around.”

“PHQ is going for the Baron now, with a 6K gold difference, it’s really hard to turn around. Twenty-five minutes in, and a 6K gold difference. Actually, Quit’s last move was pretty good, just the equipment was lacking.”

“There’s no way; the jungle was invaded, he couldn’t hold his position in mid, and he just couldn’t farm.”

With another dragon soul team fight resulting in a wipe, REAL lost the first match in a nearly overwhelming fashion.

Outside, REAL’s fans were stunned, while PHQ’s supporters shouted in excitement.

The players took off their headphones, and the stadium echoed with chants of “PHQ! PHQ! PHQ!”

The REAL players looked bewildered, seemingly unable to believe they had so easily lost the first game.

Ye Chi was the first to stand up. “Let’s go.”

It wasn’t just the fans who were shocked; the professional players watching were also surprised.

“No way? REAL can’t beat PHQ???”

“Taotao stabilized in mid, Quit couldn’t farm, and REAL’s draft was just awful.”

“They really didn’t play well. Everyone had some issues.”

“The top lane’s wave management was terrible. I don’t get how Super dared to be so forward. Isn’t that what PHQ specializes in?”

“Ye Chi didn’t play as well as I thought. That ultimate shouldn’t have been used, and that team fight was unwinnable.”

The players discussed with very direct language, even sharper than the commentators, criticizing REAL’s tactics, execution, coaches, and players.

Ding Wenquan looked at Mo Yin beside him.

Mo Yin wore a hat, half his face hidden in his jacket, only his eyes and nose visible, with no expression discernible.

Ding Wenquan asked, “MY, what do you think?”

Tang Qi, who was turning his head to discuss with ADT’s Chen Dong about the bot lane match-up, quickly turned his face and eavesdropped when he heard Ding Wenquan and Mo Yin talking.

“Mid lane was too weak,” Mo Yin said. “If it were me, we would win.”

His voice was neither loud nor soft, his lips hidden in his collar, sounding deep and calm. The surrounding players, who had been intensely discussing, fell silent for a moment, feeling as if they had been hit by the aura of a king, yet had to admit that it seemed true… If it were MY, no matter how disadvantaged the team was, he could step up at crucial moments.

Dong Jianguo secretly whispered to his mid-laner, “Do you think the crazy guy looks like a successful fanboy?”

“Not really…”

In the second match, just as the system predicted, REAL managed to win a game.

In the third match, REAL won again.

The commentators, fans, and professional players watching all thought that REAL had just woken up in the first game, and the rest were normal, improving to probably a 3-1 finish.

Mo Yin lowered his arms, his fingers resting against his cheek, watching the person on the stage drinking water.

The crushing defeat in the first game didn’t make Ye Chi depressed. In the backstage lounge, they communicated in time, encouraged each other, adjusted the draft, and quickly regained their form.

It was now 2:1. Win one more game, and they would make it to the semifinals, have the revival armor, and have a chance to challenge DSG again.

Win—must win—

Ye Chi put down his water cup, looked up towards the right front.

That person was still there.

He had come specifically to watch his game.

How could he lose?

The fourth match exceeded everyone’s expectations.

In the early game, REAL was smooth sailing, with a lead of up to 7K gold. However, in a crucial team fight, PHQ found an opportunity and, by mistake, wiped out REAL with a 0 for 4, taking the Baron and reversing the situation instantly. REAL seemed flustered, making crucial mistakes in the next two team fights, and PHQ decisively secured the game!

The score was 2:2.

When REAL’s base was destroyed, PHQ’s fans screamed wildly, and even the commentators said, “Unexpectedly, PHQ managed to complete the comeback under such a big disadvantage. Is a dark horse legend really going to unfold today? REAL’s spring season ends here?”

“Finished.”

The watching players, experienced in competitions, immediately assessed the situation.

“REAL’s mentality is out of whack.”

“Being reversed is too damaging. The last two team fights were clearly poorly executed.”

“Are they really going to kneel…”

Tang Qi couldn’t handle it and sent Chen Dong a WeChat message.

——“Cheer up, brother, waiting for you!!!”

Mo Yin stood up.

The players all turned to look.

The aisle was full of fans going to the restroom, and Mo Yin walked past, drawing a lot of attention. He was tall, with long strides, passing through the crowd like a gust of wind. The fans only noticed a tall, handsome guy walking by, without seeing him clearly, and Mo Yin was already gone.

Backstage, they entered through another corridor. As Mo Yin approached, staff members preemptively raised their hands to block him. Mo Yin reached out, pulling down the collar of his jacket, revealing half of his face. The staff members hesitated, unconsciously lowering their hands. He brushed past them like a gust of wind, the spring-loaded door swinging open and closing behind him. After a few seconds of standing still, the staff member turned his head — “Wait, was that MY just now?!”

“Bang—”

The REAL team walked out of the lounge. The coach had been enthusiastically cheering them on, strategizing intensely inside. Everyone’s faces were tense, their presence commanding.

Ye Chi led the way, as the team captain, he had to shoulder everything at crucial moments. He held a water cup in his hand, his gaze fixed ahead. The security exit was half-open, a hint of black visible within.

Suddenly, Ye Chi’s mind raced. He took a step forward instinctively, closing the distance. From a different angle, he saw a pair of eyes, like a winter lake, cold and calm.

With a fleeting glance, it seemed disappointed, mocking, yet devoid of any discernible emotion.

The figure turned away.

The hint of black disappeared from his sight.

Ye Chi stopped in his tracks.

His teammates also paused, looking at Ye Chi with confusion.

Ye Chi withdrew his gaze, ears burning, and silently continued forward.

Seated on stage, he put on his headphones and looked up to the upper right.

— Mo Yin was indeed gone.

He had walked through the players’ passage.

Ye Chi’s palms began to sweat. He took a sip of water, the image of Mo Yin’s departing glance flashing through his mind.

“I don’t befriend amateurs.”

Breath, heartbeat, sweat, thoughts—all swirling in a dizzying mix, as if his soul had been forcefully yanked out and punched hard before snapping back into place.

Focus regained.

Ye Chi stared at the screen, his eyes clear, now his turn to select a champion.

The cold, elegant face of a female assassin flickered within the selection box.

The commentator exclaimed excitedly, “Oh? Quit is choosing MY’s signature champion in this crucial game? I remember, in the regular season against DSG, MY used this champion to win his first championship against Quit. Looks like Quit has been practicing hard since then!”

“Wow, is he invoking the spirit of MY?”

“This is a bit challenging. Bringing out this champion in a critical game feels risky. You need a lot of courage. For a team entering playoffs for the first time, I think stability might be better. Choosing a late-game scaling mage would be safer.”

“Quit, are you sure?” the coach asked. “This champion requires high mechanical skill. I’m concerned about the pressure in the final game…”

“I’m sure,” Ye Chi said. “I can handle it.”