Chapter 183

DSG and REAL have played several training matches, with wins and losses.

This season, DSG has been struggling, which is an undeniable fact. It’s not a decline in strength, but like a master fearing a kitchen knife; when the league version changes, even the invincible must be trimmed down.

In this latest version, who is truly stronger?

DSG’s players don’t have full confidence in winning.

But the opponents, TM, are really too arrogant, aren’t they?! Encouraging MY? Even though they’ve won and lost in training matches, MY has never been at a disadvantage in the mid lane! What qualifications does Ye Chi have to encourage MY?!

From the perspective of the original world line, DSG’s spirit of antagonism has ignited collectively.

Mo Yin doesn’t mind being the antagonist. He still likes it, likes the overwhelming power that makes everyone suffer and unable to resist.

In addition to weakening and strengthening some heroes in the new version, more swing heroes have been added, giving Mo Yin more heroes to practice in the mid lane.

The battle for the top spot started with a thrilling pick/ban phase, where both sides’ bans left the commentators puzzled.

“Karma in mid lane, really? Wow, I really didn’t expect that. It’s so unlike MY’s style!”

“Counter version, indeed. We didn’t expect this Karma, and neither did REAL. They banned two mid laners in the second round.”

“I’m looking forward to it. What brilliant plays will MY’s Karma show on the field?”

“REAL’s flexibility in mid and top lanes is also impressive. Kennan in mid lane? Quit’s champion pool is deep.”

“I feel like Kennan might be countered by Karma. Can’t win the lane, right? Yes, they outsmarted us in pick/ban. When the support Thresh came out, we realized the mid laner on the other side was Karma.”

“The main thing is ID’s deceptive strength. Like we all know MY is better at mage and assassin type heroes, and we rarely see him use protective heroes like Karma in competitions.”

Both teams have compositions focused on team fights. DSG’s lineup indeed caught REAL off guard. In matches, MY always chooses at least one hero that can hold the line. So when DSG revealed Karma, they all assumed Karma was support, but they didn’t expect her to end up in mid lane.

“Quit? How’s it going? Feeling pressured?” the coach asked.

“Of course,” Ye Chi replied without hesitation.

Teammates chuckled.

“No worries, Crazy Brother. Anyway, you’re always under pressure when laning against McBao.”

“We believe in you. We don’t have high demands, just don’t get solo killed, and that’s a success.”

“Thank you,” Ye Chi smiled.

As the game began, alternating cheers echoed throughout the arena.

Ye Chi’s choice also surprised Mo Yin.

When the two soloed, Mo Yin could pick any hero, even a jungler. So despite their private training, Ye Chi still couldn’t figure out Mo Yin’s hero choice.

Karma?

A hero completely opposite to Mo Yin’s style.

Ye Chi felt a row of fine goosebumps rise on his back, excited for the intense confrontation about to unfold.

Mo Yin? He must be excited too, just like every time he kissed him, his response was the same.

Karma, this protective hero, was extremely aggressive in Mo Yin’s hands, almost like a hero swap, even the commentators exclaimed they had never seen such a fierce Karma, and his lane pressure and blood consumption were almost perfect.

And Ye Chi’s proficiency with Kennan was equally astonishing. Despite being countered in the lane, he didn’t fall behind in the game.

Although neither side had explosive kills in lane, their pure laning phase was thrilling, causing continuous excitement.

The camera swept over, and both players’ expressions were exceptionally focused, immersed in the game, and very charming.

The team fight erupted around the small dragon in the lower half of the field.

The still-developing Kennan didn’t play a devastating role in team fights, but Karma was able to continuously protect her teammates, and Mo Yin’s elusive positioning allowed Karma to skillfully release protective abilities, gradually eroding the enemy lineup.

DSG secured the first Ocean Dragon and a 1-for-2 trade, gaining a significant advantage on the field.

DSG’s ability to snowball throughout the game was a terrifying legend, scaring even children. REAL, who was at a disadvantage, encouraged each other, operated cautiously, and gradually stabilized the situation, preventing DSG from rolling the snowball.

When REAL’s heroes’ equipment started to take shape, REAL took the initiative to engage in a top lane team fight, catching DSG’s jungler off guard. Mid and bot lanes immediately lit up their teleport spells, and a 5v5 team fight erupted, with such intense action that the commentators struggled to keep up.

In the first game, team fights were frequent on both sides, with almost every respawn of resources leading to a clash.

DSG’s core opted for a support-oriented hero, while others played aggressively on both sides, showing fiery tempers.

Qin Kunlun chose a Sword Demon, using voice assistance for his skills, frequently exclaiming “damn,” while Chen Dong picked Xia, also using similar exclamations.

The atmosphere was incredibly heated both on stage and off.

Mo Yin, typically quiet, played Karma with acceleration skills, roaming the map and often arriving at team fights ahead of Ye Chi’s Kaisa, who made several brilliant entries but also suffered heavy losses for DSG.

Finally, at 38 minutes, a crucial team fight around the Elder Dragon saw DSG nearly wipe out REAL due to their superior composition, leaving only the top lane Orn to escape with a sliver of health. Despite a valiant effort from DSG’s trio, their base was eventually dismantled.

The first match was intensely exciting, with continuous cheers from the crowd after its conclusion. Mo Yin, rising from his seat, felt a slight sweat on his neck, while his teammates breathed sighs of relief, returning to their senses after the intense match.

As the players left the stage, heading towards the rest area, Ye Chi glanced back to the left and locked eyes with Mo Yin for a brief, charged moment.

Their gazes collided, sparking flames of rivalry.

A worthy opponent, with unfinished business.

The second match was equally thrilling, with both sides maximizing their efforts in lanes, team fights, and strategy. After another close to 40-minute battle, REAL narrowly defeated DSG.

Fans erupted in cheers.

This season’s undefeated DSG had finally been defeated!

The myth of invincibility had been shattered, a historic moment witnessed by the audience.

However, since the version change after MSI, DSG had already lost several practice matches, so the players had long shed their psychological burdens of losing.

On the forums, some long-time critics of DSG mocked, only to be swiftly rebutted.

“Some fans are so narrow-minded. What do you call such a thrilling showdown?”

“DSG, a two-time champion. Are they strong enough for you to judge? Who are you anyway? Show us your rank!”

“I’d love to see another match as thrilling as this. I’m thoroughly satisfied as a viewer.”

In esports, losing spectacularly can also earn the respect of the audience.

In the locker room, the coach and players discussed the next match’s draft.

“I think the draft was fine,” said Guan Ming. “We need to pay more attention to team fights. They seemed more coordinated than us.”

“I made two mistakes in the last game. I’ll be more focused in the next one,” volunteered Ding Wenquan.

The coach turned to Mo Yin. “MY, what do you think? Any adjustments to the draft?”

Mo Yin leaned forward, his face serious. “I want to save the mid lane pick for the last pick.”

All eyes turned to Mo Yin.

Mo Yin’s expression was grave.

Guan Ming and Ding Wenquan, veteran teammates, recognized Mo Yin’s expression—it was his “Solo-C” face.

Esports players are categorized into several levels: ordinary professionals, streamers gaining attention due to a period of excellence, star players with significant honors, and those who consistently maintain top-level competitive form, capable of single-handedly altering a game’s outcome.

Not every world champion is a superstar player.

Superstars must shine brightly, dazzlingly.

Players who emerge victorious from the shadows of defeat without external assistance are worthy of being called superstars.

DSG possessed a player unquestionably recognized throughout the league.

MY.

And REAL?

The third match began.

As the draft progressed, it became apparent that neither side had picked their mid laner.

Following their loss in the previous game, DSG opted for the red side, giving them the last pick and maximizing their chances with Mo Yin.

This undoubtedly placed immense pressure on the players.

But Mo Yin remained composed.

He was a natural superstar player, excelling in mechanics, game understanding, and resilience under pressure. The more intense the pressure, the calmer he became—a calm akin to the moment before a hunt, hiding excitement within.

REAL locked in their mid lane hero in the final pick.

Cassadine.

The Void Walker, Cassadine, weak in the early game and disadvantaged in lane, but once he reaches his power spike, he becomes a devastating assassin capable of single-handedly turning the tide.

This hero isn’t picked often, especially when teams are evenly matched, because his slow and difficult early-game development can easily be exploited by aggressive opponents.

DSG’s coach frowned when REAL revealed Cassadine.

This was the hero he intended for MY to pick.

With MY’s skill, he could ensure Cassadine’s development, and once Cassadine became strong, in MY’s hands, he would be unstoppable.

To prepare for this, they had already set the stage by banning two champions that counter Cassadine.

“MY,” the coach, playing to his strengths, sought the player’s opinion. “What do you want to pick?”

Mo Yin looked at the game screen.

With only him left to pick for the mid lane.

Should he pick a mage and farm against Cassadine until level 16, or should he pick an assassin to dominate the lane and gamble that they could finish the game in thirty minutes?

When the image of the Lunar Goddess appeared in the champion selection box, the audience erupted in cheers.

Diana, the Lunar Goddess, an extremely challenging champion in terms of mechanics. A single mistake in her combo is as good as being absent from the battlefield. She’s a low-forgiveness warrior-assassin!

The impact this champion can have on the game isn’t determined by her items or how big an advantage she can secure, but solely on whether the player can maintain intense focus in chaotic team fights, executing smooth combos time and again, where magic and shadows intertwine in an instant.

The camera cut to Mo Yin’s face after selecting this high-difficulty champion. His expression remained unchanged, serene, with a slight movement of his lips seemingly communicating something brief and concise to his teammates.

As the broadcast flashed through the pick phase, the social media team released a dynamic image of the completed draft, including the brief moment of communication between Mo Yin and his teammates. Viewers watching online analyzed the GIF repeatedly, speculating, until finally, a lip-reading expert in the comments section revealed what MY had said.

Just two simple words.

“We win.”