While Riot Games was busily preparing logistics for the National Finals, thirty-two qualifying teams from all over the country, filled with excitement and anticipation, began to make their way to the Capital City.
They traveled by various means, coming from all corners of the land, heading towards this esports extravaganza that belonged to them.
Among this influx of people converging on the Capital City, one team stood out: the champions from Jinghong City, a small border town in the southwest—the Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language team.
For Yan Han, the captain (game ID: Peacock Plume, main jungler), the past few months had felt like a dream.
He never imagined that he and a few teammates he met online, whom he had never even seen in person, could battle their way out of a small town internet cafe competition, successively winning the city championship, qualifying for the regional finals, and finally truly getting tickets to the Capital City.
At this moment, he was sitting on a flight from Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport to Capital City International Airport, gazing at the rolling sea of clouds outside the window, his heart unable to calm down for a long time.
He touched the card in his pocket, which had the contact information for "Riot Games Official Reception" printed on it, feeling that everything was so unreal.
The fact that the officials covered all expenses was something they, as children from ordinary families, had never dared to imagine before.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, in the arrival hall of T3 Terminal at Capital City International Airport, the "league of legends National Competition Reception Desk" set up by Riot Games was exceptionally eye-catching.
Under the huge event logo lightbox, several staff members and volunteers, dressed in uniform blue outfits and wearing work badges, were working busily and orderly.
They held up pick-up signs clearly displaying team names.
Xiao Wang from the administration department and a volunteer, Xiao Liu, were responsible for meeting the Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language team.
Xiao Wang checked the time and reconfirmed the list: "Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language team, flight MUXXXX, expected to land at 14:20, five people in total.
The pick-up car license plate is Jing AXXXXX, and driver Master Li is already in position."
Just then, a figure quietly approached the reception desk.
It was Qin Feng.
He didn't disturb the busy staff, but simply stood a little further away, silently observing.
He wanted to see firsthand if this carefully designed reception process was running smoothly in practice, and also wanted to get a first impression of the players who had traveled from all over the country.
"Mr. Qin?" Xiao Wang, sharp-eyed, spotted Qin Feng and quickly walked over.
"It's nothing, carry on with your work, I'm just looking," Qin Feng waved his hand and said gently, "How many teams are arriving today?"
"Reporting, Mr. Qin, three teams are expected to arrive this afternoon, and Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language is the first."
At 14:35, the flight arrived on time.
Xiao Wang and Xiao Liu immediately perked up, holding high the "Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language Team" pick-up sign, their eyes fixed on the arrival exit.
Soon after, five young people, dressed rather simply, with clear signs of travel fatigue and a hint of nervousness on their faces, emerged, dragging their luggage.
They looked around, their eyes filled with curiosity and a touch of unease about the unfamiliar environment.
When they saw the prominent pick-up sign, the five visibly relaxed and quickly walked over.
"Hello! Are you the friends from the Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language team? Welcome to the Capital City!" Xiao Wang greeted them warmly, while Xiao Liu proactively helped with some of the luggage.
"Yes, yes, I'm the captain, Yan Han," Yan Han nodded quickly, nervously handing over his identification.
"Hello, Captain Yan Han, and hello to all teammates! We are from the official reception team, just call me Xiao Wang.
This is volunteer Xiao Liu.
You've had a long journey!" Xiao Wang skillfully verified the information, his attitude friendly and natural, "The car is already waiting outside, we'll take you directly to the hotel to check in."
It was only then that Yan Han noticed Qin Feng standing not far away.
He felt that this person looked a bit familiar, and upon closer inspection, his heart suddenly skipped a beat—wasn't this... Mr. Qin? The figure he often saw on the game's official website and in promotional videos!
"Mr.... Mr. Qin?" Yan Han's voice trembled with disbelief.
The other four team members also instantly widened their eyes, standing rigidly straight.
They never expected to meet the legendary "Esports Godfather" himself right after getting off the plane!
Qin Feng smiled and stepped forward, extending his hand: "Welcome, Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language! I've watched the recordings of your regional finals matches; you played very tenaciously and uniquely!"
The simple handshake and greeting instantly closed the distance and thrilled these young people from the border region.
Qin Feng personally accompanied them to the parking lot, briefly asking along the way if their journey was smooth and if they were adapting to the climate.
"The hotel arrangements are all set.
If you need anything, just tell the reception staff, or you can call me directly," Qin Feng left his contact information with Yan Han, an action that once again made the team members feel the warmth of being highly valued.
Sitting in the comfortable business car arranged by the officials, watching the rapidly passing, bustling scenery outside the window, so different from their hometown, the members of the Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language team remained immersed in excitement and a slight daze.
"Just now... was it really Qin Feng who came to pick us up?" the ADC player (ID: Phoenix Tail Bamboo) murmured.
"He even watched our matches!" The mid-laner (ID: Sky-Gazing Tree) said with excitement.
"The officials are truly too... too thoughtful," the support (ID: Water Splashing Festival) exclaimed, as he had originally worried that navigating the unfamiliar Capital City would be troublesome.
The vehicle smoothly drove towards the officially designated hotel.
Upon arriving at the hotel entrance, staff were already waiting to guide them out of the car and assist with luggage.
The hotel lobby also had a dedicated event reception desk, ensuring a clear and quick process.
Soon, the five received their room cards, still for standard twin rooms.
When they pushed open their room doors and saw the clean and comfortable rooms, the specially prepared fruit and welcome cards, and the computer on the desk already connected to a high-speed internet cable, a feeling of being "carefully looked after" spontaneously arose.
"This environment... it's better than the best private room in our internet cafe!" The top-laner (ID: Rubber Forest) exclaimed.
After putting down their luggage and settling in briefly, the five, as previously agreed, gathered for the first time offline, all together in Captain Yan Han's room.
Although they had fought side-by-side in the game for countless days and nights, this was their first time meeting in person.
The atmosphere was subtly awkward yet excited.
"Um... I'm Yan Han."
"I'm Yubo (Phoenix Tail Bamboo)."
"I'm Yanwen (Sky-Gazing Tree)."
"I'm Xiaoyu (Water Splashing Festival)."
"I'm Yanlong (Rubber Forest)."
After brief self-introductions, looking at each other's familiar yet unfamiliar faces, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
The tacit understanding and familiarity from their online communications quickly dispelled the awkwardness of their first meeting.
"Let's go, let's check out the restaurant first; I heard the food is good!" Yan Han suggested.
When they arrived at the hotel restaurant, they found it already filled with players from other teams who had arrived earlier.
Everyone wore various team uniforms, and although they would soon be rivals on the battlefield, at this moment, they regarded each other with curious and friendly gazes.
The restaurant's buffet offered a rich variety of dishes, balanced in nutrition, completely exceeding their expectations.
After getting their food and finding an empty table, Yan Han looked at his teammates heartily enjoying their meal, and at the players from other strong teams around them, whom he had only seen in match recordings or forum posts, and his heart was filled with emotion.
From an internet cafe in the southwestern border region to a brightly lit star-rated hotel in the Capital City; from teammates in a virtual world to companions sitting around a table in reality; from the apprehension of paying their own way to compete, to now having all food, accommodation, and travel covered, and being meticulously cared for by the officials—all of this stemmed from that summer when they clicked on the league of legends icon, and from the undying passion and perseverance in their hearts.
"Brothers," Yan Han raised his drink cup and said solemnly, "We fought our way up from such a distant place; making it this far is already a miracle.
Next, regardless of winning or losing, we must live up to this fortune, live up to ourselves, and display the spirit of our Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language!"
"Cheers!" Five cups clinked together, making a crisp sound.
In their eyes, there was no longer the confusion of newcomers, only the longing and determination for the impending ultimate battle.
Meanwhile, in the hotel's surveillance room backstage, Qin Feng watched the cheerful and vibrant players in the restaurant through the screen, and saw the guests from afar, the Magical and Beautiful Place - Dai Language team, finally relaxing, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
His promise was slowly becoming a reality.
These dream-chasers of esports had safely arrived at their "dream station."
Next, it was time to rest and gather strength, waiting to shine brightest on the stage of the Capital Gymnasium.