The golden rain eventually ceased, and the thunderous cheers finally subsided. As images of the "Piercing Cloud" team raising the championship trophy spread across the land through the media, and as the million-dollar prize money, after taxes, was deposited into each player's account, these young men, who had once poured all their energy into Summoners Rift, seemed to be instantly thrown into another dazzling world of fame and fortune, full of temptations and choices. Their life trajectories, after winning the championship, arrived at an unprecedented crossroads.
As the captain and core of the team, Han Feng received the most invitations. Top streaming platforms offered astonishingly high signing fees, hoping to turn this newly crowned FMVP (Finals Most Valuable Player) into the platform's star attraction; astute capital firms approached him, hoping to invest in him to establish a personal brand or esports peripheral industry; and even some professional clubs waved blank checks, hoping to recruit him, this "cornerstone of team building," into their ranks.
Facing these readily available huge profits, Han Feng displayed a calmness beyond his age. He did not immediately accept any party's conditions but instead locked himself in his room to think for two whole days.
Finally, he made a decision that surprised many. He rejected the exorbitant streaming contract and politely declined the proposal to start a business immediately, choosing instead to have an in-depth discussion with Riot Games.
"Mr. Qin," Han Feng said to Qin Feng, his tone serious, "I will participate in streaming and commercial activities appropriately in the future. But I believe my value should not merely rest on past glories. I have experienced the entire process from grassroots to peak, I understand the needs of players, and I comprehend the operation of tournaments. I hope... to have the opportunity to participate in the future construction of the league, whether it's the youth training system, tournament analysis, or tactical research. I want to pass on this experience."
Qin Feng looked at the determined young man before him, a look of admiration in his eyes. He saw potential and a sense of responsibility in Han Feng that transcended his player identity. A letter of appointment as a special consultant for Riot Games's esports division was soon delivered to Han Feng. He chose a path that was more challenging but also more capable of influencing the future of the industry.
Unlike Han Feng's choice, jungler Wang Hao accepted the top contract from the largest domestic streaming platform with almost no hesitation. His playstyle was highly entertaining, his Ideas was tricky, and his language was humorous and sharp; he was naturally suited for streaming.
On the day of his debut stream, his live room's popularity exploded instantly, and gift donations refreshed like a waterfall. While playing high-tier matches, he analyzed the game situation with his unique "Gui Shu"-style commentary, frequently dropping golden phrases, making the show incredibly engaging. He quickly became the platform's new top streamer, with an income far exceeding his tournament prize money. For him, the glory on the competitive stage had transformed into witty banter in the live room, a more direct and exhilarating form of success.
ADC Sun Yu (Piercing Cloud) and support Li Rui (Barrier), this tacit bottom lane duo, faced the sweet trouble of bundled sales. With that astonishing pentakill Vayne in the Grand Finals, Sun Yu's popularity was unmatched for a time. Streaming platforms, peripheral endorsements, and commercial activity invitations poured in. And Li Rui, as his closest partner, was also regarded by many sponsors as a target for package deals.
After much discussion, the two decided to jointly sign with a comprehensive management agency, outsourcing commercial affairs, attempting to find a balance between streaming, endorsements, and potential offline activities. However, facing the sudden influx of immense attention and complex commercial terms, they often felt a hint of confusion and discomfort. They once only needed to focus on games and competitions, but now they had to face cameras, handle social interactions, and weigh interests; they were still trying to adapt to this sudden change in identity.
Top laner Liu Zhen (Mountain) made the most unexpected choice. At the farewell dinner when the team disbanded and each went their separate ways, he calmly announced, "Brothers, I plan to return to my hometown."
Amidst everyone's surprised gazes, he explained, "I'm not young anymore. The prize money I saved from these few years of playing professionally, plus what I got this time, is enough for me to buy a good storefront in my hometown, open a computer peripheral store, and set up a few high-end private rooms to run a small internet cafe. Life will be stable, and I can continue to do things related to gaming."
He did not linger on the glory of the competitive stage, nor did he chase the excitement of streaming, but chose to return to an ordinary life, using the championship prize money to pave a practical and stable path for himself and his family's future. For him, the championship was the most brilliant medal of youth, but life, in the end, would return to the tranquility of daily necessities.
At the same time, astute capital did not miss this "champion" craze. What they saw was not only the individual traffic of the players but also "Piercing Cloud," this newly crowned IP with immense commercial value.
Some brands hoped to heavily invite all members of "Piercing Cloud" to endorse products and shoot commercials; film companies approached, hoping to purchase the adaptation rights to their championship story; and even real estate developers came knocking, hoping to name an esports-themed commercial district after "Piercing Cloud"... However, under Qin Feng's advice and Han Feng's calm leadership, the "Piercing Cloud" team was not swayed by these short-term gains. They registered the team's trademark, established a small operational team, and carefully screened partners, striving to maintain the value and style of the "Piercing Cloud" brand, avoiding over-consuming the championship halo.
Life after the championship was like a colorful ukiyo-e. Some found new directions in the hustle and bustle, some enjoyed the thrill of success in fame and fortune, some explored their path in bundled deals, and some chose to return to normalcy after glory.
But no matter what, that golden rain, that heavy trophy, had forever changed their destiny. They went from obscure players to symbols that could not be bypassed in the history of Chinese esports. Their choices also became early examples of success, fame, fortune, and life values in this rapidly developing industry.
And the eyes of capital continued to greedily scour, searching for the next "champion" to invest in, package, and extract profit from. The esports arena of fame and fortune had only just begun.