The Star Sea Cup quarterfinals have officially begun! After the draw, the first match is the focal point of all attention—the highly anticipated capital newcomer, Star Sea Team, against the veteran powerhouse, Kunlun Decisive Battle, known for its steady style and rich experience.
This match was jokingly called "the clash of new money and old guns" by players. Star Sea Team, with its dazzling roster, professional system, and previous dominant advancement, became one of the favorites to win this tournament. Kunlun Decisive Battle, on the other hand, is a club that has matured since the era of major esports projects. Its players have extensive experience in major competitions, and their tactical execution is extremely strong, like a tough bedrock.
The competition venue was packed, and the atmosphere was lively. Qin Feng and Lin Haoming appeared together in the VIP viewing area, and their arrival attracted the capture of the live cameras and a burst of cheers from the audience.
At the commentary desk, Commentator and Yaoyao were ready.
"Greetings, Summoners, and welcome to the Star Sea Cup quarterfinals! I'm your commentator, Commentator!"
"I'm your commentator, Yaoyao! The quarterfinal elimination rounds have finally arrived. Every match is a grueling BO5, which is a huge test for the team's overall strength and mentality!"
"That's right, today's first match is the main event! Star Sea Team versus Kunlun Decisive Battle! Yaoyao, where do you think the key points will be today?"
Yaoyao analyzed, "I believe the key lies in the mid-jungle confrontation and whether Kunlun Decisive Battle can withstand Star Sea Team's early to mid-game offensive. Lüeyǐng and Star Track's mid-jungle synergy is Star Sea Team's winning formula, while Kunlun Decisive Battle is very good at dragging the game into their familiar late-game rhythm through defense and resource exchange."
During the Ban/Pick phase, both coaches engaged in an intense game of wits.
Kunlun Decisive Battle, in the blue side, first banned Lüeyǐng's Skilled and Star Track's signature Zed, as well as the strong ADC Ezreal. Star Sea Team retaliated by banning Kunlun Decisive Battle's top laner's commonly used tank heroes and the support's protective heroes.
The lineup was quickly locked in:
Blue side - Kunlun Decisive Battle:
Top: Fiora, the Grand Duelist (ID: Jianxin)
Jungle: Jarvan IV, the Exemplar of Demacia
Mid: orianna
ADC: Varus, the Arrow of Retribution
Support: Braum, the Heart of the Freljord
Red side - Star Sea Team:
Top: Renekton, the Butcher of the Sands (ID: Pòxiǎo)
Jungle: Lee Sin, the Lee Sin (ID: Lüeyǐng)
Mid: LeBlanc, the Deceiver (ID: Star Track)
ADC: Kog'Maw, the Mouth of the Abyss (ID: Wind Chaser - Su Xiao)
Support: Janna, the Storm's Fury (ID: Bulwark)
"Looking at the lineups, Kunlun Decisive Battle chose a very classic split-push and kite system!" Commentator quickly analyzed, "Fiora's split-pushing ability is extremely strong, Orianna and Varus provide long-range poke and teamfight assurance, and Braum and Jarvan IV are responsible for engaging and protecting. Star Sea Team, on the other hand, is an ultimate early to mid-game engage system! Lee Sin and LeBlanc need to create a huge advantage in the early to mid-game, Renekton ensures early game strength, and Kog'Maw, under Janna's protection, is also guaranteed in the late game! Star Sea Team's offensive pressure is very high!"
The game began, and Star Sea Team, as expected, started designing an invasion from level one, attempting to open up the jungle. However, Kunlun Decisive Battle's defensive vision was very well placed, preventing Lüeyǐng's Lee Sin from gaining too much advantage.
During the laning phase, Star Track's LeBlanc, with her flexibility, slightly suppressed Orianna in lane. On the top lane, Pòxiǎo's Renekton, facing Fiora, also gained some CS lead in the early game due to his champion's characteristics. However, Kunlun Decisive Battle's player "Jianxin" showed extremely high proficiency with Fiora, using her W Skill "Riposte" to precisely block Renekton's key CC several times, preventing Renekton from finding an opportunity for a solo kill.
The turning point of the game occurred during the first Rift Herald teamfight. Lüeyǐng's Lee Sin found an opportunity, landing a precise Q Skill "Sonic Wave" on the opposing Jarvan IV, following up with the second Q Skill "Resonating Strike," attempting to steal the Herald. But Kunlun Decisive Battle's formation was maintained extremely well, with Orianna's ball always hovering in a key position.
"Lee Sin went in! Can he steal it? Orianna pulled her Ultimate Ability! [Command: Shockwave]! Lee Sin was pulled in! Is there enough damage? Jarvan IV smited and secured the Herald! Lee Sin is about to be killed!"
At the crucial moment, Su Xiao's Kog'Maw started his W Skill [Bio-Arcane Barrage] from the back, spraying wildly, and support Bulwark's Janna even flashed to provide a shield and Monsoon, barely saving the low-health Lee Sin from the brink of death!
"Janna! A beautiful flash save! But Star Sea Team's teamfight position was poor, are they retreating?"
However, Star Track's LeBlanc, like a ghost, entered the battlefield, and a combo of skills precisely burst down the carelessly positioned Varus!
"Varus is dead! Star Track stepped up! Kunlun Decisive Battle's damage core is down! Star Sea Team is going to win this teamfight!"
Losing their ADC, Kunlun Decisive Battle collapsed like a landslide. Star Sea Team achieved a 1-for-3 trade and then took the Rift Herald! The gold lead instantly widened to nearly three thousand!
"Beautiful teamfight execution! Star Sea Team turned the tide in a difficult situation! Their individual skill and teamfight coordination are truly top-notch!" Yaoyao praised.
With the advantage, Star Sea Team began their familiar snowballing rhythm. They used the Rift Herald to destroy the mid-lane outer turret, controlled vision, and continuously plundered jungle resources. Kunlun Decisive Battle was forced to retreat and defend, while Fiora was sent to the side lane to split push and create pressure.
At twenty-three minutes into the game, Star Sea Team, using their vision advantage, decisively started the second Baron. Kunlun Decisive Battle was forced to come and contest. At the Baron pit entrance, Lüeyǐng's Lee Sin once again showed his prowess, landing a "Dragon's Rage" to kick Kunlun Decisive Battle's Jarvan IV and Braum, knocking up the backline Orianna!
"Lee Sin's Dragon's Rage! Kicked up three! Star Sea Team followed up with damage! Orianna is dead! Jarvan IV is also down! Ace! Star Sea Team achieved a perfect 0-for-5 Ace!"
"ACE!"
The exhilarating female system voice echoed through the venue! Star Sea Team's fans erupted in deafening cheers! This Ace meant that Star Sea Team could easily take the Baron and very likely end the game in one push!
"It's over! It seems Star Sea Team will take the first game! They showed powerful teamfight strength!" Commentator's voice also carried excitement.
However, just as all Star Sea Team members were in good condition, preparing to recall and resupply for a final push, an unexpected turn of events occurred!
The director's camera suddenly cut to the top lane. It turned out that Kunlun Decisive Battle's Fiora, "Jianxin," had already been split-pushing in the bottom lane before the teamfight broke out. At this moment, she was pushing with minions, approaching Star Sea Team's bottom lane inner turret!
"Oh? Fiora is still pushing! Star Sea Team here, the respawn timers are still long, Star Sea has a chance to defend... We see that Star Sea's jungler Lee Sin, support Janna, and top laner Renekton, three of them directly TP'd (Teleported) to the bottom lane, intending to encircle Fiora!"
The three Star Sea players formed a pincer, trapping Fiora in the tri-bush area in front of the inner turret. To everyone, this seemed like a sure-fire ambush.
"Fiora can't escape this time, three people ganking..." Before Yaoyao could finish, the battle had already erupted!
Pòxiǎo's Renekton charged in first, using his E Skill "Slice and Dice" to dash forward, attempting to stun Fiora with a Red Fury W Skill! But "Jianxin"'s reaction was astonishingly fast! Fiora's W Skill [Riposte] was activated almost simultaneously with Renekton's animation!
"Blocked! Fiora's W Skill blocked Renekton's stun! She immediately applied her Ultimate Ability [Grand Challenge]!"
Vulnerable marks instantly appeared around Renekton! Fiora's Q Skill [Lunge] glided like a dance, precisely shattering the first mark! At the same time, she dodged Lee Sin's Q Skill "Sonic Wave"! Lee Sin and Janna's skills also came in, but Fiora used Flash and small movements to narrowly avoid Janna's whirlwind, while the second and third marks were swiftly broken!
Renekton's health plummeted like a burst dam! The light of the healing zone lit up under Fiora's feet!
"Oh my god! Fiora's damage is too high! Renekton is about to be killed! What are Lee Sin and Janna doing? Is their damage not enough?"
Under the enhancement of the healing zone, Fiora tanked Lee Sin and Janna's damage, and the final basic attack shattered the last vulnerable mark on Renekton!
"First Blood!" (Solo kill announcement)
"Fiora, the Grand Duelist, has killed Renekton, the Butcher of the Sands!"
Renekton crashed to the ground! And Fiora's health, under the effect of the healing zone, still remained at around half!
"Killed Renekton! Fiora is not dead yet! She's still making plays! Lee Sin and Janna used all their skills, but they can't do anything against this Fiora with a healing zone! Fiora is going to escape!"
The low-health Fiora, using her movement speed boost and flexible footwork, slipped through the gap between Lee Sin and Janna like a loach, and made her escape!
"Three people against one and got counter-killed! Do you guys even know how to play!!!"
A suppressed roar, filled with extreme anger and disbelief, suddenly exploded from the direction of Kunlun Decisive Battle's player booth! Due to the early tournament equipment not having complete soundproofing, this angry shout clearly spread throughout the entire venue, and even through the commentators' microphones, reached the ears of all viewers watching the live broadcast!
The entire venue instantly fell silent.
Then, it erupted in laughter! This dramatic scene, coupled with the player's heartfelt "complaint," was simply too entertaining!
In the VIP section, Qin Feng was first stunned, then couldn't help but grin and laugh. He seemed to see the raw, unrefined, yet passionate appearance of early esports. But he knew in his heart that such on-site shouting behavior must be stopped in future professional competitions.
At the commentary desk, Commentator and Yaoyao also almost couldn't hold it together, but their professionalism immediately forced them to smooth things over.
"Uh... this... Kunlun Decisive Battle's player 'Jianxin' is a bit emotional, haha." Commentator suppressed his laughter, "But this play was indeed a stroke of genius! Fiora's W Skill block was too crucial!"
"Yes," Yaoyao quickly chimed in, "Star Sea Team's decision this time was a bit reckless. The three players were not in perfect condition, and not all their skills were available. They indeed underestimated the combat ability of a well-farmed Fiora in a healing zone. We hope this small interlude won't affect Star Sea Team's mentality going forward."
However, the impact had already been made.
On the field, the remaining two Star Sea Team players watched Fiora walk away, listening to the audience's laughter and their opponent's clear taunt. Their mentality clearly wavered. Their subsequent Baron push was handled a bit too impatiently, and they were actually caught by the prematurely revived Kunlun Decisive Battle players, who successfully defended their high ground.
Kunlun Decisive Battle, on the other hand, was greatly boosted in morale! Especially the top laner "Jianxin," who played with even more confidence. In the subsequent teamfights, Star Sea Team clearly played somewhat chaotically, with distorted plays and frequent coordination errors. Ultimately, after a grueling thirty-eight minutes, they were surprisingly successfully overturned by Kunlun Decisive Battle's tenacious comeback!
"Victory!"
The blue victory sign appeared on Kunlun Decisive Battle's screen!
"Congratulations to Kunlun Decisive Battle!" Commentator announced loudly, "After experiencing such a dramatic teamfight and solo kill, they withstood the pressure and completed an incredible comeback! 1:0, they are temporarily ahead!"
"Yes," Yaoyao's tone carried a hint of regret, "For Star Sea Team, this game was very unfortunate. They had a huge advantage in the mid-game, but a reckless decision and the subsequent change in mentality caused them to lose a good game. We hope they can adjust well and face the upcoming small games."
Star Sea Team's players silently took off their headphones, their faces looking grim. Especially top laner Pòxiǎo and jungler Lüeyǐng, their expressions were solemn. Lin Haoming, offstage, also had a tight frown.
Qin Feng watched this scene, understanding in his heart. Professional esports has never been just about skill. Mentality, often, is the final straw that determines victory or defeat in top-tier competitions. Star Sea Team, this "regular army," faced its first severe mental test since its establishment.