Star Sea Team's decisive victory over Korean White Tiger was like a depth charge dropped into a calm lake, its ripples quickly spreading throughout the global esports community. Discussions about this clash of Eastern and Western styles dominated forums and social media, with Star Sea Team's unconventional all-in system and their courage to challenge the world's top macro play earning cheers from countless players.
However, the Swiss Stage schedule was tight, leaving no room for any team to be complacent. The first win was just the beginning; to emerge from eight world-class teams and reach the semifinals, they needed more victories.
In the upcoming third round, Star Sea Team faced the Royal Knights from Europe. These two teams, both having secured victories on the first day, would battle to be the first to achieve the crucial '2 wins' record.
In this match, Star Sea Team once again demonstrated their strong adaptability and tactical reserves. Against the Royal Knights' stable defensive-counterattack system, they did not opt for an aggressive all-in but instead brought out a composition focused on mid-game power spikes and strong kiting capabilities. ezreal, played by Su Xiao, safely farmed under the protection of Bulwark's Janna, while Star Track's Corki provided consistent magic damage and Package support in the mid-lane. Lüeyǐng's Jarvan IV and Pòxiǎo's Gnar formed a solid engage and crowd control chain.
The match was not as bloody and intense as the one against Korean White Tiger, but it was filled with intelligent strategic play. Star Sea Team gradually accumulated advantages through precise vision control and resource exchanges. In a crucial Dragon Soul team fight after twenty minutes, Pòxiǎo's Gnar landed a perfect three-man ultimate, completely crushing the Royal Knights and securing another victory!
2 wins, 0 losses! Star Sea Team was the first to reach match point for the semifinals! Just one more best-of-three victory, and they would secure a spot in the top four!
Meanwhile, other matches in the Swiss Stage were also fiercely contested. Korean White Tiger quickly adjusted after losing to Star Sea Team, dominating the Samba Legion from Latin America to reach a 1-1 record. Aurora Borealis from North America emerged victorious in their 'art vs. brute force' showdown against Siberia Bears from the CIS, also achieving a 1-1 record. Flash Wolves from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao, unfortunately, suffered two consecutive losses, standing on the brink of elimination.
According to Swiss Stage rules, teams with a 2-0 record would face another 2-0 team in the fourth round for a best-of-three match, with the winner directly advancing to the semifinals! And Star Sea Team's opponent was—Aurora Borealis from North America!
This team, known for its imaginative creativity and 'artistic' playstyle, had a fluctuating performance in previous matches, losing to Flash Wolves but defeating Siberia Bears. However, no one dared to underestimate their unpredictable'strokes of genius.'
Best-of-three showdown, a clash of art and discipline.
On match day, the atmosphere in the arena was even more fervent. Everyone knew that the first team to qualify for the semifinals would be decided today!
In the first game of the best-of-three, Aurora Borealis indeed pushed their 'art' to the limit. They picked an extremely unconventional bottom lane duo, paired with Jungler Karthus and Mid-lane Aurelion Sol, setting up a global support and late-game AOE (Area of Effect) team fight composition.
This completely caught Star Sea Team off guard. In the early game, Aurora Borealis utilized Karthus's passive and Aurelion Sol's roams to create several unexpected outnumbered engagements, gaining a significant advantage. Star Sea Team was once passive.
"Aurora Borealis's composition is terrifying if it gets to the late game!" Commentator Commentator worried.
However, Star Sea Team displayed their discipline and ability to seize opportunities as a top-tier team. They did not panic despite the unfavorable composition but patiently sought out the flaws behind Aurora Borealis's 'art.' Finally, during the second Baron spawn, Aurora Borealis made a coordination error. Star Sea Team seized the opportunity, with Lüeyǐng's Lee Sin landing a crucial Insec kick on a key carry, securing a beautiful team wipe and turning the tide to win the first game!
"They held on! Star Sea Team withstood Aurora Borealis's artistic onslaught! They've reached match point!" Yao Yao shouted excitedly.
After a short break, the second game of the best-of-three began. Pushed to the brink, Aurora Borealis pulled out more of their trump cards, playing even more wildly and unreasonably. But this time, Star Sea Team was fully prepared.
They no longer tried to understand their opponent's 'art' but chose to destroy it with their most proficient method—extreme aggression!
Lüeyǐng once again picked Jungler, Star Track locked in Zed, Pòxiǎo used Jayce, while Su Xiao and Bulwark chose the aggressive duo of Draven and Thresh. A composition designed for maximum early-game aggression!
The game entered Star Sea Team's rhythm from the very beginning. Jungler invaded the jungle like a mad dog, Zed exerted immense pressure in the mid-lane, and Draven and Thresh snowballed aggressively in the bottom lane. Aurora Borealis tried to counter with their peculiar tactics, but in the face of Star Sea Team's absolute strength and relentless aggression, their 'art' appeared so fragile.
At fifteen minutes, the gold difference widened to five thousand.
At twenty minutes, Star Sea Team secured Baron.
At twenty-four minutes, Star Sea Team, empowered by the Baron Buff, swept onto Aurora Borealis's high ground and destroyed their nexus amidst the deafening cheers of the audience!
"Victory!"
"It's over! 2:0!" Commentator shouted with all his might, "Congratulations to Star Sea Team! They cleanly defeated Aurora Borealis from North America with a 2:0 score, achieving a perfect record of three wins and no losses, becoming the first team to advance to the semifinals of the Star Sea Cup World Invitational!"
"They are the first team to break into the semifinals!" Yao Yao's voice was filled with immense pride, "From decisively defeating Korean White Tiger, to outsmarting the European Royal Knights, and then crushing North American 'art,' they have proven themselves to be a truly world-class team with three distinct yet equally brilliant victories! They represent the glory of our region!"
Golden lights instantly focused on Star Sea Team's player booths! The five players excitedly stood up, embracing each other, their faces beaming with joy and pride! Lüeyǐng vigorously pumped his fist, Star Track's lips finally curved into a relieved smile, Su Xiao and Bulwark high-fived in celebration, while Pòxiǎo tilted his head back, savoring the moment of victory.
The entire audience rose to their feet, giving them the most enthusiastic and prolonged applause and cheers! Shouts of "Star Sea! Star Sea! Star Sea!" echoed throughout the arena.
Backstage, the coaching staff and Lin Haoming also rushed out to tightly embrace the players. At this moment, all the pressure and effort transformed into supreme glory.
The official live stream's bullet comments were completely flooded with "Congrats Star Sea!" "First Semifinalists!" "LPL is awesome!" Li Rui, watching the live broadcast at home, excitedly jumped from his chair, shouting madly at the screen, as if to release all his passion.
Star Sea Team, this battleship carrying countless hopes, after being tempered in the domestic league, was the first to break through the siege on the world stage, sailing into the final battle waters! Their performance not only earned them victory but also the respect of global audiences.
The first spot in the semifinals had found its owner. The remaining three spots would be fiercely contested among the other powerhouses still battling in the Swiss Stage.