The team sat gathered around the large wooden table in the conference room, the dim lighting casting a serious atmosphere over the group. The weight of the Glory World Invitational hung heavy in the air, and the players of Excellent Era knew this would be their greatest challenge yet. Ye Xiu sat at the head of the table, his eyes scanning his teammates as they prepared for the discussion ahead.
The room was filled with the sharpest minds in Glory, including Liu Hao, Su Mucheng, and the other core members of the Excellent Era. The team had been through countless battles together, but this time, the stakes were different. This wasn't just about national pride or even personal glory. It was about proving themselves as the best team in the world.
Ye Xiu cleared his throat, bringing the room to attention. "Alright, let's talk strategy. We've faced many of these teams before, but this time, it's not just about our individual skills. We need to focus on synergy—on how we work together."
Su Mucheng leaned forward, nodding in agreement. "We've always been great individually, but this time, we're up against teams that are just as strong, if not stronger, in terms of teamwork. We have to think two steps ahead, plan not just for one match but for the entire tournament."
Liu Hao, always the first to speak his mind, chimed in. "We're talking about multiple playstyles clashing in each round. Teams like Samsara and Tiny Herb have unpredictable tactics. Wang Jiexi's playstyle alone can throw any team into chaos, but if we break down his moves systematically, we can turn that to our advantage."
Ye Xiu nodded, his mind already running through scenarios. "Wang Jiexi's strength is his unpredictability. He thrives on creating chaos, but if we control the pace of the match, we can force him into predictable patterns. For Tyranny, their brute force tactics can be mitigated by isolating Han Wenqing. If we neutralize their tank, their entire team structure will crumble."
The team listened intently, their minds processing the strategies laid before them. As the discussion deepened, the room grew quieter, the seriousness of the upcoming challenge settling in. Every player knew their role. Every player understood the importance of precision, coordination, and focus.
But something nagged at Ye Xiu. As he spoke, his phone vibrated on the table. He glanced at the screen—an unknown number. He ignored it, placing the phone face down, and continued speaking.
"We also need to be aware of our own weaknesses," Ye Xiu said, leaning forward. "In past tournaments, we've been overconfident in our opening strategies. We need to stay flexible and be ready to adapt to any surprises."
Liu Hao, always perceptive, raised an eyebrow. "You're right, but we're not the only ones who need to adapt. Other teams will be watching us just as closely. They'll expect certain tactics from us—especially from you, Ye Xiu. You've been a target ever since you became the face of Excellent Era."
The phone vibrated again.
Ye Xiu's expression tightened for a brief moment as he glanced at the phone, still buzzing with the unknown number flashing on the screen. This was the third time. His instincts told him it was nothing, but the persistent calls were becoming a distraction.
Ignoring it once more, Ye Xiu turned his attention back to the team. "Hao's right. They'll be gunning for me, but that's something we can use to our advantage. If they're focused on me, it gives the rest of you more freedom to maneuver. Su Mucheng, I want you to stay in the backline but be ready to capitalize on their mistakes when they overextend."
Su Mucheng nodded, her eyes sharp and focused. "I'll keep my positioning flexible. We can also use decoy strategies to draw them out. If they're overcommitted to stopping you, we can break through their formation."
Another vibration.
This time, it was the fourth call. Ye Xiu's jaw tightened in irritation as he glanced at the screen again. The unknown number was back, flashing insistently as if demanding his attention. He inhaled sharply, pushing down the irritation. The meeting was far too important to be interrupted by a random call.
"Is everything alright, Ye Xiu?" Su Mucheng asked, noticing the flicker of annoyance on his face.
Ye Xiu gave a small nod. "Yeah, just a spam call. Let's keep going."
Liu Hao wasn't convinced, though. "It's the fourth time. If they're this persistent, maybe it's something important?"
Ye Xiu waved it off, though the call was beginning to crawl under his skin. "We're in the middle of something more important right now."
Finally, on the fifth ring, Ye Xiu's patience broke. He snatched the phone off the table and swiped to answer, his tone curt. "Who is this?"
There was silence on the other end for a moment, and then a low, unfamiliar voice crackled through the line. "Ye Xiu. We need to talk. Meet me at the corner of Jianxing Avenue and Longfu Street. I have something that will interest you."
Ye Xiu's eyes narrowed, and the room seemed to still. The voice was unfamiliar, but the cold tone and the way it said his name left an unsettling feeling in his gut. He didn't recognize the person, but they spoke as if they knew him—like they were expecting him.
"Who are you?" Ye Xiu asked, his voice sharp.
"I'm just someone who knows what's going on behind the scenes. If you want answers, meet me there. You won't regret it."
The call ended abruptly, leaving a strange tension hanging in the air.
Ye Xiu stared at the phone for a few seconds, his mind already working through what had just happened. He knew better than to trust a vague call like that, but something about it felt… off.
"Who was it?" Su Mucheng asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"Just some joker," Ye Xiu replied, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling. He didn't want to alarm the team with what might be nothing. "Let's get back to business."
Though the call lingered in his mind, he pushed it aside for now. The team's focus had to remain on the upcoming battles, and he couldn't let anything distract them from their preparation.
As they delved deeper into their strategies, the room grew even quieter. Every player was laser-focused, the weight of the upcoming international tournament pressing down on them. Ye Xiu outlined key plays, focusing on how to handle their toughest opponents. He knew their rivals would be gunning for them, but with proper planning, they could outmaneuver even the most skilled teams.
But even as Ye Xiu spoke, a part of his mind remained on that mysterious call, wondering if it was truly something he could ignore—or if it was the beginning of something much larger.
The clock was ticking, and the world was watching.