The atmosphere in Excellent Era's base was electric, starkly contrasting to the tension that had filled the air just hours ago. The entire team was gathered in the main hall, surrounded by food, drinks, and laughter. Their victory against Blue Rain had lifted their spirits, and after everything they had been through—the intense matches and the dark events lurking in the shadows—it felt good to celebrate finally.
Their coach, Wu-Hao, stood at the front, his usual stern expression softened by a rare smile. The team's manager, Tao Xuan, was by his side, practically glowing with pride.
"You've all worked hard," Wu Hao began, his deep voice cutting through the chatter. "This victory was well-earned, especially considering the challenges we've faced. Take pride in that, but remember—this is just the beginning. You've qualified for the second round, but there's still a long way to go."
Tao Xuan chimed in, "The next match is between Tiny Herb and Blue Rain. We'll be watching them closely. Rest for now, but stay sharp. We'll find out who we face next very soon."
Cheers erupted from the team, and even Ye Xiu, who usually kept his celebrations low-key, couldn't help but crack a grin. Su Mucheng was right beside him, laughing and chatting with Liu Hao and the others, the tension of the past few weeks melting away, if only for a short while.
The next day, the team gathered in the arena to watch the match between Tiny Herb and Blue Rain. It was set to be a clash of titans, both teams known for their meticulous strategies and fierce gameplay. The arena buzzed with excitement, the fans eager to see who would advance to the second round to face Excellent Era.
As the match began, Tiny Herb's captain, Wang Jiexi, took the lead with his iconic character, Vaccaria, a magician skilled in aerial combat and disorienting techniques. Blue Rain, led by Huang Shaotian, responded with the swift and deadly moves of Troubling Rain, his Sword Saint character. The two captains clashed fiercely on the battlefield, their teams backing them up with precision and skill.
It was a neck-on-neck competition from the start. Tiny Herb's players, including Gao Yingjie and Xu Bin, executed flawless support strategies, pushing Blue Rain to the edge. But Huang Shaotian and his team were no strangers to pressure. They adapted quickly, with Yu Wenzhou's Swoksaar casting spells that controlled the pace of the match, while Mo Fan's Flowing Cloud darted across the screen, slicing through Tiny Herb's defences with relentless speed.
The tension in the arena was palpable as the match wore on, both teams exchanging blow after blow. Just when it seemed like Tiny Herb might edge out the victory, Blue Rain unleashed a series of perfectly timed attacks, exploiting a small mistake from one of Tiny Herb's support players.
With a final combo from Huang Shaotian's Troubling Rain, Blue Rain secured the win.
The crowd erupted into applause, though there was a noticeable shift in the mood as Tiny Herb's captain, Wang Jiexi, stood still, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the arena, his frustration clear. His team and manager followed, but not before the crowd and both opposing teams took notice of the odd behaviour.
"What was that about?" Liu Hao whispered to Ye Xiu as they watched the captain's hasty departure.
"Not sure," Ye Xiu muttered, his eyes narrowing. "But something's off."
The rest of Excellent Era shared uneasy glances with Blue Rain, but neither team dwelled on it for long. The match was over, and now they knew their opponent for the second round: Blue Rain.
Later that evening, both Excellent Era and Blue Rain attended an after-match party. It was a chance to relax, meet sponsors, and network with potential investors. Both teams arrived dressed in their best attires, a stark contrast to their usual jerseys and casual wear.
The event was lavish, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, polished marble floors, and an elegant buffet spread across several tables. Representatives from gaming companies, sponsors, and industry giants mingled with the players, congratulating them on their performance.
Ye Xiu and Su Mucheng stood together, sipping on non-alcoholic drinks, as they observed the room. Nearby, Huang Shaotian was doing what he did best—talking. His rapid-fire words had captivated a small group of investors, though it was clear to Ye Xiu that Huang Shaotian's eyes kept drifting over to him.
After some time, Huang Shaotian made his way over, a sly smile on his face. "So, Ye Xiu, ready to lose again? You know, Blue Rain doesn't take kindly to being beaten twice in a row."
Ye Xiu chuckled. "I wouldn't count on it. You know Excellent Era doesn't give up that easily."
"Oh, I know. That's what makes it fun," Huang Shaotian shot back, his grin widening.
Their playful exchange didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the room. Both teams were well aware of the long-standing rivalry between Excellent Era and Blue Rain, and it was clear that the upcoming match was going to be a battle for the ages.
As the night went on, both teams mingled with the guests, but there was an unspoken understanding between them: despite the lighthearted conversations and celebratory mood, they were still competitors. The looming second-round match was on everyone's mind, and both teams were determined to come out on top.
Tiny Herb's absence was noted by several attendees. Their leader, Wang Jiexi, hadn't shown up, and neither had their manager. It added another layer of intrigue to the evening, but neither Blue Rain nor Excellent Era paid it much mind. There were more pressing matters ahead.
The evening ended with speeches from both team captains. Huang Shaotian, as usual, made a spectacle of his speech, cracking jokes and riling up the crowd, but there was a fierce determination behind his words. He wasn't just here for fun—he was here to win.
When it was Ye Xiu's turn, he kept his speech short and to the point. "We've had our ups and downs, but we're ready. Excellent Era isn't going anywhere, and we're prepared to face anyone who stands in our way. Let's give them a show."
The room erupted into applause, and as the teams left the event, there was no doubt in anyone's mind: the final match between Excellent Era and Blue Rain would be one for the history books.