The intensity at each camp grew as the event drew nearer. Teams across the Glory scene were training harder than ever, but the air in the practice rooms of Blue Rain, Tiny Herb, and Excellent Era was particularly heavy. The stakes of the upcoming event weren't just about winning—it was about making a statement. Every move counted, and every strategy had to be perfect.
At Blue Rain's camp, the team had barely left the practice room in days. Huang Shaotian paced behind his chair, restless as always, while the team ran through simulated games against previous opponents. The addition of new players meant that their opponents wouldn't know their style. It was an advantage, but only if they could iron out all the kinks before the event.
"Mo Fan, your timing's still off on that combo! If we're going to beat Tiny Herb in the first match, you need to be quicker!" Huang Shaotian's voice was sharp, but there was no malice behind it. He just wanted to win.
Mo Fan nodded, sweat trickling down his temple as he focused on his screen. The new tactics were tricky, and getting them right took every ounce of his concentration. He wasn't alone. Everyone in the room knew that facing Tiny Herb was going to be a massive challenge.
Yu Wenzhou leaned back in his chair, watching calmly as the team ran through another simulated game. The new players had brought an unpredictable edge to their playstyle, but they still had to solidify their teamwork. Huang's hyperactivity and Yu's calm analysis balanced each other well, but even Yu Wenzhou was feeling the pressure this time.
"We're getting better," Yu said, breaking the silence. "But don't get comfortable. We don't know how much Tiny Herb has changed since their new coach took over. Expect the unexpected."
Huang Shaotian grinned. "Good. I like it when things aren't predictable. It makes it more fun."
Across the city, in Tiny Herb's training facility, Wang Jiexi was locked in a strategy session with his team. Bao Rongxing, their new coach, stood at the front of the room, running through tactical breakdowns on a large screen. The strategies he was introducing were different from anything Tiny Herb had used before, and adapting to them was no easy task.
Liu Xiaobie clicked his tongue in frustration as he tried to perfect a manoeuvre Bao had instructed. "This new playstyle is tough. We're used to being more aggressive, but Bao wants us to focus on control."
"That's the point," Wang Jiexi said quietly, his eyes never leaving the screen. "Blue Rain thrives on chaos, and Excellent Era will try to outplay us in terms of individual skill. Control is how we win this."
The room was quiet, the players focused. It was clear that while Bao Rongxing's strategies were difficult to implement, they could give Tiny Herb the upper hand. Gao Yingjie was at his station, experimenting with new moves, trying to match the level of finesse required. He still had a lot to prove as a rising star, but this event was his chance to step out of Wang Jiexi's shadow and make a name for himself.
As they practised, Wang Jiexi noticed something—they were starting to click. The new strategies were working, and their teamwork was improving. It was slow, but progress was progress.
Bao Rongxing smiled as he watched from the side. "It's all coming together. Keep at it. Blue Rain and Excellent Era won't know what hit them."
Meanwhile, at Excellent Era, Ye Xiu sat in his usual spot, his hands resting on the keyboard as his eyes darted across the screen. Liu Hao sat beside him, while Su Mucheng leaned over, studying the footage they had of Tiny Herb's old games.
"This is going to be tricky," Liu Hao muttered, breaking the silence. "We've faced Tiny Herb before, but with a new coach, who knows what they'll throw at us?"
Ye Xiu didn't reply right away, his fingers absentmindedly tapping on the edge of his desk. He had noticed something too. All of their usual preparations, all of the strategy sessions, felt off this time. The unpredictability of both Tiny Herb and Blue Rain—especially with their new players—was making it difficult to plan.
"We can't rely on what we know," Ye Xiu finally said. "Both teams are going to be different. We need to focus on our strengths and adaptability."
Su Mucheng nodded. "We'll be fine. As long as we keep calm, we'll figure out their new styles in the early rounds. We've always been good at reading opponents on the fly."
Liu Hao leaned back in his chair. "Still, it's unsettling. We've seen their old games, but now we don't know what to expect. We're flying blind."
Ye Xiu shrugged, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "That's what makes this fun."
But in truth, even Ye Xiu was feeling the weight of the situation. This event was going to be different, and he could sense it. No matter how much they practised, no matter how well they knew their strengths, there were too many unknown variables.
He looked over at the recruit, He Ming, who was sitting a few seats away, deep in focus as he ran drills with Su Mucheng. He Ming was still young, still learning, but his raw talent had caught Ye Xiu's eye. He was unpredictable in a way that could either make or break them in this event.
Ye Xiu's phone buzzed on the table beside him. He glanced down at it—a text from an unknown number. His brow furrowed as he read the message:
"Are you ready for what's coming?"
Ye Xiu stared at the message for a moment, his mind racing. He didn't recognize the number, and the message felt… off. But he didn't have time to think about it now. There was too much at stake.
"Everything okay?" Su Mucheng asked, noticing his brief distraction.
Ye Xiu nodded, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Yeah, just a weird text."
They resumed their practice, but the nagging feeling at the back of Ye Xiu's mind remained. Something was coming, and it wasn't just the event.
As the days passed, each team pushed themselves to their limits. Every practice session was more intense than the last, and the pressure was mounting. With new players and new strategies, nothing could be predicted, and that unpredictability had every team on edge.
No one could afford to make a mistake—not now, not with everything on the line. The stakes were higher than ever, and the Glory world was holding its breath.