The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Ye Xiu's hotel room, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor. Despite the comfortable bed and quiet surroundings, sleep had eluded him. His mind was too preoccupied with the tournament to rest.
Downstairs in the hotel's dining area, the team gathered for breakfast, their faces a mix of focus and anticipation. The first day of training in Switzerland was ahead of them, and the atmosphere was buzzing with energy.
As Ye Xiu made his way to the table, he spotted Sun Xiang already there, eating in silence. Sun, who had inherited Ye Xiu's former position as Team Excellent Era's captain, had something of a chip on his shoulder since Ye Xiu's return. Though they were now on the same team for the Invitational, there was still an unspoken rivalry between them.
Ye Xiu sat down without a word, helping himself to coffee and some bread. Across the table, Huang Shaotian was enthusiastically talking, though no one seemed to be paying him much attention.
"I'm telling you, the Americans are unpredictable. They play like they've got nothing to lose, and that makes them dangerous!" Huang was saying, gesturing wildly with his fork. "But no worries. We'll tear through them like wet paper."
Tang Rou, always calm under pressure, sipped her tea and nodded. "They're not the only ones to watch. The South Korean team is here too. They're always disciplined, but rumor has it they've got a new strategy in store."
Ye Xiu listened, absorbing the information. This wasn't just about playing better than the other teams; it was about understanding their strengths and weaknesses, exploiting their gaps, and adapting quickly. He turned his attention to Sun Xiang, who had remained unusually quiet during the conversation.
"Something on your mind, Sun?" Ye Xiu asked casually, though the undertone of challenge was there.
Sun Xiang looked up, meeting Ye Xiu's gaze with a sharp intensity. "Nothing you need to worry about."
The air between them was tense for a moment before Sun returned to his meal, and Ye Xiu shrugged it off. There would be time to settle their differences later. Right now, the team's focus needed to be on the task at hand: preparing for the strongest competition any of them had ever faced.
After breakfast, they headed to the training facility provided by the organizers of the Invitational. The facility was state-of-the-art, equipped with everything a professional team could need—top-tier computers, ergonomic chairs, and a virtual reality zone for immersive practice.
The sight of the equipment made Ye Xiu smile. "This will do nicely."
They split into groups for warm-up matches. Ye Xiu partnered with Tang Rou and Qiao Yifan, two players he trusted implicitly. Across from them, Sun Xiang and Huang Shaotian formed another duo, ready to spar. The goal was simple: push each other to the limits.
As they logged in and began the match, the atmosphere shifted. The casual banter from breakfast evaporated, replaced by the sharp focus of professional esports players. They moved through the virtual world of Glory like a well-oiled machine, each action precise, each strategy carefully calculated.
Tang Rou's aggressive playstyle clashed against Sun Xiang's, creating an electric energy in the game. Qiao Yifan, known for his supportive, strategic role, coordinated with Ye Xiu to create openings in the opposing team's defenses. Huang Shaotian, as expected, was relentless, his constant chatter almost as distracting as his attacks.
"Come on, come on, Ye Xiu! You're too slow! Is this all you've got?" Huang taunted, his fingers flying across the keyboard as his character launched a series of rapid strikes.
Ye Xiu smirked. "Keep talking. You're about to lose."
With a series of swift movements, Ye Xiu's character unleashed a combo, catching Huang Shaotian off guard. In a flash, Sun Xiang was taken down as well. The screen flashed Victory, and Ye Xiu leaned back, a satisfied grin on his face.
"Still rusty, Sun?" Ye Xiu teased, turning to the younger player, who looked less than pleased with the outcome.
Sun Xiang's jaw tightened. "That was just a warm-up."
The day continued in much the same way, with the team rotating through different combinations, analyzing each other's strengths and weaknesses. Ye Xiu kept a close eye on his teammates, noting how they adapted to different situations. He also watched Sun Xiang, who was clearly out to prove something.
As the afternoon drew on, the team took a break. They gathered near the windows of the facility, which offered a stunning view of the Swiss Alps. The mountains stood tall and imposing, a reminder of the vast world beyond the screen.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Tang Rou said quietly, standing beside Ye Xiu.
He nodded. "It is. But we didn't come here for the scenery."
She smiled, always appreciating his singular focus. "True. But sometimes it's nice to take a moment and breathe."
Just then, a knock on the door interrupted the peaceful moment. A tall figure entered, followed by a group of familiar faces. It was Kang Minjae, the captain of the South Korean team.
"Well, well," Huang Shaotian muttered, leaning back in his chair. "Look who's here."
Kang Minjae offered a polite nod, his expression unreadable. "I hope you're all ready for what's coming. We've been preparing for this for a long time."
Ye Xiu met his gaze, calm and confident. "We'll see who's ready."
The tension in the room rose as the two teams sized each other up. There was a mutual respect between them, but also an undeniable rivalry. Both teams knew that when they eventually faced off in the tournament, only one would walk away victorious.
Kang's eyes flickered toward the team members before resting back on Ye Xiu. "Good luck," he said, his tone neutral but with an edge that suggested luck wouldn't be enough.
As the South Koreans exited, the Chinese team exchanged glances. The real competition was about to begin.
"Looks like we're not the only ones taking this seriously," Qiao Yifan remarked.
Ye Xiu's smile was barely there, but his eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Good. It wouldn't be fun if they didn't."
The World Invitational was drawing closer, and the stage was set. The best players in the world had gathered, and soon, they would clash in battles that would test their skill, strategy, and willpower.
For now, though, it was time to prepare—because in the world of Glory, there was no room for hesitation. Only the strongest would survive.