The air in Zurich was crisp, with a faint chill that hinted at the approaching winter. The streets were lined with picturesque buildings, blending modernity with old-world charm, and the snow-capped Alps loomed majestically in the distance. But despite the beauty surrounding them, the Chinese Glory team had little time for sightseeing. The tournament was drawing closer, and every second counted.
Ye Xiu led his team down the bustling streets toward the training facility, their hotel just a few blocks behind. The early morning air helped clear their minds before another grueling day of practice. As they walked, Chen Guo broke the silence.
"So," she began, her voice full of curiosity, "I noticed the South Korean team watching us yesterday. You think they're nervous?"
Huang Shaotian snorted. "Nervous? Please. They're just checking out their competition, which, by the way, is totally expected when you're up against someone like me! But let's be honest, they should be nervous."
Ye Xiu raised an eyebrow, half-smiling at his friend's usual bravado. "The South Koreans are disciplined, more so than most teams. They'll be focused, but they won't underestimate us. And we shouldn't underestimate them either."
Qiao Yifan, who had been quietly observing, chimed in. "They have a reputation for being methodical. If they're watching us, they're probably trying to learn our weaknesses."
"Let them watch," Tang Rou said with her usual confidence. "We'll adapt. We always do."
Ye Xiu nodded. That was the key: adaptation. As powerful as the South Korean team was, they had a pattern, and patterns could be broken. What worried him more were the unexpected variables—the wild cards like the Americans. The USA team was known for their reckless but brilliant plays, often relying on unpredictable strategies that defied traditional gameplay.
They reached the training facility, and as soon as they stepped inside, the familiar hum of computers and the soft clicking of keys greeted them. The facility was shared by several teams, and today it seemed almost all of them had shown up early. A glance around the room confirmed that not just the South Korean team but also the Americans and Europeans were already deep in practice.
Ye Xiu smiled to himself. The tension in the room was palpable, like the calm before a storm. Every team was preparing for the inevitable clashes ahead, knowing that only the best would emerge victorious.
The Chinese team found their section and settled into their stations. Within minutes, the sound of clicking keys and murmured discussions filled the air. The real work began.
As they warmed up with practice matches, Ye Xiu kept an eye on each member of the team. Tang Rou was as fierce as ever, her playstyle aggressive and unrelenting. Qiao Yifan, the quiet strategist, was constantly adjusting, finding new ways to support and trap their opponents. Sun Xiang, who had been quieter since their arrival in Switzerland, was playing with a determination that was hard to ignore, as if each victory in practice was another step toward proving himself.
Hours passed in intense focus. They ran through various strategies, from standard plays to risky gambits that could catch their opponents off guard. But no matter how well they played, Ye Xiu knew that real matches against the world's best would be different. You couldn't predict everything in Glory—especially not at this level.
During a break, Ye Xiu wandered over to where Chen Guo and Tang Rou were sitting, stretching their fingers after hours of non-stop play.
"Everyone seems on edge today," Chen Guo observed, glancing around the room. "It's like all the teams can feel what's coming."
"They should be on edge," Ye Xiu replied, his tone calm but serious. "One mistake could cost everything. But that's what makes it exciting, right?"
Tang Rou smiled. "Exactly. Besides, we've faced worse. We'll handle it."
As they spoke, a familiar face approached. It was Alex, the captain of the American team, tall and relaxed, his smile disarming despite the fierce competition brewing between their teams.
"Ye Xiu, right?" Alex greeted, his American accent strong. "You're the guy everyone's talking about. Thought I'd come over and say hi before we face off."
Ye Xiu turned to him, offering a casual nod. "Nice to meet you. I've heard about your team too. You've got quite a reputation."
Alex chuckled. "Yeah, we do. And we plan to keep it that way." He glanced over at Tang Rou and Chen Guo, then back at Ye Xiu. "I've seen you guys practicing. Gotta say, I'm impressed. Should be a good match when we finally face each other."
Ye Xiu smiled, his eyes sharp. "Looking forward to it."
With that, Alex gave a friendly nod and sauntered back to his team. But the exchange left an impression. The Americans weren't just here to compete; they were here to win. And their confidence was well-founded.
As practice resumed, Ye Xiu's mind raced with potential strategies for the upcoming matches. There were so many variables—team composition, individual skill, adaptability. But in the end, it all came down to execution. Could they maintain their focus when the pressure was at its peak?
The day wore on, and by the time the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city, the team was exhausted but satisfied with their progress. They had pushed each other, learned new strategies, and tested their limits.
Back at the hotel, the mood was lighter as the team gathered for dinner in the dining hall. The tension from earlier had eased, replaced by camaraderie and quiet determination.
"Tomorrow's another day," Ye Xiu said, raising his glass of water in a casual toast. "We keep moving forward. One step at a time."
The others raised their glasses, nodding in agreement. The real battles were still ahead, but they were ready for whatever came next.
As the evening wound down, Ye Xiu stood by the window in his room, looking out over the city. The Alps loomed in the distance, and he could see the twinkling lights of Zurich stretching far into the horizon.
This was only the beginning. The World Invitational was more than just a tournament—it was a crucible that would test them all, revealing not only their strengths but also their deepest vulnerabilities. The calm before the storm had passed. Now, it was time to see who would weather the storm and who would fall.
Tomorrow, the real fight would begin.