The victory over the American team had set the tone, but there was little time to bask in the glory. The schedule for the tournament was relentless, and their next match loomed large: South Korea. The rivalry between China and South Korea in Glory was legendary, and the tension between the two nations only heightened the stakes.
After the match, the team had gathered for a brief strategy meeting back at the hotel. Chen Guo was pacing, her nerves still buzzing from the day's events, but the rest of the team was more subdued. They were focused, their minds already turning to the next challenge.
Ye Xiu stood in front of the whiteboard they had set up in their suite. He scribbled down a few quick notes about the South Korean team's tendencies: tight coordination, strong defense, and fast counters. Their precision was unmatched, and they had been watching China closely. It was no secret that South Korea had studied their gameplay, anticipating this inevitable clash.
"This won't be like the Americans," Ye Xiu said, his voice calm but firm. "They won't make the same mistakes. They'll be disciplined, and they'll adapt fast. We can't let them control the pace of the game."
Tang Rou cracked her knuckles, her eyes narrowing in determination. "So what's the plan?"
Ye Xiu tapped the board. "We break their formation before they can settle into it. Hit them early, hit them hard. But we have to be careful—if they manage to regroup, they'll grind us down with their defense."
Qiao Yifan, always the strategist, spoke up. "We'll need to disrupt their support lines, target their healers first. That's usually where they're weakest."
"Exactly," Ye Xiu agreed. "We keep them off balance, make them react to us."
Huang Shaotian, never one to stay quiet for long, leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Heh, no problem. I'll get in their heads before they even know what hit them. My blade's itching for a challenge."
Sun Xiang, who had been quiet through most of the meeting, finally spoke. "They're good, but we've beaten them before. We can do it again."
Ye Xiu glanced at Sun Xiang, appreciating the confidence. Though they had their differences, he knew Sun Xiang's fierce drive would be crucial in the upcoming match.
"Good," Ye Xiu said. "Tomorrow, we play at our own pace. No holding back."
---
The next day came fast. The arena was once again filled with roaring fans, and the atmosphere was even more intense than before. Banners for the Chinese and South Korean teams filled the stands, and the rivalry between the two nations was palpable. This was a match everyone had been waiting for.
As they prepared backstage, the team felt the pressure mounting. The South Korean team was known for their mind games as much as their precision in the arena. Even a small mistake could turn the tide of the match in their favor.
Ye Xiu glanced at his teammates, sensing the tension in the air. "Remember," he said calmly, "we've done this before. Stick to the plan, and don't let them dictate the game."
As they stepped onto the stage, the arena erupted in cheers and chants. The South Korean team was already seated, their faces a picture of calm determination. Their captain, Kang Min-suk, gave Ye Xiu a slight nod—a show of respect between two veterans of the game.
The match began, and immediately, the intensity was cranked up to eleven.
South Korea played as expected—tight, controlled, and disciplined. Their team moved like a well-oiled machine, quickly setting up defensive positions and probing China's formations for weaknesses. It was clear that they had studied China's every move, and they were ready to exploit any opening.
Ye Xiu, however, wasn't about to let them dictate the pace. He issued quick commands, and the Chinese team launched a sudden, aggressive attack, targeting South Korea's support players.
Tang Rou, leading the charge with her aggressive playstyle, clashed with the South Korean front line. Her character darted through the battlefield, her strikes precise and unrelenting. She forced their attention, creating space for Huang Shaotian to sneak in from the flanks.
Huang Shaotian's blade danced through the South Korean ranks, targeting their healers and support players with lightning speed. The South Korean team was forced to adjust their formation to deal with him, pulling back to protect their vulnerable members.
But that's exactly what Ye Xiu had planned for.
"Now!" Ye Xiu called, and Qiao Yifan moved in, setting up a perfect trap with his control skills. In an instant, two of the South Korean players were caught, unable to escape as the Chinese team converged on them.
The crowd roared as the South Korean formation began to crumble.
But Kang Min-suk wasn't going down without a fight. He quickly rallied his team, executing a near-flawless counterattack that caught Tang Rou and Sun Xiang off-guard. For a moment, it seemed like South Korea might turn the tide.
Ye Xiu remained calm, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he issued commands. "Stay focused. They're trying to bait us into overextending."
The match continued in a back-and-forth struggle, both teams pushing each other to their limits. Every time China gained the upper hand, South Korea would find a way to pull them back, refusing to let the game slip away. The tension in the arena was palpable, with every move drawing gasps from the crowd.
As the battle raged on, it became clear that the match would come down to a single decisive moment. Both teams had lost key players, and it was now a test of endurance and willpower.
Ye Xiu saw the opportunity first. South Korea had overcommitted to an attack, leaving their captain exposed for just a split second.
"That's our opening!" Ye Xiu shouted.
Huang Shaotian was already on the move, his blade cutting through the chaos as he charged toward Kang Min-suk. With a series of lightning-fast strikes, he took down the South Korean captain, securing the final blow.
The screen flashed Victory, and the crowd exploded into cheers.
The Chinese team leaned back in their chairs, exhausted but triumphant. They had done it. They had beaten South Korea in one of the most intense matches of the tournament so far.
As they stood to leave the stage, Kang Min-suk approached Ye Xiu, offering a handshake. "Well played," he said, though his tone carried the weight of defeat. "You're as formidable as ever."
Ye Xiu shook his hand, nodding. "You pushed us hard. It was a good match."
The rivalry between China and South Korea was far from over, but for now, China had come out on top. Back in their prep room, the team was buzzing with excitement, though they knew there were still more battles ahead.
"This is just the beginning," Ye Xiu reminded them, his tone serious but proud. "We've got more to prove."
The team nodded, already looking ahead to their next challenge. The World Invitational was far from over, and they would have to face many more fierce opponents before they could claim the championship.
But for now, they had momentum, and they were ready to ride it all the way to the top.