Alliance: Start Suona, send away the stupid sister Zhou

The celebratory banquet was a great success, with everyone enjoying themselves. The team members completely relaxed, and the unspoken understanding between Raymond Lam and Rita was quietly revealed amidst the good-natured teasing and tacit agreement of their teammates.

After the dinner, everyone went their separate ways. Coach Heart specially arranged for Raymond Lam to take Rita home.

The night was as still as water, and the neon lights of the city flowed around the two of them.

"Thank you for today..." Lin Feng broke the silence, walking beside Rita. This thank you was both for her attendance at the celebration party and for her previous concern on WeChat.

Rita tucked a strand of hair, ruffled by the evening breeze, behind her ear, turned her head to look at Lin Feng, her eyes sparkling in the streetlights. "I should be thanking you."

"Huh?" Lin Feng was a little puzzled.

"Thank you and your teammates for playing such a wonderful game." Rita's tone was very serious. "You know, the happiest thing for a commentator is to be able to commentate on a classic match that can be recorded in history. Today's last game against TES, although it was just a practice match, your resilience and never-give-up spirit were really touching."

Her eyes were filled with a passion and sincerity for esports, which stirred something within Lin-Feng. He saw not just a beautiful female commentator, but a soul who understood him and the sport.

"There will be even more exciting things to come." Lin Feng's voice was deep and firm. "There will be even more on the LPL stage."

Rita smiled and nodded, her steps becoming much lighter: "I'll be waiting. When the time comes, I'll be on the commentary stage, telling everyone about every highlight of yours with the most eloquent words."

"It's a word."

"It's a word."

This thrilling scrimmages with TES served as a whetstone, sharpening RNG's already sharp sword into something even more restrained and resilient. During the post-match analysis, Coach Heart sternly pointed out the mistakes made during the high ground push, while also highly praising the team's strong execution and teamwork in dire situations.

"Remember this feeling!" Coach Heart drew a heavy circle on the tactics board. "Remember how we lost our advantage and how we won it back as a team! We, RNG, can open up the game with Uzi's individual ability, we can revitalize the whole game with Xiaohu's roaming, and we can drive the whole game with Karsa's rhythm, but in the end, what determines how far we can go is always the team! It is Lin Feng's shield that has blocked so much damage for us!"

The whole team stood solemnly, especially Lin Feng, who felt the heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the most anticipated match of the LPL Summer Split regular season is about to begin.

RNG vs IG.

One is the newly formed "royal" army, which has been steadily advancing since its reorganization and is known for its unbreakable teamwork and defensive counter-attacks.

The other is the eternal "Trident," a "complete" team renowned for its extreme individual abilities and relentless, storm-like attacks.

Especially IG's top laner TheShy, after a short break, returned to the competition in incredibly hot form. His suffocating laning dominance and his "do or die" team fight style are the nightmare of all top laners.

This match is hailed as the ultimate showdown between the "strongest spear" and the "strongest shield".

Before the match, predictions and analyses from major esports media outlets were everywhere.

“IG has a better chance of winning. Their top, mid, and jungle synergy is top-notch in the league. Whether R-NG's defense can withstand the repeated attacks from TheShy and Rookie is a huge question.”

"The key lies in the top lane! Whether Lin Feng can withstand TheShy's pressure will directly determine the outcome of the game. If Lin Feng is completely outmatched in the top lane, then RNG's proud team system will cease to exist."

"The epic rivalry between Uzi and JackeyLove is over. Now, will it be a changing of the guard for the new generation of top laners, or a re-crowning of the old gods? Let's wait and see!"

On the day of the match, the stadium was packed, and the fans' light sticks formed two seas of color.

In the commentary booth, Guan Zeyuan, Miller, and Rita, who looked intellectual and elegant in a white dress, sat upright.

"Welcome everyone to the highlight match of the LPL Summer Split, RNG vs. IG!" Miller's voice was full of passion. "Both teams are in excellent form right now, and this match is definitely worth looking forward to!"

Guan Zeyuan adjusted his glasses: "That's right, especially in the top lane matchup. TheShy's recent form has been nothing short of superhuman, while Lin Feng, as the most consistent rookie top laner this season, has also delivered an amazing performance. Today is the day to test his mettle."

Rita smiled and continued, "Yes, but we also need to see that RNG's strength lies in their teamwork. Lin Feng's role is not just to stabilize the lane, but he is also the cornerstone of the entire team's tactics. I personally am very much looking forward to seeing what kind of sparks will fly when IG's invincible spear collides with RNG's unbreakable shield."

Her gaze inadvertently swept over Lin Feng's official photo on the big screen, her eyes carrying a hint of encouragement that was barely perceptible.

Game 1, the draft phase begins!
IG is on the blue side, and RNG is on the red side.

IG's first three bans were Tahm Kench, Lissandra, and Jarvan IV. The intention was very clear: to disrupt RNG's strongest strategies of "protecting the enemy base and counter-attacking" and "stable team fight initiation."

RNG banned TheShy's Lucian and Gwent, who have been performing well recently, as well as Rookie's LeBlanc.

"Both sides' draft picks were very targeted!" Miller analyzed. "IG was trying to tell you, 'I'm going to go head-to-head with you and not give you a chance to drag the game into the late game!'"

When it was IG's turn to make the first pick, they didn't hesitate and immediately locked in Jayce for the top lane!

TheShy's Jayce!
The entire stadium erupted in a massive cheer. Everyone knew that when TheShy picked Jayce, it meant the top lane of this match would be a bloody massacre.

On RNG's side, they locked in the Xayah and Rakan combination on the first and second floors, ensuring the bot lane's laning strength and team fight initiation ability.

IG immediately picked Lee Sin and Nautilus to strengthen their early game offensive rhythm.

When it was RNG's turn to pick a champion on the third floor, Xiaohu and Xiaoming discussed for a moment and then locked in Sion for Lin Feng!
"The Undead Warrior! Sion!" Guan Zeyuan's voice rose eight octaves. "Facing TheShy's Jayce, Lin Feng didn't choose Ornn to tank, but instead picked Sion! This champion, although he might be suppressed in the early game, has high tankiness, fast wave clear, and a global ultimate for support! Most importantly, his passive makes him 'not dead'!"

Rita's eyes lit up: "That's a very smart choice! Lin Feng's thinking is very clear: I'm not going to compete with you in lane mechanics, I'm going to compete with you in team contribution and strategic value. He's responding to TheShy's challenge in his own way!"

Ultimately, the lineups for both sides were finalized.

Blue side IG: Top lane Jayce, Jungle Lee Sin, Mid lane Syndra, ADC Ezreal, Support Nautilus.

RNG (Red Team): Top laner Sion, Jungler Fryego, Mid laner Viktor, ADC Xayah, Support Rakan.

One composition is an extreme poke (ranged damage) and early-game offensive lineup, while the other is a lineup that focuses on farming and late-game team fights.

Game start!
All eyes were focused on the road ahead.

TheShy's Jayce displayed terrifying dominance from level one. He controlled the minion wave, switching between cannon and hammer forms, constantly whittling down Sion's health. Lin Feng's Sion found it extremely difficult to even gain experience.

"That's too aggressive! TheShy is playing too aggressively!"

"Lin Feng's CS has been down by almost 10, and it's only been 3 minutes!"

However, Lin Feng showed no sign of panic. He calmly used the edge of his Q skill to clear the ranged minions, forgoing all risky last-hitting attempts, and maintained his health at a relatively healthy level. He was like a sponge, silently absorbing all the pressure from the world's number one top laner.

At the 6-minute mark, Karsa's Fryego came to the top lane, wanting to help relieve the pressure on Lin Feng.

But IG's jungler Xun seemed to have precognitive abilities, already ambushing them in the river bush!
"A fight has broken out! Top and jungle 2v2!" TheShy's Jayce played exceptionally well, landing a precise QE cannon shot on Fryego, instantly taking away a third of his health! He switched forms and leaped in with a hammer!
Xun's Lee Sin W assists Jayce, and the Sonic Wave hits Fryegor!

"Karsa is in danger!"

At this critical moment, Lin Feng's Sion did not choose to retreat, but instead activated his W shield and walked straight towards Jayce and Lee Sin!

He was determined to use his own body to shield his teammates!

"boom!"

Lee Sin's Echo Slam was blocked by Sion's body!
Karsa seized the fleeting opportunity and dodged back.

Lin Feng's Sion was focused down by Jayce and Lee Sin, and his health was almost gone.

First Blood!

TheShy's Jayce secured First Blood.

But, Saine's body stood up!
"Lin Feng fell, but he rose again!"

Sion in zombie form chased after Lee Sin, who had no mobility skills, and beat him up relentlessly! With the help of the turret's damage, he managed to trade kills with Xun's Lee Sin even after he died!
One for one!

Although he gave up the first blood, Lin-Feng's death preserved the jungler's rhythm and traded kills with the enemy jungler. This was a huge win for RNG!
"Brilliant! Lin Feng handled that move perfectly!" Rita couldn't help but exclaim. "He knows his mission perfectly well: to absorb damage and create value for the team! Even if it means death, he wants to die with purpose!"

The game continues.

With their strong lineup, IG kept looking for opportunities in the early to mid-game. They secured the first Rift Herald, destroyed RNG's mid-lane turret, and gained a slight economic lead.

However, RNG's defense was impeccable. Lin Feng's Sion, despite being constantly pressured in CS, always managed to use his ultimate to support key battlefields.

At 16 minutes, IG attempted to use the Rift Herald to push towards the bottom lane's second turret. Lin Feng's Sion, however, activated his ultimate, "Rampage," directly from the top lane high ground!
“Woo——!”

The roar of the train echoed through the canyon!

"The experienced driver is starting up! Destination: the exit route!"

IG players were caught off guard by Sion's decisive support, forcing them to reposition themselves.

Just then, Xiaohu's Viktor perfectly placed a gravity field, and Uzi's Xayah and Ming's Rakan entered the fray at the same time!

A perfect 0-for-3 exchange! RNG not only defended the bottom lane's second tower, but also took the first dragon.

With Lin Feng's repeated strategic support, the situation was gradually turned around.

Although TheShy's Jayce gained a huge advantage in lane, leading Sion by nearly 50 CS, his impact was greatly diminished by R-NG's team coordination. It was like punching cotton – he couldn't unleash his full power.

At the 28-minute mark, the decisive Dragon Soul team fight erupted in front of the Fire Dragon Pit.

With the advantage of their poke composition, IG took the lead in securing favorable terrain and continuously chipped away at the health of the RNG players.

"RNG's health is very low! This team fight is going to be tough for them!"

TheShy's Jayce used a QE cannon shot to reduce Uzi's Xayah to half health!

"Uzi is in terrible form! IG needs to make their move!"

Xun's Lee Sin, with his ward tactile, stepped forward and unleashed a "Dragon Tail" kick, attempting to send Xayah flying back into the crowd!

In the blink of an eye!
Sion, who had been suppressed all along, made a move!

Lin Feng's Sion flashed forward and used his massive body to block Xayah and Lee Sin!

"boom!"

Lee Sin's ultimate ability landed squarely on Sion!

"Lin Feng took that kick with his face! He saved Uzi!"

At the same time, Lin Feng pressed the R key!
Instead of charging into IG's backline, he targeted IG's frontline—the Titan and Lee Sin—whom he had separated by his Flash!

The massive locomotive slammed into the two of them, sending them flying!
Ming's Rakan seized the opportunity, using R-Flash-W to lift up three of IG's backline heroes!

Little Tiger's Viktor, Chaos Storm descends!
Uzi's Xayah, in a perfect environment created by her teammates' sacrifices, activated her ultimate to dodge a key skill, then flashed to adjust her position, catching a flurry of feathers with her hook!

Damage, devastating!
IG's formation melted instantly in the face of RNG's impeccable chain control and explosive damage!
Aced!

A perfect team wipe with a 0-for-5 exchange!
RNG secured Baron Nashor and, with the Infernal Dragon Soul, ended the game in one fell swoop!

When IG's base crystal exploded, the entire RNG fanbase erupted in celebration!

In the commentary booth, Miller excitedly shouted, "Congratulations to RNG! They won the first game! Lin Feng's textbook-perfect performance with Sion under pressure has shown us that League of Legends is a team game!"

Guan Zeyuan also sighed with emotion: "TheShy played brilliantly, but Lin Feng won the game. He is like a mountain, a mountain that remains unmoved no matter how the wind and rain blow! IG's spear has hit a brick wall today!"

Rita's face was beaming with a bright smile, her gaze fixed on the man who had stood up from his seat, his expression calm yet steadfast.

She knew that this man's legend was only just beginning. And she would be the best witness to it.

The victory in the first game filled the RNG players' bench with a relaxed atmosphere. Xiaohu and Karsa chatted and laughed as they reviewed the team fight, while Uzi leisurely sipped water, enjoying the moment of peace that victory brought.

Only Lin Feng, after a brief exchange with his teammates, put his headphones back on, closed his eyes slightly, and seemed to be constructing the chessboard for the next game in his mind.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere on IG's bench was somewhat somber.

“It’s my fault,” TheShy said in broken Chinese, taking the blame. “The poke composition failed to convert our advantage into a victory.”

There was no frustration on his face, but rather a strange gleam of triumph at meeting a worthy opponent. In the first game, he felt as if he had used all his strength to chop down a majestic snow-capped mountain. Although the mountain was scarred and battered, in the end, an avalanche buried him. That feeling of powerlessness was something he hadn't experienced in a long time.

Rookie patted him on the shoulder, comforting him, "It's not your fault, their team's execution was just too good. Next game, we'll come back." (End of Chapter)