Rebirth is fine, but I get eight hundred dollars right from the start?

"Previously, there were always criticisms of esports players for being young, having unstable temperaments, only knowing how to be aggressive, and lacking professionalism and sportsmanship." Another comrade laid his notebook on his lap and tapped the paper lightly with the cap of his pen. "But today, the LPL captain's speech completely shattered these prejudices. Winning or losing is a matter of fate, continuous improvement is essential, one should look inward and respect one's opponents—this is precisely the core spirit of legitimate sports competition."

The local leaders from Shanghai sitting on the sofas to the left and right nodded in agreement, their faces beaming with smiles.

A middle-aged leader in a gray jacket picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slapped his knee as he put the cup down: "That's right. Compared to flashy moves and high-profile hype, this kind of down-to-earth, humble, and diligent professional attitude is what the e-sports industry needs most."

"This was also the original intention of Shanghai when it applied to host the All-Star Game—to not only create an influential event, but also to promote values."

The staff members standing behind him all had happy expressions on their faces, and they whispered to each other in very low voices, but they couldn't hide their relaxed mood.

In recent years, esports has been gradually incorporated into the formal sports event system. From being questioned about whether it counts as a sport to the official establishment of national-level events, it has not been an easy journey. Today, Shanghai is hosting the All-Star event, and as the first to take the plunge, the pre-event hype and the style, vision, and sportsmanship displayed by the LPL All-Star team have undoubtedly delivered an impressive report to the higher authorities.

The observation room was filled with a harmonious atmosphere when suddenly, the old leader who hadn't spoken much on the main sofa cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"Ahem," he tapped his finger twice on the armrest, his smile still on his face, but his tone now held a more pragmatic concern, "Their demeanor and spirit are certainly impeccable—but how good are these young men's competitive abilities? Compared to the other regions, how would they fare in a head-to-head battle?"

"No matter how nicely you speak, you can't stand up straight."

The room fell silent for a moment, and several pairs of eyes turned simultaneously to the chief technical advisor of the event, who was sitting on the sofa on the right.

He put down the materials in his hand, straightened his back slightly, and kept a composed expression on his face, but the slight curve at the corner of his mouth clearly betrayed him.

He pondered for two seconds, neither making any promises nor beating around the bush in official jargon, but instead spoke in a more tactful tone:

"Comrades, rest assured—we will fully implement the spirit of 'friendship first, competition second,' so that all the athletes from various competition areas who have come from afar can feel the hospitality and high standards of our city."

He paused briefly, calmly surveying the assembled leaders before continuing:

"As for the competitive aspect, our team members have conducted thorough research and targeted simulation training on the tactical styles and player characteristics of each competition zone during the recent closed training camp."

"The training coach is Abu, the former head coach of the world champion team WE. The training content and details are handled by Emperor, who just won the world's number one honor in this event, and is also the captain of our LPL All-Star team."

"Judging from the training data and the performance in internal scrimmages, the overall condition and team cohesion are at a very high level."

"We are fully confident that, while respecting every opponent, we can present a match that is both exciting and composed to all the audiences at the venue and in front of the screen – allowing our guests to feel the enthusiasm while also ensuring that our own people can watch with peace of mind and enjoy themselves to the fullest."

The statement was not fully expressed, nor did it directly convey the extent of their capabilities.

But the people sitting on the sofa were all elderly comrades over fifty years old, and they could tell the weight behind every word they said at a glance.

The person in charge picked up his teacup again, lowered his head, and blew on the tea leaves on the surface—he didn't ask any further questions, nor did he need to. He simply nodded twice, brought the teacup to his lips, and slowly took a sip.

"Tsk, this is a good cup of tea."

……

The players' lounge is located at the end of the passageway on the east side of the main stage. After turning two corners along the corridor, you can see it by pushing open a heavy wooden door with the "LPL TEAM" logo.

The room was much larger than I had imagined. It wasn't particularly luxurious, but it was clean and bright.

The group was sitting around a small square table, listening to their captain's instructions for the first match.

As the home team, the LPL representatives naturally occupied the most comfortable rooms.

In addition to the usual chairs, whiteboards, and water dispensers, the room also has air conditioning, sofas, and even a small coffee machine specially provided by the organizers.

It's said that a staff member in charge of venue logistics, after looking through the athletes' daily schedules, specifically called to have it carried in.

"The game starts at 11:30 a.m., and these kids must have just woken up. How can they get going without a cup of coffee to keep them awake?"

Yes, although the All-Star game day is on the weekend, the start time is set at 11:30 am, which is much earlier than regular e-sports events in China.

However, the time issue was not a problem at all for the few people who were already used to HWG's training schedule.

The game starts at 11:30, which is considered "late" for them.

"After the solo tournament, our first opening match is against LCS.NA. This team's top, mid, and jungle are of average strength, and their carry potential mainly comes from the bottom lane..."

Inside the room, only Lin Shu's voice could be heard.

Behind him, Abu, dressed in a suit and holding a tactical board as the team's nominal representative, listened with a smile on his face.

Yes, although he secured the position of coach of the LPL All-Star Dream Team based on his seniority, he knows his own situation best.

Abu knew perfectly well that his tactical skills were nothing compared to those of this eighteen-year-old.

During this month-long training camp, he spent most of his time helping the team members schedule practice matches, monitoring their schedules, and coordinating logistical support. The core tasks of deciding on lineup combinations, tactical priorities, and laning strategies were all decided by Lin Shu alone.

He mostly plays the role of a mascot.

To say that he didn't have a single thought in his mind would be a lie.

Who wouldn't want to be in charge of their own position as a coach?

But thoughts are just thoughts; reality is what we face.

From its official announcement to its implementation, the All-Star event generated an explosive amount of buzz. The news of Emperor, the LPL's number one player in the Chinese server, reaching the top of the "Summit of the Rift Global Strongest Challenge" had just been broadcast two days prior.

YY, Tencent, and Riot Games launched a massive publicity campaign; higher authorities even promoted this All-Star event as a benchmark for the standardization of esports, with people from the General Administration of Sport's Information Center sitting in the observation room upstairs watching closely.

At this critical juncture, if he dares to cause trouble, he's either mentally ill or has a death wish.

So Abu understood perfectly – being a mascot is fine, as long as he can win a championship with this team, it will still add to his resume.

The discussion in the room was coming to an end.

"Doublelift's individual skill is indeed strong, but the team's tempo engine is not him, but Xpecial in the support position. So as long as their jungle-support synergy is cut off, their early game tempo will be disrupted."

"For the first match, I have only one requirement: to ensure an absolute victory while showcasing our style, the unique charm of esports, and our professional flair..."

As Lin Shu spoke, he looked at Zhang Hai and called out, "Xiao Hai," his tone softening from its usual serious, tactical edge, taking on a teasing tone. "Before the first main match is the top lane solo match. As the first player to appear, is there anything you'd like to say?"

Zhang Hai paused for a moment, then joked, "Always be prepared!"

"Don't worry, boss, I'll make sure you win big."

(Four chapters are presented here; when combined, they total nearly nine thousand words.)

(I'm justifiably asking for some free gifts!)