After the first two games ended, there was a relatively long break, allowing players to go backstage to use the restroom.
The moment Ye Shaoyang pushed open the door of the soundproof booth, he was immediately submerged in the deafening waves of sound.
Below the stage, dense crowds of fans were holding up cheering signs high, cheering for ATB. The fans still had smiles on their faces, as if ATB was destined to win tonight.
Ye Shaoyang, accustomed to such scenes, turned and returned backstage.
Lin Feng stood up to welcome them. "The rhythm in the second game was very good. Everyone rest first. Anyone going to the restroom?"
Cheng Xing nervously ran to the restroom.
Qu Jiang, worried he might have problems alone, accompanied him.
Old Qin sat in a chair and exhaled a long breath, sighing with emotion, "ATB is indeed formidable. Laning against Han Seung-woo puts a lot of pressure on me; my palms are sweating."
He didn't dare say these things during the match to distract his teammates, but speaking it out during the break made him feel much better.
Ye Shaoyang smiled and patted Old Qin's shoulder. "You played pretty well today, withstanding the pressure from the top lane. I just like seeing Han Seung-woo looking frustrated when he really wants to kill you but can't."
Old Qin laughed. "That's true. Every time he thought he found an opportunity and wanted to kill me, he ended up getting counter-killed—who told our Mid-Jungle to have such fast support speed!"
Han Seung-woo was very famous in the Korean professional league, and many top laners from other teams had been solo-killed by him. But Tianhuan's Old Qin was like an unkillable blood cow, extremely durable. He failed to kill Old Qin in several consecutive waves, which was also the key to Tianhuan's stability.
Unknowingly, this obscure Tianhuan top laner had also become the side laner with the strongest pressure resistance.
Chi Shu felt very gratified. Since Yangyang joined Tianhuan, everyone in Tianhuan was changing. Even Coach Lin smiled much more than before. Now the score was 1:1, a time that should be very tense, but Coach Lin was holding a notebook with a smile, looking down and studying something unknown.
Chi Shu asked, "Coach, how do we play the next game?"
Coach Lin said, "Play freely!"
The three of them: "…"
Just then, Qu Jiang and Cheng Xing, who had quickly resolved their urgent needs, returned.
Only then did Coach Lin become serious. "The first two games are 1:1. Just treat the next part as a brand new BO3. Everyone relax and play seriously. I believe that as long as everyone plays their role well, our tactics will definitely win."
The coach's words were also a reassurance for the team members.
Tianhuan's coaching staff had been studying ATB since the domestic matches. In the past few days, they specifically arranged several lineups against them, incorporating the systems Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shu excelled at, based on their suggestions.
Coach Lin had worried that the players would make mistakes due to nervousness in the Grand Finals.
Looking at it now, he worried for nothing.
Every one of them performed even better than usual!
Coach Lin looked at Ye Shaoyang. "In the third game, we focus on killing Park Won-seok, breaking through directly from the mid lane! Doesn't the Korean media brag that he's the world's number one mid laner, saying our Yangyang won the individual championship because Park Won-seok didn't participate and he got lucky? Prove to them whether your individual championship was picked up by luck or not."
Ye Shaoyang curved his lips. "Understood."
At the same time, inside the Korean soundproof booth.
ATB's coach frowned. "Their speed in the second game was too fast; it's normal we couldn't react. It doesn't matter, don't overthink it. Take the third and fourth games consecutively, don't waste words with them!"
Choi Hyuk raised an eyebrow and asked, "Coach, in the first two games, Shuoyue used [Sword Immortal] and [Fighter], two junglers, and didn't get to pick a wild core. Should we continue to target wild cores in the third game?"
ATB's coach thought for a moment and looked back at Park Won-seok. "In the third game, Tianhuan might snatch Mid or Jungle in the P1 phase. If I ban Junglers consecutively and release mage assassins in the mid lane, can you handle it?"
Park Won-seok chuckled lightly. "Of course. Heroes like [Abyssal Lord] aren't exclusive to Lieyang. I can also drive the rhythm using this hero."
Choi Hyuk said, "Yes. It's time to release the lineup we used in scrims to show them some color. Don't think they can defeat our ATB just by luckily winning one game."
Han Seung-woo clenched his fist. "Don't waste words with them. Quick battle, quick decision."
The third game started quickly.
When ATB's 5 members came to the stage, they received warm applause from the whole audience. When Tianhuan's 5 members returned to the stage, few applauded, but they received a massive amount of bullet comments from domestic netizens.
[Water, Fire, Sun, Moon, Star, charge!]
[Tianhuan rise up, take the third game for me!]
[If China region wins the championship this year, I'll livestream washing my hair while doing a handstand ^_^]
[I'll say it for Yangyang first: ATB, thanks for letting us win!]
Countless netizens' bullet comments exploded in the livestream rooms in the distant motherland. Yao Mu looked at the dense white characters in the livestream room and smiled. "I believe Tianhuan's players can feel the enthusiasm of the domestic audience!"
Just as she finished speaking, the photographer's camera focused on Ye Shaoyang. He waved at the camera, greeting the domestic netizens watching the livestream. His smile was relaxed and casual, showing no sign of the tension of a major tournament.
The livestream room instantly got excited.
[Yangyang's signature smile ^_^, I predict this game is stable.]
[He really looks like this emoji when he smiles, hahaha.]
[This Omega really has a big heart. It's the Grand Finals; be serious for me, don't laugh!]
Brother Dong said, "Yangyang is greeting everyone. He looks very relaxed, and the other Tianhuan members have also adjusted their mentality well. The match is about to begin. Let's look forward to the third duel between Tianhuan and ATB!"
The BP screen appeared.
In the third game, ATB moved to the Blue Side. Their first ban continued to target Chi Shu's [Stealth Rogue]; the second ban targeted Chi Shu's [Ninja], preventing Chi Shu from taking a wild core.
Tianhuan continued to ban Marksmen, consecutively banning [Wind Elf] and [Meteor Arrow], two T0 version Marksmen.
ATB had banned [Abyssal Lord] for two consecutive games before; they actually didn't ban it this game?
Yao Mu wondered, "Yangyang's [Abyssal Lord] was banned in the first two games, but released in the third. Could it be… ATB wants to snatch this hero? They are on the Blue Side and can pick one first!"
Just as Brother Dong was about to speak, ATB's first slot directly snatched [Abyssal Lord]!
Indeed, a must-pick if not banned.
Cheers erupted at the scene. Korean fans frantically shouted Park Won-seok's game ID. Although Ye Shaoyang became famous with [Abyssal Lord], Park Won-seok's [Abyssal Lord] had reached the top of the international server rankings.
Korean netizens immediately got excited—
[God Won's [Abyssal Lord] is No. 1 on the international server leaderboard!]
[Heard Sunshine is No. 1 in China region? Regional server definitely can't compare with international server.]
[Of course, No. 1 international server is much more amazing than No. 1 China region.]
[Looks like God Won is serious, bringing out his signature mage assassin!]
Seeing this scene, Ye Shaoyang felt very calm inside, even wanted to laugh a little.
[Abyssal Lord], this was Ye Shaoyang's most famous hero. Penta kill debut, penta kill to win the China Region Finals FMVP, and he also used this hero to defeat opponents in the World Individual Tournament.
If Park Won-seok really used [Abyssal Lord] to crush Ye Shaoyang, then the Korean media's claim that "Ye Shaoyang won the individual championship because Park Won-seok didn't participate" could be confirmed.
Everyone would think Park Won-seok's [Abyssal Lord] was better than Ye Shaoyang's. Although Ye Shaoyang won the S10 individual championship, Park Won-seok didn't participate! If he had participated, the championship would definitely be his.
Nice calculation.
Unfortunately, your calculation might not work out as you wish.
It was Tianhuan's turn to choose. Tianhuan took [Kung Fu Master] and [Demon Hunter].
Yao Mu said, "Demon Hunter jungle! Captain Chi was targeted too hard, so he decisively took a jungler in the P1 phase this game. Although not a strong wild core, this hero has mid-range control and is quite effective against [Abyssal Lord]."
ATB took Jungler [Yueying] in slot 2. This was also the hero Chi Shu made famous in Tianhuan's "Sun, Moon, Star" system, requiring limit testing operations, infinite combos with moonlight marks, coming and going without a trace. But this hero was unstable and needed teammate coordination. That Choi Hyuk dared to bring it out showed how confident he was.
Slot 3 took Marksman [Holy Archer]. Thus, ATB's three cores—Mid, Jungle, and Marksman—were selected.
Tianhuan took Support [Shield of Glory] in slot 3.
In the P2 phase, both sides began to target other positions. Tianhuan banned the opposing support. ATB targeted the mid laner; since Ye Shaoyang still hadn't picked a mid, they consecutively banned [Goddess of Destiny] and [Illusionist], two mage assassins.
Tianhuan picked Marksman [Machine Gun Hunter] in slot 4 for fast tower pushing.
ATB picked Support [Forest Envoy and Top [Black Dragon Knight] in slots 4 and 5—a healer and a tank, capable of healing and engaging, protecting the three main carries.
Tianhuan had one last counter pick left.
Yao Mu said expectantly, "What mid laner will Yangyang choose? His mage assassins are almost all banned. Coordinating with Captain Chi's [Demon Hunter], maybe he can choose [World Ending Mage]? Jungler controls the opponent, Mid directly uses ultimate to delete people?"
Brother Dong joked, "Let's not guess; we've never guessed Lieyang's choice correctly."
The next moment, Tianhuan's slot 5 locked in the hero [Dark Angel].
And it was an instant lock, without hesitation.
The domestic livestream room exploded again—
[What's the situation? Where's the Mid?]
[Don't guess the Mid when Tianhuan plays; you'll be seeing ghosts if you guess right!]
[Dark Angel is a Top laner, right? Kung Fu Master is also a Top laner, right? Double Top?]
ATB's five members were also confused. What did this mean?
Tianhuan's lineup: [Machine Gun Hunter] + [Shield of Glory] was undoubtedly the bot lane duo.
[Demon Hunter] was a fixed jungle position. The advantage of this hero was long range, fast clearing speed, and long-range hook control; enemies targeted by the Demon Hunter would fall into a fear state, unable to move. The disadvantage was insufficient burst, unable to be used as a core carry jungler.
[Dark Angel] was a mage tank, also possessing long-range control skills, usually played in the top lane. It paired well with [Demon Hunter]; the two heroes had similar skill ranges and could seamlessly chain control.
But if [Dark Angel] was Top and [Demon Hunter] was Jungle, then what the hell was [Kung Fu Master]?!
Wasn't [Kung Fu Master] also a Top laner? Huh?
The Korean commentator was speechless. "Did Tianhuan make a BP error? No magic damage?"
Another commentator said, "[Dark Angel] deals magic damage, although the damage is on the low side… Right, the jungler [Demon Hunter] can also deal magic damage. This lineup has enough magic damage. But, where's the Mid?"
Amid the curiosity of e-sports fans worldwide, Tianhuan's 5 members swapped positions rapidly.
5 heroes swapped back and forth. In the end, Jungle, Marksman, and Support were as expected. The arrangement of the two Top lane heroes… Old Qin took [Dark Angel] to go Top, and Ye Shaoyang actually took [Kung Fu Master] to go Mid!!
Domestically, Xu Zhuo watching the livestream couldn't help roasting, "Holy crap, did Ye Shaoyang get inspiration from me?"
Xie Weiyu said seriously, "Possible. After all, the time Yueying beat Tianhuan, you used [Kung Fu Master] to cut Tianhuan's dual carries, and you also cosplayed [Kung Fu Master] in the All-Stars. Yangyang probably found out this hero is quite good at cutting carries? So, he picked this hero to cut Park Won-seok."
Xu Zhuo was frantic. "He's a Mid laner! Taking a warrior mid?"
Xie Weiyu's eyes were full of admiration. "Yangyang isn't an ordinary Mid laner. He always comes up with strange ideas. When playing ranked with me on the international server, he also often used various heroes mid. So, no matter what hero he brings out, I won't be surprised."
Xu Zhuo was speechless. "I submit. Can someone control him? Can he be less arrogant?"
Xie Weiyu chuckled lightly. "I'm afraid no one can control him except Captain Chi. And Captain Chi, let alone controlling him, goes along with everything he does."
Xu Zhuo: "…"
Inside the soundproof booth, Ye Shaoyang smiled and switched his summoner spell to [Flash].
Park Won-seok, playing [Abyssal Lord] in front of me, did you think I would take another mage to lane against you?
Don't forget the simplest and crudest way to deal with a mage assassin—
Take a fierce warrior side laner who cuts carries and delete you directly!
Park Won-seok's face was very ugly at this moment, and the original smile froze on his lips.
He had played so many matches and encountered all kinds of mid lane heroes, but this was the first damn time he laned against [Kung Fu Master]!
Choi Hyuk frowned. "What kind of messy lineup is this? Pay attention to dodging [Demon Hunter]'s hook; nothing to be afraid of. Farm steadily at the start, wait for me to hit Level 6 and crush their mid lane!"
The match began. Since [Demon Hunter] wasn't a wild core, ATB didn't target the jungle early on but farmed steadily, wanting Choi Hyuk to hit Level 6 quickly to grab the rhythm.
On Tianhuan's side, Chi Shu gave the first Blue Buff directly to Ye Shaoyang. This way, he couldn't reach Level 6 immediately. However, [Demon Hunter]'s control was the Q-skill, usable without Level 6. Not hitting 6 didn't affect Chi Shu much, but it affected Ye Shaoyang more.
Park Won-seok soon discovered that Ye Shaoyang came to the lane with a Blue Buff, one level higher than himself.
[Abyssal Lord] could clear minions by releasing one shadow early on. However, every time Park Won-seok released a shadow, Ye Shaoyang would immediately raise his sharp blade and chop the shadow dead with one strike.
[Kung Fu Master]'s basic attack damage early on was much higher than a mage's.
Park Won-seok was actually suppressed in lane, unable to finish clearing minions, and had to send a second shadow to clear the wave. This way, mana consumption would be severe.
Choi Hyuk was a wild core; it was impossible to give him the Blue Buff.
With the Blue Buff, Ye Shaoyang could use skills to clear minions unscrupulously, much faster than Park Won-seok.
After two waves of minions, Park Won-seok was forced to recall.
Yao Mu couldn't help saying, "Yangyang understands [Abyssal Lord]'s wave clearing rhythm too well. He even knows exactly where Park Won-seok will place the shadow."
Brother Dong lamented, "This is the first time seeing Park Won-seok suppressed in lane."
Yao Mu was very happy inside but maintained calm on the surface. "He was still too confident bringing out [Abyssal Lord] in front of Yangyang. He didn't take Yangyang's signature hero seriously at all, let alone expect Yangyang to take a warrior to lane against him!"
Mage vs. Warrior in the early game?
Simply a son meeting his father.
Even agile mage assassins didn't dare to fight head-on with warriors. A mage assassin's full combo couldn't delete a warrior, but two basic attacks from a warrior could cripple a squishy mage.
In team fights, mages usually had to detour when seeing warriors.
But this game, Ye Shaoyang played warrior mid directly, letting Chi Shu and Old Qin build AP damage items.
Park Won-seok had nowhere to hide. He couldn't swap lanes to top, could he?
As the fourth wave of minions was cleared, Park Won-seok's face became increasingly ugly—he missed 2 minions.
Missing minions—he hadn't made such a mistake in a match for a long time.
Ye Shaoyang's [Kung Fu Master] was very fierce this game, chopping his shadow dead every time before slowly clearing minions, causing Park Won-seok to be very passive and finding it hard to keep 3 shadows on hand.
As the match progressed, the level-up light effect appeared on Choi Hyuk.
Almost simultaneously, blue light also rose on Ye Shaoyang.
ATB's Jungler and Tianhuan's Mid-laner reached Level 6 at the same time!
Ye Shaoyang could hit 6 immediately because Chi Shu yielded the Blue Buff and a lot of jungle resources to him; Choi Hyuk reached Level 6 by farming the jungle frantically.
Choi Hyuk pinged attack in the mid lane: "Kill Mid."
Park Won-seok breathed a sigh of relief, staring closely at the screen. "Okay, wait for a wave, I'll bait him out."
At the same time, Chi Shu also arrived mid. Viewers with the omniscient perspective saw that the junglers on both sides were ambushing in the bushes beside the towers, one left and one right, staggered.
The audience instantly became nervous.
Who would act first?
Just then, the minion waves met in the mid lane.
Park Won-seok moved a step sideways. The next moment, a moonlight mark suddenly appeared on Ye Shaoyang. A blue and white figure instantly darted out from the bush, using the moonlight mark to arrive beside Ye Shaoyang—
[Yueying], an extremely difficult jungler.
Choi Hyuk's mechanics were indeed smooth and flowing, very handsome.
He unleashed a combo to apply marks, about to stun Ye Shaoyang.
However, the moment he appeared, a hook flew out from the flank as if it had been waiting there long ago, locking onto him accurately—it was [Demon Hunter]'s "Hunter's Aim" skill!
When the Demon Hunter aimed at the prey, the prey would fall into a "Fear" state, unable to move.
Chi Shu's precisely predicted hook directly interrupted Choi Hyuk's combo!
Almost simultaneously, Ye Shaoyang reverse-flashed, arriving beside Park Won-seok instantly.
Park Won-seok was Level 5; Ye Shaoyang was Level 6.
Park Won-seok was a squishy mage assassin; Ye Shaoyang was a warrior with strong burst power.
Seeing [Kung Fu Master] close in, Park Won-seok subconsciously wanted to Flash away.
But Ye Shaoyang's reaction was too fast. Almost the moment Choi Hyuk moved to delete him, he pressed Flash within 0.1 seconds. Before Park Won-seok could press the key, he was stunned by a slash.
[Kung Fu Master]'s combo started, snow-white blade light enveloping [Abyssal Lord].
Park Won-seok wasn't a weakling waiting to die. After the stun ended, he immediately swapped with a shadow to escape. However, [Kung Fu Master] had 2 stages of pursuit dashes, which was why this hero was a huge deterrent to the backline.
Ye Shaoyang leaped into the air, flying directly under the tower.
He predicted the landing point of Park Won-seok's swap correctly, slashing the Park Won-seok who had just swapped with a shadow dead with one strike.
——First Blood!
The system sound effect made domestic viewers excitedly spam 6666!
Ye Shaoyang used the 1st stage leap to kill, and the 2nd stage leap to leave the tower range. It was too late for Choi Hyuk to turn back and kill him. Chi Shu covered Ye Shaoyang's rapid retreat. Choi Hyuk was so angry he almost crushed his mouse.
Park Won-seok's face was ugly.
Mid-Jungle synergy vs. Mid-Jungle synergy, and then?
ATB's Mid-laner was deleted; Tianhuan's duo retreated safely.
Brother Dong laughed. "In this play, Lieyang was naturally very handsome, flashing ahead to tower dive and kill, retreating with full health, perfectly dodging the tower damage with the 2nd stage leap! Shuoyue's credit was also huge. If not for his hook controlling the opposing jungler and interrupting Choi Hyuk's moonlight combo, Lieyang would likely have been chain-controlled by Choi Hyuk. Then, with Park Won-seok following up with mark damage, the one dying would have been Lieyang."
Yao Mu said, "Yes, both sides are world-class Mid-Jungles, but in 2v2 coordination, Tianhuan's Mid-Jungle was obviously faster and more synchronized! Let's look at the slow-motion replay of this wave—Shuoyue and Lieyang used their skills at almost the exact same time!"
Most Mid-Jungle coordination involved one person controlling the opponent first, and the other following up with damage upon seeing the control land. Although tacit coordination and kills could be achieved, one after another always meant a certain time lag.
The terrifying thing about Tianhuan's Mid-Jungle synchronization was—
When you act, I act too.
They didn't need to discuss who went first or second, nor did they need to see if their teammate's skill hit accurately.
They always believed that as long as I act, I can confidently leave my back to you.
——I always believe you can do it.
Just like when Choi Hyuk wanted to kill Ye Shaoyang earlier, Ye Shaoyang unhesitatingly reverse-flashed, as if actively seeking death. It wasn't recklessness; it was simply because he believed Chi Shu could interrupt Choi Hyuk's combo and ensure his safety.
This trust needed no reason.
Off-stage, Ming Sheng's eyes warmed slightly as he smiled and said, "A-Shu is really lucky to meet Yangyang. Back when I coordinated with him, we couldn't do this, completely entrusting our backs to each other with ease."
Old Nie wiped a tear. "Indeed, they are just too tacit."
Inside the soundproof booth, Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shu didn't look at each other or praise each other.
Ye Shaoyang didn't even shout "Good job," as if this play was expected for them.
Them killing Park Won-seok in a 2v2, wasn't that very normal?
Chi Shu pressed the "Mid come take Blue" alert on the mini-map. Ye Shaoyang pressed "Received," and the two retreated to take Blue together.
"Mid come take Blue"—this was an in-game marker Chi Shu frequently used after Ye Shaoyang joined the team.
At this moment, hearing this familiar system voice, Ye Shaoyang also felt incredibly warm in his heart.
He and Chi Shu didn't need to say much anymore.
Just charge ahead confidently, leave your back to me—this was their mutual understanding.
Choi Hyuk and Park Won-seok were both strong individually.
But between Chi Shu and Ye Shaoyang, there was more mutual trust.
For true "world-class" Mid-Jungle synergy, one still had to look at Tianhuan's Sun-Moon duo!