The fires of the Star Sea Cup, far from diminishing after the rule controversy, burned even more fiercely.
The remaining quarter-final matches, under a stricter regulatory framework, offered all spectators a series of peak confrontations of skill and will.
When the last quarter-final match concluded, the four paths to the ultimate throne finally became clear to everyone.
First semi-final spot contention: Phantom Team vs. Shu Road Mountain.
This was a clash of "unconventional strategies" and "peculiar formations."
Phantom Team was known for its versatile tactics and top individual abilities, while Shu Road Mountain was a team that pushed various non-mainstream playstyles and jungle-support synergy to the extreme.
The match was full of tension from the very beginning.
In the first game, Shu Road Mountain once again brought out a black technology support—Zilean, the Chronokeeper.
In an early dragon team fight, Zilean's crucial double bomb (Q) stunned two members of Phantom Team, and his Ultimate Ability, Chronoshift, revived their fallen ADC, helping Shu Road Mountain win the team fight and establish an advantage.
"Another unconventional strategy! Shu Road Mountain always brings us surprises!" shouted Commentator, the commentator.
"Can Phantom Team withstand it this time?"
However, Phantom Team showed their depth as a top-tier team.
In the second game, they banned Zilean and cleverly set a trap in the pick-and-ban phase, luring Shu Road Mountain into picking a lineup that was extremely reliant on early-game tempo, while they themselves chose a solid late-game team fight composition.
Phantom, the jungler for Phantom Team, displayed terrifying map control, like a ghost, stifling all of Shu Road Mountain's early-game offensive rhythm.
"Phantom's vision control is too terrifying! Shu Road Mountain can't move at all!"
Dragging the game into the late stage, Phantom Team's dual carries completed their items, and their team fights were devastating, easily evening the score.
In the decisive game, both sides were fighting with fierce determination.
Thirty-five minutes into the match, the economy of both sides was almost even, and a long tug-of-war unfolded around the Elder Dragon.
Just as Shu Road Mountain's support tried to place a ward and was caught first, on the verge of being eliminated and collapsing!
"Look at Fiora! Shu Road Mountain's Fiora is teleporting (TP) to flank! This position is excellent! Phantom Team's backline is completely unprepared!"
Shu Road Mountain's split-pushing Fiora descended like a divine soldier, directly slicing into Phantom Team's backline core!
Phantom Team's formation instantly fell into chaos!
"Can she get the kill? Fiora has cast her Ultimate Ability! Phantom's ADC is in great danger! Heal! Flash! She dodged the first vital! My goodness! What a reaction!"
Silver Bullet, Phantom Team's ADC, at the last possible moment, used Flash to reposition, preventing Fiora from immediately activating her healing zone!
At the same time, Moon Blossom, the mid-laner's Syndra, countered with a Scatter the Weak (E), precisely stunning the diving Fiora!
"She pushed her away! Syndra saves the day! Counter-attack! Phantom Team can counter-attack!"
Fiora, having lost the opportunity to instantly kill the carry, was surrounded and ultimately focused down!
Phantom Team seized the opportunity to counter-attack, achieving a 1-for-4 trade and securing the Elder Dragon, which decided the outcome!
"It's over! Congratulations, Phantom Team!" Yaoyao's voice was hoarse with excitement.
"In this thrilling best-of-five full of unconventional strategies and counter-plays, they emerged victorious! 3-2, they narrowly defeated Shu Road Mountain and advanced to the semi-finals!"
The members of Phantom Team embraced each other excitedly, with Moon Blossom, the mid-laner, letting out a long sigh of relief and wiping sweat from her forehead.
Meanwhile, the members of Shu Road Mountain were disheartened; their dark horse journey ended here, but their ingenuity had already earned everyone's respect.
Second semi-final spot contention: Veteran Team vs. Changan Prefecture.
This was a contest of experience and heritage.
Veteran Team had the highest average age and unparalleled team chemistry; Changan Prefecture had a long history and a mature, stable tactical system.
The match process wasn't flashy; instead, it featured ultimate macro play, precise decision-making, and beautiful skill coordination in team fights.
The two sides battled for four games, reaching a 2-2 tie.
In the decisive game, over forty minutes into the match, both sides had fully completed their items, and any single team fight could determine the winner.
Changan Prefecture used the Baron Buff to push high ground, seemingly on the verge of destroying one of Veteran Team's high-ground turrets.
At a critical moment, Taishan, the top laner for Veteran Team, playing Ornn, found an incredible angle, using his E Skill to knock up and then his Ultimate Ability, Call of the Forge God!
"Ornn calls his ram! This angle! He knocked up two, including Changan Prefecture's ADC! Veteran Team is going to counter-attack!"
As Ornn's second ram knock-up hit three more players, Hunter, Veteran Team's ADC playing Twitch, stealthily flanked and activated his Ultimate Ability, Spray and Pray!
A rain of poisoned arrows pierced through Changan Prefecture's entire formation!
"Twitch! Twitch is in the back! My goodness! That damage! He's cleaning up! Veteran Team just got a perfect ace!"
"ACE!"
The sound of the ace echoed through the venue!
The entire audience erupted!
Countless fans supporting Veteran Team stood up excitedly, letting out deafening cheers!
"They turned it around! An incredible comeback! Veteran Team, at the most critical moment, had their most experienced players, Taishan and Hunter, step up!
They held their ground! And they can push all the way to win!"
Carrying the minion wave, the five members of Veteran Team, like an unstoppable torrent, pushed straight through mid-lane and destroyed Changan Prefecture's base!
"Victory!"
"They won! Congratulations, Veteran Team!" Commentator's voice was filled with respect.
"3-2! They defeated the strong Changan Prefecture and advanced to the semi-finals! This is the legend of the undying veterans! This is the charm of esports!"
The five veterans of Veteran Team, at the moment the base exploded, took off their headphones, looked at each other, their eyes sparkling with tears and excitement.
They embraced tightly, as if to pour all the years of arduous persistence and the joy of this moment into that embrace.
Meanwhile, the members of Changan Prefecture sadly covered their faces; they fought until the very last moment but fell at the closest point to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals, final roster!
With the conclusion of the last quarter-final match, all four semi-final teams of the Star Sea Cup were determined:
Forbidden City Peak – Veteran King, steady as a mountain.
Star Sea Team – Capital's rising star, unstoppable.
Phantom Team – Tactical kaleidoscope, unpredictable.
Veteran Team – Immortal legend, will of steel.
These four distinct yet equally powerful teams will, in a week's time, engage in an even more brutal semi-final battle for a ticket to the grand finals.
On the stage, the lights focused on the representatives of the four advancing teams, who held high their team flags, symbolizing glory, receiving cheers and adoration from the entire audience.
And in the shadows of the stage, the eliminated teams—Kunlun Decisive Battle, Shu Road Mountain, Jinneng Esports, Changan Prefecture... their members either silently packed up their peripherals, or gazed longingly at the stage where they had fought, or comforted each other, their eyes full of reluctance and unwillingness.
The cruelty and beauty of competitive sports were so clearly intertwined at this moment.
The euphoria of the victors and the despondency of the losers together formed the most authentic and moving picture of the Star Sea Cup.
At the commentary desk, Commentator and Yaoyao watched this bittersweet scene, their voices filled with emotion.
"Congratulations to the four advancing teams! They earned their tickets to a higher stage with their strength and sweat," Commentator said.
"Likewise, let's give a round of applause to all the teams who left the Star Sea Cup stage," Yaoyao emotionally interjected, "Their struggle and effort are equally worthy of our respect.
The legend continues, the journey never ends, and we hope to see them on the competitive stage again in the future!"
The Star Sea Cup semi-finals are approaching.
A more intense storm is gathering.
And there is only one throne.