Challenging for National Server First?
Xu Cheng paused.
Although he'd played ranked before, to be honest, he'd only done so a few times, and only at the bottom of King Rank.
Since he'd started playing LOL, he'd spent most of his time in normal games.
And National Server First, shining so brightly...
He'd never even considered it.
He hesitated.
[Challenge for National Server First? Me? Can I do it?]
Can you do it?
Buddy, you can do it better than anyone!
There's no one more qualified!
Even Ah Shui, who reached National Server First at fifteen, can't compare to you!
Factory Director grumbled to himself, but eagerly typed:
[Buddy, I'm sure you've figured out by now that my work has something to do with LOL... We're running a challenge event. The reward for reaching National Server First is 100,000 yuan. So... are you interested?]
[Oh?]
[I'll add more money!!!]
[Fine.]
Xu Cheng agreed at once, then added: [It's not about the money. It's mainly because you've been so enthusiastic, Xiao Kai!]
[Haha, I get it, I get it. I understand, buddy!]
Factory Director gave an awkward laugh, grumbling inwardly.
Damn, isn't he just in it for the money?
I've got plenty of money. If you really accomplish what I'm hoping for, I'll pay for it out of my own pocket—
After spending so much time together, Xu Cheng had finally become less aloof.
Factory Director had spotted a crack in his armor.
Like an excellent hunter, he'd waited patiently for his chance—and at last, he'd found an opening.
Mechanical skill, game sense, awareness of the overall game, as well as talent in speed and reflexes.
Factory Director had pretty much figured out all of it by now.
Now he needed to deliver the final, heaviest blow—the last straw that would break the camel's back—
A real match!
The Ranked System had returned to normal the previous week. The new ranked mode was simpler and clearer, and had already kicked off a wave of climbing.
The CN Server couldn't compare to the Korean Server, but in S6, its competition was still in a league of its own. It could serve as a proving ground for Xu Cheng, this golden treasure trove of talent.
So, to see Xu Cheng's true potential in real matches, Factory Director added one last thing:
[By the way, make sure you play your hardest. Climb as fast as you can, with the highest win rate possible. The prize money for this event is substantial, and there are lots of people taking part. Buddy, give it everything you've got!]
[Don't let anyone else beat you to it!]
[You're nagging. I get it.]
Xu Cheng sounded a little impatient.
Did he need the other guy to remind him what mattered?
He stressed again: [It's not the money I care about. It's you!]
[Yes, yes, I know you care about me, buddy...]
Factory Director gritted his teeth. Damn it, you care about me? You treat me like your son every day, ordering me around—how is that caring about me?
But the operation was in its final stage, and the reward was almost within reach.
I'll endure it!!
Once you join the Club and go pro, I'll show you what cruel really means!
He made a silent vow, then glanced at the live-stream chat.
[Holy crap, Grandmaster's finally playing ranked?]
[I'm queuing up right now!]
[Give it a rest. Even if the Data Monster doesn't have a rank, that doesn't mean you'll get matched with him.]
[Oh my god, the normal-game God of War is finally playing ranked? I can't wait to see the faces of everyone in those ranked games!]
[We've seen him in normal games, but normal games are just normal games. Ranked is where the real experts gather! Lots of top players never even played normal games.]
[I'm not surprised Grandmaster can reach Challenger. I just want to see what his ranked playstyle is like. Will it be the same as in normal games?]
The fans and viewers had gotten hyped up by Factory Director and Xu Cheng's conversation. They were buzzing with excitement.
Meanwhile,
As soon as the news got out, countless Passerby Kings and Super Experts who'd been watching silently exchanged glances.
Then—
"Let's snipe him!"
Without the slightest hesitation, the top players on the CN Server had reached an agreement.
And as tonight's stream spread, this wave of sniping began like a spark and gradually swept across the entire CN Server, starting with Zone One.
Xu Cheng had "offended" a lot of people while playing normal games.
There were the experts he'd humiliated, of course, but the King Rank Players were even more displeased. They'd never cared much for normal games and hadn't played many since ranked was shut down.
During Xu Cheng's rise to fame, people kept comparing them to him. Some hadn't even played against him, yet somehow they'd become his stepping stones.
Especially in late S6, when a group of mysterious, intimidating prodigies emerged from the CN Server's King Rank.
They were more than mere prodigies—they were Heaven's Pride, each with an ID that would one day become famous across the world—
Ah Shui, Ning Wang, Xiao Ming, Xiao Tian, Liu Qingsong, Lin Weixiang, Mala Xiang Guo, Zuo Shou, Ya Gao, Zoom, Bao Lan, Gala...
S6 was packed with fierce warriors!
Of this group, only Xiang Guo was currently an LPL Top Pro Player. The rest had yet to step onto the LPL Stage.
They'd all make their official debuts on the grand stage of history in the coming S7. In the years that followed, they'd become the new stars, superstars, and hopes who truly dominated the LPL Region.
The moment Ning Wang heard the news, he grinned, his unruly temper on full display. "Brothers, shouldn't we welcome the newcomer?"
"Yeah, we should welcome him. I haven't even played against him before, yet people keep saying he killed me like a dog."
Xiao Tian nodded.
"What are we waiting for? Let's queue up!" Zuo Shou slurred.
"Let's get this going, brothers. It's time to get our revenge..."
Geniuses were proud, especially these young Super Experts.
They wouldn't deliberately throw games against Xu Cheng—
Their pride and self-respect wouldn't allow it.
But while Xu Cheng was playing ranked, they'd all queue up together and hit him head-on at their best.
When Ah Shui heard the news, he made a point of advising Xu Cheng:
[Hey, buddy, you might not know this, but ranked is nothing like normal games. The top twenty in King Rank are on a level you can't imagine! How about... I duo with you?]
They'd had some friction before, but later they'd put their "grudge" behind them. And while Factory Director was duoing with Xu Cheng, Ah Shui had shamelessly invited himself to join them more than once.
Since Ah Shui was one of the LPL's rising hopes, Factory Director hadn't made a fuss about it.
That made Ah Shui one of the few "insiders" Xu Cheng had for now.
He'd meant well, but before Xu Cheng could answer, Factory Director objected: [The boss wants to play by himself. Why are you butting in?]
Damn it, could duoing show Xu Cheng's true ceiling in real matches?
Quit messing things up!
[No need. If I win, how would we split the prize money?]
Xu Cheng replied.
[Uh...]
You're confident now, are you?
[All right, then. Good luck... I'll be waiting for you at National Server First!]
Ah Shui wasn't First yet, but with the rarest War of Gods and Hundred Schools of Thought Contend already underway, there was no way a 100% Teamfight AD like him could sit still.
Since you won't duo with me, I'll snipe you instead!
Yu Wenbo had a strong grudge-holding streak. The next day, as agreed with Factory Director, arrived.
That day, Xu Cheng walked into the Internet Cafe, logged onto a computer like it was second nature, and signed into the game.
After checking with Factory Director and confirming that he was ready and would report Xu Cheng's climb exactly as it happened, Xu Cheng clicked on the Ranked System.
For the first time, he left that Partitioned Booth and stepped into the vast world outside.
Xu Cheng, welcome to the Outside World.
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