Is this the LPL top laner? I'm so excited!

"Welcome to the third match day of the second week of the 2017 LPL Summer Split. Hello everyone, I'm commentator Wa Wa."

"I'm Miller."

"And I'm Rita..."

LPL Commentary Booth.

As the teams began to enter the backstage area to prepare, Wa Wa, Miller, and the recently popular new LPL beauty commentator Rita appeared before the cameras in formal attire, smiling.

After a brief opening, Wa Wa got to the point: "So today's match, for many EDG fans, is very important."

"Yes, before this, although EDG managed to recover some of their Spring Split slump with Factory Director's return, EDG's performance in the Summer Split so far is still not optimistic, ranking fourth in overall points."

Miller nodded: "Especially their opponent today, DAN, a team that was just promoted from the secondary league this Summer Split, has performed remarkably well in the LPL Summer Split."

"It's mainly the new team's fresh energy... Although DAN was in the secondary league before, several of their players have reached LPL level, and the strategies of new teams are actually harder to figure out than those of older teams..."

After a simple analysis of the recent form and paper advantages of the two teams facing off today.

The director's earpiece buzzed, and Wa Wa's spirits lifted:

"Speaking of new teams and fresh energy, EDG in the Summer Split has also introduced a highly anticipated new young player--"

As he finished speaking, a sudden cheer erupted from the audience.

Members of EDG and DAN entered from backstage respectively.

The director's camera cut from one to another, finally focusing on Xu Cheng standing next to Factory Director.

A close-up of his face.

Below the screens of the countless viewers watching, a line of small text appeared--

EDG.Murder.

Along with a handsome official photo of Xu Cheng in an EDG jersey.

"Murder, this ID is unfamiliar, but if we mention his nicknames, everyone should be very familiar with them: Data Monster... Grandmaster..."

Indeed.

Hearing these nicknames, most of the confused viewers immediately cheered.

Clearly, even those who didn't follow Xu Cheng knew the origin of these titles.

Wa Wa chuckled: "Data Monster, Grandmaster... a new young player who can be ranked alongside Ah Shui and Zou A Guai as a super genius!"

Rita said somewhat stiffly:

"Yes, since his emergence, Data Monster has set many trends off the field, and the story between him and Factory Director... is also very interesting. Anyway, in the end, we know Factory Director succeeded..."

"Haha..."

Some people in the audience chuckled knowingly.

"Of course, as a new young player making his LPL debut, how he will perform, I believe everyone who has supported Data Monster is very much looking forward to it."

"We are also very much looking forward to it... Now that the players are ready, let's enter the first game of today's BO3!"

As he spoke, the director's camera switched.

To the BP interface.

In this match, EDG was on the blue side, and DAN was on the red side.

As soon as BP began, DAN immediately banned Factory Director's Rek'Sai, Scout's excellent Taliyah, and Meiko's Rakan.

Three bans in a row, they precisely eliminated the biggest carry points and most rhythm-influencing heroes of EDG.

In contrast, EDG's bans were more normal, only banning three meta-dominant heroes. Since DAN is still a new face, they don't know much about this team.

"Both sides' bans and picks are fine. DAN has clearly put in the effort. Factory Director's debut with Rek'Sai is indeed worthy of respect."

"Yes, but DAN did not target EDG's newly debuted Murder. This is actually quite unexpected, given that Murder was hailed as a carry top lane genius before even stepping onto the professional stage."

Seeing Xu Cheng being "ignored" in his debut, Rita felt a bit indignant and forcefully hyped Xu Cheng up for his professional debut to feel better.

"Uh... it's actually okay. Under normal circumstances, new young players on their debut won't choose heroes with too low a margin for error; they'll play it safe."

Wa Wa and Miller exchanged glances and were about to round off the conversation with a smile when EDG, as if they could hear them, slapped their faces with a quick response. They directly locked in a champion in the first pick top lane position--

"Sharp blade, sharp eyes!"

Fiora!

"Fiora, EDG directly picked and locked Fiora... This... is a bit unexpected. Does this mean EDG is very confident in Murder and wants him to take on the heavy burden of carrying in his debut?"

"Picking Fiora for his debut..."

Miller, who had a better understanding of the game's meta, frowned.

Fiora, how to put it...

Ever since her rework in S5, Ma Da Tou used Fiora to crush LPL top laners in the S Tournament.

This hero became the epitome of a carry top laner and a taboo in the LPL region for top laners.

As everyone knows, LPL top laners don't play carry-style champions, let alone dare to!

Therefore, the pick rate of this champion in the LPL region is pitifully low. Moreover, in this meta, Fiora isn't even the most popular top lane pick...

Mainly, as he said before, a professional rookie will generally try to play it safe in their debut, and not making mistakes is considered a victory.

Because if they lose their debut, it would be a blow to their confidence in their future career and the team atmosphere.

But...

"Grandmaster! Grandmaster!"

"Holy crap! Sword Immortal!"

"Big bro, you actually dared to pick it? Amazing!! Win or lose, I'm supporting you!"

"How long has it been since we've seen an LPL top laner dare to pick Fiora? Grandmaster is Grandmaster indeed, picking Fiora for his debut. My rating: Ever heard of the founder of Fiora's Auto Attack Flash?"

The audience's reaction was enthusiastic.

The casters on stage suddenly understood.

"Here it comes... he's really here!"

"Grandmaster with the Auto Attack Flash Fiora. While unexpected... to be honest, picking this champion for their professional debut, in the current LPL environment, deserves everyone's applause."

Wa Wa shouted loudly, "Everyone, can you give Murder some applause?"

Clap clap clap!

Applause erupted from the audience.

As the sound gradually subsided, Miller said, "If that's the case, then DAN will definitely focus on you in the top lane. They definitely can't let Fiora farm up."

"The first match of a professional debut, being constantly targeted by the entire opposing team... this is a significant challenge for a rookie..."

"As expected, here it comes!"

Next, DAN's picks indeed started to target Fiora. They not only picked Jayce for top lane but also paired him with one of the most popular junglers this meta, Jarvan IV.

With these two picks, DAN's strategy against EDG today was basically set—

Go all out on top!

"I didn't expect Jayce... What's going on today? Champions like Fiora and Jayce rarely appeared on our professional stage before..."

Miller looked at DAN's picks in surprise.

If Xu Cheng was said to be good at Fiora, then DAN wasn't skilled at Jayce... To be precise, almost no LPL top laners dared to pick Jayce on the professional stage.

After all, this is a classic top lane matchup, a champion for stomping weaker opponents. The once powerful Jayce from the LCK had cast too large a psychological shadow on everyone.

"Picking a champion with a favorable matchup... Jayce against Fiora will be much more comfortable in the early game. No issues there..."

Wa Wa tried to smooth things over.

In reality, he knew clearly that the reason DAN dared to pick Jayce was precisely because they saw Xu Cheng was a first-time pro, and secondarily because Jayce could snowball well with the jungler.

If he could see this, there was no reason EDG couldn't.

"Is this what LPL top laners are like? Sigh, bullying the weak and fearing the strong, haha."

Meiko said sarcastically, then said to Xu Cheng, "Cheng Zi, teach them a good lesson and let them know that among LPL top laners, not just anyone can pick Jayce!"

"This way it's more fun, much better than playing against Sion or Maokai."

Xu Cheng was relieved to see that the opposing team didn't choose passive champions; he was genuinely afraid they would drag him into playing passively too.

At this moment, both teams' lineups were finalized.

The game started loading.

"New players, new atmosphere. Today's match is a duel between new beginnings..."

"So which 'new' will emerge victorious? The game is loading, let's enter—Summoner's Rift!"

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