His image had been exaggerated many times over, but Xu Cheng's performance in today's match had still been enough to amaze everyone.
Forget his mechanics. Just his unique "playstyle" at the start of the game, with its crushing advantage from over 200 basic champion stats, had instantly made him famous.
People had even given him the ridiculous nickname [Data Monster].
Add Xu Cheng's flashy mechanics and his knack for putting on a show in ways nobody had ever imagined—
For an elite player whose name nobody even knew to attract so much attention and affection was pretty unusual.
Anti-Stress Bar.
Inside the famous "Louvre" of esports.
Tonight, for the first time, an ordinary player's news had flooded the forum.
[What do you think of the Data Monster's skill?]
The replies—
[God! So! Wild!]
[Thresh is insane, the mechanics are insane, the entertainment value is insane! And the guy is so... wild!]
[I watched the whole stream. I knew there'd be a Data Monster thread. This guy is freaking ridiculous—he tilted Uzi so hard he completely lost it, hahaha...]
[I watched Uzi turn red with rage, then saw Fei Kai get called out to his face for 4396. All I can say is, Data Monster, you're my god. The first man to charge the tower!]
[Holy crap! I missed the stream today. Was it really that intense?]
[It's true. The Data Monster was wild as a God of War! Factory Director's face turned green afterward, hahaha.]
[By the way, Factory Director wants to recruit the Data Monster as a pro. If this guy really goes pro, could the LPL finally have a chance?]
[Pfft, hahaha, another dreamer? Which S tournament are we aiming for this year?]
[That's enough. With a trash region like the LPL, we can't even get past the quarterfinals year after year. My verdict: disband on the spot!]
The recently concluded S6 had utterly crushed the hearts of countless LOL players, plunging the LPL Region into a nightmarish dark age.
"The year with the greatest hope"—a saying once full of hope and expectation—had long since become the biggest joke in the scene, after Factory Director's reputation was ruined.
A certain famous general had once said—
"No one can save the LPL!"
"But I think he definitely can!"
"At the very least, he's a genuinely talented player!"
EDG Club.
Factory Director spoke earnestly to Abu.
"It was just one normal match. Did appearing in public today really get to you that badly?"
Abu watched Factory Director with an elegant air and spoke gently. "Why don't you take a break for a while? I'll turn down all your upcoming events."
"Do you trust my judgment?"
Seeing that Abu didn't believe him, Factory Director grew anxious. "I played against him myself. It was only one normal match, but based on what Jackey said earlier, the guy definitely has the talent and skill."
They had treated each other with mutual respect for years, like a devoted couple. Seeing how serious Factory Director was, Abu put aside his dismissive expression.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course. Don't say I didn't warn you. None of Xi Ye's lot are idiots. They've probably already reported him to their clubs by now."
After speaking, Factory Director turned and sat down, checking Xu Cheng's match history on Duowan Box while waiting for him to come online again.
He trusted his judgment and instincts—
The LPL Region hadn't seen a player like this in far too long.
"That's pretty much the situation."
At WE Club, Xi Ye had calmed down from his earlier outburst. He briefed the management on Xu Cheng, then made a suggestion. "My advice is to follow Ming Kai's lead. I'm not exactly fond of the guy, but... we can't let someone Ming Kai has his eye on slip away."
"Haha, as expected of a friend who loves to give you a hard time. All right, we understand."
The manager glanced at Xi Ye and laughed.
RNG, formerly the ROYAL Royal Clan Club.
"Aw, Little Dog, I understand what you mean, but one normal match doesn't prove anything. There are so many talented players out there. Do you think just anyone can join our team?"
"The S Tournament is being held at Bird's Nest next year. Our club is absolutely going to aim for the title next season! Do you understand what that means?"
"But I'll consider what you said, too. Don't worry. RNG won't let any talented young player slip through our fingers!"
After hanging up, Bai Xing smiled faintly and added, "Hmph. You'd better not be a genius. If you are, and you sign with RNG, then you'll belong to RNG in life—and even after death, you'll be one of RNG's ghosts!"
Several other clubs, including IG, Snake Team, and even the little-known DAN team...
All took a keen interest in the suddenly emerged "Data Monster."
There was no helping it.
Ever since its founding, the LPL Region had never truly risen to prominence. At international tournaments, Korea Team had always beaten them like a parent beating a child.
But there was no denying that the LPL's popularity had grown year after year.
Especially with next year's event.
S7, Bird's Nest—the S Tournament would be held in China for the first time in history!
It was such a sensational announcement that it even carried a political significance without precedent.
How could the LPL's officials and all the major clubs not go wild with excitement?
Whoever performed well next year could shoot straight to the top!
The scene's top clubs began casting a wide net through their youth training divisions.
Their well-oiled networking machines began to turn, reaching across the entire web and throughout the whole Esports Circle!
Xu Cheng had no idea that every professional club had already set its sights on him.
The scene was in an uproar, but his Partitioned Booth remained as quiet as spring.
At that moment, his wealthy benefactor was vigorously reproaching him.
[Xiao Yu Doesn't Eat Fish]: "Sister Shuang already passed the test, but I still haven't. Are you not trying hard enough with me?"
[Cheng Cheng]: "Big Sis Xiao Yu, Cheng Cheng really did try hard! Cheng Cheng treats all the girls equally. I don't know why this is happening either! (aggrieved)"
[Xiao Yu Doesn't Eat Fish]: "But why has everyone else climbed the ranks while I'm still stuck in Gold? Could it be... that I'm just too dumb?"
[Cheng Cheng]: "You can't say that, Big Sis! It'll make Cheng Cheng sad~ It's all Cheng Cheng's fault! Cheng Cheng isn't strong enough, so Big Sis Xiao Yu still can't pass the test. Boohoo... (pitiful)"
Seeing her good little sister say that, Xiao Yu suddenly felt a little guilty.
Cheng Cheng was just a girl from a struggling family who had dropped out of school to work!
Although she'd said she smoked, drank, had tattoos, and dyed her hair, she was still a good girl!
Xiao Yu understood her. Those were just bad habits she'd picked up from the environment when she first entered the working world. They had nothing to do with who she really was.
[Xiao Yu Doesn't Eat Fish]: "Oh, Cheng Cheng, don't be sad. It's all my fault. I'm sorry. (heart) (heart)"
[Cheng Cheng]: "You don't have to comfort me, Big Sis. It's all my fault. If it weren't for you, I'd have been sold to a club by now. Boohoo, I failed to help you rank up. (pitiful) (pitiful)"
Xiao Yu felt even more sorry for her!
That poor girl had apparently been tricked when her family ran short of money and had nearly been sold to a club.
Those bastards—how could they do something like that?
[Xiao Yu Doesn't Eat Fish]: "It's really not your fault, Cheng Cheng. It's my problem. I'm too dumb, too stupid... Boohoo, please don't cry, or I'll be sad too..."
[Cheng Cheng]: "Really, Big Sis? (innocent)"
[Xiao Yu Doesn't Eat Fish]: "Of course! (cute)"
[Cheng Cheng]: "That's really great! Big Sis, Cheng Cheng loves you! (kiss) (kiss)"
[Xiao Yu Doesn't Eat Fish]: "I love you too, Cheng Cheng~ Mwah, kisses!"
[Xiao Yu Doesn't Eat Fish]: "By the way, I bought new underwear recently. You have good taste, and I listened to you last time. Can you take a look for me again? [Image] [Image]"
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