Volume One, Chapter 14: When We Win the Championship, Will You Still Cry?
“Let us congratulate the Qilin team for their remarkable comeback, defeating the formidable Samsung team and securing this hard-fought victory!”
As the dust finally settled and the golden characters of “Victory” gleamed brightly, the commentators from Huaxia had tears welling in their eyes, overcome by a euphoric joy that felt like surviving a great catastrophe.
“We won! The Qilin team won!”
“They not only earned themselves ten precious points but also brought hope for all of Huaxia to continue fighting on the divine arena!”
“Although it remains uncertain whether the Qilin team will advance into the global top 48, as long as they maintain today’s performance in upcoming matches—especially their captain, Wang Yaozu—”
“I firmly believe this year’s Qilin team can deliver a result that will surprise every Huaxia citizen!”
The commentators’ voices trembled slightly with emotion, their tears uncontrollable.
Not only the commentators, but every Huaxia viewer in the live stream erupted into unparalleled cheers at that moment.
“We won! The Qilin team actually won, defeating the runner-up Samsung team from Korea!”
“I’m really going to cry. When our champion team, Illumination, was eliminated, I thought Huaxia might be doomed, but now, the Qilin team has given us a glimmer of hope!”
“Qilin team is amazing! Captain Wang is amazing! You are Huaxia’s savior! You are our last hope!”
“Captain Wang, please, please continue leading the Qilin team to victory. We don’t ask for entry into the top 48, just for more points—don’t let Huaxia be wiped out.”
“Though we don’t know how far the Qilin team will go, at least we have two days to breathe now. With 20 points, even if they lose tomorrow’s match, they won’t be eliminated immediately.”
“Lose? The Qilin team can’t lose! I don’t believe any team can counter Captain Wang’s reckless Sion strategy!”
Across the global livestream, countless Huaxia fans who had just escaped defeat passionately discussed and celebrated.
Before the eighth Divine Arena tournament began, few had high hopes for Huaxia’s tenth-ranked Qilin team.
But now, with the top nine Huaxia teams all eliminated one by one, only the Qilin team remained to carry the final hopes of all Huaxia people.
“We won! Did we really win?!”
“We actually defeated Samsung and weren’t eliminated?”
While the outside world was abuzz with excitement, the Qilin team, still standing in the Summoner’s Rift, remained utterly stunned, unable to fully grasp the surreal nature of their victory.
“Of course we won. Doesn’t it say ‘Victory’ right there?”
Unlike his teammates’ shock, Wang Yaozu’s awe stemmed from the profound reality of the game, National Destiny League.
When Samsung’s base crystal exploded just moments ago, he felt as if he were being sucked into a black hole, and the dazzling characters that appeared overhead were all the more stunning.
After all, this was a novel experience he had never felt on Earth.
“Wow, wow… we won, we really won.”
“We finally did not let Huaxia perish. We finally did not become traitors to Huaxia.”
As Wang Yaozu spoke calmly, his teammates collapsed one after another, as if drained of all strength.
Some even broke into uncontrollable sobbing, tears streaming like a fountain.
“…”
Seeing this, Wang Yaozu’s heart was deeply moved. His throat tightened, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
He had sensed the immense pressure his teammates bore even before the match. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen the reckless “death-play” Sion and taken on the “lone carry” role himself.
What surprised him was just how overwhelming the weight on his teammates was—so heavy it nearly broke them.
But considering they were not native to this Blue Star and that he had crossed over and become the Qilin team’s captain, their strength alone would never have matched Samsung’s.
If they had lost this crucial match and their points dropped to negative ten, not only would the Qilin team be eliminated, but Huaxia would face national annihilation as all ten teams would be out.
“Annihilation.”
For Wang Yaozu, newly arrived on Blue Star, the words carried some weight but not profound depth.
But for these four teammates bearing Huaxia’s fate, losing meant eternal infamy as traitors to their nation.
Put it another way: if on Earth, in 2017, the RNG team had lost to SKT in the semifinals and all of Huaxia was forced to pay tribute to Korea as a result…
Wang Yaozu would have cried far more bitterly than his teammates now.
“Brothers, stop crying.”
“We’ve only won one match. What’s there to cry about?”
“If you shed all your tears now, what will you do when we make it into the top 48—or even win the championship? How will you cry then?”
Wang Yaozu did not immediately interrupt their emotional release but waited until their sobs subsided before speaking with the authority of a captain.
At once, the crying ceased—not so much inspired by his words as startled by them.
“Top 48? Championship?”
“Ca-Captain, you’re not joking, right?”
His teammates stammered, eyes wide with disbelief.
Since the fourth Divine Arena tournament, no Huaxia team had ever reached the top 48.
And now, just by defeating Samsung in this small match, Wang Yaozu was already dreaming of entering the top 48—or even winning the championship!
Dreams are admirable, but wasn’t this too far-fetched?
“Joke? When have I ever joked with you?”
Wang Yaozu chuckled lightly and then spoke with conviction.
“Before, I might not have been so strong, nor so outstanding.”
“But now… I won’t lie to you, I have reached enlightenment!”
“Not only the reckless Sion strategy, but my mind is filled with countless heroes and tactics to win matches!”
“Don’t mention the mere Samsung team—even Korea’s champions, the Modern team, I could crush them easily!”
Wang Yaozu declared with unbridled confidence.
He knew his words might sound arrogant to his teammates, but for himself…
If the strongest Korean server king on Earth couldn’t easily handle these Blue Star’s bronze and silver beginners, he might as well go find a tofu block to hit his head or seek other ways to return to Earth!
“Do you have confidence?”
“To win more victories!”
“To become the guardians of Huaxia!”
Without waiting for a reply, Wang Yaozu asked passionately.
At that moment, his teammates’ hearts ignited with fervor.
To win matches and become Huaxia’s protectors?
As Huaxia players, as Qilin members, such confidence was a must.
“Yes!”
They answered solemnly in unison, their voices like thunder echoing through heaven and earth.
“Excellent!”
“Then let’s go back, thoroughly review the match, and prepare earnestly for tomorrow’s game.”
Wang Yaozu nodded with satisfaction and made the final announcement.
“Player Wang Yaozu of the Qilin team, please complete your match settlement promptly and prepare for the post-match interview of the Divine Arena.”
What Wang Yaozu had not expected was that as he was about to finalize the settlement, the voice of the Divine Arena suddenly echoed in his mind.
He was momentarily stunned.
What was this?
A post-match interview?
The Divine Arena even had this segment?!