After months of a long journey, crossing a sea of blood from 127,000 teams, only two teams remained standing at the Forbidden City Peak: the unstoppable "Broken Army" and the rock-solid "Heavenly Palace." The Grand Finals adopted the BO5 (best of five) format, which further tested overall strength, destined to be an epic showdown recorded in the annals of Chinese esports history.
On the day of the finals, the atmosphere at the Capital Gymnasium reached an unprecedented peak. Hours before the match, the area outside the venue was already packed with people, scalped tickets were being sold at exorbitant prices, yet they were still hard to come by. Inside the venue, over ten thousand seats were already filled, and a gigantic circular screen displayed promotional videos of the two finalist teams and the commentary desk. The air was thick with a nearly palpable sense of anticipation, a mixture of fervor and tension. Spectators from all over the country, holding their respective team's support items, eagerly awaited the start.
In the backstage lounge, the atmosphere was so heavy it could almost drip.
In the "Broken Army" team area, Han Feng closed his eyes to rest, his fingers unconsciously tapping a rhythm on his knee. Wang Hao repeatedly checked his peripherals, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's. The entire team exuded a cold, battle-ready intensity, like a peerless Sharp Edge drawn three inches from its sheath, its cold glint waiting for the final command to fully unleash its Sharp Edge.
The "Heavenly Palace" team area, in contrast, was exceptionally quiet. The team members either listened silently to the coach's final tactical arrangements or stared at the hero data on the screen, conducting their final mental simulations. Their composure was the result of countless major competitions, like a bottomless ancient pool, calm on the surface but with strong undercurrents, ready to meet the sharpest spear with the most solid shield.
Just before the match was about to begin, an unexpected figure appeared in the backstage corridor.
Qin Feng.
He wasn't wearing a suit, but a simple Riot Games custom casual outfit, with a gentle yet solemn expression on his face. His appearance surprised both teams' members, who then stood up.
"Everyone," Qin Feng's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, "to be standing here, you are already heroes in the hearts of countless players."
His gaze first turned to "Broken Army": "Broken Army, your sharpness, your power, everyone has seen it. Maintain this unwavering belief and strive for the highest glory!"
Then, he turned to "Heavenly Palace": "Heavenly Palace, your composure, your profound strength, are your most powerful weapons. Trust each other, trust your macro-play. This stage is also set for you."
Finally, he looked around at everyone, his tone sincere and powerful: "Don't carry too many burdens. This is not just a final, but also your best opportunity to showcase the charm of esports and yourselves to the world. Regardless of the outcome, you have already made history."
"I, along with all of Riot Games, and millions of Summoners in the audience and in front of screens, look forward to you delivering a spectacular showdown worthy of the name 'Grand Finals'!"
"Good luck!"
These few simple words, without ornate language, carried an indescribable power of encouragement. It dispelled some of the excessive tension, injecting a heavy sense of mission brought by the highest recognition.
The captains of both teams, Han Feng and the captain of "Heavenly Palace," both nodded solemnly to Qin Feng.
Then, guided by staff, the players from both teams walked along the brightly lit corridor towards the main stage!
When their figures appeared at the end of the corridor, the entire Capital Gymnasium seemed to have been hit by a nuclear bomb!
"Broken Army! Broken Army! Broken Army!"
"Heavenly Palace! Heavenly Palace! Heavenly Palace!"
The cheers, like a mountain and a tsunami, almost lifted the roof of the venue! Spotlights locked onto the ten players, cameras capturing every subtle expression. Han Feng's face was stern, the "Heavenly Palace" captain's eyes were steady. They walked to their respective battle rooms on either side of the stage, which resembled futuristic spaceship cabins.
The gigantic circular main screen lit up, displaying the Grand Finals exclusive, highly ceremonial BP (Ban/Pick heroes) interface! Stirring orchestral BGM began, accompanied by the even more impassioned voices of the commentators:
"Greetings, Summoners! Welcome to the first National City Hero Championship of league of legends — the Grand Finals! I am commentator A-Ming!"
"And I am commentator Youzi! After a long and arduous journey, standing before us are 'Broken Army,' representing ultimate offense, and 'Heavenly Palace,' representing perfect macro-play! The ultimate clash of spear and shield is about to erupt!"
Game one officially began!
"Broken Army," on the blue side, immediately showed a strong desire to attack, consecutively banning several meta-strong protective and counter-engaging heroes, their intention very clear: to tear apart "Heavenly Palace's" defensive line!
"Heavenly Palace" responded calmly, banning several of Wang Hao's signature tempo junglers, as well as the assassin heroes Han Feng was extremely proficient with.
During the pick phase, "Broken Army" first-picked a current T0 (top-tier) warrior top laner, baring their fangs! "Heavenly Palace," unhurried, secured a very stable team-control top laner and a late-game carry ADC.
The lineups were set:
"Broken Army": Offensive top laner, tempo jungler, assassin mid laner, strong early-game ADC, engage support. The ultimate spear!
"Heavenly Palace": Team-control top laner, farming jungler, utility mid laner, late-game carry ADC, protective support. The perfect shield!
The match began!
"Broken Army" indeed started planning an invasion from level one, attempting to replicate their previous dominant tempo. However, "Heavenly Palace's" defense was watertight, with key entrances already lit up by vision, successfully neutralizing "Broken Army's" first wave of aggression.
During the laning phase, "Broken Army," relying on individual skill, gained slight minion advantages in all three lanes, but "Heavenly Palace's" defensive line was impenetrable, giving "Broken Army" no opportunities for kills. Several of Wang Hao (Gui Shu)'s ganks were thwarted by "Heavenly Palace's" keen senses and timely reinforcements.
Time passed bit by bit, and the laning phase quickly ended. "Broken Army" was eager to break the stalemate, constantly looking for opportunities to initiate team fights. But "Heavenly Palace's" formation was maintained exceptionally well; each time, they used crowd control and kiting to safely retreat, even turning the tables to wear down "Broken Army's" health.
"Heavenly Palace's defense is too perfect! Broken Army is like punching cotton!" the commentator exclaimed.
At twenty minutes, the first Baron Nashor spawned. "Broken Army" took control of the Baron pit vision first, attempting to force a team fight. "Heavenly Palace" continuously hovered outside, harassing with Poke (long-range damage) abilities.
Just as Baron's health was halved, "Broken Army's" support seized an opportunity, flashing in to engage! They caught "Heavenly Palace's" ADC!
"They engaged! Broken Army finally engaged!"
The entire venue gasped!
However, "Heavenly Palace's" reaction was astonishingly fast! The support instantly used Mikael's Crucible to cleanse the crowd control, while the top laner simultaneously TP'd (teleported) behind, stunning "Broken Army's" backline with an Ultimate Ability [Unstoppable Force]! Their formation was instantly split!
"Heavenly Palace's counter-engage is so beautiful! Broken Army's formation is in disarray!"
Although Han Feng's assassin mid laner forcibly traded for "Heavenly Palace's" ADC, "Broken Army's" frontline and jungler quickly fell under "Heavenly Palace's" focused fire. "Heavenly Palace" secured a 1-for-3 team fight and then smoothly took Baron Nashor!
The gold difference instantly widened to five thousand!
"Heavenly Palace," having secured the Baron Buff, gave "Broken Army" no breathing room, using minion wave management to continuously push down several of "Broken Army's" outer turrets, snowballing their lead.
"Broken Army" attempted to find opportunities to turn the tide, but under "Heavenly Palace's" ironclad defense and precise resource control, all resistance seemed pale and powerless.
Ultimately, the match ended at thirty-five minutes. Team "Heavenly Palace," with its impeccable macro-play and perfect team fight execution, took the first game!
1:0!
Inside the "Heavenly Palace" battle room, the players high-fived, calm smiles on their faces. Their strategy had succeeded.
In the "Broken Army" battle room, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy. Han Feng looked at the post-game statistics, his brows tightly furrowed. Wang Hao took a deep breath and stretched his fingers.
In the first game, "Heavenly Palace's" shield successfully repelled "Broken Army's" sharpest spear!
The curtain of the Grand Finals opened in a way that surprised most people. In the audience, "Heavenly Palace" fans cheered excitedly, while "Broken Army" supporters clenched their fists, nervously watching the screen.
The clash of spear and shield had just begun. Everyone knew that "Broken Army" would never give up so easily; an even more intense storm was yet to come.