Kunlun Decisive Battle's top laner "Sword Heart's" earth-shattering shout, "Three-man gank, got counter-killed, can you even play?!", was like a sharp thorn piercing into the hearts of every member of the Star Sea Team.
The first game, despite a huge lead, was turned around, and coupled with this public mockery, it made these young players, accustomed to smooth sailing, feel an unprecedented pressure and humiliation.
In the backstage lounge, the atmosphere was so heavy it could almost drip water.
Top laner "Dawn" hung his head, his hands tightly clasped, knuckles white from the effort.
He was the most direct party involved in that counter-kill, and the remorse and shame in his heart almost drowned him.
Jungler "Lüeyǐng" irritably ran his hands through his hair; he bore inescapable responsibility for commanding that three-man gank.
Even the usually calm mid laner "Star Track" was now pursing his lips, his eyes glinting with unwillingness.
The coach's face was stern as he rapidly drew the mistakes from the previous game on the whiteboard.
"Overheated! Too overheated! You don't know how to play with a lead, do you?
With such a big advantage, taking Baron and pushing steadily would have won it; why did you have to go after that Fiora?
Three people to gank a Fiora with Ultimate Ability, Flash, and W Skill; who gave you that confidence?"
Lin Haoming also walked in; he didn't criticize much, only said in a deep voice, "Forget the last game.
Consider it tuition.
But the tuition can't be paid in vain; think about why you are standing here.
Is it to listen to others' mockery, or to win the game?"
Qin Feng stood at the door, not entering to disturb them.
He knew that at such a time, external comfort would have limited effect; the team needed to process it internally and find the strength to re-cohere.
The brief break ended, and the second game was about to begin.
Returning to the stage, the Star Sea Team members' faces no longer showed the previous dejection and impatience; instead, there was a chilling calm.
Especially "Lüeyǐng" and "Dawn," their eyes sharp as knives, as if they wanted to reclaim what they had just lost, with interest.
"Welcome back!
The Star Sea Cup Quarterfinals, the second sub-game between Star Sea Team and Kunlun Decisive Battle is about to begin!"
Caster Commentator's voice rang out, "After such a dramatic loss in the first game, it's a huge test for the Star Sea Team members' mentality.
Let's see if they can adjust in time."
BP began, and Kunlun Decisive Battle still tried to target Star Sea Team's mid-jungle, banning Lüeyǐng's Lee Sin and Star Track's LeBlanc.
But Star Sea Team had clearly made adjustments; they no longer clung to extreme early-game aggression, but instead chose a more balanced, higher-forgiveness lineup:
Top laner "Dawn" picked the team-fighting hero Ornn, jungler "Lüeyǐng" chose the map-control tempo Sejuani, mid laner "Star Track" opted for the support hero Galio, and the bot lane was still Su Xiao's Kog'Maw and Bulwark's Janna.
As for Kunlun Decisive Battle, it seemed they had tasted success and continued to secure the extremely strong split-pushing Camille for top laner "Sword Heart."
"Star Sea Team has changed their strategy!"
Yao Yao analyzed, "They've given up extreme individual aggression and chosen a lineup more focused on team fights and protection; it seems they're going for a steady approach."
The game began, and Star Sea Team displayed a completely different rhythm from the previous game.
They no longer rushed to invade and seek kills, but instead focused on vision control and resource accumulation.
Lüeyǐng's Sejuani was like a steady hunter, firmly controlling vision in key areas of the map, every gank thoroughly thought out.
In the top lane, Dawn's Ornn played extremely steadily against Sword Heart's Camille.
He no longer pursued lane dominance, but instead used Ornn's passive and abilities to clear waves and farm, occasionally trading with Grasp of the Undying, never taking unnecessary risks.
Camille tried to use her mobility to poke several times, but Ornn's nimble positioning and W Skill's unstoppable state thwarted her.
"Dawn is playing so steadily this game, not giving any opportunities," Commentator praised.
"After the lesson from the last game, he's clearly much more cautious."
In the mid-game, Kunlun Decisive Battle tried to use Camille's split-pushing to create opportunities.
But Star Sea Team's defense was impenetrable.
The presence of Galio and Sejuani made Kunlun Decisive Battle's frontal engagements extremely difficult.
And whenever Camille pushed too deep, Star Sea Team could always predict it with precise vision and quickly move personnel to form a pincer, forcing Camille to retreat.
"Sword Heart" seemed a bit impatient; his voice, somewhat audible through the not-fully-soundproof equipment in the team's voice chat, faintly carried over:
"Are they that cowardly?
Don't dare to take a team fight?"
"Come gank me?
Weren't you so good at ganking just now?"
These provocative words intermittently reached the ears of the Star Sea Team members.
But this time, the Star Sea Team members were expressionless, as if they hadn't heard.
Lüeyǐng even curled his lips into a cold smile, focusing on marking the resource spawn times on the map.
The turning point of the game occurred during the second Rift Herald team fight.
Kunlun Decisive Battle initially occupied the pit position, attempting to use Camille's TP (Teleport) advantage to force a numbers-superior team fight.
But Star Sea Team's response was perfect!
The moment Camille's TP lit up, Star Track's Galio Ultimate Ability [Hero's Entrance]'s giant magic circle precisely covered the landing spot of Star Sea Team's backline!
At the same time, Dawn's Ornn blew his horn from afar, summoning the molten ram that charged towards Kunlun Decisive Battle's formation!
"Galio Ultimate Ability!
Ornn also called his ram!
Star Sea Team's counter-engage is too perfect!"
Camille landed from TP, was instantly knocked up by Galio, and then immediately knocked up again by Ornn's second ram charge!
Su Xiao's Kog'Maw, protected by Janna, activated his W Skill and unleashed full firepower!
Kunlun Decisive Battle's front line melted instantly like paper!
"Camille is instantly killed!
Kunlun Decisive Battle is routed!
Star Sea Team pulled off a 0 for 3, and secured the Rift Herald!"
This team fight completely established Star Sea Team's winning momentum.
They used the Rift Herald to continuously push towers, rapidly widening the gold gap.
The subsequent game completely fell into Star Sea Team's rhythm.
They no longer gave Kunlun Decisive Battle any opportunities for split-pushing or kiting, instead using Ornn and Galio's strong engage capabilities, along with Kog'Maw's terrifying output once he scaled, to win several consecutive team fights.
At twenty-eight minutes, Star Sea Team, with the Baron Buff, pushed down Kunlun Decisive Battle's base in one swift move, cleanly tying the score!
"Congratulations to Star Sea Team!
They withstood the pressure and took back a game!
The score is now 1:1!"
Yao Yao announced loudly, "We can see that the adjusted Star Sea Team has shown why they are a championship favorite!
Their team coordination and tactical execution are astounding!"
After tying the score, the Star Sea Team members high-fived each other, the spark of confidence reigniting in their eyes.
They proved with their actions that they would not be defeated by temporary setbacks and external factors.
In the third game, Star Sea Team pressed their advantage.
They continued to target Kunlun Decisive Battle's top-jungle in BP and secured a lineup with extremely strong early to mid-game aggression for themselves.
This time, they had no hesitation, launching a storm-like offensive from the very beginning of the game.
Lüeyǐng's Elise had perfect tempo, continuously helping all three lanes establish advantages.
Star Track's Syndra secured a solo kill in lane!
Star Sea Team took another game in just twenty-four minutes with an overwhelming performance, taking the lead in the series!
In the fourth game, the mentality of the cornered Kunlun Decisive Battle clearly shifted.
"Sword Heart" still tried to interfere with words, but his voice had lost its previous arrogance, instead revealing a hint of anxiety.
Star Sea Team, however, was like a sharpened sword, steady and keen.
They seized on Kunlun Decisive Battle's eagerness to rush things, controlling the game's tempo once again through several brilliant defensive counterattacks.
Finally, in a high-ground team fight at thirty-three minutes, Star Sea Team, with perfect skill synergy and team fight execution, once again ace'd Kunlun Decisive Battle and destroyed their main crystal!
"Victory!"
"It's over!
Congratulations to Star Sea Team!"
Commentator's voice was filled with passion, "After the unexpected loss in the first game, they came back to win three consecutive games, defeating the strong Kunlun Decisive Battle with a total score of 3:1, successfully advancing to the Star Sea Cup Semifinals!"
"Yes," Yao Yao concluded, "In this match, Star Sea Team showed us the adjustment ability and mental fortitude expected of a top-tier team.
They were not distracted by external voices, and they earned victory and respect with their strength and performance!"
The Star Sea Team members stood up and calmly shook hands with their opponents.
"Sword Heart's" face was ashen during the handshake, completely devoid of his previous boasts.
The Star Sea Team members, however, maintained calm expressions, as if they had merely completed a regular training match.
As they walked off the stage, Lin Haoming came to meet them, patting each player firmly on the shoulder.
Qin Feng also gave them a look of approval.
This battle held extraordinary significance for Star Sea Team.
They not only advanced to the semifinals, but more importantly, they overcame a crucial mental hurdle.
This "battleship," built with capital and professionalism, became even tougher and more formidable after being tempered by the storm.
In the upcoming semifinal matches, even stronger opponents await them.