CH 63

The match enters the laning phase.

JW is on the blue side, while OVO is on the red side.

On the blue side’s bottom lane, JW’s twin brother is engaged in a fierce matchup against Jade God and Fat Hot Pot.

As a renowned fourth position player in the league, Cen Yu’s playstyle is very aggressive.

Not to mention, Hotpot, who has been accompanying him, is also a brute-type player.

Both of them would rather miss farm than not disturb JW’s top position, where Wei Yabo’s Marksman is trying to last-hit.

But it seems like JW’s team has already confirmed the strategy of letting the top lane withstand pressure.

The Marksman has long-range attacks in the early game, so she can safely farm under the tower.

Although Wei Yabo’s raw strength is not as good as Ice’s, he is a master at controlling the minion waves.

He keeps the minion waves near their own defensive tower to ensure he can farm safely without being punished too severely by the opponents.

Wei Yafeng’s support, Flower God, hovers around Wei Yabo, occasionally poking Fat Hotpot who is trying to last-hit, while also looking for opportunities to secure kills.

The strategy implemented in the top lane is completely different from the bottom lane.

JW’s third and fourth positions, Yu Hao and Hao Qianyi, are playing aggressively.

Ice’s pick, the core position Werewolf, is a typical mid-game hero.

Since his early-game damage output is weak, Hao Qianyi isn’t afraid of him at all. He harasses Ice while last-hitting in the lane.

OVO’s fifth position is trying their best to disturb JW’s duo, but with minimal effect.

Because JW’s fourth position is the Abyssal Leviathan with many control skills.

Sometimes he uses water currents to lift people up, or he spits water to harass, although it doesn’t result in kills, it’s quite annoying.

Even Ice finds it uncomfortable to farm under these conditions.

“Mouse, keep them busy here, I’m going to roam!” Yu Hao takes the initiative to set the pace.

“Got it!”

The Abyssal Leviathan dives into the upper jungle.

In the mid lane, Xiao He’s Shadow Dancer is also having a tough time.

Initially, he thought that as an assassin, he would have an advantage over the Abyssal Leviathan in the early game.

But he never expected Sugar God to pick a Jailor, a hero rarely seen in the mid lane.

Xiao He initially thought that a non-mid lane hero like the Jailor would be vulnerable to the usual mid lane heroes like Shadow Dancer.

But he didn’t expect to be pinned down under his tower.

Sugar God’s understanding of the game is truly incomparable for him, a newcomer to the WPL.

He thought he had a sufficient understanding of WOC’s heroes, skills, and items, considering he had been in the professional scene for a year.

However, in front of Sugar God, he realized his shortcomings and the diversity of the game.

If it weren’t for Sugar God’s pick, he would never have imagined that the Jailor could be so powerful in the mid lane!

The Jailor also has a skill called “Soul Imprisonment”, which quickly transfers aggression to prevent the tower from attacking him.

Once again, Xiao He watches helplessly as a wave of minions is cleared by his own tower.

“Soul Imprisonment is so annoying!”

He doesn’t know how many minions he’s lost due to this skill!

And his proud bloodthirsty attacks have no effect on the Jailor.

With high natural armor and lifesteal aura, he’s hard to damage, and after being attacked, the entire JW team’s health slowly recovers.

“We can’t continue like this. Abing, get ready to come mid. If Xiao He continues to be pressured, he won’t be able to play!” Cen Yu makes a decisive call.

Ice doesn’t say anything, but the Werewolf and Holy Priest disappear from the lane together.

“Miss in the top lane, they probably went mid!” Mouse reports in time.

“Miss in the bottom lane too!” Wei Yafeng adds.

The Abyssal Leviathan has already arrived in the jungle near their defensive tower in the middle lane. Yu Hao says, “Don’t rush, do you all have TP?”

TP refers to teleport scrolls, which need to be purchased and have a one-minute cooldown after use.

Mouse nods, “Yes!”

Yu Hao says, “Wait for my signal.”

This lineup is being used in actual combat for the first time and hasn’t been revealed in training matches with other teams.

The regular season is coming to an end, and the playoffs are approaching, so there’s no need to hide any tricks.

It’s time to try out these new strategies.

If they work, they’ll strengthen them; if not, they’ll adjust promptly.

After all, with the reform of the competition system, the ranking in the spring season is still very important.

Yu Hao is confident in whether this lineup can beat OVO.

But just to be safe, he decides to be cautious and observe the situation first.

From the perspective of the audience and commentators, OVO’s first, fourth, and fifth positions are moving towards the mid lane.

Uncle Yuan says, “At this point, OVO probably wants to support the mid lane to stop the bleeding. The early lane phase between Shadow Dancer and the Jailor seems to have collapsed.”

Ruby says, “JW’s Jailor seems to have caused some trouble for Shadow Dancer. OVO must find a way to suppress this, or else if the Jailor gets fed, losing the mid lane will further restrict OVO’s development space.”

Lack says, “OVO’s trio is assembled! They’re hiding in the small jungle beside the mid lane! Does Sugar God notice?”

The Jailor wanders around the river. “I’ll go up and bait, it’s doable.” Jiang Min says.

Yu Hao is near their mid-lane first tower, some distance from the river. “Wait for the minion wave.”

“Okay.”

The minion waves of both teams meet near the red side’s first tower.

The Jailor moves forward to last-hit.

Ruby says, “The Jailor has reached the red side’s territory, it seems like Sugar God hasn’t noticed that someone’s here!”

Lack says, “The Jailor doesn’t have any displacement skills, so if he gets caught, it’ll be hard to escape. Honor’s Abyssal Leviathan is still behind, and the rest of JW’s team hasn’t made a move. Does the whole team not realize OVO’s ambush?”

Just as the Jailor finishes last-hitting a minion, suddenly, the Starhunter jumps out and stuns him.

The Jailor is stunned in place.

OVO’s Werewolf and Holy Priest leap out from the jungle, and the Shadow Dancer comes out of the tower, preparing to combine forces to kill the Jailor.

Jiang Min quickly breaks free from the crowd control with his cleansing equipment, then uses “Soul Imprisonment” to trap himself.

Ruby: “Is Sugar God just delaying his death? But ultimately, it’s hard to escape doom!”

Uncle Yuan frowned, “I feel like something’s fishy… Ah! Lights on TP! JW lights up TP!”

We see, while Jiang Min is immune to all damage inside the black sphere of his “Soul Imprisonment”, three TPs light up simultaneously on the surrounding minions, and the Abyssal Leviathan quickly approaches the battlefield, appearing in the enemy’s vision.

“Go for them!” Hao Qianyi roars in voice chat.

5 versus 4, a clear disadvantage.

And OVO’s third position, Fat Hotpot’s Centaur, is still in the bottom lane and won’t make it in time.

Cen Yu didn’t intend to join the team fight, but they’re too close to pull back, so they have no choice but to go in.

JW’s three players have to wait for their TPs to finish, and the Abyssal Leviathan still has a short distance to cover. Before they arrive, OVO still has time to make the first move.

They’ll take what they can get; OVO plans to surround Jiang Min, waiting for “Soul Imprisonment” to end before killing him.

However, at this moment, Jiang Min calculates the timing of the TPs, manually releases “Soul Imprisonment” when they arrive, and instantly uses his ultimate skill, “Inferno”, a team control skill.

It’s an area of effect skill.

Once trapped within the area, enemy heroes can’t leave.

Jiang Min seizes the opportunity when OVO’s four are attacking him to release “Soul Imprisonment” and use “Inferno”, perfectly trapping OVO’s four within the ultimate’s range. Then, with a leap, he jumps backward, out of the ultimate’s range.

OVO’s four are now stuck inside “Inferno” until it ends.

Uncle Yuan: “Perfect ‘Inferno’, trapping four! JW’s support is arriving! The Abyssal Leviathan roars and lifts the four! Then the Heavy Armor Black Dragon follows up with a stomp, activating ‘Armor Enhancement’ while Flower God’s shield provides cover, making them virtually untouchable! The Marksman deals endless damage from the back!”

The Marksman is originally a hero that shoots one target at a time, but Wei Yabo has equipped “Split”, allowing the Marksman’s arrows to split, causing area of effect damage.

Jiang Min’s Jailor is also busy, using his skills one after another on OVO’s players.

OVO’s players are basically under control and can’t do much.

The Marksman secures a quadruple kill.

This is Wei Yabo’s first quadruple kill of the season.

If it weren’t for Hotpot’s Centaur being too far away, JW might have achieved a pentakill.

With JW taking down four heads in the early to mid-game, OVO’s rhythm is disrupted.

Ice has to farm under pressure all over the map.

But Yu Hao seems to have a radar on him, accurately inferring Anyao Bing’s position multiple times in the jungle with the vision provided by him and Wei Yafeng’s wards, coordinating with Jiang Min to catch Ice in the jungle several times.

OVO’s core Werewolf is also collapsing.

With both carries down, the other three brothers can’t make up for the damage.

Plus, with JW’s lineup having so much control, less than 30 minutes in, OVO’s base falls.

JW’s unexpected lineup takes the lead in this BO3 match.

[666]

[Damn, didn’t expect WOC to be played like this!]

[JW is awesome! I think I see hope for Z country’s WPL!]

[Don’t boast! Stay calm!]

The official live chat room is lively.

After halftime, the second game begins.

In this game, JW chooses a more conventional lineup.

Their tactics are naturally not limited to just the one from the last game, but revealing too much isn’t beneficial to the team, so a bit of practice will do.

OVO’s lineup is also quite normal.

In the second game, Hao Qianyi makes a positional mistake, giving OVO an opportunity to pick them off one by one, as the JW members are relatively spread out.

A team wipe gives OVO a chance to turn things around, and they take the second game.

In the final game, JW falls behind in the early game but manages to turn the tide with a strong mid-game phase.

However, in a team fight in the mid lane, they lose four members to the opponents, leaving only Jiang Min to defend the high ground.

Fortunately, Jiang Min manages to hold on.

But OVO’s Ice gets fed during this time, making the situation on the field very grim.

After battling for nearly an hour, dragging the game into the late game, Yu Hao initiates a backline assault, with Hao Qianyi coordinating to control the frontline. Jiang Min and Wei Yabo prioritize accurately killing Ice, and JW makes a comeback.

In the end, JW wins 2-1.

These three games were undoubtedly extremely exciting.

Especially the first and third games.

The first game showcased JW’s agile drafting, while the third game demonstrated their strong ability to withstand pressure and make a comeback.

This young JW team

has shown the potential of a top team to the players and fans of WOC.

With this, JW achieves a ten-game winning streak, with only one match against AFK left in the regular season of the spring tournament.

Moving on to the post-match interview segment. This time, the interviewee is JW’s captain, Yu Hao.

Conducting the interview is the newly crowned WPL hostess, Yun Ning.

“Welcome to the post-match interview segment. I am the host Yun Ning.” Yun Ning is wearing a white dress, with high heels, showcasing her slim and beautiful figure. “Our guest for this post-match interview is JW’s captain, Honor. Please say hello to everyone, Honor!”

Yu Hao looks ahead, “Hello, everyone, I am JW’s captain, playing as Honor in the fourth position.”

Yun Ning looks up at Yu Hao, “Okay, let’s get to the first question. Honor, the drafting in the first game was quite special. How did you come up with such a draft?”

Yu Hao continues to look ahead at the audience and cameras without glancing at Yun Ning, “This strategy was developed around our mid lane because our second player has a deep hero pool, so we wanted to try some unconventional lineups.”

Yun Ning: “Sugar God indeed has a very deep hero pool, which everyone can see. So, the next question: after losing the second game and then staging a comeback in the third game from a significant early-game disadvantage, how did you adjust your mindset?”

Yu Hao: “There wasn’t much to adjust. Whoever made mistakes just got criticized.”

He thought for a moment, then added, “Of course, nobody criticized our mid laner, he played fine.”

Yun Ning: “…I can imagine the in-game voice chat must have been very exciting, haha. Alright, for the last question, what are Honor’s expectations for this season’s Spring Tournament?”

Yu Hao blurted out, “Naturally, we’re aiming for the championship, there’s nothing more to say.”

Yun Ning: “Alright, wishing Honor and JW all the best! That concludes our post-match interview segment, thank you all for tuning in. I’m your host Yun Ning, and we’ll be back later.”

The post-match interview concluded.

Yu Hao and Yun Ning walked off the stage together.

As Yu Hao was about to turn back to JW’s resting room to pack up and return to the base, Yun Ning suddenly called out to him.

“Yu Captain!” Yun Ning hurried over in her high heels, holding a phone in her hand.

“Yu Captain~” Yun Ning’s voice was soft and gentle, “Can I add you as a friend on WeChat? I really want to make friends with you.”

With her exquisite makeup and charming figure, Yun Ning looked at Yu Hao with anticipation.

Players and staff passing by couldn’t help but show envy in their eyes.

WPL’s official beautiful hostess Yun Ning, who joined WPL this season, had already become a goddess in many people’s minds, but she rarely took the initiative to make friends with others privately.

JW’s captain Honor seemed to have some good luck, actually catching the goddess’s attention.

But then again, Yu Hao was tall, handsome, skilled in matches, and attracted countless female fans. He was obviously the type that was popular among girls, so it’s no wonder Yun Ning developed a liking for him.

However, what left everyone dumbfounded was that Yu Hao refused.

He wouldn’t do something that could easily lead to misunderstandings with Sugar, not for a beautiful hostess.

What’s the use of a beautiful hostess? She’s not even worth a finger of Sugar.

Yu Hao left casually, leaving Yun Ning standing there dumbfounded, lost in thought.

She, the official host of WPL, with a beautiful face and an outstanding figure, the goddess of countless men, was actually rejected face-to-face? What’s going on with Yu Hao?

However, all of this was observed by Jiang Min not far away.

He didn’t know the specifics of what happened, but he saw Yu Hao and that beautiful host Yun Ning talking for a while.

He wasn’t interested in the beautiful host or anything like that, but he was curious about what Yu Hao said to that girl.

He felt a slight discomfort in his heart.

He actually knew that many professional players would have a girlfriend during their careers, as long as it didn’t interfere with their professional training and matches.

Yu Hao was just young and might be no exception.

If the girl was Yun Ning, Jiang Min had to admit that most people would not be able to refuse her.

Although he was aware of such situations, for some reason, Jiang Min felt a bit stifled in his chest.

Subconsciously, he got used to Yu Hao always being around him, handing him a lollipop when he needed it, playing ranked games with him late at night.

If Yu Hao had a girlfriend, these times spent together would inevitably decrease.

He didn’t dare to speak out his thoughts, but Jiang Min knew in his heart that he didn’t want that.

So… what kind of emotion was this exactly?

Was it normal for teammates, friends to have this… possessive feeling?

Jiang Min was shocked by his own terrifying thoughts.

Possessiveness?

Him? Towards Yu Hao?

Jiang Min’s thoughts were interrupted by Yu Hao who came over.

“What’s wrong, Sugar? Aren’t you happy we won the game?” Yu Hao casually draped his arm over Jiang Min’s shoulder, “Although we had a lot of problems exposed in this match, we still won, don’t look so down, smile.”

Jiang Min forced a smile, feeling the weight of Yu Hao’s arm on his shoulder, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to face Yu Hao.

Yu Hao just thought he wasn’t satisfied with the last two games of the BO3 series and quickly said, “You played fine in the last two games, don’t overthink it! If you think any of us played poorly, feel free to criticize during the review! No need to hold back!”

Critiquing each other during reviews had become part of JW’s culture.

Perhaps it was because Jiang Min’s halo was too dazzling, or perhaps it was because he made few mistakes, so during the review, the teammates didn’t criticize him much.

The remaining four people, however, would always criticize each other intensely during the review, and several times Jiang Min had to step in as a peacemaker.

Jiang Min: “…”

What Jiang Min was thinking about in his mind was not about the review at all, but rather considering whether he should keep a little distance from Yu Hao in the future.

Just in case this kid really found a girlfriend, Jiang Min didn’t want to get used to the days without Yu Hao around.

Yu Hao had no idea what Jiang Min was thinking and kept talking about the game.

———-

The JW team returned to their base.

After dinner, under the guidance of Coach Bai Yin, Assistant Coach Xiao Nan, and the analyst, the players conducted a review.

As always, it turned into a heated discussion.

The “suicidal trio” consisting of Wei Yafeng, Wei Yabo, and Hao Qianyi mindlessly criticized each other, Yu Hao pointed out the teammates’ mistakes bluntly, Jiang Min gave his opinions while reflecting on his own shortcomings, and then tried to persuade the “suicidal trio” who were on the verge of fighting.

The training room was chaotic, and the JW staff and other gaming department members who passed by sighed. They had become accustomed to this situation in the WOC department.

After the review, it was free time.

During this free time, the players were mainly streaming their ranked matches.

Yu Hao was called by Shen Qi to confirm the registration information for the global point match sub-station competition, so he temporarily left the training room.

Usually, in such a situation, Jiang Min would play some ranked matches alone until Yu Hao came back, and then they would duo queue together.

However, today, Jiang Min, who decided to give himself and Yu Hao some space, chose to find someone else to duo queue with.

He first started the livestream and then logged into his main account, “Mid Lane Veteran”.

This account is currently ranked first in the national server, but the second-place player’s score is very close.

Let’s widen the gap a bit tonight.

Having enjoyed the feeling of overlooking the mountains from the summit, he didn’t really feel like going down.

【Sugar God, good evening!】

【Another day immersed in the beauty of the Sugar God】

【Sugar, isn’t it time for a haircut? Your hair is covering your eyes!】

Jiang Min glanced at his unstyled, sleek bangs that hung smoothly over his forehead, realizing they were getting a bit too long.

【Aren’t you duo queuing with Yu Team tonight?】

【The games during the day were so exciting! Sugar God triggered a wave of enthusiasm for the Jailor mid laner!】

The barrage of comments in Jiang Min’s livestream kept pouring in.

“Jailor mid laner? If your team composition isn’t good, don’t try it lightly. The Jailor’s mid-to-late-game output isn’t enough. You need to make sure your team’s output is sufficient before picking him,” Jiang Min commented. “You also need strong initiation, or else your head will get blown up.”

As he explained to his viewers and contemplated who to invite for duo queue, he suddenly received a new friend request.

【Jade has requested to add you as a friend】.

Jade is Cen Yu.

It occurred to Jiang Min that he hadn’t fulfilled his promise to add Cen Yu as a friend after losing the exhibition match last time.

Since that’s the case, why not duo queue with Cen Yu tonight?

He accepted the request.

Cen Yu was pleasantly surprised.

He thought Jiang Min wouldn’t add him as a friend on this main account, especially with Yu Hao, that little wolf cub, keeping an eye on things. Yu Hao seemed quite displeased with him adding Sugar God as a friend.

He was just trying his luck, searching for Jiang Min’s ID and adding him as a friend.

Unexpectedly, the other party accepted.

Cen Yu internally celebrated his victory.

Jade: 【Yay! Sugar God, you finally added me as a friend!】

Jiang Min shivered.

Since when did Cen Yu learn the art of acting cute like Lock?

The barrage of comments became excited.

【Ah, ah, ah, Jade has finally joined Sugar God’s fishpond! Congratulations!】

【I remember Jade always failing to add Sugar God as a friend. How did he suddenly succeed today?】

【It seems to be because of the bet from Z’s family exhibition match last time…】

【By the way, why isn’t Yu Team beside Sugar God today? I’m not used to the sudden silence】

【Not used to +1】

Jiang Min stared at the barrage for a moment, feeling a bit stunned.

See, even the barrage feels uncomfortable without Little Fish, so what about him?

So it’s really necessary to change the current situation. Otherwise, if Yu Hao doesn’t have as much time to spend with him in the future, he really won’t be used to it.

Jade: 【Sugar God, can we duo queue tonight? The games in the afternoon made me feel bad, I need some comfort】

Jiang Min tilted his head slightly and glanced at the empty seat beside him where Yu Hao usually sat. After a brief moment of hesitation, he quickly typed a response.

Mid Lane Veteran: 【Sure】

Author’s Note: Sugar: Hmm, Little Fish probably has a girlfriend now. I need to get used to the days without him around.

Yu Little Fish Roared: No! Sugar, you’re my wife!

Sugar will slowly realize his relationship with Little Fish~

Poor Little Fish, I hope he doesn’t get too upset when he comes back and sees Sugar and Jade “sweet duo queueing”, KKKK

1TL: YSIAD “You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you ️”