In the FV club’s backstage lounge, Min Jingchao, Bao Xu, Wu Yue, and others were closely following the match.

Audiences found releasing Chaos Fate absurd, but those in the lounge didn’t think so.

Because this was all a pre-planned strategy.

Though Chaos Fate could dominate teamfights once fed, selecting a long-range lane bully with an aggressive ganking jungler could completely shut it down early – a starved Chaos Fate would be free gold in fights.

Previous group stage teams struggled against Chaos Fate mainly due to unclear strategies and insufficient targeting, always letting it farm until 20 minutes before losing control in teamfights.

FV and SUG had repeatedly practiced this counter strategy, even preparing for Chaos Fate’s countermeasures. The opponents clearly lacked preparation – FV had this completely locked down.

As the match officially began, FV operated like precision machinery, executing each step of Zhou Pengyuan’s designed strategy.

Starting with vision scouting the enemy jungler, their jungler rushed level 2 and headed top lane. Simultaneously, their ranged top laner aggressively pushed waves, forcing Chaos Fate under the tower just as the jungler arrived. Both perfectly tower-dove for first blood!

Before the enemy jungler could alter their route and rush over, FV’s top-jungle duo had already escaped.

The Chaos Fate player was shell-shocked, cowering under a tower after respawning while getting poked mercilessly by the ranged champion.

CEM faced a dilemma: help or don’t help. Without help, Chaos Fate would be frozen out under the tower, basically unplayable with the hero disadvantage and first blood deficit. With help, getting counter-ganked meant top-mid-jungle exploding together, ending the game instantly!

Watching the match unfold exactly as planned, everyone in the lounge exhaled in relief, their tension completely dissolving.

Min Jingchao remarked, “We still overestimated them. I thought they’d be prepared seeing our composition, but they had zero wariness. They probably couldn’t even comprehend our draft!”

Wu Yue, not involved in daily training, was surprised seeing their strategy executed so perfectly: “Picking a lane bully plus an early tower-diving jungler can counter Chaos Fate infinitely – why couldn’t other teams figure this out?”

Min Jingchao smiled: “CEO Wu, it’s not that simple.”

“Complete strategies are complex, not simple rock-paper-scissors counters. Whether a strategy works or remains theoretical hinges on details and calculations.”

“First, our top-jungle picks are niche champions with previously low pick rates – teams fixated on meta picks wouldn’t consider them. Second, we did extensive preparation: studying enemy jungle paths, preemptive vision control to track their jungler, trading frequently during lane phase to set up minion health for dives, etc. Finally, our jungler took special defensive runes to survive tower hits for the dive without trading kills.”

“Chaos Fate is extremely weak early game, defenseless even under a tower. We wouldn’t choose level 2 dives against other champions.”

“More importantly, we discovered most IOL teams don’t understand turret damage and mechanics properly, mistakenly believing early tower hugging guarantees safety. IOL turrets look intimidating, but aren’t as strong as assumed. Let minions tank first shot, dodge the final hit with abilities, and it’s enough to kill Chaos Fate…”

Wu Yue nodded appreciatively, thoroughly convinced.

This was the power of data!

Other teams might consider early targeting against Chaos Fate, but without proper data support, they’d never imagine level 2 tower dives.

Min Jingchao continued: “This was a GOG strategy. In previous IOL versions, such dives were risky, but new version adjustments accelerating jungle clear speeds meant GOG’s tactics now worked here.”

“We’ve synergized well with Finger Company’s version updates.”

…

In Jingzhou.

Pei Qian froze with his chips halfway to his mouth.

The game’s progression on TV made no sense to him!

FV relentlessly camped top lane – the Chaos Fate trembled under the tower the entire time. When teammates didn’t come, he died alone. When they came, they died together. A picture of pure misery.

CEM was rattled, and teammates were uncertain whether to help. Without help, Chaos Fate would get crushed, unable to develop at all. With help, they risked dying together.

In constant hesitation, they gradually lost momentum.

Meanwhile, FV operated like precision machinery – five players moving as perfect components, systematically controlling vision, securing objectives, catching enemies, while the massive top lane advantage radiated across the map.

Finally, at just 25 minutes, FV’s snowballed economic lead crushed CEM in one push, ending the fight.

Game one finished overwhelmingly – score updated to 1:0!

During the break, players returned to the lounges. Camera panned to CEM members – their previous confident, proud smiles completely vanished, replaced by confusion and bewilderment.

Never seen the game played like this!

Previous group stage wins boosted their confidence, but facing FV made them question if they were playing the same game. Completely outclassed strategically, powerless against FV’s dominance.

Worst part – their coach might not know how to approach the next two games.

If losses were just due to Chaos Fate, banning it next game would suffice. But this defeat was comprehensive – tactical and execution gaps were insurmountable between the teams. How to proceed?

CEM never expected getting hammered game one by a universally underrated team – reality was hard to accept.

On Pei Qian’s screen, chat sentiment shifted entirely.

Previous questions about FV releasing Chaos Fate disappeared, replaced by floods of “6666” and praise.

Even persistent trolls fell silent.

The match was spectacular!

Unlike group stage teams, FV drafted early comp and went full aggro – level 2 tower dives, repeatedly camping top, constant invades, cleaning enemy jungle, rapid snowballing without giving opponents any breathing room!

They even fountain dived and BM’d at the end – ruthless.

Actually, Finger Company’s IOL redesign aimed to speed up pace, increase aggression, enhance viewing experience. FV perfectly showcased the new version’s characteristics – embodying pure violence.

Watching previously OP Chaos Fate getting repeatedly dove and abused, dying twice within five minutes, gave viewers strange satisfaction.

Days of foreign mockery about “cn lol noob” finally had an outlet!

However, everyone knew this was just BO5 game one – optimism needed restraint. FV found Chaos Fate’s counter, essentially using their trump card for victory.

Next game, opponents could self-ban Chaos Fate. Outcome remained uncertain.

Previously dejected domestic IOL fans felt renewed hope, regaining spirits to continue watching!

…

Los Angeles is, match venue.

Zhao Xuming sat below, watching FV steamroll to victory, shock written across his face.

During nearly two hours of gameplay, Zhao had this surreal feeling that the world wasn’t real!

On-stage commentary came from Finger Company’s official casters – perfect English pronunciation, tremendously passionate.

On the big screen, the purple side pushed into the blue’s high ground, final battle imminent.

“CEM loses one member, falling apart! FV capitalizes! No miracle occurs – CEM’s last-ditch perfect teamfight to save themselves fails due to FV’s preemptive vision exposing everything!”

“FV maintains perfect formation, advancing like an unstoppable war machine, leaving CEM in utter despair!”

“Sadly, this match won’t enter history books because it ended at just 25 minutes. The stomp was so one-sided we can’t determine if we severely underestimated FV or if CEM underperformed for unknown reasons?”

Regardless, pre-tournament underdogs FV showed their fangs, proving themselves with three dominant victories. Perhaps all competitors must reassess this Eastern team’s true strength. Their in-game performance matches their Twitter presence – equally stunning!”

English commentators praised FV lavishly.

Today’s matches completely conquered everyone, even challenging their understanding of the game.

Zhao Xuming was completely bewildered, nearly hallucinating.

FV 3:0’d opponents, reaching semifinals?

Every match lasted around 25 minutes of swift slaughter, completely one-sided!

During games, FV displayed two styles:

In the laning and snowballing phases, players moved like robots, executing tasks perfectly with zero errors.

Once ahead, they became extremely aggressive – tower diving, BM-ing, fountain diving, treating opponents like practice dummies, turning quarterfinals into a stomp fest!

This only happens when massive skill and game understanding gaps exist.

Zhao expected FV to get 3:0’d, ready to unleash hired trolls, but FV crushed opponents 3:0!

All prepared talking points – wasted!

Zhao only felt confused now.

Wasn’t FV similar to SUG in strength? Winning one game was already an upset, but a 3:0 crushing of Europeans? What gives?

Zhao suspected Mr. Pei had secretly replaced all five FV players – otherwise, how could such a dramatic transformation happen so quickly?

Not just Zhao – Dragon Yu Group, Finger Company, worldwide audiences – none understood.

Mr. Pei’s maneuver transcended everyone’s comprehension.