ARML CH40

The Tianhuan team had been training constantly recently to prepare for the final match of the playoffs.

Captain Chi trained exceptionally seriously. Bringing out [Paladin] as a Jungler in the match was certainly not a whim; he had practiced it for a long time. The few compositions for the grand finals had also been repeatedly verified by them.

So, where did Chi Shuo find the time to contact Xiao Bai privately? And even confirm that Xiao Bai was going to join Tianhuan?

Coach Lin looked at Chi Shuo with a face full of confusion: “When did you contact him?”

Chi Shuo said seriously: “First, I sent gifts in his stream and added him as a friend. During the Jingzhe vs. Huowen match at the Star City Esports Center, I invited him to the venue and met him in the spectator seating. That day, I took him to do the talent test. I also impersonated a Tianhuan coach… cough, but he recognized me very quickly.”

Coach Lin: “…”

No wonder Chi Shuo didn’t come to the backstage viewing area that day. When someone asked Cheng Xing, Xiao Xing said, “My master might not be feeling well, he’s staying at the hotel”—Not feeling well, my foot! Your master was impersonating a coach and secretly meeting someone! And even swiftly dragged them off for a talent test!

Coach Lin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “You really move with godly speed. I was originally thinking of contacting this Xiao Bai to see after the playoffs were over. I didn’t expect you to beat me to it.”

Chi Shuo’s expression was calm: “I knew Coach Lin wouldn’t mind. You were busy studying playoff tactics those few days, and I happened to have time, so I took the initiative to contact Xiao Bai to prevent other teams from getting to him first.”

Lin Feng was a first-generation player of Tianhuan, with even more seniority than Chi Shuo’s master. He was like the patriarch of Tianhuan, carefully nurturing this team. As long as it was for Tianhuan’s sake, Lin Feng wouldn’t be angry at Chi Shuo’s unauthorized actions. This was also the key reason why Chi Shuo dared to contact Xiao Bai privately.

Lin Feng looked down again at the talent test results sheet.

The talent test is mandatory for every professional player. Among Tianhuan’s current team members, Chi Shuo’s score was 5S, Cheng Xing had 1A and 4S, and Qu Jiang and Qin Yizhu both had 2A and 3S.

Actually, according to the league’s requirements, achieving an ‘A’ in all 5 tests is enough to play professionally. Hand speed, reaction speed—these are innate conditions. Matches also depend on the understanding of the game and the grasp of timing. Therefore, Coach Lin wasn’t superstitious about test results; there were also many players with 5A test scores who became tier-one players in their respective teams.

But if a person’s test score is 5S, and their understanding of the game is also exceptionally outstanding—that’s quite terrifying! It’s equivalent to pairing the strongest computer hardware with the best software!

Such a player is something you can only hope for, not seek. Once they appear, they will be fiercely fought over by major teams. Fortunately, Chi Shuo acted fast enough; other teams probably didn’t know Xiao Bai’s test results were this outstanding yet.

Coach Lin looked excitedly at Chi Shuo: “Quick, tell me his situation. How old is this kid this year?”

Chi Shuo was silent for a moment before saying: “He’s not a kid. He’s 21 years old this year.”

Coach Lin: “…?”

Chi Shuo quickly followed up: “He only plays Mid-laner, and he wants to be a starter.”

Coach Lin: “???”

An awkward silence fell over the training room.

Chi Shuo had already guessed Coach Lin’s reaction. If Xiao Bai were a talented seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth, Coach Lin might immediately book a flight back to Star City tomorrow to negotiate a contract with him. However, the age of 21 was indeed quite awkward. Cultivating him from scratch was too late; letting him play as a starter directly was too risky.

Chi Shuo observed Coach Lin’s face, noticing his expression constantly changing colors. This feeling was agonizing, like finally finding a glittering golden treasure chest, joyfully stepping forward to open it, only to find the box contained a note: “Thanks for participating.”

Coach Lin remained silent for a moment, let out a long sigh, and said: “What a pity, what a pity.”

Chi Shuo, however, said: “I don’t think it’s a pity.”

Coach Lin turned to look at him: “Starting esports at 21 isn’t a pity? If he had debuted at seventeen or eighteen like you, he would already be a top-tier player by now.”

Chi Shuo said: “Does Coach remember how old I am this year?”

Coach Lin blurted out: “You celebrated your 21st birthday at the beginning of the year, so you should be considered 22, right?”

Chi Shuo said seriously: “I’m 22 and still playing matches. He’s one year younger than me. Why can’t he?”

Coach Lin frowned in conflict: “You can’t put it that way. You already have four years of major tournament experience. He’s still a rookie! A rookie! A 21-year-old rookie has never appeared in the entire China professional league.”

Chi Shuo asked: “In Coach’s eyes, is a player’s age the most important thing?”

Coach Lin immediately denied: “Of course not. When evaluating a player, the key is still talent.”

Chi Shuo raised an eyebrow: “Is Xiao Bai’s talent not enough? A 5S test score, 4 national server badges in half a month. How many professional players might not even reach his level?”

Coach Lin: “…………”

He really couldn’t out-argue Chi Shuo! Don’t be fooled by this guy’s usual taciturnity. When it actually came to debating with him, the coaching staff could rarely persuade him; more often than not, he persuaded the coaches. For example, having Cheng Xing switch to Marksman was also an initiative Chi Shuo brought up, which the coaching staff ultimately agreed to.

Chi Shuo wasn’t a captain just along for the ride; he had his own understanding and persistence on many matters. However, Xiao Bai, this 21-year-old rookie, wanted to be a starter, and play the mid-lane role? How could the coaching staff easily compromise on this point?

This was the rhythm of a massive roster overhaul for Tianhuan.

Coach Lin frowned and said, “If Xiao Bai plays the mid-lane, what about Qu Jiang?”

Chi Shuo said, “Qu Jiang can switch to Support.”

Coach Lin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “You’ve completely mapped out Qu Jiang’s future just to sign him.”

Chi Shuo said sternly, “Qu Jiang’s style is actually more suited for the Support role. He plays artillery and control mages very well, and his performance is very stable, but mage assassins are his weak point. In an advantageous game, Qu Jiang can secure the lead, but in a disadvantageous game, Qu Jiang cannot seek a breakthrough alongside me.”

Looking into Coach Lin’s eyes, Chi Shuo said seriously, “Tianhuan’s results have declined in recent years; the jungle is frequently targeted, and our matches constantly fall into a passive state. Coach, have you forgotten how we made it into the World Championship back then?”

Mid-jungle synergy.

In the S6 season, Tianhuan was able to reach the World Championship by relying on mid-jungle synergy.

Captain Ming’s Mid-laner and the young Chi Shuo’s Jungler killed everywhere they went. In advantageous games, they could snowball the economy and swiftly secure victory; in disadvantageous games, they could seek breakthroughs by assassinating the enemy core. The Tianhuan of that year could no longer be replicated.

But what if there was a comprehensively skilled Mid-laner who could keep up with Chi Shuo’s tempo? Why would Chi Shuo need to hide his sharp edge, play minion wave macro, and play a Utility Jungler to yield all the economy to his teammates?!

Thinking of this, Coach Lin’s nose suddenly felt a bit sore. He actually knew very well that it wasn’t Chi Shuo’s skills that had declined, but rather that the current Tianhuan couldn’t allow Chi Shuo’s Jungle Carry to display its true power.

The opponents specifically stared down Chi Shuo, and Tianhuan only had this one strongest point; what could Chi Shuo do? A single-core team is just bound hand and foot like this, unable to unleash itself.

Unless there was a second core to help Chi Shuo share the pressure, like Captain Ming in S6—back then, everyone stared at the mid-lane, which finally gave Chi Shuo’s Jungle Carry the opportunity to shine!

Coach Lin fell into deep thought.

Chi Shuo knew the coach was considering the possibility of letting Xiao Bai join the team. He didn’t interrupt Coach Lin’s thoughts; instead, he opened a pre-prepared table on the computer.

A moment later, Coach Lin snapped out of it. Seeing this table, he couldn’t help but be surprised: “Xiao Bai’s match history table?”

Chi Shuo nodded: “En, take a look. The four national server badges he’s obtained so far are for [Abyssal Lord], [Illusionist], [Frost Goddess], and [Goddess of Destiny]. Have you noticed anything?”

Coach Lin stroked his chin and analyzed: “Abyssal Lord is a mage assassin requiring a massive amount of precise micro-operations to control the shadows. Illusionist is also a mage assassin; this hero’s mechanics are relatively simple, but require extremely strong macro vision and game sense.” “Frost Goddess is a classic control mage, relying on precise prediction for her freezing skills. Goddess of Destiny is an artillery mage, but she is the most mechanically demanding artillery mage…”

Speaking up to here, Coach Lin’s eyes suddenly lit up: “High-difficulty mage assassin, game-sense mage assassin, control-type mid-laner, the hardest artillery mid-laner—he got these four national server badges specifically to show the coaches of major teams, didn’t he?!”

A smile of appreciation surfaced in Chi Shuo’s eyes: “Yes. He’s proving himself—he can play all types of mid-lane heroes very well.”

Coach Lin: “…”

4 national server badges, perfectly matching 4 types of mid-lane heroes. Most players prefer to practice the same type of hero first. For example, if some players like control types, after mastering [Frost Goddess], they usually practice other control heroes like [Ocean Goddess] or [Storm Goddess]. Someone like Xiao Bai, who practices one of each type, is truly rare.

Unless he did it on purpose.

His speed in getting national server badges like this was indeed subtly telling everyone—

I know how to play all types of mages. I can get as many national server badges as I want!

Coach Lin drew a sharp breath and said, “Are you sure he’s not a smurf from some foreign region returning? How could a rookie learn heroes so fast!”

Chi Shuo said calmly, “In this world, there are always some highly talented individuals who can accomplish in a very short time what others can never achieve.”

Back then, Chi Shuo also only took a week to get a national server badge with [Bloodstained Assassin].

Coach Xu from the Star City youth training base was assassinated by Chi Shuo three consecutive times in a ranked match. Discovering this remarkably talented youth, he pulled Chi Shuo into the youth training base to cultivate him. Later, Chi Shuo was scouted by Tianhuan’s Captain Ming, taken as a disciple, and officially began his professional career.

Some people’s talent truly surpasses the hard work of many.

If Xiao Bai was also such a talented player… 21 years old might not really be too late. After all, if his acceptance speed for new heroes was this fast, it meant his speed in adapting to team coordination would naturally be very fast too! Even if he only knew 4 heroes right now, he could rapidly master others.

There were still a few months until the start of the next season. If they signed Xiao Bai now, had him join the team, and started trial training early, there would be plenty of time! After all, Old Nie was retiring, Cheng Xing was the new Marksman, and Tianhuan’s team composition next season was bound to be adjusted. Why not just adjust everything at once?

Qu Jiang switching to Support? Coach Lin stroked his chin thoughtfully—Although Qu Jiang wasn’t like Mid-laners from other teams with flashy Triple Kills and Pentakills, he was the most reassuring player in all of Tianhuan, with a very low error rate. It’s just that Qu Jiang, with only an ‘A’ rating in hand speed and anti-interference tests, didn’t react fast enough at critical moments. Therefore, he was better at playing control rather than assault-type mage assassins.

Control-type Supports are also very important. A formidable Support diving directly into the crowd during a team fight and controlling 2-3 enemies, or even Flashing into the backline to control the Double Carries, can help teammates swiftly win the team fight.

Coach Lin gently clenched his fists. He felt his heartbeat seemingly accelerating—because he found that Chi Shuo was absolutely right! If Qu Jiang switched to Support, Xiao Xing’s instability factor could be resolved through Qu Jiang. A rookie Marksman paired with a Support who knows the team inside and out—even if the bottom lane can’t beat the opponent, at least they won’t collapse!

And for the Mid-laner, selecting an outstandingly game-sense-driven mid-core who can synergize with Chi Shuo would greatly alleviate Chi Shuo’s pressure.

Next season’s Tianhuan would feature a mid-jungle dual-core synergy, paired with a highly pressure-resistant Top Laner, an exceptionally stable Support, and an outstandingly talented new Marksman! Although it was a massive roster overhaul, it was also possible they could break through their predicament. They might even make a push for the World Championship!

So what if he’s 21? Xiao Bai’s talent is visible to the naked eye. A 5S rating means his reaction, hand speed, and other conditions are no worse than a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth!

Coach Lin’s eyes grew red with excitement, and he hurriedly said, “Contact Xiao Bai immediately, tell him I want to meet with him! I guess we aren’t the only team keeping an eye on him; other teams must have also seen the deeper meaning behind him getting these 4 national server heroes, especially Beimu! Beimu’s Mid-laner is their weak point. If Beimu poached Xiao Bai, the consequences would be unimaginable!”

Beimu’s strongest asset was the Zhao siblings’ side lanes, while their mid-lane level was average. If Xiao Bai joined Beimu, how would other teams even play? You can’t beat their top lane, you can’t beat their bottom lane, and now you can’t beat their mid-lane either?

Chi Shuo had long anticipated this possibility, which was why he acted immediately, first grinding some favorability with Xiao Bai. Didn’t he successfully lure Xiao Bai over this way?

Chi Shuo opened his phone and showed Coach Lin the chat log between the two of them—

[Since I promised to join Tianhuan, I won’t go to any other team.]

Seeing this sentence from Xiao Bai, Coach Lin’s eyes curved into smiles. He patted Chi Shuo’s shoulder and said, “You truly deserve to be the most responsible captain, doing half my job as a coach for me! Should I share my salary next month with you?”

Chi Shuo replied, “That’s not necessary. Just try to negotiate a higher signing fee for Xiao Bai when the time comes.”

Coach Lin nodded, “Of course. We aren’t signing Xiao Bai as a rookie; we’re treating him according to the standards of a main roster player.” Coach Lin paused, then asked with concern, “By the way, is Xiao Bai an Alpha, or…?”

Recalling the familiar scent of the Alpha pheromone masking agent he smelled at the venue back then, Chi Shuo nodded with certainty and said, “That’s right, he’s an Alpha.”

__

Author’s Note:

Ye Shaoyang: “???” I’m an Alpha? Why didn’t I know?