Chapter 430: Rankings Locked

After winning 2-0 against NB, VG's overall record reached 14-0. Given the performance of other teams in Group B, no team could surpass them anymore, meaning VG secured first place in Group B about half a month early.

Liang Yan did not start researching MSI early.

There were still two matches left, against EDG and WE. Lu Wenjun very much wanted to achieve the unprecedented perfect regular-season record, and he promised a bunch of benefits; therefore the team did not relax training, and even under the heavy rewards, their training enthusiasm grew even higher.

Of course, the work of researching the new version in advance was also underway; this part was assigned to Tabe, while Liang Yan did not get deeply involved, only occasionally offering a few pointers, mainly about Galio—the reworked Galio was officially launched in patch 7.6.

The overseas server's version update came one week earlier than the domestic server's; based on the overseas situation, the impact of Galio's rework on the game environment seems minor, its popularity among players is also just average, and it can hardly be called mainstream.

Moreover, the LCK playoffs had already begun the previous week, using exactly patch 7.6; so far two games have been played, and Galio has not appeared.

So Tabe found it a bit strange: why did Liang Yan specifically remind him to study Galio? Nobody uses it anyway; its damage is just average, its tankiness also just average, and only its support looks decent—but if you can't secure lane priority, even a seemingly strong support ability is nothing but a castle in the air, utterly unable to fulfill its intended function…

Tabe really couldn't see what about the reworked Galio deserved Liang Yan's attention; frankly, it's not even as good as the rock sparrow—it's just a low‑budget version of the rock sparrow.

However, Liang Yan's prestige within the team is unmatched; since it's an order from the team's ace, Tabe would comply even if he had doubts—so he'll study it.

If you don't study, you won't know; as Tabe delved deeper into researching Galio, he gradually discovered the champion's strengths, especially how well it fits with VG's various tactical systems!

If Marquis has no objections here, this reworked Galio could even become a new trump card for VG!

……

April 11, the domestic server launched patch 7.7, and the officials simultaneously announced that this patch would be used for the LPL playoffs.

The overseas server had already updated to patch 7.7 the week before last, and VG's members had already experienced the patch environment on Han Fu. Overall, the three phantom gods of the regular season were completely shattered in patch 7.7; even Azure Steel Shadow could not escape, as the external hit of its W ability no longer restores health when striking minions, its lane sustain was severely nerfed, and the duration of its ultimate's target lock was reduced from a flat 4 seconds to 2.5/3.2/4 seconds, greatly weakening its early-game synergy with jungle ganks; thus, its pick rate in the playoffs will surely plummet.

Fortunately, Fu Lan Duo's champion pool needs no worry; she had already practiced several substitute champions in advance. For utility roles she has Shen, Wine Barrel, Bo Bi, etc.; for fighters she has Crocodile, Kled, Jayce; additionally there are a few somewhat special picks, such as the resurgent tanky Xiao Yu Ren, and Kai'nan Lan Bo naturally falls within the usable range, making it fairly comprehensive.

Moreover, the Zhong Lu environment has also changed, but everything remains unclear; each side has its own interpretation, and only by playing will we know who is correct.

However, VG, as the LPL's version barometer, inevitably has its five-position players' solo/duo queue records frequently scrutinized; come playoffs, someone might try to copy their homework in advance, but the things VG hasn't yet exposed in solo/duo queue—such as Marquis secretly practicing Galio on a smurf—cannot be copied by other teams, and of course it's also possible that another team might independently discover Galio's strengths.

Two days later, VG faced EDG for the second time.

EDG knows it can no longer pull VG from first place in the group; second place is basically locked—unless WE later manages to beat VG and two other teams (three wins in a row) to overtake EDG in points, which seems unlikely; in this match, VG will almost certainly get past WE.

Thus, EDG, hoping at best to avoid a loss and easily secure second place, approached this Bo3 from the start with a giving‑up attitude; in the player list released at noon that day, the jungle slot was filled by Fireloli as the starter.

On VG's side, before the match they totaled up and also let Gangzi, who hadn't played in half a month, get on stage to maintain his match feel.

In the end, they again won 2‑0 easily.

After the match, EDG's leader A Bu, smiling broadly, knocked on the door of VG's lounge.

"Congratulations, you're one step closer to setting a record."

"Hahaha..."

Zhu Xiaolong didn't know how to respond, gave a foolish laugh to brush it off; truthfully he also hadn't expected A Bu to say that, and the other side looked rather pleased—didn't he see the piglets cursing people on Weibo?

I just don't get it, I just don't get it…

After some small talk, A Bu stated his purpose:

"Say, your upcoming scrims probably aren't fully booked yet, right? How about we hold a joint practice?"

"Well, that's true—our schedule isn't full yet."

Zhu Xiaolong went along with it, secretly glancing at department manager Gao Jun.

Gao Jun gave Liang Yan a look.

Liang Yan slightly raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders without a trace, indicating it was fine either way.

After the three exchanged glances, Zhu Xiaolong felt assured and said:

"Well, we'll see when the time comes; if we aren't placed in the same half‑bracket, we can hold a scrimmage, but if… haha, you know what I mean."

"Understood, understood, okay, let's agree on that for now—remember to keep a slot open for us, and we'll work out the exact timing later."

A Bu waved his hand, laughing as he entered and laughed as he left.

He appeared completely convinced that he would not end up in the same playoff half‑bracket as VG.

Zhu Xiaolong closed the door and looked at his teammates, bewildered.

"They…could they really have been deliberately throwing the match today?"

Gangzi snorted contemptuously and said:

"Do they even need to hold back? Honestly. They just came over to show their faces, acting as if they'd done us a favor."

Gangzi's remarks actually represent what the whole team thinks.

Gao Jun chuckled and said:

"No matter what, we are indeed one step closer to setting a record. Besides, our scrim schedule really isn't full, so giving them a day or two shouldn't hurt—after all, we're all in the LPL; we can't keep playing against other regions all the time, or netizens will gossip."

Tabe jumped in to answer:

"The pre‑playoff scrims are already fully booked; the slots from the 16th to the 18th are reserved for KT, and the rest of the schedule is open."

"That works—just give them two days."

"I have no objection."

"Well, let's tentatively decide it like this for now."