Chapter 711: Given time, he could grow to the height of Jiao Shen

In the first game of the VG versus IG match, Ning picked Kha'Zix, dominated Gao Tianliang's head, and with a decisive win shattered VG's unbeaten streak.

"Congrats IG! Leading VG 1-0!"

"Wow, IG!"

Nobody expected that VG's winning streak, which had held since the spring split, would be broken in such a seemingly calm match.

Instantly, hot searches flooded the internet, and the whole net erupted.

Zhihu: "How should we view IG's win in the first game of today's LPL regular season VG vs IG match, breaking VG's unbeaten streak—has VG's strength deteriorated?"

Weibo: "#IG 1:0 VG, who is MVP#"

Some streaming site: "The new top laner is in godly form, helping IG take down VG—IG is soaring!"

Tieba: "What's going on? VG lost to IG???"

Similar sensational headlines flooded the entire internet.

But the match had only played one game; it was far from over.

Meanwhile backstage, at the moment VG's crystal exploded, Liang Yan sat on the lounge sofa, shifting slightly, stroking his chin, his eyes glimmering with keen interest.

Everyone came back, their expressions looking a bit dazed.

Gao Tianliang wasn't just dazed; he panicked, feeling he hadn't played well, that losing this game was entirely his fault, destroying VG's invincible winning streak, not knowing what kind of backlash would appear online, and feeling his good days were completely over—his already pale face turned even paler.

Liang Yan gave Zhu Xiaolong a look; Zhu Xiaolong understood, stood up, walked over, patted Tian's shoulder, pulled Tian to sit down, and softly comforted him.

The others were emotionally stable, just seeming not to have snapped back to reality.

Fu Lan Duo asked Liang Yan: "How did we lose?"

Liang Yan chuckled: "Don't you know how you lost your own match?"

Fu Lan Duo unusually honestly shook his head: "I don't know, I just felt something was off as we played—we lost lane, lost teamfights, and then the frontline teamfight fell apart and we exploded."

Liang Yan rolled his eyes, too lazy to bother with him.

Still, Easyhoon was straightforward, answering Fu Lan Duo's doubt: "The enemy's mid and top lanes are strong; you and Zitai have no lane priority, Xiao Tian's jungle kept being invaded by Kha'Zix, the jungle monsters were cleared by Ning, Xiao Tian fell behind so much that in teamfights it was like missing a player; although your execution was tighter, the enemy had a big advantage and indeed their mechanics were better than yours."

Just then, Tian's choked voice came from the side: "Sorry, I've let everyone down…… I…… I won't play anymore…… it's all my fault……"

This is… making the kid lose confidence…

Although Tian's method of dealing with Kha'Zix invasion in this game had issues, the main reason for losing the match is definitely not his fault; if we must assign blame, this game was lost because the mid and top lanes didn't win and then the jungle collapsed, but the mid and top lanes not winning isn't due to faulty play—it's simply that the enemy's laning strength is indeed stronger.

That's Theshy plus Rookie—where in this era's LPL you could find a stronger top-mid duo than these two?

Then add Ning's super aggressive play, plus the new hero Kha'Zix's trait boost—timing, location, and harmony all aligned—VG's loss in this game can be said to be wholly deserved.

"It's fine, this game isn't your fault." Liang Yan truly feared this match would put Tian off playing professionally, so he also spoke up to comfort him.

Zhu Xiaolong patted Tian's back, looked up at Liang Yan, and asked: "Next game, you going up?"

Liang Yan nodded.

Everyone seeing this secretly breathed a sigh of relief, instantly feeling at ease.

Zhu Xiaolong also told Tian: "It's okay, Xiao Tian, take a break, adjust your emotions, Liang Yan will play next game—watch how he does."

Tian quickly wiped his eyes, looked at Liang Yan and nodded firmly: "Master, don't be disappointed in me—I'll definitely watch closely and learn! From now on I won't let you lose face!"

Liang Yan was speechless: "I never acknowledged being your master!"

But I never objected either.

……

Han Guo.

SKT Ji Di.

Kkoma: "Confirmed, Fire will play next match."

Faker said nothing, just rested his elbows on the armrests of his gaming chair, hands clasped as if in prayer.

SSG Ji Di.

Likewise, the whole team was present, a crowd gathered around a projection screen showing the LPL regular season's live broadcast; from coach to player, everyone wore a solemn expression, like believers awaiting a divine miracle.

Also KT, LZ……

Even the LMS region's FW, AHQ……

And Europe, North America……

At this very moment, IG, back on stage, still didn't realize that merely winning one small game against VG had drawn the gaze of every team worldwide aspiring to achieve good results at the S7 World Championship.

At the LPL venue, the five IG players sat in the player section, chatting and laughing freely.

Winning the previous game against VG actually surprised them, because the whole match had been unusually easy—except the bottom lane being pressured a bit badly by Sima Laozei, the others hardly felt any pressure.

Turns out VG wasn't that strong……

This feeling inevitably grew in everyone's hearts at IG; it didn't make them complacent, but instead injected a wave of confidence, making them feel that even if VG sent Liang Yan out in the second game, IG might still have a fighting chance!

Including in the LPL live chat, many people were doubting VG, and even many VG fans began to waver.

【IG really is a bit fierce, VG is in danger】

【Not just a bit fierce—Theshy and Ning are practically superhuman!】

【VG needs to ban Kha'Zix—this thing's jungle clear speed is absurd, it can clear an entire jungle in a few seconds, totally insane!】

【Actually, don't you feel Ning's playstyle is very similar to Jiao Shen's?】

【The LPL is famous for producing junglers, and this year talent is pouring forth!】

【Ning's talent feels no inferior to Jiao Shen's; given time, he should also be able to grow to that height of Jiao Shen】

【I admit Ning's talent is no less than Jiao Shen's, but in looks Ning will never be comparable to Jiao Shen!】

【Looks-obsessed scram! Esports fandom fans, stay out of the way!】

The dense barrage of comments felt that IG had a good chance to take down VG in this Bo3, while also believing that if Liang Yan played he would surely crush IG—almost a fifty-fifty split.

The camera panned over the VG player bench; Liang Yan propped his head on one hand, while Sheng Qiang Ge kept chattering nonstop, but Liang Yan seemed uninterested in his topic, looking a bit bored, then suddenly covered his mouth and yawned.

By the way, this set of middle lane is still thief-like, and the bottom lane has switched to Gangzi.