Even if the outside world had many doubts about SSK's performance in the group stages of the finals this year, and some even criticized them, for the three LPL teams and the remaining top eight teams, even if they had personally witnessed SSK's performance over the past few days, they were still cautious and vigilant against the world's strongest team.
It was a simple reason.
It was because SSK was the world's strongest team.
From the beginning to the end, since the start of the S1 season until now, this team from Korea's LCK division had never disappointed the world in the past five or six years.
They had never allowed any team that underestimated them to gain the slightest bit of advantage from them.
Yes.
It could be admitted that SSK's performance in this year's group stages was not as good as expected compared to previous years. In particular, the performance of their mid laner, F- Han Shihao, could only be described as disappointing.
Players from other teams and clubs could not help but speculate that something was wrong with SSK this year.
However, this kind of thought only flashed through their minds.
However, his vigilance and vigilance were still present in his heart.
To put it more bluntly —
Even until now, no team really believed that something was wrong with SSK.
Even if they did see something unfathomable in SSK's performance and performance, because their opponent was the world's strongest team, "unfathomable" and "unfathomable" became a mysterious veil over SSK.
If it were other teams, then forget about it. Perhaps something really had gone wrong.
But if it was SSK —
It must be that they were still unfathomable and had yet to truly discover what this team was hiding.
Over the past few days, the various teams had not let up on their surveillance of SSK's team. Both openly and covertly, they tried to gather as much information as possible.
But it was true that SSK's club was too secretive in this regard.
They did not accept any direct interviews with the outside world.
When they accepted interviews, they would not easily reveal any crucial information.
As for the various teams trying to invite SSK for a few more mock matches, they were politely and unquestionably rejected by the coaches and leaders of SSK Club.
Therefore, this layer of fog continued to linger around SSK.
This made the other teams scratch their ears and cheeks in frustration, but they really couldn't think of any better solutions.
But now —
As the results of the group draw for the quarterfinals came out, there seemed to be a faint hope of unraveling the mystery that had been plaguing the hearts of the various teams.
This time, SSK's opponent in the quarterfinals was Season.
They were SSK's opponents in the finals last year.
In fact, prior to this year, if one were to rank all of the top professional teams in the world, SSK would undoubtedly be ranked first. North America's Season was right behind them, firmly sitting on the throne of second place.
Therefore, as Tian Tian said,
If it was Season 5, then they would have the ability to force SSK to reveal even more secrets.
"And be reasonable —"
Shi Hang abruptly spoke up.
"Let's not talk about whether or not SSK is hiding something. Based on their current state, with Season and Autumn's strength, SSK might even be eliminated in the quarterfinals, right?"
Everyone was silent for a moment.
Then, they looked at each other and nodded cautiously.
"Yes."
"Indeed … there is such a possibility."
It wasn't to say that SSK was weak in their current state. Even when SSK was at their peak last year, the final set of 'best-of-five' against Season was still 3-1. The latter still had a fighting chance.
This year, when the two teams met again, Season's condition and morale were as high as ever. Therefore, if they met SSK in their current state, it might not be as simple as forcing SSK to reveal their trump card. They might even be able to defeat SSK in the quarterfinals and advance to the next round.
Shadow Puppet's mouth fell open.
"Then …"
"This is really an unprecedented event, right?"
The champion of the finals.
The team that had never fallen out of the semifinals or even the finals.
If they were to fall in the quarterfinals this year, the impact would be even greater than Assassin's fall in the group stage.
But when everyone looked at each other again, they shook their heads.
"It's still too hard to say …"
"We'll have to wait and see how the two teams fight."
Huangxue Nightsong's lips twitched.
"It's hard to say what the result will be."
"But … Season must be giving it their all, right?"
…
After the lot-drawing ceremony for the quarterfinals had ended, the members of the various clubs followed their respective coaches and left the stadium to return to the hotel. At the entrance of the stadium, the members of Legend and Season coincidentally bumped into each other.
Phoenix walked over and greeted Autumn.
"You guys aren't that lucky."
The first thing he said was a joke that rejoiced in his misfortune.
Autumn glanced at her old rival.
"You guys sure are lucky."
Indeed.
Both teams had advanced from Group B, but when it came to the quarterfinals, the difference in luck between the two teams was like heaven and earth.
One of them drew the weakest team in the quarterfinals, Team Rapids.
The other drew the world's strongest team, SSK.
Phoenix couldn't stop the smile on his face.
"Yeah."
"For us, there's probably no better draw than this."
Autumn said calmly.
"Don't celebrate too early."
"Even if it's the third seeded team in the LPL, if you guys aren't careful, you might suffer a huge loss."
Phoenix's expression turned serious.
"Of course."
"How can a team that made it to the quarterfinals be weak?"
"Our goal isn't just this. We'll definitely give it our all in this match."
Europe's number one wizard changed the topic and laughed again. "But if it's Season, you don't need anyone to remind you. You have to give it your all in this match."
Autumn nodded.
"Yes, we have to give it our all."
Phoenix's smile faded. "F is definitely up to something. Don't be careless."
Although he had said that there was no need to remind them, Legend's mid laner captain still had to give them a warning.
"You're quite diligent." Autumn looked at her old rival.
Phoenix shrugged.
"Of course, if I had a choice, I'd rather fight Season than meet SSK in the semifinals or the finals."
Autumn's expression was calm.
"Don't worry."
"According to the schedule, we should be able to advance to the semifinals faster than you guys."
Phoenix raised an eyebrow. "Oh, looks like you're very confident."
A rare smile appeared on Autumn's face.
"If you don't even have that much confidence."
"Then don't fight in the finals, right?"
*****
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