According to the schedule for the top 36 in the National University Tournament, the teams weren't decided by drawing lots. Instead, they were randomly selected by the computer. [No Pop-Up Window]
Not long before Lin Feng and An Xin returned, Chu Fangnan received a notification from the Guangzhou Television Association.
The results were out.
The Shanghai Television Association was assigned to play the day after tomorrow. Their opponent was the third-place team from the southern region, Guangzhou University of Science and Technology.
"Guangke?"
An Xin was sitting on the edge of the bed with her Galen doll. She raised her eyebrows when she heard the name of their opponent.
"Looks like we're in luck this time."
"They're not that strong."
Ceng Rui nodded. "Yes, Guangke's team strength index is evaluated to be around B grade. Although they are ranked in the top three in the South China region, they shouldn't be a difficult opponent for us to deal with."
Indeed, when Lin Feng and the others were fighting in the East China region's regional qualifiers, the opponents Lin Feng and the others had encountered, whether it was Zhejiang University or Fudan University, were all strong teams with a comprehensive evaluation index of B + and above. They were a whole level higher than the Guangzhou University of Science and Technology.
To be honest, Guang Ke's strength was almost on the same level as a team like the Shanghai Institute of Finance.
Previously, the Shanghai Institute of Finance had been defeated by Lin Feng's team with a score of 3: 0.
"Then there's no pressure at all in the top 36 this time!"
Said Lin Feng in a carefree manner.
Ceng Rui frowned. "We can't underestimate our opponents too much. This is the top 36. We have to observe the other teams' matches as much as possible."
This trip to Guangzhou wasn't as simple as just one round of the top 36.
According to the rules set by the organizer, the top 36 teams would be eliminated first. Then, four teams would be selected from the remaining 18 teams for an additional round of elimination. Finally, 16 teams would be selected to compete in the top 16.
In other words, there would be two rounds of matches.
If they were unlucky, they would have to fight three rounds.
Lin Feng waved his hand nonchalantly. "It doesn't matter if it's two or three rounds. We'll definitely win anyway!"
His tone was matter-of-fact.
Ceng Rui rubbed his temples and decided that it was better to ignore someone. Then, he seemed to have thought of something and added,
"Oh right, the captain of Zhejiang University's team, Sun Ruinian, just called."
"They said they're asking if we have time tonight to have a mock confrontation training match with them."
…
Compared to the good luck of the Shanghai Telecommunications Association team, the Zhejiang University team, which had also narrowly advanced to the next round, appeared to be slightly unlucky.
Their opponent in this round was the China University of Political Science & Law.
In the previous National University League last year, China University of Political Science and Law's final result was seventh in the country. In the quarterfinals, China University of Political Science and Law and Fudan University's team met each other. They played all five sets of 'best-of-five' matches before losing regrettably with a score of 2-3.
The strength of such a team was far above the Guangzhou Institute of Science and Technology.
Even with the strength of Zhejiang University's team, they had no choice but to be cautious when facing such an opponent.
Moreover, Zhejiang University's match was tomorrow morning. There wasn't much time left for Sun Ruinian and the others.
"Mock competition?"
Lin Feng rubbed his chin and made a decision.
"Then let's do it!"
"Let's do it for Old Shi's sake."
Ceng Rui nodded in approval. "Yep. Playing against Zhejiang University in the mock competition won't hurt either."
Su Xue suddenly noticed the Galen doll in An Xin's hand. "Hey, Steamed Bun, where did you get it?"
"Hey, Steamed Bun, where did you get it?"
An Xin smiled.
"Oh, Lin Feng got it from a claw machine."
Lin Feng was brimming with fighting spirit. "Let's go grab it again after the mock competition!"
"… Let's talk about it after the mock competition."
… …
Coincidentally, the members of Zhejiang University's team were also staying in another hotel nearby. The two sides agreed on a meeting place, and they met directly at an internet cafe near the Tianhe District Stadium.
At around seven o 'clock sharp at night, the Shanghai Television Association's representative team and the Zhejiang University's team met again in a ten-person private room in the internet cafe.
"Oh, long time no see!"
Lin Feng greeted Sun Ruinian and the others warmly.
As for the members of the Zhejiang University team, their expressions were slightly unnatural. After all, in the East China region's quarterfinals, they had been trailed by the Shanghai Television Association's representative team. Until now, they still felt a little uncomfortable.
As the captain of the team, Sun Ruinian maintained his composure. He politely greeted Chu Fang Nan, then nodded to Lin Feng, Ceng Rui, and An Xin.
"I'll have to trouble you guys for tonight's mock competition."
An Xin smiled.
"Don't worry about it. It's good for us to play against Zhejiang University."
"Oh, right. Old Shi didn't come this time?" Lin Feng asked curiously.
Sun Ruinian nodded. "Yeah. He's already returned to the LPL. According to the rules, active LPL players aren't allowed to participate in high school tournaments.
Also — "
Sun Ruinian suddenly paused. Then, a solemn expression appeared on his face.
"We'll be enough for the rest of the competition."
His tone was firm and determined.
Behind him, the expressions of the other members of Zhejiang University's team also became solemn. Their eyes were burning with the flames of fighting spirit.
They had promised Shi Hang that they wouldn't embarrass Zhejiang University.
Next …
Even without Shi Hang, they would still go all out to win every match.
Chu Fang Nan's eyes flashed with relief.
He could feel that the people from the Zhejiang University team had a completely different aura compared to before, as well as that confidence and determination. These were the characteristics that a strong team should have.
Ceng Rui's eyes were also shining.
He could feel it too.
The current Zhejiang University's overall morale and condition were even stronger than before!
Only Lin Feng didn't seem to feel it. He laughed and waved his hand.
"Okay, okay, okay!
"Enough with the idle chatter, let's begin!"
…
Reality proved that Chu Fang Nan and Ceng Rui's feelings and judgment were not wrong.
Throughout the night, the representative team of the Shanghai Telecommunications Association and the Zhejiang University team played six mock competitions. Among them, the representative team of the Shanghai Telecommunications Association won four matches and lost two.
This kind of result was not considered glorious for the Zhejiang University team.
But in fact, everyone knew that after losing a core ace like Shi Hang, the overall strength of Zhejiang University's team was a bit weaker than the representative team of the Shanghai TV Association, even as the last place team in the National University League, after losing a core ace like Shi Hang.
Or rather … it was not as simple as a bit.
After all, Lin Feng's strength had been further restored.
An Xin's jungler had also returned to normal.
Tang Bingyao, who was also about to break through the threshold of the professional level, and Ceng Rui, who was already firmly standing at the A- level, it could be said that the overall strength evaluation index of the Shanghai TV Association's team had reached above A-.
However, even so, the six training matches tonight were still extremely intense and deadlocked.
Even though they had lost four of the matches, the strength and fighting spirit that Zhejiang University's team had displayed tonight made even Lin Feng and the other representatives of the Telecommunications Association feel shocked and awestruck.
"If they can maintain this state, there won't be a problem for Zhejiang University to play Zhongzheng tomorrow."
Lin Feng vowed on the way back to the hotel from the internet cafe after the night's training.
Then someone added with a laugh, "Of course, the championship will still be ours.
"Of course, the championship will still be ours, hahaha —"
*****
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