Chapter 16: Smiles Never Fade, They Only Shift [Please Support with Votes!]
“I’m f*cking—!!!”
The voice channel of Team 12 erupted with simultaneous screams.
But this was just the beginning.
Although it was Ye Bo’s first time using this technique in a real match, he had practiced it extensively in the training ground ever since discovering it three days ago.
The “R then W Double Step” was LeBlanc’s most hidden skill.
LeBlanc cannot use other abilities during W, but the W imitation created by R (Recreate) can be manipulated into a fast-paced combo, allowing her to perform “W within the RW combo” to change trajectory mid-air.
So just now, LeBlanc used R to copy W and initially targeted the opponent over the wall. But as soon as she entered the wall, she quickly pivoted with W, exploiting the wall’s tight space to extend the dash distance.
This phantom step successfully crossed over a hundred yards!
In fact, Ye Bo could have executed it faster and more seamlessly, keeping his form inside the wall until the killing blow.
But he didn’t.
As a result, the tense Crystal Maiden player managed to spot LeBlanc’s figure half a second earlier and panicked, prematurely casting her ultimate “Freezing Field” aiming at LeBlanc’s “pre-cast.”
The “pre-cast mechanism” locks onto a target and automatically triggers the skill once the target enters range.
But... that was exactly what Ye Bo wanted.
A chilling freeze erupted, and the “Frozen Tomb” rose from the ground, locking LeBlanc in place—yet she did not stay there!
“She’s back!! Although Crystal Maiden cast her ultimate, LeBlanc flashed back into the pit!”
“Perfect timing from the Prince and Gnar! Earthshatter falls! Buddha’s Palm strikes!”
“Damn it! Nami, why didn’t you flash to catch the bubble?”
“No worries! It’s fine! LeBlanc’s W just maxed its AOE, and with the Doran’s Blade, that hit was already enough damage!”
“Wait... LeBlanc actually hid a cheeky leash behind the wall? The leash’s second hit triggered a second Q, instantly killing the Crystal Maiden without ultimate!”
“Team 12 is blown up! LeBlanc looks insanely cool this round!!!”
Prince and Gnar both flashed in to initiate the fight, perfectly syncing with LeBlanc’s WR combo flashback, delivering flawless teamwork.
Besides Crystal Maiden’s mysterious wall kill, both the top and bottom carries on Team 12 were instantly melted!
The three casters on Huya were stunned into wild howls of excitement, while chat exploded on both sides’ streams.
“What just happened?!”
“No way!! This LeBlanc is seriously OP!”
“Bro, in ranked you can just wreck noobs, but wrecking a pro match like this?”
“I don’t get it, how did LeBlanc’s W shadow stay inside the wall? I thought LeBlanc’s W and R always start where the shadow is... can it start inside the wall now?”
“Anyway, you can tell LDL is really weak; only LeBlanc is showing off, the rest are just clumsy!”
“True, Prince and Gnar only barely look decent in this fight. If this was RNG, those four would be cleaning toilets for ten years!”
“I think these teammates are trolling LeBlanc; who would feed like this otherwise?”
“Hehe, I told you, pro players and my prestigious Golden rank are just a matter of effort~ Just look at this game, isn't it basically the same as our gold games?”
“Pure trash talk here, I’m Supreme Unyielding Silver 2, and these guys are even worse than my promo matches yesterday.”
“The above are just hating. Honestly, this is like a 30-star Glory King level at best!”
“LDL’s really gone downhill; no wonder no strong rookies emerge these years, it’s all just a bunch of scrubs.”
The barrage of comments poured in.
Usually, chat barely cares about LDL and has little impression of the league, but today they tuned in for the hype.
Though the other nine players on the opposing team were already desperate and acting erratically.
No matter what, they wouldn’t dare to openly sabotage the match.
However, by 23 minutes, the pushing of TO’s high ground began to stall.
Because Ye Bo didn’t dare to call for a “Baron” play.
Securing the Baron is notoriously unpredictable.
Plus, Ye Bo was reluctant to push lanes alone to distract, fearing that teammates might suddenly get “tilted” and start a fight recklessly.
Adding to that, this game’s Elder Dragon was the weakest “Cloud Drake.”
Ye Bo started thinking.
He knew he couldn’t drag the game out; he had to find an opportunity to end it quickly.
If it went late and the enemy built enough items to contest critical objectives, one more “mistake” from a teammate could lose the game.
LeBlanc’s late-game carry potential was obviously weaker than traditional mages, but with her far superior equipment and control, Ye Bo had the upper hand.
He scanned the enemy team and settled on one target.
---
The mid lane siege wave pushed forward.
LeBlanc started with RW from a ward behind the wall, then darted ahead with the minions... suddenly locking onto the AD carry!
She flashed and stepped on him with W!
The enemy five were on high alert, having been thoroughly hit by LeBlanc’s AOE before, so they deliberately kept distance, unable to provide instant backup.
Only the closest, Diana, reacted in time, casting ER—Moonlight Slash and Solar Flare simultaneously!
But the next moment, LeBlanc flashed back to the initial RW position.
Diana, guided by Moonlight Slash, followed the blade all the way...
The Solar Maiden had just delivered herself onto the chopping block!
“Ah???”
Diana’s Moonlight Slash has a “follow” mechanic, but it locks onto the target only at the moment of cast.
If the target moves afterward, Diana will fly to the locked position only.
To achieve this effect, you must “bait the opponent Diana’s cast timing!”
What?
How did Ye Bo know this mechanic?
Well, that’s a question to ask why Old Deng Bo’s champion pool even includes a level 5 Diana...
Diana was dragged helplessly into the crowd, with no chance of survival.
After the AD carry recalled, Team 12 was forced to abandon the high ground.
TO surged forward with four players left, simply following commands to mindlessly tank the inhibitor turret, with no room for fancy plays.
Under everyone’s gaze,
LeBlanc unleashed another massive 42-yard phantom step, shattering the spines of four enemies at the base gates!
At 24 minutes, Crystal Maiden exploded under the barrage of magic missiles.
The LDL match venue had no spectators, no cheers.
Ye Bo had no idea how lively the streams were across platforms.
The cameras panned over the players’ seats.
Nine faces were filled with deep sorrow.
Especially on TO’s side—with only four players left—it felt like the most painful defeat they had ever endured.
What’s worse, they still didn’t realize it.
This was a blatantly suspicious match that anyone could tell was off, yet it attracted unprecedented attention today...
But as everyone knows,
Smiles never disappear—they only shift.
Ye Bo, alone, waved to the camera with a beaming smile, drawing cheers from tens of thousands watching behind the screens!