The Battle Tempo

"An enemy has been slain."

The system's female announcer voice announced a kill in the top lane.

In front of the Purple Team's top turret, the enemy Maokai collapsed as his health ran out.

Ultimately, he still couldn't escape death.

Actually, the Purple Team's top lane Maokai had played very smartly just now. He had intentionally held back a skill point, leveling up his W at the critical moment to escape, combined with Flash...

Under normal circumstances, he would have pulled off a brilliant escape.

Unfortunately, his opponent was not someone who would let him show off.

The moment the old tree dashed forward with his W, Lin Xiao had already activated his Q skill, "Howling Gale", charging up a small tornado on the spot. Just before the tree could Flash away, his tornado was released, knocking the opponent into the air.

Following that, Qiao Xin Yu's Sivir caught up, landing a full-damage Q, "Boomerang Blade".

Even when Maokai finally Flashed away, Dian Dong Ci Li Bang's jungle Lee Sin followed up with "Sonic Wave" and "Resonating Strike" to pursue.

Slowing him with Tempest and applying Red Buff.

In the end, the kill went to the young girl's Sivir with a basic attack.

Thus, both the Blue and Purple teams had executed the exact same strategy in the top and bottom lanes, each successfully securing a kill for their respective ADCs.

The tempo was perfectly matched, and the teams were evenly poised.

...

"So annoying, just a little bit more..."

Inside the Ma Dao Team's booth, the top lane Maokai, Hang Shi, couldn't help but criticize himself in frustration.

Following that, Asura's calm voice rang out:

"It's fine, we didn't lose out."

Although the opponent's immediate counterattack forced them to stay on high alert, Asura remained calm.

Both top laners had died, but in comparison, even if Maokai fell slightly behind in the early game, he would still be tankier than Gragas and play a bigger role in mid-game team fights.

Furthermore, at the very least, his Lucian had secured a kill.

Panning his camera to look at the Blue Team's Sivir in the top lane, a spark of battle intent flashed in Asura's eyes:

As long as his ADC scaled well, no matter how strong the opponent was, he was confident he could face them.

And then, defeat them!

...

"Oh, we didn't lose out on this trade," Lin Xiao also offered a cheerful evaluation inside the Back Team's booth.

The others in the team nodded in agreement.

Dian Dong Ci Li Bang voiced his opinion: "Once Xiao Yu scales up, they won't be having a good time either."

Qiao Xin Yu smiled: "Don't speak too soon. Let's play steadily first."

Lin Xiao glanced at the top lane, thought for a moment, and decided: "No rush to take the turret. Xiao Yu, keep farming. I'll roam."

His idea was simple and direct:

Since the opponents seemed to want to split-farm and play for the late game, he would play along.

If they wanted to test their ADCs' scaling, he had nothing to worry about.

However, while he was happy to let the ADCs scale, other factors still needed to be handled cleanly to ensure a comfortable game.

Around the ten-minute mark, Lin Xiao's Janna roamed to the mid lane again.

But unfortunately, the enemy's mid lane "Duo Ming Gui" had learned his lesson, placing a ward near the left river brush early on. Detecting Lin Xiao's movement, he immediately retreated, not lingering for a single minion's gold or experience.

"They're playing very steadily."

Lin Xiao nodded. He controlled his Janna to invade the enemy's left-side jungle, placing deep vision wards before recalling.

After restocking on Stealth Wards and consumables, he headed straight to the bottom lane.

...

"Hey, Hui Lian, what are you doing here?"

Tu Dou was surprised, then puffed out his chest confidently: "You can go. I can take them down alone in the bottom lane!"

Dian Dong Ci Li Bang rolled his eyes: "Come on... if he didn't come, you'd probably be dead by now."

Lin Xiao smiled and reminded him: "Look at the minimap."

As he spoke, he pinged a spot near their Red Buff jungle on the minimap.

Tu Dou widened his eyes and saw the enemy jungle Jarvan IV's figure flash briefly at the edge of their ward's vision.

The enemy jungler, Jarvan IV, was actually pathing toward the bottom lane again.

If Lin Xiao hadn't arrived in time, Tu Dou's Gragas would have been dove and killed by the enemy's collapse.

Realizing this, Tu Dou couldn't help but gasp:

"How insidious!"

Lin Xiao shook his head: "Their tempo is very good. We can't underestimate them. Everyone, play seriously."

...

Despite losing the first game, the Purple Team's Ma Dao Team had clearly brought out stronger battle intent and executed their plays decisively in this second game.

Seeing Lin Xiao show up in the bottom lane to help Tu Dou's Gragas soak experience, the Purple Team's jungler, "Gui Yan" (playing Jarvan IV), smartly abandoned the bottom lane dive, recalled, and headed straight for the top lane.

Around the twelve-minute mark, the young girl laning in the top lane was ganked by Jarvan IV.

Dian Dong Ci Li Bang's Lee Sin arrived just in time, neutralizing the gank.

Following that, Lin Xiao's Janna roamed to the mid lane for the third time.

Just as his Janna emerged from the right river brush of the mid lane, the enemy Support Leona flashed her sword and shield, appearing from behind the wall not far ahead.

This turned the mid lane into a 2v2 situation.

However, on one side was Yasuo and Leona, while the other side was a Syndra without enough burst and Janna...

Without hesitation, Lin Xiao abandoned the gank and turned back.

"Nice one."

Duo Ming Gui, the Purple Team's mid lane Yasuo, breathed a sigh of relief and praised his Support.

He hadn't noticed Janna's rotation just now. If Leona hadn't arrived in time, he might have been in trouble.

Leona, highly focused, nodded and said in a deep voice:

"Don't worry, I'll keep my eyes glued to him!"