Legacy of the Stars

The air in the training room was thick with focus and the faint hum of computers. It had been three days since the official announcement that the team would participate in the World Invitational Tournament, and now the reality of the event was beginning to set in.

Liu Cheng sat at his workstation, hurriedly jotting down strategic notes on his virtual notepad. The atmosphere around him was both tense and electric. His fingers danced over the keyboard, analyzing the team's movements in real-time. The screens in front of him flickered as simulated matches played out, and the avatars of his teammates glimmered on their own screens.

"Cheng!" Yu Feng shouted, interrupting his concentration. The seasoned player leaned over his shoulder, a wide grin plastered on his face. "You've been staring at these screens for hours. What's up? Are you looking for some secret strategy or trying to hack the matrix?"

Liu Cheng blinked and turned toward Yu Feng. "I'm analyzing the stats from the last match. We need to improve our reaction time. I think we could surprise the opponents if—"

"Shh! Enough with your nerd talk," Yu Feng cut him off, shaking his head. "I thought this was an esports tournament, not a coding class. We need action, not analysis!"

Liu Cheng managed a small smile but didn't waver. He'd learned to keep his composure even amidst distractions, though it wasn't always easy.

"Maybe you should listen to your own advice, Yu Feng," Liu said, glancing at the monitor displaying Yu Feng's avatar, which was currently charging straight into the enemy team. "Subtlety isn't exactly your strong suit."

Yu Feng's eyes lit up with mischief as he raised an eyebrow. "Subtlety? Who needs subtlety when you have style?" he replied, making a dramatic move as if preparing for a big attack.

Liu Cheng rolled his eyes but couldn't help laughing. "You're going to get us all killed with that 'style' of yours if you're not careful."

The sound of footsteps echoed behind them, and Captain Shen Hao entered, his commanding presence unchanged. His face was as serious as ever, but his eyes held something different now—perhaps anticipation, perhaps tension.

"Gather up, everyone," Captain Shen said, raising an eyebrow. "We have a surprise."

The team froze, and silence quickly spread through the room.

"So... we're leaving today?" one player asked, barely able to contain his excitement.

"Not today, but soon," Shen Hao clarified. "Our next training session will be in Switzerland. There's a special facility there that they've invited us to use for preparations for the tournament."

Liu Cheng felt a surge of adrenaline. Training in Switzerland? The mere thought of it quickened his heartbeat. He could almost picture himself standing at the base of a massive glacier, watching snowflakes swirl around him as his team prepared for the biggest tournament of their lives.

"Swiss Alps, here we come," Yu Feng laughed, his usual grin back on his face. "I heard the yodeling is perfect there."

Liu Cheng shot him a disapproving look. "It's not about yodeling, Yu Feng. It's about focusing on the competition. This is serious."

"Serious?" Yu Feng raised an eyebrow. "Relax, Cheng. You sound like you're the team's personal motivational speaker. I thought we were supposed to have fun. I mean, we're going to Switzerland! We should celebrate!"

Liu Cheng frowned but kept his thoughts to himself. He knew that Yu Feng's way of dealing with stress involved jokes and relaxation, but for Liu Cheng, this was about proving himself. It was about the team's success and, perhaps more importantly, his place in that success.

---

The next few hours were spent packing and preparing. Each player had their own approach to the task. Some hurried through their routines, while others took their time, unfazed by the upcoming trip. Liu Cheng spent his time double-checking his strategies, making sure every detail was accounted for.

Finally, they were ready. The team boarded a private plane, and the excitement in the air was palpable. As they flew above the clouds, Yu Feng suddenly sat beside Liu Cheng and nudged him with his elbow.

"So, Cheng," Yu Feng said with a smile, "are you going to find your 'winning strategy' in the Swiss Alps? Maybe the snow has the answers?"

Liu Cheng turned his head toward him, half-smiling. "Maybe I'll win by not being as careless as you."

Yu Feng burst out laughing. "I'll take that as a compliment."

The team settled into their seats for the flight, the hum of the engine and occasional laughter from the back creating a strange mix of energy and focus. Liu Cheng gazed out the window, lost in thought. This was the opportunity he'd worked so hard for, the moment to prove he belonged among the best. But was it enough to make a difference? Was he really ready?

---

Arrival in Switzerland

The plane landed smoothly on a private runway near the Swiss Alps, and the cold air hit them all as they stepped off the plane. The team was stunned by the surreal sight before them—snow-covered mountains rising up to a clear blue sky, a landscape so beautiful it almost seemed unreal.

"Welcome to Switzerland," Captain Shen Hao said, his voice full of pride. "Here, we'll take our training to the next level. Best facilities, best environment. Let's make the most of it."

The team followed Shen into the facility, their breaths visible in the cold air. Inside, the training facility was a blend of high-tech equipment and alpine charm. Large digital screens displayed live matches and player stats, surrounded by wooden beams and refined Swiss details. It was a perfect mix of modern and traditional, a perfect fusion of two worlds.

But just as they settled in, a loud crash echoed through the room. Everyone froze. One of the new team members had accidentally knocked over a large piece of equipment.

"Great job, rookie," Yu Feng teased with a smirk. "What's next? Planning to knock down the whole facility?"

Liu Cheng stared at the scene. He could feel the tension, the awkwardness in how the newcomers were trying to fit in with the veterans. This wasn't just about the game—it was about fitting in. And fitting in was something Liu Cheng had always struggled with.

---

Training Begins

The first moments of training in Switzerland were not what the team had expected. The technology was top-notch, but the intensity of the exercises was exhausting. They were pushed to their limits, both mentally and physically. Yet, despite the pressure, there were moments of unexpected humor that reminded them why they were fighting.

At one point, during a break, Liu Cheng found himself staring at a massive screen displaying a simulated battlefield. His mind was filled with strategies when suddenly, Yu Feng sat beside him.

"So, Cheng," Yu Feng said with a grin, "how's your 'genius' plan going? Going to win the tournament with that big head of yours?"

Liu Cheng turned toward him, half-smiling. "Maybe I'll win by not being as careless as you."

Yu Feng laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment."

For the first time in a long while, Liu Cheng felt the pressure ease, even if just a little. This team, chaotic and disorganized in their approaches, provided a sense of camaraderie and laughter that allowed Liu Cheng to relax and feel like he was truly becoming part of something bigger. Though each member had their unique styles and personalities, each one was crucial to the team's success.

In the following days, the training grew even more intense, and Liu Cheng felt himself improving. Though there were moments of frustration and fatigue, he was determined to prove himself—to both himself and his teammates. Everyone, from the newcomers to the seasoned veterans, was striving to align with the new strategies and methods of communication within the team.

One day, during lunch, while everyone was relaxing around the table, Liu Cheng noticed that the atmosphere in the team had started to shift. They were becoming more connected, and it wasn't just because of the tournament's pressure, but because they were starting to learn new things about themselves and each other.

"Liu Cheng, I thought you were the only one with those stats and analyses," Yu Feng grinned. "But I have to admit, your strategies are working. I'm starting to understand what it means to make a serious plan."

Liu Cheng looked at his teammate and nodded. "Yeah, but we still have a lot of work to do. We haven't achieved anything yet. We need to keep this focus."

He grabbed his plate of food as he continued talking with Yu Feng, knowing there was a long road ahead. This moment, though somewhat mundane, was a sign of progress for him. Despite all the jokes, in his mind, every part of the team had value and a place. From match analysis to light moments of laughter, everything mattered.

The next day, the team had a break, and everyone decided to relax with guided tours of the Swiss Alps. They managed to climb to the top of one of the largest glaciers, and the cold, sharp air felt like a slap to the face. Far from the world, the team could feel not only the chill but the weight of the challenges ahead.

"You know, all this looks like the backdrop for some kind of war movie," one of the rookies said, gazing at the massive glaciers and snow stretching to the horizon.

"You're really a 'movie guy,' huh? Just imagine, our team, fighting against global rivals, and this is our base," Yu Feng added with a smile.

Liu Cheng just nodded, marveling at the power of nature. Here, on this mountain, everything seemed simpler. No communication issues, no internal disagreements—just the strength of the team, fighting against nature and, ultimately, the world's best.

And as they walked on the glacier, the air became crisper and sharper, and the pressure from the past days of training could be felt in their legs. However, it didn't stop Liu Cheng from staying focused. It was clear that the moment of opportunity was approaching, and he wouldn't allow himself to relax until he knew he was ready. This training process was not just physically demanding but also a psychological challenge. Together, they were becoming a team—not just in the game, but in every move.

"Let's get back to work," Liu Cheng said, now fully motivated and focused on the goal.

---

Tournament Day

When the day of the World Invitational Tournament finally arrived, everyone felt the deep excitement. They entered the arena, which was decorated with lights, chairs, computers, and speakers creating a soundtrack reminiscent of a battlefield. It was obvious that the competition had been raised to a new level, with teams ready to show their power.

Though they had shared some lighthearted moments in the previous days, now everything had become serious. No one wanted to lose. The Chinese team stood at one of the main positions on the stage, and Liu Cheng felt his heart race faster.

"Ready?" Captain Shen Hao asked, looking each of them in the eye. "Today, everything counts."

Liu Cheng nodded. He felt the weight of the pressure but knew that if they wanted to succeed, they had to stay united, play as a team, and that every move mattered.

"For victory," Liu Cheng replied, as a leader who had not only set the strategy but also laid the foundation for what was to come.

As everyone prepared for the start, one by one they moved to their positions, but Liu Cheng couldn't help but glance around him. At this moment, his team was his home, and the World Invitational Tournament was only the beginning of what awaited them.