And Gu Bai, he's truly a figure who has transformed the esports industry into a goldmine.

Boldly acquiring WE and signing all the major esports stars within LPL, this model is very much like Chelsea in the Premier League and the titans Real Madrid and Barça in La Liga.

Just a while ago, someone leaked the current salary structure and bonus system of WE.

Once exposed, the entire esports community was shaken; just the annual expenditure on various salaries and bonuses reaches billions, something no one could have imagined compared to the struggling, strapped market of past years.

Various clubs openly and secretly criticize Gu Bai for disrupting market balance, but they can't prevent it. The development of esports is so fast, with little official regulation, wanting to catch up with WE means only increasing investment, otherwise in less than two years, the entire Hua Country esports scene will be monopolized by WE.

Although such capital chasing is considered malignant competition, it's undeniable that the esports industry is indeed expanding at a visible speed, even though it's only 2018, it's fast approaching the peak seen in 2021.

Esports fans don't care about so-called malignant capital competition; all they know is that this is the LPL's best chance to stand at the top of the World because this year, all the major esports clubs are fired up. If they can't compete with WE and IG domestically, can't they at least tackle teams from other regions?

All LPL fans, having experienced the pain of 2017 at the Bird's Nest, were nearly giving up on LPL, but with Gu Bai's strong entry into the esports scene, they now see hope again.

So, it's not an exaggeration to say that Principal Wang and Gu Bai are the two people who have contributed most to the Hua Country's League of Legends esports scene.

One is the giant who brought esports into the light in ancient times, the other is the man who turned the tide single-handedly when esports was declining, reorganizing the will of esports!

And for this final battle, the LPL officials are also very attentive, merging the commentary and analyst desks together, bringing six of the most famous LPL commentators to one place.

Miller, Remember, Major General Guan, Wa Wa, Rita, and Tongxi sat side by side, talking freely to the live-stream camera and the audience at the venue.

Wa Wa and Miller, being veteran partners, are also among the most seasoned of the commentators. Wa Wa was the first to speak: "Honestly, I don't even know how many matches I've commentated on, but I've never been this nervous. I think all the audience knows I'm a very subjective commentator, but today I dare not be subjective."

Miller laughed and picked up his joke: "As I know, you've been leaning towards WE this whole spring season! Are you afraid that after siding with WE, you might get on the bad side of the Principal?"

"To say it's a grudge is too much; we're just small commentators. I'm afraid if we look at this game professionally, we'll get flamed by the audience... As far as I know, both Principal Wang and Principal Gu are only at Diamond Level, and they'll face the strongest professional players in the LPL later. If there's a mistake, how should we commentate? You know, the combined Weibo followers of these two principals are nearing a billion. If they get blasted, I'm afraid even Weibo's servers can't handle it..."

Major General Guan: "I get it now, you're secretly mocking the principals for being noobs, right? Well, you're in for it, once the game is over, prepare to be ravaged by them backstage."

Wa Wa: "..."

The other two female commentators chimed in timely, Rita grinning and saying: "I was fortunate to see the two big bosses backstage earlier; I can only say their aura was overwhelming. I was planning to cozy up to them, but the bodyguards stopped me before I could even get close..."

Tongxi: "No worries, there'll be a player meet-and-greet after the game, you can have the host position then, allowing you to interview the principals."

Remember: "Should we give you a gaming chair as well? That way, you might not be so nervous when interviewing those big bosses?"

Regarding Rita's gaming chair gag, there's no esports fan who doesn't know about it. Remember directly stirred up the old fans' nest with this banter, causing the live bullet screen to instantly fill up, and the audience started cheering.

Rita rolled her eyes, following the joke: "Then should we have the sponsors send Principal Gu two cans of War Horse energy drink?"

"Why only Principal Gu, what about Principal Wang?"

Rita: "Isn't it obvious to you all?"

"Indeed, women only care about looks, the prettier they are, the shallower!"

As the game time approached, the players of the two teams were about to make their entrance.

Backstage, Gu Bai said to Hugh Grosvenor: "Hugh, today you can see my true strength."

Both being 90s dotroduced fans of League of Legends, they've played many games together these days, and Hugh Grosvenor was impressed by Gu Bai's Yasuo skills. Although Gu Bai played flashy, his kill and death count were usually the same, it couldn't be denied that he was indeed skillful.

Hearing Gu Bai's words, Hugh Grosvenor looked through the screen in the lounge at the fans cheering outside and couldn't help but say: "I was planning to buy a League One team before, but now I've changed my mind, once I return home, I want to buy a League of Legends club!"

Seeing Hugh Grosvenor getting a bit sidetracked, Gu Bai smiled and patted his shoulder, saying: "I've arranged the best seat for you, you can truly feel the passion of Hua Country esports."

Having said that, Gu Bai walked out of the backstage with Factory Director and others.

On the commentary desk, the six commentators said in unison: "Now, the final battle of the 2018 Spring Split starts! Now, let's welcome the players of IG and WE on stage!"

As soon as the words were spoken, two teams, one in red and one in white, walked out from backstage.

IG's uniform remained consistent, while WE wore newly designed uniforms.

Still carrying the traditional white and red style of old WE, it seemed much tidier compared to the previous gaudy styles.

The overall style was still that of traditional sportswear, but previous sponsor logos were all removed, with only the black WE logo and a bright national flag on the left chest.

As it stands, WE is definitely the team most qualified to bear the national flag within the entire LPL. Compared to other teams, which have more or less introduced Korean players, WE remained fully composed of Hua players, dominating the entire spring split with its all-Chinese lineup.

As the players of the two teams walked out, the audience's cheers filled the arena.

Commentator Wa Wa said: "If this weren't at the Shanghai Esports Center, I'd suspect I was hosting the finals of the S series. You know, last year's finals didn't even have this much intensity."

Miller also said: "After all, these are the two most iconic teams in the LPL this year. If they keep this state in the playoffs and summer split, the S series champion will likely be taken by our LPL!"

Major General Guan: "I think so too."

Commentator Remember quickly said: "Ze Yuan, better not think so. I suggest you believe that LCK can win the championship instead, I'm afraid your jinxing powers can't be withstood by the LPL..."

After the commentators livened up the atmosphere, the director began to instruct via the headset.

Female commentator Rita first introduced the sponsors as usual, then picked up the player list and started the introductions.

"Today, the player lists for IG and WE are out.

IG's lineup is Top The Shy, Mid Rookie, Jungle Ning, AD Principal Wang, Support Bao Lan.

WE's lineup is Top 369, Mid Xiye, Jungle Factory Director, AD Gu Bai, Support Ming."

Following Rita's introduction, Wa Wa immediately said: "It's surprising that both Principal Wang and Gu Bai chose the AD position, which I didn't expect. It seems today's match will focus on the bottom lane."

After the introductions, Gu Bai and Principal Wang appeared in front of all the audience from the back of the teams.

"I say, Gu Bai, you're really bringing this on yourself this time."

Principal Wang, dressed in a white IG uniform, said towards Gu Bai with a light laugh.

Gu Bai shrugged and said: "Do you know why I haven't played games with you recently? You will understand soon."

Their laid-back demeanor was broadcasted the whole time.

With a current attractiveness score as high as 98, Gu Bai is almost reaching the human limit. Although the team uniform is simple, combined with Gu Bai's looks, the charm level instantly increases by ten thousand, and the whole bullet screen is full of discussions about Gu Bai's appearance.

"I really don't envy Principal Gu's wealth; if I had half his looks, I think I could live a life of leisure worldwide..."

"They say when God opens a door for you, he closes a window, so may I ask where exactly has God closed Gu Bai's window?"

"Then in that case, I feel like both my door and window have been closed by God... crying aloud..."

Amidst the teasing on the bullet screen and the cheers from the audience, the season finale between WE and IG officially entered the BP phase.

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