Chen Tian was unaware of the significant impact his chosen name had created. The entire game's official channels had exploded with discussions centered around the Yaotian team, and Chen Tian was at the heart of it all.
He stood atop a mountain peak, recalling fragments of memories. The Yaotian team was where he had entered the gaming world four years ago. However, due to his own actions, this team had become a forbidden entity.
Four years ago, he had retired from the gaming scene. The rights to the name "Yaotian team" were entirely under Chen Tian's control; no one else was permitted to use it.
Today, Chen Tian wasn't sure if he was letting down his former teammates, but he knew it was time for this team to reappear in the gaming world, starting with "Shi Kong Ji Yuan".
He sighed, "Alas! I wonder if you are all doing well now? It was me who dragged you all down!"
Chen Tian felt a pang of heartache. If it hadn't been for him, his teammates would have achieved glorious endings. Instead, his departure had led to their tragic fates.
A somber expression crossed Chen Tian's face as memories flooded back. He regained his composure and declared, "This time, I will ensure the Yaotian team's name echoes once more. This was our promise from four years ago, and I will fulfill it."
With renewed confidence, Chen Tian left the mountaintop. The setting sun cast a melancholic glow, painting a somber atmosphere. All that remained was the silhouette of a young man walking away.
The young man returned to the inn where they had dined earlier. Seeing the four of them laughing joyfully, Chen Tian's face softened into a faint smile. It felt good to have friends.
He approached Shu Zi and Ge Zi. They were aware of Chen Tian's background and wouldn't pry. However, Hong Mo, who was new to this, was brimming with curiosity.
Just as Hong Mo was about to speak, Ge Zi and Shu Zi stopped him with a shake of their heads. Hong Mo understood their intention and remained silent.
Hong Mo explained, "Tomorrow's team match will take place in the Imperial Plaza. It's a competition where one team battles another. The team match has a limit of four players, with up to six substitutes, totaling ten individuals. The champion team of the team match will then face the ten players from the arena battles in a final team showdown."
"But Chen Tian, we only have Sister Qing Ling as a substitute right now! Where will we find the other five?"
Hong Mo was taken aback. They were only five people short, and they needed five more.
Chen Tian replied, "I will be the substitute. I will only participate in the final decisive battle of this team match; otherwise, it's your main stage, and I won't interfere. Don't worry about the numbers."
Shu Zi, Ge Zi, and Qing Ling had no objections. Hong Mo, however, appeared hesitant. Seeing the calm expressions of the others, he eventually displayed a look of trust.
Afterward, Chen Tian began discussing tactics and strategies with the team. Due to the varying professions, abilities, and styles of each player, the deployment needed to be tailored to their individual strengths.
Following their introductions, Chen Tian presented his opinions, and the team members retired for the night, needing to rest for the upcoming competition.
The next morning, Chen Tian and the others assembled outside the inn, heading towards the central district of Yuan City, the imperial heart, where the plaza was located.
At the Imperial Central Plaza, a luminous barrier appeared, dividing the square into two sections: the left for arena battles and the right for team matches.
Chen Tian's team had registered for the team match and thus positioned themselves on the right side. A panel materialized before Chen Tian, and without hesitation, he placed his hand upon it.
Countless numbers flashed and scrolled across the interface, finally settling on four characters.
"Lei Yan Team!"
"Ding! Next opponent, Lei Yan Team. The match time is this afternoon! You will be notified ten minutes prior to the exact time!"
Chen Tian looked at the panel, and the five of them departed. The opponents were selected through a draw. A total of one hundred and three teams participated in this team match, and Chen Tian's team was merely one of them.
Chen Tian believed that determining a single winner from one hundred and three teams would be challenging. If he were to participate, it would be simple, but he didn't want to. He wanted to cultivate the team's synergy.
As Chen Tian and the others returned to the inn, several figures appeared before them. They were youths clad in robes bearing lightning emblems, followed by younger individuals. The leader slowly regarded Chen Tian's team and spoke, "So, you are our opponents from the Yaotian team? How laughable. I thought the members of the Yaotian team would be formidable. To think you're just this… laughable!"
"Indeed, the Yaotian team ceased to exist years ago. Even if they reappear now, they are merely ants starting anew. Hahaha, boy, this afternoon I will show you the might of our Lei Yan team."
Chen Tian's expression turned cold as he stared at the young man before him. He felt the urge to retaliate and teach the opponent a lesson; the Yaotian team was not to be insulted! However, considering the need to conceal his strength, he restrained himself.
The Lei Yan team then left Chen Tian's side. Chen Tian looked at Shu Zi, Ge Zi, and the others and said, "You don't need to participate this afternoon. I will handle it myself!"
"Ah!"
Hong Mo was stunned. He then asked with concern, "Chen Tian, are you sure? Their characters are level forty-eight, and there are four of them. Can you manage alone?"
"Sister Qing Ling, why aren't you trying to persuade him? And the rest of you, don't you care about your brother?"
Hong Mo felt exasperated by the calm, expressionless faces of the other three.
Shu Zi spoke first, "Hong Mo, you don't need to worry about this. They provoked Chen Tian, and they are courting death. Have faith in your captain!"
Ge Zi nodded in agreement. Only Qing Ling seemed a bit worried.
Seeing Qing Ling's demeanor, Chen Tian realized that if he didn't reveal his awakened powers soon, major trouble would ensue. It seemed he needed to have an honest conversation with his brother.
Chen Tian's eyes, sharp as a cold blade, fixated on the departing Lei Yan team. He spoke, "I didn't want it to come to this, but you forced my hand. You insult my Yaotian, and you will pay with your lives! This time, I will make the name Yaotian resound from here!"
Chen Tian and his team then headed back towards the inn. Earlier, Chen Tian had utilized his Divine Eye and Weakness Insight skills, thoroughly gathering information about the opponents. Insulting him was one thing, but insulting Yaotian was unforgivable.
Yaotian held an immeasurable significance in Chen Tian's heart. The Lei Yan team had precisely stepped on a minefield, igniting Chen Tian's killing intent. He intended to resolve this personally.
Based on the information provided by the Divine Eye, each member of the Lei Yan team commanded lightning and fire elemental abilities, and their professions were all related to elements.
Chen Tian knew exactly how to deal with them.
In the afternoon, Chen Tian's interface displayed the match details. He and the others then proceeded to the plaza. Simultaneously, two colossal screens appeared in the sky above Yuan City, displaying the ongoing matches.
This particular match could be watched throughout Yuan City. Chen Tian and his team arrived at the plaza, and the Lei Yan team soon materialized.
The arrivals were the same youths who had mocked Chen Tian that morning, their names all prefixed with "Lei Yan!".
Lei Yan Bian spoke, "Boy, victory in this match belongs to us. Surrender obediently!"
Chen Tian remained silent. A broadcast echoed through the sky: "Team Match, Fifth Match of the Day: Lei Yan Team vs. Yaotian Team! Both teams, please enter the team arena. The regulated number of participants is four."
Chen Tian then replaced Qing Ling, standing on the arena with Shu Zi, Ge Zi, and Hong Mo.
The Lei Yan team, meanwhile, was still deliberating on their lineup.
Chen Tian's expression was cold. "Come! No matter who you send, I will face you!"