Chapter Forty-Six: The Golden Cicada’s Grand Escape

On Lin Hao’s side, although they were at a slight disadvantage, all the high ground turrets remained intact, so both teams were still starting from the same line. Economically, the core positions on both sides had fully formed their equipment, so in a real team fight, the difference in gear would hardly matter. However, Lin Hao’s team had been pressured in the mid to late game, so their vision was still suppressed.

“We can’t let them have the dragon!” Liu Chan said, opening his mic.

Lin Hao shared the same thought, but as a utility mage, he had to follow the group’s movements. After clearing the minion wave near their high ground, Lin Hao and his teammates, led by Liu Chan, moved directly from the blue side jungle toward the dragon pit.

“The enemy hasn’t shown anyone; they’re definitely sneaking the Storm Dragon King.”

“But because of the vision suppression, we have no idea how far they’ve gotten or where they are exactly.”

“Still, we can’t give up this dragon. If we do, our high ground will surely be chipped away, and it’ll get harder and harder to fight back.”

Lin Hao explained.

“Steal the dragon, steal the dragon!”

“It’s time for the ever-popular Storm Dragon King team fight again.”

“Streamer, Ji Ran’s dragon is down to just one-third HP.”

The barrage of comments grew sparse; the viewers’ attention was fixed on this crucial team fight, with no time to type.

Lin Hao’s side grouped up and pushed forward, but Zhang Fei was already lying in wait in the bush beside the blue buff.

Roar!

Zhang Fei let out a furious roar, knocking back Liu Chan and Jing, who were at the front.

Yet, there was no follow-up. After his roar, Zhang Fei didn’t dive in, but instead chose to retreat.

The enemy must be at the critical moment with the dragon! Zhang Fei’s spit clearly aimed to stall.

But the fact that he didn’t engage meant their main damage dealers were still hitting the dragon. If he rushed in recklessly, with no damage, he’d be instantly killed by the five-man group, turning the next fight into five versus four.

This thought flashed simultaneously through the minds of Lin Hao’s team.

In the next moment, Jing broke free from the knockback and charged ahead. From a distance, they could already see Han Xin battling the Storm Dragon King, the dragon’s HP now below ten thousand.

Jing dove in, chaining her first skill three times with smooth precision, instantly reaching the dragon’s side, refreshing her first skill, and charging again.

Ji Ran’s Han Xin also had Smite ready. He quickly calculated Jing’s damage, timed it perfectly, and used Smite!

Jing’s Smite was unleashed in the same instant!

Everyone held their breath, watching the dragon pit, waiting to see who would seize the dragon!

Despite Luban and Zhou Yu assisting Han Xin with damage, no one could predict whether Jing’s last burst would work a miracle.

But on Lin Hao’s side, no excited voice announced the dragon steal; instead, a red kill notification appeared.

Han Xin had taken the Storm Dragon King!

Ji Ran was still the king of junglers, his Smite timing perfect!

Defeat.

Lin Hao’s teammates were already thinking of retreat.

But escape? Ma Chao rushed in from the flank, having circled around for a good angle, intent on entering the fray for a clean sweep.

Ma Chao was still charging, and Zhang Fei had already dived in from the front.

Yet, on the battlefield ahead, Jing was being focused down by Luban, Zhou Yu, and Han Xin.

Jing had entered with Resurrection Armor, taking massive damage within two seconds, then waiting for revival.

So, up front, only Zhang Fei and Ma Chao were present!

They had the Storm Dragon King, and their aggression was fierce!

Lin Hao’s team formation was somewhat scattered.

Old Master’s perspective was fixed ahead; he’d already bypassed Zhang Fei and flash-bound Zhou Yu in the backline, beginning a duel.

Lin Hao’s Golden Cicada stayed close to Liu Chan and Marco Polo.

Facing the pincer attack from Ma Chao and Zhang Fei, Lin Hao remained calm, swiping to release his first skill.

The Binding Spell locked Ma Chao in place!

On the frontline, Golden Cicada’s Binding Spell had to be precise; hitting Ma Chao or Han Xin would significantly restrict their damage output.

Ma Chao had just poised to thrust his spear, but was trapped by Golden Cicada.

Though he managed to land a hit on Golden Cicada, his next pull and finish couldn’t be executed.

“Damn!” Ma Chao’s player almost coughed up blood.

Lin Hao was focusing on Han Xin; after all, Ji Ran’s rage stat was heavily stacked, so he paid less attention to Ma Chao.

This time, Ma Chao experienced firsthand the frustration of facing Golden Cicada.

Marco Polo, quick on the draw, after sweeping Zhang Fei with his first skill, saw Ma Chao trapped in a small circle, and immediately unleashed his ultimate.

Amidst the crackling sounds, Ma Chao’s health dropped steadily, then plummeted off a cliff!

Ding! Marco Polo activated his Impact Armor!

In the end, Ma Chao managed only a single thrust before being instantly killed by Marco Polo.

Zhang Fei roared helplessly nearby.

Lin Hao remained composed; he’d already used both his first and second skills on Ma Chao, but still held the second stage of his ultimate.

He pulled three fingers across the screen, looking toward the main battle.

Old Master, facing Zhou Yu’s fire and Luban’s damage, could barely withstand a few hits, his health rapidly declining.

Han Xin waited nearby for Jing’s revival; during Jing’s two seconds of death, she bought a Blade of Immortality, and upon reviving, instantly executed a swift A2A combo!

Jing’s Blade of Immortality was triggered, and the next moment, Han Xin’s Resurrection Armor was activated!

Old Master fought harder as his health dwindled, dragging Luban Seven along, battering both Luban and Zhou Yu!

Zhou Yu’s health fell to a perilous level, and Luban Seven was down to just a third.

Finally, Old Master succumbed to the damage and collapsed.

Just as Old Master died, Lin Hao stepped forward, dragging his ultimate to the flash position, tapping twice.

Boom!

In the next moment, a golden hand swept across Luban, Zhou Yu, and Han Xin, who had just revived from Resurrection Armor!

Han Xin’s Blade of Immortality was triggered!

Luban Seven fell, entering his revival timer.

Zhou Yu was left with a sliver of health!

This palm strike was timed perfectly, the angle flawless!

It was a flash-ultimate!

Lin Hao once again pulled off a team-saving maneuver!

Marco Polo, seeing Lin Hao’s brilliant play, decisively abandoned attacking Zhang Fei with Liu Chan, instead dashing in with his second skill and sweeping a burst of bullets.

Bang bang bang!

Han Xin, already having triggered his Blade of Immortality, was finished off with just a graze from Marco Polo’s barrage!

The situation instantly reversed!