Chapter 195: Chapter 167: LPL Galaxy Battleship (Part 2)
"Factory Director? If you’re really aiming for the championship, I’d suggest you recruit mlxg, Factory Director has already passed his peak."
As the owner of IG, Principal Wang is quite familiar with the players in the LPL.
Gu Bai shook his head.
"It’s true Factory Director has passed his peak, but as LPL’s number 001 player, even if it’s just for sentiment’s sake, I want to tie him to my ship."
"Then this move will probably cost over 1 billion."
Listening to the conversation between Gu Bai and Principal Wang, Lu Wei, who was sitting beside them, felt a storm brewing in his mind. Is my boss going to venture into esports? And he’s planning to nab UZI and Factory Director, the two pillars of the LPL?
Just as Gu Bai and others were casually chatting about esports matters, the hotel’s butler led a group of tall, short, fat, thin, and variously shaped young men into the presidential suite.
UZI, Factory Director, Xiaoming, and mlxg, upon seeing the people seated on the sofa, couldn’t help but twitch their eyes, but then greeted Gu Bai with, "President Gu."
After greeting Gu Bai, they then nodded to Principal Wang and the others one by one.
Gu Bai waved his hand, inviting them, "Take a seat first."
The group proceeded to sit beside Lu Wei, five people squeezed onto the same sofa, appearing a bit reserved.
While looking at each other, Gu Bai slowly spoke, "I suppose you’re quite curious about why I invited you here, right?"
Although they didn’t respond, their expressions clearly showed they were indeed very puzzled.
Gu Bai didn’t play coy, directly saying, "I’ve acquired WE, and the acquisition news will probably be officially announced by WE’s Weibo in the next couple of days."
These words struck the group like a bolt of lightning, waking them up completely. Even Lu Wei, who was listening to Gu Bai chat all along, couldn’t help but be astonished.
He initially thought Gu Bai would establish a new club, but did not anticipate the direct acquisition of WE with such a large sum.
As an ancient powerhouse that existed since the inception of LPL, WE’s status is not only high in fans’ hearts but also carries significant weight for these professional players.
With Gu Bai’s words, they instantly understood why Gu Bai had invited UZI today.
"Today, I’m inviting you over to hear your opinions. Are you interested in joining WE?"
Gu Bai mentioned ’you’ instead of ’you all.’
Among the four present, all are top players in the LPL. It seems Gu Bai intends to capture them all in one go.
After hesitating for a while, seeing nobody speaking up, UZI had to respond to Gu Bai on behalf of everyone, "President Gu... we’re just players, each of us already has contracts. This kind of matter should be discussed with our clubs; our personal opinions don’t hold much weight. Besides, WE’s current roster should already be sufficient..."
These words were almost a euphemistic rejection of Gu Bai.
Gu Bai chuckled lightly, unfazed.
"You make a good point. As players, you can’t control the contracts, but with me, I only care about your personal willingness. As long as you nod, I will handle the contract issues completely for you, and you won’t need to pay a penny for compensation.
Regarding WE’s current roster, except for Xiye and 957, I will sell everyone else. Even if they can’t be sold, they’ll only watch from the audience seats in the future. Now WE is under my control."
Despite Gu Bai’s calm tone, it deeply shocked UZI and the others. Knowing that WE made it to the semifinals this year with stable strength among the top teams, he casually mentioned selling everyone except the mid and top lanes.
"I spent 500 million acquiring WE, and my budget for players is also 500 million. Let me be upfront with you, 200 million of that budget is allocated for you, UZI. I aim to create a luxurious all-star team composed of top LPL players, and you all are part of my envisioned map."
"I don’t know if you follow football, but do you know Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich? If you know him, you should understand the implication of my actions."
"I want to build a wealth esports team in the LPL, a brand new all-Chinese Galaxy Battleship! You all will be the C Luo and Messi in the esports world, the true cores of WE’s Galaxy Battleship."
The last sentence was directed at both UZI and Factory Director.
"I prefer to talk about reality, so I won’t spin some vague dreams for you. I can promise that if you join WE, your salaries will be the highest in the entire LPL, and regardless of the event’s size, if you win, everyone will receive bonuses. As long as you achieve, I can make your personal salary income higher than the total salaries of all players in other clubs! A professional esports player’s career only lasts for a few years, don’t you want to earn more money?"
If earlier Gu Bai’s talk about Galaxy Battleship and Dream Team seemed too nebulous.
Now, what Gu Bai said did indeed touch them. Undeniably, they all have dreams, but sometimes dreams and interests don’t contradict. If there’s a better choice, who would hesitate to switch for love?
Seeing their lingering hesitance, Gu Bai took out his phone, played a video for UZI, Xiaoming, and mlxg.
The video’s title was remarkably eye-catching.
"Once a giant stood tall, battling five epic rounds to change the emperor’s fate!"
Five rounds as Galio shattered RNG’s hope of winning the championship, a video that seemed glaringly offensive to the three of them.
Gu Bai’s alluring voice slowly rang out.
"Don’t you want to defeat the demon king personally, to greet that golden rain at the pinnacle of esports?"
After saying this, UZI and Xiaoming didn’t express anything, while mlxg directly spoke, "President Gu, I’m willing to join WE."
MLXG’s low emotional intelligence is well known, being able to agree on the spot was within Gu Bai’s expectations.
"Welcome to WE, and regarding your contract, I’ll negotiate with your RNG Club first thing. If it’s unresolved, I’ll bear all the penalty costs."
This statement was deliberately showcasing Gu Bai’s stance to UZI and the others.
I have no lack of money, just your word is needed.
UZI hesitated for a long time, despite being very interested, he still said, "President Gu, can you give me a few days? I need to think about it."
"Of course, no problem, looking forward to a satisfactory answer."
Only Gu Bai knew that UZI’s joining had almost been secured. Initially having contract disputes with RNG, now under Gu Bai’s immense financial temptation, it’s impossible to say he isn’t tempted. This demeanor is just a step for himself.
As for Xiaoming, known as Consort Gou, once UZI is secured, Xiaoming is practically sure.
Finally, Gu Bai looked at the silent Factory Director and said, "As for Factory Director, regarding our WE and your club’s negotiation, you should already be aware, right?"
Factory Director nodded gently.
"Come home, WE will always be home for you and Ah Bu. Once you pursued dreams, betrayed, and were condemned by all fans. Now, I hope you return again for dreams, to don WE’s red jersey once more!
As your fan, I sincerely hope you can realize your dreams where your dream began.
Next year at S8, I want to personally see you holding the trophy high, opening a new history for WE."
These words touched the deepest wish of Factory Director’s heart. Looking at Gu Bai’s sincere expression, he slowly nodded.
The most luxurious Galaxy Battleship since the establishment of the LPL Division was officially completed with Factory Director’s nod!
Principal Wang: "Gu Bai, I realize whatever industry you plan to venture into, you don’t play by the rules and directly use money to create a bright sky, such as in the entertainment circle, live streaming circle, and now even the esports circle can’t escape your grasp."
Gu Bai chuckled lightly without answering, and Principal Wang was spot on. With the system backing, this is Gu Bai’s confidence.
Such a Galaxy Battleship, if unleashed to play, could make Incheon next year a new puzzle about whether IG can claim the first championship.
If Principal Wang knew this team has a high chance of robbing IG’s World Championship, would he still remain so composed?