The International 2023 is all wrapped up, leaving a lasting impression, especially for the Chinese audience. Two teams from the region, against all odds, clinched a spot in the top four.

Azure Ray (AR) is the real surprise, a team formed by retired legends rose up and clinched third overall despite a tough season and against all odds. One of these legends, Xu “fy” Linsen, humorously remarked he was “dragged” into playing for this year’s TI.

Perfect story arc for any veteran team

Azure Ray was first initiated by Lu “Somnus” Yao, who found it challenging to distance himself from the competitive arena. Eager to dive back in, Somnus assembled a team of renowned players, including fy. Contrary to initial perceptions about super-teams left by Elephant the year before, AR’s performance skyrocketed, exceeding both fan and player expectations.

During an interview at TI 2023, fy was quizzed about his thoughts on their season and if such success was foreseen. His light-hearted response was:

“I don’t know, I got dragged into playing TI.”

Interestingly, this turned out to be closer to the truth than one might think.

The idea of a comeback was floating around for Somnus, fy, and Yang “Chalice” Shenyi. AR wasn’t just a team; it symbolized a band of buddies eager to relish the thrill of Dota 2 at its pinnacle. Their camaraderie was evident, with fans witnessing their joy both during matches and off-stage.

While Azure Ray didn’t secure the Aegis at TI 2023, fans were elated to become the game’s Uncrowned Kings relishing every moment.

There is a lesson here for all “superteam” builders. Brotherhood mentality goes a long long way in Dota 2. Two teams now (Azure Ray, OG) have proven this.

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