Chapter 61

After all, this was the last match in the Northeast region, and even CCTV-5 was broadcasting it live nationwide, with Sun providing commentary and Zhang offering expert analysis on the game.

"… Viewers who have just turned on their TVs… This is the final match of the CUBA Northeast region…" Sun's routine introduction filled the time before the game started. After all, commentary, like novels, can't be all substance; if there were no filler, it would turn into a tactical lesson, or if it were more casual, it would be a stand-up show.

But fortunately, this game was full of highlights.

"… You may remember the previous match, where Yan Yufeng, the top scorer for the Institute of Technology, suffered a severe knee sprain after being fouled. Let's take a look at the replay…" Indeed, that move was only ruled as a regular foul.

The TV showed a slow-motion replay of Yan Yufeng flying and landing on one foot. The visibly deformed knee made everyone watching shudder and feel a chill down their legs.

"… When we thought Yan Yufeng's season was over, he received a shot and returned to the court, fighting bravely with an injured leg and eventually winning the away game."

Zhang added, "This kind of strong will is rare, especially in a non-professional league. I remember a game in our national team where Da Zhi did the same, forcing himself to play, but unfortunately, we didn't win. If we go back further, Yan Yufeng's final performance reminded me of the Pistons' 'Smiling Assassin' Isiah Thomas…"

Sun held the list and said, "That's right. However, the general opinion after the game was that the Institute of Technology's ace would be absent from the next match. Coach Li of the Institute of Technology also stated that they would make personnel adjustments, and they still had a trump card. We don't know if it was a smokescreen, but the starting lineups we received today are the same as the last match. Yan Yufeng is still starting."

Zhang nodded, "After watching the replay, I personally think this kind of injury can't heal in just a few days. Let's switch to the court and see the warm-up situations, especially Yan Yufeng's condition."

The TV switched to the court. Yan Yufeng, wearing the number 8 jersey, was dribbling and running with the team, practicing free throws.

"Uh… From our perspective… Yan Yufeng's leg injury seems to be no problem, his running and jumping are normal, and he even does crossover moves." Zhang was a bit incredulous after watching for a while.

Sun scratched his head, "Is the trump card the team doctor, as the coach of the Institute of Technology said?"

"Possible!"

…

Qi Feng, sitting on the sidelines, suddenly sneezed several times. Su, sitting next to him, handed him a tissue, "Are you wearing too little?" It was almost the end of the year, and in the north, Qi Feng only wore a single jacket when he went out.

Qi Feng rubbed his nose and shook his head, "Lately, it seems I'm always being talked about, I don't know why." This "team doctor" didn't realize he had just been mentioned to a national audience of at least a million people.

"Is Yan Yufeng okay?" Su was still a bit worried.

"Relax…" Qi Feng waved his hand, "He would be ashamed if he got injured after taking my medicine! Besides…"

"Huh? What else?" Su was now particularly sensitive.

"Nothing, I also gave him a talisman, which brings great luck and protection. You can be 120% assured." That was a Vajra Talisman worth over a thousand points, which doubled defense. To injure Yan Yufeng on the court, Qi Feng estimated that it would take more than just hands; at least a controlled weapon would be needed. Well, the main reason for giving him the Vajra Talisman was that Qi Feng wanted to see how the defense buff worked. Yan Yufeng was still within the testing period, and Qi Feng had already figured out the effects and durations of the various elixirs in the Immortal Sword realm.

Su was surprised, "Aren't you a science student? How can you believe in this?"

"You don't understand, Newton believed in God. Who can argue with that?" Qi sighed, "Besides, I've encountered some things recently that have made my values unstable and are still in the process of being rebuilt."

"Huh? What things?" Su asked.

"Ah, it's nothing related to your Yan. Don't worry about it. Watch the game, watch the game."

"Okay." Su turned her head back to the court.

…

The TV broadcast was showing Yan Yufeng practicing.

"… Fans familiar with the Institute of Technology may know that Yan Yufeng has a nickname, 'Little Kobe.' From the scene, we can see that Yan Yufeng's technical actions are indeed somewhat similar…" Everyone knew Zhang was a Kobe fan.

Sun continued, "That's right, look at his crossover, back-to-the-basket, and turnaround jump shot… the movements are quite…"

Under the watchful eyes of the national audience, the basketball Yan Yufeng shot… beautifully… flew over the backboard and landed on the bench… hitting Coach Li's head. Clang!

"…" The two commentators were silent.

"Ha ha ha!" Amid the confusion, only Qi Feng on the bench was laughing uncontrollably, slapping the floor, "Well done!" This was like Rukawa becoming Hanamichi, and the transformation text was perfect.

After a few more shots, Little Yan rushed to the bench, "What's going on?"

Qi Feng, out of breath, laughed, "Do you know how much I suffered back then? This is still better!"

Yan Yufeng took a cup and sat down, lowering his voice, "Is it because the medicine is too strong?"

Qi Feng gloated, "Who told you to keep practicing with dumbbells? Oh, it's fine, it's fine. Your arm strength has increased a lot, but your overall condition is still normal, much better than mine back then."

Coach Li, still a bit dazed, came over, "Yufeng, you… are you okay?"

Yan Yufeng hesitated, not knowing how to explain. Qi Feng smiled, "Coach Li, don't worry, he has been practicing strength training while treating his injury, and he just hasn't found his touch yet."

Coach Li frowned, "Losing your touch at a critical moment? That's a problem."

Qi Feng calmly suggested, "Just focus on driving to the basket and attacking the inside. You did well in the last game, didn't you?"

The referee blew the whistle, and the game was about to start.

Su was still a bit worried, "Is it really okay?" She knew a bit about basketball and understood the intensity of the game.

Qi Feng laughed, "Relax, wait and see the show!"

…

"Great! The game has started!" Sun wiped the sweat from his forehead, trying to smooth over his previous comments, "It seems that Yan Yufeng is still affected by his knee injury, and his performance is quite inconsistent…"

Zhang didn't want to make a definitive statement, "… Uh… Let's wait and see… What?!"

On the court, Yan Yufeng, after crossing the half-court line, received the ball from the point guard without looking at the offensive formation or the defense, and decisively accelerated, easily passing the defender, taking two steps into the paint, and leaping towards the basket. The opposing center had no choice but to rush over to block.

The two collided in mid-air, but Yan Yufeng seemed unaffected, pausing in the air, extending his arm, and placing the ball into the hoop. The opposing center grunted and was pushed back several steps. "Beep beep—" Hand foul, two free throws plus one.

The crowd erupted, almost lifting the roof. The two commentators praised him, "Yan Yufeng, the ace of the Institute of Technology, gave the opponents a strong start, showing excellent penetration and physicality, continuing the unstoppable momentum from the end of the last game."

"Right, Yan Yufeng's free-throw accuracy is 85%, almost a guaranteed point…"

Before he finished, Yan Yufeng, standing at the free-throw line, threw the ball, which hit the timing device above the backboard with a thud.

…

The entire crowd was silent… Only Qi Feng couldn't hold back his laughter on the sidelines.

After a defensive possession, it was Yan Yufeng's turn to handle the ball, break through, and face a double team. Yan Yufeng forced a shot, "Beep—" made the basket and got a free throw! Thud! The free throw hit the bottom of the backboard and bounced back, hitting the referee in the face. Well, the second victim.

The two commentators tried to maintain their composure, pinching their thighs under the table to keep from laughing. "Uh, I mean, Yan Yufeng… his touch today… isn't very good…" "Yes, yes… indeed. Maybe it's the pressure of the final."

…

"Yan Yufeng breaks through! Causes a foul!"

"Yan Yufeng forcefully breaks through! Makes the basket and causes a foul!"

The accumulated effects of the medicine made Little Yan feel no fatigue. He had been sprinting since the start of the game, and the defender was already numb. The opponents had no choice but to focus their defense in the paint, using all kinds of physical moves, but they had little effect on Yan Yufeng, who had the Vajra Talisman's defense buff. Fortunately, the opponents' shooting was also problematic.

…

"Yan Yufeng has already missed six free throws today. His touch is completely stiff."

"Let's see how he does on his seventh free throw…"

Qi Feng suddenly stood up from the bench and shouted, "Yan Yufeng! Like this!" He squatted down and demonstrated a toilet bowl cleaning motion with his hands.

Yan Yufeng's face twitched, looked at the score, and after a second of hesitation…

"Ah? What's this position?" Sun was surprised by Yan Yufeng's strange move. Clearly, he hadn't seen "Slam Dunk" or the ancient god Rick Barry.

"Wow! It went in!" Zhang couldn't help but laugh, "Not easy, one in seven."

…

The fans were even more excited. Mainly because of the laughter.

"Hanamichi!" "Hanamichi!!" Everyone held their aching stomachs and shouted, shaking the entire venue. From today, Little Yan's nickname would probably change.

Qi Feng, fearing chaos, joined in the cheering. His voice was so loud that it could be heard clearly amidst the fans' shouts.

Little Yan was still squatting at the free-throw line, feeling more embarrassed than ever. He looked at the most gleeful person on the sidelines, hating him with a passion.

Seeing Little Yan's resentful gaze, Qi Feng laughed and patted his butt, ready to leave. Su tugged at him, "You're leaving without watching the end?"

Qi Feng, unable to contain his laughter, pointed at the unfortunate ace, who was about to take his second free throw, "I'll leave first, I'm afraid he'll come after me for revenge…"

Coach Li, covering his face, turned away, unwilling to watch. How did this vengeful atmosphere turn into this in just five minutes? Well, it wasn't all bad; the opponents were already flustered by Yan Yufeng's attacks, and the crowd's laughter further demoralized them. If there was no significant change by halftime, the game was over. Seeing Qi Feng about to run, he quickly pulled him back, "You haven't played yet."

Qi Feng shrugged and pointed at the H University players, who looked like they were in a daze, "Do I need to play now?"

Coach Li still had hope, "You really won't join the team?" His sincerity was evident.

Qi Feng patted Coach Li's shoulder, "My journey is the stars and the sea, national dominance is a small matter…" He pointed at Yan Yufeng, who had just made his second free throw, "I'll leave it to 'Hanamichi'!" He then left, disappearing into the player tunnel.

Coach Li was stunned, scratched his head, and turned to Su, "What's 'stars and the sea'?"

Su thought for a moment, "Maybe his dream is to be an astronaut…?"

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