Chapter 83: The Smiling Assassin

All along, Chinese players have left a stereotyped impression on the world stage of being "by the book and lacking creativity"; even though Yao Ming once reached star status in the NBA, he still left few spectacular chapters there, being a traditional center.

But tonight, Fan Xi became the most dazzling player in the arena.

In a relaxed setting, he pushed his creativity to the limit, and almost every shot was a blend of genius imagination and flashy technique.

That is why Fan Xi earned a standing ovation.

"If this continues, I can hardly imagine anyone who could threaten Jie Ke's All‑Star MVP. Moreover, Bo Bo Weiqi has no intention of pulling Jie Ke out," Kenni Shimi Si said on TV, delighted, "Charles, you shouldn't challenge the law of miracles."

Barclay was very angry.

He couldn't understand why Bo Bo Weiqi still hadn't substituted Fan Xi; so far, the only players who haven't left the court are James and Fan Xi. Does Bo Bo Weiqi think Fan Xi and James are of equal standing?

"Kenni, don't be overconfident. You came from a point guard background; you can see how far Jie Ke's display is from a real game—he's just relying on lax defense. Look at his exaggerated dribble arcs and height; if Derek Rose had actually defended him before, he would have been stripped at least five times."

Charles Barclay shouted, and it was unclear whether he was truly swearing an oath or just bolstering his own courage.

Meanwhile, on the court, Le Bu Lang Zhang Si passed the ball to Deron Williams and signaled him to shoot it back.

Deron and James were in sync.

There has long been a saying among point guards: "Paul dominates the league, Deron dominates Paul." This mirrors the phrase "Howard rules the paint, Yao Ming rules Howard."

Deron Williams, like Yao Ming, is a big‑bodied player at the same position.

Moreover, Williams's lateral swing is extremely impressive.

Fan Xi didn't enter a serious defensive mode, so Deron Williams's famed lateral swing had no real effect; his two back‑and‑forth swings only highlighted his awkwardness.

In the end he forced his way into the paint; Fan Xi didn't block him, even turning aside to watch him enter.

But Deron leapt for a dunk, only to be met by the startled Zack Lan Duo Fu, who also jumped up.

Lan Duo Fu, having been ambushed by James earlier, reacted especially quickly… *Bang! *

He swatted Deron Williams's dunk away with a single hand.

It landed perfectly in Fan Xi's hands.

Staples Center erupted in excited screams over the clean, swift 'snatch' block.

Receiving the ball, Fan Xi didn't pause, launching a rapid attack toward the frontcourt like lightning. He surged forward like a bolt of lightning.

Behind him, James had already been shadowing him like a silhouette.

James's speed is astonishing, his leap and explosiveness top‑tier. Thus, he often completes spectacular chase‑down blocks from behind. The Celtics' point guard La Jia Long Duo has been repeatedly slammed with a rim‑shattering block from behind, casting a shadow over his drives.

This time, he clenched his teeth, muttering a curse, determined to make this show‑off rookie eat a spectacular hot‑pot of defeat.

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, as Heaven's Chosen Son, has always been the league's focal point; wherever he is, he is inevitably the most watched.

But since encountering Fan Xi, this undrafted rookie who appeared from nowhere, he found his crown askew… his own reflection was stepped on by this guy.

In their first meeting in Miami, this guy, thanks to god‑defying luck, pulled off a clutch script that single‑handed the Three Giants.

That night, Fan Xi shone brilliantly, career in his left hand, love in his right, reaching the first pinnacle of public attention, while James was so angry he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Later, before the game started tonight, this rookie somehow secured a historically unique commercial sponsorship, far surpassing James's first contract.

James has always been the NBA's commercial super‑giant, even Kobe Bryant could not be compared with him.

But now, this mysterious undrafted rookie, Kobe Bryant's little junior, has outpaced him commercially by a large margin.

How can the young emperor tolerate this?

What burned James even more was that he had a bellyful of anger ready to vent on the court at Fan Xi, only to find Fan Xi perfectly attuned to the All‑Star tempo, creating a dreamlike performance despite lax defense. He was like an imperial superstar descending on Staples Center, with the entire crowd cheering and applauding to his rhythm.

Even this true Heaven's Chosen Son, along with other superstars, became mere backdrops for the rookie, highlighting his unique, unparalleled brilliance.

How can James endure this?

Thus, he gathered all his strength; his ball had to crush Fan Xi mercilessly, like a WWE Undertaker delivering a guillotine‑style block on Fan Xi's head.

With his power, he could definitely do it.

At that moment, Fan Xi, like a sprite oblivious to danger, darted into the paint, gathered the ball and powered up, one step, two steps… moving with a devilish gait.

James saw Fan Xi take his second step; drawing on his ample experience, he immediately leapt… to strike first.

His basketball IQ is extremely high; his timing for blocks is superb.

But when James rose like a soaring eagle, his right hand brimming with power to block, Fan Xi, who had just taken his second step, abruptly halted; instead of jumping like a normal player, he turned his head back…

He only just recalled that he had previously promised Wei Si Bu Lu Ke.

When he turned and saw Wei Si Bu Lu Ke charging ferociously, he instantly tossed the ball up in a perfect arc.

Wei Si Bu Lu Ke shot skyward with brutal force, grabbing the ball mid‑air while violently twisting his waist backward, forming a reverse bow that showcased his powerful core.

Boom!

Wei Si Bu Lu Ke hammered the ball into the hoop with both hands.

Everything happened in a flash; the instant Wei Si Bu Lu Ke's fists slammed the rim, the missed James hurriedly descended, but his foot slipped, causing a stumble. Fortunately, James reacted in time, twisting sideways and bracing with his left hand, avoiding a full‑body fall.

But that… was already ugly.

A sideline photographer captured the soaring Wei Si Bu Lu Ke and the stumbling James; the frozen frame was destined to become a 'basketball masterpiece.'

Wei Si Bu Lu Ke looked down from the rim and saw James flipping sideways.

A strong sense of conquest welled up inside him.

He was thrilled.

He never imagined in his life that he'd dunk over James's head.

When he landed, he immediately raised both hands, welcoming the tsunami‑like cheers of Staples Center… Wei Si Bu Lu Ke, a Los Angeles native, relished the hometown's roaring applause.

Then, never forgetting his benefactor, he walked over and tightly embraced Fan Xi: "Jie Ke, you're simply amazing, how did you know I was tracking you from behind?"

Fan Xi smiled and replied with a cheeky line: "Because I've always kept your assist in mind."

Wei Si Bu Lu Ke was instantly moved; he pounded his chest with his fist: "Good brother! Tonight I'll definitely help you get the All‑Star MVP."

The two bantered flirtatiously as if no one were around.

James, having lost his wife and troops, glared and appeared beside them; he covered his mouth with his hand to keep the camera from catching his lip‑talk, and in a fierce tone said, "Want the MVP? Just because you two?"

James's words were filled with malice and ferocity.

Fan Xi and Westbrook instantly felt a chilling dread.

At that moment, they realized they had been targeted by the league's current top player.

Their excited expressions froze, and the game's atmosphere instantly grew solemn.

Westbrook reflected inwardly: Were our celebrations just now too reckless?

He had no intention of causing a misunderstanding with James in such a joyous setting.

But Fan Xi's heart was completely open.

And, without any fear.

He lifted his chin, showing an attitude entirely different from Westbrook's.

Westbrook is also a dominant player, but when faced with condescended provocation, he wonders if he did something wrong.

Fan Xi would not.

Provocation is provocation, regardless of whether it comes from above or below.

Although James's fame and skill far surpass Fan Xi by several levels.

But why should they yield to him?

Fan Xi's heart swelled with a fierce outlaw aura… ready to endure a beating, daring to pull the emperor off his horse.

Besides, the little emperor? Haven't they already delivered a game‑winning kill before?

Why does this self‑righteous swagger dominate others?

Fan Xi strode back to the frontcourt with pride.

At this point, Kenny Smith praised Fan Xi and Westbrook's coordination: "I guarantee LeBron's head is spinning now; he can't believe Jie Ke actually managed an assist in this situation. Normally, he should have already blocked it."

"So, young guards, watch closely: the way to counter James's unstoppable chase block has been demonstrated by young Jie Ke—just pass the ball three steps slower."

Kenny boasted proudly about Fan Xi.

This made Charles Barkley feel uncomfortable.

He could only mutter there: Why does Zach Landov ignore the rules, and why does he block Deron?

But nobody has banned blocks in the All‑Star Game.

Meanwhile, a CCTV commentator shouted at the TV: "This is the mantis catching the cicada while the oriole waits behind. James thinks he's the hunter, but the true hunter often appears as prey. Jie Ke is too strong; his feint is a textbook example of point‑guard play! The little emperor once again gets trounced under his hands."

What elegant Chinese.

The fans watching in front of the TV felt as refreshed as eating ice cream on a scorching day—so exhilarating!

Charles Barkley said Zach Landov's block prematurely kicked off the real action of this All‑Star Game.

In fact, that was indeed the case.

When Deron Williams came over again, he immediately forced a break, using his massive body to press Fan Xi and charge like a tank.

Fan Xi's build was inferior to Deron's; he couldn't hold his ground and kept retreating.

But as Deron entered the paint, Zach Landov loyally stepped up, using his even bulkier frame to block Williams's stride.

Deron Williams passed the ball to Garnett.

Fan Xi originally had a chance to steal the ball.

But he didn't. Garnett drove into the lane and completed a dunk.

What Fan Xi didn't expect was that after Garnett's dunk, Deron Williams ferociously swept toward Fan Xi and Zach Landov.

That look made Fan Xi feel a strong affront.

"If this weren't the All‑Star Game, my fist would have blossomed on his face," Zach Landov said angrily.

Fan Xi received the basketball from Landov's hands.

When he reached the frontcourt, Deron Williams stepped out from inside the three‑point line, assuming a defensive stance.

"Jieke Fan finally plays with fire and burns himself!"

Charles Barkley, seeing the scene, jumped up excitedly and shouted: "That flashy point guard will face head‑on the assassin trained by Coach Sloan; Deron is a lethal, one‑hit combatant!"

Barkley was delighted.

Popovich had long seen the signs and was worried about Fan Xi.

When James's block failed and he fell to the ground, his face bruised, he realized the game's atmosphere was off. Because Popovich had faced James long ago, he knew the Heaven's Chosen Son could not endure any grievance, could not tolerate even a hint of "glory fading." That's why that year they swept the Knights in the finals.

Tonight, Popovich will do his utmost to protect Fan Xi.

This is Popovich's overt scheme: he wants to push Fan Xi into the MVP spot, making him a target of all arrows; nothing destroys a promising rookie more than being over‑hyped to death.

So, when Deron Williams came up to defend, he immediately called out Chris Paul's name, intending for Chris Paul to quickly substitute for Fan Xi during the dead‑ball phase.

At this moment, Fan Xi was unaware of Popovich's plan.

When Deron Williams lowered his center of gravity and launched an aggressive charge.

He showed no sign of panic; on the contrary, he was excited.

He felt the excitement of a top student facing an exam; his intuition told him… the smiling assassin's breakthrough experience would come into play.

Fan Xi had been anticipating the real combat to arrive.

Deron Williams was undoubtedly the best touchstone.

Bang!

Fan Xi changed direction swiftly; his speed was fierce.

Moreover, his center of gravity dropped at a visibly rapid rate.

Kobe Bryant, watching from the sidelines, narrowed his eyes rapidly, feeling something unprecedented.

A strong surprise surged from within him: young Jie Ke had gotten stronger again.

To the experts, this was unmistakable progress.

And Deron Williams also realized he was tough to deal with.

He never expected Fan Xi's dribbling could be so low.

Just as he bent over to set up a strong defense… boom!

Fan Xi suddenly changed direction!!

And it was a kind of anti-ergonomic bodily twist.

Isaiah Thomas!

Chris Paul on the sidelines instantly sharpened his gaze.

He is the person who understands Isaiah Thomas best in the world; although he has always called himself a fan of Allen Iverson, only he himself knows deep down how many times he has imitated the Weixiao Cike's offensive moves from childhood.

However, he has never been able to perform such a sharp and smooth anti-ergonomic strike at an extremely low center of gravity like the Weixiao Cike.

But at this moment, Fan Xi accomplished it.

Although his move was still a bit immature, its lethality had already shown.

Deron Williams was in danger.

Paul's heart sounded a pessimistic voice.