Chapter 215: Forge Reset, Superstar Template Mbappé Aims Far to Hit Near!

Check Dongqiu Di Match Preview: At 4 AM on March 8, the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 sees Yellow Submarine travel to face Lyon. With the Copa del Rey final approaching, how will Saint Eloi arrange his starting lineup for the Europa League match?

Front-page headline of "China Football News"—The national team announces the new season/phase training camp roster, led by Feng Feng Xiaoting and Wu Lei, with Tang Ye selected for the first time.

Check Dongqiu Di Pinned Post: Tang Ye's Weibo account reposted the national football team's announcement regarding the training camp roster and added a "sunglasses" emoji sticker.

Front-page headline of "Sports Weekly"—The national team's new season/phase training camp will begin on March 9; currently, Tang Ye's return time to China remains unclear. According to internal staff, Tang Ye appears to have received certain "conveniences," as the national team does not wish to impact his development in European leagues.

After handling the Weibo matters, Tang Ye left his computer running temporarily and shifted his attention to his system.

【Erling Haaland's Viking Forge】!

This was the system's gift for his 18th...

Oh, no!

It was his 39th birthday gift!

Whether 18 or 39, as long as the system gave a reward, the system was right.

Considering the super reward received from the system on his 38th birthday, Tang Ye had high expectations for this Viking Forge!

【Haaland's Viking Forge (Ultimate Item)】

1. You can place an unsatisfactory template into the forge to be reforged (excluding Legendary and Ultimate templates); the reset template will remain at the same grade as before the reset. Templates that have already been reset cannot be reset again.

2. You can use Counterattack Points to upgrade your consumable items.

What the hell?

Tang Ye widened his eyes.

Haaland's Forge had two functions; first, he carefully studied the first one.

"Place an unsatisfactory template into the forge to reset..."

"Then obtain a template of the same grade?"

Tang Ye narrowed his eyes.

This effect seemed incredibly overpowered.

The problem was, all his templates were powerful; was there really any need to reset them?

Every time he obtained a new template, Tang Ye needed several days to adapt; looking at it this way, was the forge's first function useless to him?

Wait!

Tang Ye remembered.

He had a template he had barely used.

【Kylian Mbappé Volley Shot Template】!

This template was very strong; back when Tang Ye was at Utrecht, he had scored a super cool volley.

Moreover, this was a Superstar Template!

But there was a problem, a very serious problem.

That was, this template's activation conditions were simply too stringent; it could not provide a direct boost to Tang Ye's shooting ability, making it arguably the least practical template currently on Tang Ye,

bar none!

Should he throw it into the forge and hammer out a new one?

Hiss—

This was a dilemma!

Mbappé's volley shot was cool, and Tang Ye loved this kind of super cool shooting style the most.

Executing it felt great, no doubt, but the issue was that Tang Ye only got a chance to hit a volley in a match once every few months.

Hmm, actually Tang Ye quite wanted to keep this template, but thinking about the team's upcoming Europa League, league matches, and the Copa del Rey final, his heart began to waver again.

Gritting his teeth!

【You are extremely dissatisfied with the Mbappé Volley Shot Template (Superstar); for a 39-year-old like you, the tricks of young people are indeed meaningless】

【Do you wish to place the Mbappé Volley Shot Template (Superstar) into the forge for reforging? If you do so, you will receive a completely random Superstar Template】

"..."

Taking a few deep breaths, Tang Ye made his decision.

【You have lost the Mbappé Volley Shot Template (Superstar)】

Suddenly, sitting in his gaming chair, Tang Ye felt as if the top of his skull had been pried open.

Then, something flew out from the crack in the top of his skull.

Followed by a chilling sensation, Tang Ye shivered his body.

【Shooting: 77→76】

【Physical Contact: 74→73】

As expected, resetting the template caused Tang Ye's attributes to drop immediately.

But it didn't matter; this thing would bounce back soon enough.

【Resetting】

【You have obtained... Mbappé Aim Far Hit Near Template (Superstar)】

【Shooting: 76→77】

【Speed: 70→71】

【Vision: 95→95】

Wow?

Although it was a completely random new template, Tang Ye had obtained something from Mbappé again.

He really did have a fate with the Ninja Turtle!

In this move, Tang Ye had essentially traded his Physical Contact attribute for Speed and Vision attributes (although the Vision attribute did not level up).

Tang Ye's Vision attribute was truly strange; even a Superstar Template failed to raise it by the slightest margin.

There was no help for it; Tang Ye estimated that if he wanted to upgrade his 95 Vision again, he would probably have to see if he could obtain a Legendary Template related to Vision later on.

The crown of his head was torn open once more; sweat born of effort flowed down Tang Ye's forehead as memories of "aiming far and striking near" rushed into his brain.

That felt good!

This "aiming far and striking near" thing, while not as cool as the Volley Slash, was extremely practical; Tang Ye had already envisioned how to use this template in passing.

Alright, were there any other templates to reset...

Tang Ye pondered carefully.

【Modric Outside-Foot Template】?

No, this was too important to Tang Ye; combining the outside-foot technique with his imagination would yield excellent results.

Resetting it would definitely be a loss!

【Casemiro Tackle Template】?

This wouldn't work either; Tang Ye relied on it as his sole defensive capability.

【Fernandes First-Touch Distribution Module】?

No, no, no!

Impossible!

Absolutely not!

As a possession-style midfielder, this was the most important asset Tang Ye possessed.

This could not be reset!

Well, after all that fuss, it turned out the only template on Tang Ye that could be reset was the Volley Slash Template.

First, let's check his current status panel.

Tang Ye (39 years old)

【Ball Control: 80; Passing: 88】

【Shooting: 77; Heading: 49; Set Pieces: 74】

【Speed: 71; Stamina: 72; Physicality: 73】

【Defense: 70; Vision: 95】

Overall Rating: 81

After his attributes grew higher, the rate of improvement slowed down, though this was relative to Tang Ye himself.

If you compared Tang Ye to other players in his age group, his rate of improvement could only be described as defying heaven.

Having dealt with the first function of the Forge, Tang Ye turned his attention to the second.

2. You can use Counterattack Points to upgrade your consumable items.

Let's see what this is about?

【Path: Vardy's Red Bull → Vardy's Red Bull +1】

Material Cost: Counterattack Points * 50

Add points!

I'm familiar with this!

Tang Ye's eyes lit up.

The feeling of treating the Forge like a video game really delighted him.

How many Counterattack Points did he have again...

Account Balance: Counterattack Points * 3456

Recently, he had eaten a bit too much hot chocolate milk and hamburgers, resulting in no significant increase in Tang Ye's balance.

But it didn't matter; compared to the 50-point material cost, Tang Ye's balance of over 3000 was still quite substantial.

【Vardy's Red Bull → Vardy's Red Bull +1】

【Vardy's Red Bull +1: For the next 120 minutes, you gain an extra 10.5% Stamina】

Selling Price: Counterattack Points * 5

From Red Bull to Red Bull +1, the Stamina attribute increase value rose by 0.5%.

Most crucially, the selling price remained unchanged, which was extremely satisfying!

Currently, Red Bull could be considered Tang Ye's most critical item; let's see if it could be leveled up a few more times.

The price for continuing the upgrade was 200 Counterattack Points, which was acceptable.

【Vardy's Red Bull +1 → Vardy's Red Bull +2】

【...】

【Vardy's Red Bull +3 → Vardy's Red Bull +4】

【Vardy's Red Bull +4: For the next 120 minutes, you gain an extra 12% Stamina】

Going from 0 to 4 cost Tang Ye 1750 Counterattack Points.

The money spent was considerable, but the effect was equally obvious.

With an additional 2% Stamina, and considering Tang Ye's current Stamina attribute was 72, this 2% equated to 1.5 points.

In other words, Tang Ye had used 1750 Counterattack Points to raise his Stamina attribute by nearly 2 points.

This was truly a fantastic bargain!

With a remaining balance of 1700 Counterattack Points, Tang Ye decided to keep only 500 for purchasing items and use the rest entirely as material costs for upgrading.

【Hazard's Tartar Sauce Hamburger +3】

【Pogba's Hair Wax +3】

【Ronaldo's Chicken Breast +2】

This was the result of Tang Ye's final operations; other items that weren't very practical would not be upgraded for now.

Wait until the season ends and Tang Ye gets rich before worrying about it!

After organizing these things, Tang Ye felt his strength had increased considerably.

Hmm, his talent had also increased!

Don't ask why talent can also increase; it just can!

Of course, becoming stronger comes at a cost.

Tang Ye's account balance had dropped from 3400 to 400; this was the price Tang Ye paid.

On the bus heading to the Groupama Stadium, Tang Ye sat on a seat playing with his phone; it was 10 PM China time, and he had been chatting with Lippi on WeChat using translation software for nearly half an hour.

"Is it family?" Rodri asked with a smile, looking at Tang Ye, who had just finished chatting and raised an eyebrow: "Rodri, why do you think it's family?"

"Unless it's family, it's impossible to chat for this long."

"It's the national team coach."

Tang Ye replied, putting his phone back into his pocket; his words caught Rodri's attention: "Tom, impressive, making the national team at 18."

Rodri would turn 21 in June, but judging by his current performance, he still had a long way to go before reaching the national team.

And Tang Ye had been selected at 18; this was truly something to envy.

"Haha, thanks, Rodri."

It was clear that Tang Ye was very happy now: "When I was still in elementary school, I told my parents that I wanted to make the national team."

"So what did your parents say back then?"

Bruno, sitting in front, heard the two chatting and leaned over his seat to join in.

!

"My dad said I was dreaming, but the fact is, I really made it."

Tang Ye spread his hands.

He learned of his selection because someone added him on WeChat, and that person pulled him into the national team's group chat; at that moment, Tang Ye knew he had been selected.

And as soon as the news came out, he immediately forwarded it to his parents.

The sense of pride from that time, Tang Ye could still remember clearly even now.

【Tang Tang Zhengxiong: Go f***ing for the World Cup, I'll open a separate page for you in the genealogy, no lie!】

Tang Tang Zhengxiong had actually planned to come to Spain to see Tang Ye, but unfortunately, the dragon boat races in the Foshan area were about to begin, and as a key player, Tang Tang Zhengxiong could not get away for the time being.

However, he would definitely come for the home match against South Korea.

He would wear the limited edition "Tom's Dad" jersey in the stands to cheer for Tang Ye!

Barring any accidents, Tang Tang Zhengxiong would probably also help Tang Ye trash-talk the South Korean fans.

Just thinking about it gets one excited!

"Tom, just a reminder, there's a World Cup next year; you need to work hard."

"Of course I'll work hard."

Tang Ye answered quickly.

The World Cup is the ultimate goal for all top players; he could face many top players there.

Ronaldo, Messi, and his teammate Neymar would all be there, so of course Tang Ye had to go too.

By then, CCTV should be like this: China Media Group, China Media Group, good evening everyone, dear audience friends; this is the live broadcast of the Russia World Cup group stage match between the Chinese men's football team and XXX; as you can see, the player currently in the frame is China's starting midfielder, Tang Ye!

His heartbeat unconsciously accelerated; Tang Ye quickly shook his head to calm his current emotions.

There were only five hours left until the Europa League match; he could not afford to be distracted now.

Sitting beside Tang Ye, Rodri rubbed his hands; Tang Ye's sudden selection made him somewhat anxious.

That's right, the World Cup was next June; he had to improve faster so he could participate in the global football super-event held once every four years.

Time was running short.

He had to quicken his pace to keep up with big brother's steps.

To become the second midfielder in the Yellow Submarine squad, after Tang Ye, to be selected for the national team!

But how could he keep up with big brother's steps?

In the physical sense of keeping up with steps, Rodri needed to step exactly where Tang Ye had stepped.

Covering positions!

Still covering positions!

And then...

The Spanish National Team!

"China Media Group! This is the live broadcast for you of..."

"The referee is checking his watch!"

"Alright, the match has begun! Next, let me introduce the starting lineups for both teams in this match!"

"First, the home team Lyon! They were last season's Ligue 1 runners-up!"

Lyon (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anthony Lopes

Defenders: Rafael, Mammana, Diakhaby, Morel

Midfielders: Tousart, Tolisso, Gonalons

Forwards: Ghezzal, Lacazette, Valbuena.

Head Coach: Génésio.

【All unfamiliar names; this is Yellow Submarine's first match against a French team.】

【Many Tang Ye fans watching their first match this year might not know this, so let me introduce: Lyon were last season's Ligue 1 runners-up, and Yellow Submarine are about to defeat the Ligue 1 runners-up!】

【Fun fact: there was a 30-point gap between the Ligue 1 runners-up and the champions.】

【Just say whether they were runners-up or not.】

【Yellow Submarine is awesome!】

【Just waiting for our Tang Tang Qiuwang to tear through the Ligue 1 runners-up; Yellow Submarine > Lyon, Tang Ye > Ligue 1!】

Although the match kicked off at 4 a. m., this did nothing to diminish the enthusiasm of Chinese fans.

Just as Yao Ming once entered the NBA, Tang Ye was about to create his own history in European football leagues!

"Lyonnais! (Lyon)"

Boom! Boom!

"Lyonnais!"

Boom! Boom!

The home fans at Groupama Stadium were building up the atmosphere.

For Lyon, defeating both Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco this season to claim the Ligue 1 title was nearly an impossible task.

But it didn't matter; if they could win the Europa League, it would still be a perfect season!

Yellow Submarine naturally also wanted to chase a high Europa League ranking, but the reality was cruel: only one team between Yellow Submarine and Lyon could advance to the quarter-finals!

The match reached the 15th minute of the first half.

"At present, the gap in strength between both sides isn't very obvious; Villarreal holds some advantage in possession, but since last October, this Spanish team has become less focused on possession play, which gives Lyon a chance to match them in controlling the ball."

"Gonalons carries the ball forward himself!"

"Lyon is still playing rather conservatively..."

Zhan Jun had barely finished speaking when center-back Diakhaby suddenly surged up from behind Gonalons, receiving the pass from him.

Leveraging his towering height of 1.89 meters, Diakhaby directly shoved aside Tang Ye, who was trying to defend him.

Poor Tom wobbled back and forth, nearly knocked flat to the ground by Diakhaby.

It had to be said, Lyon's tactic of having their center-back push forward to join the attack was truly excellent!

Ahead were Rodrigo and Gaspar, who had run up together; Diakhaby chose to pass the ball out to the wing.

To Valbuena, the left midfielder dropping back to receive!

Valbuena carried the ball forward himself!

"Hurry back, hurry back!"

Escrivá urged the players on the field.

His god's-eye view observation gave him a bad feeling.

This Lyon attack seemed to have a pattern to it!

On his rush toward the byline, Valbuena accelerated again!

Gaspar tried to chase back, but the distance was just a little too great.

He couldn't block Valbuena's position in time.

Valbuena was extremely decisive.

A direct cross!

To Lacazette!

Damn!

Asenjo spread his arms and dove toward Lacazette, but inside the penalty area, Lacazette remained extremely calm, flicking the ball with one touch to Ghezzal on the right.

Musacchio immediately ran toward Ghezzal.

At that moment, Ghezzal impersonated Hazard, paused briefly on the spot, and directly caused Musacchio to overrun him.

The defender marking him had run past!

The goalkeeper was also sitting on the ground!

Could there be a better opportunity than this?

Valbuena adjusted half a step and fired a shot straight into the top corner of the net.

"Marquer un but! (Goal)"

"Ghezzal!"

The live commentator shouted loudly; the goal-scorer, Rachid Ghezzal, leaped over the advertising boards along the byline and went straight to the stands behind the goal.

"Roar—!!!"

In the 23rd minute of the match, the home team, Lyon, took the lead first.

Villarreal was behind!

"..."

Watching the celebrating Lyon players, Tang Ye chewed his gum alone, feeling terrible in his heart.

Damn it!

Just now, he should have directly fouled Lokadia!

"Lyonnais!"

"Lyonnais!"

Ghezzal's goal made the stadium extremely lively, which made Escrivá, already somewhat uneasy, even more agitated.

Although they would slightly sacrifice the first leg of the Europa League match for the King's Cup in a few days, winning would naturally be the best outcome.

Leading in the away first leg would instill immense confidence in both the Yellow Submarine players and their fans!

"They have been constantly creating numerical advantages."

After studying the data, Marti drew his conclusion.

To break through the Yellow Submarine's rear defense, Lyon had been pushing their full-backs, and even their center-backs, forward.

With the center-backs also advancing, Lyon would possess a significant numerical superiority over the Yellow Submarine during attacks.

This was because, in counter-attack situations, neither Tang Ye nor Aleix participated in defense!

It was somewhat difficult to handle.

Escrivá narrowed his eyes as he looked at the data displayed on Marti's computer.

What audacity, daring to push defenders forward.

Do they really think Tom is still a child!

The eighteen-year-old Tom has become even stronger!

……

(End of Chapter)