Chapter 16: UEFA Champions League Qualifiers?

After pulling off an upset victory over Bayern Munich's youth team,

Tuopu Laotou generously gave all the players a day off.

They returned to the Tyran Training Base.

Henrik couldn't wait and led his teammates charging toward May 9 Park.

Everyone changed into casual clothes and was about to leave the locker room.

They all turned to look at Li Kang, who was standing still.

"Li, come with us! I'll treat!"

"This time you'd better not refuse!"

"Otherwise we'll have to question your problem... Well, it's not impossible, May 9 Park has everything."

While speaking,

Henrik picked up a ball from the rack and gripped it tightly.

"Vulgar! Li and I are decent people—how could we go with you to that kind of creepy place!"

"Get lost, quick! Li and I still have to practice!"

Haverts hurriedly drove everyone away.

A moment later.

He pulled out his phone, leaned in close to Li Kang with a mysterious look.

"Li, I've got a date with a girl at the library tonight—come along! Her mom will be there too."

"Let me show you a picture of her mom..."

Li Kang: "..."

【Ding! Dopamine reward medium not generated! No suppression needed!】

Li Kang of course did not join his teammates' recreational activities.

He went nowhere.

He returned to the first-team dormitory.

He poured himself a cup of water.

The system notification sounded again.

【Ding! Calculating German Youth League results...】

【Personal rating: SSS+】

【Upgrading mission rewards...】

【Congratulations, Host, you obtained: Bronze Box → Bayern Giant Star Bronze Box!】

Did the reward upgrade as well?

There was no prompt for any extra task.

This should be the normal match settlement reward.

In the system panel,

a small bronze box glowed with a faint white light.

Li Kang glanced at the prize pool.

【Beckenbauer's love letter.】

【Noyr's bicycle seat.】

【Robben's hair growth serum.】

【Kahn's Viagra pill.】

【...】

What the hell is this.

Does the bronze box just give this random junk?

【Opening reward...】

【Congratulations, Host, you obtained: Low-level Attribute Point ×1!】

【Usage restriction: This point can only be used on attributes below 70!】

Good thing, it's not random junk.

Li Kang thought for a moment and added it to his ball control.

【Ball Control: 69→70!】

Barcelona.

Enrique returned to his office, weary from travel.

Assistant coach Wensue handed over a report, saying: "You might want to take some time to look into our youth players out on loan... the deadline for the summer transfer window is getting closer, and there are their recent match videos..."

Enrique glanced at his watch.

He opened a folder on his computer desktop.

After ten or so minutes, he began to show impatience.

"They're excellent, but not what I want; the La Liga squad for next season is already registered..."

Two months ago, 35‑year‑old Xavi left Barcelona and retired from the European football stage.

Countless media outlets agreed: Barcelona's dominance would fade away completely with Xavi's departure.

The question arises.

In this world, can we really find a successor to Xavi?

Since taking charge of Barcelona, Enrique has deliberately been reshaping the team's style of play.

This also sparked a wave of jeers.

Some fans believe he stripped Barcelona of its soul.

Even though Enrique led the team to a Champions League victory last season.

People still call him the 'leash-dog champion'.

With MSN, Yinniesita, and Busquets, even a leashed dog on the Barcelona bench could win the championship.

Wensuai smiled: 'There's still one last video clip; I suggest you watch it to the end.'

Enrique moved the mouse unhappily.

The black-haired youth on the screen... felt somewhat familiar.

It turns out he's the adopted son of Sophia.

Without realizing it.

Barcelona's head coach was absorbed in the viewing.

He continuously moved the mouse.

He repeated several clips from the video.

His gaze was full of admiration.

For a long time.

He finally came to his senses: 'Why is he wearing a Leverkusen jersey? I recall Barcelona and Leverkusen rarely had any loan deals...'

It's fine, let him come back, then send him down to the reserves or loan him to another Segunda B club; he's only 17, and if he can break through in a few years he'll become a good helper for Barcelona on multiple fronts.

Wensuai spread his hands: 'It's not a loan; Li Kang transferred to Leverkusen!'

He was preparing to explain why this video appeared in the document.

Enrique slapped his forehead, interrupting:

A little over a month ago, Robert seemed to have mentioned this to me.

It's fine, if he can secure a starting position at Leverkusen and put in better performances, he'll return to Barcelona at his peak.

Leverkusen's strength... cannot attain any title.

But Barcelona's ambitions go beyond just winning trophies.

A hungry dog will return home.

Munich, Germany.

Allianz Arena.

Guardiola and the coaching staff sat in the meeting room.

The meeting entered its final stage.

The large screen began replaying the youth team's match footage.

Unlike Enrique, Guardiola is very concerned about the club's youth training.

When he coached Barcelona, he understood every La Masia prospect's traits in great detail and could give them opportunities to play in the first team.

As the match progressed.

The coaching staff couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

His pass timing is too perfect! It's like the result of an AI intelligent calculation!

And his positional sense!

What kind of match-reading ability is this!

He fits our current tactical system perfectly!

A technical assistant coach even picked up the small blackboard in the corner and kept doodling on it.

It's a shame, aside from passing and long-range shooting, his other technical skills are quite average.

Smack!

Guardiola didn't say a word the whole time.

He recognized Li Kang.

When he coached Barcelona, he already greatly appreciated this dragon-descendant youngster's awareness and vision.

It's practically identical to how he was in his youth.

I never expected this kid to have improved so much.

He thought for a moment.

He ultimately expressed no opinion.

He slowly rose to his feet, signaling the meeting to adjourn.

The coaching staff exchanged glances: Normally, the head coach would surely heap praise on some player at this point in the meeting!

A wonderful highlight reel of a youth league match wouldn't cause too much of a stir.

Dragon Kingdom.

Leverkusen again spent big money to buy a hot search.

The number of likes is very low.

The number of reposts is zero.

The comment section remains full of mockery.

-【His performance is barely passable, but a youth team match proves nothing.】

-【Do you still remember Barcelona's superstar talent Bojan? The one who broke Messi's record in the youth tiers, haha, he's long gone now!】

-【Leverkusen, stop wasting money on hot searches and focus on preparing for the Champions League qualifiers!】

-【Are there still Champions League qualifiers?】

-【Yes, Leverkusen was fourth in the Bundesliga last season, without direct qualification for the Champions League, and still had to play a playoff match.】