Chapter 35: Stars Shining Bright (Two-in-One)

The first half ended.

Van Gaal stormed into the player tunnel.

Giggs followed closely behind.

The Manchester United coaching staff looked somewhat at a loss.

They had the advantage of two away goals.

They were still leading by two goals.

Not to mention they were down a man.

The match was becoming increasingly difficult.

The Manchester United players looked dejected.

If they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, it will be an absolute disgrace for the Red Devils!

After the Leverkusen players finished celebrating,

they walked slowly off the pitch to the applause of the fans.

Tuopu Laotou hurried over to Li Kang, anxiously asking about his condition.

Dino quickly handed him a dry towel and water.

Li Kang smiled and shook his head.

He was a bit puzzled: even with a God's-eye view, he couldn't fathom Van Gaal's tactical system, but Manchester United didn't seem all that strong either.

Dragon Kingdom livestream.

The big screen displayed the various statistics for both teams from the first half.

"Leverkusen's pass completion rate in previous matches was only 70%!"

"But in this first half, the success rate of threatening passes alone reached 81%! Not counting safe passes in our own half."

-【A backheel is a backheel—what's there to say about a safe pass?】

-【He seems to be Spanish; in a few years, the bullfighters' football dynasty will likely revive!】

-【Guys! Keep pressing Leverkusen in the second half! With Li Mingdeng on our side, we're absolutely solid!】

Leverkusen locker room.

Tuopu Laotou moved the small flags on the tactics board.

"After Depay went off, Manchester United's formation shifted to 4-4-1! At least seven players will be involved in defending and pressing before the box, Bellarabi—you can't cling to the ball so much during attacks!"

"Mata's defending and pressing are weak, but this kid has a strong sense of position—watch how, in the closing stages of the first half, he consistently cuts off the passing link between Li and the flank!"

"We can't predict what formation Van Gaal will switch to in the second half; in any case, keep up the first-half tempo, don't let their defensive pressure throw us into disarray, and don't give them a chance to launch organized counterattacks!"

"The goddess of victory is smiling at us!"

The players all nodded seriously.

Although many thought the coach's earlier words were nonsense—if Li Kang is on the field, a man-short Manchester United can only be suppressed by Leverkusen.

But the old man's final remark really fired up morale!

The goddess of victory is smiling!

We're just 45 minutes away from reaching the Champions League proper!

The fifteen-minute halftime break ended quickly.

Both teams returned to the pitch.

"Good evening, friends, welcome back—we're now broadcasting the second leg of the 2015/16 Champions League qualifying playoff!"

"We see both sides have made personnel changes!"

"On Manchester United's side, Martial replaces Rooney!"

"On Leverkusen's side, Brandt replaces Li Kang!"

"With the referee's whistle, the second half officially begins!"

The ensuing match proceeded without much incident.

Leverkusen in the second half did not press Manchester United as frantically as they did in the first.

Instead, they made the game disjointed.

The ball kept flying out of bounds.

Manchester United simply couldn't advance the ball past midfield.

Nineteen-year-old Brandt already showed his versatility.

His defensive ability isn't strong, and his flowing style resembles that of a South American player.

But he is extremely fast, shifting from wing to a deeper midfield role, making him a complete nemesis for players like Martial and Lingard.

Manchester United's Mata was also tightly marked by Kramer.

Son Heung-min and Bellarabi also joined the team's defensive efforts.

Leverkusen fans finally realized: without Çalhanoğlu, their team's defensive structure was overly rigid.

Every player's movement had been freed up; when resisting Manchester United's flank advances, their timing for switching defensive assignments was practically perfect.

Match time ticked by second by second.

Soon it arrived at the final injury-time period.

Van Gaal, gripping a water bottle, said helplessly: "Tuop, you dirty old man, you're shameless—you're just using this tactic to waste time!"

He then glanced toward the bench.

He let out a sigh.

The current Manchester United—old veterans, young kids, injured players—really has no one usable left.

Giggs wanted to say something but held back: "Boss..."

Van Gaal shook his head: "If we can't beat Lewokusen, then even if we make it into the Champions League, can we still break out of the group stage?"

Giggs was stunned.

It seemed they could not help but accept the reality before them.

This year... we won't be playing in the Champions League.

European powerhouse Manchester United has never been so down-and-out.

World-renowned coach Van Gaal has also never been so embarrassed.

Finally.

The main referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the match.

Lewokusen 2:0 Manchester United.

Aggregate score 4:2, eliminating the opponent and qualifying for the Champions League!

"Congratulations, Lewokusen! Congratulations, Li Kang!"

"In the two-legged Champions League qualifier, Li Kang single-handedly scored four goals, pulling Lewokusen back from the brink of elimination!"

"Now we can hear the entire Bayer Arena shouting a Dragon Kingdom name!"

Lewokusen players frantically rushed toward the bench.

They lifted Li Kang high up!

Undoubtedly.

The mute dragon descendant is the team's hero!

All four stands.

The fans also stood up, giving him the most enthusiastic applause.

Media reporters instinctively vied to interview.

But they realized that Lewokusen's genius cannot speak...

Van Gaal's face turned dark, and he unhappily shook hands with Tuopu Laotou.

He gazed into the distance at the dragon descendant's back.

He didn't know what he was thinking.

At the same time.

A piece of news shocked the entire Bei lai yin.

"Lewokusen genius midfielder refuses Barcelona buy-back!"

In the eyes of ordinary fans.

In recent years, Barcelona has been a superpowerhouse at its peak.

The peak Dream Trio no longer possesses dominance as Xavi ages.

But the MSN trio still strikes fear into Europe's giants.

Messi, Neymar, and Suarez, three historical-level forward killers, propped up Barcelona's post-Dream Trio era!

This is practically the dream club for ordinary players to join!

Lewokusen fans in front of the TV for a moment found it hard to digest the information brought by this news.

"Li Kang actually refused Barcelona?"

"He refused the championship! He refused honor! He chose to stay at Lewokusen!"

"Our hero! Not a second Fabregas!"

In an instant.

The last shadow in the fans' hearts was swept away!

Dragon Kingdom.

The news of Lewokusen eliminating Manchester United didn't have much traffic.

The news of Li Kang refusing to return to Barcelona, however, landed on the front pages of major football media.

Sports Director Robert: Barcelona will wait for every child's return!

The Bundesliga's shining powerhouse discard, unwilling to go home!

Who in the world would refuse Barcelona? Messi was stunned!

Likes, comments, and shares surged.

-【What a pity, if Li Kang went back to Barcelona, I would buy his jersey! He doesn't plan his career at all! Going back to Barcelona would be great, just lying on the bench could earn a championship!】

-【I think even if Li Kang went back to Barcelona he'd have no chance, his acting skills are no good!】

-【Messi was stunned? What a messed-up headline!】

-【We've become fans, Real Madrid fans say: We most admire this kind of non-conformist genius youngster!】

-【Chelsea fans say: Great!】

-【You say, if Lewokusen meets Barcelona in the Champions League....】

Bei lai yin.

Lewokusen's entire team returned to the training base.

Tuopu Laotou beamed with a spring breeze.

He announced a day off for all players!

Everyone cheered and leapt for joy.

Assistant coach Dino also joined in shouting loudly.

Tuop patted his head: "What are you happy about? Our coaching staff still needs to hold a match review meeting!"

The players laughed heartily.

They didn't find this match very difficult.

Especially in the first half, Li Kang's early dominance in midfield passing and control meant his teammates barely broke a sweat.

After the coaching staff's personnel left.

Captain Bendel suddenly said, "Let's go to my place for drinks! It's still early!"

This guy is a rich second-gen.

In 2009, after moving from Munich 1860 to Lewokusen, his family bought him a large villa in a wealthy area.

Sun Xingmin hesitated, then said, "My dad doesn't let me drink..."

Kelamo said, "Bendel can summon lots of hot white chicks from magazine covers..."

Sun Xingmin quickly pulled out his phone from his backpack and called, "Dad, I'll head home after extra training at the club!"

He looks very honest.

In fact, there have been multiple photos secretly taken by paparazzi of him hanging out at nightclubs.

Bendel put his arms around Li Kang and Brandt's shoulders, laughing, "You two minors can drink mineral water!"

Brandt shoved him away displeased, saying, "Who are you looking down on? I'm already 19!"

Li Kang smiled; it seems extremely disciplined players are still a minority.

Eleven o'clock at night.

Li Kang carried the drunken Brandt back to the first-team dormitory.

He hadn't drunk any alcohol.

After all, without the system, he's just a waste.

Talent determines the upper limit.

Discipline determines the lower limit.

Two security guards quickly grabbed Brandt.

The two nervously said:

"Li, you should rest up; if we do extra training, we'll have our wages docked."

"Yeah, the fitness coach said your testosterone..."

Li Kang smiled and returned to his own dormitory.

The system notification sounded softly:

【Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission: Advance to the Champions League main stage!】

【Personal rating: SSS!】

【Mission reward distribution...】

【Congratulations, Host, obtained: Platinum Treasure Box!】

Even without playing the full match, is the personal rating really that high?

The Injury Immunity Physique Module has proven: Platinum Treasure Box products are always top-notch!

Li Kang couldn't help but feel a bit anticipatory.

This time he didn't check the prize pool.

【Platinum Treasure Box opening...】

【Congratulations, Host, obtained: Feet Balance Module!】

【Additional attribute boost: Speed +2%, ball control +2%, shooting +2%, jumping +2%! Physical contact +2%!】

The treasure box floating in mid‑air suddenly opened.

A burst of white light enveloped Li Kang's right foot.

There was no pain or abnormality at all.

Shortly after.

The white light faded.

Li Kang lightly tapped his right foot.

Instantly he understood why this module grants multiple attribute boosts!

In today's European football scene.

The most extreme two‑footed player is Arsenal's Cazorla.

Even the then‑head coach Wenger remarked, "I truly can't tell which foot is his preferred one."

He is an underrated Spanish midfield master.

His ambidextrous feet make his ball control and shooting unpredictable!

On defense, he can easily shift his weight, maintain balance, and despite his frail small frame, block burly battering‑ram players!

He said in an interview, "I've been able to use both feet naturally since childhood, without deliberate training."

In short.

For top‑level players, this is a super talent.

A female footballer in Dragon Kingdom's history also possessed this talent.

Even after having her meniscus removed.

She still won countless honors.

Foreign media dubbed her "the skirt‑wearing Maradona".

1999 World Cup top scorer.

20th‑century best female footballer.

Century Football Lady.

The next morning.

Tuopu Laotou hurriedly found Li Kang, who was training.

Dino quickly handed over a set of clothes.

"You little brat, you came to the training ground even on your day off! We've been looking for you all afternoon!"

"Hurry up, put on a suit! You are now Lewokusen's player representative! We're going to Monage!"

"Exactly! To participate in the Ouguan group stage draw ceremony!"

Everything seemed rushed.

Lewokusen had only just broken into the Ouguan proper yesterday.

Wo Le Er only this morning discovered that the club's player representative was: Qia'erhan Aolu?

He hastily signed, changing it to Li Kang's name.

Three hours later.

Mengtekaluo International Airport.

The three walked out of the arrival gate.

Wo Le Er glanced at Li Kang, praised: "Not bad, fits well, looks just like me when I was young! If you grew a little beard!"

Tuopu Laotou pursed his lips: "Good lord! When you were young..."

He hadn't finished his complaint yet.

Fans on both sides of the barrier surged forward madly!

This situation clearly wasn't a welcome for them!

Li Kang was just about to turn around.

Wo Le Er grabbed him and hurriedly walked out of the arrival gate.

"Let's go! Our third-seed team has no right to be late!"

"It's the second seed!"

Tuopu Laotou corrected.

The three quickly took the business car prepared by Ouzulian.

Outside the car came a roar like a collapsing mountain and tsunami.

"o!!!"

"o!!!"

"o!!!"

Through the car window, Li Kang first saw a tall figure in a blue suit.

Security personnel struggled to block the frenzied fans.

Immediately after.

Stars walked out of the arrival gate one by one.

Azha'er.

Bogeba.

Yinbulaximoweiqi.

Luoben.

Daweixiwa.

Dragon Kingdom livestream.

Fans seeing this became somewhat excited.

"-【This truly is a star-studded Ouguan edition!】"

"-【No, it should be said to be an Ouguan that connects the past and future! The stage where Hawei and Pierluo have left, a horde of young talents are beginning to shine!】"

"-【I'm optimistic about Luoma's Piyani ji!】"

"-【Majing's Keku also has great potential!】"

"-【Youwensi can get revenge on Basa this year?】"

Tuopu Laotou muttered: "What a coincidence, everyone gathered and arrived at Mengkatelo!"

Wo Le Er looked at Li Kang and smiled: "In the near future, you too will become a brilliant star."

"'Even more brilliant than them.'"