Chapter 40

Lai Nuo lowers his center of gravity, always ready to make a save.

From his goalkeeper's perspective.

Shaerke04's attacking player's movement cleverly opened up a gap.

Sane's pass landing point was also extremely precise.

In front of Matip, there was no obstruction.

He didn't need to make any adjustment at all.

The distance between him and the ball kept getting closer.

He was about to deliver a lethal blow to Lewokusen!

Lai Nuo, a little panicked.

It seems he hasn't yet emerged from the shadows of Manlian and Bailinheta.

At the edge of the pitch.

Tuopu Laotou covered his eyes with his right hand!

Since that year's Champions League final, after being crushed by Zidane's heavenly flying fairy.

He most feared seeing the opposing player blast a world-class shot into his own goal!

Dino clung to his sleeve, stunned: "Boss... quick look!"

Tuopu Laotou opened his fingers.

Just as the opposing center-back was about to wind up and fire a furious shot.

He saw a figure burst out from the side!

It was Li Kang!

At Lewokusen's most critical moment, he lunged with a sliding tackle, poking the ball away!

At the Veltins Arena, tens of thousands of Schalke 04 fans almost simultaneously let out a sigh.

"Too timely!"

"After Li Kang's initial defensive failure, he didn't choose to keep chasing Sane, but turned and followed Schalke 04's late‑running attack point! He's so smart!"

"Who would've thought! We Dragon Kingdom people can also put on such a brilliant defensive display in the top league!"

Matip was dumbfounded.

His swinging right leg could no longer hold back its force!

Smack!

The instep whipped hard against Li Kang's waist!

He staggered, then plopped down onto the grass.

The fans on site didn't know what had happened.

The close‑range audio equipment, however, transmitted this crisp sound to the ears of every fan watching on TV!

"That hit must really hurt!"

"It's fine, it's fine!"

"Li Kang rubbed his waist and sprang right up!"

-【Damn! Awesome!】

-【That was Matip's powerful shot! Kicking Li Kang's waist and he's unharmed?】

-【Loved it! Loved it! I love this thick‑skinned, tough‑as‑nails genius youngster! Never have to worry about him getting hurt!】

-【Because he's so afraid of pain, he dumped all his attribute points into defense?】

Matip was even more dumbfounded.

He looked up at Li Kang with the eyes of someone seeing a monster.

Tuopu Laotou and Dino couldn't help but shiver.

Braitreit slapped his thigh hard, making a rowing gesture toward the pitch: "Track back! Track back!"

The ball was poked to Bender's feet!

Brandt had already surged forward in the front line!

Bender lacked confidence in his long pass.

He decisively knocked the ball back to Li Kang!

Schalke 04 players frantically fell back.

They still maintained an extremely uniform spacing.

The vertical and horizontal lines showed no breach.

In Li Kang's mind, shadows spread wildly.

Before his eyes, a towering phantom suddenly appeared.

Within the phantom.

The red‑and‑black jersey, like a ball of flame, encircled a number.

Number 10!

From God's perspective.

Schalke 04's frantically withdrawing formation, like shattered glass, appeared with countless cracks!

Immediately after.

Under the gaze of everyone present.

Lewokusen's number 10, steps calm.

Without any superfluous shuffling steps, facing the rolling ball, he lightly lifted his foot.

An elegant and majestic move, leaving no flaw to be found.

Thud!

A deafening blast!

The ball skimmed the grass, rolling at high speed.

Like fireworks soaring into the sky.

It lit up the night.

It tore apart Schalke 04's defensive depth.

Veltins Arena fell into a deathly silence.

Bu lai teng lai te stared blankly.

Tuopu Laotou and Dino stared in shock.

Neither coach expected Li Kang's counterattack long pass to be a grounder!

Bu Lan Te surged forward with frantic speed!

He summoned every ounce of strength!

His legs drove into the grass!

He didn't glance back!

A sudden, inexplicable feeling rose in his chest: Li would surely slip the ball to his feet!

"Unbelievable!"

"Too terrifying!"

"An ultra-long through pass! A counterattack long pass that could change the match!"

"As precise as a scalpel!"

"That lead! It's absolutely perfect!"

"Bu Lan Te! Breakaway! He has a clear path ahead!"

"As the ball rolled toward him!"

Bu Lan Te paused.

He had braced himself for a high ball.

He never imagined the ball played to him would be a low, driven through pass!

No need to ease up or adjust!

He comfortably took the ball in stride.

He surged into Schalke 04's penalty area!

Then.

The Veltins Arena fans finally snapped out of it!

A roar erupted!

Goalkeeper Fahlmann rushed out!

He had no time to admire the Dragon Descendant's god‑level through pass.

He sought to close the gap and snuff out the breakaway chance entirely.

While sprinting, he constantly prepared to adjust his balance.

Thud!

No mind games whatsoever.

Bu Lan Te arrived at the edge of the penalty area.

He hammered the ball with his right foot!

He allowed no opening for psychological play!

The ball whistled into Schalke 04's goal!

0–2!!!

"Another goal!"

"An unbelievable assist!"

"An indescribable lead!"

"What a through pass! It stretches over 60 meters, an ultra‑long distance— the ultimate visual treat!"

"We can almost see the shadow of a Milan legend in him."

"Li Kang's long counter‑attack pass, Bu Lan Te's breakaway goal! Lewokusen increased their lead!"

-【Moved to tears, so awesome!】

-【This pass wasn't aimed at Bu Lan Te—it went straight to my heart.】

-【Schalke 04's defensive coverage was superb, with three players closing on Bu Lan Te; under normal circumstances they could easily intercept any Lewokusen counter‑long pass.】

-【Yet Li Kang's grasp of timing and space was impeccable, his lead perfectly timed...】

-【Please, cut the hype—I've only seen passes like this in a Ruyter Costa game! I never imagined Li Kang possessed this spatial awareness!】

-【A truly divine through pass!】

Li Kang staggered, dazed.

Cold sweat drenched his shirt.

The gloom in his mind convulsed and withdrew.

In the system panel, the once‑golden Ruyter Costa module faded back to normal.

This was his first activation of that module.

Li! Your through pass is stronger than Hawei's and Pierluo's!

Bu Lan Te did not choose to celebrate himself.

Instead, he ran from the opponent's half back to his own backfield, wildly lunging at Li Kang.

He then rushed towards the Lewokusen fans' stands.

He excitedly pointed at Li Kang's jersey!

"Yes! Give your applause to Li! He is the true hero of our Lewokusen!"

This guy really knows how to work the atmosphere!

The Lewokusen fans in the stands had their heartstrings touched.

They shouted hysterically in unison:

Li!!!

Li!!!

Leverkusenallez!!!