Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Slam Dunk

The Unrestrained Cloud Sage Step was the technique that propelled Xia Tianlong to fame. It was named the best step technique for its footwork, which was one that resembled a fairy descending upon the earth.

Xia Tian might be sluggish in his motions but there was grace in his movement. He was followed tightly by a few people but anyone could tell he was calm and collected.

Yun Miao was previously disinterested in the game, but now she had her eyes fixed on Xia Tian.

She left her home a long time ago but she was no closer to finding a Celestial Scroll Fragment.

She last heard that one of the scroll fragments was in the hands of Xia Tianlong, but he was long gone having lost his life in battle. Since then, the scroll fragment was nowhere to be found.

She initially thought that it would be an incredibly difficult task to find any clues to the locations of the Celestial Scroll Fragments. Who would have thought that a basketball game would rekindle her hope?

Xia Tianlong had a successor.

The Celestial Scroll Fragment could possibly be with him, too.

“Ling’er, what is his name?” Yun Miao asked.

“You’re taking an interest in somebody. What a rare sight.” Ling’er looked at Yun Miao out of curiosity. She had never seen Yun Miao interested in anything other than the Celestial Scroll Fragments.

Even Huo Wennu turned to look at Yun Miao. Since they had known each other, it had seemed that nothing piqued Yun Miao’s interest.

Yun Miao was silent.

“Fine, I’ll tell you. His name is Xia Tian; I heard he’s Ye Qingxue’s boyfriend.” Ling’er was familiar with Yun Miao’s temper and penchant for silence and was afraid of ticking her off.

“Xia Tian, Xia Tianlong.” Yun Miao made the connection in her mind before quietly nodding.

33 to 18.

Xia Tian slipped past the four-man barricade before snatching the ball out of Fang Li’s hands to fire a shot.

It was the basketball team’s turn on the ball. Xue Chuan dribbled the ball while the other four made haste towards under the literature and art club’s basket. Xue Chuan took a leap before he crossed the half-court line.

“What is he doing? Is he trying to shoot?”

“A shot from half-court? Did Xia Tian push Xue Chuan into trying something crazy?”

“He’s gone mad! Everyone in the basketball team has gone mad!”

Wham!

The ball went through the hoop. However, Xue Chuan had nothing to do with it. Instead, it was Fang Li who dunked the ball in with an alley-oop. Fang Li was the up and coming star who sunk while the remaining three covered him.

This was Tang Yan’s new strategy — an offense-defense tactic to have four players on Xia Tian preventing him from attacking as well as launching high long passes, while three players covered Fang Li allowing him to grab the ball.

Tang Yan firmly believed Xia Tian would not be able to block the shot.

A coach’s main function was to control the flow of the game, instantly analyzing the flaws and advantages of the enemy. Although Xia Tian did not look like he had a weakness, he was still human. He was not capable of escaping the Earth’s gravity.

“Beautiful work.” Xue Chuan gave Fang Li a thumbs up. Catching the ball high in the air and following with a dunk was easier said than done. This highly difficult move could only be pulled off by Fang Li.

“I live for the flowers, I live for the applause. I know I’m handsome but I just want to be an ordinary and beautiful man.” Fang Li struck another one of his signature narcissistic poses.

“Press on, don’t let up! Let’s get those points back!” Xue Chuan shouted.

The team seemed assured of their victory. At the start of the fourth quarter, the score was 99 to 120 with the basketball team in the lead. Although Xia Tian was good, the basketball team players pushed to their absolute limits in fortifying their defenses.

The remaining four literature and art club members were nothing against the basketball team’s formidable attack.

The literature and art club was in trouble.

“Well done. We’ll win if we keep this up.” Tang Yan cheered the five sweat-drenched players on. They were barely able to maintain the prolonged high-intensity offense-defense strategy, but they bit the bullet knowing they would regret it if they did not.

“Xia Tian did his best.” Ye Qingxue said in consolation.

“It’s already a major feat getting this far in the game.” Ceng Rou could tell that Xia Tian was the true star of the court — the remaining four were only there for show.

“You don’t trust Xia Tian, do you? I think he’ll win.” Bingxin looked at Xia Tian with expectant eyes. She had witnessed Xia Tian turning the impossible to possible one too many times.

“Sister Hui, he’s given his all. The result is obvious. Tang Yan’s strategy’s put a cap on his abilities.”

“Mm, Tang Yan really has an eye for strategy. It’s no wonder she can be Jianghai University’s coach this soon.” Yang Buhui nodded. She did not want to acknowledge Tang Yan’s talent, but her strategy did indeed put a stop to Xia Tian’s long shots, blocks, and steals.

“It’s a pity, he’s gonna lose.” Ling’er felt sorry for Xia Tian.

“That’s not decided.” Ling’er and Huo Wennu both turned to look at Yun Miao as she uttered these three words.

“You think he’s gonna win?” Huo Wennu asked Yun Miao.

“Let’s make a bet.” The often silent Yun Miao wanted to make a bet with Huo Wennu. This certainly piqued her attention.

“What do you have in mind?” Huo Wennu threw a question to Yun Miao.

“I say he’ll win,” Yun Miao replied.

“Why?” Huo Wennu enquired further.

“Let’s talk about the wager. If my guess is right, you’ll help me be acquainted with him. I’m very interested in him.” Huo Wennu and Ling’er were at a loss at her wager. She was Jianghai University’s no. 1 campus queen yet she said she was interested in Xia Tian.

“Alright, fine by me. What if your guess is wrong?” Huo Wennu naturally agreed to Yun Miao’s wager.

“If my guess is wrong, I will assist you in anything within my ability,” Yun Miao retorted.

“Great, it’s a deal.”

The fourth quarter began with the basketball team opting for the same game plan.

“Everyone, keep it up. We have to win today’s game.” Xue Chuan threw the ball from beyond the half-court line with Fang Li ready for another alley-oop.

Bam!

A blocked shot.

Xia Tian came out of nowhere and blocked Fang Li. Fang Li’s body was flung toward the basket but he was fortunate to have three of his teammates catch him from behind.

Xia Tian had the ball. Instead of throwing it, Xia Tian started dribbling across the court.

“Don’t even think about it!” Xue Chuan sprung towards Xia Tian but before he could come close, Xia Tian disappeared out of his sight. Xia Tian vanished together with the ball.

“Behind you!” Tang Yan yelled at the top of her lungs.

It was too late. Xia Tian had reached the three-point line, and just when everyone thought he was going to fire a shot, he lunged forward. The basketball in his hand swooped down the hoop with a huge windmill motion.

Bang!

The ball went in. It was a slam dunk.