Faraway North Rhine.

Leverkusen, a small city, was destined to be sleepless.

The bars were filled with the clinking of glasses.

The air was thick with the sour smell of malt.

Bare-chested burly men were gulping down the cherry dark beer that the Veltins Group had launched in early spring.

"European War Heroes!"

"When drinking beer, you gotta drink Veltins endorsed by Lee!"

Beneath the LED display in the square.

Countless men, women, and children gathered.

The adults raised the Leverkusen flags, their eyes fervent, proud of the warriors fighting on Stamford Bridge.

A group of children, about four or five years old, chased after a small soccer ball, playing and laughing.

"Today it's my turn to be Lee! You're Çalhanoğlu!"

"Adam's hair is the curliest, he has to play Toprak!"

May Ninth Park.

The youth training players put their arms around young girls, proudly saying:

"I used to be teammates with Lee! We fought side by side and took down Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayern... youth team!"

....

Stamford Bridge echoed with the songs of North Rhine.

Old man Toprak rushed onto the field like a madman.

Behind him followed Dino, the coaching staff, the team doctor, the substitutes...

Everyone's face was filled with a happy smile.

London was not the end for Leverkusen!

Van Dijk looked up at the moon over London, just months ago he was still the sinner of the Dutch national team, the disaster of Southampton...

He couldn't help but pat Jonathan Tah's cheek.

The black center-back flinched away in pain.

"We're not dreaming!"

"We won! Lee led us to the top four!"

Kießling pulled Li Kang up and gently brushed the grass clippings from his hair.

Brandt excitedly hugged him: "I think I can buy another house..."

Havertz cheered: "Do we get to skip homework if we're in the Champions League semi-finals?"

Son Heung-min sat on the grass, headphones on, and said firmly to his phone screen: "Xiaoying, let's not meet up again for a while... I need to stay in shape before the semi-finals."

The reporters broke through the security's obstruction and flooded the green field like locusts.

All kinds of cameras and lenses were aimed at Leverkusen's number 10.

The flashes went wild.

All the media realized that this was a historic moment.

Not related to Leverkusen.

It was an important chapter in Li Kang's legendary career.

After Stamford Bridge, the North Rhine genius would shine in Europe!

.....

Post-match press conference.

There was no sign of Hiddink.

This was the Dutch coach's habit for many years: fine me if you want, I just don't like attending press conferences.

The Leverkusen coach became the only interviewee for the reporters.

"Mr. Toprak, Leverkusen is back in the Champions League semi-finals after fourteen years! What would you like to say?"

"Mr. Toprak, I am a reporter for Marca, Lee is a genius raised by our Castilla! As a German, how do you feel?"

A series of questions swirled madly around old man Toprak's ears.

He tried to suppress the anger in his heart.

Well.

He was now a Champions League semi-final coach, he had to maintain his composure.

He straightened his tie and slowly said:

"I am very honored... to have personally witnessed Leverkusen entering the top four twice."

"This feeling is very unusual."

"Lee possesses many valuable qualities of German football, North Rhine will always be his home."

"Without him, we would have been eliminated by Manchester United in the Champions League qualifying round."

The reporters then realized: Leverkusen had fought all the way from the Champions League qualifying round to the top four!

....

Leverkusen's luxurious five-star hotel, located in Stamford Bridge's "Chelsea Village."

Abramovich was very generous.

With a wave of his hand, he covered all of the opponent's food and accommodation expenses in London and warned the Chelsea club staff not to disturb Li Kang about transfer matters.

At the hotel lobby.

Brandt looked around in surprise and muttered, "Chelsea is too rich, right?"

Kramer explained: "Chelsea Village was a project that the former owner, Ken Bates, messed around with in the early nineties, almost going bankrupt, luckily Abramovich took over!"

The check-in process was completed quickly.

Li Kang took his room card and found his room.

The system prompt quietly sounded.

[Ding! Congratulations on completing the mission: Stamford Bridge Escape!]

[Mission feedback: I asked you to escape from the pursuit of the Blue Beast, not to flatten it...]

[Congratulations on obtaining: Superstar Dark Gold Treasure Chest!]

A dark gold treasure chest surrounded by black air, floating in mid-air.

This affix should be the most top-level superstar reward, right?

He quickly glanced at the prize pool.

[1%: Messi "Absolute Ball Sense" Module!]

[1%: Ronaldo "Golden Edge" Module!]

[1%: Xavi "Rational" Module!]

[1%: Pirlo "Subversion" Module!]

[3%: Bale "Soaring Clouds" Module!]

[3%: Iniesta "Lingbo Micro Step" Module!] (Lingbo Micro Step - a fictional martial arts movement)

[5%: Neymar "Samba Dancer" Module!]

[5%: Hazard "King" Module!]

[...]

Messi's absolute ball sense from '91?

The super "golden-edged Ro" before his serious injury?

The core gameplay of the previous generation's two legendary midfield masters?

The rewards are too generous, right?

A moment later, Li Kang noticed the probability values...

He never played gacha games, feeling they were all scams.

[Superstar Dark Gold Treasure Chest... is opening...]

[Congratulations on obtaining...]

[Bale "Soaring Clouds" Module!]

[Between two points, Bale is the shortest!]

[He is a golfer.]

[He made fans all over the world aware of the "soleus muscle."]

[Additional attribute increase: None!]

[Special effect: Unknown, Dual Module!]

[Negative effect: After this module is triggered, your soleus muscle will suffer a great load.]

No speed increase?

Still a dual-effect module?

As for the negative effects on the soleus muscle, it wasn't a big problem in the face of an injury-immune physique.

Numerous cracks appeared on the surface of the Dark Gold Treasure Chest.

The cracks emitted a dazzling white light, completely enveloping Li Kang.

....

A long time later.

Li Kang sat on the carpet, drenched in sweat.

He painfully covered his calf.

The system prompt sounded again.

[Ding! Champions League "Top Four" achievement unlocked!]

[Reward is being distributed...]

[Congratulations on obtaining: Advanced Attribute Point *1!]

[Advanced Attribute Point: Can be used for a single attribute value in the 90-99 range!]

Li Kang fell into thought.

There seemed to be quite a few players in the top four teams with bodies as strong as Diego Costa.

He reached out and poked the attribute panel.

[Physical Confrontation: 91→92!]

Beep beep beep.

A series of rapid message sounds suddenly rang from the phone.

Li Kang glanced at it and silently shut it down.

He had to be disciplined.

He shouldn't play with girls after every game.

....

Not long after the game ended.

Reports of the Stamford Bridge battle spread wildly on online media.

[Big upset! Leverkusen eliminates Chelsea, re-entering the Champions League top four after fourteen years!]

[Two assists and one goal? In-depth analysis of Li Kang's breakthrough process against Mourinho's defensive system in the two rounds, the greatness behind the goal!]

[Hiddink's reputation is tarnished, refusing to attend the press conference after the game, Thames' secret mistress!]

[Returning to simplicity, the Chinese genius's super long-range push shot kills the game!]

[North Rhine's youth storm sweeps across Europe!]

Likes, comments, and reposts continue to skyrocket!

-[Fake news, right?]

-[The first top four of the season is born! Leverkusen!]

-[Whether Li Mingdeng can compete for the top of the Champions League depends on the draw for the top four!]

-[Still have to draw? Isn't there a division between the upper and lower halves?]

-[It's been canceled for many years, but I heard that UEFA is preparing to restore the rule of dividing the semi-finals in a few years!]

-[It's good enough to get into the top four, the defensive problem is too serious, no matter which team you draw in the semi-finals, you will be crushed!]

-[Ah Xi ba, Li Kang and Son Heung-min proved a fact: we Asians can also play football well and become superstars!]

-[Still have time to comment? Hurry up and save the photos!]

-[I announce that the second top four is born! Barca!]

....

On the other hand.

Enrique was miserable.

Calderón Stadium.

The LED scoreboard in the air showed a shocking score.

Atletico Madrid 2:0 Barca!

MSN misfired!

Iniesta, Rakitic, and Busquets' midfield iron triangle combination was strangled by Atletico Madrid's stars without any resistance!

Enrique wanted to control the game with a one-goal lead in the first leg...

He directed Barca to keep passing the ball in the backcourt.

But he was cut off from the connection between the front and back courts by Simeone's crazy high press!

After successfully seizing possession, Atletico Madrid grabbed Barca's left wing and beat it hard.

Just grab your Alba for being short!

Just grab your Pique for liking to misplace his defense!

Griezmann completed a brace!

The Barca fans who went with the team complained that the turf at the Calderón Stadium was too slippery!

Where's MSN?

Without the support of the midfield.

Messi, Neymar, and Suárez had very few opportunities to touch the ball.

They posed no threat to Atletico Madrid's iron barrel formation.

Football is a team sport.

Beep! Beep beep~

Finally.

The referee blew the whistle to end the game.

Atletico Madrid eliminated Barca and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals!

Enrique knelt on the ground, his expression dull.

Simeone put his hands in his pockets and looked proudly at the audience.

....

Barcelona.

Robert sat in a dark office.

Listening to the passionate commentary coming from the TV... he trembled all over.

Barca was eliminated.

Barca, with a historical-level front line MSN, was eliminated!

Leverkusen advanced to the Champions League semi-finals.

The La Masia reject who was sold by Barca for 1 million euros became famous in Europe!

The words he and Enrique had said were constantly echoing in his ears:

"If the dog is hungry, it will go home!"

"Results prove everything, as long as Barca defends the Champions League title, no one will point fingers at us for a reject..."

Having experienced glory.

You have to experience troughs.

Kingship is not eternal!

.....

Madrid.

Modric looked at the news of Leverkusen's promotion, his joy overflowing.

"There's a high probability that we'll meet Leverkusen in the semi-finals!"

Bale shook his head and frowned: "What are you thinking? Win against City tomorrow before you say that! Don't get overturned by Atletico Madrid like Barca!"

...

Turin.

Juventus Football Club.

Buffon was doing shooting practice with Morata while listening to Bonucci read the news.

"I knew Li Kang could make it to the Champions League semi-finals, he is a silent genius, just like me when I was 18."

"Next, it's up to us!"

"Alvaro! Can you at least shoot within the frame? My gloves are still clean!"

Not far away.

Pogba looked unhappy.

He stroked his new hairstyle with both hands.

"Li Kang is more like Balotelli than me!"

"If Leverkusen comes to Turin, I will let him know who is..."

Pa!

Chiellini kicked the ball hard over.

"Pass Bayern tomorrow before you talk nonsense!"

.....

Etihad Stadium.

Pellegrini sat under the dim streetlights, saying goodbye to the Manchester City boys who had finished training one by one.

The confidence and state shown by each person could give the Blue Moon coach more confidence.

What a perfect central axis!

Manchester City had the most top-level lineup configuration!

All that was missing from the trophy room was a Champions League trophy!

Yaya Touré, David Silva, Agüero, De Bruyne, Kompany... Joe Hart?

The assistant coach put a coat on the old coach.

"Boss, don't think too much, Real Madrid doesn't have an absolute advantage to eliminate us..."

Pellegrini shook his head and sighed:

"Real Madrid has incredible European dominance... I have a feeling that no team will be able to restrain this Galácticos in the Champions League in the next few years..."

"Unless..."

"Unless Manchester City has Lee!"

"Lee is the last piece of the puzzle for the Blue Moon to win the championship!"

"If he comes to the Etihad Stadium, he will definitely lead Manchester City to the top of Europe!"

....

Bayern Munich.

Guardiola huddled in a simple office.

He lay on the desk, writing and drawing non-stop.

Torrent curiously stepped forward and exclaimed, "Boss, our opponent tomorrow is Juventus! Not Leverkusen!"

Guardiola touched his bald head and said, "I know, Bayern and Leverkusen have a crucial life-and-death battle for the championship in the Bundesliga."

The Bayern assistant coach completely couldn't understand his thought process!

The Champions League is more important.

We only drew with the Serie A hegemon in the first leg.

Shouldn't the purpose of staying up all night to prepare tactics be how to defeat Juventus?

What's going on?

Still studying Leverkusen Li Kang's playing style?

Something's wrong!

Looking at the content on the draft, it doesn't seem like he's trying to deal with Li Kang?

It's more like tactics built around Li Kang as the core?

Torrent was dumbfounded.

"Boss, are we moving again?"

....

The next day.

Leverkusen training base.

The haze in everyone's heart quietly dissipated.

Old man Toprak gave all his teammates a day off.

After all.

The Champions League semi-final game was a month away.

The opponent in this weekend's Bundesliga game was still Hamburger SV, who was mired in the mud.

No pressure.

Leverkusen was best at: being meek in the Champions League and aggressively attacking in the Bundesliga!

...

Even on vacation.

The training ground was not lacking in the figures of players.

Almost all of the first-team members were training hard.

They cherished this hard-won opportunity to be in the top four!

Semi-finals.

The Bundesliga championship battle.

German Cup quarter-finals.

Even if Leverkusen had a chance to breathe, they couldn't relax.

After finishing a morning of training.

Havertz drove his broken car, taking Li Kang and Brandt to the small city of Aachen, forty miles away.

That was his hometown.

There was nothing special planned, he liked raising donkeys, donkeys were one of the most important partners in his life, and he had to introduce them to his good friends!