135: Chapter 135 Berlin Lightning! Reuss's Provocation and the Young Master's "Little Notebook"

Berlin, Olympic Stadium.

This magnificent structure, bearing countless historical memories, stood towering in the evening twilight.

Under the massive dome, the brilliant lights illuminated the pitch as if it were day.

In the stands, the red and white of the England National Football Team fans and the black, white, and yellow of the Germany fans divided the stadium, which could hold over seventy thousand people, into two distinct camps.

Songs, chants, and boos intertwined, merging into a massive wave of sound that made one's blood boil, reverberating within the enclosed stadium until it made one's eardrums numb.

This was an international Grade A friendly, but no one treated it as a friendly.

England versus Germany—no matter when or where, regardless of the nature of the match—could only be described by one word: a rivalry match.

The final pep talk in the dressing room had concluded. At this moment, in the player tunnel, the players from both sides were lining up, waiting to enter the pitch.

The atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

In the England National Football Team line, Yu Bai, wearing a brand-new red away kit, stood near the front of the queue.

He could feel several complex gazes coming from the adjacent line.

There was curiosity, scrutiny, and undisguised hostility.

After all, he had recently personally eliminated Borussia Dortmund from the Europa League, and the core of the defense he had "directed"—Mats Hummels and Emre Can—were standing in the Germany line at this very moment.

On the other side of the Germany line, a familiar figure cast a glance. Marco Reus.

The "Little Rocket" of Borussia Dortmund had engaged in two rounds of earth-shattering clashes with Yu Bai in the Europa League Round of 16 two weeks ago.

The two had been at loggerheads on the pitch, but after the match, they exchanged jerseys and greeted each other, which had a hint of mutual respect between heroes.

At this moment, seeing Yu Bai, Marco Reus curled the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a smile that carried a touch of arrogance and the familiarity of an "old friend." He lifted his chin slightly toward Yu Bai, acknowledging him.

Yu Bai saw him too and nodded with a smile in response.

But in the intersection of their gazes, there was a contest and a spark belonging to top-tier players that only they could understand.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Berlin Olympic Stadium!"

"Now, let us welcome the players from both sides onto the pitch!"

Accompanied by stirring music and led by referee Gianluca Rocchi, the players from both sides walked onto this sacred green pitch, holding the hands of mascots.

A massive wave of sound rushed toward them, and the flags in the stands waved frantically.

The passionate voice of the on-site commentator clearly spread to every corner of the stadium through the broadcast system:

"First, let us introduce the away team, wearing red jerseys—the England National Football Team!"

"They have deployed an aggressive 4-2-3-1 formation today!"

"Goalkeeper: Number 1, Joe Hart!"

"Defensive line: Number 3 Danny Rose, Chris Smalling, Number 5 Gary Cahill, Number 2 Nathaniel Clyne!"

"Double defensive midfielders: Number 4 Eric Dier, Number 8 Jordan Henderson!"

"Attacking line: Number 7—Yu Bai!"

When this name was read, the commentator deliberately emphasized his tone, and a burst of cheers and applause from the England fans erupted in the stands.

"Number 10 Dele Alli, Number 11 Danny Welbeck!"

"Forward spearhead: Number 9 Harry Kane!"

"This is also Yu Bai's first appearance representing the England National Football Team! He is wearing the legendary number 7 jersey! A memorable moment!"

"Next is the home team, wearing traditional white jerseys—the German Machine!"

"Goalkeeper: Number 1, Neuer!"

"Defensive line: Number 3 Jonas Hector, Number 5 Mats Hummels, Number 6 Sami Khedira (playing as center-back), Number 2 Rüdiger (playing as right-back to defend against Yu Bai)!"

"Double defensive midfielders: Number 18 Toni Kroos, Number 14 Emre Can!"

"Attacking line: Number 11 Marco Reus, Number 8 Mesut Özil, Number 13 Thomas Müller!"

"Center forward: Mario Gómez!"

The players from both sides lined up on the pitch for the national anthems. The solemn and stirring melody echoed throughout the stadium.

Yu Bai stood in the line, expressionless, not singing along to the rhythm.

At this moment, he was no longer the boy playing football on the streets of London, no longer the star of Leicester City or Tottenham; he was—a member of the England National Football Team.

A strange and profound sense of mission quietly rose in his heart.

However, just as he was immersed in this solemn atmosphere, preparing to welcome the start of his first international match—

[Ding—]

That familiar notification sound, as if coming from the depths of his soul, resonated leisurely in his mind. It carried a hint of laziness, yet it instantly energized him.

[At 32 years old, you are representing the national team in an international Grade A match.]

[Host's first appearance for the country detected, milestone reward triggered.]

[Obtained single-choice reward—choose one of four:]

[Option 1: Strengthen the posterior thigh muscles (hamstrings), permanently reduce injury risk to this area by 50%.]

[Option 2: Strengthen ankles, permanently reduce injury risk to this area by 50%.]

[Option 3: Strengthen calf muscles and Achilles tendons, permanently reduce injury risk to this area by 50%.]

[Option 4: Strengthen the groin, permanently reduce injury risk to this area by 50%.]

Yu Bai was stunned. No challenge required, just a direct reward? Is the scale of a national team debut really this grand?

He quickly scanned the four options.

He remembered that the last similar reward was about knee strengthening. He had chosen the knees at the time, and it proved to be too important, allowing him to dare to perform more extreme moves.

Options 1, 2, and 4 had appeared last time as well.

Only Option 3 had changed this time to "Strengthen calf muscles and Achilles tendons."

Yu Bai's mind raced in a flash.

In football, repeated sprinting, sudden stops and changes of direction, jumping and landing, as well as frequent Shooting and long Passing, all place a huge burden on the triceps surae and Achilles tendons.

Achilles tendonitis and calf muscle strains are high-incidence conditions for professional players; severe injuries like an Achilles tendon rupture could even directly threaten one's career.

At the same time, strengthening this area could further improve explosive power and ground-pushing efficiency, which would have immeasurable benefits for his future breakthroughs, Shooting, and even maintaining competitive form in the long term.

Moreover, he now possessed the "Deceleration Ball (Legendary)" skill, which required extremely high precision control of the ankles, calves, and Achilles tendons.

Strengthening this part might allow him to be more at ease when performing the "Deceleration Ball" and reduce the risk of accidental injury.

With almost no hesitation, Yu Bai made his choice in his mind. Option 3!

[Strengthened: Knees (permanently reduce injury risk by 50%), calf muscles and Achilles tendons (permanently reduce injury risk by 50%)]

A warm and powerful sensation instantly spread from above the ankles and the calves, as if countless tiny electric currents were weaving through and reshaping the muscle fibers and tendon tissues.

Although no changes were visible on the outside, Yu Bai could clearly feel that his calves had become more "solid," and his Achilles tendons seemed to have been injected with greater elasticity.

Yu Bai exhaled a breath of stale air and secretly thought to himself, "Comfortable."

Just then, the national anthem finished playing. The players from both sides began to shake hands. When it was Yu Bai's turn, he happened to face Marco Reus in the Germany line.

Marco Reus also looked at him, the corner of his mouth revealing that iconic, slightly roguish, and confident "crooked-mouth dragon king smile" again, and he reached out to shake hands with Yu Bai.

"We meet again, Director." Marco Reus said in English, his tone relaxed, but his eyes carried a fighting spirit.

"Indeed, Marco." Yu Bai responded with a smile, increasing the strength of his grip, "This time, the venue has changed."

"The venue has changed, and the result will change too." Marco Reus let go, blinked, turned around, and ran toward his position.

Yu Bai watched his back, the smile on his face unchanged, but a flicker of vigilance flashed deep in his eyes.

This guy looks to be in great form today, and... he's very eager to perform.

"Beep—!!!" Referee Gianluca Rocchi blew his whistle, and the match officially began!

Germany kicked off first. They didn't choose to pass the ball around in the back to test the waters but instead immediately launched a staggering lightning raid!

Mario Gómez immediately passed the ball back to the goalkeeper—Neuer—who had already moved near the center circle arc, almost standing in the middle of the center circle!

"Neuer is out! Germany is pressing forward right from the start!" the commentator exclaimed.

Neuer received the ball and looked up to observe. The England National Football Team's formation had not yet fully unfolded, and the front-court players were pressing forward.

Seeing this, Neuer didn't hesitate at all; he swung his right foot and delivered a powerful long ball, launching it directly toward the edge of the England penalty area!

The ball traced a high arc in the air, descending rapidly!

The England National Football Team's defensive line hadn't had time to press up as a whole, and Germany's attacking line had already surged forward like a tide!

Mario Gómez leaped high near the top of the penalty area! His massive frame fully stretched out in the air, overpowering England center-back Chris Smalling, and he delivered a powerful headed pass!

The ball was headed toward the space on the right side of the penalty area arc! There, a white lightning bolt had already arrived! It was Marco Reus!

After Gómez passed the ball to Neuer, he had immediately made a forward run, and at this moment, he appeared exactly in the most lethal position!

Dele Alli and Jordan Henderson tried to step up to block, but Marco Reus's acceleration was too fast; they were half a beat too slow!

The ball fell, at the perfect height! Marco Reus didn't control the ball, nor did he even adjust his steps; he met the falling ball and swung his golden left foot! A volley!

"Bang—!!!" A heaven-shattering explosion erupted in the Berlin Olympic Stadium!

The ball, like a cannonball compressed to the extreme, carried terrifying spin and power. With almost no arc, it whistled straight, like a meteor, streaking into the top right corner of the goal!

Joe Hart stood in front of the goal; he only had time to make an instinctive hand-raising motion!

His center of gravity hadn't even had time to shift before the ball, like the Grim Reaper's scythe, swept over his head!

"Clang—!!!" A crisp and loud metallic sound of impact! The ball smashed fiercely into the inside of the right goalpost!

Then, in the stunned gaze of everyone (including Joe Hart), it deflected into the goal! The net was lifted high by the immense impact!

"..." The entire stadium fell into a brief, suffocating silence.

Immediately, earth-shattering cheers erupted from the stands where the Germany fans were located!

"GOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!" The on-site commentator shouted almost at the top of his lungs:

"Only 14 seconds into the match! My God! 14 seconds! Marco Reus! Super world-class goal! A volley strike! Germany has achieved a dream start! This shot was as swift as thunder! Joe Hart had absolutely no reaction! An absolute top corner! An unsolvable top corner!!"

Joe Hart stood on the goal line, hands on his hips, looking completely bewildered.

He looked at the ball in the goal, then at Marco Reus, who was celebrating wildly, his eyes filled with the confusion of "Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?"

Was there really nothing wrong with this goal?! How the hell did this go in?!

Marco Reus, having scored, was completely ecstatic! He spread his arms wide, like a white bolt of lightning, and rushed crazily toward the corner flag area!

Amidst the deafening cheers of the German fans throughout the stadium, he performed an action that made all the England National Football Team fans, especially Yu Bai, see their blood pressure skyrocket—he performed a standard knee slide, leaving a long scratch on the turf.

Then, he placed his hands in front of his eyes, performing that iconic, signature celebration of Yu Bai—the telescope!

Mimicking Yu Bai, he looked around with great seriousness, as if surveying his own territory, and as if to say: "See that? I can do your moves too."

Provocation! Naked provocation!

On the stage of your England National Football Team debut, after being scored on by a world-class goal just 14 seconds into the match, the scorer even used your signature move to celebrate!

Yu Bai stood near the center circle, watching the white figure in the distance who was enjoying the cheers of the whole stadium while performing the "telescope" move. His expression was first stunned, then became somewhat subtle.

He licked his lips lightly, and deep in his eyes, a sharp glint flashed by.

Good for you. Marco, you've really got it in you. On the stage of my national team debut, you pull this on me?

The "little notebook" in Yu Bai's heart had already turned to a brand-new page, where he heavily recorded a "little account" for the name "Marco Reus" in bold font.

[Holy crap! 14 seconds! World-class goal! Marco Reus has gone crazy!]

[Telescope celebration! This is a response to the Young Master! The gunpowder smell is rising!]

[Joe Hart: I haven't even finished my warm-up...]

[Yu Bao: Just you wait, I've noted this debt down!]

The match had only just begun. But the air in the Berlin Olympic Stadium had already been completely ignited by this lightning-fast goal and the provocative celebration!

Yu Bai's national team debut had welcomed its most severe test in a way he had absolutely not anticipated.

He took a deep breath and cast his gaze back to the center circle, where Harry Kane was already holding the ball, ready to kick off.

"Come on." Yu Bai said to himself in a low voice, his eyes becoming incredibly focused and sharp. "This is what's interesting."