"Manyun Fairy Steps" was Xia Tianlong's signature technique, renowned as the number one movement art in the world. It was called "Fairy Steps" because those who mastered it appeared as if celestial beings had descended to earth.
At this moment, Xia Tian moved slowly, yet every motion was fluid and graceful. Though it seemed several opponents were pressing close, any keen observer could see his composure.
Yun Miao, who had shown no interest in the game before, was now watching Xia Tian intently.
It had been a long time since the Tongtian Fragment Scroll was last mentioned, and still, there was no news.
She had heard rumors that the fragments were once in Xia Tianlong's possession. But Xia Tianlong was dead—killed in a defensive battle—and the whereabouts of the fragments had been unknown ever since.
She had thought it would be impossible to uncover any new leads about the fragments. Unexpectedly, a random basketball game she came across had given her a spark of hope.
Xia Tianlong had a successor.
Then, the Tongtian Fragment might very well be in this successor's hands.
"Ling'er, what's his name?" Yun Miao asked.
"Sister Miao is actually interested in him? That's rare." Ling'er looked at her curiously. She had never seen Yun Miao take interest in anything other than the Tongtian Fragment Scroll.
Even Huo Wen, the Fire Kiss Girl beside her, glanced at Yun Miao in surprise. Ever since she had known Yun Miao, she had never seen her intrigued by anyone or anything.
Yun Miao didn't respond.
"Fine, I'll tell you. His name is Xia Tian, and I heard he's Ye Qingxue's boyfriend," Ling'er said cautiously, knowing Yun Miao's temperament and not wanting to provoke her.
"Xia Tian… Xia Tianlong." Yun Miao silently compared the two names in her mind and nodded slightly.
33:18.
Xia Tian's body seemed to slip like water through the encirclement of four players. He stole the ball cleanly from Fang Li's hands and sent it straight into the hoop.
The basketball team quickly inbounded the ball. Xue Chuan took possession, and the other four sprinted toward the Arts Team's basket. Before even crossing midcourt, Xue Chuan leaped.
"What's he doing? Is he actually shooting from there?"
"Maybe Xue Chuan thinks he's been blessed by the basketball god—he's taking a shot from beyond half court!"
"They're crazy. Everyone on the basketball team has lost it!"
Bang!
The ball went in—but it wasn't Xue Chuan's shot. It was Fang Li's slam dunk. As expected of a rising star, he had executed a perfect alley-oop while three teammates formed a barrier to protect him.
This was Tang Yan's new dual-system tactic—defense and offense in tandem. Four players surrounded Xia Tian to suppress his attacks, while another trio coordinated aerial passes to set up Fang Li.
Tang Yan refused to believe anyone could block that kind of play.
A coach's greatest skill lies in reading the battlefield and analyzing the opponent's strengths and weaknesses in real time. Though Xia Tian seemed flawless, he was still human—and he couldn't defy gravity.
"Well done." Xue Chuan gave Fang Li a thumbs-up. Catching and scoring mid-air was no simple feat. Only Fang Li could pull it off.
"I want flowers, I want applause, I know I'm handsome—but I just want to be a quiet, beautiful man," Fang Li said, striking his trademark narcissistic pose.
"Everyone, let's keep it up and tie the score!" Xue Chuan shouted.
The basketball team, feeling they had Xia Tian cornered, quickly caught up in points. By the start of the fourth quarter, the score was 99–120, with the basketball team in the lead.
Though Xia Tian was incredibly strong, the five players on the basketball team pushed their bodies to the limit, maintaining relentless defense.
The four other members of the Arts Department couldn't withstand the intense offense.
The Literature and Arts team was in a dire struggle.
"You've worked hard. Keep going—we're close to victory!" Tang Yan cheered. The five players were drenched in sweat, exhausted from the nonstop pace, but they refused to give up. They wanted to end the game with no regrets.
"Xia Tian has done his best," Ye Qingxue said, trying to comfort the others.
"It's hard for him. He's practically fighting alone out there," Zeng Rou sighed. The other four on his team were barely contributing.
"You don't believe in Xia Tian, but I do," Bing Xin said softly, her gaze fixed on him. She had witnessed him turn impossibilities into reality too many times before.
"Sister Hui, he's already given it everything he has. The outcome's obvious now—Tang Yan's strategy completely restrains him."
"Indeed. Tang Yan's impressive," Yang Buhui nodded. "No wonder she secured the coaching position for Jianghai University's basketball team so quickly. Her tactics have completely neutralized Xia Tian's long-range shots, blocks, and steals."
"What a pity… he's going to lose," Ling'er murmured, watching Xia Tian with regret.
"Not necessarily," Yun Miao said calmly.
Ling'er and Huo Wen turned toward her at once.
"You still think Xia Tian will win?" Huo Wen asked.
"How about a bet?" Yun Miao, who rarely spoke much, suddenly proposed, surprising Huo Wen.
"Alright, what are we betting?" Huo Wen asked with interest.
"I say he'll win," Yun Miao replied.
"Why?" Huo Wen pressed.
"Let's discuss the terms. If I'm right, you'll help me meet him. I'm very interested in him."
Huo Wen and Ling'er were both stunned. Yun Miao—the most admired beauty of Jianghai University—actually said she was interested in Xia Tian.
"Fine, I accept. But if you're wrong?" Huo Wen asked.
"If I'm wrong, I'll do something for you—anything within my ability," Yun Miao said evenly.
"Deal."
The fourth quarter began, and the basketball team continued using the same tactic.
"Let's go, everyone! We're taking this win!" Xue Chuan yelled, hurling the ball from beyond midcourt. Fang Li was already in position for another alley-oop.
Bang!!
Blocked.
Out of nowhere, Xia Tian appeared and stopped Fang Li's shot. The force of the impact sent Fang Li crashing down, though his teammates quickly caught him.
But Xia Tian had already seized the ball. This time, he didn't shoot immediately—he began dribbling.
"With the ball? You won't get past me!" Xue Chuan charged forward. But as he reached Xia Tian, both Xia Tian and the basketball vanished from sight.
"Behind you!" Tang Yan shouted.
Too late. Xia Tian had already sprinted beyond the three-point line. Everyone expected him to take a long shot—but instead, he leapt forward, his body soaring like a gust of wind. The basketball slammed into the hoop with explosive force.
Bang!!
The ball went in.
A perfect slam dunk.