Yang Yan's eyes flickered with dread.
Just months earlier, he had arrived in the U.S. alone, full of ambition and ready to chase greatness. He had miraculously secured a spot on Ohio State's basketball team, right alongside none other than Greg Oden himself.
Everything was lining up… until the damn Invincible Lao Deng System activated.
At first, he brushed it off. Ten hours of sleep per day? Not a chance. Between team training, classes, and university life, he barely managed eight.
No big deal, he thought. Until a week later.
Something began to change. His body felt weaker. Slower. Off.
But the final blow came unexpectedly. One night in the shower, he looked down. And panicked.
His "little brother"... was shorter.
By a centimeter.
Yang Yan froze. The sky fell.
From that moment on, he swore allegiance to the system. He would sleep. In class. Between drills. Late arrivals. Early departures. All in service of reaching 100% system load.
Ding! Invincible Lao Deng System Loading: 100%System bound successfully
Yang Yan's eyes snapped open.
He had dozed off again—just briefly. A habit he'd perfected over months. It was enough. The system was now fully loaded.
Coach Gallagher's disapproving glare bored into him. But Yang Yan didn't care. His attention was glued to the digital panel in front of him:
"You thought you were a genius.""You came to America to prove yourself.""But the discrimination and brutal competition broke your spirit.""You never even reached the NBA's doorstep.""You returned to China, cashed in your 'foreign experience' in the CBA.""In 2023, at age 34, you retired—quietly.""Watching young stars on TV, regret gnawed at you.""So, you came back. At 34. To chase the dream once more.""Thirty-four isn't old—it's the age of hustle.""Who said Lao Deng can't dream?""Lao Deng can go wild too!"
Yang Yan stared at the panel, dumbstruck. Wait... 34? NBA comeback? What timeline is this?! He was eighteen!
The system's "trajectory" showed failure, retreat, and a long road back. But Yang Yan wasn't buying it.
"No way," he whispered. "I'll make it before that. I'm not waiting sixteen years for redemption."
That's when the panel flickered:
Mission: Appear in any sub-league. Reward: Random sub-league skill pack
But Yang Yan had a problem. Coach Gallagher already had him blacklisted. Late for practices. Sloppy attendance. No game time. No opportunities.
Until fate stepped in.
On court, Ohio State's backup small forward collided hard with Durant. He hit the ground, clutching his ankle. The crowd gasped.
Coach Gallagher's face turned pale. The team's starter was already out for weeks. Now the backup?
The bench stirred as Gallagher searched for a last resort.
And there sat Yang Yan—eyes gleaming.
He motioned desperately. Gallagher didn't respond.
This was it. Maybe his only shot.
Yang Yan stood abruptly. Walked toward the coach.
"Coach! Put me in. I need to play basketball!"
Yang Yan stepped onto the court, his heart pounding like a drum. The crowd's murmurs turned into a deafening roar as they noticed the unfamiliar face.
The game resumed, and Yang Yan found himself guarding Durant. The towering figure loomed over him, a living legend in the making.
Durant smirked, dribbling with ease. Yang Yan tightened his stance, his mind racing.
"Focus. Don't let him intimidate you."
Durant made his move—a quick crossover followed by a drive to the basket. Yang Yan reacted instinctively, his feet moving in perfect sync. He managed to stay in front, forcing Durant to take a contested shot.
The ball soared through the air, but Yang Yan's hand grazed it just enough to alter its trajectory. It clanged off the rim.
The crowd erupted.
Yang Yan didn't have time to celebrate. The ball was back in play, and he sprinted down the court. His teammates passed him the ball, and he found himself open at the three-point line.
"This is it. My chance."
He took the shot. The ball arced beautifully, swishing through the net.
The crowd went wild.
Yang Yan's confidence soared. He played with relentless energy, making crucial plays and earning the respect of his teammates and the crowd.
By the end of the game, Ohio State had secured a narrow victory, and Yang Yan had made a name for himself.
Coach Gallagher approached him, a mix of surprise and admiration in his eyes.
"You've got potential, kid. Keep this up, and you might just earn your spot."
Yang Yan nodded, determination burning in his gaze.
The Invincible Lao Deng System chimed:
Mission Complete: Appear in any sub-leagueReward: Random sub-league skill pack unlocked
Yang Yan felt a surge of energy as the system granted him new abilities. He was ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.