Live broadcast room.
"This kid's got some nerve. He comes on and immediately tries a long-range shot—shame the quality wasn't there."
"Obviously Shakespeare gave him that instruction. Just look at Shakespeare on the touchline, waving his arms around. He's thrilled."
"Good thing this is only a friendly. If this were an official match and he had to go head-to-head with Chelsea's midfield, Leicester City would've been blown apart already."
Fans discussed Leo Lin, who had just come on as a substitute.
Leo Lin, however, took the opportunity to open the system interface.
The system had already appeared a year earlier, when he signed with Leicester City.
"Star Path Superstar System, accompanying your growth."
"Activation task: Appear in a first-team match."
Although this was only a friendly, it still counted as a first-team appearance.
After stepping onto the pitch, Leo Lin finally succeeded in activating the Star Path system and received the activation reward: Heavy-Artillery All-Round Midfielder Star Path!
In his mind, the Heavy-Artillery All-Round Midfielder Star Path shimmered brilliantly.
"Heavy-Artillery All-Round Midfielder Star Path enhancement: All physical and mental attributes related to midfield play will receive additional nourishment. At the same time, the host may select one attribute to receive an extra 20 points!"
"Note: This effect is exclusive to Growth-type Star Paths. The 20 attribute points may only be added to a single attribute at a time.
Different Star Paths affect different physical qualities tied to attributes!"
Only then did Leo Lin realize that his attribute panel had already appeared.
When he first saw the activated module named Heavy-Artillery All-Round Midfielder Star Path, he instinctively assumed it meant he had a guaranteed long-range shooting ability—so he immediately took a shot.
The ideal was beautiful. Reality was brutal.
Before reading the detailed description of the Star Path, Leo Lin had assumed the issue was simply that the system was newly activated and he wasn't used to it yet.
He hadn't expected the Star Path to be a growth-type enhancement rather than a direct skill.
Still, with this all-around midfield growth boost, once he evolved it to its complete form…
Who would be left to challenge him?
At that moment, the goalkeeper had already taken the goal kick, and play resumed.
Leo Lin could only refocus on the match.
Suddenly—
Ndidi leapt up for a header, trying to challenge the goalkeeper's kick, but instead smashed violently into Hazard.
The collision was brutal. Ndidi looked to be in serious pain!
At the same time, another fan rushed onto the pitch, sprinting straight toward Hazard for an autograph.
A simple friendly match descended into chaos, and play was halted.
Teammates took the opportunity to rehydrate, giving Leo Lin plenty of time to continue reading.
"Additional energy can be infused into the Star Path through training and matches. This extra energy will further nourish the host's attributes."
"Rare hidden special missions may grant additional freely distributable attribute points."
"Future grand prize pools may allow the drawing of freely distributable attribute points."
"In league competition, each win grants ten points, a draw grants three points, and a loss grants no points."
"Winning championships, reaching fan-count milestones, and other achievements will all grant bonus points!"
"The same rules apply to the Champions League and cup competitions."
"Points may only be used to draw skills."
"After obtaining three skills, the host may freely cultivate the next Star Path!"
"Every 300 points allows one skill draw."
"League debut and Champions League debut each reward 150 points."
"Outstanding match performance grants additional points after the match!"
"After unlocking the second Star Path, a richer reward pool will become available!"
"Good luck, Host!"
Seeing this, Leo Lin immediately understood.
Within the dazzling golden skill pool, legendary names appeared one after another.
"Platini."
"Cruyff."
"Batistuta."
"Maradona."
"Pelé."
"Zidane."
"Kaká."
"…"
Leo Lin stared at the radiant skill pool.
"I want them so badly!"
Unfortunately, he didn't have any points yet.
He could only wait for his league debut and work hard to accumulate points.
"No option to increase draw chances?"
"Sharing for extra attempts, daily logins, cumulative login rewards—aren't those standard features?"
And besides…
Would he even get a league debut?
With Leicester City's current squad, opportunities were scarce—especially in midfield.
Since he had obtained the Heavy-Artillery All-Round Midfielder Star Path, his first stage of development would inevitably focus on becoming a true all-around midfielder.
On the pitch, Ndidi was still being treated by the team doctor. The fan who had rushed the field skillfully dodged security and was lucky enough to get a photo with Hazard.
Suddenly, Leo Lin remembered something.
"System, where's my newbie gift pack?"
The system remained silent.
"The activation reward has already been issued to the host: Heavy-Artillery All-Round Midfielder Star Path."
Leo Lin laughed.
"Did you hear that?"
"You said it yourself—that's an activation reward, not a newbie gift pack!"
His shameless side came out in full force.
He reached out mentally, demanding it.
Flat-out insisting!
"I don't need anything fancy. Just give me one free skill draw."
"Even new malls do grand opening giveaways. You've got to let me see whether this thing's actually good, right?"
The system fell silent again.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, Host. You have obtained one skill draw opportunity!"
Leo Lin was ecstatic.
"Start the draw!"
Golden light flashed.
Countless legendary names rolled through the pool.
At last, the golden glow slowly faded.
Darkness filled his mind.
A calm sea surface appeared. From the unfathomable depths below, a golden, shining skill slowly rose upward!
At the top, several bold words stood out.
"Riise's Howitzer!"
Gerrard's trusted partner—Riise!
Leo Lin's impression of Riise was unforgettable.
A single long-range shot that shocked the Premier League.
Incredible range, terrifying power, and razor-sharp angles!
Opponents didn't dare give Riise even the slightest bit of space outside the box.
And even so, Riise still scored plenty of goals in the Premier League purely through long-range shooting.
Since the skill was Riise's Howitzer, Leo Lin didn't hesitate.
The 20 attribute points from the Growth Star Path—all into Strength!
Only with strength could he unleash earth-shaking long-range shots!
The synergy was perfect, and it would also make him fearless in physical battles.
Just imagine it: a midfielder who isn't afraid of contact, boasts a powerful physique, and can unleash thunderous shots from distance.
Who could stop him then?
At that moment, play resumed.
Shakespeare stood on the sideline and shouted toward Leo Lin.
"I'll say this one more time."
"Play to your strengths."
"But don't shoot blindly. Long-range shots require timing, power, and ability!"
"Do you understand?"
Shakespeare's meaning was crystal clear—do you really have what it takes to shoot from range?
Leo Lin flashed him a thumbs-up.
Got it. As long as I seize the timing and control the power, I can shoot!
Heh.
Just watch me.
The match continued.
"Chelsea's midfield is stacked."
"Fàbregas paired with Kanté—both interception and creativity."
Chelsea were playing with a chip on their shoulder, treating this friendly like a Champions League final, determined to prove they were stronger than Leicester City.
Their midfield chemistry was excellent.
Time and again, short passing combinations cut straight through Leicester City's defense.
Possession firmly tilted in Chelsea's favor.
"If this keeps up, it's only a matter of time before Leicester City concede."
The commentator sounded certain.
"A long-range shot from Fàbregas could break the deadlock."
Then, suddenly, the situation changed.
Fàbregas was carrying the ball forward.
"He beats Fuchs and drives down the flank!"
"Ndidi slides in!"
"Perfect interception!"
"Long ball to the right! Simpson overlaps and joins the attack!"
"He's quick—charging straight into the attacking half!"
The pass was slightly overhit.
Hard to control—but Mahrez brought it down beautifully. Just as he was about to break forward, a shout rang out.
"King Mahrez! Middle!"
Mahrez immediately played it square. Someone calling him King Mahrez—who could resist that?
"Mahrez with the cutback! Toward the top of the box!"
"A teammate arrives—chance for a long-range shot!"
"Leo Lin?"
The commentator froze. Mahrez froze too.
Standing at the edge of the penalty arc—
It was Leo Lin!
Meeting Mahrez's pass, Leo Lin drew his bow.
Unleashed the shot!
In that instant—
The world went silent.
All Leo Lin could see was the ball flying toward him.
Riise's Howitzer blazed with light, radiant and fierce!
"Boom!"
Stamford Bridge.
A merciless thunderbolt of a strike!
The commentator exploded with excitement.
"Here it comes!"
"My god!!"
"Leo Lin!"
"A furious long-range blast!!!"