Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1759 - 967: One Kick Shatters the Genius Dream (5K)_3

His father, a football coach, naturally led Zong Xiaoye to embrace the sport as his passion. His journey into professional football training began at the tender age of six.

Initially, Zong Xiaoye envisioned a life path where he'd commence rigorous training at six, hone physical conditioning by eight, master techniques by nine, delve into tactics at twelve, compete in matches at fourteen, turn professional at sixteen, reach his peak performance around twenty, ascend to the international stage, amass numerous accolades, and ultimately retire gracefully at thirty-five.

As fate would have it, Zong Xiaoye only managed to fulfill one aspect of this grand plan: retirement.

This abrupt end to his professional aspirations came about because his father deemed the football scene utterly worthless and instructed him to retire immediately after completing primary school.

Thus, his burgeoning career on the professional field was unceremoniously cut short.

However, the indomitable spirit of football within Zong Xiaoye refused to be extinguished.

He resolved to continue his training independently, aiming to play on street courts, then join the university team during his college years, dominate the collegiate leagues, advance to the city leagues, and eventually make a triumphant return to the professional arena!

"Forward, on my road of football!"

The game pressed onward.

Zong Xiaoye once again gained possession of the ball.

Duan Shigang bellowed, "Mark him!"

Dan Kaiquan and Guo Kunnan surged forward. With the ball practically glued to his instep, Zong Xiaoye expertly slid it away.

Then, Duan Shigang moved to intercept. Zong Xiaoye displayed astonishing speed; the ball weaved with dizzying rapidity between his feet, completely disorienting Duan Shigang's vision.

He nudged it with his heel, sending the ball diagonally behind him. Zong Xiaoye twisted his body, pivoting towards the ball's trajectory, dribbling all the way to the goalmouth.

Chai Wei declared, "I'm completely ready for this!"

With a deceptive feint, Zong Xiaoye effortlessly slotted the ball into the net.

Another surge of excited noise swept across the field.

As the linchpin of his team and the focal point of all attention, he turned back to the opposition and taunted, "You guys? Stop me?"

Even the senior girls from Grade 3 observing from the sidelines were now gazing over, not to mention the girls from his own class.

Yet, Zong Xiaoye’s gaze was fixed solely on one person: his classmate, Luo Yingzhu. She was strolling on the track with a friend and, at that moment, offered him a subtle nod.

It carried a profound, unspoken understanding, reminiscent of the legendary tales from the Condor Heroes.

Zong Xiaoye immediately roared at the top of his lungs, "Anyone else?"

Gai Shixun jogged over, slung an arm around his neck, and declared with bold confidence, "Playing against you lot is like crushing ants!"

From the elevated podium, Wang Yong remarked, "That Zong Xiaoye is exceptionally strong!"

Gong Jin observed the pitch intently. "A completely different league."

Jiang Ning saw no need to dally with the ball; with a powerful flick of his right leg, akin to a steel whip, he sent the ball flying with a resounding 'bang.'

From a staggering eighty meters away, the ball rocketed across more than half the field like a cannonball, powerfully striking the back of the net.

The approaching Zong Xiaoye came to an abrupt halt, frozen in place.

Gai Shixun's mind reeled: 'Is this even permitted in the rules?'

The other student players were equally astonished. Wasn't this the kind of spectacular play reserved for professional matches?

Jiang Ning, observing the bewildered underclassmen, offered words of encouragement: 'You all possess a promising future.'

Having spoken, Jiang Ning didn't linger. He simply turned and departed the field.

Zong Xiaoye gazed at Jiang Ning's receding back, suddenly perceiving the sport of football as somewhat futile.

Cui Yu, with utter disdain, flashed them the middle finger before making a hasty exit himself.

Upon Jiang Ning's return to the track, Yang Sheng regarded him with a trace of surprise glinting in her eyes.

Chen Siyu remarked, 'They were acting so arrogant just then, why didn't you give them the finger back?'

Jiang Ning responded simply, 'It's not necessary.'

Bai Yuxia, deeming Chen Siyu both weak and excessively competitive, felt she deserved a scolding. She began, 'Si Yu, your badminton skills are, are...'

She then raised her middle finger, wiggling it up and down, an gesture that somehow appeared endearingly cute.

Chen Siyu exclaimed, 'Your fingers are so slender and long, and your nails are quite lengthy too—it must really sting if you dig with those.'

Yang Sheng chided, 'Si Yu, no wonder people say you're slow. Yuxia likely doesn't dig, and even if it hurts, she could just trim her nails. It's a minor issue.'

Bai Yuxia's expression stiffened; she couldn't believe it: 'Yang Sheng, have you been corrupted by Si Yu too?'

She found it hard to fathom the cool, short-haired, heroic Yang Sheng stooping to such a level.

Yang Sheng added, 'However, I still advise digging less; it's unhygienic and doesn't present well.'

Chen Siyu retorted hotly, 'Not just that, it's downright improper—an affront to basic decency!'

Yang Sheng appeared taken aback. 'Uh, that seems a bit extreme. Just avoid doing it in public. After all, humans are still essentially advanced animals.'

Bai Yuxia's mind was suddenly filled with a sense of unease. She inquired, 'What exactly are you two discussing when you say 'digging'?'

Yang Sheng looked on, bewildered. 'Your noses, naturally.'

Bai Yuxia felt a profound sense of regret welling up within her.