Xiao Mu easily found his class's gathering spot on the tournament court.

"Xiao Mu?" Jie Wu looked stunned. He hadn't expected Xiao Mu to show up—wasn't he still hospitalized?

"Put me in," Xiao Mu said bluntly.

"But your health..." Jie Wu would've been thrilled, but Xiao Mu's pale face worried him.

Xiao Mu smiled slightly, a trace of confidence flickering in his eyes. "Trust me."

"Alright! I trust you!" Jie Wu shouted without hesitation. "Wang Lin, sub out! Xiao Mu, sub in! Game's starting—change fast!"

Xiao Mu's arrival restored Jie Wu's confidence and everyone else's, like hope blooming in despair.

Lin Hanyun watched silently from the crowd, her gaze fixed on Xiao Mu at the center.

Xiao Mu recalled basketball rules and tricks in his head. He'd never practiced seriously—just touched a ball once in freshman year—and the knowledge had surfaced automatically. Likely, he'd played well back in middle school.

...

At another class's spot, Night Glass stood beside a tall, handsome boy.

"Gao Zhi, get our class first place in this tournament, and I'll date you," Night Glass said expressionlessly.

"Really? First place, and you'll date me?" Gao Zhi's eyes sparkled with undisguised delight.

"Really."

"Just wait—I'll make us win first place!" Gao Zhi declared confidently. At Huazhong, he doubted anyone matched his skills. Basketball relied on teamwork, and there, his confidence was unshakable.

Night Glass turned away without another word.

Why do this? She didn't know. Maybe she just wanted to see how far Xiao Mu would go... how hard he'd fight for her.

...

"Senior Class 2 vs. Senior Class 4! Players, positions!" The referee barked from center court as game time arrived.

Xiao Mu's class was Class 2; their opponents were Class 4.

Xiao Mu stood at the front line, facing off against a burly Class 4 player. The referee stood between them, ready to toss the ball.

"You're Xiao Mu, right? Famous lately—whole school knows you." The boy grinned. "I'm Xiong Yuan, Class 4 captain. I'll crush you here!"

"We'll see," Xiao Mu replied calmly.

The referee blew his whistle abruptly.

"Game on!!"

The ball soared upward. Xiao Mu and Xiong Yuan leaped together—but Xiao Mu jumped higher, snatching the ball!

Players surged forward. Class 4 members closed in on Xiao Mu.

Xiao Mu stayed calm, chanting inwardly—"Shadowless Trace"!

An eerie movement unfolded. He slipped past everyone effortlessly, sank a casual shot, and scored!

The ball dropped through the net. Xiao Mu caught it, eyeing the stunned referee. "Not counting that?"

The referee snapped awake, coughed awkwardly. "Class 2 scores two points!"

Everyone was shocked—not just him. Under ten seconds, and he'd scored? How was he this strong?

Xiao Mu gave Class 4 no breathing room. By the first quarter's end, they hadn't scored a single point.

Break time.

"Bro Mu, you're insane! Worth their whole team!" Jie Wu gushed, utterly awed. He'd even switched to calling him "Bro Mu."

Xiao Mu waved him off, took deep breaths—his face paler now. "Next game: I'll dominate the first half. Second half, I sit back. You focus on defense. Hold on, and we win."

"Don't worry—we won't let you down, Bro Mu!" Jie Wu promised. Others echoed him eagerly.

Suddenly, someone approached. Xiao Mu looked up, surprised—it was Lin Hanyun.