Basketball miracles

Chapter 218 [Lotus Incarnation and Invincible Wind and Fire Wheels]

After moving to Miami, Xiao Tu devoted all his energy to practicing his basketball skills and had no time for entertainment.

The city boasts some of the best air quality in the US, with temperatures consistently above 20°C year-round. Its excellent beaches attract tourists and wealthy individuals from around the world. Miami is also famous for its nightclubs, but Xiao Tu has never been and has no interest in them.

He hates the atmosphere of nightclubs, and that will never change. He doesn't find it relaxing; he just finds the music annoying.

Xiao Tu is currently single and has lost his Titan Body buff. Being able to endure loneliness doesn't necessarily mean he has to find a woman. He's in a crucial period of career advancement, and playing basketball well is more important than anything else.

Xiao Tu has always been a rational person who can distinguish between what's important and what's urgent. He will have plenty of time to enjoy life in the future, but not here, not at this time.

He'll be 20 at the end of this year, making him the oldest of the three worlds. Fame should come early.

Even Brazilian football star Ronaldinho only started living in nightclubs after achieving a grand slam of honors; only a fool would indulge himself before achieving success.

Xiao Tu used all his stored physical training buffs, but his body didn't improve much. His initial talent was too poor, and even with enhancements, he couldn't be as fast as Wade; he was about the same level as Haslem.

He can complete alley-oop dunks, a common physical attribute among Black players; his head being level with the rim is out of the question for now. His speed isn't an advantage on the perimeter, but he's quite agile when playing power forward.

That evening, Xiao Tu cooked a delicious Chinese meal and was in a great mood, ready to open the two golden treasure chests he had saved.

He hadn't opened his account before because he was afraid of not getting the good stuff he wanted, and that his bad mood would affect his performance in the Summer League. Now he's just practicing, so he can try his luck.

If he receives a good reward, he can improve his skills before the start of the regular season.

Xiao Tu sensed a golden treasure chest opening, which emitted a holy white light that flew into his body.

The only word that came to mind was "holiness," and then he received the message through initiation.

Lotus Incarnation: "Rising from the mud yet remaining unstained, cleansed by the clear ripples yet not seductive. Your temperament is pure and ethereal, you are immune to disease, not easily injured, and recover quickly. A side effect is a significantly increased attractiveness to women, making you prone to attracting unwanted romantic advances. (Different bodies cannot share this talent.)"

Xiao Tu took a deep breath, sensing something was off. Where was that fragrance coming from?
Is it just my imagination? Why do I feel like I smell of lotus flowers?

Fortunately, the scent is very faint, unlike those special shower gels that enhance body odor, otherwise how would I ever play ball again?

This talent didn't enhance my physical abilities, but being immune to illness is just too overpowered. Being less prone to injury means I can make bolder moves while playing. The rewards from the golden treasure chest are indeed extraordinary.

Xiao Tu thought for a moment, then opened another treasure chest. He felt like he was incredibly lucky today and would get some good stuff.

The result did not disappoint him; the reward was a high-tech gadget.

Invincible Wind and Fire Wheels: "You now possess the Wind and Fire Wheels bicycle and have become a master cyclist, one with the bike. Riding this bike can improve your speed and explosive power; pedal whenever you have time."

Xiao Tu had no interest in becoming a cycling expert; he didn't participate in cycling races, much less perform dangerous stunts. But he gained more than just a skill; the bike also improved his physical fitness.

What he needs to improve most right now is speed and explosiveness, and he's happy to train even if it takes a lot of physical exertion.

The workout was simple; he just needed to cycle around Miami. He'd only been staying in a small area since moving here and wasn't familiar with the city yet.

Although Xiao Tu is quite skilled now, he always seems to be limited in his potential and won't become the strongest. Even if he takes a technical approach and doesn't participate in the dunk contest, he still wants to have top-tier physical attributes.

Cycling skills are secondary, but essential. Xiao Tu needs to be skilled; otherwise, pedaling too hard could lead to an accident, which is quite dangerous.

Furthermore, this bicycle isn't just for Xiao Tu. If it works well, he can let others ride it too.

However, he didn't want his teammates to ride him. Whether he could keep the secret was secondary; it would be too foolish of him to give benefits to others without expecting anything in return.

After the Summer League, Xiao Tu obtained 7 Bronze Chests and 3 Iron Chests. He also earns Bronze Chests for winning regular season games. While the chests aren't high-level, they frequently contain training auras.

Xiao Tu believed that the small forward's physique would improve quickly, which made him feel particularly good. He didn't know exactly how long it would take, but any improvement was good, giving him something to look forward to.

It's incredibly difficult for other players to improve their physical attributes; their physiques are basically set by the time they enter the NBA. While intensive training isn't impossible, the effort and reward are disproportionate.

Arenas's large build was achieved through training, giving him an advantage as a point guard. However, his peak period was short, and he was prone to injury. Xiao Tu suddenly thought of something.

I now possess the lotus incarnation and the Wind and Fire Wheels...

If I were dressed as a child, this would be like the birth of Nezha, the demon child.

Should I date a few Korean girls in this world? Because I'm a true otaku.

Forget it, most Koreans have had plastic surgery, and the chances of me meeting a beautiful Korean woman in the US are probably extremely low.

The next day, Xiao Tu continued practicing, and Haslem and Wade both noticed the changes in him.

His appearance hadn't changed, but his demeanor had; he seemed much more reserved and reliable. Even when displaying confidence, the reserved person and the arrogant person are different.

Xiao Tu's hard work in training inspired the two of them, and neither of them wanted to be idle.

Every bit of effort a player puts in to improve translates into better statistics and a greater chance of becoming a star in the new season. Even talented players are working hard; what reason do they have to be lazy?
Meanwhile, LeBron James has been frequently making headlines.

LeBron James went to New York and hung out with singer Jay-Z, reportedly forming a celebrity team to play streetball. Upon hearing this, chubby hip-hop artist Fatjoe also formed a team to challenge them.

Fatjoe is from Harlem and claims Rucker Park is his territory. He quickly recruited a group of star players, including McGrady, Stoudemire, Alston, Dahntay Jones, and Tinsley.

The news has generated a lot of buzz online, and New York sports news has also reported on it. Countless fans are eagerly awaiting this epic streetball battle.

On the day of the game, Jayz and Beyoncé went on a date, and the team was two hours late, including the biggest star, James.

Many spectators who had come specifically for the show were going crazy after waiting for two hours. Fatjoe and his gang got impatient and declared themselves champions, shouted a few times, and then went home.

After reading the news, Xiao Tu felt that people who like James are really unique.

LeBron James has done this before, back when he was playing streetball, not just repeatedly canceling his appearances for dunk contests. He just wants to generate buzz and get attention, and he doesn't care what the fans think.

If James' team hadn't been late, they probably would have been crushed by the opposing team. Jayz said that being late because of a date is more like an excuse to save face for someone; if a player is scared before the game even starts, running away is a completely different story.

James ran back to Cleveland, and there was a lot of news about him online, keeping the buzz going.

Tickets for the Cleveland Cavaliers' Orlando Summer League games, which normally cost $5, were being resold for $80. Five hours before the games started, traffic jams were already occurring around the arena…

Some people online have even posted highlight reels of LeBron James's amazing plays in the Summer League. Watching the highlights, he's simply unstoppable, not just for his numerous powerful dunks. His outside shooting is also incredibly accurate, sinking several three-pointers in a row, only his jersey color keeps changing.

No one mentions the Cavaliers' two crushing defeats to the Heat; Xiao Tu is second to none when it comes to hype.

Even his joint publicity stunt with Madonna in the 80s didn't generate this much buzz. Back then, before the internet age, it wasn't so easy for fans to get the news about their favorite stars.

Moreover, Nike seems to be making a concerted effort; they can't let such a huge endorsement fee go to waste.

Xiao Tu and LeBron James have no personal grudge, but when they face the Cavaliers in the regular season, they have to go all out. This isn't a personal feud; James has too much exposure, and taking him down is a shortcut to fame for Xiao Tu.

Of course, Xiao Tu isn't a petty person. In the past two years, he's definitely gone easy on James and the Cavaliers in the playoffs, giving them some face.

Xiao Tu's fighting spirit reached its peak, and he couldn't wait for the new season to start.

To become stronger, Xiao Tu pedaled his bicycle for six hours every day, exploring all of Miami. His Hot Wheels bicycle was beautiful, with an Iron Man color scheme. When he wasn't riding it, he would find a secluded spot to store it in his spatial storage, afraid some black guy might steal it.

He discovered that the Lotus Incarnation and the Invincible Wind and Fire Wheels were a perfect match, and the training effect was excellent.

He got tired from cycling, and finding a place to eat nearby at noon helped him regain a lot of energy; it was the lotus flower that had worked its magic. In the afternoon, he continued cycling, heading to the stadium for high-intensity training.

Despite his training regimen, Xiao Tu still manages to play basketball with Wade and Haslem for a while every day. The two know what he's doing and think he's crazy.

(End of this chapter)