Billiards: Starting with the Overlord's Shot, Dominating the World

"Let's go. Mr. Wang and Uncle Wei should be waiting already." Zhou Zhenhua took a deep breath and pushed open the car door.

Fan Zhengyang shouldered his simple backpack and followed behind Zhou Zhenhua. Inside the backpack were only a few changes of clothes and the racket he treasured—Dawn.

As soon as the two reached the base entrance, the heavy, automatic sensor doors slid open silently to both sides. Two people were already standing there.

The leader, around fifty years old, was slightly overweight with a kind face and piercing eyes. When he smiled, he exuded both the authority and approachability of someone who had long held a high position. He was Wang Dehai, the head of the Lanzhou provincial table tennis community and the provincial team's head coach.

Standing next to him was a middle-aged man with a lean build and dark skin.

He was probably in his early forties, with a buzz cut that stood on end, sharp eyes like knives, and no superfluous expression on his face. He exuded the aura of a tough soldier.

He is Wei Gang, the head coach of the provincial men's team, a gold medal coach known for his strict training and varied tactics.

Upon seeing Zhou Zhenhua, Wang Dehai immediately greeted him with a broad smile and gave him a tight hug: "Old Zhou! You've finally arrived! You must be tired from your journey!"

"Chief Instructor Wang, it's no trouble at all. I only feel at ease after personally delivering this kid to you," Zhou Zhenhua replied with a smile, then pointed to Fan Zhengyang beside him, "Come on, Zhengyang, quickly call for help."

"Hello, Head Coach Wang! Hello, Coach Wei!" Fan Zhengyang bowed respectfully.

Wang Dehai's gaze fell on Fan Zhengyang, scrutinizing him from head to toe, his admiration almost overflowing: "Great! Great! You look even more energetic than in the video! That physique, that gaze, you're a natural talent for playing ball!"

Wei Gang's gaze, however, was more scrutinizing, like two X-rays, as if trying to see through Fan Zhengyang inside and out. He simply nodded slightly, speaking sparingly: "Welcome."

"Alright, Lao Wei, stop wearing that long face all the time, you'll scare the kids," Wang Dehai said with a laugh. Then he said to Zhou Zhenhua, "Lao Zhou, your junior brother is still the same as ever. When he's happy, you can't tell from his face."

Zhou Zhenhua laughed and said, "I understand, that's just his personality. Back when we were training together under the same teacher, he was the most 'quiet' one in the team."

This seemingly ordinary conversation stirred something within Fan Zhengyang. It turned out that Coach Wei Gang was actually his mentor's junior fellow student.

"Come on, let's go inside and talk." Wang Dehai warmly put his arm around Zhou Zhenhua's shoulder. "To welcome our big champion, we've specially held a small meeting in the conference room so you can see the current roster of our provincial team."

The group walked through a bright and spacious hall, where honor walls on both sides were covered with various trophies, banners and photos of meritorious athletes that the team had won since its founding.

Each photograph represents a glorious chapter in history.

The atmosphere here made Fan Zhengyang unconsciously straighten his back.

The conference room was already full of people.

The coaching staff of the provincial men's and women's teams, as well as several core coaches of the youth team, were all present.

As Fan Zhengyang walked in, dozens of eyes instantly focused on him. There was curiosity, scrutiny, expectation, and also a hint of barely perceptible doubt.

Holding a welcome party specifically for a newcomer is extremely rare in the history of the provincial team.

Even Lin Yi, who was hailed as the number one genius of the provincial youth team and was nurtured like a treasure by the provincial team since childhood, did not enjoy this treatment when he entered the provincial team.

This clearly demonstrates that the provincial team attaches unprecedented importance to Fan Zhengyang.

"Come, come, let me introduce you!" Wang Dehai stood at the head of the table, his voice booming, "This is Fan Zhengyang, the champion of this year's Youth Championship in Lan Province, from Lanhai City!"

A polite and enthusiastic round of applause rang out in the conference room.

Wang Dehai then introduced the coaches present to Fan Zhengyang one by one.

"This is the head coach of the women's team, Coach Li Mei."

"This is Mr. Hans from Germany, the strength and conditioning director of our provincial team."

"And this is...?"

When introducing a refined-looking middle-aged coach, Wang Dehai emphasized, "This is Zhang Tao, the head coach of the provincial youth team. He's also Lin Yi's mentor."

Coach Zhang Tao smiled gently at Fan Zhengyang and nodded: "I watched the final, it was very exciting. Our Lin Yi deserved to lose."

His words were polite, but Fan Zhengyang could sense a hint of resentment and anticipation hidden behind that smile. He hoped that his disciple, Lin Yi, would be able to get revenge in the future.

Fan Zhengyang politely replied, "Lin Yi is very strong. It's my honor to beat him."

After the introduction, Fan Zhengyang gained a preliminary understanding of the provincial team's large and professional coaching system. The level of specialization and professionalism here far surpasses that of the city team.

After finishing his introduction, Wang Dehai cleared his throat and his expression turned serious.

He looked at Fan Zhengyang and said in a deep voice, "Zhengyang, first of all, on behalf of the provincial team, I welcome you to join us. We all saw your performance at the Youth Championships; it was outstanding, truly amazing! You've brought glory to Lanhai City and given a much-needed boost to the entire Lanhai Province table tennis community!"

He paused, then changed the subject, his eyes sharpening.

"but!"

These two words caused the atmosphere in the entire conference room to freeze.

"I want you to remember that from the moment you step through these doors, all your previous honors are null and void! A championship is merely a stepping stone to get here, not a license to do whatever you want!"

"This is where the province's elite gather. Every one of your teammates was once a genius, the number one in their city! Here, talent is the least rare thing! Only two things determine how far you go—sweat and an insatiable desire to win!"

Wang Dehai's voice was powerful and resonant, echoing in the conference room and striking the hearts of everyone present.

"I don't care how you trained before, once you're here, you have to follow the rules! I don't care how outstanding you were before, once you're here, you're just an ordinary new player! I hope you can integrate into this team as quickly as possible and earn the respect of your teammates and coaches through your performance, not your reputation!"

"Can you do it?"

"Yes!" Fan Zhengyang stood ramrod straight and responded loudly, his voice clear and without the slightest hesitation.

"Good!" Wang Dehai nodded in satisfaction, his serious expression turning into a smile. "Go, Wei Gang, take him to complete the formalities and arrange his dormitory."

Wei Gang stood up, beckoned to Fan Zhengyang, and said in his usual concise manner, "Come with me."

……

After the meeting, Zhou Zhenhua escorted Fan Zhengyang to his dormitory building.

The dormitory is a standard two-person room, and the conditions are much better than those of the city team.

Before parting, Zhou Zhenhua pulled Fan Zhengyang aside and, like any worried father, began to give him a long, detailed explanation.