The path to becoming a football legend began with being ousted from Carrington by Manchester United.

"It is with great regret that we inform you, Lin, that you do not meet our requirements and the team does not intend to renew your contract."

Lin Yi, 18 years old, is full of youthful energy. His handsome face, typical of East Asians, seems to have been sculpted by God and Nuwa.

Upon hearing what Manchester United's youth academy director, Paul McGuinness, said, Lin Yi felt like he had misheard.

"I'm the team's top scorer, and we recently won the FA Youth Cup. Although I was injured in that match, I'm fully recovered now. How am I not eligible?"

Paul McGuinness didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, and said casually, "We all agree that your physical condition doesn't meet the physical requirements of the Premier League. That injury was just a minor collision. If it were a professional match, you probably wouldn't have been able to play more than a few games before ending up in the hospital."

Lin Yi tried to prove his physical fitness was flawless: "I'm in great shape, I have a great appetite, and I can take you flying with just a little effort. Want to try lying down?"

McGuinness raised his voice a few decibels: "Yellow people have never proven themselves in Britain. We gave your predecessor Dong a long time, and it turned out to be meaningless."

"The Red Devils have never lacked talented young players, but we prefer to develop homegrown players."

"In short, your contract has expired, and we will not renew it. Please leave Carrington Base now! Immediately!"

With McGuinness following him closely and two security personnel working together, Lin Yi was forced out of the Carrington training base.

Through the iron gate, McGuinness looked at Lin Yi arrogantly, as if the Eight-Nation Alliance soldiers holding muskets were sizing up Lin Yi, who had a long braid.

Lin Yi greeted McGuinness with an internationally recognized hand gesture and politely said goodbye: "You just wait, if I run into you on the pitch, I'll make sure you Manchester United shits me dry!"

Not far behind, an old man with a white beard stood out in the crowd. He watched the farce with great interest, couldn't help but take out his phone to record the whole thing, and sent it to the person pinned to the top of his phone's contacts.

Not knowing where to go, Lin Yi simply threw his backpack into the corner, plopped down against the wall of the Carrington training base, and started smoking.

"Isn't this the famous Lin Yi? A star from Manchester United's youth academy, a key player in winning the FA Youth Cup, how come he was kicked out?" The white-bearded old man took the initiative to strike up a conversation, clearly recognizing Lin Yi.

Lin Yi skillfully exhaled a puff of white mist from his nose and said lazily, "Old man, you've been secretly filming me the whole time. If you don't want to die, you'd better hurry up and make up a reasonable excuse."

"My name is Joe Hield, a professional scout who has worked for Manchester City for decades." The old man handed over a business card and continued, "I've heard of you. Interested in giving Manchester City a try?"

"You should know that your compatriot Sun Taiyang had a very successful career at Manchester City."

Lin Yi casually tossed the business card away: "Get lost. I'm not in the mood right now. My mom said there are no good people in Manchester. I'll take down Manchester City too."

The old man shrugged helplessly. "What you're eager for isn't business," he said, turning to leave. It seemed he wasn't going to waste his time trying to win Lin Yi's cold shoulder.

"The Football Redemption System has been activated. Would you like to bind it?"

A sudden voice echoed in Lin Yi's mind. After confirming that the voice did not come from the old man from before, Lin Yi subconsciously answered, "Bound."

"Congratulations, host, on binding with the Football Redemption System. This system will randomly issue redemption missions. The host will enter the mission instance in the form of possession and will randomly obtain rewards based on the completion of the mission."

"Based on the test, the host has not yet signed a professional contract. Please find a professional team to sign with as soon as possible to activate the beginner's version."

"Warning: If you fail to join a professional team within 48 hours, the beginner's guide will be permanently closed. Countdown begins."

Lin Yi stood up, dusted himself off, and picked up the business card he had just thrown away.

He shouted at the back of Manchester City scout Joe Hilde, "Dear Mr. Hilde, I've changed my mind. I'm very interested in joining Manchester City. Please take me there for a try."

This sudden shift from arrogance to obsequiousness nearly broke Hilde's back. He asked in bewilderment, "Didn't you just say there were no good people in Manchester, and that you wanted to take down Manchester City too?"

Lin Yi grabbed Hilde and threatened, "I'll kowtow to you, please forget what just happened."

Just then, Hilde's phone beeped with a text message notification.

He took out his phone and glanced at it; it was a reply to the video he had just sent.

"That's interesting. Let him give it a try. If Roberto thinks it's suitable, then keep him."

The other party's signature was Sheikh Mansur.

A core member of the Al Nahyan family, the ruling family of Abu Dhabi in the UAE, and the behind-the-scenes owner of Manchester City Football Club.

Since acquiring Manchester City in 2009, the club has invested a total of £10 billion in the club over the past two years up to 2011.

Unfortunately, such a large investment only helped them win the FA Cup.

Therefore, near the end of last season, the team fired head coach Mark Hughes and replaced him with Italian Roberto Mancini, with only one goal: the league title.

Since the big boss had spoken, Hilde stopped being stubborn and agreed to take Lin Yi to Manchester City for a trial.

At that time, Manchester City's youth academy had not yet been built, and the two Manchester teams shared the Carrington training ground.

The security guards at the gate were dumbfounded. Wasn't this guy just kicked out? How come he's back after just a smoke outside?

Hilde seemed to have other things to do, so he handed Lin Yi over to youth training director Vigru and left in a hurry, briefly saying before leaving, "He came for a trial, and the boss agreed."

Vigru pondered, "They didn't say which team they were trying out for. Since the boss knows, it must be the first team."

So he took Lin to meet Manchester City's assistant coach and instructed him, "The boss will personally arrange his trial."

The other party dared not be negligent and urgently notified head coach Mancini, taking the opportunity to whisper a reminder: "The boss instructed you to arrange for him to join the team, I suspect they have a close relationship."

Mancini dared not delay and quickly arranged for staff to prepare for the trial. With a quick thought, he took out his phone and sent a message to club president Calduan al-Mubarak.

"Your Excellency Chairman, a relative of His Excellency Sheikh Mansour is joining the team, and I cordially invite you to come to the training ground to watch the trial."

Under the watchful eyes of the club president, head coach, assistant coach, youth training director, and a host of staff members who knew the inside story, Lin Yi picked up the football from the ground, preparing to warm up by juggling it.

场边众人齐声帮忙数着：「1、2、3......9、10！」

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted, led by Chairman Mubarak.

Mancini rushed to Lin Yi and grasped his hands tightly: "Very beautiful! Congratulations! You passed the trial!"

Lin Yi, who had only juggled the ball 10 times, was dazed and confused as he was ushered to the chairman's office. With his signature, he dramatically and officially became a member of Manchester City.

Lin Yi returned to the Carrington training base.