Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

He wasn't greedy for credit and often took the initiative to screen for his teammates. His screens were of extremely high quality, as solid as a concrete wall. The young man with the buzz cut used his screens to make two open mid-range shots in a row, his face flushed with excitement.

Kobe would only take over the game when his teammates couldn't break through or when an opportunity arose.

Once, he received a pass beyond the three-point line. The defender, wary of his drive, gave him a step back. Without hesitation, Kobe pulled up for a jump shot, his release a beautiful motion, a smooth flick of his wrist.

"Swish!" The ball went into the net cleanly and efficiently.

"Three more points?!" Gasps of surprise rose and fell from the sidelines.

Once again, he used a change of pace to break into the paint. Facing two defenders blocking his shot, he didn't force a layup. Instead, he did a small reverse layup in mid-air to avoid the block, and then flicked his wrist to deliver an extremely subtle bounce pass to his teammate who had quietly cut into the paint, allowing him to easily score off the backboard.

"Great pass!" the young man who received the assist shouted excitedly.

Of course, what gets people most excited is his singles match.

Facing the stubborn, tall, and thin defender, Kobe executed a clean crossover dribble followed by a behind-the-back pass, instantly creating a positional advantage. He then accelerated sharply, blowing past the defender in one step! Driving to the basket, facing another player who was helping to defend, he forcefully jumped, making slight contact in the air, maintaining his balance with his powerful core strength, and slammed the ball into the hoop once again!

"Bang—!"

Another powerful dunk!

This time, even his opponents couldn't help but show expressions of admiration.

The technical movements are devoid of any unnecessary frills. Every dribble, every step, every shot exudes the ultimate efficiency and beauty honed through countless hours of practice. It's a level of professionalism that transcends the casualness of street basketball and belongs to the highest competitive arena.

The blue team, led by the young man with the buzz cut, was in high spirits. Under Kobe's leadership, they launched wave after wave of offensive surges, quickly turning the score around and playing better and better.

Kobe, on the other hand, seemed like a different person on the court. He was still not very talkative, but he would use hand gestures to direct movement and use brief Chinese reminders to his teammates: "Switch on defense!", "Watch the rebound!", "Good shot!".

When the young man with the buzz cut made a difficult shot, he even went over and reached out his hand.

The young man with the buzz cut was stunned for a moment, then excitedly reached out and gave Kobe a high five.

"Snapped!"

The crisp sound of clapping seemed to be a form of recognition, a connection.

At this moment, barriers of nationality, identity, and language vanish in the face of a shared love for basketball.

As the sun completely sank behind the mountain ridge, only the last brilliant rays of sunset remained on the horizon. The court became somewhat blurred in the twilight, but the passion for the game remained undiminished. In the end, thanks to Kobe's near-dominant performance, the Blue Team won this "relay" game with an absolute advantage.

After the game ended, everyone gathered around, looking at Kobe with admiration and curiosity.

"Dude, you're amazing! That's definitely professional level!"

"Brother Kobe, are you really that Kobe? No, I don't mean it that way, but you are."

"Teach us how to practice!"

Sweat soaked Kobe's T-shirt, and he was slightly out of breath, but his eyes remained bright. Looking at the young, energetic faces around him, a rare smile appeared on his face.

"I just played a lot," Kobe said casually.

He took the bottled water offered to him by the sidelines, thanked them, and took a few sips. Then, amidst the reluctant gazes of the crowd, he put his coat back on.

"I'm leaving," he nodded to the crowd, as if bidding farewell.

"Brother Kobe, come play again next time!" the buzz-cut youth shouted from behind.

Kobe didn't turn around, he just raised his hand and waved casually, his figure gradually blending into the deepening night of the town.

Leaving the bustling stadium, the surroundings returned to silence. Kobe walked along the cobblestone path back to the inn, feeling a slight warmth in his body and some muscle fatigue, but his mind was more relaxed than ever before.

The running, jumping, battling, and scoring on the court just now seemed to have washed away all the stagnation that had accumulated inside him. The familiar sense of competition, the control over his body, and the resonance brought by teamwork all helped him rediscover a part of his true self.

This brief interlude did not make him forget his mission. On the contrary, he felt his senses were sharper and his thinking clearer.

He remains Kobe Bryant, an A-level commissioner at Kassel College, and his real task at this moment is to monitor Lu Mingfei and Frilian and explore the dragon ruins.

Chapter 272 An Encounter

Beneath the tranquility of the town, undercurrents never ceased to surge. Lu Mingfei had been somewhat restless these past few days. On one hand, Frilian's interest in Longquan outside the town was growing stronger; she would frequently pick up her ancient magic book, written in Elvish, to study it, muttering words like "magic source" and "barrier." On the other hand, there was the renewed contact with the Zhu family.

That afternoon, Zhu Ling'er sent her personal maid, Yun'er, to the inn without anyone noticing, and handed her an elegant letter with a faint, ethereal fragrance. The letter was written in beautiful handwriting, inviting Lu Mingfei and Miss Frilian to her temporary residence at the east end of town for a discussion about the possible ancient ruins in and around Longquan.

Lu Mingfei clutched the letter, his heart pounding. The Zhu family, a mixed-race clan that had dominated Yunnan for many years, possessed a deep-rooted history and a secretive style of operation. Although he had cooperated with them before due to some coincidences, or rather, Lu Mingfei's strange luck, he always maintained an instinctive wariness towards such powerful families. He looked at Frilian, the elven girl carefully watering a faintly glowing blue fungus she had just collected on the windowsill, unsurprised by Zhu Ling'er's invitation.

“Frilian, look,” Lu Mingfei scratched his head, “Are we going or not? It feels a bit like a trap.”

In truth, Lu Mingfei believed in Zhu Ling'er, but he didn't trust the Zhu family. Looking at Zhu Ming and Zhu Qi, he wondered what kind of trouble they would cause. As for Kassel College, Vice Principal Flamel had only given a verbal promise, which was hardly reassuring.

Frillie put down the small water jug, her emerald eyes calm and unwavering: "That place is definitely filled with very ancient ruins. Our exploration alone is inefficient. If local powers were willing to provide information and assistance, it would greatly reduce the risks. What do you think?"

"Well, I think the same way. Someone always needs to scout ahead."

Lu Mingfei's lips twitched. He thought to himself, "I'm already having trouble communicating with these powerful families. I'm probably being used as a pawn to test the waters." However, he also knew that although Frilian seemed naive, her intuition and judgment were often terrifyingly accurate. Moreover, he was indeed a bit curious about that so-called Dragon Spring, feeling that it might be related to his unreliable S-rank status, or the little devil named Lu Mingze within him.

"Alright, let's go and hear what they have to say."

Zhu Ling'er's second courtyard was located at the eastern end of the town, near the foot of the mountain. The environment was quiet and secluded, with high walls and deep courtyards. It looked ordinary from the outside, but inside it was a hidden paradise. Artificial hills and flowing water, exotic flowers and rare plants were arranged in an elegant and exquisite manner, subtly conforming to the feng shui pattern. A faint sandalwood incense and spiritual energy wafted inside the house.

Yun'er led Lu Mingfei and Frilian through the corridor to a spacious quiet room. Zhu Ling'er was already waiting there. Today, she was wearing a modified cheongsam in a light purple color, which accentuated her slender figure. Her long hair was tied up and adorned with a jade hairpin, giving her a gentle yet sharp temperament.

"Mr. Lu, Miss Frillian, please forgive my abrupt invitation," Zhu Ling'er said, rising to greet them with a polite smile.

"Miss Zhu, you're too kind," Lu Mingfei replied with a dry laugh, his eyes involuntarily glancing at the other five people standing in the quiet room.

The five people—three men and two women—were all dressed in dark blue, close-fitting outfits. The cuffs and collars were embroidered with intricate cloud patterns in silver thread, the mark of the Zhu family. They stood ramrod straight, their eyes sharp, their aura calm and restrained, exuding a capable air that could only come from rigorous training and real combat experience.

Without a doubt, this was the team that Zhu Ling'er had mentioned, the one that was to be sent to explore the ruins.

"Please, gentlemen, have a seat," Zhu Ling'er gestured for everyone to sit down, and Yun'er quietly served fragrant tea.

"As you two have probably guessed, this invitation is for the exploration of the Longquan Ruins," Zhu Ling'er said bluntly. "After preliminary surveys and comparisons with ancient texts by our family, we can basically confirm that there is indeed an ancient ruin related to the dragon race deep within Longquan. The energy fluctuations have recently shown an increasing trend, which may lead to unforeseen changes. Therefore, our family has decided to send an elite team to explore this site with you two."

His gaze shifted to the five men and women in tight-fitting clothes: "Let me introduce you. This is Zhu Ting, the team leader, a B-level hybrid. His Word of Power is 'Thunder Pool,' and he excels at attacking strongholds and head-on combat."

A man named Zhu Ting stepped forward. He was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a resolute face, a buzz cut, and eyes like lightning. He clasped his hands in a salute to Lu Mingfei and Frilian, and said in a loud voice, "Zhu Ting greets Mr. Lu and Miss Frilian."

His movements were swift and decisive, displaying a military bearing. His gaze towards Lu Mingfei was scrutinizing, a mixture of curiosity and disdain for this legendary S-rank individual. After all, Lu Mingfei didn't exactly exude the aura of a powerful figure.

"This is Zhu Yu, the vice-captain, a B-level hybrid. Her Word of Power is 'Mist Concealment,' and she is proficient in stealth, reconnaissance, and trap setting," Zhu Ling'er continued.

Zhu Yu was a lithe and graceful woman with delicate features, but her eyes were bright and intelligent. She bowed slightly and said in a clear voice, "Zhu Yu, please give me your guidance."

Her gaze lingered more on Frillie, filled with curiosity, showing greater interest in the silver-haired girl; she had a particular fondness for pretty young women.

"This is Zhu Yan, a B-level hybrid. His Word of Power is 'Iron Wall,' making him a defensive expert with astonishing strength."

Zhu Yan was a burly man with dark skin and a quiet demeanor. He simply nodded as a greeting.

"This is Zhu Lin, a B-rank hybrid, whose Word of Power is 'Healing Dew,' and she serves as the team's healer and support."

Zhu Lin appeared more gentle and smiled kindly at Lu Mingfei and Frilian.

"Finally, there's Zhu Ying, a B-rank hybrid. Her Word of Power is 'Shadow Escape,' and she excels at assassination and intelligence gathering."

Zhu Ying was small and thin, almost blending into the shadows of the corner. She merely nodded slightly, her gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping over Lu Mingfei.

Lu Mingfei was a little overwhelmed by this series of B-level and Word of Power attacks. Good heavens, this setup is almost on par with a standard operations team from the Kassel College Executive Department. It seems the Zhu family has really gone all out this time, and is determined to obtain that ruin.

He quickly forced a smile and nodded to everyone: "Hello everyone, I'm Lu Mingfei, and this is Frillie. Please take care of me, please take care of me."

Frillie simply looked at these people calmly, without saying anything, as if they were introducing a pile of moving stones.

Zhu Ting said in a deep voice, "Mr. Lu, Miss Frilian, I am in full command of this operation. I hope you two will follow orders and cooperate with the operation. The ruins are fraught with danger and are not a game."

His words carried a clear warning tone, probably because he was worried that Lu Mingfei's S-level status was undeserved and would hold them back.

Lu Mingfei thought to himself, "I am the owner of Time Zero, you are too arrogant!" But he put on a smile and said, "Definitely, definitely, we will try not to cause trouble."

Zhu Ling'er noticed Lu Mingfei's embarrassment and smoothed things over, saying, "Captain Ting is very experienced, so you two don't need to worry too much. The family has also equipped the team with the latest alchemical weapons and supplies. Tomorrow morning, we will set off for the entrance to Dragon Spring. Captain Ting will explain the specific action plan to you in detail later."

Next, Zhu Ting unfolded a hand-drawn map covered with dense symbols and began to explain the route, potential dangers, and emergency plans.

Chapter 273 Boy, Come Play Basketball

Lu Mingfei was completely confused, feeling that his future was bleak. Frilian, on the other hand, listened very attentively, occasionally pointing to a point on the map and asking a few key questions in her monotone voice, such as "Is the spatial structure here stable?" "Is there any interference from non-elemental energy?", which made Zhu Ting and Zhu Yu glance at her slightly and put away their contempt.

The meeting lasted for nearly two hours. By the time Lu Mingfei and Frilian emerged from the Zhu family courtyard, it was almost dusk. Lu Mingfei felt his head was filled with a bunch of terms like "dragon subspecies," "alchemy matrix," and "energy node," making him dizzy and wanting nothing more than to rush back to the inn and lie down.

Frillie was looking forward to tomorrow's trip, her eyes brightening as she gazed at the distant mountains.

The two walked back along the bluestone path, passing by the familiar street basketball court, when a tall figure turned out from the alleyway next to them and almost bumped into Lu Mingfei.

"Hey, watch out," a deep, slightly hoarse voice said.

Lu Mingfei was startled, looked up, and froze. It was the foreigner who had been dominating the basketball court! He was wearing a simple gray tracksuit today, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead, as if he had just finished exercising.

"So it's you!" Lu Mingfei was somewhat surprised. He had a very deep impression of the foreigner who dunked like it was nothing.

Kobe looked at Lu Mingfei, a perfectly timed expression of surprise on his face: "Oh? It's you. You live around here?"

His Chinese is still incredibly fluent, truly authentic.

"Ah, right, that inn up ahead." Lu Mingfei pointed in the direction of the inn, then said somewhat embarrassedly, "Um, I saw you playing ball before, you were amazing!"

Kobe shrugged, looking nonchalant: "Just killing time. How about it, interested in playing for a bit? You seem to like basketball too?"

He glanced at Lu Mingfei's wrist, where traces of the unnatural exertion from his previous shot still remained.

"Me?" Lu Mingfei quickly waved his hands, "I can't do it! I'm just messing around, I'm nowhere near as good as you!"

He had personally witnessed how this guy dominated the basketball court. Going to play against him? Wouldn't that be asking for a beating?

"Just playing around, getting some exercise," Kobe said casually, with an undeniable confidence. "Practicing alone isn't very interesting. Just relax a bit. You seem a little nervous?"

Lu Mingfei was indeed nervous, his mind filled with thoughts of exploring the dragon ruins tomorrow, where he might face certain death. Kobe's suggestion, however, made him somewhat tempted. Getting some exercise to release some stress didn't seem like a bad idea, did it?

Anyway, Frillie was right next to them. She didn't seem interested in basketball. She stood a short distance away, watching a stray cat dozing off on the street corner.

"Then, shall we place a few bets?" Lu Mingfei asked hesitantly.

"Come on," Kobe said, walking towards the basketball court first.

The court was deserted at dusk, except for the two of them. Kobe picked up a well-maintained basketball he had brought with him from the sidelines, dribbled it twice, and it made a dull, bouncy sound.

"Warm up first," Kobe said, passing the ball to Lu Mingfei.

Lu Mingfei took the ball, dribbled it awkwardly a few times, then walked to the basket and threw it towards the hoop in an extremely awkward manner.

Sure enough, it didn't stick to any of them.

Kobe watched this scene with no mockery in his eyes, but rather as if he were observing something. He walked over, picked up the ball, and casually twirled it between his fingertips: "Wrong posture. Wrist too stiff, leg power uncoordinated."