It was like trying to stop a speeding train with a feather.
The players on the field were merely mid-tier even in their own country's top league; how could they possibly stop Cao Baming?
They were not only technically outmatched but also physically overwhelmed.
Cao Baming's footwork was nimble and fluid, as if two brushes were creating a magnificent, unique ink painting on the pitch with effortless grace.
To the onlookers, his legs moved so fast they seemed to vanish, leaving only afterimages. His elegant steps rendered all their practiced interception and tackling techniques useless in an instant!
There was simply no opportunity to make a move; they couldn't even comprehend what was happening.
One player thought he understood Cao Baming's movements and intentions, but it turned out to be a feint. He was spun around and fell to the ground without even being touched, as if he had crashed into a wall made of air.
As he entered the dangerous area, the center-backs finally reacted. They knew their limitations and, seeing the situation, abandoned any thought of technical defense. Glancing at their teammates, they knew they constituted the team's last line of defense.
The two players tacitly agreed to resort to fouls. However, in a friendly match, too much force would invite scorn, and the players they faced were their idols, the greatest superstars in football!
Even if they didn't particularly like Arsenal, this was Messi's team, and Cao Baming was Messi's teammate. They couldn't bring themselves to be too aggressive.
They simply reached out to block Cao Baming's path with their arms, only to quickly realize it was futile, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. If they hadn't pulled back in time, their arms could have been broken on the spot.
Cao Baming didn't slow down. He merely adjusted the frequency of his footwork, not relying on elaborate dribbling skills. He knew that against these opponents, such excessive maneuvers were unnecessary; just this alone was enough to toy with them.
Finding their arms ineffective, the two players grabbed Cao Baming's jersey and initiated physical contact with their bodies.
The outcome was predictable: two more defenders sprawled on the ground, while Cao Baming, without doing anything, continued his dribble forward!
Upon reaching the penalty box, he unleashed a powerful shot, finding the net once again!
Two-nil!!!
The goal was so swift that almost all the Arsenal players stood frozen, watching the spectacle, not even bothering to run for support. They understood Cao Baming too well; they knew he didn't need it.
Only three minutes had passed, and Cao Baming had already broken through the opposing goal twice! The management of both teams began to worry if this friendly match could even be maintained if it continued like this.
At this point, the fallen players, with the help of the Arsenal players, managed to get up, still looking utterly bewildered.
As they helped their teammates up, the Arsenal players wore friendly smiles, understanding that this was a friendly match and it was best not to escalate tensions.
Their expressions seemed to convey, "Don't look at me like that. I'm not the enemy. Did you see me do anything when Cao Baming was dribbling and shooting just now?"
In reality, they, like most of the defending players, had barely reacted and had stood their ground.
But this didn't prevent the opposing players from reaching a state of existential doubt!
They had never personally experienced the level of the Premier League, nor had they directly confronted Cao Baming. Watching him on video was nothing compared to the reality.
Only by experiencing it firsthand today did they truly understand this deep-seated fear, the sense of powerlessness and loss of control when everything they tried to do was impossible in front of Cao Baming.
Was this guy really that strong? This clearly surpassed everyone's understanding, especially for those who had just directly clashed with Cao Baming.
The Arsenal players on the field could completely empathize with this feeling of questioning their reality.
After all, when Cao Baming first joined the team, or when they first played with him, whether as teammates or opponents, their moods had been terrible.
It was a sense of awe-inspiring loss, making them feel utterly inadequate in his presence.
The Premier League players had long endured this nightmare and had only recently adapted, or perhaps given up on adapting and chosen to accept it. Now, it was this group's turn.
The match continued, and Messi, observing the situation, felt a pang of sympathy.
Should he go all out in this match? Messi was still somewhat conflicted, and had yet to reach a firm decision.
If he did, the opposing players' confidence might be shattered. As a player from their own country, he naturally wanted their national football strength to flourish and advance. Damaging the players' confidence was not a good thing.
And how could he bear to win by such a huge margin when they revered him as their greatest idol, looking at him with such respect?
However, if he didn't play seriously, it would betray his original intention for playing football and harm the simple, pure essence of the sport!
Football was a game, a game where victory was sought within the rules, no matter the means. Letting the opponent win easily could be considered as shameful as using cheating to win.
While he was in this dilemma, others were also grappling with their own thoughts.
Cao Baming, however, showed not the slightest hesitation.
After scoring two goals in three minutes, Cao Baming's eyes still seemed to blaze with fire, an aura radiating continuously from his body, perceptible to everyone around him.
He was on fire, unstoppable, and didn't care about anything else!
It was at this moment that Cao Baming remembered the system's mission. Although he only recalled it after scoring two goals, the match had just begun!