The current 1.34 million, after exchanging for a top-tier talent, there would still be 340,000 left!
There was no need to be stingy; they had waited long enough for this day!
Cao Baming walked to the sidelines to rest and, by the way, to think things over carefully.
The next match was just a warm-up game; the real importance was the league two weeks later. Perhaps he could make plans then?
Who knows, he might have new options by then!
Despite this, Cao Baming resolutely chose to exchange immediately. It was worth it, if only to make a good impression on Boss Mei.
After all, the man saw him as an idol, and that was Alexander!
Steeling his resolve, he directly requested the exchange from the system.
"System! Use my points to exchange for a top-tier talent skill card!"
"Ding! Do you wish to use 1 million points to exchange for a top-tier talent skill card? Please confirm."
"Confirm!"
"Congratulations, host, the exchange was successful! You have obtained the [Restricted Zone Hunter] Talent Card!"
"[Restricted Zone Hunter]: Gain a 'Dominance' effect within both teams' penalty areas, ignoring any form of collision and taking no damage. Shooting attributes increase by 50% within the opponent's penalty area, and defensive attributes increase by 50% within your own penalty area."
Cao Baming took a deep breath, feeling reasonably satisfied.
The potency of this skill needed careful consideration. The immunity to damage within the penalty area alone was excellent, as it was a 100% attribute bonus. Furthermore, the buffs in both penalty areas aligned with the goal of an all-around player. Overall, it certainly deserved to be a gold card!
A 50% increase, given his current attributes, would already elevate him to top-tier levels!
What did this mean?
Even his own Henry or Messi would struggle to get past him easily within the penalty area, and when attacking, his shooting attribute would likely reach at least 95!
With this talent, Cao Baming instantly felt much stronger!
Even though the new season hadn't officially begun with its first match, his various technical attributes had already seen significant improvements compared to last season!
No matter when he played his first game, with such a massive upgrade, he was sure to dazzle the fans and earn their admiration.
At this moment, Arteta began to call out. Cao Baming, on the sidelines, looked towards the pitch.
He had rested for a full twenty minutes, so it was no wonder the head coach himself had come to fetch him. He saw many of his teammates already dividing into teams for a training match.
Messi and Henry were on the same team?
Cao Baming's eyes lit up, and he jogged over, not even glancing at the head coach.
Cao Baming's footsteps were heard by the players on the field. Holding quickly called out.
"Cao Baming! You want to join too? Hurry up, just come to our side, no need to group up. We need to balance things out against Messi and Henry!"
"Yeah, come over quickly, for the sake of balance!"
With his teammates' earnest pleas, Cao Baming readily accepted. He had come for this very reason!
Compared to being teammates with those two, Cao Baming was even more eager to be their opponent, to see just how strong his new attribute points and talent were!
However, a very awkward reality soon emerged.
The team's training matches were played on a small pitch without clear penalty area lines. Would the talent still apply!
If the talent didn't provide its buff, wouldn't he still be embarrassed against Henry and Messi!?
Although Cao Baming's strength was no longer weak, and he was a top-tier presence on defense with excellent physical strength, interception skills, and positional awareness.
But that was only enough to contain ordinary players. The two in front of him could no longer be described as ordinary.
Cao Baming steeled himself and cast all his worries aside, deciding to just play it by ear!
Soon, the match began!
These small-pitch training matches had loose rules and were played rather casually, with almost everyone acting as a free agent except for the two goalkeepers.
Cao Baming quickly received the first pass from a young player the team had just acquired for three million.
It was then that Cao Baming realized that his team wasn't just lacking Messi and Henry; many of the team's stronger players had been assigned to the opposing side, while his own team seemed to be the weaker one.
He couldn't help but grumble, "Was this really a random draw?"
The pace of play on a small field was extremely fast, with ball possession changing hands multiple times within a single minute.
Just as it began, Cao Baming received the ball and immediately took a shot. The football struck the post and bounced high!
Although the distance was shorter, the goal was also smaller, making it very easy for the goalkeeper to defend!
The ball was quickly recovered by the opponent. After two passes, it reached the newcomer Messi's feet. It seemed everyone knew who the ball should go to.
Cao Baming quickly retreated to help defend, but it was too late. Messi easily faked past Holding and slotted the ball into the net.
Following that, Henry also scored a goal, and the two of them were both on the scoreboard.
In a fit of determination, Cao Baming actively participated in the defense and personally demanded the ball to create an opportunity. However, when the ball reached Messi's feet, he still couldn't dispossess him.
Was his defensive attribute not high enough?
Cao Baming was almost tripped up by a Messi-like feint, but his extremely strong balance allowed him to remain on his feet and continue chasing back!
Facing Holding, Messi was about to shoot, aiming for his second goal, but at that moment, a figure suddenly flashed and appeared beside him.
Cao Baming! He hadn't been shaken off after all!
Cao Baming refused to believe it. Was Messi really that strong?
Cao Baming personally intercepted Messi, blocking his shooting lane with his body, while intently focusing on Messi's knees. At that moment, Cao Baming suddenly felt a warm current surge through his body!
It was as if, in an instant, a surge of confidence filled his mind!
Messi executed a typical shoulder drop and change of direction, then pulled the ball back in the opposite direction, intending to shoot directly. However, at that very moment, Cao Baming accurately poked out his foot and dispossessed him!
"Damn! Amazing!"
After winning the ball, Cao Baming immediately used a "fried doughnut" dribble to shake off Messi's immediate attempt to regain possession. He took two steps forward and executed a one-two pass with Nelson, completing the goal!
The entire move was fluid and natural, beyond his own expectations!
He glanced back at Messi, whose face still held a hint of frustration, likely unaccustomed to being dispossessed like that!
Looking back at his previous position, Cao Baming suddenly understood!
It turned out the system calculated based on the proportional length of the field. That position was already within the penalty area range, and the talent [Restricted Zone Hunter] had activated, boosting his defensive attribute by 50%!
He had managed to defend against Messi too!