The draw with Real Madrid Castilla became a turning point in Lu Chuan's professional career.
The video of his long-range world-class shot went viral on social media, with over 100,000 views within 48 hours.
In Spain's local sports forums, fans began to eagerly discuss this emerging Chinese prodigy.
But Lu Chuan had no time to bask in the praise.
The segunda división b league schedule was suffocatingly dense.
The rhythm of two matches a week was a severe test of every player's physical endurance.
"Damn the schedule," Miguel groaned, lying on his bed, his legs too sore to lift.
He was just a spectator on the bench, yet he felt utterly exhausted.
Lu Chuan, however, was doing stretching exercises by his bed.
His movements were gentle and rhythmic, each stretch precisely targeting specific muscle groups.
His body's recovery ability, enhanced by the system, allowed him to maintain good condition even after high-intensity matches.
"Aren't you tired?" Miguel asked, looking enviously at his roommate.
"Yes, I am," Lu Chuan answered honestly, but his movements didn't stop.
"But this is the life of a professional player."
On the training ground, Chema Rico's expression was more serious than usual.
The continuous high-intensity matches had left the players in varying states.
Luis Pereya's passing accuracy had dropped, and Sergio's sprint speed had noticeably slowed.
Only Lu Chuan maintained astonishing vitality.
"Lu Chuan, you lead this attacking drill," Chema said, pointing to an arrow on the tactics board.
"Everyone else, follow his rhythm."
After training, Lu Chuan didn't return to the dormitory to rest like his other teammates.
He stayed alone in the small equipment room by the training pitch.
The [training space] quietly opened in his mind.
The virtual training ground was even more perfect than reality; every fiber of the turf was clearly visible.
Lu Chuan began practicing volleys.
The ball flew in from different angles and heights; he needed to adjust his body posture in the shortest time to find the optimal striking point.
The first attempt sent the ball flying into the stands.
The second was slightly better, but still off target.
On the tenth attempt, the ball accurately drilled into the top corner of the goal.
"[Volley Training Module Unlocked]"
"[Proficiency: Beginner]"
"[LP Consumed: 150]"
The system's prompt sounded in his mind.
He could clearly feel that the rotation angle of his right ankle at the moment of impact and the tension in his instep were perfectly aligned with the flawless movement in his mind.
He could sense that optimal timing for striking the ball.
On Wednesday evening, Leganés B Team played their first match of the week.
Their opponent was Alcobendas Sport, a team from the lower-mid table of the League.
In the changing room, Joaquín sat next to Lu Chuan.
Most of the animosity between them had dissipated. Joaquín began to proactively discuss tactics with Lu Chuan, with a new seriousness in his eyes.
"Their defensive line is slow," Joaquín said, pointing to the opponent's lineup analysis.
"If you can create an opening on the wing, I can link up in the middle."
Lu Chuan nodded.
"I'll create opportunities for you."
Joaquín's eyebrows first raised, then lowered again, his lips moved, and he finally just grunted a muffled "Hmm."
A few months ago, he would never have imagined himself relying on this Chinese man's passes.
After the match began, Alcobendas had clearly done their homework.
They marked Lu Chuan tightly. Whenever he got the ball, at least two players would immediately swarm him.
In the 23rd minute, Lu Chuan received the ball on the left wing.
The opposing right-back pressed him closely, his actions rough, almost a foul.
Lu Chuan chose not to engage in a physical battle.
He deftly flicked the ball over his opponent's head, then accelerated past the defender.
This move drew a gasp from the stands.
At the edge of the penalty area, Lu Chuan faced the goalkeeper.
He didn't shoot, but instead delivered a exquisite cross with the outside of his foot.
Joaquín arrived on cue and easily tapped the ball into the net.
After scoring, Joaquín didn't over-celebrate.
He ran to Lu Chuan, and the two high-fived.
This scene was captured by the sideline photographer and became the front-page photo in the next day's newspaper.
In the second half, it was Lu Chuan's solo show time.
In the 67th minute, he received a pass from a teammate outside the penalty area.
The ball arced through the air.
Lu Chuan didn't wait for the ball to land, striking it directly on the volley.
This was a move he had practiced countless times in the [training space].
The ball, with intense spin, flew directly into the top right corner of the goal.
Facing this sudden volley, the goalkeeper barely had time to symbolically raise his arm.
Two to zero.
The fans in the stands went completely wild.
"Volley!" The live commentator's voice changed pitch.
"Lu Chuan has once again showcased his shooting talent!"
Lu Chuan did not over-celebrate.
He calmly walked towards the center circle, preparing for the restart.
This calmness made the opponents feel even more despair.
The match ultimately ended 3-1.
Lu Chuan contributed one goal and two assists, unequivocally earning the Man of the Match award.
At the post-match press conference, Alcobendas's head coach shook his head with a bitter smile.
"We devised a defensive strategy specifically for Lu Chuan."
"But he always finds a way to break through."
"A player like him shouldn't be in the segunda división b league."
Three days later, Leganés B Team played an away match against Real Valladolid B.
This was an even tougher match.
Real Valladolid's home fans were known for their fanaticism. Their boos and insults didn't stop from the moment the players entered the pitch.
"Chink! Go back to your country!" shrill racist remarks came from the stands.
Lu Chuan's expression remained unchanged.
He quietly went through his warm-up, as if those voices didn't exist.
After the match began, Real Valladolid displayed greater aggression.
Their players were rougher in their challenges. Lu Chuan suffered three malicious fouls in the first 30 minutes.
The first time, an opposing defender maliciously kicked him from behind.
The second time, a midfielder deliberately elbowed his ribs during a challenge.
The third time, the goalkeeper intentionally collided with his knee during a charge.
Each time, Lu Chuan was able to escape danger thanks to his enhanced physical attributes.
His [resistance to impact] attribute played a crucial role at critical moments.
But his teammates started to worry.
"These bastards want to ruin you," Luis Pereya ran over during a dead-ball situation.
"Do you want me to teach them a lesson?"
Lu Chuan shook his head.
"Respond to them with goals."
In the 42nd minute, the opportunity arrived.
Leganés was awarded a free-kick in the attacking third.
Lu Chuan stood in front of the ball, taking a deep breath.
The boos from the stands reached their peak.
Real Valladolid fans waved various banners, trying to distract him.
Lu Chuan's gaze locked onto the top left corner of the goal.
Run-up, kick.
The ball, like a white lightning bolt, soared over the wall, plummeting violently into the net.
The goalkeeper's save was futile.
One to zero.
Lu Chuan didn't celebrate after scoring.
He calmly walked towards the center circle, his gaze sweeping over the speechless fans in the stands.
This silent retaliation was more powerful than any words.
In the second half, Real Valladolid's fouls became more frequent.
But Lu Chuan had already adapted to this rhythm.
He began to utilize his speed and technique more, avoiding unnecessary physical contact.
In the 78th minute, after receiving the ball on the wing, he made a series of feints, evading three defenders.
His subsequent cross found Joaquín in the penalty area.
Joaquín headed the ball into the net, extending the lead to 2-0.
When the final whistle blew, Real Valladolid fans had already started leaving early.
Their boos turned into helpless sighs.
In the changing room, teammates surrounded Lu Chuan, admiration etched on everyone's faces.
"How did you do it?" Sergio asked curiously.
"How can you stay so calm in the face of those fouls and boos?"
Lu Chuan didn't answer.
He quietly took off his boots, the system's prompt echoing in his mind.
"[Contributed a goal or assist in two consecutive matches]"
"[LP gained: 100]"
"[Shooting attribute increased: +1]"
"[Dribbling attribute increased: +1]"
"[Stamina attribute increased: +1]"
The rhythm of two matches a week continued throughout February.
Lu Chuan's performance became increasingly stable and outstanding.
Against Real Madrid B, his winning goal in the 89th minute secured a valuable three points for the team.
Against Las Rozas, his hat-trick completely broke the opponent.
Against Alcalá, his two assists helped Joaquín achieve his first brace.
In every match, Lu Chuan proved his worth.
He was no longer the newcomer who needed to prove himself.
He had become an indispensable core of Leganés B Team.
Teammates began to devise tactics around him.
Opponents began to specifically study how to limit him.
The media began to discuss his future.
But Lu Chuan still maintained that awe-inspiring calmness.
Daily training, preparation for every match, celebration after every goal.
Everything proceeded at his pace.
Joaquín sat in the changing room, watching Lu Chuan organize his gear.
Months ago, he had been full of animosity towards this Chinese man.
Now, he began to understand what it meant to be a true professional player.
"Lu Chuan," Joaquín initiated the conversation.
"Next match, I want to cooperate with you more."
Lu Chuan looked up, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Then, he nodded.
"Of course. We are teammates."
This simple sentence completely dispelled the last bit of resentment in Joaquín's heart.
They were indeed teammates.
And together, they were creating a legend for Leganés B Team.