Chapter 912: Chapter 912
The Shushan Sword Array is considered the mountain-guarding formation of Shushan. Lin Chen did not expect the opposing team to use it right off the bat.
The Shushan Sword Array also grants a boost to its own team members. Once activated, layers of tangible Sword Intent neutralized the negative effects of the Five Elements Formation, returning both teams to an equal starting position again.
Lin Chen secretly rejoiced. Luckily, he had prepared in advance. Otherwise, he would have been caught off guard, and the opposing team could have created a significant score gap at the very outset.
Right from the beginning, the game became fiercely competitive.
An Xiaodi relied on her explosive power during the jump ball, unexpectedly snatching the ball from the hands of Wang Hong, a tall player standing at 1.87 meters, granting Zhonghai Women's Basketball Team the first offensive possession.
Wang Zixuan gained possession of the ball and launched a swift assault, quickly advancing it to the front court.
Her movements were boosted by the Five Elements Formation, making her faster. With a series of feints, she shook off two defenders and passed the ball to Jiang Qian in the interior.
At that moment, a shadow flickered in front of Jiang Qian — Guan Ling appeared like an elusive phantom.
However, before Guan Ling could make her move, Jiang Qian had already passed the ball to An Xiaodi.
With a flurry of quick passes, Zhonghai Women's Basketball Team tore through the defensive lines of Shujian Women's Basketball Team in an instant.
An Xiaodi dribbled directly into the paint and, facing the imposing Wang Ying, made a skillful fake move followed by a jump shot and scored.
This offensive sequence flowed like Liu Shui, catching everyone off guard. On the coaching bench, Qiu Yun's face changed abruptly, exclaiming, "Three Talents Formation!"
How is this even possible?
Zhonghai Women's Basketball Team was clearly using the Five Elements Formation, yet somehow managed to simultaneously operate the Three Talents Formation.
It must be noted that formations require mystical "Qi" to operate. A formation of this caliber demands substantial Qi to sustain, so controlling even one formation is already challenging. Operating two formations simultaneously is simply inconceivable.
Lin Chen's face lit up with a smug smile, and he made a mocking gesture toward Qiu Yun.
Simultaneously running two advanced formations is undoubtedly impossible for an ordinary person, but Lin Chen had the assistance of his specialized Qi System, Little Shuai.
Although Lin Chen hadn't been physically present to train with his players in the past few days, he had been remotely directing them.
The reason the five players could maintain the formation was due to a mystical control technique known as the Divine-Ghost Dual Formation.
The Divine-Ghost Dual Formation does not simply involve the simultaneous usage of two formations. It allows a controller to integrate one formation's effects into another.
While it may sound simple, actually achieving it is immensely difficult.
The controller must possess godlike foresight to combine the Qi flows of two formations into the necessary synergy.
If the Qi flows of the two formations are not synchronized, they will cancel each other out.
Although there were five players on the court, the essence of the match also relied heavily on Lin Chen as the controller behind the scenes.
This basketball match wasn't merely a contest of skills between on-court players; it was equally a battle of formation controllers.
This was precisely why, despite the apparent gap in strength, Lin Chen still dared to wager against Qiu Yun.
As An Xiaodi's jump shot succeeded, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
Beside him, Wang Yushan excitedly remarked, "Lin Chen, the players under your leadership are incredible. I've never seen Shujian Women's Basketball Team so thoroughly dismantled before — their defense has been completely shredded!"
Under the dual formation boosts, Zhonghai Women's Basketball Team utterly dominated the game in the first quarter, leaving the formidable Shujian Women's Basketball Team unable to counter effectively.
However, Shujian Women's Basketball Team's strength couldn't be underestimated. Despite being at a disadvantage, they launched wave after wave of retaliation under Guan Ling's direction.
The first quarter ended with a score of 30 to 23, with Zhonghai Women's Basketball Team leading by seven points.
At this moment, many long-time followers of the China Women's Basketball League were stunned.
Shujian Women's Basketball Team had conceded no more than 28 points in their toughest match during the preliminaries against Lanzhou University. Yet now, not only were they trailing, but they had already allowed 30 points in the first quarter. It was almost unbelievable.
The score left the players of Zhonghai Women's Basketball Team beaming with joy, whereas Shujian Women's Basketball Team's players wore solemn and grim expressions.
Lin Chen observed the girls walking off the court, his face full of warmth, applauding them as he said, "Great job, everyone. But the first quarter was only a warm-up. The real match is about to begin."
"Such an intense match considered a warm-up?" Li Moyu stuck out her tongue in disbelief.
As she wasn't a true Martial Artist, the high-intensity confrontation of the first quarter had already exhausted her.
Lin Chen smiled and nodded. "Exactly. The second quarter will face the counterattack from Shujian Women's Basketball Team — that's the real turning point in this game."
"Coach, do you mean we'll use our ultimate move in the second quarter?" An Xiaodi asked.
Lin Chen responded earnestly, "That's correct. The second quarter is critical—it can be described as the decisive moment of the match."
Shujian Women's Basketball Team had started strong with their Shushan Sword Array, and Lin Chen had no doubt that Qiu Yun would still have other cards up her sleeve. With the deficit in the first quarter, her squad wouldn't hold back anymore and would likely unleash their signature technique.
Lin Chen directed a fierce gaze at Qiu Yun. "Let's see what other secret weapons you're hiding."
"Alright, everyone, extend your hands," Lin Chen instructed.
The girls obediently stretched out their hands toward Lin Chen.
Lin Chen then infused a steady stream of mystical Qi into their bodies. Immediately, all feelings of fatigue vanished without a trace.
This time, Lin Chen transmitted not only Qi but also streams of information.
Ice Convergence Formation!
The girls' minds instantly received knowledge of this peculiar formation.
Lin Chen's mysterious technique left the girls visibly awestruck, though they restrained themselves from speaking out loud.
In the audience stands, the male spectators watched Lin Chen as he massaged the hands of the girls, practically drooling with jealousy.
"Damn it, being the coach of Zhonghai Women's Basketball Team is too much of a privilege!"
"That bastard! How dare he touch my goddess's hand!? I'll fight him to the death!"
The Zhonghai Women's Basketball Team's fervent fans were seething with palpable rage, their glances at Lin Chen filled with murderous intent, as if they wanted nothing more than to shred him to pieces.
As the second half began, the players took to the court, while An Xiaodi lingered at the back.
She approached Lin Chen with a hint of worry and asked, "Brother Chen, can your body handle controlling three formations by yourself?"
Lin Chen replied with a faint smile. "Don't worry, it's nothing I can't handle."
An Xiaodi hesitantly nodded and then ran off toward the court.
Qiu Yun watched Lin Chen with an icy glare, her lips curling into a sinister smile.
"Boy, don't celebrate too soon. This quarter, I'll make you cry!"
As the game resumed, Lin Chen suddenly heard the voice of Little Shuai in his head: "Master, there's something unusual about Shujian Women's Basketball Team."
Lin Chen turned his gaze toward the direction of Shujian Women's Basketball Team, his eyes narrowing sharply as an intense cold glint flashed through them: "These bastards… they actually dared to do such vile things to those girls!"