2022 Christmas Special

Xuanyuan 'Xiao' Jiantian.

Life… my old self was just chilling. Being the undisputed ruler of the universe meant that there were little challenges to everyday life to keep me on edge. Though, the new challenges that arose were more than enough to keep me occupied. They weren't quite combat related… however.

Children… a lot of them.

After the first son was born, every single one of my women wanted one of her own. 

When the sons came, the little gremlins never ceased to cause troubles. My first, the golden son, Xiao Jianchen was the most arrogant child of them all. Talented and beyond dedicated, he never wasted any of his gifts. He had a little bit of a foul mouth and tended to make people dislike him… truthfully, he acted just like me. I was an arrogant cunt too, and have been for countless years. You could imagine that Ying'er spoiled him like crazy. He was the closest with his elder sister and, despite being almost as handsome as me, remained a virgin voluntarily. He said no woman was worthy of sharing in his glory except his mother… yeah, he was that arrogant. 

The second was the dragon prince, Xiao Jianlong who had an authoritative personality straight out of the womb. Boss baby, I called him. The dragon race as a whole slowly began to revolve around him as he grew and transcended his subjects. Given his nature, he always competed with his older half-brother which led to him growing even faster. He also attained the gift of Light Profound Energy, a gift both I and his mother had. A natural-born leader, he practically claimed the title of Dragon Monarch as his own and united the dragons of the north with the south.

The third son… I'd say he caused me the most heart attacks early on. Xiao Jianjun was a good, kind, kid growing up, charming and always quite the socialite. Getting people to like him was as simple as breathing. He always went out of his way to help people and awakened light profound energy early on. Alas, this kind nature paired with his charms only meant that once he grew to a certain age, he had many women on his tail. Having the kind soul of the Phoenix, how could he reject those he loved? Before long, he had a rapidly expanding harem… and I found myself becoming a grandfather. Yeah, I started to feel even older which was totally great. But that wasn't the worst of it! The little bastard started stealing away displeased wives with his charms…. Which led to conflicts… which sometimes led to me stepping in.

My fourth… and youngest son Xiao Jiantai (so far) was a natural born menace with the foulest yet sweetest mouth of them all. By far, he had the strongest concentration of darkness profound energy and resembled the Devil Emperors of old. Given that his mother was Chi Wuyao, this wasn't too surprising. As he was the youngest, he always had the most to prove and his pride was comparable to his oldest half-brother. Out of the four, he was the most skilled in persuasion and seduction… usually getting whatever he wanted. He had the strongest sense of justice, bloodying his hands at the youngest age between my children and taking matters into his own hands more often than not. Disciplining him was never an easy thing… since he acted like he didn't give any fucks. He was also the only one who joined the Shadow Sun Sect from a young age, an act he did voluntarily. Despite being the most unruly, he also took pride in my past the most. A weird boy, to say the least.

Though, despite all the trouble they caused, I loved them all and took pride in their accomplishments… they were, after all, my sons and they all reflected me in one way or another. Of course, I do sometimes wish they were all as sweet and well-mannered as my daughter Jianshu but that wasn't exactly possible. Boys will be boys, after all…

One thing we all shared… as strange as it sounded, was a love for basketball. It was kind of my family tradition to play the game at this point. My sons would go at it one on one, two on two or even gather their own teams to compete against each other. It was a fun, harmless way of competing.

~

Flying away free from the Brahma Monarch God Realm was a tremendous feeling for Rokas. Freedom had opened so many doors… and, given his newly acquired resources and abilities, he could do much more than before. Keeping to his word, he flew straight for the Moon God Realm. A few were fortunate enough to witness the Blitz speeding through space but none thought about intercepting it. If one did follow it, simply using its invincible mode was enough to dodge their curiosity.

[System: So like… would you like to suit up for the Lakers on Christmas Day against the Mavericks?]

'What…? That's a random ass question.'

[System: Eh, you have no choice in the matter.]

'Wait… you're for real?'

~

Man's was busting his ass to ensure that I won the events that I had a shot at… mainly the archery and throwing contests. The melee was still something that I was shy about attending, knowing damn well I had no chance of winning against all the knights that would attend. As for the joust… I sucked at jousting. Genuinely, I disliked it and skipped out on jousting practice to just do archery.

So yeah… fun times.

~

The three protagonists looked around confused, taking in their surroundings. They were in the Lakers locker room which was eerily empty. At the middle of the room stood the Transcendent Being, repping a golden Lakers tracksuit. They gravitated to him almost instantly.

"Alrighty." The Transcendent Being clapped his hands together. "All three of you are enjoyers of basketball, that much is known."

"I was… a Boston Celtics fan." Xiao Jiantian raised an eyebrow as he glanced at his Lakers jersey. "Why are we in a Lakers locker room?"

"A Celtics fan…" Arthur Astley frowned.

"Well, you are outnumbered two to one. Tough luck, I guess." The Transcendent Being chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm sure you will adapt, my dear prospects. I was thinking this was a fun little thing we could do together…"

"Together?" They all questioned.

"Why, of course, I'll be the coach. I, myself, have taken a slight interest in this sport. The dedication people put into throwing a ball into a basket… the emotional attachment that they have to it. It is rather amusing."

'My dear prospects…' Rokas thought, stroking his chin. 'Golden hair, blue eyes, tall, handsome as hell… hum.'

[System: Another one of your characters.]

'A Celtics fan??? Oh hell no… he's a real disappointment. Throw him in the bin.'

"Not to worry, you will return to your previous lives after today." The Transcendent Being reassured. "Remember to play your hardest. As I'll be giving you all the keys, I'm expecting some stellar performances. I'm talking fifty… sixty points, triple doubles… you get the gist."

"I… haven't practised since I was reborn." Rokas raised an eyebrow. "How do you expect us to compete with NBA talent?"

"Who's 'us'?" Xiao Jiantian questioned, glancing at him. "I've been practising for something just like this."

'I'm well aware…' Rokas thought, sighing. 'If someone told me this was going to happen, I would've been practising too.'

"I was a pretty good shooter but NBA level… don't know about that one." Arthur Astley added. "What year is it, anyway?"

"2022, Christmas Day." The Transcendent Being replied. "We're playing the Dallas Mavericks, by the way."

"2022? That was decades ago from when I died the first time." Xiao Jiantian stroked his chin. "Making me feel nostalgic."

"What do you mean by ages ago? How old are you, g?" Arthur questioned.

"Very old, by some metrics… but still young in many other ways." Xiao Jiantian smiled in response.

"Right, so how many championships did the Lakers win by that time?"

"Good question." Rokas added.

"Juniors, you will know in due time." Xiao Jiantian chuckled, shaking his head. "All I'm saying is, the Celtics were always better."

"Nah, this man tripping. Ain't no way the Boston Celtics got more chips than the Lakers." Arthur frowned. "The Celtics are still riding on their old ass dynasty when there were only like eight teams in the league. Without it, they would only have six championships."

"The Lakers forgot what it meant to grow a team… their way of hiring mercenaries can only work so much." Xiao Jiantian replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"A chip is a chip. I'd do the Anthony Davis trade over and over again if I could."

"Well, we're off to a hot start, aren't we?" The Transcendent Being chuckled. "Lads, get ready for the game ahead. I'd suggest you suit up quickly… I believe there's only like ten or so minutes left before it really begins."

"Ten minutes?" Rokas felt like crying. 'I'm still shit at basketball…'

"As for your old abilities, they've been… restrained to a certain limit. You'll see."

The Transcendent Being went on his way.

"Well, this is going to be a fun little experience." Xiao Jiantian began changing into his jersey which was numbered 1. 'Would prefer if it was the Celtics, though.'

'So this is how a real NBA jersey feels…' Rokas observed, putting on his number 15 jersey with his eyes practically glowing. 'Purple and gold, I can wear it all day. Aerion even got my favourite number.''

"Number 69… that's jokes." Arthur Astley laughed, putting it on.

"This man…" Xiao Jiantian chuckled. "I assume the numbers revolve around the owner. Of course, I would be number one. What does fifteen mean to you?"

"It's the day I was born." Rokas shrugged.

"Oh, I see. Month?"

"December." 

"Winter boy." Arthur Astley remarked. "Must've sucked to only get one present…"

"Not really…"

"Where are you from, mr Ulanovas?" Xiao Jiantian questioned, glancing at the back. "That ain't an English name, that's for sure."

"Ulanovas… that's kind of my surname but butchered, huh. Anyway, I'm from Lithuania but I lived most of my life in England." 

"England? Sheeesh… same." Arthur Astley smiled. 

"We're all from the same country, then." Xiao Jiantian remarked. "Interesting how that works."

"Nah, what the hell is a Xiao?" Arthur countered.

"My current surname. I've had hundreds of those, you know."

"Chatting is nice and all but I'm not trying to embarrass myself out there…"

Rokas slipped away from the locker room, heading straight for the shoot around.

"Neither am I." Arthur Astley joined him.

"Those kids are gonna need it." Xiao Jiantian laughed. "That boy Luka is special."

~

'Lebron is right there… man, that's crazy.' Rokas thought to himself, trying to get some shots up. 'Even if it's just for a single game, being on the same team… I never thought that would happen. It's a dream come true.'

"Woooo, I can fly!" Arthur leaped into the air, attempting a dunk but narrowingly missing as it bounced off the rim. For a seven foot tall man, it looked embarrassing. At the same time… he should've never been able to move like that. "That's bloody crazy, mate. What's my vertical at?"

Meanwhile, Xiao Jiantian was splashing shots everywhere on the court at a modestly tall height of six foot six. Well, that was below average in the NBA. As for Rokas, he realised that his shapeshifting abilities were locked. Though, he observed that he was just as tall as Lebron James… not the worst thing. Apart from physical attributes, he had nothing else going for him, however.

It was the same with Arthur… the only truly skilled prospect was Xiao Jiantian.

Before long, the game began.

"Rokas, you'll be the starting point guard. Jiantian, shooting guard… and you'll be the center, Arthur. James and Davis will run the forward positions." The Transcendent Being instructed. "Don't forget to have fun."

Hearing their names get announced as part of the starting lineup while the entire arena exploded was a different feeling… especially to Arthur Astley, who had yet to see something like that. As for Rokas, he felt pumped especially when Lebron James dabbed him up. Xiao Jiantian… had seen plenty of mortal adoration before.

For the jump ball, Arthur Astley emerged victorious and slapped it to Rokas' side.

"Show us some skills, Winter boy."

'As if I have any in regards to basketball…' Rokas dribbled it up the court slowly, frowning slightly as he saw Luka Doncic. 'I know damn well his big white ass is not playing PG. Well… he's known as a bad defender, right? So…'

He stripped the ball from his hands and the first fastbreak began.

'What the hell just happened…?'

"Embarrassing… can't even keep the ball in your hands." Xiao Jiantian remarked, speeding up the court. 

Luka Doncic ran up the court, though Xiao Jiantian was faster… so he pump-faked it which led to him jumping. After that, it was an easy layup for Luka Magic. Two points on the board.

"Why'd you jump to Madagascar?" Rokas remarked, shaking his head.

"I know you're not talking, boy…"

"Alright…" Arthur Astley came up to inbound the ball.

"Give the ball to me, junior. This King will show you how it's done." Xiao Jiantian pointed to himself. 

"...Right." Arthur threw it to him.

He caught it, did some fancy between the legs and sprinted up like a speed demon. Spencer Dinwiddie tried to keep up with his dribbling but it was too much when Xiao Jiantian really started saucing up.

'What the fuck is he doing…' Rokas thought. 'Actual DEMON.'

After several rapid between the legs, he stepped back… causing his defender to stumble forward. Xiao Jiantian then went forward and Spencer tried to keep up. Then he snapped back again at lightning speed and completely shattered his defender's ankles. Spencer Dinwiddie collapsed to the floor, giving it a nice kiss.

BANG.

3-2.

He shot it and didn't even look to see it go in.

"I'll guard Luka." Xiao Jiantian told Rokas, pushing him to the side. "I don't trust you not to get cooked."

"Well, that's fine…" Rokas shrugged, although it stung a little. 'If anything, defending is my second best attribute.'

Luka Doncic called for a pick-and-roll, which led to Christian Wood coming up and setting a screen. This screen kept Xiao Jiantian away while Arthur Astley was too slow to contest the shot.

BANG.

3-5.

"Have you ever switched in your life?" Xiao Jiantian questioned. "That's some atrocious defence."

"Shut up, grandpa… I'm trying. Maybe if you got past the screen, I wouldn't have needed to step up."

"... You're right about that one. This frame is rather limiting compared to my true form." Xiao Jiantian shrugged. "I was not expecting that screen to be so effective. Pass me the ball again…"

This time, Lebron James inbounded it… passing it to Rokas.

"Pass it up, I'll score and make up for it." Xiao Jiantian instructed.

'Shut the fuck up. I want to do something, too…' Rokas thought, turning away. 'I can't be doing nothing for my first and quite possibly my only NBA game.'

"That look in your eye… you have a silent ego, huh." Xiao Jiantian chuckled. "Do something stupid and I'll steal it from you next time."

"Guys, we're meant to be a team…" Arthur Astley raised an eyebrow.

"AD, set me a screen." Rokas raised his voice, watching closely as Anthony Davis set a screen. Using it, he got past Luka Doncic and drove straight into the rim. Christian Wood switched to him while Anthony Davis kept going.

'Alright…'

Rokas took a deep breath, focusing on the rim and where to pass it.

"Alley!"

He threw it up to Anthony Davis, who jumped and slammed it in with both hands before his defender could even jump up to contest.

5-5.

"Mr Targaryen put you in at point guard for a reason, huh. That pass was cool as fuck!" Arthur Astley pat Rokas' back. "It was practically perfect."

"You think so?" 

"So you can do something…" Xiao Jiantian stroked his chin. "You have good instincts for a point guard."

"Thanks."

Everyone got back on defence on time but the Mavericks set up even quicker, rushing to score. Lebron James went to sleep on defence temporarily, leading to Tim Hardaway Jr cutting through the defence and getting a pass from Luka Doncic. As he went up for the layup, Arthur leaped forward and swatted the attempt into the fourth row.

"GET THAT SHIT OUT OF HERE!"

"That's my center right there." Rokas laughed. "God damn."

"Impressive." Xiao Jiantian nodded. "You remind me of my brother-in-law."

It was still Mavericks ball, who got it back to Luka Doncic. Despite Xiao Jiantian focusing up, Luka managed to surprise him and made a fadeaway shot over him.

"He's slow, yet fast… what an anomaly." Xiao Jiantian muttered.

"Our grandpa is getting cooked still. This is some elder abuse shit…" Arthur laughed. "Don't worry, gramps, you'll get him next time."

"I need the ball…" Xiao Jiantian asked as Rokas got it from the inbound. "I'm not going out sad to Luka."

"Say pretty please." Rokas smiled slightly.

"Pretty please." Xiao Jiantian's eyes glowed gold. "I need it."

'This man is way too competitive…' Rokas thought, glancing up as he got past half-court. In the corner of his eye, he saw James cutting. 

'Isn't this a bit too far?'

He took the risk, throwing it all the way up.

Lebron James jumped, grabbing it mid-air and slamming it in with his right hand.

7-7.

'Woah… that man is built different.'

"Tsk…" Xiao Jiantian kissed his teeth, glaring at Luka Doncic. 'You ain't safe.'

This time, Xiao Jiantian was practically glued to Luka. The level of focus and commitment he displayed was inhuman… show off an absurd display of defence. Before long, Luka Doncic passed it up, got it back and was forced to put up a shot. Xiao Jiantian leaped up, grabbing hold of it mid-air and falling right back down. With a quick spin-move, he got past Luka Doncic and ran up the court like a deer. No one managed to keep up with him…

Almost from the free-throw line, he leaped and performed a whole reverse windmill dunk.

The Mavericks called timeout.

"He took it personal, alright…" Rokas muttered.

"We got a whole Michael Jordan on the team." Arthur Astley joked.

"Alright, squad." The Transcendent Being got everyone in a huddle. "I want some points from our big man and point guard. Next play, Rokas and Arthur will run a pick-and-roll. Jiantian, I want to see some off-ball movement… and screens from James and Davis. That way, we keep the defence on their toes the entire time. Got it?"

"Yes, coach."

'This man has been studying basketball?' Rokas thought. 'He must be bored.'

On the next play, Spencer got around Rokas and made a reverse-layup over Arthur. 

"Play some defence… you two are arguably worse than old ass Lebron." Xiao Jiantian frowned, running up the court.

"Lebron is still a good defender, you know." Rokas refuted. "Great, when he feels like it."

"That's some fanboy energy, not going to lie. He ain't nearly as good as he used to be." Arthur replied.

"Well, he 'used' to be defence player of the year worthy… obviously he's not as good." Rokas added. "But he's still great when he wants to be."

"Mhm…"

This time, the Mavericks left Rokas and Arthur completely isolated on the three point line… believing they can't shoot. Now, Rokas looked to pass it up… glancing at Arthur who confidently nodded. Trusting his teammate, he passed it to him. Christian Wood ran up and snagged the pass for himself, giving it off to Luka right after.

'That was too obvious…'

From that, the Mavericks got an easy fastbreak bucket.

11-9.

"That pass was so lazy." Xiao Jiantian remarked, frowning. "Even a snail could intercept it."

"Keep to the gameplan, you ingrains." The Transcendent Being rolled his eyes.

'Aight bet…'

This time, Rokas called for a pick-and-roll with Arthur who set a screen. Using it to wall off his defender, Rokas drove straight in again. The Mavericks defence kept up, refusing to switch… leading to the rim being blocked off. In the corner of his eye, he saw a free Xiao Jiantian and so, he passed it straight to him.

The pass went by like a bullet, straight into his hands.

"Nice one." Xiao Jiantian muttered, going straight up with his three point attempt from the wing.

BANG.

11-12.

"Three assists already, that's my point guard." Arthur acknowledged with a smile. 

"I have eight points…" Xiao Jiantian rolled his eyes. "Alright, I'm going for sixty."

As the game went on, all three protagonists grew more accustomed to playing with each other and unlocked more of their latent potential. Especially Arthur and Rokas, who were unpolished and had to be catching up with every minute. Arthur got his first points in the form of a three later on and began to play much more dominant defence… making use of his physical gifts. As for Rokas, he was observing every little detail… taking in everything he can. It wasn't quite as effective as swallowing beasts and gaining their abilities but it began to work out. As for Xiao Jiantian, he was cooking everyone who dared to defend him.

By the time the third quarter rolled around, the Los Angeles Lakers were up 110-90. Most notably, Xiao Jiantian had fifty points, Rokas had twenty-five assists and Arthur Astley had fifteen rebounds alongside seven blocks. Rokas as a point guard pushed up the tempo to the limit, starting fastbreaks from the moment he touched the ball. In turn, Arthur and Xiao Jiantian began sprinting up the court more often which led to easy points.

"Ya'll are benched for the whole third quarter." The Transcendent Being grinned, leaning against his seat.

"What!?" Xiao Jiantian frowned. "I'm not tired in the slightest, don't you dare keep me out. I'm going for a hundred points."

"I said you're benched and that's that." The Transcendent Being shrugged. "Sit your ass down."

"Bum ass coach." Rokas agreed, sighing. 'I want that assist record…'

"You're so lucky my powers are restrained." Xiao Jiantian remarked. "I would've smashed your face into the ground otherwise."

"Oh, you'll get the opportunity… eventually." The Transcendent Being chuckled. "Relax and give time for the Mavericks to come back. In the end, an NBA game is a spectacle. A fifty point blowout is hardly that…"

"Bullshit."

They all sat on the bench, watching the Lakers get washed for the next quarter. It felt as if the Mavericks all got a zenkai boost, playing far beyond their limits. To make it even better, Anthony Davis fell and broke his leg. The Mavericks managed to come back and even gain a lead over the fourth quarter. By the time they were let back in, the score was 130-132 with only a minute left in the final quarter.

"You let us back in with ONE minute to go?" Arthur Astley frowned. "Mr Targaryen, you are a cunt."

"Oh, I know…" He chuckled.

"Whatever, we'll still win this game if we play like we did in the second quarter." Xiao Jiantian stormed onto the court, going straight for Luka Doncic.

"Right…" 

To start off their return, Luka Doncic managed to hit an improbable stepback three over Xiao Jiantian and give his team a five minute lead. Seeing that Xiao Jiantian was fuming, Rokas passed it straight to him.

Xiao Jiantian dribbled up the court and pulled up straight from the logo…

BANG.

133-135.

"GUARD ME." Xiao Jiantian looked down at his defender, almost moonwalking back.

This time, Luka Doncic got past Xiao Jiantian with a drive, pump-faking and catching him lacking with a fadeaway… 

But Rokas left his man at the last moment, leaping for a block from behind.

Luka saw this, passing to his open teammate in the corner.

'What in the fuck was that reaction speed!? That's some bullshit…' 

Tim Hardaway Jr went up for the three but… Arthur Astley leapt into the high heavens, raising his hand and grabbing it mid-air.

"BOARD MAN GETS PAID!!!"

He crashed onto the ground, almost like a crater. Already… the entire Lakers squad was running. He threw it up to Rokas who bounced it off the ground straight for Xiao Jiantian. He ascended, almost as if he had wings and slammed it in.

135-135 with 32 seconds to go.

"Lakeshow is fucking back!" 

"We're getting fancy, eh? Don't forget the goal is to win…" Xiao Jiantian pat Rokas' head.

"Don't pat my head, I'm a grown ass man…"

"Don't tell me what to do, boy." Xiao Jiantian smiled, chuckling as he sprinted back on defence. "I'll pat your head as many times as I want."

"Goofy ass ancestor." Rokas muttered, focusing on guarding his man.

As the clocked ticked down, everyone was glued to their man. Luka Doncic tried to drive but Xiao Jiantian smothered him, forcing the superstar to pass it up before getting blocked. It went to Spencer Dinwiddie, who was also getting locked up by Rokas. In the end, the ball found itself in the hands of Christian Wood, who bodied Lonnie Walker IV and got into an easy position for a post-hook. Arthur Astley was there, leaping up to contest… but Christian Wood passed it up to Dwight Powel, who was cutting in. Lebron James left his man to contest which led to Dwight Powel passing it to the open man, Tim Hardaway Jr.

The time was ticking down… Xiao Jiantian left Luka Doncic, leaping up to contest.

Tim Hardaway Jr passed it down to Luka, leaving only a few sparse seconds. Rokas left his man to guard the shot, smothering it. It was short, leading to Arthur Astley grabbing the board and passing to a running Rokas.

With only six seconds left, his heart was beating at an unreal rate. Luka Doncic was keeping up with him the whole time while Xiao Jiantian was smothered by two defenders.

"SHOOT IT!"

The resounding command from the back gave him confidence…

There was no other option, he had to do it.

With three seconds to go, he fired it from the three point line. Luka was right there, causing a change in his shot. Knowing damn well it wasn't going in, he sprinted straight to the rim. Luka couldn't keep him back, leaning to his side… he pushed him away, leaping up as the shot bounced off the rim.

'I WANT TO GO HIGHER…'

He raised his hand like a hammer, grasping the ball midair and…

SLAMMING IT RIGHT DOWN.

Luka Doncic fell to the ground as the buzzer sounded.

Rokas looked down, feeling exhilarated as the Lakers home crowd roared.

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

The Lakers had won 137-135.

He turned around, meeting his rushing teammates.

~

'I forgot how wonderful Basketball was… you could fade into the game and think of nothing else.'

After the game, the Transcendent Being paid for dinner at a local KFC which strangely had a top floor. It was the fanciest KFC restaurant any of them had ever seen.

"Mate… you're the most powerful being in the multiverse and all you could get us is KFC?" Rokas raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, I bought off the entire top floor. Give me some credit… all of these fast food chains are closed on Christmas Day anyway." Aerion chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. "You're welcome, my NBA superstars. Anything you want on the menu will just pop up… oh, I have some business to attend to. See you around."

"That man acts like he's so busy." Arthur Astley remarked.

"Well, shit. I'll have some wings." Xiao Jiantian started munching. "Mn… this is some good shit for fast food. He must be llying about it being KFC."

"I haven't had a burger in some time…" Rokas got himself a fillet burger.

"Uhm… THIS FOOD IS SO FUCKING GOOD!!!" Arthur Astley ate like a caveman who hadn't tried any good food in his life. "Oh my goodness… ahhhhh~"

"Did he cum in his pants from food?" Rokas raised an eyebrow.

"Looks like he hasn't tasted good food in a while, the poor boy…" Xiao Jiantian chuckled. "Hey, Arthur Pendragon, if you need some good food, you're welcome to come to my restaurants anytime. The instant classic Mighty Heavenly Pizza is available at every single one."

"Yeah… mhm…"

"We don't exist in his point of view…" Rokas realised, smiling slightly. "I wish I could feel that good eating some food."

"You're also welcome to my restaurants, mr Ulanovas." Xiao Jiantian added. "That dunk was bloody legendary."

"Yeah… and to think that those were my only two points in the game!" Rokas laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, and I'd prefer if you called me Rokas."

"Is that so? Very well, Rokas. So… I'm intrigued, as we are both 'prospects', what kind of world do you reside in?"

"Uh… a cultivation one."

"You study the profound way as well?" He questioned.

"Yeah… exactly that." Rokas nodded. 'We'll only know each other for today… so it's no big deal telling stuff like that, right?'

"I see, the silver-haired god has preferences… so how many women do you have at your side?" Xiao Jiantian wondered, grinning slightly.

"Uh… two… threeish." Rokas stroked his chin. "Third one is a bit of a sticky one, still."

"How so?" 

"Sorta kidnapped me…"

"You got raped?" He raised an eyebrow, laughing.

"No… I mean…" 

'How the fuck did he guess that???'

"Was she beautiful, at the very least?"

"Oh, she was leng." Rokas acknowledged, shrugging his shoulders. "Definitely top three from my experience… the most beautiful at times, even. But… her personality is… it's straining. I also had the displeasure of having my wives watch every single event so now things are awkward there. I… don't know sometimes. I feel bad for what I did but there where times where I enjoyed it too. I'm in conflict with myself."

Arthur Astley collapsed from eating too much.

"... How did they watch everything?"

"I can keep people inside of me… kinda thing."

"Ah…. that's an amusing ability, indeed." Xiao Jiantian remarked with a smile. "From the sound of it, you are a transcendent talent."

"Well, I wouldn't call myself transcendent… but I've accomplished some mad things, yeah." Rokas nodded.

"Take this advice from me." Xiao Jiantian pat his shoulder. "You are THE man, right?"

"I mean…"

"If I could say I discovered anything from that game, it was your overflowing ego."

"My ego?" He raised an eyebrow.

 "You damned ball-hog… how else did you get those twenty-seven assists? You thought you knew better than everyone else on the court… and well, you did. Other than a few baboon-brained plays, you were the perfect point guard. You controlled the pace of the entire game."

"How does that correlate, exactly?"

"One thing that I've learned in all my years is that women are willing to make sacrifices to accommodate their man… so long as that man is worthwhile. Instead of faulting you for having those feelings for other women, they will fight for your attention. In our world, it is the King who can grasp the entire world and all its treasures…" Xiao Jiantian spoke from personal experience.

"The King…" 

"So, all you have to do is become the King." Xiao Jiantian removed his hand, standing up. "Put those confused feelings to the side… do not hesitate in life, it is far too short for that. Channel your energy into something more positive and continue to grow your talents. If you are not the King yet, ensure that you topple all your competition and become Him."

"Once you are King, if there is anything that dissatisfies you… you will most certainly have the power to change that." Xiao Jiantian chuckled, shaking his head. "Unless it's children… ah, those little gremlins."

"Still…" Rokas sighed, shaking his head. "What if, in the process of attaining what you want, you only end up upsetting the people around you?"

"... If your wives truly love you and you treat them well, they will understand." Xiao Jiantian stroked his chin. "You certainly have the ego to be King, you only need to put it to use."

"But…"

"No more hesitation, boy… if we do ever meet again, I want to see you observe your life with the same clarity that you see the basketball court. Be confident in yourself. Do not wimper around… hold your head high. Lastly, don't forget to live your life… even if it means being a little bit of an ass sometimes. It's far better than being walked over by other people, even those important to you."

"... Well, I feel as if my time is up here. See you around, Rokas."

"Jiantian…" 

It was a weird feeling inspired by your own character… and yet it happened.

In the end, Rokas felt a weight lift off his shoulders as he returned to the cockpit of the Blitz.

The trio had returned to their respective timelines… although, the weird memory of the Christmas Day game stayed with Rokas in the form of a dream.

'Become the King… what a weird dream.'