USC's Pre-season Training

Their training regimen closely mirrored that of most schools: foundational exercises, physical conditioning, basic team tactics, and intra-team scrimmages to foster cohesion.

Lian Dao's personalized training plan went beyond the team's curriculum, focusing on targeted exercises essential for achieving his NBA aspirations, drawing from his past experiences as a role model.

The following morning, Lian Dao began his day with a half-hour session of the Xingyi Three Body Stance.

To understand the significance of this stance, one must delve into Lian Dao's mentor, Guo Nianguo. Vice President of the New York Chinese Chamber of Commerce and ninth-generation heir of Xingyiquan, Guo Nianguo was among the first Chinese immigrants to arrive in the US post-World War II, and a close confidant of Lian Dao's late grandfather and his brother, Guo Huaian.

ianguo provided invaluable assistance. Recognizing Lian Dao's martial arts talent upon his arrival in the US, Guo Nianguo accepted him as a close disciple. During Lian Dao's early years in high school in New York, he diligently practiced boxing under Guo Nianguo's guidance. However, upon transferring to California for his later years of high school, martial arts took a back seat.

It wasn't until Lian Dao returned to New York after university, with the guidance of his master, that he rediscovered his passion for Xingyiquan. Sadly, by then, it was too late. An injury sustained during his sophomore year of college had prematurely ended his martial arts career, leading to a period of personal decline marked by excessive drinking. This setback froze his martial arts progress at the pinnacle of Mingjin, with no breakthrough into the realm of dark energy until his rebirth.

Xingyiquan traces its origins back to the era of Yue Fei, with Guo Nianguo being a descendant of Guo Yunshen, the renowned master of Xingyiquan during the late Qing Dynasty. Guo Nianguo's lineage preserves the most comprehensive teachings of Guo's Xingyiquan, encompassing not only rigorous training methods but also invaluable breathing techniques passed down through generations.

In Guo's Xingyi Boxing, three core principles guide the practitioner: cultivating essence to transform Qi, refining Qi to transform spirit, and refining spirit to return to emptiness. These principles correspond to three stages of martial arts development: Yigu (essence gathering), Yijing (Qi refinement), and marrow washing (spirit cultivation). They also align with three distinct training methods: bright energy (external strength), dark energy (internal energy), and transformation energy (spiritual cultivation).

During his previous life, Lian Dao remained stuck in the stage of refining Qi due to a deficiency in essence, which hindered his progress. Today, traditional Kungfu faces skepticism from many due to its perceived lengthy learning curves and slow visible results. Some individuals exploit this skepticism by misleading others under the guise of traditional martial arts, further tarnishing its reputation and paving the way for the dominance of foreign martial arts.

Despite these challenges, Lian Dao deeply understands the potency of traditional martial arts. His confidence stems not only from navigating the chaotic streets of Harlem before his rebirth but also from his dedicated pursuit of Xingyi Neijiaquan as a basketball trainer in his previous life.

Reflecting on his early days of training, Lian Dao recalls his master's wisdom: true martial arts mastery begins with mastering oneself, and mastering oneself begins with the disciplined practice of foundational stances like the three-body pile.

Standing in stances may seem monotonous and unexciting, yet its impact is profoundly beneficial. Take basketball, for instance; stances enhance lower body and core strength significantly. Lian Dao, drawing from his experience as a basketball trainer, deeply appreciates how these strengths are crucial for positioning and defense on the court.

Many NBA stars have praised Lian Dao's defensive skills, which are bolstered by his lower body and core strength. Regular practice of Xingyi Neijiaquan also improves body coordination, flexibility, agility, and responsiveness—essential attributes for basketball maneuvers like dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense.

Yesterday, Lian Dao discovered through the system that Xingyi Neijiaquan can elevate the upper limits of lower body strength, core strength, coordination, flexibility, agility, and responsiveness. Today, while practicing, he marveled at how this ancient practice seemed to defy conventional body science laws as detected by the system, all without compromising structural integrity.

Rolling his eyes playfully at the system's comment, Lian Dao mused on the marvels rooted in China's millennia-old cultural heritage. He couldn't help but wonder if the system's very existence challenged scientific norms.

With his training plan taking shape in his mind, Lian Dao looked forward to refining its specifics during tomorrow's inaugural training session.

NCAA

The University of Southern California belongs to the "Pac-12 Conference" of the NCAA League, alongside schools like the University of Arizona. However, compared to these counterparts, USC's basketball legacy, while prestigious, falls slightly short. Despite securing 11 NCAA championships in its history, including a streak of seven consecutive championships, USC has yet to reach the pinnacle of NCAA success—winning the national championship. Even though USC frequently qualifies for March Madness, their best finishes have only reached the semifinals, never quite breaking into the finals.

Today marks the first training session of the 2008-09 season.

Early in the morning, Lian Dao and DeRozan arrived at USC.

The USC basketball training facility stands about 10 meters tall, featuring four basketball hoops across its front and rear courts, alongside various strength training equipment and a gym.

Compared to his high school experience, USC's basketball training hall impresses with its height, spaciousness, and comprehensive amenities.

Adorning the walls are retired players' jerseys and posters of memorable team games, yet one large white wall stands bare.

Surveying the basketball training hall, Lian Dao couldn't shake the feeling that something crucial was missing—specifically, a lack of championship banners and trophies.

The last time USC reached the semifinals was as far back as 1954, and Coach Tim's recent performance hasn't been stellar. It's been a roller coaster ride. USC's sports board members were highly displeased with Tim's coaching and issued him an ultimatum: this season's minimum requirement is to reach at least the Sweet Sixteen in March Madness, or face immediate dismissal.

Tim Floyd has visibly aged under this pressure, feeling as unlucky as someone who's bitten by a cold tooth. The team's overall record hasn't been impressive, and even the acquisition of five-star high school talent OJ Mayo through controversial means—referred to as the "black gold trade"—only lasted one season. Mayo left for the NBA draft after the first round of March Madness last year.

With the recent exposure of the controversial "black gold trade" orchestrated by Tim, his plate has been particularly full. This scrutiny has further aggravated the dissatisfaction among the board members towards him.

"Jim, gather them up."

As soon as Tim stepped into the training hall, he directed his assistant coach to assemble the team.

Once everyone was gathered, they went around introducing themselves.

There's Taj Gibson, standing at 206 cm tall and weighing in at 102 kg. He's primarily the team's power forward but often plays as a center. Known for his rebounding and scoring prowess near the basket, Tai is a senior and also the Trojans' team captain. Despite his intimidating appearance with a full beard and bald head, he's actually quite affable.

Next is Dwight Lewis, a 196 cm tall, 97 kg small forward, who is a junior.

Leonard Washington, a freshman forward with a 205 cm frame weighing 108 kg, sports small dreadlocks and has a distinctive personality.

Marcus Simmons, the team's point guard, stands at 198 cm and weighs 90 kg. He's a sophomore.

And there's Nikola Vucevic, a slender 210 cm European freshman weighing 99 kg.

…

Apart from OJ Mayo, who recently entered the NBA, the team has also seen the departure of three graduating seniors and one sophomore transfer, resulting in a sudden loss of five players. Coincidentally, this year's freshmen intake also stands at five.

Tim divided the old students and freshmen into two teams, and entered into the red and blue confrontation.

For the Freshman Blue Team:

Point guard: Donte Smith (180 cm, 81 kg);

Shooting guard: DeMar DeRozan (198 cm, 96 kg)

Small Forward: Lian Dao (203 cm, 82 kg)

Power Forward: Nikola Vucevic (208cm, 90kg)

Center: Leonard Washington (205cm, 108kg)

Red team veterans:

Point guard: Marcus Simmons (198 cm, 90 kg)

Shooting guard: Marcus Johnson (198 cm, 95 kg)

Small forward: Dwight Lewis (196 cm, 97 kg)

Power Forward: Taj Gibson (206 cm, 102 kg)

Center forward: Keith Wilkinson (208cm, 102kg)

Vucevic and Keith squared off for the jump ball. Despite Leonard's attempt, Vucevic's superior wingspan and bounce allowed him to tap the ball to half-court, giving the Freshman Blue Team the first possession.

Donte Smith quickly advanced the ball past half-court and passed to DeRozan. DeRozan, using his speed, blew past Marcus Johnson towards the basket, ready for an easy layup. However, Taj Gibson's timely defense swatted the ball against the backboard, denying DeRozan the score and ending the freshmen's first offensive sequence.

Gibson retrieved the ball and fired a long pass to a sprinting Marcus Johnson down the court. The pass was a bit too strong, causing Johnson to stumble upon catching it, missing the opportunity for a fast break. Johnson recovered and passed to point guard Simmons, initiating a pick-and-roll play. The defense quickly collapsed on Simmons.

Seizing the moment, Johnson released a shot towards the basket.

"Boom!"

Gibson soared for a thunderous alley-oop dunk, assisted by Vucevic's defensive effort, putting the Red Team ahead 2-0 early in the scrimmage.