Chapter 29: A Return to the Peak? "Crazy Li!" Goes Viral.

The fastest way to improve his attributes through the system was by completing missions. Missions were divided into main quests and side quests; the latter could pop up at any moment. Next in efficiency were competitive matches, followed by training.

Thinking of missions, Li Rui scanned his next main quest.

【New Main Quest Issued: Score 30 points in a single game!】
【Reward: "Return to the Peak" (Klay Thompson exclusive status) *One quarter】
【Hint: After each "Return to the Peak" activation, there is a certain chance to retain a portion of the attributes permanently.】
【Do you accept?】

Seeing the reward, Li Rui's eyes widened. Damn, this is a great reward. How strong is prime Klay? "Game 6 Klay"? Scoring 60 points in three quarters? Or 37 points in a single quarter? Regardless, it was invincible. Just thinking about it made him feel excited.

However, the difficulty of obtaining rewards was increasing. He had to score 30 points. Li Rui clearly felt the pressure; this was a different level of challenge compared to the previous few games. Previously, he could complete a main quest in a single game. The early stages were likely "newbie welfare," and from now on, it might take several games or even a long time to complete one.

"Accept!"

Li Rui didn't know when he would be able to score 30 points, but he had to try. A 12-minute "Return to the Peak" quarter might seem short, but it would be enough to shock the world.

"Li, are you done showering? The coach is calling," Odom shouted from outside the bathroom.

"Coming, coming." Li Rui quickly turned off the shower, wiped himself dry with a white towel, and went out to get dressed.

...

At the press conference, flashbulbs erupted the moment Li Rui appeared. This time, he wasn't as nervous as he had been the previous two times. He went to his spot, pulled out the chair, and sat down. On the other side, Kobe still leaned back in his chair with his usual smug demeanor, casually placing his Gatorade on the floor.

Although Kobe had scored the game-high that night, the media was clearly more interested in Li Rui. An ESPN reporter asked, "Li, you've scored 20+ points once again. Do you have anything to say?"

Li Rui replied earnestly, "I am very grateful for the trust my coach and teammates have placed in me. The passes I receive are very comfortable, and I hope to maintain this state and keep winning."

The reporter asked, "How would you describe the shift in your mentality over these past three games?"

Li Rui said, "Actually, I'm just trying hard to seize the opportunity to prove myself. From initially not being sure if I could even stay in the NBA to now, I can confidently believe that I belong in this league."

The reporter asked, "Do you have any response to Kirk Hinrich's comment that he didn't know who you were?"

Li Rui shook his head with a smile, "I already responded on the court."

Kirk Hinrich wasn't as exaggerated as the media portrayed; when leaving the court, the two had even chatted briefly, and he had been quite polite. It was just the damn media hype; Li Rui's view of the media had become quite cynical.

Li Rui was very careful with his answers this time, avoiding any ambiguous statements that would allow the reporters to take liberties.

Li Rui flew with the team from Chicago to New York. They would continue their road trip by challenging the Knicks in their next game. As the Lakers' private jet slowly descended, Li Rui sat by the window, watching the scenery below become clearer. The Statue of Liberty stood in New York Harbor holding her torch, followed by the dense cluster of skyscrapers in Lower Manhattan. Looking down from high altitude, the spire of the Empire State Building stood out strikingly among the midtown night skyline.

New York! This was a city that held a significant position in the global economy. This ensured that even though the Knicks had a poor record in the NBA, their team valuation remained the highest in the league.

Ten minutes later, the plane landed smoothly at the New York airport. Half an hour later, Li Rui boarded the bus with his teammates. They checked into the hotel and rested. After being disciplined by the Zen Master, Odom and Bynum didn't dare to go out and party in New York.

While the entire Lakers team rested, major media outlets began writing reports on the night's game and interviews. Li Rui had played these three games in major cities, which rapidly expanded his fame. Media members and experts loved material like him. ESPN columnist Stephen A. Smith compared Li Rui to Yao Ming, tweeting, "Li is rapidly expanding his global influence just like Yao Ming!"

The *Chicago Times* published the new internet buzzword "Lisanity" when Li Rui scored 8 consecutive points in the fourth quarter, and the term spread rapidly on Twitter. Asian media continued to focus on Li Rui's skin color, calling him the "Light of the Yellow Race," and his fame continued to spread.

The 60th overall pick, who had been riding the bench and was on the verge of being cut, had put on a crazy performance over these three games! The media kept using these elements to stir up the emotions of the fans. More and more people were discussing Li Rui; the term "Lisanity" was gradually spreading across the United States.

The most obvious impact was that that very night, official Li Rui Lakers jerseys sold out, and ticket prices for the Lakers' next home game rose by 200%. Lakers fans were looking forward to the home games after the road trip.

Late at night, the headlines of major newspapers were released.

The *Los Angeles Times* front page: "Li Rui has put on a crazy performance for the third game in a row. He scored 8 consecutive points in the final quarter to help the Lakers lock in the win, and he held his own against Kirk Hinrich. One game could be called luck, two games could be called a good streak, but three games is talent! Li Rui has the ability to be a starter for the Lakers."

"Li is one of the hardest-working players on our team. That guy often trains with Kobe, and we think that is the most insane form of self-torture. He also refuses to go to nightclubs and doesn't care about his hair; I really admire his willpower." — An anonymous Lakers player said in an interview.

*New York Sports News*: "Li Rui's average score over the last three games has reached 24 points. Just looking at these three games, he is an All-Star player. We are about to face a very difficult challenge."

Hupu Forum forwarded reports from foreign media: "Lakers defeat the Bulls 100-89 on the road. Li Rui put up 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Head coach Phil Jackson stated in the post-game interview that Li Rui has shattered his consistent perception of rookies."

*Titan Sports*: "Li Rui will become the point guard who knows how to pass to Yao Ming best in the national team."

The praise from foreign media earned Li Rui a very high reputation among domestic media and fans. On forums, fans edited highlight reels of Li Rui's games, which were watched repeatedly. It could be said that Li Rui had now become the most valuable and influential Asian guard in the NBA.

More and more people were digging into Li Rui's past experiences. His life in high school, middle school, and primary school was unearthed, and even girls who had crushes on him came out to recount how glorious Li Rui was in school. Li Rui was the school's number one basketball player back then...

His textbook-style drifting three-pointers and his slightly handsome appearance made Li Rui explode in popularity. Especially among adolescent girls, whether they watched basketball or not, they would buy a poster of Li Rui in his jersey, collect it, and share their admiration for him with friends.

Domestic media generally believed that Li Rui had become the number one point guard in Asia.

"God, 'Number one point guard in Asia'?"
"Have you guys never seen a point guard who is afraid to handle the ball?"

Li Rui saw the various comments and heated discussions about himself on the internet early the next morning. He felt like he was being elevated to the heavens. The level of discussion was no less than that of Jeremy Lin back in the day. However, Li Rui understood that the country was currently severely lacking in basketball idols who were guards, and he was now carrying the expectations and hopes of the fans.