Just like any other morning, the sun rose slowly from the horizon, its warm light washing away the overnight dew that clung to the rooftops and cobblestone streets.
A gentle breeze drifted through the city. The air felt fresh, welcoming people to a brand-new day.
Yet beneath this calm and ordinary beginning, today was destined to beco very different from every other day.
Citizens began stepping out of their hos as the first rays of sunlight touched the streets. Workers prepared for their daily tasks; rchants unlocked their storefronts.
Along the roadside, small stalls selling freshly baked buns and hot milk quickly beca crowded.
The aroma of warm bread drifted through the air, attracting both young and old custors eager to grab a quick al before beginning their day's labor.
Under one makeshift tent, a group of n sat on wooden benches, hurriedly eating while chatting among themselves.
"What did you say?" a young man suddenly asked, staring at the middle-aged man seated beside him.
"The match between the Black Spider Team and the Chen Clan Team is now available on the Ga Replay Crystal," the middle-aged man replied casually as he dipped a bun into his steaming cup of milk.
"Hm?"
Several people nearby paused mid-bite and raised their heads.
Ever since the ga of football had begun spreading across the city, many young n and even quite a few middle-aged ones had developed a deep interest in it.
"Are you sure?" the middle-aged woman who owned the stall asked while wiping her hands on her apron.
Everyone turned toward the speaker in surprise. It was rare for her to show interest in such topics.
Still, the man simply nodded.
"Yes," he said calmly. "I already bought one."
Without hesitation, he reached into his robe and took out a crystal the size of his palm.
The mont he activated the Ga Replay Crystal, it glowed faintly. Within seconds, images appeared within the crystal, projecting a vivid scene into the air.
Before their eyes, the match between the Black Spider Team and the Chen Clan Team ca to life.
"It's true…"
Soone whispered in amazent.
"I didn't expect it to be released this quickly."
"Y-Yes… I need to get one imdiately!"
Many of the n around the stall nodded in agreent.
For them, obtaining a Ga Replay Crystal had beco almost essential.
In a world where entertainnt was scarce and daily life was filled with constant struggle; there were very few leisure activities to pass the ti.
The Ga Replay Crystal filled that void perfectly.
People could relive thrilling matches whenever they wished, studying strategies or simply enjoying the excitent again.
As the custors hurriedly finished their buns and milk, already preparing to rush toward the nearest vendor selling the crystals.
A young voice echoed down the street.
"Gossip news about the match between the Chen Clan and the Black Spider Team! Buy The Tis Newspaper to find out!"
The shout ca from a boy no older than ten years old.
Curious, one of the n waved his hand.
"Kid, co here."
The newspaper boy quickly walked toward them, a bright and energetic smile on his face.
"What are you selling?" the man asked.
Everyone beneath the tent turned to look at the boy.
In his hands were several sheets of strange-looking paper.
They appeared unusually neat, and the text printed on them looked far clearer and more refined than the handwritten scrolls people were accustod to seeing.
"I'm selling The Tis Newspaper," the boy replied enthusiastically as he held one up.
The man took the paper and imdiately froze.
On the front page was a lifelike image so detailed that it seed almost real.
The picture showed the leader of the Black Spider Team facing the Chen Clan Matriarch. \\
Their gazes t fiercely, as if the battle between them were about to ignite once more.
Beneath the image was a bold headline.
"The Secret Behind the Chen Clan's Powerful Coback!"
The striking image and dramatic headline instantly captured everyone's attention.
The man quickly began reading.
At first, his expression remained calm.
Then it gradually shifted to fascination.
Monts later, his eyes widened in shock.
Seeing this reaction, the others could no longer restrain themselves.
"Let see!"
"Pass it here!"
Several people leaned closer, trying to read over his shoulder.
As they continued reading, another bold headline caught their eyes.
"The Highest Win in the Ga's History: One Man Earns 100,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones with Only Ten in the ga betting chamber!"
Gasps erupted around the table.
Apart from these major stories, the newspaper also contained nurous small gossip pieces and rumors.
For people who had already beco obsessed with football, the content was irresistible.
Within a short ti, the news spread like wildfire.
Not only had the second Ga Replay Crystal been released, but an entirely new thing called The Tis Newspaper had appeared in the city.
—
Inside the headquarters of the Black Spider Team, the team leader had just finished his morning cultivation.
He slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.
Before he could stand, one of his trusted subordinates ca rushing into the room.
"Boss! Sothing huge has happened!"
Still irritated by the recent draw with the Chen Clan Team, the Black Spider leader looked at him with visible annoyance.
"What happened?" he snapped impatiently. "Speak quickly. I don't have ti for useless gossip."
The young man shuddered under his boss's piercing gaze.
Without hesitation, he took out two items.
A Ga Replay Crystal.
And a newspaper.
"This is the replay of our last match," he said quietly. "And this… is the newspaper that was just released this morning."
The boss barely glanced at the crystal.
His attention imdiately locked onto the newspaper.
He snatched it and began reading.
At first, his face remained expressionless.
But gradually, his brows knitted together.
His expression darkened.
Monts later, his entire face twisted with fury.
"Who wrote this nonsense?!" he roared, throwing the newspaper violently onto the floor.
Veins bulged on his forehead as rage burned in his eyes.
The young subordinate trembled and took several steps back.
"Boss, I—I don't know who wrote it," he stamred. "I just bought it because everyone else was buying it."
His voice shook with fear.
But the explanation did nothing to calm the furious leader.
The article openly criticized his leadership during the match.
Worse still, it claid that he was less intelligent than the leader of the Blood River Gang.
How could he possibly tolerate such humiliation?
With a furious shout, the Black Spider boss stord out of the building.
He was determined to find the bastard responsible for printing such insulting nonsense.
—
anwhile, inside the Chen Clan's main residence, the atmosphere was completely different.
The Chen Clan Matriarch sat calmly in her chair, holding a copy of The Tis Newspaper.
As she read, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
"Elders," she said, raising her head slightly, "can any of you guess who created this newspaper?"
The clan elders standing nearby exchanged thoughtful glances.
For a brief mont, no one spoke.
Finally, the First Elder stepped forward.
"I can only think of one group," he said slowly.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"The only people capable of creating sothing like this," he continued, "are the sa ones behind the football ga."
A murmur of agreent spread among the elders.
"That is my conclusion as well," the Matriarch replied.
With everything that had happened so far, only a fool would believe that football would fade away like many other short-lived gas.
No.
This ga was becoming sothing much larger.
Sothing powerful.
"We must increase the training of our players," the Matriarch said firmly.
Her voice carried a rare hint of excitent.
"This… might be the opportunity our clan has been waiting for."
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