I revived the Demonic Sect in North America

At the same time, a large, dark hand covered in hair slammed heavily onto Li Ang's shoulder.

Li Ang grinned and turned around, only to see a small black mountain standing in front of him, wearing an oversized River Valley High School rugby training shirt.

Li Ang scoffed and raised his fist.

The two exchanged a flurry of punches in the Blood Gang's flamboyant way of greeting each other.

Then Black Mountain pulled Li Ang into his arms and tucked Li Ang's head under his armpit.

The strong body odor mixed with the smell of leaves almost killed Li Ang.

Li Ang didn't seem too bothered, calmly pushing aside the small black hill and greeting him:

"Hey Bruce! My good brother!"

It turns out that this small black hill was Bruce Keaton, Li Ang's childhood friend from the South District.

Bruce grinned broadly, revealing two rows of dazzlingly white teeth, laughing without a care in the world.

"Li Ang, you skipped practice again last night! Coach Duke is really nagging you. If you keep being a ghost player, you'll be kicked off the team!"

Li Ang's lips curled into a smirk as he said:

"Bruce, don't lie with an IQ like that. I'm already a junior in high school, and I'm still just a substitute on the third team. Coach Duke has no way of noticing me."

As a high school hobby club, football teams are not as professional as college teams or those in the NFL.

Therefore, in addition to the starting first team and the substitute second team, the school also created a third team with no entry requirements to accommodate players who were not good enough.

They are less like contestants and more like a group of enthusiasts.

They are substitutes for substitutes, and roadside substitutes, so there's no question of whether they'll be removed from the list.

Bruce wasn't angry when Leon mocked him for being brainless; instead, he chuckled and said:

"Okay, okay, I knew I couldn't fool you. I'm just saying this in the hope that you can train me like you did back in junior high in the South District."

"Have you forgotten? Didn't we agree to compete in the New York State high school tournament together, then get into college together, and play in the NFL together?"

A look of longing rose in Bruce's eyes:

"What was that word you used before? Oh, 'achieving upward social mobility' so my mom could live in a big villa with a swimming pool. I remember it all!"

Li Ang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

He certainly wouldn't forget that during his junior high school team days, he and Bruce were inseparable.

The two of them worked up a sweat on the playground together, studied various offensive and defensive techniques together, and went to the Ellie Bar to watch NFL game videos together.

Together they dreamed of using football to break into college and escape the dirty, muddy slums of the South Bronx.

At that time, although there was a gap in their physical fitness, it was not to the point of despair.

Li Ang is faster, has a better understanding of tactics, and is a natural leader.

Bruce is like a loyal black Doberman; he only needs one command from Li Ang to unleash amazing power on the field.

But high school is like a cruel watershed moment.

Bruce's already outstanding athletic talent, under the catalysis of Duke coach Kowloon, grew wildly like a wildfire doused with gasoline.

He had just passed the school team selection in his first year of high school and skipped the third team, directly entering the second team.

In his second year of high school, he was promoted directly from the second team to the first team and secured a starting position.

Li Ang's physical development has reached a bottleneck.

His ability to fight back was particularly vulnerable in the face of the terrifying physical clashes between American high school students.

All those exquisite positioning, teamwork, and tactics pale in comparison to the absolute difference in strength and physique.

The once glorious Lightspeed Runner No. 21 quickly fell by the speed of light, becoming nothing more than a roadside stray.

Although Bruce and Leon are still as close and trusting as before, without any reservations.

But some things are different now.

Li Ang no longer trains with Bruce.

More often than not, Bruce would find him after accompanying the school team to practice, covered in sweat, excitedly gesturing about who he had knocked over that day.

Li Ang could only smile and agree, but he knew in his heart that it was a world he could no longer squeeze into.

Bruce talks about the future, including college scholarships, the attention of professional scouts, and NFL tryout invitations. These things still sound exciting, but they seem increasingly distant for Li Ang.

Their relationship was like that of Lu Xun and Runtu in their adulthood.

It has been separated by an invisible, thick glass called reality.

Seeing the genuine expectation in Bruce's eyes, Li Ang's throat tightened.

But Leon quickly gave a natural smile and reached out to pat Bruce's dark arm:

"I know, Bruce, I haven't forgotten. The pool villa, the Mercedes sports car, and making your mother never have to work the night shift again... I remember it all."

Bruce was delighted to hear this, but Li Ang changed the subject:

"But man, you have to understand, I'm really stretched thin right now. You know Fiona's situation; she needs me more than you do right now, so I have to help her out."

Bruce's smile vanished. He scratched his dreadlocks and said worriedly:

"Oh... well, poor Fiona. Is she alright? I mean, if she needs anything, you know, I..."

"She's alright, thanks, Bruce."

Knowing what Bruce wanted to say, Leon quickly interrupted him.

Like Leon, Bruce was born in the South Bronx and his family was also very poor.

His father followed the traditions of the Black community and mysteriously disappeared after giving birth.

Bruce's mother had to work several odd jobs to barely support him.

Bruce wouldn't have been able to afford River Valley High School if it weren't for the full scholarship for athletic talent.

"I appreciate your kindness, but you should keep your training meal allowance for yourself. If Coach Duke finds out I'm making you starve and lose weight, he'll kill me."

As Li Ang spoke, he smiled and made a throat-slitting gesture.

Bruce couldn't help but chuckle at his words, but then frowned:

"But, Li Ang..."

"No buts."

Li Ang patted Bruce's strong arm and quickly changed the subject:

"Let's talk about you, the Cavaliers' rookie starter! You're only a sophomore in high school and you've already made the first team, you're a genius."

Bruce received his best friend's approval, and a slight smile played on his lips, though he still complained:

"What kind of bullshit genius is this? Li Ang, you're the only genius I truly believe in!"

Bruce snorted, his expression turning somewhat annoyed:

"You know, I used to play running back, but when I got to high school, the Duke coach said I was too big and too small, that my brain capacity was only enough to remember the kickoff, and forced me to play center."

Li Ang smiled and comforted her:

"This shows that Coach Duke values ​​you! You have to understand that the center is the defensive core of the offense, the first line of defense under the most pressure, and a very important position."

"Important my ass!"

Bruce couldn't help but roll his eyes:

"Everything else is fine, but the center position is responsible for the inbound pass. Every time I inbound the pass, I have to be like a gay guy, facing my ass towards that sissy Jack Davis. He's fucking gay."

And you know, I've been consuming too much protein lately, and I've been farting a lot too... I'm really afraid that one day I'll strain and send the ball and the fart into Jack's hands together."