Chapter 7: The Arena of Influence

**Valencia, Spain, August 8, 2022**

The Valencia Regional Youth Tournament's semifinal party was a spectacle of wealth and ambition, held in the opulent ballroom of the Hotel Las Arenas, a beachfront palace overlooking the Mediterranean. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow across marble floors, their light reflecting in the champagne flutes held by Spain's football elite—coaches, scouts, agents, and local celebrities mingling with the swagger of those who shaped the sport's future. Lin Feng stood at the entrance, his tailored navy suit—rented with his meager savings—hugging his lean frame, accentuating the sharp features of his Chinese-Spanish heritage. His hazel eyes, inherited from his Spanish mother, burned with a quiet intensity, while his jet-black hair, a nod to his Chinese father, was styled with effortless precision. At 17, he was no longer the overlooked nobody of his past life. His eight goals across two matches had made him the tournament's breakout star, a "half-breed" prodigy whose name was on every scout's lips.

The [**Supreme Football System**] thrummed in his mind, a divine secret he guarded with his life. No one—not his teammates, his coach, or even Elena Voss—could know of its existence. Its [**Causality Power**]—[*All shots within the 18-yard box score with 100% accuracy*]—had been his trump card, while his purchased skills—[**Agile Footwork (+20% Dribbling)**], [**Steel Body (+30% Physical Resilience)**], [**Charisma Aura (+50% Persuasion)**], and [**Eagle Vision (+20% Passing Accuracy)**]—had elevated him beyond his D-Grade talent. His latest purchase, [**Thunder Strike (+30% Shot Power)**], had added a devastating edge to his shots, leaving him with 1,800 [**System Points**] after crushing Real Betis in the quarterfinal. Tonight's mission, sparked by Elena's invitation, was clear:

[**Hidden Mission: Impress at the Tournament Semifinal Party and Secure a Scout's Attention.**]

[**Reward: 700 system points, +1 Influence Point.**]

Lin Feng adjusted his tie, his heart pounding with anticipation. This party wasn't just a celebration—it was a battlefield, a chance to forge alliances and prove he belonged among the powerful. In his past life, he'd been crushed by betrayal and scorn, his dreams buried under the weight of men like Diego Ruiz and Rafael Navarro. Reborn in 2022, he was determined to build an empire that would make the world tremble. Tonight, he'd charm the elite, outshine a new rival, and take another step toward becoming the Football Emperor.

He stepped into the ballroom, the buzz of conversation and clinking glasses enveloping him. Men in tuxedos and women in glittering gowns turned to glance at him, their eyes a mix of curiosity and skepticism. His mixed heritage made him an outsider in this world of old money and entrenched power, but the [**Charisma Aura**] cloaked him in a magnetic presence, his every step drawing attention. He spotted Elena Voss across the room, her emerald gown shimmering, her blonde hair cascading like a beacon of light. She was surrounded by admirers, but her eyes met his, a smile curving her lips as she waved him over.

"Lin Feng," she said, her voice smooth as velvet, cutting through the chatter. "You're late. I was starting to think you'd rather be kicking a ball than charming Valencia's elite."

Lin Feng flashed a grin, his [**Charisma Aura**] making his words flow like honey. "The pitch is my kingdom, Elena, but I'm learning to conquer rooms like this, too." The crowd around her murmured, impressed by his confidence. Elena's eyes sparkled, her interest clear. "You're bold," she said, stepping closer. "Let's see if you can keep up."

Before he could respond, a sharp laugh cut through the air. A man in his early thirties approached, his bespoke suit screaming wealth, his angular face and slicked-back chestnut hair exuding arrogance. Carlos Mendoza, a top scout for Real Madrid, was a legend in Spanish football, known for discovering stars like Vinícius Jr. but also for his ruthless gatekeeping. In Lin Feng's past life, Carlos had dismissed him as "talentless" during a trial, crushing his hopes. Now, Carlos's dark eyes glinted with disdain as he sized Lin Feng up.

"So, this is the kid everyone's buzzing about," Carlos said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Valencia's little miracle. What's your secret, boy? Some Chinese magic trick?"

The crowd hushed, the slur hanging heavy in the air. Elena's smile tightened, her hand brushing Lin Feng's arm as if to steady him. But Lin Feng's expression remained calm, his hazel eyes locking onto Carlos's with a quiet menace. The [**System**] hummed, its power urging him to strike back, but he knew he had to play this carefully. No one could suspect the [**System**]'s role in his rise.

"Magic?" Lin Feng said, his [**Charisma Aura**] giving his words a cutting edge. "No, just hard work and a vision you wouldn't understand, Mendoza. While you're busy gatekeeping, I'm rewriting the game."

The crowd gasped, whispers rippling through the ballroom. Carlos's face twitched, his smirk faltering. "Big words for a nobody," he said, stepping closer. "You think a few goals in a youth tournament make you a star? I've seen a hundred kids like you burn out before they hit 20."

Lin Feng leaned forward, his voice low but resonant, the [**Charisma Aura**] amplifying his presence. "Then watch closely, because I'm not one of them. By the end of this tournament, you'll be begging to sign me. Care to bet on it?"

The room went silent, every eye on the confrontation. Elena's lips parted, her admiration clear. Carlos laughed, but it was forced, his confidence shaken. "A bet? With a kid like you? Name your terms."

"If I win the tournament's Golden Ball," Lin Feng said, his voice ringing clear, "you publicly apologize for that 'Chinese magic' comment and push my name to Real Madrid's board. If I lose, I'll walk away from football forever."

The crowd erupted in murmurs, the stakes astronomical. Carlos's eyes narrowed, but his pride wouldn't let him back down. "Deal," he spat, extending a hand. Lin Feng shook it, his grip firm, his eyes burning with a promise of victory.

[*Ding!*]

[**Hidden Mission Updated: Impress at the Tournament Semifinal Party, Secure a Scout's Attention, and Humiliate Carlos Mendoza.**]

[**Reward: 900 system points, +2 Influence Points.**]

Lin Feng's heart raced, but he kept his composure. Carlos was a bigger fish than Diego Ruiz or Rafael Navarro, a gatekeeper who could make or break careers. Humiliating him would send shockwaves through Spanish football, cementing Lin Feng's name as a force to be reckoned with.

Elena took his arm, guiding him away from Carlos, her touch warm and deliberate. "You're fearless," she murmured, leading him to a quieter corner of the ballroom. "Most people would crumble under Mendoza's pressure. What makes you different?"

Lin Feng paused, the question stirring memories of his past life—friends who betrayed him, a girlfriend who drained him, coaches who dismissed him. He couldn't reveal the [**System**], so he chose his words carefully, his [**Charisma Aura**] weaving them into gold. "I've got a fire inside me, Elena. My parents taught me to fight for what I want, no matter who stands in my way. My father came from Shanghai with nothing, my mother worked endless hours to keep us afloat. I'm not just playing for me—I'm playing for them."

Elena's eyes softened, her hand lingering on his arm. "That's rare, Lin Feng. Most people here are chasing fame for themselves. You're building something bigger."

He nodded, his heart warm. In his past life, he'd neglected his family, too consumed by failure. Now, reborn, he'd make them proud. "It's not just about football," he said, his voice low. "I want to build an empire—stadiums, companies, a legacy that lasts forever."

Her smile widened, a spark of intrigue in her emerald eyes. "I believe you can. But you'll need allies. People like me, who see your potential."

Lin Feng met her gaze, the [**System**]'s [**Charisma Points**] amplifying his confidence. "Then let's make waves together, Elena." Her laugh was musical, drawing envious glances from the crowd.

As the party continued, Lin Feng mingled, his [**Charisma Aura**] drawing scouts and agents like moths to a flame. He spoke with a Barcelona scout, a grizzled man named Javier Torres, who eyed him with cautious interest. "You've got talent, kid," Torres said. "But the jump to senior football is brutal. What makes you think you're ready?"

Lin Feng's smile was confident, his words precise. "I'm not just ready—I'm inevitable. Watch the semifinals. You'll see." Torres raised an eyebrow, scribbling in his notebook, clearly intrigued.

The [**System**] chimed as Lin Feng moved through the crowd:

[*Ding!*]

[**Hidden Mission Progress: Secure a Scout's Attention (50% Complete).**]

As the night wound down, Lin Feng slipped away to a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean, the sea's waves a rhythmic promise of his future. He thought of his parents, Wei and Sofia, waiting at home in El Carmen. Their sacrifices—Wei's long hours as a chef, Sofia's endless cleaning shifts—fueled his ambition. In his past life, he'd let them down, too weak to rise above his failures. Now, he'd build a legacy for them, a name that would echo through history.

His phone buzzed—a text from his mother: "Feng, we saw your name on the news again. Come home soon. We love you." His heart swelled, the [**Family Bond Point**] from the last mission deepening his resolve. He replied, "On my way, Mamá. Love you too."

As he left the hotel, the [**System**] chimed again:

[*Ding!*]

[**Hidden Mission Complete: Impress at the Tournament Semifinal Party, Secure a Scout's Attention, and Humiliate Carlos Mendoza.**]

[**Reward: 900 system points, +2 Influence Points.**]

[**Total System Points: 2,700**]

Lin Feng opened the [**System Shop**], the invisible screen glowing in his mind. He typed "skills" into the [**Search Bar**], the new player-named options appearing:

- [**Messi's La Croqueta (+30% Dribbling Flair)**]: 800 points.

- [**Ronaldo's Knuckleball (+25% Free Kick Power)**]: 700 points.

He chose [**Messi's La Croqueta**], spending 800 points. A surge of agility coursed through his legs, as if he could dance through any defense. With 1,900 points left, he was ready for the semifinal match.

The Valencia night was alive with possibility, the sea breeze carrying whispers of his destiny. Carlos Mendoza was just another stepping stone, his humiliation a spark to ignite Lin Feng's legend. The [**System**] was his secret, his empire his goal. The semifinal awaited, and with it, the world.

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