Chapter 136: One Second

Less than a minute remains...

Geng Haoshi clenched his fists as he stared at the shot clock and the scoreboard.

"Brothers, one more stop!" Geng shouted, signaling his teammates to lock down their defense.

Although his teammates were teetering on the edge of physical exhaustion, they kept their eyes burning with intensity, arms spread wide, ready for the challenge.

"As long as we secure this possession, the championship is still ours!" Although he was deeply reluctant to admit it, Han Feng knew they would likely lose this game to Tiancheng Polytechnic University. His only hope now was to keep the final point difference within five, ensuring their total net point differential remained higher than Tiancheng's, which would keep them as the ultimate victors.

Encouraged by Han Feng, the Jingtian University players rallied, determined to convert this possession. Han Feng took the ball, organizing the offense.

"Let’s take our time on this one!"

As he spoke, a bitter smile tugged at the corner of Han Feng's mouth. *Yes*, he thought, *we held the advantage the whole time, but we got drawn into a grudge match and let them dictate the pace. Not only did we fail to play to our full potential, but we also let them run us ragged, wasting so much energy for nothing.*

"We take our time!" Han Feng emphasized again.

Yes, take it slow. That was Han Feng's plan.

With only thirty-some seconds left on the clock, every second burned meant one less opportunity for Tiancheng Polytechnic to score again.

Watching Han Feng dribble at a leisurely pace, Geng Haoshi glanced up at the timer and realized his opponent's intent. The Tiancheng players on the floor were still utilizing a man-to-man defense, but they no longer had the strength to maintain a multi-layered zone defense.

Geng Haoshi, facing Han Feng alone, found it nearly impossible to steal the ball. Even though Han Feng’s stamina was nearly depleted, he remained the ace of the strongest lineup in the country's top university league, moving the ball with effortless grace. No matter how quickly Geng shifted his feet, Han Feng always kept the ball securely between his hands.

Seconds ticked away, and Han Feng successfully burned twenty-two seconds on this single possession!

Just before the 24-second shot clock violation, Han Feng leaped high and tossed the ball toward the Tiancheng Polytechnic rim. Because his energy had dipped significantly, the arc of the shot was quite flat.

"No time left!"

The timer had already entered the final ten-second countdown!

*Please, don't go in!* Geng Haoshi prayed, sprinting toward the trajectory of the ball.

*Clang!*

The ball struck the rim!

Under the basket stood Jingtian University's starting center Peng Shuai and power forward Lu Yiming, along with Tiancheng Polytechnic's starting center Meng Lang and small forward Zhu Di.

The ball bounced off the rim and began to descend. Simultaneously, Peng, Lu, Meng, and Zhu all launched themselves into the air!

This rebound was absolutely critical.

If Jingtian University grabbed it, they could hold the ball until the final buzzer, losing the game by only four points while maintaining a one-point lead in the total net point differential. If Tiancheng Polytechnic grabbed it, they would need to score within these final ten seconds to finish the game with a six-point lead, edging out Jingtian in the total point differential by one.

The situation for Tiancheng Polytechnic was dire.

Four pairs of large hands reached up toward the falling ball.

*Thwack!*

In the silent East District National Stadium Arena A, under the gaze of over twenty thousand people, a pair of hands—visibly smaller than the other four—suddenly appeared above the heads of Peng, Lu, Meng, and Zhu, snatching the ball out of the air!

It was Geng Haoshi, who had been sprinting with everything he had. He clutched the ball firmly to his chest. As soon as he landed, he bolted toward the Jingtian half of the court.

Only six seconds remained!

Han Feng, already positioned in the center of the court, was the first to block his path. He spread his arms, facing Geng directly. There was no time for Geng to pull off any fancy dribbling maneuvers to shake him; he chose to charge forward!

Geng was not foolish enough to collide head-on with Han Feng. He charged because he had spotted a gap.

*Snap!*

Just before reaching Han Feng, Geng whipped the ball between his opponent's legs!

Simultaneously, Geng darted past Han Feng's left side. The ball bounced once on the floor and was quickly gathered back into Geng’s hands.

"Three."

Geng glanced at the clock; it had entered the final three seconds!

*Geng Haoshi 5.0: No time left! Sprint to the free-throw line and activate the "Peerless Hero" Dunk Bonus!*

Indeed, this was the only chance.

In truth, Geng didn't need the prompt. As his left foot hit the free-throw line, only two seconds remained!

Geng Haoshi: *Activate "Peerless Hero" Dunk Bonus!*

Without a moment's hesitation, the bonus was triggered. It was a reward granted by the system after Geng successfully completed fifty dunks in official matches. Once activated, if the user was within 4.3 meters of the opposing hoop, a dunk was guaranteed.

The free-throw line was approximately 4.225 meters from the basket. Geng was within range.

At the line, powered by the bonus, Geng leaped into the air, his right hand holding the ball high!

"He is..." The middle-aged man with the mustache stood up, stunned.

In the stands, the middle-aged Caucasian man also stood, his mouth agape, holding his breath, eyes locked on Geng.

The entire arena had fallen into a deathly silence.

Geng Haoshi held the ball aloft, his eyes fixed on the rim.

"One."

The timer hit the final second.