Three days later.
2:00 p.m.
Beijing Five-Star Basketball Arena.
Thanks to Yao's arrangements, the entire venue had been reserved for Blake's event that day.
And the arena, capable of holding 50,000 spectators, was already packed to capacity.
That alone showed just how incredible Blake's popularity had become.
And even that wasn't the limit.
If the arena could have held 100,000 people, then 100,000 fans would have shown up.
The moment Blake appeared...
"BOOM!"
Deafening cheers erupted throughout the arena.
Blake had fans of all kinds completely captivated. In the world of basketball, there was only one player they considered the ultimate heartthrob.
Blake.
The entire purpose of this meet-and-greet was to give something back to the fans.
First, Blake had prepared plenty of gifts to hand out to fans who took part in the activities.
Of course, those watching from the stands would also have plenty of opportunities to win prizes.
Second, they had cut out all the tedious formalities that usually came with these events, such as speeches, presentations, advertisements, and other promotional segments.
Everything was designed to make the experience better for the fans.
So after Blake arrived and said a few brief words, they immediately began a one-hour autograph session, with time set aside for photos as well.
Getting an autograph from their favorite player, taking a picture with him, and even exchanging a few words with him was an unforgettable experience for the fans.
Before long, the hour-long autograph session flew by.
Next came the one-on-one challenge and prize segment.
Yi first selected a group of people who had signed up, then Blake would randomly choose from among them, giving each selected fan the chance to play him one-on-one.
The response was overwhelming.
Countless people wanted to participate.
Meanwhile, Blake and Yao were waiting near the host area.
Blake asked, "Yao, how do you think I should play against the fans? Should I go easy on them, or let them experience what an NBA player is really capable of?
"Or maybe let them see just how far players like us can go after working hard and getting stronger?"
"Uh..."
Yao thought about it for a moment.
"I think you could do a little of all three."
Blake nodded thoughtfully.
"That could work."
Soon, the selection process was complete.
Because of time constraints, Blake would play one-on-one against a total of fifteen fans.
Before the games began, they were given five minutes to warm up.
Yao explained the rules.
"First to three baskets wins. If you score, you keep possession. Blake will let every participant start on offense.
"If you beat him, you'll receive two pairs of Blake Su Generation.
"If you lose, you'll still receive one pair as a consolation prize.
"So don't put any pressure on yourselves. Just go out there and have fun."
With the rules explained, the one-on-one games officially began.
"Third person from the left!"
Blake made his first selection.
"Yes!"
The fan pumped his fist excitedly.
Being chosen first naturally had him thrilled.
Meanwhile, several sharp-eyed spectators in the stands immediately recognized him.
"That guy plays for a university team here in Beijing. He's a pretty well-known player.
"He's 203 centimeters tall. He has the height of a small forward, but his real weapon is that sudden, accurate three-pointer of his.
"That's why he plays shooting guard and earned the nickname 'Dark Arrow.'
"He's pretty good."
"Yeah. Looks like he wants to trade threes with 'The Emperor.'"
"If he can actually trade threes with Blake, Dark Arrow's popularity is going to explode when he gets back to school."
"Here we go!"
Fans who recognized "Dark Arrow" excitedly discussed him as the matchup between him and "The Emperor" Blake began.
"You start."
Blake smiled.
"Alright!"
Dark Arrow nodded firmly.
He stood at the top of the key with the ball, facing Blake with an extremely serious expression.
He was taking this opportunity seriously.
There was no realistic chance of beating Blake, but it was still a chance to test himself.
Dark Arrow wanted to make the most of it.
Besides, getting to play one-on-one against his idol was already an incredible experience.
Of course he was going to give it everything he had.
"Here I come!"
"Thump, thump, thump!"
Dark Arrow dribbled slowly at the top of the key, searching for an opening to drive or launch a three.
With the ball in his left hand, he suddenly used a hesitation move and faked a drive.
Blake lowered his center of gravity.
Dark Arrow's eyes sharpened.
He seized the brief opening, rose immediately, and fired a sudden three-pointer.
"Whoosh!"
He launched the shot right over Blake's defense.
Blake jumped to contest it, seemingly trying to block the shot, but came up just short.
The ball sailed over his fingertips.
Was it going in?
"Swish!"
Nothing but net.
"Wow! The fan known as Dark Arrow just hit a tough three right over Blake's defense and scored the first basket!
"He really does live up to that nickname.
"Very impressive."
The commentator at courtside laughed.
Yao, standing beside him, merely smiled without saying anything.
He knew exactly what was happening.
Blake, your acting is almost too convincing.
On the court...
"Holy shit! Let's go!"
Dark Arrow roared in excitement.
He had just buried a three right in Blake's face despite the contest.
Even he could hardly believe it.
For a moment, he genuinely felt unstoppable.
"Dark Arrow is killing it today!"
"He hit a three right in Blake's face! He can brag about that shot at school for the next year. No, he can brag about it until graduation!"
"That was sick!"
His classmates and teammates in the stands erupted in excitement.
"RAHH!"
Dark Arrow threw his head back and shouted again.
Then he returned to the top of the key with the ball.
His confidence had skyrocketed.
Facing Blake once more, he used another hesitation and faked a drive.
Blake lowered his center of gravity again.
Seeing that, Dark Arrow confidently rose for another sudden three, hoping to stay hot and knock down a second straight shot.
But the next instant...
Blake exploded upward and swatted the ball away with one hand.
Effortlessly.
A clean block right in Dark Arrow's face.
"What the...?!"
Dark Arrow froze.
From his perspective, he had taken almost the exact same shot.
Even if it didn't go in, he had expected to at least get the shot off normally.
Instead, Blake had brutally rejected it right in front of him.
"What... what kind of vertical is that?!"
Dark Arrow was stunned.
Only after actually being blocked by Blake, only after truly facing him one-on-one, did he understand just how terrifying Blake's physical gifts really were.
And while Dark Arrow was still processing what had happened...
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
Blake didn't bother with any flashy drives.
He simply hit three straight three-pointers.
And every single one came with Dark Arrow defending him closely.
Three completely unreasonable pull-up threes in a row.
Just like that, Blake easily won the game.
"He hit three straight threes with me right in his face trying to block them...
"What kind of shooting is that?!"
Dark Arrow stood there completely dumbfounded.