What kind of football player is handsome?

Chapter 18's first template upgrade is here! Even a king taking a stroll is still a king!

No grand audience (or performers) were arranged to greet the signing ceremony.

All procedures were conducted in the press conference room.

Liu Yi simply sat on the stage, symbolically shook hands with Richard Arnold, forced a slightly mechanical smile, and then made a signing gesture.

"Welcome to United, Liu. Have you decided which number you'd like to choose?"

Richard Arnold asked with a kind smile.

Liu Yi blinked.

"Can I not choose numbers before the 20th?"

Arnold: "Not only numbers before the 20th, but also many numbers after the 20th cannot be selected."

"Then I'll stick with the number 39 I wore in the youth team."

"Great." Richard Arnold pulled out his phone and dialed a number: "Tell our Greater China supplier to prepare 100,000 plain jerseys, and immediately get the number 39 printed with the player's name, the sooner the better. Evra and Berbatov also need those numbers? Put those on hold for now, don't delay Liu's jersey sales!"

Liu Yi was speechless.

The reason they were in such a hurry to choose numbers was because they wanted to sell jerseys.

Even the Deputy Director of Business Development believes he was signed because of the Chinese market behind him, right...?

They've really been underestimated.

The reporters covering the event were all Chinese journalists.

The microphone was shoved frantically towards Liu Yi's mouth.

"Hello, Liu Yi, this is Chen Chi from Sina Sports. We're currently working on a report about you. Could we arrange an interview?"

It differs from the main timeline.

Isn't Chen Chi supposed to write about off-field matters? How come he's here tracking young players?

"Of course, but right now my focus is entirely on training and the upcoming matches. If I can find the time in the schedule later, I would be very happy to participate in an interview."

Another reporter broke through the chaos: "Liu Yi, how do you feel about joining Manchester United?"

Why do Chinese journalists always seem to ask this question?

The official response was better than his nonsense.

"This is great, a dream come true. I hope I can prove my ability and worth next."

The crowd of reporters stirred up again as a host claiming to be from Yangshi Sports rushed to the front and pulled out a stack of jerseys without saying a word.

"Excuse me, excuse me, Liu Yi, to celebrate this historic moment, please sign a few autographs!"

Liu Yi knew this person.

Southern Hemisphere digger!

"I recognize you, you're the guy from 'Crazy Football,' right?"

Wang Tao was incredibly proud.

Among all these reporters, Xiao Liu only knows me. What does that mean?

This shows that I have high brand recognition; Yangshi is a golden brand!

What are you waiting for? Sign it!

He pulled out the pen he had prepared beforehand, his mind racing with calculations—in a few years, these "first signed jerseys from Liu Yi's signing ceremony" would definitely fetch a high price on the market.

As for why there are more than a dozen items in the first item, don't ask, it would be impolite to ask.

Even though it costs 800 yuan a night, she still claims to be an innocent young woman from Chu, and that she still has her first kiss.

Liu Yi took the jersey, feigning a troubled expression.

"Hey, bro, you've been scammed, haven't you? These jerseys are all fake..."

It would be too embarrassing to directly expose Brother Tao.

Tao Ge took the jersey, his face flushed red and pale.

"Oh dear... this... it's the supplier's fault. They're so unethical, they actually sold me a fake jersey!"

※※※

Liu Yi had a very fulfilling day on the day he signed the contract.

The signing was completed in the morning, and a routine medical check-up was conducted in the afternoon. Then, in the evening, Lingard and Pogba went out for Chinese food together.

There aren't many rules or restrictions for the first team.

Because the players don't live at the training base at all.

The three, who hadn't had time to find new accommodations yet, returned to the U18 youth training dormitory in Carrington to rest before lights out, just like before.

Now Liu Yi finally had time to examine his new gains.

[Template upgrade mission objective achieved!]

You've successfully made it into the first team; the old, worn-out template can no longer support your ambitions!

[Reward for completing the task: One upgrade to the basic template quality!]

Liu Yi reached out and gestured forward lightly.

In an instant, the screen went dark.

Immediately afterwards, bronze light slowly gathered from all around, covering the silhouette figure on the right like quicksand.

Before long, the black figure turned bronze.

Berbatov's features became increasingly clear.

[Congratulations, host, on leveling up: Berbatov Template (Standard Version)!]

The change from black to bronze should indicate that the template's quality has improved from being censored to being ordinary.

In contrast, did this also trigger some special changes?

Liu Yi had previously speculated that the template might not directly provide attribute bonuses, but rather gradually raise the host's talent ceiling. The higher the ceiling, the faster the growth rate in daily training.

That works too. Although it lacks the thrill of instant success, it offers a gradual and progressive experience and a sense of accomplishment.

The biggest change is that, under the silhouette on the right, the badge slots have increased from two to four!

It seems that to continue upgrading the template and raising the talent cap, one must keep collecting badges.

Earning badges is inseparable from accumulating experience in competitions.

We still need to find a way to play more games.

※※※

Lingard was shaken awake from his sleep.

I rubbed my eyes.

Liu Yi stood at the head of the bed, staring intently at him.

"Ah, Liu, what are you going to do to me?"

Lingard clutched the blanket tightly to his chest, looking tense.

"Elbow, of course, needs to be trained!"

Liu Yi's template had just been upgraded, so naturally he wanted to test its effectiveness.

"What the hell? Are you crazy?" Lingard unlocked his phone. "Dude, wait! It's 4 AM! Are you Kobe Bryant?!"

"Just this once, I really want to practice today, let's go, Jesse."

Jesse Lingard didn't want to talk to Liu Yi and was completely covered up.

"What can I say! If you have exceptionally high energy, I'll give you a copy of The Sun; Samantha Cook will definitely put you to sleep instantly!"

"Really not going?"

"Huff... huff..."

"Lazy pig!"

The training ground was naturally not open yet at dawn.

Liu Yi could only go to the 24-hour gym at the base to do some basic strength training.

They trained like crazy for two hours.

Sweat almost soaked through his training clothes.

[Shot power: 63-64!]

[Match Ending: 62-63!]

Liu Yi's eyes lit up, and his fatigue vanished completely.

Is it that template enhancement is truly effective, or have these two attributes already reached their thresholds?

Liu Yi had no idea.

Go back and rest for a little while.

Nine o'clock in the morning.

The first-team players traveled to Stoke City, and the training ground was rather deserted.

Although Liu Yi has signed with the first team, he was not included in the roster for this match.

A corner of the stadium.

Under the hazy Manchester daylight, a dark-haired boy was practicing alone.

They repeatedly stop the ball as it's thrown high into the air, without adjusting, or they just take a step and shoot directly at the goal.

Another morning has passed...

Archery skills did not improve.

On the contrary, my physical strength has increased a little.

Moreover, Liu Yi felt that his physical strength was not being depleted as quickly as before.

Is it because something that was castrated has grown back?!

P.S.: Samantha Cook is a Page 3 Girl, so only illustrations featuring her in revealing outfits are shown. If you're interested, you can join the book club (purely private) listed in each chapter's author's notes.