Chapter 222: Chapter 38: What Su Xi Wants Is Super Agility Talent

Su Xi had already scouted Magic Johnson’s super talent back when he was still playing in the NCAA. Both he and Larry Bird had been at the arena watching the NCAA Finals.

Bird possessed a super talent for sense of distance, while Magic possessed a super talent for spatial awareness.

Su Xi had been deeply impressed at the time. It was just what you’d expect from the legendary black and white duo who took turns dominating the 80s.

’Who would have thought... that I’d later make a ’Championship Wish Agreement’ with Larry Bird? And I certainly never expected Magic Johnson to now proactively offer to teach me everything he knows, right here in front of the cameras.’

Magic Johnson looked earnestly into Su Xi’s eyes. He placed both hands on Su Xi’s shoulders and, with the cameras rolling, said with great sincerity, "Of course, Jack. Of course I’m willing to pass my outstanding talent on to you. I so badly want to see the next Magic in this league."

BUZZ!

Magic was sincere.

The moment he spoke, Su Xi felt his body go numb as countless on-court experiences poured into his mind. His visual motion tracking, in particular, felt like it had jumped more than just a single level.

When he looked out again, he found he had an almost intuitive understanding of the crowd’s movements... He could see where they would move next with a single glance.

’Is this the Super Spatial Awareness Talent?’

Based on Su Xi’s current physical condition, his compatibility with this Super Spatial Awareness Talent was only 79. This was the lowest compatibility of all the acquired super talents he had received.

Luckily, the compatibility rating could be increased, so Su Xi was full of confidence about his future.

However, the fusion rate was very high. Despite not having used it in a real game yet, the rate was already at 82%.

For Su Xi, whose passing ability had been unremarkable, this was a monumental leap forward.

"Thank you. You’re one of the few all-time greats I’ve met who’s so genuinely willing to mentor the younger generation." Su Xi thanked Magic Johnson from the bottom of his heart.

Johnson was delighted to hear this. His face broke into a wide smile as he said, "Keep it up, Jack! The future belongs to you young guys. You have the talent, the passion, and the drive. You can definitely elevate the sport of basketball to new heights."

They continued to heap praise on each other in front of the cameras.

Soon, the group made their way into the spacious and brightly lit media room inside the Staples Center.

A male donkey with a large red flower tied around its neck was looking around curiously. It had no idea what it was about to face.

The host took the microphone, faced the crowd and the cameras, and announced that it was time for the bet to be paid.

Then, amidst wild heckling from Barkley, Kenny Smith was ’invited’ to the center of the stage.

Before Kenny Smith could give his ’acceptance speech’, Shaquille O’Neal, ever the character, suddenly burst in and posed for a photo while hugging the donkey.

Furthermore, he told the camera, "I must personally witness this historic moment."

After O’Neal was asked to step aside, Kenny Smith said tersely, "I accept this punishment, but I still think a lot of what happened was accidental."

With that, as fast as a bolt of lightning, he bent down and kissed the donkey’s butt.

With perfect comedic timing, the donkey seemed to make a surprised face... eliciting a huge cheer from the crowd.

Then Kenny slowly moved around to its front.

The donkey’s owner was trying to keep it calm, but the surrounding jeers, screams, and whistles were clearly making it anxious.

It was the panic of a girl backed into a corner by a vile predator.

The cameras faithfully recorded the donkey’s reaction.

Then it was Kenny.

Kenny just wanted to get the punishment over with. He saw his chance and leaned in fast, aiming for a quick peck to end it.

But little did he know, the donkey in the big red flower had other ideas. Just as Kenny’s lips drew near, the donkey shot out its tongue to greet him... It gave Smith a huge, wet lick, washing his face from chin to forehead.

The scene sent the entire place into a frenzy. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The screaming was nonstop!

Kenny Smith, however, turned away, GAGGING audibly, and quickly ran off-camera. He needed to wash his face.

At that moment, TNT’s ratings shot up to the highest point of the entire broadcast.

Smith’s panicked escape made the moment hilariously unforgettable.

Barkley was doubled over, laughing so hard he was practically crowing.

’Sweet revenge!’

’So satisfying!’

In contrast, Su Xi was calm, even though he was arguably at the center of the whole affair. Besides, the media would certainly write at length about Su Xi’s heroic role in the bet.

In truth, Su Xi had little interest in the farce. He was still reveling in the acquisition of Magic Johnson’s super talent; his joy came from the improvement of his own abilities.

So when a reporter asked Su Xi for his thoughts on Kenny kissing the donkey, he said, "It’s just a game."

He didn’t elaborate on the topic.

He had no great interest in using the incident for self-promotion.

But his sponsors, his partners, and his fans would surely hype it up for all it was worth.

...

On the way back to the locker room, O’Neal suddenly slung an arm around Su Xi from behind. "Jack," he said, "Kevin Garnett is in the locker room, loudly plotting how he’s going to deal with you. Are you ready?"

"Huh?"

Su Xi was surprised that O’Neal would tell him this.

But O’Neal just said, "I’m not going to help him. But... can you beat him?"

Although Su Xi didn’t quite understand O’Neal’s motives, he answered with absolute certainty, "Of course!"

O’Neal patted Su Xi’s shoulder, then they went their separate ways.

He walked back to the Western Conference Team’s locker room, while Su Xi headed for the East’s. But just outside the locker room, he ran into Rick Carlisle.