In the empty virtual space, Gao Nuo muttered to himself: "The system's rewards have always been set according to my growth, which means the areas I need to improve now are the key to solving the problem.
So, what do I need to do? Training is almost at its limit, and attribute improvement is very slow.
Attributes? That's right, the attribute burst period!"
Gao Nuo, deep in thought, immediately asked the system for confirmation: "System, what is the attribute burst period? You didn't explain it last time."
The system was always waiting and responded immediately: "Has the host become smarter? The attribute burst period is when you fully unleash your attribute values through experience accumulated in matches, gain a more thorough understanding of match tactics, better comprehend your teammates' technical characteristics and playing habits, and more reasonably interpret the situation on the field.
During this period, the host's performance in matches will be exceptionally outstanding.
This is also what is known as the process of a player realizing their talent."
The system's explanation was almost identical to Gao Nuo's guess; it was precisely because he was improving that the system gave him this advanced reward.
So he continued to ask: "You told me to observe my teammates more during the Asian Cup matches, so that's what it meant.
Then, in Challenge Road, my teammates have no characteristics or habits, so, for now, the key to passing is tactics, right?"
The system said with satisfaction: "It seems the host has indeed become smarter.
That's right, the dropped tactical board contains a virtual world-renowned coach with his own tactical philosophy and real-time in-match commands.
Please, host, try your best to pass the first level, and subsequent challenges will become easier."
Gao Nuo understood the system's intention and also grasped the brilliance of Challenge Road.
With unlimited attempts, he could undertake at least three challenges daily, thereby accumulating experience from three matches.
Moreover, as long as he passed the first level, he would receive help from a world-class coach, and by continuously passing levels, unlocking all world-renowned coaches was not impossible.
Additionally, player cards meant he could play with more star players, understand their habits, characteristics, and even their game strategies.
In other words, given enough time, Gao Nuo would understand all the players in this world who could potentially become teammates or opponents, and he would also know the defensive strategies of those famous coaches in matches—a complete cheat, and a top-tier one at that.
For over an hour, Gao Nuo meticulously summarized Manchester United's current tactical system; next, it was time to enter Challenge Road and continuously experiment.
After one night, Gao Nuo played two more matches, changing tactics once every half, with the best result being 2:0.
Although he didn't pass the challenge, the four tactical setups significantly improved Gao Nuo's understanding of tactics.
Gao Nuo didn't continue the challenge during the day; he didn't want to scare Wang Qing, as no one just falls asleep for no reason.
Also, he still needed to attend the club's recovery training, which took up half a day.
In the afternoon, Gao Nuo began studying tactics; he needed to pass the first level of Challenge Road quickly.
On the second night after the system's recovery, Gao Nuo attempted three more challenges.
Two 2:0 results left him utterly helpless; the China Team simply parked the bus, desperately packing players into the penalty area.
Gao Nuo's "dummy" teammates were even weaker than the average level of the virtual China Team.
In six matches over two days, not a single goal could be attributed to them, and Gao Nuo's commands on the field went unanswered.
These were the loneliest matches Gao Nuo had ever played.
On the third day, Guo Zihan and Feng Yuting came to film videos for Gao Nuo.
They planned to shoot more content at once, then edit it into multiple short videos for separate uploads, ensuring Gao Nuo only lost half a day per month.
"Hello everyone, I'm Gao Nuo.
Thank you all for your continuous support.
The account 'Da Ai Gao Nuo' has officially been renamed 'China Team Player Gao Nuo'.
I will share my life and matches with everyone on TikTok.
Please continue to support me and support China Football.
Thank you!"
Next, Gao Nuo performed some simple fancy moves, concluding the video by kicking the ball towards the camera.
On the domestic TikTok platform, as soon as this video of Gao Nuo officially joining was released, the account renamed "China Team Player Gao Nuo" began to gain followers rapidly.
Many major football influencers added the hashtag #GaoNuoJoinsTikTok to the comments below the video, supporting the development of China Football in their own way.
Internationally, Gao Nuo's influence was not yet sufficient, but many foreign fans had also followed his social media accounts.
As for the subsequent account operations and business collaborations, Gao Nuo didn't need to worry about them.
At his request, Li Qiang contacted Coach Sun to share free youth training courses on TikTok, making football's influence in China increasingly positive.
The four girls, led by Guo Zihan, once again celebrated their choice.
Gao Nuo's followers surged unreasonably, increasing by over 10 million in just a few days, and the growth momentum continued.
As soon as the e-commerce model started, their future income would far exceed their previous earnings.
Making money has never been Gao Nuo's goal.
The income from TikTok, after deducting operating costs and dividends, will eventually transform into one football school after another.
Of course, that's a story for another time.
Currently, Gao Nuo is focused on studying tactics; being stuck on the first level for so long meant losing not just face, but also substance.
In the virtual Old Trafford stadium, Gao Nuo was pointing at the light screen in the air.
"Maybe try 4-4-2, no, I can't rely on those forward teammates.
It's still 4-3-3.
Wing play, getting to the byline for a cross, hmm, choose a high cross.
This time, let's see if a header can pass."
The idea was good, but Gao Nuo underestimated the intensity of the dense defense.
The virtual China Team had five players in their penalty area, and every cross he made faced a triple-team, ultimately only scoring one goal, failing yet again.
It wasn't until his third challenge today that a somewhat frustrated Gao Nuo decided to give up on complex strategies, choosing the default defensive counter-attack tactic.
The problem that had plagued Gao Nuo for three days was unexpectedly solved with ease.
In the match, Gao Nuo's teammates held their positions firmly, forcing the virtual China Team to push forward and attack.
As the virtual Jankovic signaled a formation change, Gao Nuo realized his opportunity had arrived.
At halftime, Gao Nuo slightly adjusted his tactics, adding a long ball strategy.
As a result, in the second half, all three counter-attacks were direct long passes to the front.
Gao Nuo dribbled past two defenders by himself, then steadily put the ball into the net.
The match ended 3:0, finally allowing Gao Nuo to pass the first level.
Looking at the player card and tactical board floating in the air, Gao Nuo couldn't help but tear up.
It turned out that the most brainless counter-attack could solve the problem he had spent three days researching.