Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1630 - 1629: Into the Clouds

Chaos, turbulence, bumping, swaying.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans have over two-thirds of their players clustered near the kickoff line, forming a crowded and noisy vortex, dazzling and overwhelming, everything is uncertain.

Before they could react to Cunningham’s failed tackle and the yellow flag, Li Wei had already shaken off Mercilus, nimbly sprinting away.

McCaffrey sat in front of the TV, hands clutching his head: Perfect!

Li Wei’s control over his footwork, balance, and rhythm was nothing short of perfect; the more chaotic and crowded the situation, the more his abilities shine through.

True professionals watching this scene would be genuinely thrilled.

However, their voices couldn’t be uttered, their throats tightly clenched, as they watched Li Wei’s footsteps continue forward, two shadowy figures on either side attempting to converge—

On the right was the Cornerback, trying to shake off Kelsey’s block; on the left was a lineman, attempting to close in after two linemen had missed their chances.

One step, two steps, in a flash, the converging footsteps of players on both sides were blocking Li Wei’s path ahead. They didn’t even need to completely intercept Li Wei, just a slight delay of half a second or a second, and the Safety rushing in could join forces with them to close the door, extinguishing Li Wei’s forward attempt at the two-yard-three-yard mark of the kickoff line.

As for the yellow flag penalty?

That’s not something to consider now, they simply can’t let Li Wei break through and must suppress his momentum.

Visibly, a massive white storm closed in on that faint, tiny red flame, which could be extinguished at any moment.

At that moment, Kelsey stepped up and collided, interposing himself on Li Wei’s right, slightly disrupting and breaking the formation of the white storm.

A moment. An instant. A fleeting time.

But for Li Wei, it was enough, a sidestep, crab-like movement laterally, nimble and agile footwork already pulling away in that flash.

Bang!

The white storm was left behind.

Li Wei was on his tiptoes, sprinting across the lush green grass, the twenty-yard line seemingly just left behind as he leapt past the twenty-five-yard line mark.

The pea-sized flame didn’t extinguish but grew robust amidst the strong wind, transforming into a raging fire and spreading out with unstoppable momentum.

Cunningham’s second consecutive yellow flag penalty?

Li Wei didn’t even need the assistance of a yellow flag, as he broke through with his own footwork, effortlessly securing a first down of five yards but far from satisfied, continuing to break through at lightning speed, pushing Houston Texans’ entire defensive line backward.

In an instant, all noise, chaos, and clamor were abruptly cut off, witnesses held their breath, eyes wide in astonishment at the scene before them.

Thirty-yard line!

Thirty-five-yard line!

The speed of advancement accelerated visibly, as Li Wei picked up speed, gradually waking the beast within, ready to invade the opponent’s territory.

Safety Eric Murray’s heart tightened, old memories rushed back like a tide—

He was Kansas City Chiefs’ 2016 fourth-round draft pick at 106th overall, arriving in Kansas City a year before Li Wei, but in just two seasons, he never managed to adapt to the Professional League’s tactical playbook and layout. After 2017, he was traded to the Houston Texans.

At Houston Texans, within a more professional and systematic defensive setup, Murray slowly found his position and finally endured to become a starter.

Though Murray only spent one season with Li Wei at Kansas City Chiefs, don’t forget, in that season, all rookie and sophomore players gathered around Li Wei to learn tactics and build connections. He was well aware of Li Wei’s abilities and absolutely dreaded facing him.

The nightmares of repeatedly getting hit by Li Wei on the practice field, the fear of mental torment in the tactical room, were deeply imprinted in his soul.

Yet, what was meant to come has finally arrived—

Watching Li Wei, Murray knew he had no retreat and couldn’t back down. If he retreated, the hard-won starting position might soon become precarious again.

Behind, there was the midfield line, but the real nightmare was, beyond that, there was only one last line of defense, the other Safety, Justin Reid.

Thinking of stopping Li Wei with just Justin Reid alone?

That’s a pipe dream.

They needed to intercept; they must intercept here. Not only did Murray know this, Justin Reid was also aware, hence the latter was stepping up quickly to join forces with Murray, aiming to form a two-on-one numerical advantage for a slight edge.

Murray kept cheering himself on: You can do it, Eric! You can! He’s not the devil! He’s just a slightly superior average person! After continuous dodging and changing directions, he’s also showing signs of weakness; face him head-on with courage, and you’ll become a hero!

Ah! Ah, ah, ah!

Grinding his teeth, heart resolute.

Murray finally mustered the courage, recklessly charging toward Li Wei, unleashing all his energy like an unyielding bull, completing the collision.

Step, step, step! Faster, stronger, Murray’s built-up energy continued to rise, and he came face-to-face with Li Wei’s gaze—

Calm. Focused. Determined. Unyielding, with a hint of menace.

There was no dodging, no avoiding, eyes locked firmly on Murray, exuding confidence and dominance filled with composure. Under Li Wei’s gaze, Murray’s knees felt weak, but with an arrow nocked, there’s no turning back; he couldn’t retreat now, gritting his teeth, he had to go forth.

Moreover, Justin Reid was closing in swiftly.

Murray gained a little more resolve.

Pushing off, stepping up, colliding, transforming his entire being into a flood, surging ahead.

And then... Bang!

Collision, occurred, near the forty-yard line.

Murray gasped in shock, his breath suddenly cut off, disbelief as he glanced at the arm resting on his left shoulder.

Elusive and stealthy.

Yet with overwhelming force.

With a Straight Arm Block, Li Wei seized the advantage just before the actual collision, giving Murray no time to breathe, pressing forward with both speed and strength, pushing rudely forward.

The next second, Murray’s entire shoulder went numb, the world spun wildly in 360-degree, 720-degree arcs, everything plunging into chaos.

Dizzy, the world spinning, before he could regain balance, gravity already pulled his body out.

Murray: ???

In a fog, his head seemed to ascend to the clouds, filled with cotton, unsure even of his own identity or what just happened, just... spinning, spinning, spinning, wait, why was he spinning?

Justin Reid witnessed the entire process firsthand, no time for surprise, no time for shock, let alone fear—

Opportunity.

The only thought in Justin Reid’s mind, he should seize the brief moment when Li Wei’s balance tipped after the Straight Arm Block, unable to regain strength in time, and complete the tackle.

Jaw clenched tight, Justin Reid hesitated not a moment and hurled himself entirely forward.