Lu Yan took his seat in the audience stands with his companions. With his eyes half-closed, he recalled how, like his teammates, he hadn’t paid attention to the group matches recently.
However, a few days ago, when some of his younger brother’s classmates visited their home, they watched match replays together. He only glanced at the screen casually at first and happened to catch a match between the Federation and another country.
That match ended quickly, with the Federation claiming an overwhelming victory.
He had heard long ago that the Federation was considered this year’s second seed for the championship, but didn’t take it seriously. After watching that one casual match, he searched for and watched all of the Federation’s matches. The more he watched, the more alarmed he became, even feeling a sense of crisis.
While the Federation’s other players performed average, the coordination between YUAN and RONG was extraordinarily beautiful. These two had shortened the gap between the Federation and the Hoyt teams.
Seeing his companions’ absent-minded expressions, Lu Yan didn’t bother saying more. He believed once they seriously watched the matches, they would abandon their dismissive attitude toward the Federation.
Before the match officially began, the commentator’s pleasant voice rang out.
“Hello everyone, I’m San Yuan, your commentator for this match. I’m sure you’ve all watched the intense group matches recently. Two teams achieved perfect scores in the group stage. One is the Hoyt team, and the other is the Federation team! Today’s match is between the Federation and Leia teams. Who will advance to the top eight? Let’s watch and find out!”
Hoyt’s famous commentator appeared on the big screen. His rich voice, with a slightly rising tone, quickly stirred up enthusiasm among the audience.
The interstellar livestream channel instantly filled with bullet comments:
“God, this commentator’s voice is amazing, it’s making me weak.”
“I’m getting pregnant just listening to it.”
“The host’s voice is great, wonder how his commentary skills are?”
Commentator San Yuan glimpsed the bullet comments in the livestream room. “Brother here is a professional.”
Meanwhile, on Team Leia’s side, all seven team members entered the arena. The venue began playing Team Leia’s highlight reel.
Brilliant sparks flashed across the screen as a Conqueror mecha, unique to the Leia Empire, appeared. This mecha carried two cross-shaped steel blades on its back, their bodies emanating a pale blue glow, a typical Leia mecha characteristic.
The Leia Conqueror utilized a special alloy material researched by the Leia Empire. It excelled in offensive capabilities while also featuring superior defense compared to ordinary mechas. It ranked high in various performance aspects among different countries’ mechas.
The footage showed a mecha rapidly ascending, performing frequency variations mid-air while using rail operations to approach enemies, engaging in close combat with three mechas simultaneously, and evading enemy attacks through positioning.
The enemy’s Daybreak mecha also possessed powerful capabilities. Daybreak was a coverage-type heavy firepower mecha, essentially a powder keg, with its strongest attack being the Starry Sky.
However, unfortunately, the laser assault resembling a starry sky failed to inflict any damage on Leia’s Conqueror.
The Conqueror instantly deployed its energy shield, blocking all the lasers outside its defense.
The Conqueror launched its final attack like lightning. It was almost too fast to see what happened. The Conqueror directly caused the Daybreak mecha to explode.
While the starry laser assault was unavoidable for other mechas, the Conqueror could ignore it. The Leia Empire’s energy shield defense was second only to the Hoyt Empire’s, making them the most advanced in energy defense technology outside of Hoyt.
“The Conqueror’s performance is really impressive.”
“Daybreak is completely countered by the Conqueror. If not for the Conqueror’s energy shield, heh, Leia would’ve been eliminated long ago!”
“Countered? Is it so hard to admit our nation’s strength when we can raise shields that quickly? We, Leia, ranked first in our group, unlike some who were eliminated early.”
“Hah, have you Leia dogs forgotten about being driven back to your capital star over a hundred years ago?”
People from the two countries started to curse at each other and were soon quickly muted.
The Federation’s highlight reel appeared on screen next. Compared to Leia Empire’s thrilling battles, the Federation’s fights seemed rather dull. Ji Rong’s 01 Mecha charged into mecha groups like a tiger descending a mountain, leaving enemy mechas helpless, while Jiang Yuan’s ranged support was always perfectly timed, making each battle appear effortless.
After the highlights finished, the channel flooded with comments.
“Ahhhh, the Federation must win!”
“Betting on Federation, anyone in?”
“Hehe, I’ve already bet on Federation. Isn’t their victory guaranteed?”
Commentator San Yuan curved his lips, smiling, “That’s not necessarily true. I wouldn’t recommend betting everything on Federation.”
The audience’s curiosity was instantly piqued.
“What does the host know?”
San Yuan smiled slightly and spoke in his pleasant voice, “Leia Empire’s Conqueror uses special alloy and energy shields, ranking very high among mechas. In comparison, Federation is still using Thunder Seven, without much advantage.”
“Whatever, everyone knows that! But YUAN/RONG are unnaturally strong! They’re the second seed! I choose Federation!”
“Haha, good eye! Choose our Federation! Guaranteed no loss!”
“I have my reasons,” San Yuan explained. “From what I know, Team Leia isn’t using Hoyt-provided mechas this time, but their own. Registered model: Third Generation Conqueror, not second generation.”
“Third Generation? Damn, when did Leia develop a third gen? How didn’t I know!”
“Everyone knows Conqueror only has first and second generations…”
“Third gen must be different from second gen. Second gen added energy shields rivaling Hoyt’s tech, what could third gen possibly add? I can’t imagine!”
Everyone was curious about what improvements were made to the Third Generation Conqueror!
Mecha models weren’t exactly classified information. Anyone determined enough could look them up during the competition. Federation had already reviewed Team Leia’s data when they were matched against them.
The random battle map selection finished. All magnetic field-constructed virtual scenes in the arena disappeared, loading environmental data like a game. A massive energy shield rose above the competition area to protect the audience’s safety.
Map: Luohe Island.
Luohe Island was the only landmass on a blue aquatic planet discovered by humans. This island was home to a terrifying creature: the Luohe Bug.
When the planet was first discovered, one country brought Luohe Bugs back for experiments. However, an accident occurred and they escaped. Luohe Bugs were tiny, about the size of ants, capable of rapid self-division and reproduction. They could enter organisms through nostrils and ears, parasitizing their brains…
That tiny bug led to the death of most of the population on an entire planet, ultimately forcing them to seek help from the Interstellar United Nations.
Through the united efforts of multiple countries, the Luohe Bugs were finally eliminated.
Both sides’ mechas entered Luohe Island.
Dark swarms of Luohe Bugs buzzed overhead, their droning filling the air. The opposing mechas were less than five hundred meters apart, and due to the Luohe Bugs, there were almost no visual obstacles on the island. Everyone immediately spotted their opponents’ positions.
“Damn, I hate bugs.” Liu Shan looked up at the sky full of swarming insects, cursing under his breath.
Ji Rong ignored Liu Shan’s complaints and launched straight into attack.
Although no one in Federation Team One spoke over comms, they instinctively knew each other’s intentions. Jiang Yuan removed his laser sniper rifle from his back and immediately set up a three-point sniper formation to cover Ji Rong.
The opposing Conqueror also launched forward, rapidly approaching Ji Rong. More accurately, all seven Conquerors simultaneously approached Ji Rong!
Jiang Yuan frowned. Because of Ji Rong’s dominance in close combat, other teams usually chose to keep their distance. This was the first time he saw anyone actively approach.
“What the hell, why are Leia’s pilots actively approaching RONG? RONG being the king of close combat isn’t a joke! Brothers! Don’t be reckless! Although it’s unlucky to draw the Federation…”
“My god, are they crazy?”
Ji Rong’s 01 Thunder Fighter quickly charged forward. Close combat was his specialty.
The mechas rapidly closed the distance. Two hundred meters, one hundred meters!
As the distance shortened, lasers rained down simultaneously, accompanied by crackling sounds like lightning.
Several laser beams collided mid-air, bursting into brilliant sparks.
Light exploded everywhere.
The seven Conquerors charged forward like they went crazy, dodging Jiang Yuan’s lasers while attacking.
“The mecha battle is moving quickly. After the initial short probing phase, approaching RONG doesn’t seem to be a good choice. Even with seven against RONG, don’t forget YUAN is behind him. Ignoring YUAN isn’t a wise choice for Team Leia. This level of attack poses no real threat to RONG.” San Yuan’s professional commentary came rapid-fire, instantly analyzing both sides’ advantages and disadvantages.
“Bang!”
A laser shot out smoothly.
As the opposition clearly struggled under Ji Rong’s explosive attack, Jiang Yuan pulled the trigger, firing a laser beam.
“Blocked!” San Yuan commented, “Team Leia hasn’t completely ignored YUAN. Clearly, some of them have been watching for YUAN’s support, and the Conqueror’s energy shield effectively defended against YUAN’s attack!”
Suddenly, three mechas flew directly toward Jiang Yuan, getting closer and closer, opening fire!
Lasers collided point-to-point in mid-air, exploding into sparks.
“Damn! Every time I watch YUAN handle guns, it feels like watching special effects! Holy shit! Triple laser, arc laser, point-to-point shooting, cyclic point shooting like it costs nothing! Too powerful!”
“Ahhhh, they don’t call him the God of Guns for nothing! Brother YUAN, charge!”
The opponent gave up trying to close the distance with Jiang Yuan and stopped fifty meters away, while Ji Rong’s attacks against the four mechas two hundred meters away grew increasingly faster.
The four mechas were forced to keep their energy shields constantly activated for protection.
The attacks flowed smoothly with steady rhythm. Ji Rong kept his focus on the mechas in front of him, while the four Conquerors remained passive, just kept taking hits.
Just then, the opposition showed an opening. Ji Rong accelerated, his mechanical blade launching into rapid successive strikes!
“Damn, it’s over! One’s about to be eliminated!”
“Leia’s just too unlucky…”
“What garbage tactics!”
Ji Rong spun backward, channeling the engine’s power to concentrate his body’s force, his attack about to land on the enemy…
“Clang!”
Ji Rong watched his mechanical blade strike empty air and immediately retreated. Despite his quick reaction, his mecha still sustained damage!
Jiang Yuan also barely dodged an attack from an enemy that suddenly appeared behind him, leaving him stunned.
“Holy shit! What did I just see?! Teleportation???”
“That’s impossible! How did Leia’s mecha suddenly get behind YUAN? Damn!”
Even commentator San Yuan was stunned. Both Ji Rong and Jiang Yuan’s mechas took damage, and two of their other teammates were directly eliminated!
“What’s going on? How did the Conqueror suddenly teleport?” Liu Shan lay on the ground, completely bewildered. “They were fifty meters away just now! Damn!”
“Third Generation Conqueror, spatial jump.”
Jiang Yuan’s voice came over the comm channel. He spoke slowly and softly, but still a little surprised.
Spatial jump technology was fairly mature among various nations, but its cost remained extremely high. To install it on mechas… Besides saying Leia was wealthy, Jiang Yuan didn’t know what else to say.
“Spatial jump?” A gum-chewing boy from Team Hoyt was stunned. “That’s too underhanded, isn’t it? Installing this on mechas, isn’t this cheating?”
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Obrigado pelo capítulo.