TCFGBH Chapter 121

The black and gold mech soared through the sky, resembling a graceful seabird, its posture both elegant and powerful. In contrast, the red mech’s movements were clumsy, swaying precariously under the intense bombardment of firepower.

Boom!

Another laser cannon shot slammed into the red mech.

The already weakened red mech had its side torn open, suffering 48% damage, with its internal systems malfunctioning. The mech’s AI emitted a sharp warning sound.

“Left wing damaged, imminent crash. The protection pod will eject automatically. Left wing…”

The AI repeated its warning three times rapidly. When the mech was just 60 meters from the ground, it used its last energy to eject the pilot.

The spherical protection pod rolled to the ground, tumbling several times before finally stopping.

The mech’s internal wiring was severed, emitting sizzling sparks, and the impact with the ground caused a massive shockwave. The mech could no longer hold together, erupting in flames.

— It had caught fire.

The black mech landed smoothly, and the young man with golden eyes lightly descended. His combat suit tightly clung to his long legs, showcasing his toned muscles, full of explosive power.

Looking upward, faint traces of abs could be seen around his waist.

The black combat suit extended up to his neck, contrasting sharply with his snow-white skin. Though the outfit was modest and reserved, his naturally seductive almond-shaped eyes and crimson lips made it seem unexpectedly alluring.

He moved like a sleek leopard, holding Ian’s modified laser dagger in his hand, and with a swift motion, pierced the mech’s protective pod.

Before the opponent could react, the dagger was already pressed against his neck. The young man’s voice was cold: “Do you want to quit yourself, or should I beat you half to death first and then ‘help’ you quit?”

Although the mech was severely damaged, the pilot himself had only sustained minor injuries.

If a fight broke out, it would be quite a hassle.

As the saying goes, a wise man knows when to yield. He knew he couldn’t win, and with the laser dagger piercing his side, his internal flesh would be burned, requiring a long time to heal.

The man glared fiercely at the young man, cursing Team Eight for being unscrupulous.

Couldn’t they wait until the final circle? Why come all this way to hunt him? He stared at the young man’s face up close, suddenly getting lost in it. The faint fragrance lingering in his nose made him lose his rationality.

After a long pause without an answer, the young man made a questioning sound: “Hmm?”

Bang—

A red figure flashed by, and with a kick, the man was knocked over.

Ian smiled, but his green eyes burned with anger. “Looks like he’s not going to surrender on his own. I’ll take care of him.”

Ian’s fists pummeled the man’s face, turning his originally handsome features into a grotesque mess, finally bringing Ian some satisfaction. Ugh! What a bastard thinking he could eye my Yan Yan?

Xia Yan didn’t like violence, so he was happy to let others take care of it.

In one morning, they had eliminated three squads.

He looked down at the intelligent brain sent by the organizers.

[Team 68 eliminated, remaining teams 4/100.]

Only three more teams to go, they should make it. Xia Yan was mentally calculating the time… when suddenly the AI screen flickered, and the number 4 turned to 3 in an instant.

[Team 43 eliminated, remaining teams 3/100.]

As the poison circle shrank, conflicts between teams escalated. Aside from their squad, others were also clashing, and the victors advanced.

The competition was nearing its end.

Netizens were buzzing with discussion.

【This is the fastest end I’ve ever seen.】

【Because Xia Yan eliminated so many people, their squad has eliminated nearly half of the contestants, accumulating countless energy stones. The remaining competition could be won just by bombing.】

【Not necessarily, Team 16 from the Federation also has a lot of energy stored up.】

【With Xia Yan leading, everyone learned to have the mecha master dismantle energy stones, though it’s a bit slow, it still helps fill the pockets.】

【I feel like new rules will be introduced next time.】

【Did no one notice my wife’s combat suit? It’s so sexy, I love it!】

【Haha, as soon as my wife got close to that wild man, Ian immediately exploded in anger and punched his face. Who said he was soft and cute?】

【That deceitful baby face.】

…

The midday weather was stifling, with large clouds drifting across the sky.

The group found some shade and had lunch, resting in place.

Huo Ruihe also noticed the dwindling number of teams. He looked out towards the distant, dense jungle, where humans were as tiny as ants, and no opponents could be spotted.

He suggested, “Let’s rest this afternoon, the poison gas circle will shrink at midnight, making it easier to track them.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he was rebutted.

“No, we must finish them today.” The young man with black hair and golden eyes lazily leaned against a tree, his attitude firm, not allowing any objections.

Xia Yan was always the center of the team, and as for Gong Changyong, there was no need to say more—Gong family was a subsidiary of the Xia family, so naturally, they would follow Xia Yan’s lead.

Huo Ruihe had sworn loyalty to Xia Yan in front of everyone, so he naturally deferred to his opinion.

Ludwig and Ian didn’t need to be discussed—they would never contradict Xia Yan’s decisions.

【Last three teams, go for it!!】

【Hurry up and finish so my wife can go home and enjoy life! I feel so bad watching him eat field rations. My wife should be sitting on a luxurious lounge chair, being pampered by others.】

【The Empire will win!!!】

If it were any other team, the leader’s strong-handed approach, ignoring teammates’ opinions, would certainly be criticized by netizens. But with Xia Yan, they adapted well.

What’s wrong with orders from those golden eyes?

If you have a problem, it’s your own issue.

The weather was particularly hot today, though it was already 3 p.m., the air was still suffocatingly humid.

Xia Yan led his team through the dense jungle, occasionally disturbed by tiny flying Zergs buzzing around, their noise driving everyone mad.

After walking for a while, Xia Yan, with his SSS-level mental acuity, caught a faint sound from the right ahead.

He made a gesture behind him.

The group slowed their pace and moved forward silently.

One hundred meters, eighty meters… thirty meters… The distance between the two sides closed in, and the figures of the opponents gradually became visible. The silver-gray combat suits reflected the light in the rainforest, making them quite conspicuous.

— It was the Federation team.

This was a squad composed of five S-tier psychic powers, considered by many viewers to be the strongest contenders against Xia Yan for the championship.

In the underground casino, Team 16 of the Federation had a higher winning rate than Xia Yan’s Team 8. After all, the highest known mental power of the opponent was still S, while no one knew that the protagonist gong and Xia Yan were actually SSS-level.

Oh! Maybe the protagonist shou’s mental power is even higher than S.

Thus, from the outside perspective, Team 16 appeared stronger, especially with the A-tier Gong Changyong holding them back. In reality, their combat power might not be as strong as Team 8’s.

【So exciting!!! Are they about to fight?】

【I’m calling my friend to watch the final battle.】

【There’s still one team left to find.】

【Wait, I think they found them.】

【?】

【Lol, Team 8 found Team 16, and Team 16 found Team 79. The last three teams unexpectedly met, making the shrinking poison circle irrelevant.】

The final three teams converged, drawing all cameras’ attention.

The Federation team was not to be underestimated. When Xia Yan saw them, they turned in response, and their eyes locked in the air. The atmosphere was filled with hostility.

After some time, the Federation leader spoke first: “Shall we deal with them first?”

Xia Yan followed his gaze, seeing the remnants of Team 79, now reduced to three members. Upon closer inspection, he recognized them—this was the team that had escaped along the riverbank earlier.

He nodded. “Sure.”

The two teams silently reached an understanding and decided to “clean up the battlefield” first.

Team 79: “…”

Their strength was not particularly strong. They had managed to survive up until now by hiding. Now, surrounded by the two strongest teams, they were powerless to resist. In just a few moments, they were defeated.

With the team display on the intelligence brain turning to ‘2/100,’ both teams began their assault.

Lightsabers and cannonfire exchanged in rapid succession.

The two sides fought like beasts, tearing at each other.

Xia Yan’s power was on full display during this match. Even those unfamiliar with mechs could tell that his strength far surpassed that of ordinary S-tier psychics.

The earlier rumors about him cheating on his exam were no longer believed by anyone.

However, this time, another person caught the attention of viewers.

— Ludwig.

This handsome blond man, in the final stage, faced off against the Federation’s strongest leader—who had deliberately avoided Xia Yan, likely intending to eliminate one person first to gain numerical advantage.

Gong Changyong, the weakest in terms of self-discipline, positioned himself at the back.

The Federation leader had intended to eliminate him but was instead blocked by Ludwig.

Xia Yan trusted the strength of the protagonist and led Gong Changyong in a 2v2 battle. Though Gong Changyong was only A-tier, his rich combat experience and defensive-focused mech made him perfect as a tank.

The remaining two were naturally handled by Ian and Huo Ruihe.

As the protagonist gong, Ludwig was the strongest fighter in the novel. He had early awakenings and had been retrieved by the Empire, undergoing professional training, which had transformed his abilities.

Previously, his opponents were relatively weak, and the strongest leaders were dealt with by Xia Yan, so Ludwig had remained inconspicuous.

But now, in his confrontation with the Federation leader, he actually maintained the upper hand, astonishing everyone.

The Federation leader gritted his teeth in frustration.

Damn! Is the Empire really this full of hidden talent?

He observed his teammates, realizing most were at a disadvantage. Without hesitation, he signaled them, and after receiving confirmation, he quickly ascended to a higher altitude and launched a barrage of cannonfire.

However…

Xia Yan’s team was not easily defeated either.

Their mechs, modified by Ian, had firepower far exceeding that of the Federation, completely unafraid of the bombardment.

What was supposed to be a duel quickly turned into a battle of resources.

The live-streaming camera struggled to keep up with the explosions, retreating quickly, only catching a vast cloud of smoke that covered both sides. Viewers relaxed, knowing how many energy crystals Xia Yan’s team had accumulated.

【Can they finish the bombardment in half an hour?】

【Team 8 can’t, but Team 16 will definitely finish it. dog head.jpg】

【Let’s celebrate Team 8’s victory early! My wife is the strongest!!!】

…

An unexpected event occurred in an instant.

Black, deep purple-colored limbs of Zergs flashed through the smoke, quickly captured by the camera. Before anyone could understand what was happening, the intelligence brain had already notified the central system.

【Warning, Zerg detected. Requesting support from headquarters.】

【Warning, Zerg …】

…

Boom!

Something collapsed.

Countless Zergs surged up from underground mines.