Chapter Twelve

The opponent demanded a rematch, but Ye Chong paid him no mind. In his view, so many elementary mistakes were enough to get himself killed several times over. What he needed were true masters, not idiots. Only experts could hone his skills and elevate his power.

Mu Shang suddenly appeared. “Hmm, your results are not bad, but your opponent was rather weak!”

Ye Chong nodded without comment.

Mu Shang asked, “Now it seems Blackbird can't satisfy your needs anymore. Interested in switching to another unit?”

Ye Chong’s eyes lit up. “A new mecha? What model?”

Mu Shang queried, “How did you find your opponent’s mecha just now?”

Ye Chong answered, “Excellent! Very balanced, and the modifications were extremely reasonable.”

Mu Shang continued, “For each victory, you’ll earn a certain amount of points. These points can be exchanged at the repair station in the combat zone for various mechas or components. Modifying mechas is allowed here, of course. Still, I don’t recommend you use a modified mecha just yet, even though you have some expertise in that area. My advice is to familiarize yourself with the standard models first, then indulge in the pleasures of modification.”

Before Mu Shang had finished, Ye Chong impatiently headed directly to the repair station. The spacious hall was filled with all kinds of mechas. Ye Chong darted among them like a starving wolf encountering delectable prey, patting one, touching another, his excitement palpable.

Every mecha was clearly marked with the points required. Only then did Ye Chong remember to check his own tally, fumbling through his info screen for quite a while before finding it: 1000 points. He breathed a sigh of relief—there were two models of the Azure Wolf, both costing just 300. His points were quite sufficient, Ye Chong thought with delight.

He decided to heed Mu Shang’s advice; Mu’s words were rarely pointless.

Ye Chong gazed longingly at the other mechas but chose without hesitation an Azure Wolf-1.

The Azure Wolf mecha resembled a wolf, crouched on all fours, a beam activator clamped in its jaws, capable of projecting half-meter-long laser beams from both ends. The Azure Wolf was a classic ground combat mecha, lacking the Blackbird’s lateral wings and unable to fly in atmosphere. Its engine also performed poorly in space. But on land, its explosive power, agility, and speed rivaled that of flying units, making it extremely popular.

The Azure Wolf had two models: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 was for melee combat, Type 2 for ranged attack. Unlike Type 1, Type 2 lacked the beam activator and was equipped with a high-energy particle cannon as well as three ten-thousand-grade particle guns. If a strike missed, it could quickly retreat—a great choice for hit-and-run on land.

Compared to Blackbird, Azure Wolf was superior in many respects.

Mu Shang appeared like a phantom before Ye Chong, glanced at him and the Azure Wolf crouched behind, and offered a candid assessment: “A beast communing with a beast!”

Ye Chong glared. “Did you just compare me to a beast?”

Mu Shang drawled lazily, “Aren’t you one?”

Ye Chong retorted, “Of course not!”

Mu Shang pressed, “Then what are you?”

Ye Chong declared shamelessly, “I’m the king of beasts!”

Mu Shang reeled from the blow, collapsed to the ground, stars spinning above his head, frothing at the mouth, muttering, “Definitely brimming with animal spirit!”

Ye Chong stood with hands on his hips, proud and unyielding, the background music roaring with the cries of countless beasts. Suddenly, the music shifted; the sharp sounds of beasts mating pierced his ears. Ye Chong’s hairs stood on end, and he immediately surrendered to Mu Shang.

Mu Shang chuckled, drawing out his words, “The king of beasts, eh…”

Ye Chong pulled a long face, looking deflated.

Mu Shang tossed Ye Chong a list, which Ye Chong quickly caught.

“This contains all registered names with a win rate above ninety percent who have training records here in the past three months. Challenge them one by one—oh, and don’t forget to start from the last one.”

Sun Xuelin and Ah Xiu gazed in stupefaction at the empty training ground before them.

Ah Xiu murmured, “Xuelin, he’s gone!” In Blackbird’s cockpit, her delicate face was streaked with silent tears.

Sun Xuelin erupted in anger. “That guy! It’s outrageous—after all this time, he just left without a word. Outrageous! Next time I see him, I’ll give him a good beating!” She completely forgot she’d once been defeated by Ye Chong.

Grabbing Ah Xiu’s hand, Sun Xuelin declared, “Let’s go search for him in the combat zone!”

Room by room they searched, but neither the familiar Blackbird nor the familiar yet elusive YC was anywhere to be found.

They did not know Ye Chong had already switched to a new mecha, nor that he had left the combat zone just before their arrival, heading to the Gutisda district.

“Hey, Little Y, what have you been busy with lately? Haven’t seen you in a while!” An elderly man greeted Ye Chong on the street.

Ye Chong bowed slightly. “Hello, Grandpa Xu. How have you been? Training’s been quite intense lately, so I haven’t visited.”

Ye Chong truly respected this Grandpa Xu, an old engineer who had offered him much guidance and from whom Ye Chong had learned a great deal.

Grandpa Xu laughed warmly. “What could be wrong with this old man? You’re as polite as always, Little Y! Such a good child. Those old fellows will be delighted to see you! Well, I won’t keep you—I’m heading out now. Enjoy yourself, Little Y!”

Ye Chong smiled shyly and replied, “Thank you, Grandpa Xu. Safe travels!”

His destination was a discussion room in the Gutisda district called “Aurora.” Aurora was renowned in the area, its members mostly retired senior mecha engineers or mechanics, all possessing profound knowledge of mechas. When these experts gathered, their combined power was formidable. Many companies came seeking help when faced with difficulties. Their eccentric temperaments were as famous as Aurora itself; each was uniquely skilled and exceptionally experienced, living comfortably on generous pensions, never wanting for anything. Money meant nothing here. If they liked you, they would go out of their way to help, even if you didn’t ask. If not, even mountains of gold couldn’t buy their attention. This left many companies, accustomed to solving problems with money, quite frustrated.

But those in need had to swallow their pride and approach these high and mighty elders, secretly cursing them yet smiling obsequiously. Alas, these old men were seasoned and shrewd, utterly impervious, leaving those scheming for favors feeling like mice trying to drag a turtle—at a complete loss.