That afternoon, Yun Xingze went straight to the modification workshop. He’d been researching how to use twin-star mechs against the thick-skinned Storm mech, but had yet to find a breakthrough.
Initially, he planned to reinforce both mechs’ defenses while adding weapons capable of dealing fatal damage to the Storm mech.
However, this approach proved inadequate for B-class mechs no matter how fortified or heavily armed, they’d still be outmatched by an S+-rated Storm mech.
Yun Xingze then shifted focus to improving mobility while maintaining reinforcement. Though large mechs had high defense, they sacrificed speed.
This approach was viable, but after simulating various modifications, Yun Xingze identified a critical flaw: the margin for error was dangerously slim.
No matter how agile, if the battle dragged on, even the nimblest mech could be crushed by the colossal Storm mech.
Taking a deep breath, Yun Xingze had to admit Lu Ranxu’s software prediction was completely accurate.
His current mech hardware simply couldn’t compete with the Storm mech.
Just then, Zhuo Feiyue came looking for Yun Xingze. Noticing his distress, he offered comfort: “Xingze, are you planning to compete in the next round?”
Even if Yun Xingze withdrew, making the school team wouldn’t be an issue.
But with 500,000-star coins at stake a prize already within reach; how could he possibly give up?
After a moment’s thought, Yun Xingze replied, “I want to try.”
Seeing the determination in Yun Xingze’s eyes, Zhuo Feiyue knew it was unlikely he would change his mind. He said, “Xingze, I know you’re strong-willed, but the Tempest Mecha is a very special one. When its shield is activated, only mechas of a higher level can damage it. In other words, aside from Luo Wenchuan in the school, no one else can really stand against it head-on.”
Yun Xingze fell into thought upon hearing Zhuo Feiyue’s words.
Zhuo Feiyue continued, “Unless you can break the Tempest Mecha’s shield or launch the fiercest attack the moment it lowers its shield.”
Yun Xingze nodded. “I know all that, but…”
“But you might not get the chance,” Zhuo Feiyue sighed. “If He Haoming keeps his shield up until the end, quickly switches to attack mode, and fires a few Tempest Particle Cannons at you, you’ll lose.”
The Tempest Particle Cannon was an ultra-large-scale weapon with a wide attack range, the highest level of destructive weapon allowed in competitions.
Hearing this, Yun Xingze seemed to gain some inspiration. He said to Zhuo Feiyue, “Teacher, thank you for the insight. I think I have an idea now.”
Zhuo Feiyue was taken aback. He had intended to comfort Yun Xingze, telling him there was no shame in losing this match.
But Yun Xingze actually said he was inspired?
After a moment, Zhuo Feiyue suddenly laughed. “You really are the most unique student I’ve ever met.”
No wonder Luo Wenchuan had taken a liking to this mecha engineer.
After seeing Zhuo Feiyue off, Yun Xingze returned to studying modifications on his light screen.
As for the duel between Yun Xingze and He Haoming, Su Zinan was absolutely delighted.
“I never thought you two would actually face off,” Su Zinan said to He Haoming. “Senior, you’re truly blessed by luck. This is amazing.”
Pleased by Su Zinan’s praise, He Haoming’s mood lifted considerably.
“Since fate has given me this opportunity,” He Haoming said with a confident smirk, “I’ll make sure they understand, students from the wastelands like us aren’t so easily defeated by the likes of them.”
“Haoming, you’re the pride of us wasteland students,” Su Zinan said admiringly. “All those times I helped you I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.”
He Haoming felt a surge of warmth as he looked at Su Zinan.
Both he and Su Zinan were pitiable students from the wastelands. When they first entered the school, their clothes were far shabbier than the others’, and they faced exclusion and disdain everywhere.
Even after joining the school team and becoming an S+ ranked fighter, He Haoming always felt the scornful gazes around him.
Though his skills improved, his mecha’s level remained stagnant due to lack of funds.
He Haoming had begged many people for help and worked multiple jobs to save up, but he still couldn’t gather enough materials or modification costs for an S+ mecha. His Tempest Mecha remained stuck at A+ level.
Frustrated by his untapped S+ potential, He Haoming grew even more irritable.
Then, he met Su Zinan.
Su Zinan claimed to have obtained high-quality Tempest Mecha parts from wasteland smugglers and gave them all to He Haoming, charging him only six or seven hundred thousand-star coins.
This sum came from He Haoming’s ten-win streak prize money and his hard-earned savings from part-time jobs.
“Evervictory Mecha Corporation.” He Haoming stared at the parts’ brand logo and froze for a moment. “This company is quite famous in the imperial capital. Although I don’t know who the owner is, I’ve heard they collaborate with the military.”
Su Zinan nodded: “That’s right. I’m selling them to you cheap as support for a fellow wasteland planet companion.”
Cornered and desperate, He Haoming felt like he’d encountered a ray of light in the darkness. He was so grateful for Su Zinan’s help that he nearly teared up.
Because of this incident, He Haoming had always believed Su Zinan was a kind-hearted Omega who only got punished because he was framed by Yun Xingze and others.
What He Haoming didn’t know was…
After selling those parts to He Haoming, Su Zinan ran into Chi Yu.
“Did you manage to sell that batch of goods?” Chi Yu asked.
Not long before, Chi Yu had asked Yun Xingze for a set of Tempest mecha parts. Many of them weren’t to his liking, so he’d entrusted Su Zinan to resell them.
“Yeah, sold them to He Haoming,” Su Zinan nodded. “But you know, although those parts were new, they had some minor design flaws. Nothing major, but He Haoming still bargained the price down to just over 300,000.”
“That He Haoming is really stingy,” Chi Yu frowned. “What a bargain for him. Out of the 300,000, you can take 100,000.”
Su Zinan smiled happily and asked Chi Yu a question at the time: “If Xingze finds out we sold the parts he gave you; will he be angry?”
Chi Yu’s response had been: “It’s not like we threw them away. If he gave them to me, can’t I exchange them for money?”
However, Su Zinan clearly had no intention of letting He Haoming know the truth.
Keeping He Haoming’s hatred and disgust toward Yun Xingze, then using his hand to defeat Yun Xingze that would be truly satisfying, Su Zinan thought to himself.
Online, most discussions about the upcoming match between Yun Xingze and He Haoming maintained a pessimistic tone.
“Ah this… although I really think Yun Xingze is outstanding among Omegas, he doesn’t stand much chance against He Haoming, right?”
“Let’s be bold, he has zero chance.”
“A B-rank struggling against A+ is already tough enough. Against S+? That’s pure fantasy.”
“What a shame. If Yun Xingze wins this tenth match, his ten-win streak record would be unbreakable by any Omega.”
“Honestly, a nine-win streak is already enough to make him a legend who’ll be admired for years.”
“Right, making it into the school team comes with a 50,000 bonus too. Not as much as 500,000, but still a considerable amount.”
“I was planning to watch Yun Xingze’s final match, but now it seems pointless. He’s definitely going to lose spectacularly.”
Reading all these disparaging comments about Yun Xingze on the forum, Chi Yu felt indignant. He wanted to reply and scold those people, but he also thought they had a point.
Chi Yu decided that if he wanted to win Yun Xingze back, he should start by showing concern for him.
So, Chi Yu specifically asked around to find Yun Xingze’s location and waited for him outside the modification room.
After all, he and He Haoming had been teammates before, and he piloted a Tempest mecha himself. Once Yun Xingze saw him, as long as he extended an olive branch, Yun Xingze would surely turn to him for help.
Just as Chi Yu was confidently waiting outside the modification room for Yun Xingze.
Luo Wenchuan had been feeling upset for quite some time because of Yun Xingze. He initially planned to stop paying attention to Yun Xingze’s affairs, as it was too mentally exhausting. But when he heard that Yun Xingze had been matched against He Haoming in a PK, his heart couldn’t help but tighten.
Last year, He Haoming’s skills only ranked fourth in the school team. However, judging from this year’s competition performances, he had clearly surpassed both Ke Lei and Aixili, which was enough to demonstrate this person’s ambition.
Having also survived on a barren planet, Luo Wenchuan knew all too well that He Haoming’s strength was far more terrifying than what others perceived.
How could Yun Xingze possibly defeat such an opponent?
Luo Wenchuan simulated various scenarios in his mind, and without exception, Yun Xingze was at a disadvantage in every one.
A crushing disadvantage at that.
Yet the thought of asking Yun Xingze to give up never crossed Luo Wenchuan’s mind.
Beyond his concern for Yun Xingze, what filled his heart more was curiosity. Would Yun Xingze pull off another miraculous comeback like before?
Sitting at his desk, Luo Wenchuan pondered over the potential match between Yun Xingze and He Haoming.
Before he knew it, the entire morning had slipped away.
He had intended not to let Yun Xingze affect him, yet he found himself irresistibly drawn, his thoughts consumed by him.
Taking a deep breath, Luo Wenchuan decided to head to the modification lab to find Yun Xingze.
But as he approached the building, he spotted a familiar and unwelcome figure from afar—Chi Yu.
Chi Yu was talking to Yun Xingze.
Having mustered the rare resolve to seek out Yun Xingze, only to witness this scene, Luo Wenchuan would be lying if he said it didn’t sting.
His narrow eyes fixed on the two, lips pressed into a thin line, Adam’s apple bobbing, jawline taut.
Naturally, Yun Xingze had nothing but sarcastic remarks for Chi Yu’s unexpected visit, leaving him speechless.
After shutting Chi Yu down, Yun Xingze suddenly noticed a familiar figure in his peripheral vision.
It was Luo Wenchuan.
For some reason, Yun Xingze had seen little of Luo Wenchuan these past few days perhaps he was too busy?
Without overthinking it, Yun Xingze left Chi Yu behind and hurried toward that retreating figure, unable to suppress the smile tugging at his lips.
Seeing Yun Xingze engrossed in conversation with Chi Yu, Luo Wenchuan suppressed his irritation and turned to leave.
The cherry blossoms lining the path were in fuller bloom than days prior, a vibrant oil painting under the sunlight, but Luo Wenchuan had no mind to admire them.
He wasn’t even sure what was bothering him.
Then.
Footsteps sounded behind him.
Before he could react, a gentle tug at the back of his uniform jacket stopped him in his tracks.
Luo Wenchuan froze, momentarily stunned.
