Fuming from the exchange, Zhuo Feiyue sought out Yun Xingze and said, “Xingze, Richard actually looks down on my students. Can you tolerate this insult?”
Yun Xingze played along wisely: “Of course not.”
“I must give you special training these next few days to rapidly improve your skills so that hothead won’t underestimate you anymore!” Zhuo Feiyue declared passionately, clenching his fist. “What’s so great about Richard? Just because he’s Luo Wenchuan’s teacher? I’m no worse than him!”
Yun Xingze looked at him expectantly: “What kind of training?”
Zhuo Feiyue pulled out a gaming headset from behind his back and handed it to Yun Xingze.
Yun Xingze: “…”
Was he seeing things, or did Zhuo Feiyue have some misunderstanding about “special training”?
“I’m too old to pilot a mech and spar with you,” Zhuo Feiyue explained. “But in the game Mecha Star, I’m a top 200 PK expert on the entire server. Training you will be more than enough.”
Yun Xingze stared at the headset silently before replying, “Alright, let’s try it.”
After both put on their headsets, Zhuo Feiyue said, “We’ll enter a 1v1 PK room. I’ll let you have three free moves—go all out, don’t worry about hurting me. You won’t even land a hit anyway.”
Yun Xingze was surprised by his confidence.
In the PK room, Zhuo Feiyue selected a beam saber mech, while Yun Xingze chose a Twin-Star mech with a wolf-form mechanical beast far more imposing than his real-world unit.
Since Mecha Star players aren’t restricted by real-world mental or physical limits, combat was much more fluid, making it ideal for practicing techniques.
Zhuo Feiyue activated his mech: “Begin.”
Roughly five minutes later…
The mechanical beast sat firmly on the beam saber mech’s face; its rear planted decisively to deny any chance of counterattack.
Zhuo Feiyue’s strained voice came through the cockpit: “Let me go, let me go right now—”
Yun Xingze: “The countdown hasn’t ended yet.”
Ten seconds later, Zhuo Feiyue lost. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Using such tactics against an elderly teacher, you’re truly—”
“It’s just a game!” Yun Xingze interjected quickly.
“I meant you’re truly… lacking in scruples. You’ll shine brilliantly in actual matches.” Zhuo Feiyue said slowly.
Yun Xingze: “…” Was that praise or an insult?
Zhuo Feiyue, unwilling to concede, challenged Yun Xingze several more times; each ending in defeat.
Zhuo Feiyue: “Excellent. You’ve already abandoned all moral constraints. Keep this momentum going, and you’ll definitely defeat those maniacs from the Gikot Military Academy in the competition. You’ve graduated!”
From novice to master in less than an hour.
However, even Zhuo Feiyue hadn’t anticipated that after breaking free from his mental restraints, Yun Xingze would display such formidable combat prowess even comparable to Luo Wenchuan.
Though this was partly because Zhuo Feiyue himself hadn’t fought in a long time, he could clearly see that Yun Xingze’s potential was far more astonishing than what he’d shown during the mech tournament.
Taking off his helmet, Zhuo Feiyue said to Yun Xingze, “Now you can challenge other top players in ‘Mech Star.’ Whether it’s solo PK or team battles, give them all a try. There are plenty of experts in this game, so don’t get discouraged.”
Yun Xingze nodded obediently, “I’ll do my best.”
Following Zhuo Feiyue’s advice, Yun Xingze began challenging opponents in ‘Mech Star’ before the league matches began.
Unrestrained by mental or physical limitations, Yun Xingze was like a fish in water.
At first, he battled in low-tier matches against complete novices, toying with them while studying various mech combat styles.
As his PK ranking rose, he encountered all sorts of unusual opponents—some strong, some weak; learning many unconventional techniques and gaining considerable experience.
Before the qualifiers, Yun Xingze had played this game merely to familiarize himself with the format. Now, he was accumulating combat experience with different mechs.
During the day, he trained with the school team members, and at night, he’d return to his dorm and enter the game pod to grind PK matches in ‘Mech Star.’ Though exhausting, his skills were quietly advancing to new heights.
Three days later…
Zhuo Feiyue opened the game interface and stared at the account named “I’m So Fragile,” whose PK ranking had surpassed his own, falling into deep contemplation.
What kind of freakish monster was Yun Xingze?
In just three days, he’d broken into the top 200 rankings?!
“Truly worthy of being my student,” Zhuo Feiyue took a sip of tea and nodded calmly. “This year’s tournament rests on him.”
Yun Xingze found great enjoyment in the game, though he didn’t particularly care about his ranking. Other players on the leaderboard, however, were both curious and shocked by this dark horse named “I’m So Fragile.”
Checking his PK records revealed numerous battles against top-50 ranked experts, yet he remained undefeated in solo matches, with a win rate exceeding 70% in team battles and battlefield modes.
Many speculated that “I’m So Fragile” was a high-ranking player smurfing to dominate weaker opponents.
Over the past few days, Luo Wenchuan had noticed Yun Xingze struggling with physical training, which left him slightly concerned.
Though Yun Xingze’s mental and physical strength had improved rapidly, his overall ability still fell within the A- tier, a significant disadvantage in the NCLM tournament.
Moreover, this year’s opponents included three exceptionally strong military academies.
It was like leading a delicate little lamb accompanied by his tailless kitten into a pack of wolves to fight.
The more Luo Wenchuan thought about it, the more perilous Yun Xingze’s situation seemed.
After the mecha competition, Yun Xingze had once asked Luo Wenchuan if he needed any modifications to his mecha, but Luo Wenchuan politely declined, feeling that Yun Xingze was already exhausted from daily training and unwilling to burden him with extra tasks.
Since the group assignments were announced, Richard had intensified the team’s practice sessions, leaving everyone groaning in exhaustion.
That morning after training, Yun Xingze lay sprawled on the floor, staring at the high ceiling when suddenly a beautiful face appeared above him.
“Wow, the little mecha engineer is all worn out?” Aixili grinned down at the fair-skinned boy on the floor. “Looks like Da Chuan needs to give you some extra nourishment.”
Yun Xingze always found Aixili’s way of speaking a bit odd, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint why.
As Yun Xingze sat up, Aixili gave him a hand and suddenly remarked with a smirk, “Your skin is really nice.”
Though Aixili was female, she was also an Alpha, naturally interested in Omega males.
At Aixili’s compliment, Yun Xingze instinctively leaned back. These past few days, Aixili had taken every opportunity to tease him with comments about his good looks, flawless skin, and big eyes, making him hesitant to even speak with her.
Are all female Alphas this bold?
Nearby, Chi Yu frowned as he watched Aixili flirt with Yun Xingze. Just as he was about to intervene, he noticed Luo Wenchuan had already approached the pair.
Luo Wenchuan handed Yun Xingze a bottle of water and a towel, which the latter accepted with thanks.
Then, Luo Wenchuan turned to Aixili with a frown. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“I just finished fifty laps,” Aixili replied casually, flipping her smooth golden hair as she glanced at Yun Xingze wiping his fair neck with the towel. “What Alpha wouldn’t like a fair and clean Omega?”
Yun Xingze paused at her words, his gaze unconsciously shifting toward Luo Wenchuan.
The next moment, a flicker of discomfort flashed across Luo Wenchuan’s face.
“Even so, you shouldn’t disturb Yun Xingze’s training,” he said coldly.
Aixili pouted. “I wasn’t—”
Just then, Chi Yu approached from a distance, clearing his throat to ask Yun Xingze if he wanted to have lunch together.
Yun Xingze didn’t even acknowledge him.
Under the others’ gazes, Chi Yu stood awkwardly for a moment before turning away.
“What’s the use of high compatibility?” Aixili remarked just loud enough to be heard. “It’s pointless if there’s no affection.”
Chi Yu’s back stiffened.
Though the Yun family supported him and he acted confident in front of Luo Wenchuan, Yun Xingze’s cold indifference told him everything, leaving him increasingly uncertain.
Would Yun Xingze really choose him?
Chi Yu stood frozen for a moment, fists clenched, before walking away, his silhouette lonely.
Luo Wenchuan suddenly recalled Chi Yu’s words: “Only I, with our high compatibility, can make Yun Xingze happy.”
He glanced nervously at the fair-skinned boy sitting on the floor.
Did compatibility matter to Yun Xingze?
“You’re right, Sharp-tongued Aixili,” Yun Xingze said after taking a sip of water. “You’re truly a model Alpha of the new era.”
Hearing these words, Luo Wenchuan was overjoyed but couldn’t help feeling a twinge of jealousy in his heart.
Aixili glanced at Luo Wenchuan, then raised an eyebrow at Yun Xingze: “So, are you going to come with me?”
Yun Xingze nearly spat out his water in shock, coughing several times from choking.
Luo Wenchuan immediately crouched down to pat Yun Xingze’s back, frowning at Aixili: “Are you done yet?”
As he spoke, Luo Wenchuan took out a tissue and gently wiped the corner of Yun Xingze’s mouth.
While wiping, his dry, rough thumb accidentally brushed against Yun Xingze’s lips. The contact between their differing body temperatures made both of them freeze momentarily.
Aixili suppressed a laugh as she stood up and left, retreating after having accomplished her mischief.
“Ahem,” Luo Wenchuan straightened his expression and withdrew his finger, his fingertip seemingly scalded. “Next time you see Aixili, stay away from her.”
Yun Xingze was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Luo Wenchuan to make such a request, and for a moment, he couldn’t discern the perspective from which those words were spoken.
Yet, Yun Xingze’s mood inexplicably brightened, and he couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile.
Noticing Yun Xingze’s suppressed laughter, Luo Wenchuan frowned, his tone laced with a barely detectable hint of jealousy: “Are you even listening to me?”
Perhaps realizing he had revealed too much of his emotions, Luo Wenchuan averted his gaze uncomfortably and added, “I’m just worried she might interfere with your training.”
Yun Xingze nodded. “Got it.”
Only then did Luo Wenchuan look at him with satisfaction.
Seeing the young man’s obedient demeanor, he instinctively reached out and ruffled his slightly sweat-dampened hair before standing up and heading toward the training hall’s entrance. “Come on, I’ll treat you to a meal.”
Before Yun Xingze could recover from the shock of the affectionate head pat, Luo Wenchuan was already far ahead.
After a moment, Luo Wenchuan glanced back at him and raised an eyebrow. “Little mecha engineer.”
Yun Xingze hurriedly got up and followed.
From that day onward, Luo Wenchuan took charge of all three of Yun Xingze’s daily meals—each carefully tailored to his physique and training intensity. Rumor had it that Luo Wenchuan had consulted a renowned nutritionist in the imperial capital remotely to design the meal plan.
Yun Xingze couldn’t help but feel that Luo Wenchuan was being overly concerned about him.
