The two squads parted ways. The Valker team members pushed their mechas to top speed to leave the area as quickly as possible, and the Qilin team hastily packed up their tent and left as soon as the others were out of sight.
Neither side felt the other was trustworthy, both terrified of a surprise counterattack.
The teachers from both schools watching the live broadcast in the Tianshu Star camp were finally able to put their minds at ease. When they accidentally made eye contact, they flashed perfunctory smiles at each other.
'Sneaky bastards.'
'Troublemakers.'
Mu Ning checked the time. It was about time to leave, so she stood up.
"Everyone, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
"We'll see you out."
"No need, it's getting late. Everyone should head back and rest.
The six squads all performed very well. There are still two days left, and I hope all the military academies can achieve their desired results."
"Thank you, Marshal."
Staff Officer Zhang followed behind Mu Ning. Neither their arrival nor their departure caused much of a stir.
The teachers of the six military academies took another look at their respective students' live streams, confirming that the kids weren't pulling any more stunts before they finally relaxed and prepared to head back to rest.
Today, the two teams from Qilin and Valker really opened their eyes. Under such circumstances, they actually managed to gain 300 points each without anyone getting eliminated?
The clash between the commanders was spectacular, and Wang Tianwei's non-combat transport vehicle was also highly valuable for reference. Once the competition ended, it would be time to pull out the footage for the students to study frame by frame.
Chao Hao and Fu Manli hadn't walked far when they were stopped by an unfamiliar staff member from the organizing committee.
"Teachers from Qilin, please wait a moment. Staff Officer Zhang from the Third Military Region asked me to get your contact information."
"...Uh."
"Please don't worry. It's like this: Marshal Mu Ning and Staff Officer Zhang are both very interested in the transforming mecha designed by your school's Wang Tianwei.
Shuomo Star and Kashgar Star are similarly covered by deserts, so Qilin's experience is worth learning from.
Of course, we won't interfere with the children's subsequent matches."
"Ahem, alright, of course."
Only then did the staff member step forward and present their optical computer.
"After all, there were so many teachers present just now, so it wasn't very convenient. Thank you for your understanding."
Not long after, two more heavyweights were added to Chao Hao's optical computer contact list.
Now, in addition to the Ninth Military Region and the First Military Region, the Third Military Region was also keeping an eye on the Qilin squad. Even the Chief of the Military Department was waiting for the kids to finish this competition and return for a talk.
Wang Tianwei was always worrying about how to promote Qilin. Little did she know that during their competition, Qilin's reputation had already thoroughly spread!
Sigh, it's a headache when the kids are just too outstanding.
**********
The four members of Qilin were currently riding in Wang Tianwei's hovercar. Jian Jingyu was a bit puzzled.
"Sir Huang, aren't we going to find a way to backstab them?"
"Of course we are, but not now."
Neither of them felt that they had said anything out of the ordinary.
"Hiranuma Yusho's spiritual power is not simple.
As long as he is there, the spiritual power of the three Valker members is in a completely protected state. It would be hard for me to break through anytime soon, and those two individual soldiers aren't weak either.
Right now, their only weakness is that they don't have as much energy reserves as we do. But if we really push them to the brink and force a life-and-death struggle, we won't benefit from it either.
Never fight an unprepared battle. There are still two days left; we can play it safe for now."
Wang Tianwei also started chattering away.
"Their marksmanship is incredibly high, even better than the three Valker teams we encountered in the rainforest!
Even though they weren't used to riding in my car, none of their shots missed, even when they were shooting while throwing up.
And Hiranuma Yusho, at first, that Tunnel Throat absolutely refused to come out, but then somehow it inexplicably followed him out?
I feel like his spiritual power is also very special, perhaps not purely offensive."
Zhang Lyra had gotten used to Wang Tianwei's driving speed, and she was now able to keep her eyes open and join the discussion.
"Then who is stronger, him or Elizabeth? Elizabeth can directly eliminate people using her spiritual power."
"It's really hard to say."
Huang Yan rested his right hand on his chin.
One was Elizabeth, the other was Hiranuma Yusho. Neither of their spiritual powers was used purely for early warning or defense.
He had now learned how to use his spiritual power to pierce others, but he wondered how wide the gap was between him and those two.
Perhaps he could develop some new ways to use his spiritual power?
"That Wu Fangyu seems to have some tricks up her sleeve too. I really wanted to get a good look at their mechas."
Wang Tianwei felt a bit regretful.
She had already seen the Little Bee and had a few preliminary ideas in mind, just waiting for the time to test them out on a mecha.
But she hadn't forgotten that the whole point of the mecha competition was to observe the mechas from other schools! Hiranuma Yusho's cockpit design was very unique.
"There will be another chance next time."
Her three teammates were well aware of Wang Tianwei's old habit.
But they had witnessed firsthand how Sister Ma had rapidly grown through dismantling mechas time and time again!
Keep in mind that when she was only B-rank, she dared to forcefully dismantle Huang Yan's A-rank mecha! As long as it could help their teammates, they would even be willing to help hold someone down to let her dismantle it.
It was just a loss of some reputation, but they didn't care about such things anyway.
Even Huang Yan, the only one who still cared a little, was very self-aware. Once this live broadcast went out, he probably wouldn't have any dignity or pride left...
Over on Valk's side, Wu Fangyu had quite a few questions about Wang Tianwei's mecha. It was just a pity that he hadn't sat in it to observe it properly.
But after hearing his teammate pour out his grievances, he felt that even if he had sat in it, he might not have been able to observe anything... What did rear-wheel steering mean? A lateral drift?
Having distanced himself from Wang Tianwei, Barry could finally say a few words.
"Did they not ask you anything?"
He had boasted shamelessly before setting off, but after throwing up like that, he was too embarrassed to open his mouth in front of the people from Qilin.
"They didn't ask anything serious, just whether our school teaches people how to act like posers..."
Wu Fangyu's gaze swept briefly over Hiranuma Yusho.
Actually, they had also asked a few questions about the captain's private life, which triggered a lot of thought in him, but he really didn't want to bring it up right now...
"They actually insulted you to your face!?"
Taylor was indignant, but Wu Fangyu's expression became much more complicated.
"It's hard to define whether they were insulting us or not. After all, they also asked if they could audit our classes. It looked to me like they were genuinely dissatisfied with themselves..."
"Are you an idiot?"
"..."
"Did Huang Yan say anything?"
Hiranuma Yusho spoke in a deep voice, and Wu Fangyu shook his head.
"It was just those two combatants constantly poisoning my mind... Huang Yan didn't ask anything, except for keeping his mental energy suspended above my head the entire time."
"The entire time?"
"The entire time."
Hiranuma Yusho said no more.
Very few people could make him feel instinctive dread right after advancing to S-rank. What exactly was going on with Huang Yan's mental energy? Could it be like the Paige family?
After so many years, Qilin had truly produced another wave of geniuses.
