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Chapter 287: Winning on the Brink

Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas

The mech hung mid-space. Atos was getting ready to deliver the fatal blow. He looked mockingly at Zhang Shan, as if he was in a game of catch. He was not going to get away this time around.

The mech boomed. The Avalanche mech cut through space like a ray of light, charging at Zhang Shan, launching a full blow to take Zhang Shan out in a single attack.

Zhang Shan's energy shield was ready. High speed attacks could not destroy his energy shield. This was the one thing that Zhang Shan was able to do.

In a match like this, using the energy shield would cause half the energy of the mech to deplete.

The high-speed Avalanche suddenly pulled up a few meters in front of Zhang Shan, laser cannons aimed at him.

Everyone in the arena held their breaths. They all thought that Atos would use his beam saber to cut Zhang Shan to death; they didn't expect Atos to remain so calm at this juncture.

Laser cannon. The Avalanche mech was not so good at long range firing. The cannons were powerful but had slow firing speeds. Nobody had expected Atos to turn his greatest weakness into his greatest strength. The abrupt stop caught everyone by surprise, but while charging at Zhang Shan, the laser cannons had accumulated energy. The beam sabers were just a decoy.

"Go to hell, dumbass!"

Energy shields were of no use in such close range firing. It was a much wiser option than the beam saber.

With energy shields on, and with so little reaction time given, Zhang Shan's mech couldn't do a thing before the laser fired.

But… Zhang Shan's mech had disappeared.

Just as the laser cannon fired into the vacuum.

Zhang Shan appeared behind Atos. "You're too stupid for this!"

Beam saber attack!

Boom…

The Avalanche mech imploded.

Roar… Zhang Shan roared wildly. This was his first meaningful victory!

He was drenched in sweat from excitement. He had finally experienced the feeling Wang Zheng so often described. The more crucial things became, the more excited he felt, and the calmer the mind got. The curious mix of excitement and calmness had reached a level beyond the soul's comprehension.

His mind could suddenly work, and in that most crucial moment, even his abilities improved and allowed him to displace for a second time.

A key breakthrough.

He had finally gotten a taste of this feeling of victory.

Winning by 0.1 seconds!

If he was any slower, Zhang Shan would most certainly have been blown to bits, but that was just the essence of it!

Only the Barton mech remained in the air.

"Winner: Zhang Shan."

Su Yan gave a look of surprise. Two displacements in a short span of time. Zhang Shan had again shown improvement. Even though it was just one time more than before, it was definitely a huge leap.

In terms of potential, they'd gone one level up. Given the issue with Wang Zheng, he thought that the Earthlings would lose their will to fight, but instead, their potential was unleashed.

Regardless of selection results, Zhang Shan was bound to enter the list of key candidates the army was to nurture.

Zhang Shan stepped out of the mech hanger into a round of rapturous applause and cheers!

He was brought into the selection by Wang Zheng and was doubted by many. It had been extremely stressful, but after this match, there shouldn't be anyone who'd doubt him anymore.

Yuan Ye gave Zhang Shan two hard punches on his shoulder. "wWow, dude! You're the second Wang Zheng, eh! Ares College is really coming through this time, eh!"

"Great fight, Zhang Shan!" Meng Tian and Zhang Runan were truly happy for him. It was a calm and swift fight, luring the enemy in and taking him out in a single blow. Classic.

"Haha, I remembered Wang Zheng's secret technique at the very last minute. Tsk tsk, real useful. It was enough to beat up trash like Atos."

Atos charged out at him like a mad dog from the other simulation pod. "That didn't count! Again!"

But Masasi and friends held him back.

If he continued to behave like that, he would embarrass everybody.

Atos was capable, but he had gotten ahead of himself. Milo took a quick glance at Achilles and saw the disappointment in his eyes.

She knew that he had given up on Atos. A person like that did not deserve to remain by his side.

Zhang Shan had put up an exciting fight, showing everyone that even without Wang Zheng, Earth was not to be trifled with.

Wang Zheng, on the other hand, was getting ready to face his final opponent: Mechanic.

Why the name "Mechanic"?

That was because, on Manalasuo, the best pilot was known as Mechanic, and so that person would use that as his ID. Using the ID without any capabilities would only invite sneering and mockery, but having real capabilities meant suppressing the opponent.

Invitation to the final match.

Mechanic was to initiate and pick the battle map… New York Defense Battle.

A classic city battle scene.

What was that? This terrain was undoubtedly most suited for the Wind God.

This Mechanic's arrogance was way off the charts.

Titus smiled, relaxed, waiting for his opponent to arrive.

What surprised him most was how a common match like that had managed to attract more than 30 million viewers. What a joke.

Having 10 million viewers was insane. To think so many people would tune in to this.

And so, he was excited!

From the fact that he dared to use the ID "Mechanic", it was clear that he was a confident and showy person. He could only dwell on how to beat his opponent into a pulp.

The Wind God, a bunny-like thing, jumping all over the place.

He would use the Blade Demon to teach his opponent a good lesson!

The staff of OMG was also waiting for the live broadcast to come through.

They knew very well that Skeleton's performance would give them something special.

Ye Zisu, together with everyone else, held her hands tightly, bursting with pride. The Wind God had already proven that CT's popularity at this stage was unimportant, but as her "first-born" design, Ye Zisu naturally hoped that the Wind God could continue to bask in glory.

The Blade Demon was no doubt a classic mech. It was considered quite a piece of work in the entire Milky Way's mech design industry, a masterpiece created by the top mech designing team from Scissors Co. in Manalasuo, and a breakthrough in mech movement. Nonetheless, Ye Zisu was confident in her Wind God.

The Wind God was harder to control than the Blade Demon. It was difficult to grasp the timing that the magnetic sources should be deployed. That part really required a lot more practice to master, and it was also the reason why the Wind God was considered a high-end mech.

"Mechanic, block his displacement. Don't give this guy any chance to jump all over the place. A mech like the Wind God will lose its fighting capabilities once its movement is blocked."

"Don't worry. Given the Blade Demon's displacement speed, the Wind God doesn't stand a single chance. Just look at what he's dealing with!"

The two mech warriors showed up at the same time in New York City, under tens of thousands of watchful eyes.

Mentuo and his gang were considered masters, but they were still a notch below Mechanic. The Kings had ranks within, and when Mechanic used the Blade Demon, he was truly invincible.

"The key to this match lies with displacement!" Old Deer said, providing a rather professional viewpoint. "Skeleton should maintain a good distance right from the start. The Blade Demon is able to use its displacement more often, but the Wind God is definitely better in terms of agility. You've got to show it!"

Old Deer sounded confident, though he felt nervous inside. This was the first time he placed bets on Skeleton, and it would be depressing if he lost.

"Old Deer, no fear! You should have believed that Skeleton was the eternal victor long ago, hah!" Yao Ailun was rather chirpy. He had received a detailed analysis of the Blade Demon mech. Chen Xiu had sent him a copy.

Now that he was a freelance commentator, Yao Ailun's popularity at school sky-rocketed, and he could be considered a famous person.

"Don't be superstitious!"

"Hahah.. you were right, this is a battle of distance. The one who controls the distance will be the one to control how this battle goes."

Wang Zheng rode the Wind God towards the Blade Demon. Neither party seemed to have any intentions of going around.

The Blade Demon was clearly confident in his own judgement and techniques, or he wouldn't have picked a battle scene that would suit the Wind God.

Watching the Wind God come towards him, Titus' smile grew wide.

Boom…

The Blade Demon attacked. The Blade Demon mech was one size bigger than the Wind God, but it was faster in both attack and activating its displacement.

Faced with the Blade Demon's charge, the Wind God picked up speed too.

Zoom!

The Hundred Refinement Blades were drawn.

Ratatat ratatat ratatat…

The two mecha were now just tens of meters apart, and the Wind God still did not show signs of changing his direction of attack using the magnetic sources.

Twenty meters. They were dangerously close now. The Wind God had to move quickly.

But Skeleton's Wind God continued to advance steadily, seemingly without a plan. Was he going to battle head on?

No way!

Old Deer's jaw dropped further and further down. He felt disconcerted. It seemed like the Skeleton still had a problem with him. The Wind God was a scout mech that needed to move around to find loopholes to attack; was Skeleton crazy enough to take on a fighter-type mech head on?

Titus grinned coolly. You enjoy shows, don't you? I'll show you this time!

Ten meters!

It was time to move. In fact, the Wind God's last chance to move. However, Skeleton seemed to be accumulating strength for a melee battle.

That would kill him!

The Blade Demon attacked. Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!

The Blade Demon mech made an awesome triple Arc Slide, swiftly attacking three times a row.

Bang… Bang…

Two strikes missed as the Wind God blocked them with its claws. But parrying the blade like that was just a decoy launched by Titus. By its third slide, the Blade Demon had arrived behind the Wind God, holding the Hundred Refined Blade with two hands, violently slashing down!

That was Titus' favorite killer move — a public execution!

The crowd gaped. Old Deer was embarrassed. Facing the Blade Demon head on was a damned suicide mission!

The Blade Demon had to be quick. He had easily suppressed the Wind God, but even fools knew to shy from weakness and display strength.

There was no use in wanting to deploy a magnetic source now. From a distance like that, deploying and catching up with the source would take time. It didn't matter how fast he was, the opponent was even faster.

Skeleton was bound to be crushed.

Old Deer stared hard. Damn it! Not using things at the right time! Would Skeleton finally be defeated this time?

In an instant.

Boom…

The Wind God did not even look back. It launched an instant back kick. Using the force to thrust himself forward, he pulled their distance apart immediately.

Titus was glad to be struck. Hah! Trying to play punk at this juncture? Do you think I'm a newbie here?

The Blade Demon kept control and glided over in a flash. The Hundred Refined Blade struck once more, this time with even greater force.

However, the Wind God did not run. It turned back right at the same time.

Boom…

Leaning Landslide!

Every flaw was a threat. The Wind God had a lower center of gravity, and with an instant displacement at this distance, the Hundred Refined Blade had only just landed.

A vigorous quake resounded. The Blade Demon took a few steps backwards. Just then, a ray of light shot past… the magnetic source.

Chapter 288: Public Execution

Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas

The Hundred Refined Blade slashed towards the sky, and in an instant, the magnetic source was destroyed. Numbnut. How could he possibly let this thing hit him?

Titus took a few steps back and neutralised the force from the leaning landslide. It was a powerful strike, but the impact wasn't too bad in a CT backseat. This was a truly astounding mech that could share much of the pilot's burden.

Arc Slide Step!

Given the mech's powers, this move was faster than the usual slide steps. The mech charged right at the Wind God.

In a short distance like that, the magnetic source could only be used for an escape, and even then, it may not succeed. Once such a move was made, the opponent would surely follow up and give chase endlessly.

Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!

The the blades danced and waved in the air as the two clashed. Neither of them used a shield, and one strike was all it would take for it to be over.

Titus grew more and more excited as things went on. This guy had some great moves! A pro, it seemed. It wasn't easy to shun from his attacks, but his opponent was managing to maintain a fine control of the distance between them.

He had surely heard of this one part of the world that was proficient in skills thought to be lost forever, something known as "martial arts", but either way, he couldn't be bothered with such nonsense. Mecha were king. Speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness made the king invincible.

In terms of moves, the mech's capabilities would allow one to come up with sequential moves and tactics. This "martial arts thingy" was simply a joke.

Legend had it that this thing originated from Earth, and he didn't expect to face off against a weirdo like that towards the end of the event.

The Hundred Refined Blade spun quicker and quicker, making a whirring sound as it cut through the air. Everybody watched as the Wind God dodged the knife from left to right, with a few close shaves.

That wouldn't do. Dancing on the edge of the knife was too risky. He may get taken out any time!

However, a dozen strikes later, the Wind God remained unhurt, and everybody's hopes began to grow. Wild attacks were normally followed by retaliation.

Mentuo and friends were pleased. "We're in luck today, Mechanic is taking this seriously now."

"Tsk tsk. A rare occurrence that happens once or twice a year. To think it could happen here."

Zoom!

The Hundred Refined Blade swept right across, forcing the Wind God to retreat and pulling their distance apart. It seemed like Mechanic's energy was spent and it was time to blow the horns for a retaliation, when a bright ray of light erupted from the Blade Demon mech.

"No! Quick, hide!" Yao Ailun jumped straight up in the broadcasting studio.

Not many people were able make use of the Blade Demon's additional functions. It carried the same effects as the Wind God's emergency energy shields that activated at the very last moment. Under non-stop high speed build up, the Blade Demon's energy shield could be adjusted to a minimum, releasing the excess energy in the form of a typhoon!

Zoom!

A mini typhoon that was visible to the naked eye went spiraling towards the Wind God.

An energy attack.

The Blade Demon cackled and followed. I'll give you a taste of a show!

This could never be dodged.

The Wind God was swept up into the skies in just a flash. The Blade Demon caught up, launching him into the air.

There was no chance of shunning in the air!

The Imperial Dragon's Soaring Attack!

Shiver in fear, idiotic Earth people! You will never be able to achieve such great heights!

The Hundred Refined Blade came chopping wildly at the Wind God. The mech's engines ran at its highest speed as it charged at the Wind God like a bull and burst all out in one go. All those attacks before this were actually just accumulating force!

As the brightest pearl among the Manalasuo Kings, Titus' abilities were clear and true to his name.

Nobody could block such an intense attack. Even masters from Aslan had been slain by him.

Techniques like that only existed in legends. Only a world like CT could make it come alive.

This was an art. This was perfection!

Zoom zoom zoom… Sword light arched out.

Stuck mid-air, Wang Zheng did not expect to face such an attack. A surprise energy typhoon was indeed unavoidable, and others would surely panic if swept up like that; they would be unable to move or find an entry point for force.

But… nobody had ever said being swept up in the air would definitely mean getting beaten up.

Up in the air, the Wind God waited for its opponent to strike. Its titanium claws sprang out. Regardless of the speed of the blades, they were merely attacks. But if they couldn't be blocked, he'd be dead.

One strike, two strikes, three strikes…

Thirteen violent blows, every blow blocked flawlessly. This time around, the Blade Demon was truly spent.

It was time to take control. The Blade Demon plummeted, while the Wind God made use of the opponent's force to stay in the air. Just then, a magnetic source fired out.

It was an old trick, and the Blade Demon could only attempt to block it. The magnetic source trapped the Hundred Refined Blade, and the Wind God descended from above.

Boom…

A violent clash aimed directly at the Blade Demon. The mech retreated quickly, but the Wind God gave chase like the wind, kicking it on the side.

The tumbling Blade Demon lost its balance and fell on its back. Titus tried to take control, but he had used up too much energy in his earlier moves. Even after using all his might, he was unable to act as he wished.

The Wind God's magnetic source flew out again. Bang!

The mech fell right down. Boom!

The Blade Demon was floored. He quickly lashed around him with the Hundred Refined Blade sweeping around. Titus was stunned at what had just happened. Yet right at this moment, the Wind God leapt, tossing a magnetic source to the left and another to the right.

Left or right?

Titus clenched his teeth. Watching his opponent's moves, he violently struck down on the left. However, he hit empty air. The Wind God had gone to his right. Its claws came down, and the Hundred Refined Blade was knocked flying into the walls.

The Wind God landed right on the Blade Demon and retracted its claws. A breathtaking pause.

Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom …

Boxing time!

The Wind God struck left and right, raining blow after blow on the Blade Demon.

Truth be told, that wasn't any technique. Just primitive, violent punches.

Titus tried pushing the Wind God away, but every time he lifted his head, he would be punched back into the ground. The Blade Demon lifted its legs in an attempt to flip the Wind God off, only to realise that it was stuck waist down. Flailing its legs like a roach was of no use.

"Damn. That's harsh! Our international friend won't dare to come back again."

Hammer couldn't help but giggle. Even Prince chuckled. He knew that Skeleton was avenging him.

When it came to respectable opponents, Skeleton would definitely show respect. However, this type of opponent was simply asking for it.

Titus had a hatred of being violently attacked and struggled with all his might. He used all sorts of methods and tactics, only to be easily blocked, locked, swept, and swiped away by the Wind God.

Every time he fought back, he received a violent beating on his face.

Empty-handed and full of energy, his mech should;ve had an advantage and shouldn't have been suppressed by the opponent this way. However, every move it made was blocked and followed by a round of harsh blows.

After struggling a dozen times, Titus was finally beat in. He still had strength left in him, but he had already lost all hope. His opponent was hanging him up for a beating.

With unimaginable techniques that were way beyond his comprehension.

On Earth, martial arts were found in many forms, such as wrestling, and were practiced by many pilots, including CT players, on top of their gym routines. This was prominent in the Solar System. However, the understanding of the anatomy and the actual control of the mech were two separate issues that were pretty much of no use in battles. Yet the Wind God had managed to show, for once, martial arts in the mech world.

It was untrue that martial arts were useless. It was just that physically wrestling was different from wrestling in mecha. The concept itself was not the same, and required a different understanding. But when you got around to it, the tables would turn.

An agile mech like the Wind God, when maneuvered by a pilot like that, was simply invincible.

Wang Zheng could feel his opponent's desperation and hopelessness. He deployed magnetic sources, and the Wind God leapt right onto them to remove the Hundred Refined Blade from the wall.

The Blade Demon laid quietly on the floor the whole time. It did not struggle. Sometimes, struggling would only bring more suffering.

Wang Zheng walked over slowly, the Hundred Refined Blade held high above his head, reflecting a cold ray of light.

A public execution!

The suppressed viewers on Earth went completely wild. Who'd asked this guy to behave in such a cocky way? There's a price to pay for acting like that!

Skeleton was the spiritual warrior of the people!

An attack made in silence. Both opponents and teammates were deeply astounded by this scene. A scene that would forever be etched in their minds.

Manalasuo can pack up and go home!

Cheers erupted from every corner. Old Deer couldn't contain his joy any longer. He won! It felt weird, but for once, he didn't have to eat another milk carton.

It wouldn't matter if Mechanic ate the milk cartons. Eating would mean he was a credible man. Not eating would only go to show that he was weaker than newbs.

But it was clear that not everybody was as credible as Old Deer. Following their defeat, Titus and gang went offline right away, without giving any opportunities for an interview.

"Our counterparts from Manalasuo are beyond unprofessional! Where are the milk cartons they've promised!?" Yao Ailun couldn't help but feel enraged. That was a key part of the show that many were waiting to see.

Old Deer was between laughter and tears. Yao Ailun looked embarrassed, but regardless, he would never eat the boxes on others' behalf.

You could do anything for others, but not this.

A glamorous, glorious victory. Yet it was hardly a challenge for Wang Zheng. He was just avenging his friend, battling a little bit. Even so, he felt a urge within, and all he wanted was to quickly get back to the training camp. Only challenges had meaning to him. Space battles made up half the battlefield, and he could never let himself lack in that area.

Right at that moment, Aina and Lin Huiyin joyfully ran over with smiles on their faces. Wang Zheng knew that they were happy not because of how exciting the match was, but because he had won.

With Huiyin around, Wang Zheng and Aina couldn't go overboard. Girls were easily embarrassed.

Even if Student Wang were thick-skinned, he still couldn't bring himself to act so boldly. The thing was, that lass Lin Huiyin very much lacked awareness. She had not given the two of them any personal space, not even till the very end.

Aina and Huiyin left first. They would return to Aslan once Huiyin finished her concert tour and would then make arrangements for Wang Zheng to come to Aslan as an exchange student.

Wang Zheng felt warm at that very thought.

The ship landed. Su Yan looked at a powerful Wang Zheng and smiled. "Let's go. The rest have been waiting for a long time."

The General had given this lad preferential treatment, but as a soldier, he was only concerned with following orders and couldn't be bothered with other matters.

Drachmach had received thanks from the other party.

"Thanks a lot for this, General Drachmach."

"Heh. It's not an issue, not an issue."

"Oh, no, I owe you a debt. I'll repay you in due time."

The Skylink ended. Drachmach was bewildered. How very interesting! How had Wang Zheng attracted the attention of the Aslan military?

Chapter 289: Big Ambitions of a Small Character

Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas

A small favor in exchange for an Aslan Admiral's personal debt was extremely worthwhile.

Three days were really short, but for the people in the training camp, it meant that they had improved by leaps and bounds. They were all going through a transformation, and each and every day was precious. Especially for Zhang Shan.

Winning battles gave Zhang Shan confidence as well as fame. Nobody dared to say that he was there just by fortune anymore. Atos, on the other end, was utterly embarrassed. Many couldn't put up with his bad temper, saying he was not suited for a team. Plus, he was way too petty, bearing grudges over little things for a long time.

Failure was nothing to be afraid of. Hard work could make up for things, and people who worked hard after failing were definitely much more respectable. However, in subsequent training sessions, Atos was lazy and uncooperative, making the Moon team feel helpless.

Eventually, Achilles had an outburst. He chided Atos harshly in front of everyone else. If Atos refused to work hard, he'd have to leave.

This was the Moon's main battle. Achilles had stellar results, and even though Lie Xin and Lear were not too bad themselves, they were still far from Achilles. The Moon team had put up a skillful performance and were rather stunning, but Atos was being that one black sheep.

It was evident that Achilles wanted to conquer people from both Earth and the Moon. In a team, he would need someone with abilities like Zhang Shan's, which would come in handy in Aslan.

As team leader, his vision could not be limited to the Moon. Depending solely on the Moon would not win him anything in the Milky Way. And so, he had to stand on higher ground, which was also why he had been able to put up with these people.

Atos' existence was ruining this part of the picture, and he needed some reminder.

Lear was tormented on Earth and had returned in defeat. He could be considered useless and was at disadvantage in the fight to become team leader. That fatty, Luo Fei, however, had been doing well. His results steadily maintained in the top ten.

Luo Fei and Zhang Shan were indeed two dark horses that came out of nowhere. One was vulgar, and the other flamboyant. But all of this was just a facade. They both had relatively consistent performances in their battles.

In crucial times, excitement could come in two forms. One was crazy and mindless. The other was a flame that combined the extreme physical anxiety with the mind's calmness. The latter was the best battle condition.

Atos was proven to be the former. He could never be an elite.

Everybody could see this problem, but nobody said a thing about it.

After their training, Atos went drinking alone to drown his sorrows. It was actually prohibited during training, but he couldn't be bothered.

"How uninteresting to drink alone. Here, I'll accompany you," said Taros as he walked in.

Over the past few days, all his friends had been indifferent to him, as if he was the only one at fault. All except Taros.

"Forget it. You'll be punished if we are discovered. I'll drink alone."

"What are you saying? If I can't even share that burden, I'm not a friend," Taros chuckled, taking over the bottle.

Atos felt warm inside. Truth be told, he was most strongly against Taros being part of the team at first. He thought Taros to be a scheming person, but knowing a person for a long time did not mean knowing his true nature. When he encountered difficulties, his so-called friends had disappeared. All they said was to "stay calm". Calm my foot!

"You should try to understand Achilles. He wants to achieve great things, so there has to be some sacrifice. He's not simply taking his anger out on you," said Taros.

"Heck. He can do whatever the hell he likes. Why should I be sacrificed? I assisted him with all my heart, and yet he embarrassed me in front of everyone! He��s no friend of mine! He can go to hell! Taros, you should be wary. I've been with him for many years, yet he did that to me. You've only been around for a little while; who knows when you'll be sacrificed!"

Atos' eyes shone begrudgingly. The Moon people were now enjoying their glory days. Atos had worked the hardest to help Achilles in his fight, but now, as the others continued basking in glory, he was being abandoned.

"Sigh. I chose to follow Achilles because I thought he was a loyal friend. That's also why I gave up running for team leader. Seeing you like that, I'm starting to have second thoughts. That guy is way too cruel. He appears smiley all the time, but he's pretty cold. Even Lie Xin and Lear are better."

"That slutty Lie Xin does have good looks, but too bad none of the Martians are good people. Lear, on the other hand, is pretty scary. He stands a chance."

Atos bounced back up. Why should others give up on him? He wanted to fight for himself.

"But that stupid fatso…"

"No need to worry about the small things in our fight to achieve great things! That fatso is nothing with the two of us around. We can hold our own fort since Lear is no longer as strong as he was."

"That makes sense. He's the most shorthanded now. We can try to win some votes for him and let you have the opportunity to advance. He should be more than happy to have that."

"What about you?" Atos said shyly.

"I'll give you a push first, and you can help me later. We can work hard together!" Atos said, full of sincerity.

"My brother! Such loyalty! Here, have another!"

Atos laughed. He felt as if he had been given a new lease on life. Why should he slog for Achilles? There were many others who were capable of becoming team leader. Trying to get rid of him? Not so easy!

A few glasses of wine later, Taros' eyes narrowed and gleamed like venomous snake's.

"Wang Zheng will be returning to the team tomorrow. I wonder how he's adjusted," said Zhang Shan.

"Sigh. How could such shortcomings be revealed in crucial times like that? He definitely won't make leader if the problem isn't resolved."

Yuan Ye felt it was a pity too. It was such a great opportunity. They had just seen the silver lining before, but now it was gone. Moreover, the trip held their training back a fair bit. It was difficult for them to catch back up.

This was the Moon people's turf. There weren't many opportunities lying around.

Yuan Ye, Song Li, and gang felt down. They were considered marginalized from the whole group. To put it simply, people like them who came from small countries had to build a strong relationship with the future leader, as it would affect their development down the road. They had pinned all their hopes on Wang Zheng, but Wang Zheng had suddenly revealed such a huge shortcoming.

Zhang Shan did not think that far. He had a simple mindset: fight where there are battles. There was no need to think about anything in the future; everything would turn out for the best.

Meng Tian, Lie Xin, Milo, and Zhang Runan shared a dormitory room. As the only four girls, they'd all managed to stay around, and with results better than many other boys. Rather formidable and mighty!

There was no doubt that Milo was dead loyal to Achilles, so there was no need for Lie Xin to even try. However, she was almost desperate to have Zhang Runan on her side. Even though their styles were different, that didn't stop Lie Xin and Meng Tian from building a good relationship. Given Meng Tian's capabilities, she would do pretty well in the future. Becoming a female general wouldn't be much of a problem.

Earth had a weird system. They had to ensure that there were females among their leaders to maintain a certain balance and rationale. The Meng family was well-known on Earth, and Meng Tian had Ability X. It would all happen naturally.

"Runan, I admire Wang Zheng very much too. But you've got to know that a team leader has to be all-rounded. Shortcomings like that won't do. Even if his problem is cured, there's no guarantee it wouldn't relapse. You should all join me. We'll make it to Aslan together. Martians mean every single word they say!"

Lie Xin had a very gracious character indeed. She was eclectic. It was a pity she was knocking on the wrong door. Zhang Runan was very quiet after her training. A huge contrast to her ability and competition item.

"Not interested. Plus, it's only just begun. A small setback like that won't stop Wang Zheng," Zhang Runan said calmly. Lie Xin had been asking rather fiercely these couple of days, and those who didn't know better could well think that Lie Xin was asking her out.

"Meng Tian, you're the most cool-headed. Analyze and tell me. Isn't it true that we'll only stand a chance if we form an alliance? Unless you want to join Lear. Then I'll keep my mouth shut. But even though I'm a Martian, I'm definitely more reliable than Lear will ever be,"

Lie Xin had uncourteously made Lear the bad person.

Meng Tian was looking at some data and looked up upon hearing that. Seeing how Lie Xin behaved in such a straightforward manner in front of Milo, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"We'll wait for Wang Zheng's return before deciding. We'll support his choice, no matter what."

Meng Tian's words showed their stance. Ares College would follow Wang Zheng.

Lie Xin nodded. So she would just have to take care of Wang Zheng. If she'd known that earlier, she'd have done something about it back on Mars. It was a surprise that this lad was at such a level and had such persistent followers.

It was too bad. She could seduce men, but the same tricks just wouldn't work on women.

Because of what happened with Atos, Milo couldn't say a thing. The Moon and Earth's ties were considered cut. She didn't know what went wrong with Atos either. While he has always been impatient, he had never gone to such extremes.

Wang Zheng was back, and training commenced as per usual. While others trained, Wang Zheng did some basic tests.

Su Yan was rather pleased with the results. After a few hours of familiarisation and tests, Wang Zheng's skill level had hit the mark. Was the short period of rest really that useful?

Anyhow, it was indescribable. Wang Zheng had found himself again. There was no need for him to spend energy on the unknown, or on things he didn't understand. With his mental condition unaffected, his moves were all routine.

Moreover, space was the most suitable place for him to display his qualities.

No resistance. It was a super show.

But Wang Zheng was unlike Zhang Shan. He had no intention of showing off everywhere. Still, space battles were very useful.

"Let's welcome Wang Zheng back. This afternoon, we'll go straight into teams for battles,"

Su Yan said. Everyone's attention was on Wang Zheng. They'd thought that the focus would be on Achilles, Lear, and the rest, but right from the very beginning, Wang Zheng had managed to pull up some great antics, be it battling or making mistakes.

"Wang Zheng, all good? We're all just waiting for you!" Zhang Shan cheerfully embraced Wang Zheng.

In terms of mock battles, the team led by Achilles had the best results. Achilles also had the best individual score. The trainer had given him the highest score in the whole segment. He was undoubtedly the most capable and calm.

Next up was Lear, followed by Lie Xin. The three of them took turns to lead, and each had opportunities to perform. Another three days went by, and the Moon training came to an end.

Achilles came out on top in the run for team leader. He had accumulated 93 points.

Coming close was Lear. Lear had a cool temperament, and even though he spoke very little, he achieved many things. Of course, it was partly also because Achilles saw Lie Xin as his main competition. Lear had been defeated on his home ground, Earth, and so everybody had overlooked him. He had a score of 89 points, and even though they were just 4 points apart, it was evident from the training that Lear could only be number two. Achilles was in control of the situation, and Lear could only pick up what was left behind.

Chapter 290: Super Counterattack

Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas

Lie Xin came in third, at 85 points. It was a good score, but it wasn't easy for her to catch up with the rest.

Although Wang Zheng did pretty well and was qualified to run, he had missed out on too many training sessions. 65 points was a already a shockingly high score, but it was clear that he was no longer fit to compete and could only hope for a show downmatch in the end.

The teams were pretty much already formed by this stage of training.

Achilles' team: Taros, Milo, Masasi, Dong Xiaosa, Atos, Pi Xiaoxiu, Lidius, Beibei, Rambo. (10)

Lear's team: Luo Fei, Aloman, Stocker, Edison, Zhe Er, Qian Jin, Tolosky. (8)

Lie Xin's team: Lie Guang, Raston, Lin Ruofeng, Carl, Ma Hong. (6)

Wang Zheng's team: Zhang Shan, Meng Tian, Zhang Runan, Yuan Ye , Song Li, Zhao Wanxin, Qu Qiuzhi. (8)

Having been through so many rounds of selections, the Moon people were still in the lead, their capabilities overpowering all others.

Su Yan looked at the crowd and said, "Today, we shall decide on who will represent the Moon as the leader. You've all practiced a great deal using space mecha and have mastered some space battle tactics. Even though we can't be sure they'll come into play at the IG match, these are essential skills for any soldier."

Su Yan paused and looked around the room. Zhang Shan felt sorry. If only they could be given a little more time. He'd obtain rather high scores and could help Wang Zheng's team score better. However, there was only so much one person could do. Wang Zheng had made a strong comeback, but there weren't many opportunities for them to exhibit their skills.

Plus, it was undeniable that some people couldn't help but lose faith after he suddenly fell short.

The team leader was not allowed to drop the ball. Not even once.

It was the same as Lear losing Earth's vote of confidence. Everybody's take on his skill level took a sudden drop.

"Pirate's Assault Simulation. Mission: to rescue the hostages and take out the pirates!"

Wang Zheng, Lear, Lie Xin, and Achilles, the four candidates for team leader, were each allowed to choose five people to form a tactical team for this mission.

Time taken, casualties, and overall effect were all taken into account for this assessment.

The other team members were to stand by and watch.

Since he no longer stood much of a chance, Wang Zheng went in with the mentality to train and didn't pick Zhang Shan and Meng Tian. Instead, he brought Zhang Runan, Yuan Ye, and his gang for the test.

It was a miracle that Yuan Ye and friends could even make it to this stage, and since they'd already come so far, they naturally wanted to continue making miracles.

They didn���t think that Wang Zheng would choose them.

Lear and Lie Xin both picked their strongest teammates. Achilles, however, was in a dilemma. While others were shorthanded, he had too many people to choose from.

"Boss, I'd like to go, to take revenge!" Atos said, standing up.

Achilles had already picked Milo and Taros, and for this final mission, he didn't want to let his guard down, so Atos… was not on his list.

He failed to notice that in his hesitation, the look in Atos' eyes turned evil.

"Heh, let him come. The others won't stand a chance as long as we keep a steady footing," said Taros.

Achilles nodded. "This shall be your battle of redemption, Atos. You've got to do well."

Atos nodded. Pi Xiaoxiu and Masasi were up too. This was the strongest combination of the Eight Stars.

The four team leaders began at the same time. Space mecha sped towards the pirate ship, and before long, the pirates noticed them. A huge number of unmanned space fighter crafts emerged, and at the same time, the laser cannons on the ship took aim at the incoming mecha.

It was common for space fighter crafts to use and safeguard firepower, but they could not board the ship for a battle. Space mecha, however, could battle on both ends. The two were pretty much the same in terms of space capabilities, but the mecha were harder to control.

This was not a problem for this group of elites. They all excelled in this.

Extreme speed!

Achilles' team was indeed a lot sharper in their flight skills. Atos, Taros, and gang were all specialised in speed and were extremely quick and agile in space.

The others followed closely behind. "Wang Zheng, you should have let Zhang Shan come on this mission. Doing this will make your standing fall in the eyes of the trainers!"

Yuan Ye said.

Wang Zheng chuckled. "We're a team, and training opportunities should be fair. I think this opportunity is more important for you guys. Plus, Zhang Shan has already advanced to the next stage."

Yuan Ye and friends were moved. They had all shuffled between teams, but Wang Zheng has always treated them the same. In a match like that, whether or not there was a chance to win, others would pick their own people, pick the best, so as to leave a good impression on the trainers and win some points at least. Yet Wang Zheng gave this opportunity to them because the General was going to watch it. For people like them, who came from far flung planets, leaving a good impression on the General was exceptionally important.

Wang Zheng's choice took Drachmach by surprise too. Half of him admired his choice, while the other half wanted to criticize him. It was a good thing to give other team members a chance, but the military was still very much about true capabilities. Wang Zheng was not doing his best here.

Team Achilles was first to make it through the ambush, successfully boarding the pirates' ship.

The six of them were rather in sync, firing almost at the same time. The bombarding lasers blew a hole through and the six mech warriors rushed in immediately. In an instant, pirate mech fighters came pouring out of the same exit.

Achilles and gang had put on an imposing fight. They charged right ahead, with Taros and Atos leading, using their advantage in speed to pave the way for the rest.

Achilles was rather pleased with Taros. His presence did not ruin the atmosphere, and he even charged ahead with full awareness. Achilles had a selfish reason too. He wanted to keep his own people safe while making sure the team had the capabilities to fight.

This was for now and for all future battles.

"General, Achilles is leading by a great deal. Once he completes this mission, he will become the true number one. It'll be done once he wins on Mars," said Su Yan, smiling.

Drachmach nodded. Right about then, signals from the base entered. Meng Ao and Lie Wuqing were here to watch the final training too.

The Moon had the best equipment, which was why they were in charge of this training program. Space battles had played rather significant roles in IG battles in the past few years.

"Oh. Wang Zheng's performance seems to be lacking," Lie Wuqing said, surprised.

"He encountered some problems during the space adjustment phase and was held back by a couple of days. He's recovering quite well, but it seems like there's not much of a chance for him in this battle."

Meng Ao noticed the team members Wang Zheng had picked. He had left Meng Tian and Zhang Shan, the highest scoring members on his team, on the bench!

Had he given in to despair?

Evidently not. They were all fighting very seriously, and Wang Zheng was giving rather reasonable commands. They were not entirely going for speed.

Was he giving those with lower scores a chance to fight in a real battle? It was clear that crucial moments like that were more useful in training others.

Wang Zheng was just short of one vote to become team leader. While the difference was big, it wasn't entirely impossible, but his performance seemed pretty calm.

At this age, being able to keep calm and remain patient was a quite a virtue.

Meng Ao laid eyes on Achilles. The control of his mech was simply perfect!

The most crucial fight on the pirate ship began. Achilles displayed his might. Perfect controls, terrifying moves and accuracy, unrivalled both far and near. This was the might of the Sun God.

The rest were a step behind, and Lear came in closest. Fatty Luo Fei was quite ferocious, and you'd have to admit that Lear was pretty good, having followers who did so well. Lear took the lead in his team and gave everything he could. It was a pity he was competing with Achilles and could never stand a chance.

Achilles gathered a huge amount of firepower. Atos and Taros burst out of the blockade and dashed right to the front.

They were arriving at their final destination.

The three generals looked at each other. "Our Achilles has gotten this vote. He's almost performed perfectly this whole time. He possesses both the perfect combination of a strong individual and team player."

Drachmach had just finished his sentence when something happened.

Everybody was shocked. Atos and Taros opened their full fire, wildly bombarding the last guardsmen. But… they didn't hold on to any firepower. Atos had used up all of his ammunition.

What the… the cabin was fired open alright, but the people inside… had turned into mash???

Mission End — Failure!

Achilles and friends looked at each other, unable to believe what just happened.

They had used the shortest, possibly record-breaking, time to break in, and were just about to rescue the hostages with no casualties, but…

Atos!!!

Achilles couldn't hold it in and yelled, "What the heck are you doing!?"

Atos was still for moment. His heart pounded hard against his chest. He couldn't believe he had really done that!

It was just a fleeting moment of absence. Atos grinned. He could bid his old self farewell now.

"Ah, my apologies, the great Achilles, my lord. Your servant deserves death for using too much firepower by accident," Atos said mockingly.

That line startled everybody, but seeing the evil look on Atos' grimacing face, he… he had done that on purpose!

"Atos… Why?" Achilles never expected his long time friend to turn out this way, doing something like that at the most crucial moment.

"What why? Who do you think you are? I've been true and loyal to you, but you? Trampling down on me in times of need! Sun God? My ass! Why should I be sacrificed for your cause? I am every bit as capable as you!"

Agitated, Atos spat the truth out.

Taros grinned coldly. What an idiot. Courting his own death.

Just as Lear expected. He had asked Lear at first, whether they should take Atos in. But Lear merely shook his head. Now he understood why. Atos didn't stand a chance at all. He was definitely going to be kicked out.

Lear's team erupted in cheers. He had completed the mission smoothly. It was clear that he was going to overtake Achilles as number one after this.

Most importantly, Achilles' name had suffered a huge blow. The so-called Eight Stars of the Moon were only worth so much in this situation.

Lie Xin was a tad late. She didn't expect to win any votes here.

Wang Zheng successfully completed the mission too. Even though they didn't come in first, Yuan Ye and gang were extremely excited. Due to having been through this battle, they were more familiar with each other and had each learned something about fighting. Most importantly, being on the field had helped them build confidence.

Chapter 291: A Showdown on Mars

Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas

A Showdown on Mars

Even though they had only come in fourth, they could still hear Zhang Shan cheering enthusiastically for them. Their hearts felt warm.

…. wait a moment, they were not fourth. They completed the mission, while Team Achilles failed.

The three generals had seen a great many things in their tenure, but they never expected such a change to arise. Even though their expressions remained the same, their moods were greatly affected. Especially Drachmach's. He had always been proud of two things: Achilles' skills and the Moon's unity.

But they had an internal strife even before they left the Solar System.

Everybody was called to assemble. The Moon team looked awful. They had lost in such a ridiculous way. They were so close to putting victory in their pockets, but now it was all gone.

Achilles' handsome face did not show a single emotion.

In the end, Lear came in at 94 points, beating Achilles by just one point.

Su Yan announced the results expressionlessly. Lear had won the vote on the Moon.

Losing on Earth was nothing, but now they had this. Lear had silently but surely turned the tables around.

"On top of that, Atos is immediately disqualified for sabotaging his team," Su Yan said coolly.

If it was just a mistake, they'd have deducted a few points at most. But Atos' outburst at the end was clearly a deliberate act. There wasn't even a need for explanation. Just disqualification.

In that instant, Atos felt as if he had been sent to a frozen hell, and it was then that he woke up.

Everyone had made it. Only he was disqualified.

Milo looked at him helplessly and sympathetically. They've been friends for so long, but nobody could go up to him at this moment.

Achilles had actually been defending him all this time. He'd even stood up for him, but there was a limit to his patience. Atos had lost his grip on himself and spiraled into despair.

Atos wasn't like that in the past.

Milo glanced cooly at Taros, who had been close to Atos. Taros appeared calm and didn't even look at Atos once.

In times like these, as a true friend, he should console Atos no matter what.

Nobody said a word, and nobody showed him concern. Atos felt as if his energy had been completely drained and fell to the ground.

Su Yan frowned. How did someone so useless come from the Moon? With a wave, he commanded soldiers to carry Atos away. The Moon's glory was completely lost in front of the two generals, Meng Ao and Lie Wuqing.

"Now, Wang Zheng and Lear have a vote each. Lear, you can choose one person to advance directly."

Lear walked up, smiling. "Edison."

The whole arena fell silent. Edison???

How was that right? Not Luo Fei? Edison was considered the cushion among all those who were left. Bringing him to Aslan? Had he gone mad?

Even Edison himself was shocked. How could it be him?

Lear smiled. "This was not a fair training for Edison. He is the strongest amongst us in terms of electronic warfare and mechanics. I believe a complete team needs someone of his caliber."

The whole room was now filled with whispers. Lear did not choose Luo Fei, who was his own man, but instead chose Edison from Caragal. And it seemed that he knew and trusted Edison well.

Compared to Lear, Achilles was a complete mess.

Luo Fei patted the stunned Edison. "I'm envious, jealous, and green! Congratulations! Dinner's on you, eh?"

Despite what he just said, the fatty was full of sincere smiles. He was not envious at all.

Some people may sound dignified but carry ill intentions. In that moment, everybody's view of Lear changed.

All of a sudden, Taros stood out. "Lear is a deserving leader. I have failed to find a sense of belonging on Achilles' team. As team leader, there shouldn't be a division based on nationality. I support Lear."

In a time like this, Taros changed sides, giving Achilles a fatal stab in his back.

He had isolated the Moon team while pushing Lear to new heights.

Lear maintained a sincere smile. "I am still lacking in many areas, but I am willing to work hard with everybody. I believe that as long as we remain united as one, we will definitely achieve great results at Aslan!"

Zhang Shan pouted. "How nicely put! My ass! Why do I keep feeling that something is amiss?"

But regardless of how he felt, Lear had managed to turn things around. His glory was unparalleled.

The Moon people were unable to react or snap back. They had made a complete and utter mess on their main battleground.

In that instant, Achilles understood what had happened. Lear had been feigning weakness all this while, right from their exchange on Earth. He was aware of that for the first few months, but as time passed, he naturally forgot about Lear.

And now, he had a heavy price to pay.

Lear, Lear. The toughest rival from the Solar System. His ability to endure so much in silence had reached a whole new peak.

Milo saw through the schemes as well. Just what sort of a person was Taros? All of this only went to show that things had been pre-arranged. How scheming! How did he put up with everything till now?

Watching the smiley fatty Luo Fei, she sensed that everything that happened on Earth was pre-arranged, too. It was just that Lear had miscalculated and didn't expect Wang Zheng to enter the picture and snatch that victory from him. Otherwise, he'd have been the leader by now.

What a cruel, terrifying man!

It was too bad that not many were able to see what really happened.

All this time, Lear smiled peacefully, accepting others' congratulations.

He was never attached to material things and never pitied himself.

He was able to remain cool-headed whether he won or lost.

Who could have thought that two people from Earth would have won two votes?

The competition had become confusing and hard to unravel.

Lie Wuqing smiled. "Seems like we can only tell their capabilities apart when we get to Mars! This is a really interesting batch. We've got all sorts of people. Meng Ao, your Earthlings especially, eh!"

"Lie Wuqing, just speak your mind, no need to scold people indirectly," Meng Ao said coolly.

The whole process did not escape the three veteran generals. That was in itself a capability. Without patience and a big picture view, they'd only be disqualified at the end of the day.

Their personal liking aside, Lear was indeed more suited as team leader. Such high levels of endurance and such long term planning were not things an ordinary person could achieve.

"Wang Zheng, something's amiss. That guy, Lear, he's on fire," Zhang Shan said worriedly.

And there was practically nobody who disliked him.

Wang Zheng smiled and shook his head. "He's really pretty good. It's just too bad��"

"Too bad?"

Zhang Shan was puzzled, but Wang Zheng stopped there.

To Zhang Shan and Meng Tian, the world was perhaps a simple place. However, for Wang Zheng, who'd been through down-trodden times, especially without parents by his side, he had to rely on himself for the most part. Growing up, Old Merchant proved to be a complex character, even bipolar, and sometimes just wanted the world to burn. He didn't doubt Taros' character much, but Luo Fei's actions on Earth were a tad too obvious. Now that Lear had used up all his aces, it was too bad he had only managed to get one vote and not the final victory.

Plus, seeing how things had unfolded, Wang Zheng hoped even less for someone like that to become team leader.

A scheming character like that may go far in politics, but it was of no use in helping the Solar System prevail in the IG match.

Moreover, Lear had made a fatal mistake!

Training on Mars. The final battle. The tie-breaking battle.

Having completed their tour of the Moon, the Solar System Federation's IG selection was now in its final stage. Some were happy and some were sad. But at the very least, the Moon people were made to keep their arrogance in check and even maintain a low profile. In fact, it was hard for them not to have a low profile. Lear had risen to become the champion.

After travelling via Stars Airways from the Moon to Mars, they arrived at Spencer, the docking station outside Mars.

This was a space station designed entirely in Martian style. Inside, the temperatures of the artificial sun were set way higher than other places.

All ships that came to Mars from the Milky Way had to stop by Spencer. If there was a need, passengers would usually choose to take Mars' Intergalactic Train to get to Mars' surface.

"I'll send you off from here. You guys can take the Intergalactic Train to Watts City. There'll be someone there to tell you what to do next."

Su Yan smiled. Arriving at Mars meant it was time to bid farewell. He gave a standard military salute, turned around, and left. Not a single bit wishy-washy. Even though he didn't say a thing, after having spent so much time together, he could feel just how powerful this group of youngsters was. Their attitudes and capabilities were clearly better than those who came before them. They could very well make miracles happen.

They were the strongest pillars of strength for the future of the Solar System.

The Intergalactic Trains they were going to take were near the docks. A train would take off every five minutes, and it was pretty fast. A "Spencer-Mars" two way supply line laid parallel to the Intergalactic Train, and a supply ship would zoom right by on the line every sixty seconds, transporting all sorts of commodities from the Milky Way to Mars, and transporting Mars' goods to Spencer and to the rest of the galaxy.

Compared to the extensive supply lines, the Intergalactic Trains were nothing. They were merely used to transport passengers.

Still, taking the Intergalactic Trains was the best way to see Mars.

The trains were different from shuttles and passenger ships. They were made up of individual space cabins, similar to ancient trains, except there weren't any train tracks. They relied on the signals in space to create a specialised high-speed space tunnel and could transport passengers in a high-energy, fast, and cost-effective manner, unlike passenger ships that had to go through complicated procedures for taking off and landing.

Of course, renting a mini passenger ship was still the best option if you wanted to get to a particular spot on Mars within the shortest possible time.

After arriving at Mars, Lie Xin naturally took the lead and guided the rest. They were finally on her turf. For the Martians, this too was a battle of life and death.

Wang Zheng followed, swiping the Skylink transport card, making his way into the Intergalactic Train station.

"Earth cards are usable on Mars?" Zhang Shan asked, stunned. He followed Wang Zheng's footsteps, turned on the Skylink's transport function, and paid the entrance fees. He had just swiped the screens and yelled, "My God! 100 federation dollars?"

He turned around and saw Lie Guang using the Skylink on the gantry beside his. The screen showed a price of ten federation dollars.

"That's exorbitant!" Zhang Shan was on the verge of complaining. Discrimination much?

Chapter 292: Leader's Code

Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas

Lie Guang smiled and explained, "You're just inexperienced. Look at the Skylink receipt. Your ticket price should be ten dollars too. The other 90 dollars are admin fees. Inter-planetary transactions of small amounts are very troublesome for banks. You know it's… mainly also because Earth's and Mars' transport signals are not completely merged yet. It's not that expensive, really. Your card has been registered on Mars. They won't charge the admin fees the next time you swipe it. Oh, right, if you use it 100 times on Mars, they'll even give you a full refund of the registration fees."

Zhang Shan stared hard. 100 times? They might as well not have added that as a benefit.

"Wang Zheng, seems like you and I are both out of luck." The only thing that made Zhang Shan feel better was that Wang Zheng had swiped the transport signal before him. He didn't feel so bad since he had company.

Wang Zheng smiled and said, "I've been to Mars before. You can actually register for free at the service station…"

Register for free?

Free!!!

Zhang Shan stared so hard, his eyes looked like they were going to pop. "Why didn't you say so earlier!?"

"It's written on the Mars travel guide," Zhang Runan said, patting Zhang Shan on the shoulder, laying a blow on him. Zhang Shan shivered and said, "We're not here as tourists; who the heck has time to read that thing?"

"It's also written under the special items to note on the Skylink page where you apply for a Martian visa."

Meng Tian said, swiping her way into the station, giving Zhang Shan the "final blow".

Even though they were given the green light on all aspects since it was a IG training, the visa application had to be done in person. It was a very simple procedure that required just an electronic signature, but you had to enter the host planet's page upon signing. According to visa application procedures, it was mandatory to read all these items to note.

Zhang Shan felt deflated in an instant.

Lie Guang chuckled and consoled him, "I'll treat all of you to a good Martian meal. Just eat your stomach's worth."

"That's not the same… but… what's in a Martian meal?"

Zhang Shan was quite the glutton. He quickly forgot about the unhappiness caused by the 90 dollars and pestered Lie Guang for an answer. Wang Zheng laughed. "The last time I came, I tried a few tasty dishes. I've got to try more this time…"

Hearing Wang Zheng and Lie Guang's introduction, Zhang Shan drooled. Zhang Runan shot a look of despise at him, while Meng Tian quipped in from time to time, evidently also having been to Mars before.

Soon enough, everybody was on board the Intergalactic Train to Mars. Beside them were many other trains that were headed to other space stations or space cities. There were as many as seven space cities that orbited Mars, their population adding up to 10 million.

Similar to the city transport lines, seats on the Intergalactic Train were free for all. You could even stand if you liked. In terms of stability, the Intergalactic Train was better than transport ships.

Wang Zheng found a spot by the window and sat himself down. Zhang Shan continued to pester Lie Guang about Martian food. They also talked about things other than food. Like wrestling… like women…

Seeing that, Meng Tian took the seat beside Wang Zheng. This seat was usually taken by Zhang Shan. Brothers from the same dormitory got to look after each other outside…. these were Zhang Shan's original words.

Wang Zheng smiled. He could smell the light, natural fragrance from Meng Tian. Since IG training started, the two of them hadn't had a chance to relax and sit down together like this.

"Wang Zheng, what do you think about my abilities? What needs to be improved?"

Meng Tian suddenly asked.

Meng Tian had recently made huge improvements, and it was time for her to make a choice. There were many directions her Frost Ability could head towards. It could focus on attack, or could be used as a form of support. Looking at Wang Zheng, Meng Tian found it difficult to choose.

Wang Zheng was stumped. "No need to think for the rest of us. Choose something that suits you."

Meng Tian nodded in silence, appearing to have understood. This worried Wang Zheng instead. He looked at Meng Tian.

Meng Tian turned away. Her snow white cheeks were blushing. "What?"

"Heh. Nothing."

Wang Zheng shook his head.

Meng Tian batted her eyelids and said, "Don't worry."

"… I'm not worried."

Wang Zheng rubbed his chin and Meng Tian gave a faint smile. Since they had spent so much time training together, not everything had to be said aloud. Just a few words and a look and they understood each other.

Sharing the same type of ability gave them much better chemistry.

The Intergalactic Train slowly drove into the standard signal transport tunnel, gently rocking, and then accelerated. It did not fly in a straight path to Mars, but instead, went around it. From the windows, they could see Mars' beautiful landscape. It was a different beauty from Earth and was a lot less blue, mostly made of land.

During that time, Lie Xin was actively playing host in the cabins. The Lie family was indeed the host on Mars, being the oldest clan to live there and the most powerful family. All legitimate, illegitimate, or shady businesses had to have some sort of dealings with the Lie family to survive.

Lie Xin and Achilles had been forced into a corner. Mars was their final stop, and their final chance.

For Lie Xin, losing on home territory was unacceptable. But of course, she had to be careful of Lear, because Lear would emerge victorious if he won this match. He was way too slimy of a character.

The train completed a full circle and steadily entered Mars's atmosphere, continuing its journey 3,000 meters above the ground.

The train had more than one destination. It had a stop in every city, and there were a total of 16 state-level cities on Mars.

"Dear passengers, welcome to the Martian city of Vulture. This city used to produce a rare metal…."

Every time they made a stop in a city, the train's public announcement systems would play information about the city's local history. The train travelled at an extremely high speed, making a stop every ten minutes, so they weren't bored. They looked out the windows through the journey, admiring Mars, enjoying leisure time like they hadn't done in a long while.

Everybody tried their best to relax and let their hair down. From Earth to the Moon, the IG training was exceptionally tense and fast-paced. They were not made of metal, but as true fighters, they could always find time for themselves to take a breather.

Half an hour later, the train arrived at their destination, Watt City.

Sixth stop for the Intergalactic Train.

They had barely arrived when a group of Martian soldiers came up to welcome them on the platform.

The Martian citizens cooperated well with the soldiers, avoiding the action on this side. Onlookers also stood far away in an orderly fashion. It was not merely the way they were brought up. On Mars, all citizens had to serve in the army, and even if they couldn't make it to become a professional soldier, they had to go through two years of military training. It was just that when they spotted Meng Tian and Milo, many young men started catcalling. Martians were always open to expressing their desires.

But the moment they saw Lie Xin, those who whistled hung their heads low. She was the publicly acknowledged future Martian Queen!

Lie Xin smiled and magnanimously waved at the onlookers.

Roar–

Thunderous applause and cheers ruptured as the people's saluted their Queen.

"Everyone, here please."

The soldier who received them said, leading them out of the platform and on to a helipad on the other side. A military cargo plane was awaiting its orders.

They boarded the cargo plane and it took off without delay. Boom… the plane's body shook. A typical Martian vehicle. Boorish and with no hoots given to the details, caring only for practicality and quality.

Comfort? This word had never stayed for more than a minute on any Martian's mind.

Everybody was quiet. They were all thinking of the impending harsh and cruel training they would have to go through.

When they arrived at their destination, they did not expect to be received by a military base built on an isle in a wonderfully scenic location.

While alighting from the turbulent cargo plane, everybody felt as though they'd fallen off a cliff and into paradise.

Smiling, Lie Xin walked out and turned to the crowd. "Everybody, welcome to Lake Ithanlis."

Mars' turf. From now on, Lie Xin was going to take the lead.

An army colonel walked up and saluted.

"Everybody, welcome to the military base M1. My name is Duncan. I'm in charge of your training here. I shall cut to the chase. I only have one thing to remind everyone about. Wang Zheng won on Earth. Lear won on the Moon. In the final match on Mars, if either Wang Zheng or Lear win, they will become team leader right away. If either Achilles or Lie Xin wins, we will have an extra match. But at the end of the day, we will have everyone here to vote for the leader."

When Duncan finished his piece, everyone was shocked. Especially Achilles. This arrangement was equivalent to sealing all his paths. Even if Achilles won this round, the Moon people were thoroughly despised. Unless some sort of miracle happened, nobody would even think about voting for him.

Lear, on the other hand, had gained quite a fair bit of popularity and was coming in strong.

Duncan was a passionate fellow. He spoke and laughed heartily but still hinted to everyone that this final round was not going to be easy on them.

Lie Xin had begun calculating. There was no need for her to consider the opinions of the weaker ones at first, but now that they'd come to such a situation, it appeared that she would have to say something and win some hearts. Damned Lear. He had made a move first. The way he treated Edison and friends made him much more likeable.

Lake Ithanlis. The largest lake that was naturally formed after Mars went through its transformation. The deepest end of the lake reached over 4,000 meters, similar to an ocean, except it was all freshwater.

When Mars first became a residential planet, freshwater was a strategic resource, and hence, the military base on Lake Ithanlis was built. It was used to manage and protect the resources at first. In times of war, they had to put up defenses, and prevent the enemy from causing destruction through their freshwater resources, such as leaking radiation, poison, and so on.

Today, Mars' waters made up a full scale hydrological system that spanned across the planet. It was self-sustaining. There were oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and huge areas of forests. Water was no longer a scarce resource.

Consequently, the military base took on a new purpose and became the nurturing grounds of Mars' Special Forces: Military Base M1.

M stood for Mars. The number "1" represented its place in the Special Forces.

The crowd made its way into the base. The interior design was consistent with the Martian way of life. Boorish, simple, practical, and sturdy.

While it looked dull on the outside, it had everything it needed and was in very good condition.

"Take a good rest today. Training will officially begin tomorrow," said Colonel Duncan, after taking everyone on a simple tour of the base and assigning their bunks. He spoke shortly with Lie Xin and left.

Duncan had just stepped out when Lie Xin clapped her hands together, signaling that she had a few words to say.

Chapter 293: Winning Hearts

Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas

Everyone quieted down and looked at Lie Xin. They were told earlier that the Martian training would be hellish, way tougher than the previous sessions. But looking at their environment now, they felt too comfortable.

"I've managed to ask for some welfare benefits. We still have half a day to let loose and relax before training starts again. The lake here is said to be the cleanest of all the Solar System, and its water can be directly consumed. Does everybody want to go for a swim?"

Lie Guang smiled and added, "It's a hint. The first training phase will have something to do with the water."

A short moment of silence later, roar! Everybody broke into cheers.

The training pace had been way too intense for the past few days. It would be nice to relax. This was a sentiment that was shared by everybody regardless of abilities or nationality. Moreover, Lie Guang had given a clear hint: the next stage of training was battling on water. It was necessary for them to recover their long forsaken senses in the water.

"Boss? Should we…?"

Masasi looked at Achilles. The Martians were way too direct. Lie Xin was obviously trying to win the people's hearts.

Achilles gave a faint smile and said, "Not everyone gets a chance to swim in Lake Ithanlis. Everybody should relax. I've been too hard before. I know what to do from here on."

Others had all thought that the defeat on the Moon was a huge blow to Achilles.

But in reality… it awakened the lion who had been soundly asleep in him. He hadn't taken action when necessary, which led to mistake after mistake. That was because he didn't want to tip the balance given his overpowering capabilities. Now that Lear's scheme was out in the open, there was nothing to be afraid of.

Nobody could ever resist Lake Ithanlis' invitation, especially with its Golden Beach. The snow white sand was fine and soft. Standing on it and having the warm sand covering the feet felt like a gentle, gentle massage.

Basking in the sun and enjoying the fresh air far from the city and from crowds was like living in paradise.

Wang Zheng was very relaxed. He put on the military designed training trunks and lied down on the pristine sand half-naked, enjoying the heat from the sun. The Primordial Regression Technique automatically kicked into play inside him. That feeling was so comfortable, so much like paradise. His relaxed mind emptied, but then very quickly, it became filled with Aina's pretty smile. He couldn't help it but feel silly and full of happiness.

Zhang Shan was able to find amusement in his own way too. Swimming was not important. Pretty girls were. Hot damn! Lie Xin had the figure of a devil!

That tiny waist! Those long legs! And what a cute bum! Matched with that sexy smile… f*ck. Zhang Shan felt something stirring within him. Dammit! How embarrassing!

Zhang Shan was too embarrassed to keep looking, but Lie Xin had made her way towards him. The short distance between them made the feeling grow even stronger. Lie Xin looked at Zhang Shan's covered lower half and smiled. "I never knew you were so capable down there."

Zhang Shan belonged to the type that couldn't be provoked. The stronger the push, the stronger he felt. He stylishly removed the towel and said, "The same goes to you. I used to think that Mars was quite desolate, but it seems like this is paradise. Especially in terms of Martian ladies."

Zhang Shan openly admired Lie Xin's figure. What a bomb! Those breasts, that tall butt, and iconic Martian long, beautiful legs. Even her feet looked supple, tempting him every bit of the way. Only Lie Xin could wear that red hot two-piece swimsuit and emit an air of queenly elegance. A blazing beauty.

"Your personality is very well-suited for Mars. Consider joining me. No need to talk about other things. I've got quite a few girlfriends who are hotter and sexier than me. They admire gifted students from Earth very much," Lie Xin said in a raspy voice, licking her lower lip. Extremely attractive.

"Hah. If Wang Zheng agrees, I'm in. But I think you should consider joining us instead. Wang Zheng is soft-hearted when it comes to girls," Zhang Shan retorted.

Lie Xin smiled and didn't take things to heart. It was important that Mars and Earth had a good relationship. It could come into play in any unforeseen circumstances.

"No matter who wins, when training is over and you want to get to know beautiful girls, you can come to me. We're comrades-in-arms anyway." Lie Xin chuckled. She would definitely be selected, and Zhang Shan had already been selected. The two of them were bound to go to Aslan. Saying they were comrades-in-arms was not wrong.

Zhang Shan retreated back to Wang Zheng's side and lied flat on the sand. "I'm thinking… should I get a Martian girlfriend? I heard girls from Mars are open-minded to that sort of thing, and I'm good at…" Zhang Shan said, looking at Wang Zheng's lower half.

He was stumped. "What the heck did you put in there? No need to put on such a show."

Wang Zheng was between laughter and tears. "It's such a nice and sunny day. Can you not ruin it with your dirty mind?"

"My brother, you've got to live life while you can! There are beautiful girls out here and you won't even look! I really don't understand you."

Wang Zheng blinked a couple of times. The Lie Xin today indeed gave people urges. But Wang Zheng obviously saw things differently. Of course he enjoyed looking at beauties, but he only ever desired for Aina. Maybe it was a difference in their personalities. For instance, Yan Xiaosu was a flirt. An Mei should keep a closer eye on him…

Lie Xin had sworn to win the vote on Mars and so to Wang Zheng, her charm was full of aggression.

But even so, she was still beautiful.

Just then, wearing a blue-coloured one-piece swimsuit, Meng Tian walked over. She did not ask Lie Xin for swimwear, but Lie Xin had specially prepared it. No one knew how Lie Xin had managed to convince her to put it on. It was as if ice had met with fire. God knows if anything had happened in the changing rooms. Anyhow, when Meng Tian came out, she was blushing…

Meng Tian glanced at Wang Zheng as if there was something on her mind, and then, without a word, she walked towards the lake.

Wang Zheng watched Meng Tian's silhouette. The curves were dreamy, and her legs were fair and supple. Any larger would be too much, and any thinner would make them too skinny. Compared to Lie Xin's hotness, Meng Tian's beautiful legs made people feel serene, comfortable, and gave them a wish to protect her. That was the Earthly beauty. One made others want to dominate and violate, the other made people want to embrace and love.

Beautiful girls were indeed a god-send. They were the most beautiful scenes. To think they had such benefits during training! After admiring for some time, Wang Zheng turned around to see Zhang Runan in her casual wear, walking over with a canvas and an easel in her hands.

Everybody had guessed that Zhang Runan would never go for a swim. Her muscles were tougher than most of the boys here. It would have been fine if she had a boorish personality, but she happened to be one who was sensitive. Regardless, Manly Sister Nan was a prominent figure on the team, so nobody dared to tease her.

Zhang Runan set up her canvas on the easel and carefully arranged her painting materials. She dipped the paintbrush with color and started painting on the canvas. A few strokes later, Zhang Runan stopped and looked at Wang Zheng and Zhang Shan. "Is it nice?"

"You're done painting?" Zhang Shan stared at the canvas. It looked like a bunch of colors being mashed together.

Wang Zheng smiled. It was clear that Zhang Runan was not asking about her drawing. Neither was she talking about Lie Xin alone. "Both are great. They each have outstanding qualities."

Yuan Ye came up to Zhang Runan's side. Such a tough woman who could paint! To Yuan Ye, she was elegant, classy, and primed. He admired her thoroughly. She could fight and make art, simply his ideal, perfect type.

Zhang Runan painted in silence. Yuan Ye watched her quietly. It was peaceful. At least Zhang Runan didn't chide him anymore.

Chapter 294: Achilles' Challenge

Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas

After enjoying a bit of sunshine, everybody's focus went back to diving.

They wanted to get accustomed to the feeling of being in the water. Since they had trained to swim in the first stage of physical training, everybody was able to swim very well. However, swimming and battling underwater were two distinctive feelings.

The trainings were getting vigorous and their performance on day one was important. The least they could do was avoid being embarrassed.

Everybody was serious. They all dove into Lake Ithanlis after a short break and commenced underwater battle training with their teammates.

Of course, the training was just for acclimatisation and were not rigorous.

Zhang Shan and Wang Zheng got into the water together and idled where the water was 20 meters deep. Neither too deep nor too shallow. They had some basic underwater battle knowledge like the others.

For an acclimatisation battle, being in the water was difficult for them to exert energy and move about. There was resistance from the water, as well as water pressure exerted all around them. It was not a pleasing sight. It felt kind of like a slow-motion film.

This was the case for most people, but…

Whoosh!

Two rays of light flashed and disappeared in the water, just like people running at high-speed on land.

The two figures were not just fast, they sparred with each other. The water did not resist, but instead, assisted. Every move of theirs was aided by the water, making them faster and more powerful.

One of the figures was exceptionally good-looking, perfectly curved, and dreamy underwater, like a mermaid swimming out from fantasyland.

It was Lie Xin!

The other figure was Lie Guang.

The two heirs of the Lie Family were like dragons swimming in the sea, exhibiting near Ability X level water battling skills.

Even though it was a time for recreational acclimatisation, the fight had to go on. Lie Xin had already gone ahead to make that point.

Achilles smirked. It has to be said that Achilles had an almost perfect body. With well-defined muscles that were not overboard and fair skin that glowed with a tint of yellow under the Sun, he looked very healthy. Coupled with that ever-confident look on his face, if he were to go into acting, he would definitely become a star.

He glanced at Lie Xin and launched into action, diving into deeper water. 30 meters, 40 meters, 50 meters….

From now on, he would not let any opportunity involving challenges slip by. He shall prevail in everything!

Over at another end, Luo Fei and Stocker were sparring. Stocker's ability had to do with water. He could breathe freely in the water and the water pressure's impact on him was a third it had on others.

But Luo Fei was more terrifying. With his fatty build, he was able to suppress and beat up Stocker, who had a great advantage in water.

It was an odd suppression and a weird-looking fight. Fatty's moves were not quick, but he was able to catch hold of Stocker's pace and steps. And even though his movement was slow, his attacks at crucial moments were shockingly fast.

Stocker was very surprised. He had an Ability X in this area, but this fatso could battle against him at the same level! Just what was he made of? Was his fat concealing secrets?

Just then, Luo Fei caught sight of Achilles diving deeper into the water. Competing in depth? Could anyone even beat Stocker? He gave Stocker a look. Challenging Achilles had become everybody's favorite pastime.

Stocker chuckled and dove after Achilles.

With Stocker on his heels, Achilles' plan would go to waste. No matter how deep he went, Stocker would surpass him. Sometimes fame could be a heavy burden.

The two of them dove deeper and deeper. Stocker was forcing Achilles' hand, turning a simple display of acclimatisation into a competition. Eventually, the two figures disappeared from the crowd's line of sight. But their swimsuits both contained a mini tracker.

Everybody floated up to the surface. Lie Xin smiled and, using the Skylink, activated the tracker.

Depth: 100 meters…

They were still going deeper.

It was getting overboard. Under normal circumstances, diving to such a depth would require careful preparations, especially for Achilles. He had spent some time at 20 meters deep and didn't even take a breath before diving straight down.

But for Stocker, he was not concerned about breathing. The only thing that was getting in his way was the water pressure.

150 meters… 170 meters…

200 meters!

The blinking light that represented Stocker came to an abrupt stop and rose up very quickly.

Lie Guang smiled. "The density of water in Lake Ithanlis is different from other places. The water beyond 200 meters is denser and contains very little oxygen."

Stocker's greatest edge was his ability to breathe underwater. But his weakness was being too reliant on that. The moment he entered regions with little oxygen, his abilities in the water were no longer a match to others.

And Achilles continued to dive further and further down…

210 meters, 220 meters…

Lie Xin's expression turned serious. Her personal best was diving to 265 meters in Lake Ithanlis.

The deeper it was, the greater the water pressure and also the denser the water. This was a unique trait of Lake Ithanlis. Beyond the 200 meter mark, every 10 meters down would prove to be a few times more difficult.

250 meters, 260 meters…

270 meters!

He had broken Lie Xin's record! But Achilles continued diving.

By then, it had been five minutes since Achilles took the first dive.

Achilles was still going. The Moon people were getting anxious, Milo in particular. Having heard Lie Guang talk about the density of the lake water, she looked up for information on Lake Ithanlis using the Skylink. The relevant information talked about how the density of the water turned extremely complex after 200 meters and how every additional 10 meters possessed a new complication. Stocker did not surface solely due to the lack of oxygen. He could sense the abnormality in water quality and had backed off knowingly.

300 meters!

Achilles' blinking light finally stopped. There was no movement. It didn't go further down, but neither did it begin to rise. It had stopped at that depth.

10 seconds, 30 seconds….

Just as the Moon people could not bear it any longer, the dot began moving upwards on the screen.

Achilles was coming back up!

"This speed is way too well paced. Could it be a floating corpse?"

A voice said coldly. It was fatty Luo. Beside him was the neglected Stocker. Stocker had personally experienced the water beyond the 200 meters mark. It was not a place human beings should dive into.

The Moon people glared angrily, but the worried looks in their eyes could not be masked.

Everybody else was anxious too. Lie Guang frowned. Indeed, the speed he was coming up at didn't look like the speed of rising from a dive. It did look like a floating body.

"Should we prepare for an emergency rescue?"

Given Achilles' strength, definitely nothing serious had happened. But it was likely that he was unconscious.

Lie Guang had just finished his sentence when the screen showed the dot accelerating at an immense speed. It reached the surface line in a flash. Splash!

There was a loud sound.

Achilles leapt from the water!

It was not him!

Underneath him, he was riding a monster fish! The monster fish leapt into the air with Achilles on it, like a dragon coming out of the ocean, creating a huge splash.

The fish's mouth was huge and ferocious-looking, crammed with enormous sharp teeth. Its body was long but flat and oval.

The Fanged Carp. It was a deep water monster fish that originated from some ocean planet outside of the Solar System. It was cruel and violent in nature and had a strong sense of territory. Any living creatures that entered its territory would be viciously attacked. It didn't kill only for food.

It was a regular guest on the Milky Way's Animal World Channel's promotional videos, so everybody recognized it immediately.

As could be seen, Achilles had trespassed its territory.

But it was clear that this violent Fanged Carp had been tamed by Achilles, acting as his mount underwater.

How did he do that?

Achilles was Achilles. There was no need to explain. The name itself was the reason. Never forget, he was the strongest person from the Solar System at Academy X!

The Moon people cheered wildly.

Achilles' performance had stunned many. His abilities were undoubtedly strong. It was just that in terms luck, he was trodden as if he had offended Lady Luck.

Forget diving to 300 meters, forget unique swimming capabilities. Many people could do the same if they were more professional and had prepared themselves better. Maybe not as easily as Achilles did, but they could do it nonetheless. But taming a Fanged Carp at 300 meters deep!

The Sun God lived up to his name.

Many people crowded over to the Moon's side to look at the fish. The Mars people were curious too. Even though they knew that there were Fanged Carp in Lake Ithanlis, they had not seen anyone capture a live one in the past few decades.

Luo Fei rubbed his nose. Looking at the Fanged Carp, he drooled. He really wanted to go over and ask Achilles what he intended to do with the fish. He would suggest barbecuing it… it's been said that the Fanged Carp was a top-notch delicacy in the Milky Way.

But the Moon people didn't look friendly. Wang Zheng was more fun.

Wang Zheng and Zhang Shan came to take a look too. The Fanged Carp was vicious, but to Achilles, it was extremely docile. Others had put their hands out to touch it and it immediately turned and tried to bite at them.

Luo Fei came up to Wang Zheng and Zhang Shan. "Wang Zheng, given your abilities, why don't you go and get one for us to play with, eh? I heard this fish is an absolute delicacy in the mortal realm."

Wang Zheng chuckled and said, "I am very interested in food, that's right. But my swimming is only average. Why don't you talk to Achilles and see if you can buy it from him? I can barbecue it."

Achilles had gone all out for himself. He wanted to make it clear to everybody that he was the strongest, that all the schemes and plans against him would not hold up against absolute strength. Those who were present were all clever people. Liking someone was one thing, victory was another. They were soldiers. They were not going to Aslan to embarrass themselves.

"Wang Zheng, you're good at everything, but you're just too humble to admit it. I see you definitely have great abilities underwater," said Stocker. "Don't try to hide anymore. There's definitely more than one Fanged Carp down there! Show us!"

"Yea, that's right, Wang Zheng! I almost forgot. You came in first place in the first training phase! You were shockingly fast in the lake. This is not a competition, don't let Achilles get all the glory and limelight!" Lie Xin chuckled.

Achilles joined in. "Why don't you try it, Wang Zheng?"

Lear, on the other hand, was neglected. Even Achilles wanted to compete with Wang Zheng. Could it be that he saw Wang Zheng as a rival?