Chapter 37

Chapter 37

The broadcast of the Desolate Star Competition deployed twelve sets of miniature cameras, each with three units capturing footage, providing twelve channels for audience subscription.

The channel featuring Lin Fu and his team was Channel 7. Due to the strong alliance between Hui Lion Academy and Artemis Military School, they attracted the majority of attention, causing their subscription rate to steadily rise, and correspondingly, the rates for other channels to decline.

In the resplendent palace, the Emperor sat gripping the scepter symbolizing his authority, staring at the contrasting subscription data on the live broadcast. His face darkened, his hand clutching the scepter tightened, veins bulging ominously.

Though the palace seemed radiant and the scepter heavy with significance, in truth, both were mere shells.

It was ludicrous that the esteemed Royal Military Academy's subscription rate was being suppressed by several no-name, backwater military schools.

At this rate, in a few years, the Royal Military Academy might be struck off the list of the top five military schools, replaced by others.

His expression grew uglier, his psychic energy fluctuating wildly with his agitated emotions, causing the palace servants in the inner chambers to bow their heads, trembling with fear, dreading the Emperor's wrath might be unleashed upon them.

Just then, a notification sounded from outside the door.

The crown prince, with a neatly folded cloak draped over his arm, entered the room with a big smile and a confident stride, "Greetings, Father Emperor."

The Emperor's expression softened slightly.

He looked at the crown prince with a pleasant demeanor, "How did you handle this matter?"

The crown prince, full of confidence, declared, "Executed to perfection."

The Emperor's anger dissipated in just a few short sentences, his mood lifting, "Truly my son. By the way, have you watched the Desolate Star Tournament broadcast?"

A peculiar light flashed in Crown Prince Seymon Constantine's eyes, "I've seen parts of it, Father. That guide, quite beautiful. Although of humble origin, given that his psychic powers have been restored, and he managed to return alive from the Desolate Star Tournament, he's sufficiently excellent and just barely worthy of our royal lineage."

This topic came up without any warning.

The Emperor quickly caught on to his son's line of thought, revealing a satisfied smile, "Exactly... that's right! Such a guide is indeed a match for our royal house!"

*

The Lin family had subscribed to all channels as soon as the broadcast of the Desolate Star Tournament began.

Despite not being a harmonious family, they surprisingly unified at this moment with a single wish: hoping Lin Fu would perish in the Desolate Star Tournament, never to return to the Imperial Capital Star.

Since Lin Fu had emerged, the Lin family had become like rats crossing the street, scorned and ridiculed online by any nameless commoner, and they were tired of being metaphorically dragged out and flogged every other day.

Lin Si Ji had even been demoted from a high-ranking government official to a neglected peripheral position.

This was partly thanks to the high-profile, irrational fans of Lin Fu!

Only with Lin Fu's death could this disgrace be washed away from their family name sooner.

A mere guide, daring to enter the battlefield, how utterly ignorant of life and death!

Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

When Lin Fu appeared unharmed in the broadcast, they were so enraged they wished they could leap through the screen and strangle him!

Yet, the barrage of comments was a celebration, filled with joy for Lin Fu's survival.

It was a sight that pained their eyes.

The most infuriating part was that they had lost the initiative; it was no longer the time when they could act against Lin Fu at will. All they could do now was watch him obtain what he desired amidst the adoration of countless people.

……

Under the watchful eyes of many, Lin Fu and his group, after a brief exchange and rest, set off on the third day.

Their conversations weren't fully captured by the recording devices, as the intentionally lowered voices were inaudible.

The audience, unaware of their plans, was anxious and restless.

"Why do the Artemis Military Academy and the Hui Lion Institute seem to be in poor condition?"

"Especially Lin Fu and the Hui Lion Institute, why have they become so thin? They looked vigorous and healthy during the school anniversary games."

"I'm more concerned about whether any of them got an energy core. The integrity of the teams seems intact, but for the five major military academies, merely surviving is too underwhelming."

"Coming from the Royal Military Academy's live room, the situation report says they've lost half of their people, but they secured two energy cores, enough to guarantee two people a spot in the rankings!"

"Holy crap, doesn't that mean they'll be captains as soon as they get out? Becoming an officer and staying away from the front lines increases their chances of survival!"

"With this, the remaining unknown energy cores are down to eight. Xuanjian Military Academy and Flying Fish Military Academy together have three, leaving only five up for grabs. It's nerve-wracking!"

According to the long-standing rules of the Desolate Star Tournament, besides survival, those who rank will be promoted to the rank of captain immediately after the tournament. To obtain a military rank before military exploits is the first step forward for countless people.

Almost every person who has become a general started their journey from the Desolate Star Tournament, securing a spot in the rankings.

In other words, if the anniversary games of the five major military academies are the competition of the youngest generation of top military schools, symbolizing the strongest contemporary combat power to a certain extent, then the preliminary spots in the Desolate Star Tournament are earmarked for future generals.

Like a shot of adrenaline, countless viewers were glued to the live broadcast, afraid of missing any exciting moment.

*

In the Desolate Star Tournament arena.

A team of over a hundred people advanced methodically through the dense jungle, resting at fixed intervals before setting out again.

Low murmurs of conversation blended with the chirping of birds.

Lin Fu occasionally glanced up, using his peripheral vision to monitor the covertly hidden follow-cameras above.

This team gathered nearly the combined strength of two deployment points. Except for those who died following the Hui Lion Institute and those from the Artemis Military Academy who ran away after the incident, the rest were all here.

After months of acclimation, everyone had evidently become familiar with each other's character, engaging in enjoyable conversations.

Yan Yan resumed his role as the team leader of Artemis, jointly leading the team with Milton Su, examining the remaining traces to guide direction and decision-making.

Lin Fu had been hands-off these past two days, and Yan Yan also changed his previous habit of frequently consulting Lin Fu, seldom engaging in extra conversation with him.

Albert and his two companions followed closely behind Lin Fu, walking leisurely shoulder to shoulder, giving the impression of being on an outing rather than competing.

Lin Fu didn't hold it against him.

If the camera were angled slightly lower, it would reveal that Lin Fu was almost being guided along by Albert and Tang Qian.

His spiritual tendrils unfurled, entwining the trees and dispersing in the wind, capturing every minute detail.

Their initial goal was survival, but that didn't mean they weren't aiming for victory.

Securing more spots in the rankings is not only greatly beneficial for the individuals but also for the military academy. Each additional person in the rankings significantly boosts the academy's appeal.

Especially after stirring up some trouble in the council and inciting their ire, ending the competition so simply would be far too easy.

After crossing several mountains and stepping into the plains, the dense forest gave way to grasslands and hills.

The interstellar netizens, who had watched them scale mountains for three days, were dozing off.

"Why are they constantly on the move? Where are they headed? Haven't they traversed this small planet after all this time?"

"I'm going crazy, just this? Just this? I've been waiting with bated breath for so long, just to watch you climb mountains? Goodbye, it's more interesting to watch the internal squabbles of the Royal Military Academy."

"Forget it, I'll go watch Xuanjian Military Academy's live room where they're fighting bugs."

"Take me with you. If I'd known the two strongest academies in this Desolate Star Tournament would be so lackluster, I wouldn't have spent money on their channels."

Gradually, the number of viewers in the live room dwindled.

Suddenly, someone asked with puzzlement: "Is the distance between Artemis Military Academy and the Royal Military Academy getting closer? Can someone good at recognizing terrain take a slow look?"

"It seems... it really is!"

"It's not just 'seems,' and it's not just 'getting closer,' the Artemis Military Academy is heading straight for the Royal Military Academy!"

On the verdant, rolling prairies, traces were easily left behind, especially by large groups of people, in the grass that reached half a person's height.

The high-altitude camera elevated its perspective, tracing faint patterns across the emerald blanket below. Artemis and her companions rapidly advanced along these marks, gaining speed with every stride.

Lin Fan's spirit threads, dispersed in the air, touched upon the Royal Military Academy thousands of kilometers ahead. The entire team's advance halted abruptly as a multitude of spirit threads retracted and a low voice rang out like the call to battle: "Found it."

"Boom!"

A mech was deployed, treading across the green carpet. The intense thrust from its feet erased all distances in an instant.

Then, countless mechs were unleashed, charging towards their target.

The undulating, verdant prairie instantly turned into a carpet truly trodden underfoot by the steel giants, leaving their marks.

Even as the personnel of the Royal Military Academy deployed their mechs in a vigilant flurry upon hearing the commotion, they were caught off guard.

The team leader was pinned down by Milton, his colossal mech body flailing like an upturned turtle, struggling in vain.

The others were similarly positioned, subdued on the ground, while Artemis's side had spare hands that hadn't even acted, standing by, watching intently, ready to strike should anyone falter.

For a brief moment, from a high vantage point, their distance seemed vast, even concealed within the grass, invisible to each other.

Yet in the next instant, the personnel of the Royal Military Academy were completely overwhelmed, lying in humiliation on the ground at the mercy of their conquerors.

Not only were the people of the Royal Military Academy stunned by this sudden turn of events, but so were all the viewers watching the live broadcast.

They stared, dumbfounded, at the unfolding scene.

"...What happened?"

"Instant kill?"

"Holy crap!!! That black mech is Lin Fan's, right? How does it feel even more powerful??"

"Whoa, looks like the Royal Military Academy won't be able to save a single energy core now."

Trampled under Milton's feet, the leader of the Royal Military Academy spoke with anger and humiliation: "How dare you! A sneak attack?!"

Even through the mech, Milton's scoff was laden with sarcasm: "What wouldn't we dare? If it weren't for us today but the higher-tier insectoids, none of you would survive. It's sheer dumb luck that you've made it this far."