Chapter 71: Exchange Competition (III)

Chapter 71: Exchange Competition (III)

The next morning, the Canglan Star Region participants, following yesterday’s team divisions, set up basic defensive devices at their base to prepare for the upcoming battle.

Cang Cheng and Mo Yu were on the same team.

With Mo Yu, the weapon designer, taking over everything, Cang Cheng couldn’t get a chance to help. Every time he tried, Mo Yu shot him down.

As a result, Cang Cheng just sat back on the hoverboard, glancing around like he was on a leisurely tour, totally relaxed.

Danmaku:

"It didn’t take long for him to show his true colors. The fifth prince is such a liability."

"The fifth prince can’t carry anything and can’t even lift his hands. Mo Yu must feel so unlucky to be stuck with him."

"Can this useless person have a bit of self-awareness? Mo Yu doesn’t want your help, but can’t you be more proactive?"

"Useless fifth prince."

...

Of course, there were a few people defending Cang Cheng, but they were a small minority.

Mo Yu finished setting up the last defensive device.

"Your Highness, I’m done with the setup. Ready to head back?"

Mo Yu rode ahead on his hoverboard, clearing obstacles from the path for Cang Cheng.

Danmaku:

"I had a question yesterday. Why is Mo Yu being so attentive to the fifth prince?"

"Ever since the tree hollow incident, something feels off between them."

"So… what exactly happened in the tree hollow? I’m dying of curiosity."

"What did the useless prince even do? Probably cut some shady deal or something."

"Back off! The fifth prince scored 6,000 points yesterday. Can you say the same?"

...

"Enough already! Fu Congfei’s team is getting ambushed by the Giant Rock Star Region!"

"What?!"

"!"

...

After a flurry of exclamation marks in the Danmaku, the spectators quickly switched to follow Fu Congfei and Sang Ning’s teams.

The people from the Giant Rock Star Region, disguised as rocks, ambushed Fu Congfei and Sang Ning. To protect Fu Congfei, Sang Ning was crushed and her leg broken.

Fu Congfei detonated the weapon’s energy core and carried Sang Ning to safety.

One Canglan Star Region member was temporarily out of action, and they lost a Grade A weapon.

"How did the people from the Giant Rock Star Region find our base? It's only the second day, and it's still daytime! In the past, conflicts usually only happened on the second night, right?"

"Caught completely off guard..."

"Those two girls did well to escape unharmed."

"What's so great about it? Two A-grade Awakened individuals couldn't even beat a B+ grade from the Giant Rock Star Region? That's a joke."

……

Fu Congfei was covered in blood and wounds.

Her entire body ached. The impact from the self-detonated weapon's energy cell had broken several of her ribs, causing internal bleeding in her organs.

But Fu Congfei couldn't collapse. Sang Ning had broken her leg saving her. If she fell, there was no way Sang Ning could return to the base safely.

She must make it back to the base!

Sang Ning: "Fei, you're badly injured. Put me down. I can make it back on my own."

Fu Congfei: "Shut up. Your leg is broken, and you think you can walk back? With your hands?"

Sang Ning: "I'm sorry... I'm causing you trouble. If I hadn't been injured, you wouldn't be in this situation now. It's all my fault."

As Sang Ning spoke, Fu Congfei felt an even deeper sense of guilt.

It was her own carelessness that led to Sang Ning breaking her leg to save her, yet now she was the one apologizing.

Fu Congfei: "You're not a trouble. I won't leave you behind."

Sang Ning rested her head on Fu Congfei's neck, her gaze falling on her vulnerable blood vessels for a moment, but she ultimately did nothing. "You're too kind, Feifei."

……

Shakily, Fu Congfei pushed open the door to Base 0, feeling a great relief as she saw Mo Yu and Cang Cheng already there.

"Help... save us."

With that, Fu Congfei collapsed.

Mo Yu quickly moved both of them to the sofa.

The base didn't have a healing device, and the alchemist Xing Qing hadn't returned yet. Mo Yu could only guess based on their condition: "Fu Congfei has internal injuries, and Sang Ning has a crushed fracture on her right leg. An intermediate healing potion should do the trick."

Mo Yu only found 5 vials of basic healing potion in the base's communal resource box. The basic healing potion could only treat minor external wounds and wouldn't be effective for Fu Congfei and Sang Ning's injuries.

"I have intermediate potions. I'll go get them."

Cang Cheng took out the intermediate healing potions made by Mù Xīng from his backpack. These potions had only been tested as basic-level at the time, and Cang Cheng had brought quite a few with him.

Cang Cheng handed the potion to Mo Yu.

After administering the potions to the two injured individuals, their conditions improved significantly.

Half an hour later, the others gradually returned to the base, expressing surprise upon seeing Fu Congfei and Sang Ning injured.

How did they get hurt so badly?

Yi Moshang asked with concern, "What happened? How bad are the injuries?"

Fu Congfei, now awake, recounted the situation and then lowered her head. "I'm sorry, I broke a Grade A weapon."

Wu Ling: "The people from the Giant Rock Star Region? Did you take them out?"

Fu Congfei felt a bit embarrassed. "I didn't see the score notification, so they probably didn't die."

Wu Ling snorted coldly. "They snuck up on us, and you even broke a weapon. What am I supposed to say? We already have someone dragging the team behind, and now it's going to be even harder."

Fu Congfei lowered her head and remained silent.

Mo Yu: "Don't make sarcastic remarks that affect morale. Didn't you learn in school that military regulations state 'Anyone who boosts the enemy's morale and undermines our own will be given 50 lashes with an electric whip and stripped of their military rank, banned for life from working in government institutions'?"

Wu Ling snorted again but stopped making sarcastic remarks.

His goal was to become a member of the Guard of the third prince. A prerequisite for that was to graduate with the rank of lieutenant. If he lost his rank because of his loose tongue, it would be a huge loss.

Edward furrowed his brow. "The people from the Giant Rock Star Region came faster than expected. None of us anticipated that. It's impressive that Fu Congfei and Sang Ning managed to escape with just the loss of a weapon."

"Later, we'll split into two teams as planned yesterday. Two people will stay at Base 0, and the remaining six will act as a group to try and defeat the people from the Giant Rock Star Region first."

With a new goal in sight, the group's frustrated mood cleared away.

One failure didn't mean there would be failures in the future; they needed to pull themselves together and regroup.

Fu Congfei took the initiative to suggest, "Sang Ning's leg hasn't fully healed, and it's inconvenient for her to move. Why don't we have Sang Ning and His Highness stay at the base this afternoon?"

Sang Ning looked concerned. "But Fu Congfei, you're not fully recovered yet either."

Fu Congfei laughed confidently. "I can run and jump; don't worry, I'll be fine."

The teams were decided, and Xing Qing took the time to make 8 intermediate healing potions to distribute among everyone.

Sang Ning handed her Grade A weapon to Fu Congfei and took a spare Grade B weapon for herself.

Sang Ning: "Compared to you, His Highness and I are safer here. So don't refuse, Fu Congfei."

Fu Congfei was even more touched. "You're really kind. Don't worry, I'll make sure the people from the Giant Rock Star Region don't reach Base 0!"

Once they were ready, the six set out with a solemn atmosphere.

This wasn't a drill—it was the real deal.

At 1:00 PM, the sky suddenly darkened with clouds, and with a loud rumble, heavy rain poured down.

At 1:30 PM, the score updates came in.

Canglan Star Region lost territory, score -500.

By 2:30 PM, Canglan Star Region's score dropped from 60,000 to just over 50,000, decreasing by more than 8,000. In terms of base units, that was equivalent to 15 or 16 territories being occupied.

By 5:00 PM, Canglan Star Region's score was just over 50,000, and out of the 80 expanded base units, around 30 had been occupied.

On the other hand, Giant Rock Star Region's score rose to over 50,000 due to continuous expansion, almost leveling with Canglan Star Region's score.

Forum Discussion:

"What's happening with Canglan Star Region?! Fight back already!"

"In a 6-on-7 scenario, how are we getting outplayed by the enemy?"

"Our combat strength is clearly superior, but the Giant Rock Star Region is very skilled in battle, familiar with tactics, and has a very mature combat system. They are veterans."

"The Giant Rock Star Region seems to see through our movement routes. Our commands are too weak."

"The command has done their best. We hid in mud pits and still got discovered..."

"If the prince who is holding us back was replaced with an A-grade combatant..."

"Let’s be realistic. We can’t just blame everything on the fifth prince. Our team lacks experience, and swapping someone in wouldn’t help unless it’s a general."

"So, are we going to lose?"

...

The spectators watching the competition became anxious and demoralized.

Just yesterday, the Canglan Star Region had a significant advantage. How did the situation suddenly reverse in just half a day?

The Canglan Star Region was now facing a significant disadvantage.

While the six members were out fighting the enemy, Cang Cheng stayed in the room the whole time.

There was no live broadcast system in the base, so Cang Cheng didn’t know exactly what was happening outside. However, from the continuously lost base points, it wasn’t hard to guess that the participants were being heavily suppressed by the Giant Rock Star Region.

"Lack of experience is certainly a factor, but it shouldn’t result in nearly half of the bases being breached in one afternoon..."

Cang Cheng was somewhat puzzled.

The team that went out from the Canglan Star Region had A- or A-minus awakening ranks, with a well-balanced role configuration.

Three Spirit Warriors, one commands, one alchemist, and one weapon master. Even with lack of experience, they shouldn’t have lost so badly.

Unless either they had an overwhelming combat advantage, or our commands were completely outsmarted.

Cang Cheng thought the latter was more likely.

At this point, with consecutive bases being seized, it was imaginable that the participants from the Canglan Star Region were in critical danger.

As a member of the Canglan Star Region, Cang Cheng certainly wasn’t going to just let it slide.

He decided to do something small first.

Cang Cheng placed one hand on the ground, concentrated his mental energy, and injected energy into the ground. Then, three small earthen figures, only ankle-high, were created out of thin air.

Cang Cheng then used a transformation spell to change the appearance of the small earthen figures into metal mechanical earthen figures. They looked exactly like the high-tech products of the Canglan Star Region.

Cang Cheng gave each of the three metal earthen figures a base flag.

"Go and plant the flags outside!"

The metal-skinned earthen figures wobbled, lifted the over-two-meter-high flags, nodded their heads, and then vanished into the ground with a whoosh.

In the rainy wilderness, the Canglan Star Region team was feeling very downcast due to consecutive defeats.

Edward felt the worst. As the team’s command, his strategies were continuously seen through by the enemy, leading to the team’s consecutive losses.

However, no one blamed him except Wu Ling, and the others were still comforting him, which made Edward feel both guilty and touched.

Wu Ling: "What do we do now? The remaining energy of our weapons has a red warning light. If this continues, we’re all going down. Edward, if you can’t handle the commands, maybe you should step back."

Yi Moshang: "This isn't Edward's fault. I suspect there might be an expert in reconnaissance or perception on the other side, someone who can 'see' our movements."

Mo Yu: "Perhaps it's not perception, but something else..."

Mo Yu had a guess in his mind, but he didn't voice it.

Wu Ling said loudly: "What are you trying to say? Do you think someone in our team is leaking information?"

Mo Yu: "I'm just suggesting a possibility."

Wu Ling: "Don't make indirect accusations. You're just a lapdog for the fifth prince! I think the most likely person to do such a thing is you!"

Just as they were at odds with each other, Xing Qing, who had hardly spoken until now, suddenly said: "The points have increased."

Hmm?

Hmm?

Our points have increased?

Almost at the same time, they all lowered their heads to check their communicators.

Points +500

Points +500

Points +500

The three "Points +500" messages lifted their spirits like a breath of fresh air.

While 1500 points wasn't much, it was enough to lift everyone's spirits and turn things around for the Canglan Star Region team.

They were not fighting alone.

Someone was working hard behind the scenes to support them.

Fu Congfei's eyes brightened a little: "It's Sang Ning and the prince! They are outside planting flags to expand the base."

Wu Ling poured cold water on the excitement: "Nonsense, with those two being half-dead and half-crippled, going out to expand the base is just asking for death."

Fu Congfei retorted: "If you're so smart, why don't you figure out how to get us 500 points right now?"

Edward's muddled mind started working again: "Fighting in the rain is tough, and we're all running low on energy. I suggest we all return to the base to replenish our status and then plan our next move.

We won't give up that easily."

The small boost in points gave the group a much-needed morale lift, and they all agreed with Edward's proposal.

Even though they were at a disadvantage, it wasn't over yet. No one could say for sure that they'd be suppressed forever.

They would win back eventually.

The group quickly decided to return to Base 0.

As soon as they entered the bright hall, a sense of relief and familiarity washed over the team, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Fu Congfei first hugged Sang Ning: "Ningning, were you and the prince out there planting flags? We just saw the points increase notification."

"Ah?" Sang Ning was very surprised: "We've been in the base all afternoon and didn't go out to expand the base."

All seven of them exchanged confused glances, their eyes wide with bewilderment.

Wait, what?

If Sang Ning and Cang Cheng didn't go out to expand the base, how did we get all these points?

At that moment, Cang Cheng smiled lightly and explained, "I sent out the small robots Mo Yu built to expand the base. I didn’t talk to Sang Ning about it because I wasn’t sure if it would work.

I hope this didn’t cause any problems."

As he finished speaking, Cang Cheng’s gaze shifted to Mo Yu.

Mo Yu: Ah, what?

Did I make those robots?

How could I not know about this?