Chapter 72: Exchange Competition (Part Four)

Chapter 72: Exchange Competition (Part Four)

Although Cang Cheng created the robot out of nowhere, Mo Yu received his hint.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Mo Yu nodded. "Ah, right. I built a small robot for His Highness to protect the base in case of an attack. I didn’t expect him to use it for expanding the base. He’s truly wise."

Upon hearing this, everyone cast grateful glances at both Mo Yu and Cang Cheng. "Thank you, Mo Yu and His Highness, for your wisdom."

If it weren’t for the notification of points earned this afternoon, the Canglan Star Region team’s morale would have been crushed.

The live stream host quickly explained the situation and showed a replay of the little robot planting the flag on a split screen.

In the video, the rain-soaked ground suddenly cracked open. Then, a blue flag representing the Canglan Star Region sprouted from the ground like a bamboo shoot in spring.

A 2-meter-tall flag was planted by a small robot, no bigger than an ankle. The transmitter at the top of the flag lit up, indicating a successful expansion of territory!

After completing its mission, the little robot quietly retreated underground, disappearing from sight.

Real-time comments:

"So that's how we got those 1500 points? The little robot is so cute!"

"Mo Yu is amazing! To think he could create robots on the spot during the competition."

"The fifth prince is quite clever too, knowing how to earn points with a robot."

"It’s not the fifth prince’s robot, so shouldn’t we be thanking Mo Yu instead?"

"They’re going to lose anyway."

"The naysayers should just shut up."

……

After accepting everyone's gratitude, Cang Cheng asked, "What happened this afternoon? Can someone give me a brief explanation?"

Edward recounted what happened that afternoon.

"…I’m not making excuses for the fact that our strategies were anticipated. I just find it a bit too coincidental that our every move was discovered."

Yi Moshang nodded. "I agree, it’s too coincidental. I haven’t heard of anyone in the Giant Rock Star Region having a talent in perception."

Wu Ling snorted coldly. "Edward, don’t try to pass the blame for your command mistakes."

Fu Congfei interjected, "This clearly isn’t a command issue. The problem is how the other side can see through our movements. If we don’t solve this, we’ll always be at a disadvantage."

Wu Ling replied, "It is a command issue. Don’t try to weasel out of it."

Fu Congfei shot back, "Oh, really? Do you think changing the commander would solve the problem?"

The tension in the hall was palpable as both sides faced off, neither willing to back down.

At that moment, Cang Cheng interjected, "How about we let Mo Yu check everyone’s equipment first! Mo Yu mentioned that he noticed some unusual signal patterns outside."

Mo Yu: ?

When did I say anything about unusual signal patterns?

Mo Yu was puzzled, but after receiving a hint from Cang Cheng, he nodded and said, "Yes. Before we decide whether to change commanders, I think it's more reassuring to check everyone's equipment first."

Wu Ling's face darkened. "Are you suspecting that there's a traitor among us?"

Mo Yu replied, "Not necessarily a traitor. It could be that someone inadvertently picked up some kind of mineral, allowing the enemy to track our movements."

Wu Ling said, "Go ahead and check. If nothing is found, the command will be mine from here on out."

With that, he threw his bag in front of Mo Yu.

Seeing this, the others also placed their backpacks before Mo Yu.

Mo Yu immediately modified a signal detector and tested each item one by one.

Pass, pass, pass...

After testing numerous items, the detector let out a loud sound when it touched a metal bracelet.

The 'beep beep beep' alarm continued unabated.

The group exchanged uneasy glances.

Mo Yu raised his gun and shot the bracelet, shattering it. Hidden among the metal shards was a tiny, rice-sized transmitter.

Mo Yu’s expression hardened. "This is a military trigger-activated transmitter. When not in use, it appears no different from metal, but once activated, it can send signals to a designated receiver within a 20-kilometer range."

Mo Yu looked up, glaring at Wu Ling. "This was found in your bag. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Wu Ling was stunned and defended loudly, "What transmitter? This metal bracelet isn't mine, it really isn't! Someone’s setting me up."

However, no one believed him, and they all assumed a defensive stance against Wu Ling.

Realizing the tension, Wu Ling’s eyes narrowed, and he lunged at Cang Cheng. "It's you, isn't it? You’ve had it out for me for a long time, so you used this method to frame me!"

As Wu Ling moved to attack, Yi Moshang and Edward restrained him.

The transmitter was found in Wu Ling's bag, making him the prime suspect.

Moreover, Wu Ling had a motive; he wanted to seize the opportunity to become the commander and rise to prominence.

For everyone’s safety, Wu Ling was placed under lock and key.

"It's not me! I didn't do it! I was framed!!! Cang Cheng, you treacherous villain."

Wu Ling kept shouting, spewing curses, until the door closed and locked behind him.

After rooting out the traitor in their midst, the members of the Canglan Star Region felt no joy.

They were angry because of the betrayal.

Sang Ning consoled the furious members. "I didn’t expect Wu Ling to do something like this, putting you all in such danger. I thought he was just verbally harsh..."

Yi Moshang couldn't understand. "How could he betray us?"

"And how did he even get in contact with the Giant Rock Star Region?"

Edward was also puzzled.

Mo Yu finished checking the remaining items and found nothing else.

Xing Qing remained silent.

Fu Congfei was deep in thought, her head lowered, and her hand tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, looking extremely nervous.

Cang Cheng’s gaze was cast downward as he pondered.

This signal transmitter is likely not Wu Ling's.

Although his feelings toward Wu Ling were negative, for the other to carry the signal transmitter so openly and boldly, it seemed too reckless and foolish...

As for who the culprit might be and their true intentions, Cang Cheng had some suspicions.

In any case, the person would likely make a move soon, and Cang Cheng was waiting for them to come forward.

Live Stream:

"What’s going on? Mo Yu’s detector is showing something? What does this mean? Has there been a traitor in the Cyan Star Region?"

"That’s Wu Ling’s backpack! Did Wu Ling collaborate with the Giant Rock Star Region?"

"I always said Wu Ling’s face didn’t look trustworthy."

"But if we lose Wu Ling, the Spirit Warrior, won’t the Cyan Star Region’s combat strength weaken even more? We already have a liability..."

"Would you be willing to trust your back to someone who might stab you at any moment?"

...

"It could also be an official random event?"

"Random events? Do you think Wu Ling is one of the officials? Is he putting on an act? If this continues, our star domain will be completely annihilated!"

"Look at how terrible the contestants' expressions are; this Exchange Competition is hellishly difficult!"

"What should we do about the Azure Star Domain..."

Everyone was deeply worried.

The signal transmitter had exposed the location of the Azure Star Domain's 0th base, and the people from the Rocky Star Domain were already rushing towards it without delay.

Wu Ling was locked up and unable to fight for the Azure Star Domain, Sang Ning’s leg hadn’t fully recovered, making movement difficult, and Cang Cheng was just an ordinary, unawakened person.

From the morning attack on Fu Congfei’s team to the afternoon when the six-person team was overwhelmed by the Rocky Star Domain, and then the appearance of a traitor within their ranks.

These consecutive blows had dimmed the eyes of these contestants who had yet to experience the harsh realities of life.

Their faces were sullen, their spirits low, and all the hope and ambition they had felt when they were chosen to participate in the Exchange Competition had vanished.

Could they really win this Exchange Competition?

Everyone strongly doubted it.

Silence enveloped them like the gloomy rain of the day, cold and heavy.

It was Cang Cheng who broke the suffocating silence.

"What are your mental powers?"

His voice was clear, his eyes smiling, like a gentle breeze in the damp, cold air, lightly blowing away the heavy shackles that bound everyone.

Everyone snapped out of their low spirits, and although they didn’t know why His Highness was asking this, when their gazes met his calm black eyes, they couldn’t help but answer.

Edward: “My mental energy is A-.”

Yi Moshang: “B+.”

Xing Qing: “A-.”

Mo Yu: “A-.”

Fu Congfei: “B+.”

Sang Ning: “B+.”

Edward: “Your Highness, why are you asking this? Is there something we need to do?”

Cang Cheng nodded and casually dropped a bombshell.

“I have three stone golem Spirit Runes made by ANKEN. I hope they can be of help to everyone.”

His words hit them like a bolt of lightning, sending shockwaves through the room.

What?

Did they hear that right?

Cang Cheng had ANKEN’s Spirit Runes? And the unauthorized B-rank stone golem Spirit Runes, no less?!

Several pairs of eyes instantly locked onto Cang Cheng, their expressions shifting from listless to intense, as if they had suddenly come alive.

Yi Moshang’s gaze was fixed tightly on the Spirit Runes in Cang Cheng’s hands. In the corner of the rune’s edge, the handwritten signature of ‘ANKEN’ was clearly visible.

This was indeed a Spirit Rune drawn by ANKEN!

Yi Moshang’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

After getting pummeled by ANKEN multiple times, Yi Moshang knew firsthand just how powerful ANKEN’s Spirit Runes could be.

He had even served as ANKEN’s sparring partner during the early summer, helping to test the power of the Spirit Runes. However, after the summer, ANKEN seemed to have found a new training partner and hadn’t asked him for help since.

Yi Moshang felt a little regretful.

But according to what ANKEN told him, the new sparring partner was an S-rank Awakened. It was just like ANKEN to find an S-rank Awakened as a sparring partner. At the same time, Yi Moshang pushed himself to train even harder.

Everyone who knew ANKEN understood that each of his Spirit Runes could turn the tide of a battle. As a result, his Spirit Runes were in high demand and extremely rare.

Unauthorized B-rank Spirit Runes were being bid up to nearly ten million in the trading market, yet no one was selling.

And now, His Highness had three of ANKEN’s Spirit Runes?!

Cang Cheng was truly someone who made a big impact when he finally acted.

Your Highness, are you in need of a loyal companion?

I can fight, defend, write, and handle weapons, and I’m absolutely loyal and well-behaved.

Just let me get a closer look at those ANKEN Spirit Runes, and you’ll have a loyal and obedient companion.

Edward adjusted his fringe with his hand, tidying his appearance.

It wasn’t until Cang Cheng revealed the stone golem Spirit Runes that Edward, who had been feeling down all afternoon, finally regained his usual confidence and elegance.

"These three Spirit Runes should help us out of this bind."

He asked, "Your Highness, how do you intend to distribute these three Spirit Runes?"

Edward had no intention of deciding how to distribute these crucial resources for the Canglan Star Region, though he certainly wanted them for himself.

After all, these were Spirit Runes crafted by ANKEN. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to have one?

Cang Cheng looked over the group and made his decision. "I want to give these three Spirit Runes to Edward, Xing Qing, and Yi Moshang."

The three of them reacted differently.

Edward accepted gracefully.

Xing Qing looked puzzled, unsure why she was chosen, but she nodded in agreement.

Yi Moshang, on the other hand, was very surprised.

Yi Moshang’s Mental energy was only B+, weaker than Mo Yu’s. Why would Cang Cheng choose him over Mo Yu? Moreover, both Fu Congfei and Sang Ning had strong Mental energy as well…

At first, Yi Moshang wasn’t too pleased to find out his teammate was His Highness.

Yi Moshang felt undeserving.

These were Spirit Runes personally crafted by ANKEN, incredibly valuable, and he couldn’t accept them without hesitation.

Thinking this, Yi Moshang asked out loud, "Why me?"

Cang Cheng explained, "Fu Congfei and Sang Ning went through a fierce battle this morning and aren’t in the best condition. They are more suited to stay and defend Base 0.

Mo Yu is quite knowledgeable about signal receivers, and I hope he can go out to disrupt the actions of the people from the Giant Rock Star Region.

I heard that you have fought ANKEN several times in the arena and are familiar with ANKEN’s Spirit Runes, so I want to give this Spirit Rune to you."

Cang Cheng’s voice, though cold, had a compelling quality that instantly calmed Yi Moshang’s nerves.

Yi Moshang’s restless thoughts settled. He pressed two fingers to his chest and bowed to Cang Cheng.

"I will live up to your expectations, Your Highness."

Saying that, Yi Moshang received the Spirit Rune with both hands.

Now, his blood was pumping with battle fervor, and all he could think about was bringing down the people from the Giant Rock Star Region.

He didn’t stop to wonder how Cang Cheng knew about his matches with ANKEN in the arena.

After all, when Yi Moshang was in the arena, he always wore a mask!

Cang Cheng took out a few small capsule-like objects and handed them to the group. "These are capsule bombs, with a power level between B and B+. Their destructive force isn’t massive, but they are good for disrupting the enemy.

The people from the Giant Rock Star Region have high defenses, so don’t confront them head-on. You can use the capsule bombs to create wounds and then follow up with an attack."

Yi Moshang and the other two inspected the small capsule-sized objects in their hands.

Could something so small really cause B+ level damage?

No way!

When did their weapons get so advanced?

Why haven't they seen this before?

Finally, His Highness handed Xing Qing a vial of deep green liquid: "You're an alchemist and your physical strength is relatively weak. This is a bio-agent that can incapacitate enemies in the area.

Use it carefully—it doesn’t discriminate between friend or foe."

Xing Qing, wearing a gas mask, stared at the liquid for a long time before slowly nodding and whispering, "I’ll handle it carefully."

After distributing the equipment, His Highness smiled at the young Awakened: "It’s on you to take them on. Give it your all and don’t let the Canglan Star Region down."

His smile was calm and reassuring, radiating the unwavering presence of a true leader.

With His Highness leading them, the Awakened felt more confident and fearless.

The team, which had been struggling all afternoon, quickly regained their composure and focus.

It was just the second day of the Exchange Competition, and they still hadn’t lost.

Though their numbers had dwindled, they now had ANKEN’s Spirit Runes, capsule bombs from His Highness, and the bio-agent. With these new resources, they were ready to fight.

With this new gear, they had a fighting chance. Edward and the others pledged to His Highness, "We’ll clear the way for you and fight for the Canglan Star Region!"