Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Having been chased and attacked by so many enemies for over ten minutes, Bai Xingshu wasn't powerful enough to remain completely unharmed.

Now that the enemy had entered a frenzied state, their overall condition had reached its peak, and Bai Xingshu's mech sustained even more severe damage.

"Mech damage at 39%, left shoulder damaged, right leg joint unresponsive, weapon bays 1 and 7 unresponsive!"

The system reported the damage status directly into Bai Xingshu's ear.

Bai Xingshu glanced at the distance between himself and his teammates, feeling that it was about time.

The three enemies witnessed another attack strike Bai Xingshu, and several plumes of black smoke revealed the mech's true condition.

This was something that couldn't be disguised.

So they saw Bai Xingshu abruptly pivot and charge towards the support mech among them.

"Be careful!" "Run!"

No one thought a support mech could outmaneuver Bai Xingshu.

The support mech reacted quickly; it was often the weak point in the team, subjected to concentrated attacks, so its reaction speed was actually better than others.

It even relayed information to its teammates while fleeing: "Three minutes to reach the area where Ye Zi lost contact." That was undoubtedly where Bai Xingshu's teammates were located.

This time wasn't long, at least... it had already been over three minutes since Ye Zi lost contact.

The others' expressions turned grim.

They all understood the implication of the support mech's words.

—Bai Xingshu's teammates had arrived, which was why he abruptly changed his course of action.

Damn it all!

"Xu Ning, shake off Bai Xingshu, let's retreat first!" The enemy captain made a decision.

Five against three, they were the underdogs.

Now that Bai Xingshu was about to join his teammates, in a direct confrontation, they had no chance of winning.

It was better to follow Bai Xingshu's example, find an opportunity to discuss an underhanded tactic, and take out two of the enemy.

The enemy captain was decisive, and the support mech acted quickly.

With the help of his teammates, he instantly dived into the asteroid belt.

—Just like Bai Xingshu had hidden in the asteroid belt earlier to avoid most attacks, entering the asteroid belt and using the geological features within to block and escape the pursuit.

Bai Xingshu also gave chase.

The enemy captain gritted his teeth, initially intent on pursuing as well, but as soon as he moved, he saw various data loss situations appearing on his screen.

Signal jamming!

All communications and information retrieval failed.

It was the most powerful blanket interference.

This is a deadly move for the auxiliary mech that has entered the asteroid belt to dodge those moving geological hazards.

Lin Lie's teammates are finally here!

The enemy captain gritted his teeth, pondering for two seconds about how to handle this situation, and ultimately resolutely chose not to give up.

Even if we lose, we’ll go down in flames!

With the thought of perishing together with Lin Lie and his team, the enemy captain charged into the asteroid belt. But before fully entering, he saw their auxiliary mech quickly rushing out from the asteroid belt.

After the signal interference, Xu Ning reacted immediately and left the asteroid belt!

The enemy captain’s eyes widened in surprise, and then he quickly saw Lin Lie chasing out behind the auxiliary mech, his gaze instantly turning cold.

He was ready to go down fighting, so why should he fear Lin Lie now?

The enemy captain called out to his teammate beside him, heading towards the auxiliary mech that was flying rapidly towards them, with all kinds of attack weapons raised.

Focus fire on Lin Lie!

The ammunition densely formed an energy wall, completely blocking the path Lin Lie wanted to continue chasing.

After being on the defensive for most of the match, the enemy captain, who had finally gained the upper hand against Lin Lie, had just started to smile when he suddenly spotted another auxiliary mech in the distance.

Also coming out of the asteroid belt, and looking exactly the same.

The enemy captain froze in shock.

He turned his head sharply to look at the auxiliary mech that had already joined him.

But what faced him was a beam cannon glowing ominously.

Everything before his eyes went dark in an instant.

It took him a few seconds to realize he’d been tricked—again, and the enemy captain roared in fury.

"These damn bastards!!!"

"In a head-on confrontation, I would crush Lin Lie and his team!!"

Seeing their captain’s meltdown in silence, the two team members who had returned earlier... dared not speak.

Three minutes later, the last two teammates showed up in the space, one after the other, as expected.

In fact, as soon as the auxiliary mech appeared, it was locked onto by Lin Lie and his hidden teammates and was swiftly taken out as the fourth casualty.

The remaining attack mech, under the siege of five, managed to salvage some pride as a top-tier team member in the combo match, holding out for three minutes before the entire mech was destroyed, officially declaring the end of the battle.

Out of the whole team, only this one stayed calm.

Because he gave it his all and still came up short.

As for the others...

Basically, they all died inexplicably.

Severely injured by their own teammates, finished off by Lin Lie; went scouting, got spotted, and was instantly taken out by four enemies; mistook a teammate for an enemy and was blasted to death by the enemy; as soon as they appeared, they saw their captain dead and were surrounded and killed.

None of them lived up to their potential or fought with flair.

They...

Could accept losing, but not this kind of defeat!!

When it was five against three at the end, in a fair fight, the opposing team could have won.

Why did they have to toy with their emotions like this!!

"Next month, at the exchange match at Capital Military University, I want to see just what kind of bastard this Bai Xingshu really is!!!"

Bai Xingshu, having shattered a few more hearts, remained completely oblivious. After finishing the match, unaffected, he moved straight on to the next game.

Two or three matches a day, steadily crushing the pride of more than four opponents.

What’s more, Bai Xingshu’s heart-crushing tactics didn’t discriminate between friend or foe.

The enemy captain found it hard to accept such a defeat. Meanwhile, Bai Xingshu’s teammates struggled with their role—merely following orders, executing Bai Xingshu’s plans, and securing championship victories with little effort.

Teaming up with Bai Xingshu was comfortable, but not everyone liked riding on his coattails.

Everyone in the S class was a prodigy in their own right. Bai Xingshu’s style made many feel replaceable, as if anyone else could fill their role and the outcome would be the same.

Thus, it often happened that teammates would suddenly break down mid-fight, unable to continue.

Bai Xingshu wasn’t entirely unaware of this.

Most of the S class were trained to lead, so it was natural for them to resist such a subordinate role.

However, this ingrained habit made it impossible for Bai Xingshu to empathize with his teammates or adapt.

He had no intention of changing.

This was the team combat style Bai Xingshu had honed during the apocalypse—a strategy designed to ensure his teammates’ survival.

Then there was Lin Lie...

Bai Xingshu had assumed Lin Lie would be like the others in the S class—eventually quitting the team out of frustration. But that never happened.

And Bai Xingshu, never one to hold back, naturally asked Lin Lie about it during a break.

Lin Lie answered bluntly. "I’ve seen real battlefields," Lin Lie replied, his voice low.

It’s not a place to chase glory or self-worth.

At first, Lin Lie teamed up with Bai Xingshu because he admired him, but over time, he came to understand the deeper meaning behind Bai Xingshu’s tactics.

He wanted to master it.

Of course, the others in the S class understood this to some extent, but overcoming mental barriers isn’t as simple as persistence.

But nothing worthwhile comes easily.

Everything is a long and difficult journey, but... the journey itself is the reward.

Moreover, Bai Xingshu found his classmates’ struggles endearing—their painful wails, occasional breaks to regroup, and hesitant steps forward.

Adorable, really.

The world isn’t that perilous, so what if the kids take their time growing up, even if they’re a little spoiled?

No one is in such a hurry.