Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Besides the No. 2234 Military Region from the same Coding Star, the other group they encountered was the Haiwude Military District, also considered a promising contender this time.

Clearly, neither of these two teams expected to run into each other right from the start. The moment the three forces met, they all stopped dead in their tracks, staring at one another, and the advancing groups came to a simultaneous halt.

The entire scene fell into an eerie, brief standstill. The three commanders clearly engaged in a short exchange, and based on the final orders issued, they decided not to interfere with each other and to compete peacefully.

The so-called peaceful competition essentially meant no mutual attacks.

Once on the field, all teams split up, and the Zerg that needed to be eliminated were still taken down as usual—it all came down to who could secure the final blow and claim the points.

Bai Luming found this outcome unsurprising.

In multi-faction scenarios, this kind of situation always arises.

It’s not impossible to directly engage and eliminate one side, but the biggest concern is that while two sides are fighting, a third party might swoop in and reap the rewards—the classic case of “when two fight, the third wins,” which would truly be a loss.

Without guarantees that other factions won’t take advantage of the chaos to strike, maintaining a temporary truce is a way to keep everyone happy.

Of course, when necessary, forming reasonable alliances with certain factions to jointly confront an “outside threat” can also be a good strategy, though such verbal alliances aren’t necessarily very stable.

Since this was just a small-scale competition over a Zerg habitat for a few points, it clearly hadn’t reached a life-or-death situation, and everyone generally remained conservative.

Once they officially entered the Zerg habitat, the three factions spread out in different directions, each claiming an area to begin clearing out the Zerg.

The leaderboard points refreshed continuously during this process. While it seemed like peaceful development, the factions were secretly competing behind the scenes.

During this, Ji Xinghan’s command skills were effectively highlighted.

Under the arrangements of this young commander, everyone in the No. 6616 Military Region received precise command signals the moment they entered the habitat, accurately identifying the locations of their targets.

The habitat contained many intermediate Zerg of C-rank and above. After the scout teams reported their positions, the elite teams immediately moved in to surround and eliminate them, while the remaining scattered low-level Zerg swarms were left for the regular teams to handle.

Bai Luming and He Yilan were part of the regular mecha teams.

The terrain of this habitat wasn’t particularly suited for mecha movement, but after extensive training, the mecha program trainees had learned to move effectively in such environments. Working alongside the infantry teams, the elimination process went quite smoothly.

Bai Luming blended seamlessly into the mecha team, one hand casually supporting his chin while the other moved deftly and agilely, occasionally firing a few shots that always precisely assisted his teammates in securing points.

He Yilan’s mecha maintained a steady pace, never straying far from Bai Luming’s.

From a third-person perspective, the rhythm of their two mechas was almost perfectly synchronized, right down to their equally lethargic demeanor.

If they hadn’t kept up with the advancing queue, the occasional pauses of those two mechas might have made it seem like the footage was lagging.

But upon closer observation, one could see that the Zerg clearing speed in the vicinity of these two mechas was significantly faster than in other areas.

The independent observation room naturally took note of this.

"Only at times like these do I wish I had teammates like them," Jin Wumian mused. "If only someone during the Four Armies exercise would tirelessly deliver points right into our Gold Army’s hands like this."

Given the current pace, it seemed these two intended to maintain their zero-point harvest until the end, which led Qing Yileng to briefly ponder: "Perhaps we shouldn’t have wasted our time coming here to watch today."

Shen Yanfeng’s attention remained fixed on He Yilan’s mecha as he asked Qing Yileng, "Is the one with Marshal Bai the same person from the custom room that day?"

"Yes, it’s him," Qing Yileng replied. "Why do you ask?"

After a moment’s thought, Shen Yanfeng still felt somewhat interested: "Is there really no chance of inviting him to join the White Army?"

Qing Yileng: "..."

After a brief silence, he answered, "Probably not."

Shen Yanfeng looked disappointed: "I see."

Jin Wumian, overhearing the conversation, glanced over: "What’s wrong, Xiao Shen? You seem quite impressed with him?"

"Not impressed, just that he seems exceptionally compatible with Marshal Bai. At least before this, I’ve never seen anyone with such rapport with Marshal Bai."

Shen Yanfeng answered without hesitation, though he left the latter half of his thought unspoken—he didn’t know where the intuition came from, but he felt that if this person could join the Blaze Legion, perhaps Marshal Bai might be willing to return for a visit as well.

Shen Yanfeng’s words drew everyone’s attention to the two mechas on screen.

At that moment, the two mechas fired almost simultaneously, precisely hitting the Zerg while leaving them with just enough life for their squadmates to deliver the final blow and claim the points.

"Your White Army still hasn’t given up on finding a copilot for Bai Luming?"

Chi Yan clearly understood the implication behind Shen Yanfeng’s words. "From that day’s match, their rhythm and combat philosophy are indeed highly compatible. But auxiliary and operation are two different fields—not every operator can become an excellent copilot."

Shen Yanfeng acknowledged: "I know."

In today’s world, the more advanced the mecha, the more complex its operating system, making dual operation particularly important.

Especially in high-stakes combat scenarios, if the operator ensures the mecha’s lower limit of performance, the copilot determines its upper limit.

Among the Four Great Armies, almost all high-ranking officers have copilots fighting alongside them—including the four marshals present.

Only one person is an exception.

The former marshal of the Blaze Legion, Bai Luming, due to his excessively distinct personal rhythm, has yet to find a copilot who can perfectly match his combat style, leaving the copilot's seat vacant to this day.

Because of this, Marshal Bai’s personal mecha, codenamed "Sunshine," has been humorously dubbed by the media as the only super S-rank "single-seater" mecha. Many experts have speculated that only marshals with operating skills on par with the others could potentially become Marshal Bai’s combat partner.

However, the marshals have privately attempted it before, but each has developed overly distinct personal styles through long-term combat. No matter who sat in Bai Luming’s copilot's seat, the result was always the whole being less than the sum of its parts—forget achieving synergy, avoiding mutual hindrance was already a miracle.

Everyone has always been curious about what kind of person could eventually occupy Bai Luming’s copilot's seat.

From Chi Yan’s words, he clearly acknowledges He Yilan’s compatibility.

After all, in the custom room, that match was enough to showcase the two’s top-tier rapport.

However, a skilled operator may dominate the battlefield but may not make a qualified copilot.

The two roles belong to entirely different domains.

The others naturally understood this as well.

Yet after a brief silence, Qing Yileng suddenly spoke: "Actually, for that person, the copilot position suits him better than being an operator."

This statement drew a look of surprise from Chi Yan.

He knew well that for the man known as the machine-like man to offer such praise was undoubtedly high recognition.

Qing Yileng’s typically emotionless face held a subtly complex expression.

He could feel the others’ eyes on him and, after a short pause, calmly added: "To be precise, technically speaking, he is the most skilled copilot I’ve ever encountered. I once invited him before, but he refused at the time."

Jin Wumian hadn’t expected to uncover such a story: "What happened after that?"

"There is no 'later'," Qing Yileng slowly glanced at him. "It's just that suitability and actually becoming one are two different things. From what I know of this person, he truly has no interest in joining the military."

On the field, Bai Luming was single-handedly operating the mecha, happily "swatting bees" in this little game.

Occasionally, he would intentionally let a few slip by, only for He Yilan to shoot them down the next second, allowing other cadets in their faction to mop them up.

He found this rather amusing, so from time to time, he would deliberately let a few bees slip through from different directions—front, back, left, and right—specifically leaving them for He Yilan to shoot.

Finally, He Yilan's voice came through the communication channel: "Having fun?"

Bai Luming chuckled softly: "Quite fun."

It really was fun—though he didn’t specify whether it was the bees or the person who always accurately shot them down that amused him.

He said sincerely, "Don’t you think we’re quite in sync?"

He Yilan's voice, carrying a slight static crackle, sounded even more magnetic: "I thought we’ve always been in sync."

"True."

Bai Luming responded, checking the current point standings.

Setting aside the factions in other regions with unknown battle situations, among the three factions in this habitat, their No. 6616 Military Region temporarily had the highest score, followed by the Haiwude Military District faction, and lastly, Military District 2234.

When the strength gap between factions isn’t significant, the quality of command determines the score gains.

By now, the bugs in this habitat had been mostly cleared.

Peaceful advancement truly reflects strength. After this wave, at least the other two military districts wouldn’t rashly initiate combat with their No. 6616 faction.

Unbeknownst to others, the commanders of the three factions had clearly negotiated again, then peacefully went their separate ways.

The cadets of the No. 6616 Military Region chose an open area to rest and regroup.

Bai Luming watched as the logistics team began mecha inspections and treated the wounded. He stopped operating the mecha and sat in the cockpit, pulling up the holographic map to browse.

His gaze fell on several high-risk areas in the distance: "If nothing goes wrong, other places should have already started fighting the mini-bosses."

"Mini-bosses" referred to the giant insect beasts in high-risk zones.

Other factions certainly wouldn’t be as unlucky as theirs, encountering two squads right at the start. Some teams had probably already begun their missions.

Bai Luming’s words were directed at He Yilan. Though he knew the other would understand, he couldn’t help but sigh: "It’d be better if we were in the same cockpit. Communicating over comms is such a hassle."

He Yilan’s voice came through the communication channel: "We can fix that."

Bai Luming didn’t catch it at first: "What can be fixed?"

"Open your cockpit door."

After those last words, the other end fell silent.

Bai Luming called He Yilan’s name a few times but got no response. Puzzled, he opened the cockpit door and saw that the mecha that had been beside him moments ago had already been stored away in a storage unit by someone.

The next moment, a tall figure leaped through the side door and smoothly slipped into the co-pilot's station.

The series of movements flowed seamlessly.

After sitting down, He Yilan casually configured the Basic Type B Mecha’s simple co-pilot console. His identity was verified and logged, and he completed the data link with the assessment system.

Once done, his tone was as casual as ever, picking up Bai Luming’s earlier remark: "Now we’re in the same cockpit."

Bai Luming stared at the person now sitting in his co-pilot's station: "...Are you going to be my co-pilot?"

He Yilan adjusted the seat to the most comfortable position, looked up, and met Bai Luming’s gaze with a quiet smirk: "Don’t want me?"

"Not exactly," Bai Luming replied. "It’s just that I’m not used to having someone in the co-pilot's station."

He Yilan understood immediately.

After all, it was no secret that Marshal Bai had never had a co-pilot.

The thought made him feel even better: "No worries, you’ll get used to it soon. Besides, now that I’m here, it wouldn’t be right to kick me out, would it?"

"I’m not kicking you out." Bai Luming truly wasn’t accustomed to having a co-pilot, but after glancing at He Yilan a couple of times, he felt a flicker of curiosity.

Might as well see how competent he is.

After a brief reorganization, the No. 6616 Military Region faction resumed their operations.

Meanwhile, in the separate observation room, a prolonged silence had fallen as the screen displayed He Yilan changing cockpits.

Jin Wumian’s voice broke the silence: "Do you think these two can hear us? Otherwise, why would they wind up in the same cockpit just like that?"

Shen Yanfeng was focused on one thing: "Is he really going to be Marshal Bai’s co-pilot?"

Chi Yan commented, "If it actually works out, it’ll be interesting."

Jin Wumian: "...Interesting? Shouldn’t it be terrifying?"

His words were met with another moment of silence.

Everyone present knew very well that if Bai Luming, with his mecha-operating skills, were to find a suitable co-pilot, the potential upper limit would be almost unimaginable.

Jin Wumian turned to Qing Yileng: "You’re sure that guy has no interest in joining the military, right?"

Qing Yileng: "..."

In theory, he should be sure. But recalling the scene when he last saw He Yilan and considering the current situation, he could only give the most guarded response: "Not entirely sure."