As soon as Luo Cheng finished speaking, a spark of determination flickered in everyone's eyes, except for Ding Xu, the mechanic. Even Li Yi couldn't help but feel a rush of urgency.
Thanks to Lin Guotao's earlier hints during the interview, Li Yi knew the outcome of the Mecha Combat Tournament would determine access to the Divine Mechas. With his low compatibility rate, he needed to prioritize selection.
"The tournament is starting so soon?" Ding Xu glanced at Miao Wanwan beside him, encouraging her. "Wanwan, this tournament is likely focused on newcomers. As long as you avoid the veteran mecha pilots, you should have a good chance of getting into the top ten. Do your best—the top ten get to pick Divine Mechas!"
Miao Wanwan nodded. "I'll try my best."
Ding Xu grinned. "What do you mean, 'try'? Based on past scoring formats, making the top ten should be a piece of cake for you. Other than a few dark horses like Li Yi, most of the contestants are predictable. Just watch out for six strong opponents."
Li Yi's eyes flickered slightly. Even for the privileged clans, securing a Divine Mecha wasn't easy.
Still, they had an edge—advance access to competitor data.
While they lacked information on Li Yi, they clearly had detailed knowledge of others. Their intel likely came from sources outside the starship, within the bases on Mars. After all, Li Yi had only informed a few close friends in the tree shelter district of his recruitment.
Securing a spot in the top ten would definitely take effort.
Even Miao Wanwan, despite her calm and delicate demeanor, exuded an aura of quiet strength. By extension, the others from the Quanzu or their affiliate families probably had their own tricks.
Under Luo Cheng's guidance, everyone except Ding Xu boarded a semi-open automated transport cart that carried them to Bay 12.
The routes were clearly managed by the central AI, with no collisions despite the heavy presence of transport robots.
Luo Cheng sat in the front passenger seat, turning to address the group. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Luo Cheng. I'm your assigned instructor. For now, your unit designation is Batch 2198, 89th Mecha Trainee Squad."
"I'll skip the welcome speech."
"You're mecha trainees, which means you have a high degree of freedom, but you're also military personnel and must adhere to strict regulations."
"Before the tournament, let's go over the basic rules."
"First, no private fighting."
"Second, no gatherings of seven or more unauthorized personnel."
"Third, no interacting with unauthorized mechas."
"Fourth, no entering restricted areas."
Luo Cheng paused briefly.
"To summarize: anything unauthorized is strictly prohibited. Violations will result in punishment under military law."
"As for the specifics of military law, check your recruitment guides."
Luo Cheng delivered each rule with masterful use of his intimidation technique, each phrase striking deeply into the minds of his audience.
Even Miao Wanwan, as composed as she appeared, seemed dazed as though her thoughts were engraved with a mental imprint.
For Li Yi, whose mental resilience was strengthened by absorbing memory fragments, the effect caused only a brief lapse.
But even that fleeting moment didn't escape Luo Cheng's notice. His lips twitched in frustration.
Clearing his throat, Luo Cheng resumed nonchalantly, "In short, remember these rules and don't break them."
"Now, focus on the upcoming tournament. It will determine your initial rank within the fleet and the benefits you receive. Take it seriously."
"The tournament consists of two stages: virtual simulation combat and real-machine combat. The top ten in the virtual stage will advance to the real-machine stage."
"Only the top ten will gain access to the Divine Mecha Vault, allowing you to choose a mecha that matches you and begin the path of human evolution."
The transport vehicle halted at the entrance of Bay 12.
"Alright, follow the navigation robots from here. I'll be in the spectator area watching your performance. Good luck."
Luo Cheng left quickly.
The group followed a spherical navigation robot toward the tournament venue.
On the way, Miao Wanwan glanced at Luo Cheng's departing figure, then turned to Li Yi.
"Li Yi, do you know why the fleet prohibits gatherings of more than seven unauthorized personnel?"
Li Yi had his own questions but hadn't been given a chance to ask earlier.
"Maybe it's to prevent cult activity within the fleet?" he speculated.
"Mm, that's part of it. My cousin told me that if you encounter someone with a cybernetic right eye during the tournament, be extra cautious. That person might be planted by the fleet as bait."
Miao Wanwan leaned closer, her voice low enough that only Li Yi could hear.
Li Yi raised an eyebrow. Was she trying to do him a favor?
"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."
In the enclosed observation chamber of the spectator area, Lin Guotao sat reclined, sipping tea while monitoring dozens of screens.
Several staff members took turns reporting to him.
When it was Luo Cheng's turn, he said, "Boss, the mental imprint for the basic rules has been planted in nearly everyone."
"Nearly?"
Luo Cheng exhaled heavily, looking aggrieved. "Everyone except Li Yi, the recruit from the tree shelter district of Base 31."
Someone nearby snickered. "Li Yi again? Luo Cheng, did you lose to him once and develop a complex? Is that why you can't plant the mental imprint?"
"I spent an entire day meditating at the Steel Pillar of Thought, stabilized my mind with the exoskeleton suit, and waited until everyone was familiar enough with me to let their guard down before starting the imprint process."
Luo Cheng sneered. "If you think it's so easy, why don't you give it a try?"
The other officer, Ro Laogu, smirked but didn't press further. He knew he likely wouldn't succeed either. "Fine. If I manage to succeed, how will you repay me?"
"And if you fail?"
Lin Guotao tapped his teacup thoughtfully. "Enough. This isn't Luo Cheng's fault. Li Yi's mental resilience is simply beyond expectations."
"But boss, if a recruit skips the mental imprinting process, and they make it into the top ten, should they still be allowed to select a Divine Mecha?" Luo Cheng asked.
"Why not?" Lin Guotao countered. "The mental imprint is just a precaution against cult infiltration. It's not foolproof."
"On the contrary, Li Yi's mental resilience highlights his value. If he finds a matching Divine Mecha, he could be the next Zhang Shengfeng."
Luo Cheng hesitated. "So we're just leaving Li Yi unchecked? If we delay the tournament to address this, it could cost him three to four hours, and he'd miss the event entirely. He'd have to wait another year for a chance at a Divine Mecha."
Lin Guotao considered this. "Let him compete. We'll reassess after the tournament base
d on his performance. And all of you here, keep this to yourselves. If anyone leaks this, you know the consequences."