"Just by touching, you'll feel whether it's a match?" Li Yi questioned, finding Honghulu Fairy AI's explanation a bit mystical.
"Exactly. Use your soul to feel it. If there's a connection, the mech will start successfully."
"Every dormant divine mech automatically assesses nearby souls for compatibility. If there's a match, your soul will naturally resonate."
Honghulu Fairy AI giggled, "Of course, if none match, you'll have to meet other conditions and try again later. Maybe a mech will return to storage if a pilot perishes."
"Don't worry! Being chosen for the Yaoci means you have a passing mech compatibility rate. At the very least, one or two divine mechs should match you."
Li Yi knew that his entry into the deep space fleet wasn't due to compatibility but his combat skills. Nevertheless, he decided to follow Honghulu Fairy AI's guidance and touch each mech.
First, Li Yi approached the Gaia God Series mech. This 35-meter-high streamlined mech was adorned with alternating blue and white patterns. Its surface had a layer of fine cilia that felt both smooth and frictional to the touch—a contradictory sensation.
Unfortunately, that was all he felt.
Realizing this wasn't a good sign, Li Yi calmed himself and entered a semi-meditative state.
Nothing changed.
Honghulu Fairy AI shrugged, "The Gaia God Series has an average fleet compatibility rate of less than 0.1%. It's reasonable that even a thousand pilots might not match."
Li Yi moved on to the next, the Celestial God Series Mars mech. This deep red mech had longer limbs than the Gaia God, with a serpentine waist. The surface felt granular, with a scaly structure. But again, there was no special sensation.
Honghulu Fairy AI shrugged again, "The Celestial Gods, while usable by non-evolved pilots, often require evolved pilots for easier control. Missing a match isn't a loss, given the high burden."
As Li Yi headed to the Pluto mech, Honghulu Fairy AI suggested, "Time's limited. Why not try the E-grade mechs first for a backup, then come back to the D-grade ones?"
Li Yi saw the logic and followed her advice to the Wind God Series.
These mechs had foldable structures on their backs, which Honghulu Fairy AI explained were wing slots. Their fierce designs, with thick limbs and bodies, seemed contrary to their names.
...
Five minutes later, Honghulu Fairy AI scratched her head, "Strange, you don't feel anything with any of them?"
Li Yi's expression was serious. He'd touched most E-grade mechs without any special feeling. Was he really not destined for a divine mech? What was the key to this compatibility?
Honghulu Fairy AI said softly, "Your extra time is up. You should start choosing a mech to attempt activation."
Frustrated, Li Yi felt the irritation of things not progressing smoothly. "Can I reserve my three attempts and rest before trying? Maybe I'm tired from the points battle and could do better after resting."
"Well..."
"I can let others go first."
"Alright, since you're good-looking, I'll allow it," Honghulu Fairy AI relented.
Relieved, Li Yi knew he had one last resort: entering a dream to see if he could find a solution. With the divine mechs nearby, he hoped to capture some related memory fragments. If he could find piloting memories, it might help his soul resonate with a divine mech.
Li Yi casually lay down beside the Pluto mech. Having touched most E-grades, only the Gravity God Series and Celestial God Series' Pluto remained.
Choosing this spot, he hoped for good news in his dreams.
...
Li Yi's actions drew attention. Those from noble families knew the situation, leading many to speculate that Li Yi might not have found a suitable divine mech. Some even smirked at the thought that if the top combatant couldn't pilot a mech, his future would be compromised.
Yet, when Li Yi lay by the Pluto mech, their certainty wavered.
...
"Did Li Yi choose the Pluto?" Liang Shaocong smiled, casually asking Honghulu Fairy AI, pointing at the list.
Honghulu Fairy AI glanced at Li Yi and Liang Shaocong. "You can ask him yourself."
"Can I touch all the divine mechs like Li Yi?"
"Hehe, no."
"Why not?" Liang Shaocong asked, taken aback.
"He's the all-time points leader, triggering a hidden reward."
"Alright, so I have to choose directly?"
"Yes, but your family always chooses the Thunder God Series. No need to touch all of them. Hurry up, others are waiting," Honghulu Fairy AI gestured impatiently.
Liang Shaocong, resigned, chose the Thunder God Series Magnetic Abyss.
...
An hour later, Li Yi awoke, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Remarkable. I actually captured a memory of piloting the Pluto."
Though brief, the memory was impactful and vivid. The details of every maneuver, the overwhelming information, bodily stress, and even the divine radiation felt like firsthand experience.
Upon waking, Li Yi felt his soul slightly stronger.
"I should be able to resonate with the Pluto mech now."
At that moment, Zhong Xiufa, ranked sixth, finished selecting and prepared to board a divine mech.
Li Yi approached Honghulu Fairy AI, "I choose the Pluto mech. Please arrange for activation."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Alright, you still have two more chances. Let's see how it goes," Honghulu Fairy AI gestured, summoning the large gourd to hover low.
She leapt onto its front, "Li Yi, Zhong Xiufa, hop on. I'll take you to the cockpit."
Understanding, Li Yi jumped onto the gourd, ready for takeoff.