Shock

After the intermission ended, Li Yi's opponent, Pang Haoren, piloting the Electric Surge Mech, was the first to appear.

This mech stood approximately 28 meters tall.

Compared to other mechs, it was noticeably more "petite."

It was entirely indigo, with a large, fleshy hump on its back, and its body had a mixed texture of biological and steel.

As the Electric Surge Mech entered, crackling sounds of electrical discharge filled the air, creating an imposing presence.

Evergreen Fairy AI, hovering above the combat arena, began broadcasting information about the mechs to the crowd:

"This Electric Surge Mech that has appeared has had seven pilots in the nearly 100-year history of our Jade Pool No. 7. Among them, one has already been promoted to a High-Class Mech Master and is currently stationed at the Star Imperium Federation's 79th Interstellar Defense Line."

"This is a Divine Mech with a glorious history."

"Let's look forward to the performance of the new generation Electric Surge pilot, Pang Haoren!"

"Next, let's turn our attention to the west bay."

"There, we have Li Yi, the only person in Jade Pool No. 7's 17-year history to successfully pilot a D-class Divine Mech without being an evolved being, achieving a historic first place in the qualifying matches, and earning the title of Strongest Newcomer King of Combat!"

"Today, he will introduce himself to the audience with this Pluto Mech, which has had no pilot since its excavation!"

"Let's see what kind of excitement will unfold when the Strongest Newcomer King of Combat clashes with the D-class Pluto Mech!"

Evergreen Fairy AI's initial broadcast voice was cool and melodious.

But as the audience responded enthusiastically, the atmosphere heated up, and Evergreen Fairy AI's tone became more spirited.

However.

Awkwardly, after Evergreen Fairy AI finished its introduction.

The Pluto Mech was still nowhere to be seen emerging from the bay exit.

Evergreen Fairy AI announced:

"Let's welcome with the warmest applause the D-class Divine Mech that has appeared for the first time in seventeen years of the martial arts tournament!"

Clap clap clap.

Warm applause echoed through the venue.

One minute later.

The audience had clapped their hands raw, and some were already feeling a bit of dissatisfaction.

What was going on, was someone being difficult?

At this moment, Evergreen Fairy AI made a motion as if pressing its ear and broadcasted:

"I regret to inform the audience that according to the surveillance from inside the bay, there seems to be some trouble starting the Pluto Mech; it hasn't successfully activated yet."

As this was said, boos erupted from the crowd.

"Why hasn't it started yet? Shouldn't Li Yi have prepared in advance?"

From the edge of the stands, someone shouted.

Others nearby were also heckling and questioning.

Evergreen Fairy AI explained:

"I believe everyone knows that it usually takes beginners several minutes, or even tens of minutes, to start up a Divine Mech. Perhaps the previous battle ended too quickly, and Li Yi hasn't finished the startup sequence."

"According to the tournament rules, Li Yi still has a three-minute grace period. If this three-minute period expires, it means he will be directly eliminated from the competition."

Upon hearing this, many in the audience became even more displeased.

They had come specifically for the person with the highest score in history.

And now they were being told that this person with the highest score in history wouldn't be able to appear and would be directly eliminated?

"He must have gotten too big for his britches after achieving success at a young age and underestimated his opponent. This Li Yi might be strong, but his character is lacking."

"He probably didn't even take Pang Haoren, an opponent with only a dozen points, seriously."

For a time, a cacophony of voices arose from the audience.

Quite a few of Li Yi's loyal fans spoke out in his defense, but it had little effect.

After all, even as loyal fans, they were still a minority.

The majority of the audience were casual observers who had come purely for the reputation. With the long delay in his appearance, they were naturally becoming quite annoyed.

Evergreen Fairy AI was unaware that Li Yi actually required over an hour for startup.

This was something that Crimson Gourd AI and other contestants knew.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet for a moment. There are still two and a half minutes of grace time remaining. Let's give this strongest newcomer king of combat in history a little more patience. After all, no matter how strong his combat skills are, he is fundamentally younger than many of the audience members, with less experience, so a few mistakes are inevitable."

Dong!!!

At this very moment.

A loud bang came from the west bay, as if a heavy hammer had struck the hearts of everyone present.

Dong!!!

Another loud bang echoed.

Everyone's expression changed.

What surging power!

Did the Pluto Mech's activation succeed?

The Deep Space Fleet was world-renowned for its abundance of Divine Mechs. The ship's citizens were naturally well-traveled, having witnessed the combat processes of these terrifying mechs, not just D-class, but even C-class and B-class.

However, in terms of sheer intimidation to the human body, the Pluto Mech ranked among the top five mechs the ship's citizens had ever seen.

With these two loud bangs, the dissatisfaction in everyone's hearts diminished, replaced by curiosity.

They all looked towards the western hangar with eager anticipation.

One minute later.

Until some people's necks stiffened and the corners of their eyes twitched.

That massive mech, forty-three meters tall, entirely black, with eyes like a prison and powerfully built limbs, slowly emerged from the hangar entrance.

A metaphysical, chilling, suffocating sensation instantly swept across the entire venue.

Beneath the spectator stands, Zhong Xiufa covered her mouth, her heart filled with shock:

"Is Brother Yi showing signs of about to awaken divinity?"

In another corner, Liang Shaocong couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, "It's no match, it's no match at all."

The Evergreen Fairy AI spoke at the opportune moment:

"Truly surprising. Although Li Yi's activation speed was a bit slow, there's no doubt he has gained considerable deep understanding of the Pluto Mech. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to inadvertently unleash divinity while walking."

"Although they are only subtle signs, there is no doubt that Li Yi has moved ahead of everyone else in awakening divinity."

The audience erupted into enthusiastic cheers.

At this moment, the sounds of dissatisfaction instantly vanished.

The audience was often this direct; as long as what was displayed exceeded expectations, they would unhesitatingly offer applause and cheers.

"Since both sides have appeared, the match between the Electric Surge Mech and the Pluto Mech officially begins!"

Inside the cockpit.

Li Yi let out a long breath.

Lin Hua's quick knockout of her opponent meant Li Yi had at least 5 minutes less buffer time.

If she hadn't knocked out her opponent, it would have required at least three valid rounds.

And those 5 minutes perfectly fit Li Yi's one-hour timeline.

To speed up activation, he took a gamble, forcefully meditating on a large number of memory fragments.

For some memory fragments, he only focused on digesting the piloting memories of Pluto, leaving a large amount of redundant information unoptimized and unclassified.

Therefore, this also placed a considerable burden on his brain.

It was estimated that the duration of subsequent activities would be slightly reduced.

But he also benefited from this misfortune.

Besides successfully activating the Pluto Mech ahead of schedule.

And.

Simultaneously digesting a large number of memory fragments actually caused his soul to instantly 'expand,' vaguely touching the omnipresent divinity within the Pluto Mech!

This was also the reason why, as he piloted the Pluto Mech out of the hangar, a slight overflow of divinity caused a collective shock to the tens of thousands of spectators.

"It's also a fortunate accident, having found a way to quickly activate divinity ahead of time. As long as I replicate this method in the future, my speed in becoming an evolved person will also be faster."

While inwardly sighing with relief, Li Yi began to focus his attention.

The two Divine Mechs also violently collided!

BOOM!!!

Huge shockwaves roared and spread.

Following that.

The Electric Surge Mech, half the size of the Pluto Mech, was suddenly sent flying backward, smashing into the wall!

Even the Evergreen Fairy AI was somewhat dumbfounded:

"What happened?"