Watching from the Sidelines

Chen Qiong Zhi began announcing the actual combat opponents.

This time, she used AI assistance to send out notifications, informing everyone to proceed to the designated location for combat.

The entire class of 95 people was divided into 48 groups by her. Twelve groups would battle each time, completing the matches in four rounds.

The one person who received a bye would have to fight Chen Qiong Zhi.

Li Yi's match was in the first round. His opponent was an evolver ranked 42nd, nine places higher than him.

Zhang Qing Jian's mech was a D-class Fire God Series, the Flame Crow Mech.

The combat zone was Arena 8, Grid 4.

Cai Xiaodong's combat zone was also near Li Yi's, so the two naturally headed to their respective locations together.

During their journey, Cai Xiaodong learned about Li Yi's opponent, and his expression suddenly changed.

"Li Zi, be careful. Zhang Qing Jian joined the ship the same year as me. Back then, he swept through our top ten and took first place, just like you did."

"Although his points and records are lower than yours are now, his compatibility is very high. His Inherited Skill has likely already begun to upgrade into a Divine Skill."

Li Yi nodded. "Okay, I'll be careful."

"Remember, his combat skills aren't weak either. Don't let your guard down. That guy is arrogant and vain. If you can't last two or three minutes against him, he'll probably mock you every time he sees you afterward."

Cai Xiaodong cautioned him meticulously. Seeing his furrowed brow, it was clear he had suffered quite a bit at Zhang Qing Jian's hands.

Upon seeing this, Li Yi simply patted Cai Xiaodong's shoulder and chuckled.

"I want to test the mettle of an evolver too. Don't worry, I might even be able to help you save some face."

Cai Xiaodong shook his head.

"Although you are indeed very strong, you're still missing a year of intensive training. You should take it easy. It's best to surprise him with your strongest combat technique before he uses his Divine Skill, land a heavy blow, and then surrender. That would be the most dignified approach."

Li Yi didn't explain further.

In fact, after learning the Quake-Word Technique, his mech's combat power had improved by a small tier.

He might not necessarily lose to a Divine Mech piloted by a low-ranking evolver.

Moreover, the ranking difference between Zhang Qing Jian and Li Yi wasn't that significant, which also made Li Yi anticipate this actual combat training.

Soon, the two arrived at Arena 8, Grid 4.

At both ends of the arena, two giant steel monsters, about forty meters tall, stood imposquely.

On the left was the Pluto Mech, clad in pure black armor, with a lean build and eyes as deep as a prison.

On the right was the Flame Crow Mech, with a dark base color interspersed with red markings, two humps on its shoulder blades, and a slender, strange build.

Although they were of similar height, To the naked eye, the Pluto Mech appeared more imposing, while the Flame Crow Mech seemed more agile.

Other arenas also had other Divine Mechs standing on one side, clearly transported there by Chen Qiong Zhi's arrangement.

"All those who are ready can take their positions and begin."

"Remember, don't just fight mindlessly. Consciously feel the omnipresent divinity within the mech and try to stimulate it!"

Chen Qiong Zhi's voice echoed from above.

Li Yi glanced around and saw a massive mech, seventy to eighty meters tall. Its colors blended almost perfectly with the cool-toned walls. If he hadn't looked closely, he wouldn't have even noticed this colossal Divine Mech.

Hiss...

Could such a giant object easily erase its presence? Was this an advanced application technique of divinity?

While marveling, Li Yi quickly hurried towards the elevator on the side of the Pluto Mech.

Opposite him, Zhang Qing Jian seemed to have already scrambled up, apparently preparing to activate the Flame Crow Mech.

Suddenly, Li Yi's running steps halted abruptly.

Damn it!

He suddenly remembered a very awkward problem.

Although he had digested some new memory fragments last night, His Pluto Mech's startup speed was still relatively slow.

He estimated it would still take about fifty minutes to start up.

With no other option, he opened his communicator and dialed Chen Qiong Zhi in his upper contact directory, reporting in a low voice:

"Instructor, my Pluto Mech's startup speed will take about fifty minutes..."

"What, fifty..."

Chen Qiong Zhi, who was in the cockpit preparing to observe everyone's matches, paused.

As if remembering something, she patted her forehead, a little embarrassed.

That's right, when she was manually arranging the pairings, she was so focused on whether the opponents were suitable.

He forgot to consider the startup time.

Fortunately, he was in the cockpit and his expression couldn't be seen.

Chen Qiong Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and calmly said:

"Yes, I know. I have all your data at my fingertips."

"Your opponent, Zhang Qing Jian, has quick reflexes and a slippery fighting style, which perfectly counters your precise and ferocious style. With the two of you as opponents, it will maximize the stimulation for divine power activation. Although he's an evolved human, he's only recently evolved, so you can fight him with confidence and boldness."

Although Li Yi found Chen Qiong Zhi's assessment a bit abrupt and unrelated to his question, he still listened patiently until she finished, then asked:

"Instructor, will my slow startup time delay the subsequent rounds of duels? Should I clear the area so other groups can start, and you can notify Zhang Qing Jian to start when I'm almost ready?"

"No need. I've already notified Zhang Qing Jian to conduct some autonomous training first. The other participants have their own rounds and arenas. You can focus on starting the Divine Mech."

"Understood."

After reporting, Li Yi also let go of his worries.

Chen Qiong Zhi was surprisingly easy to talk to, completely unlike her usual tough, iron-willed demeanor.

In the blink of an eye, 53 minutes passed.

The Divine Mechs in other rounds had long since completed multiple practical duels.

Most of the participants had passively entered a state of overload and ejected from their Divine Mechs.

Those who had finished their duels were watching other mech battles from the sidelines.

There were only a handful of people still capable of maintaining a combat state.

Therefore, nearly seventy people from the Special Selection Class had gathered at Li Yi's combat arena.

"Let's see what this year's rookie king is made of."

"This is interesting. The instructor has a plan, arranging a duel between two rookie kings."

"An evolved human versus a non-evolved human fighting king? Let's see if Li Yi has a chance to create another miracle."

"The reaction speed of evolved humans is far beyond that of non-evolved humans. If Li Yi can last three minutes, it would be top-tier performance."

"Don't forget, Li Yi isn't an ordinary non-evolved human. I think he has at least a 30% chance of winning."

"Heh, 10% would be good."

The one who said 10% was Zhang Xu Qiang.

He sneered, utterly convinced.

Amidst the discussion.

BOOM!!!

A loud noise echoed.

The Pluto Mech's massive eyes, which seemed to hold the frigid depths of hell, slowly opened.

The Flame Crow Mech on the opposite side, having received Chen Qiong Zhi's prior notification, coincidentally finished its startup and opened its dark red eyes, meeting the gaze of the Pluto Mech.

Cold and hot air currents rapidly collided, generating over a dozen small whirlwinds, each two to three meters in diameter, right on the spot.

Zhang Qing Jian, inside the cockpit, curved his lips into a 70-degree smile:

"Since you made me wait so long, I'll give you a big gift first."

The next moment, the Flame Crow Mech suddenly opened its upper and lower jaws. Within its pitch-black maw, orange flames converged into a ball, and the temperature skyrocketed.

In an instant, those standing outside the protective shield felt a stinging, burning sensation on their skin.

"Holy crap, starting with a Divine Skill!"

"He actually upgraded his Inherited Skill to a Divine Skill this quickly?"

The onlookers, especially the older participants with higher rankings and longer experience, all had a sudden change in expression.

That kid Zhang Qing Jian was hiding his true strength.

"It's over. Divine Skills have a very strong armor-breaking effect. Li Yi has almost no chance of winning now."

Cai Xiaodong's face also fell, feeling a sense of regret.