Kē Yúnyáo and Mǎkǎluó intended to press their advantage, and Lǐ Yòu had no way to dodge at all. Ultimately, under the pincer attack from Kē Yúnyáo and Mǎkǎluó, he was eliminated.
Lǐ Yòu's face turned black as ink.
On the other side, Yán Zhou and his team were five against five. Even so, they weren't struggling too much. Once they found their opponents, they charged and attacked relentlessly!
Kē Yúnyáo and Mǎkǎluó flew over to check. It was fine; they could handle it, and they didn't need to step in.
Mǎkǎluó had originally thought Duàn Yáng and Jiāng Tiān might struggle, but upon seeing them, it turned out they were incredibly fierce, hacking and slashing without any method, leaving their opponents miserable.
Hiss—
Mǎkǎluó once suspected these two had chosen the wrong major. These fierce individuals weren't even in the Combat Department. It was a pity. He wondered if they wanted to change majors?
Mǎkǎluó absently fiddled with his gun and cannon. Kē Yúnyáo pulled him, "Let's go. We need to keep watch for them!"
"Roger that! Coming!" Mǎkǎluó responded.
The two separated, each guarding one side.
"Captain, captain!" Mǎkǎluó called out to Wǎxī.
Wǎxī replied in the group chat, "All clear for now! You two patrol north and south!"
Kē Yúnyáo: "Yes!"
Mǎkǎluó: "Yes!"
...
The news of the battle resuming here had long since attracted the attention of other teams.
However, at this moment, even if they knew, they didn't have the energy to get involved.
Lín Jié's team caught up to Gù Tiānlín's squad. Knowing they couldn't escape, both sides engaged in battle.
However, Lín Jié's speed wasn't fast enough. Other pursuers arrived from behind—an alliance of Elina's team, formerly ranked 5th, and the team formerly ranked 8th.
Originally, they intended to be the mantis stalking the cicada, with a oriole behind. Now, before the cicada was dead, two orioles had arrived. The mantis and the cicada stopped fighting and directly engaged the two orioles.
Lín Jié's team faced Elina's team. However, the moment Lín Jié saw Elina, an idea suddenly struck him.
"I have an idea. I'd like to discuss it with your team. What do you think..." Lín Jié diverted some attention and shouted to Elina.
The commander of Elina's team knew Lín Jié. Seeing the look in Lín Jié's eyes as he looked at Elina, his mind raced, and he suddenly understood Lín Jié's thoughts.
The commander looked at Lín Jié, and Lín Jié looked back. Yes, it's exactly what you're thinking!
Elina's team lacked strong combat individual soldiers, while Lín Jié's team lacked high-level weapons. If the two could combine, perhaps they could even turn the tables.
Lín Jié smiled, "What do you say? Any thoughts?"
The commander of Elina's team was very tempted, but their ally was not happy!
The commander of the 8th ranked team shouted, "Húkè, are you breaking our agreement? Don't forget, we are your allies!"
Húkè, who was the commander of Elina's team, instantly swallowed back the words that were about to escape his lips.
Yes! They still had allies!
Lín Jié didn't want to give up and persuaded again, "We're all smart people. Smart people should cooperate with smart people! Smart people know who to cooperate with to have a future, right?"
Húkè had to admit, he was even more tempted!
The commander of the 8th ranked team was also unwilling to give up, "Húkè, don't be naive! Even if you cooperate with them and successfully defeat the first-ranked team, what then? Can you guarantee they won't turn around and attack you?"
Húkè paused again. He had to admit, that made sense.
He thought hard and fast. Forming an alliance with Lín Jié, it seemed they had no great use other than providing weapons. And weapons, once bound to someone's mental power, couldn't be taken back unless the other party released them. This way, they would indeed be easily kicked out by the other party.
Thinking of this, his eyes became sharp.
After Húkè understood, he smiled subtly at Lín Jié, "Thank you for your invitation, Commander Lín. However, after thinking about it, I must keep my promise, so let's forget about the alliance for now!"
Lín Jié's smile froze, a hint of displeasure in his heart.
The commander of the 8th ranked team smiled.
Elina looked at Húkè with confusion. She was sure Lín Jié had extended the invitation because of her. Why refuse?
Even with the weapon bonus, their team wasn't stronger than the top-ranked teams. Why refuse when a stronger team asked for cooperation?
"Húkè?"
Húkè looked at Elina, "Listen to me!"
A flicker of displeasure crossed Elina's eyes.
Lín Jié's unhappiness dissipated considerably after seeing this.
Tsk, they don't get along!
A dark glint flashed in his eyes.
For an alliance, it's best not to have too many leaders; it's best to have only one issuing commands!
So...
Lín Jié leaned towards the two individual soldiers in his team and whispered, "Take out their commander!"
"Yes!" Although the two individual soldiers didn't understand the commander's orders, it didn't stop them from obeying.
They immediately flashed forward to attack Húkè.
Húkè's eyes widened, and he quickly erected a mental power barrier in front of himself.
Elina was separated and dodged to the side. Lín Jié's eyes flashed, and using various evasive maneuvers, he moved towards her.
Elina felt a trace of panic, but Lín Jié didn't attack her. He just leaned close to her ear and whispered, "How about we cooperate?"
Chapter 40: Battle Situation Changes
The remaining individual soldiers in Lǐ Yòu's team were eventually eliminated.
Kē Yúnyáo and the others left the battlefield again and stopped in a secluded place.
"Phew~ We've been fighting all day, and it's almost dark!" Jiāng Tiān sighed.
He looked at the sky; it was time to prepare dinner again!
Kē Yúnyáo touched her stomach, and the others also instinctively did the same, then they all looked at the chef.
"I'll make it now, I'll make it now! You guys keep watch, and I'll be as quick as I can!"
"Okay, okay, okay!"
Duàn Yáng went to assist Jiāng Tiān, while the others gathered around Wǎxī to discuss their next move.
Wǎxī analyzed for everyone, "Our team's points are already close to 10,000. We have almost 4,000 more points than the second-ranked team. As long as we maintain our lead, first place is ours."
Yán Cíxī: "Then we don't need to fight anymore?"
Wǎxī nodded. "In theory, yes. However, if they catch up and we can't escape, we'll still have to fight!"
Kē Yúnyáo was curious about the other teams' situations, "How are the other teams in the top 10 now?"
Wǎxī heard this, looked, and frowned, "The original 2nd and 8th ranked teams were eliminated. However, although the 2nd ranked team was eliminated, their points remained in 4th place."
"The original 4th ranked team rose to 2nd, the 5th ranked team rose to 3rd. The remaining 7 teams in the top 10 points list have gone dark!"
This meant those people had been eliminated.
Kē Yúnyáo and the others understood this and couldn't help but be shocked for a moment. So now there was a high probability that only their three teams were left!
Kē Yúnyáo asked again, "Does the current number of survivors match?"
Wǎxī marveled at her perceptiveness and shook his head, "It doesn't match. I just calculated it. It seems one more team survived, but their points are not on the top 10 list."
Kē Yúnyáo nodded, her brow furrowing. Compared to the top 10 teams, whose positions were almost openly known, this surviving team was the most dangerous entity.
They might run into them at any moment.
"Moreover, I found that the current 2nd and 3rd ranked teams may have formed an alliance. Their teams consist of SSS-class commander Lín Jié and SS-class mecha master Elina. The combined combat individual soldiers of these two teams are not weak either!" Wǎxī said, looking somewhat troubled.
Without a doubt, these two teams allying must be to deal with them.
Kē Yúnyáo blinked. Elina, was she the Elina she was thinking of?
Immediately, she and Wǎxī reached the same conclusion.
Not only her, but Yán Cíxī and the others also had the same thought.
Previously, they had analyzed potential strong rival teams. Lín Jié's team clearly lacked a mecha master who could forge high-level weapons. Elina's team had a good commander but needed to strengthen their combat power. Now that these two teams had allied, they truly had individual soldiers and weapons – a formidable adversary!
Everyone's expression became solemn.
Although Duàn Yáng and Jiāng Tiān were preparing dinner, they listened attentively, heard the worry in Wǎxī's words, and also frowned.
Hey, I've got it!
Duàn Yáng suddenly had an idea, "No, why do we have to confront them? They chase, we run! Isn't it enough if we don't let them catch up?"
Everyone else: "..."
"Anyway, in a few more hours, the opening school exam will end. Isn't it enough if we don't let them catch up?"
It seems... it does... make some sense!
Everyone looked at each other.
They were all thinking about how to deal with enemies, but they hadn't really considered just running away.
Duàn Yáng's words were indeed enlightening, and everyone's worried mood immediately lessened significantly.
...
On the other side, without their commander Húkè, Elina, who had officially allied with Lín Jié, also discussed with Lín Jié how to defeat Kē Yúnyáo's team within the remaining few hours.
"Lín Jié, do you have a plan?"
Lín Jié smiled, "Of course!"
Elina became excited. She was afraid that speaking loudly would affect her demeanor, so she suppressed her voice and said gently, "Can you tell me?"
"Of course, it's my honor to enlighten you!" Lín Jié made a gentlemanly bow to Elina.
Elina's lips curved into a slight smile. She knew her charm was irresistible.
Lín Jié, being close, naturally saw her expression, but he didn't expose it. This was the effect he wanted.
He wanted to befriend Elina.
This opening school exam had already proven one thing: having an excellent mecha master in the team could indeed achieve more with less effort.
Therefore, befriending Elina in advance was a good thing.
Actually, he wanted to befriend Kē Yúnyáo from the first-ranked team the most. The fact that Kē Yúnyáo could lead a team that wasn't the strongest in combat power to achieve so many points indicated that Kē Yúnyáo was definitely worth befriending.
However, besides just having a name, he didn't know much else about Kē Yúnyáo. This would have to wait until they returned to school.
One by one. Both are considered potential stocks. It's good to get one, and Lín Jié didn't intend to refuse.
Lín Jié explained his plan to Elina.
"So, are we going to find that surviving team now?" Elina looked at Lín Jié.
Lín Jié nodded. "Our two teams are too conspicuous. Only that team can approach the first-ranked team without a sound."
"But we don't have their location either. Where can we find them?"
Lín Jié smiled mysteriously, "I think if their captain is smart, they should proactively come to us seeking cooperation!"
Elina nodded thoughtfully.
...
That team, being watched by both sides, indeed had a smart captain, so smart that they just wanted to protect themselves.
It wasn't that they didn't want higher points, but neither of those two factions was easy to deal with!
Moreover, unless they single-handedly defeated the first-ranked team, there was no possibility of their ranking increasing.
Although they could cooperate with Lín Jié's team, even with cooperation, they would be the support while the others took the lead. The first place, such a large piece of fat meat, would never fall into their mouths. Perhaps in the end, they might even be completely exploited...
Their captain thought about many things, many, many things, and finally sighed, ultimately deciding to play their own game!
They wouldn't get involved. They would go hunt star beasts for points. Every bit counts. And, most importantly, doing this until the end would earn them academic credits.
These academic credits were different from points used for trading on the school network and also different from exam points. Academic credits were a crucial key to promotion assessments. If they didn't have enough academic credits, they couldn't advance to the second year. Being held back would be too embarrassing.
Chapter 41: Opening School Exam Ends
The time until the end was reduced by another star hour.
Elina, sitting opposite Lín Jié, could clearly feel the low pressure emanating from him!
Her own mood wasn't great either.
Where was the person who was supposed to come to them?
There were only two star hours left until the end. Was it still enough time?
Elina tentatively asked, "What do we do now?"
Lín Jié silently looked at the map's positioning. The two distant locations directly rendered his plan in vain!
He couldn't understand it. With the first-ranked team as such a big prize, hadn't that other surviving team considered cooperating with their remaining two teams?
It was obvious to anyone that if the three sides cooperated, there would be a high probability of defeating the first-ranked team. If they were smart, they should have come to them!
Why would this happen?
Other team: Heh heh! After defeating the first-ranked team, it's not us who get to be first, so why should we do unpaid labor for you?
And it's very easy to become cannon fodder after success. Are they that stupid?
Elina seemed to have understood something from his silence. She opened her mouth, but swallowed her questioning words.
The low pressure emanating from the two affected the others in their teams, making them hesitant to speak much.
...
The teachers in the office looked at the situation and knew that the result of this opening school exam had been decided.
The teacher who had strongly supported Lín Jié looked at the huge difference in points between the top two teams, as if slapped in the face.
His expression was not good, but he then thought that it might be good to teach that arrogant kid Lín Jié a lesson.
This was also one of the objectives of their opening school exam.
Because the school's random assignment created many possibilities, with teammates of uneven skill levels, a single mistake could lead to the same result as Lǐ Yòu, who was in the top 10 but was eliminated and then dropped off the list.
This exam tested teamwork; individual strength alone couldn't guarantee ultimate victory.
Lǐ Yòu was like this, Gù Tiānlín was like this, and now Lín Jié was almost the same.
"Should we just wait for it to end now?"
"These two teams don't want to fight, and the other two teams can't find opponents even if they want to!"
"What about that SSS-class star beast? Was it resolved?"
"It was resolved by Gù Tiānlín's team. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to get 4th place in the final points."
"Oh my, I really didn't pay enough attention!"
"Then there's no more suspense in the result!"
"Mhm, mhm."
Kevin looked at Kē Yúnyáo on the screen with admiration. He could say that Kē Yúnyáo was the most satisfying student among this batch of freshmen.
She was not only more steady than Lǐ Yòu and Elina but also highly creative and innovative. Their Mecha Department had been following the same routine for a long time. With such a fresh force, perhaps it could regain new vitality!
...
When another unknown team chose to protect themselves, the final result was, as expected, without suspense.
Kē Yúnyáo's team successfully secured first place!
The moment the exam time ended, Kē Yúnyáo's team couldn't help but cheer.
"Wow! We got first place!"
"Ahhhh!"
"Hahaha!"
Kē Yúnyáo was also infected by their emotions and jumped for joy a couple of times.
Who could have imagined at the beginning?
In the end, the team that won the championship was this team, which was not the strongest in overall strength!
Hahaha! It's simply too delightful!
Mèng Línglíng was even more stunned than anyone. She, she, she... a freshman with A-class mental power took first place, first place!
When registering, she never dared to imagine such a day would come!
After everyone finished cheering, they didn't forget to thank their great contributors.
"Yúnyáo, thank you! Thanks to you, we were able to get this first place!" Yán Cíxī said, her eyes shining as she looked at Kē Yúnyáo.
"Yes, yes! You are the one we should thank the most!" Wǎxī nodded.
"Mhm, mhm, mhm." Everyone else agreed.
Kē Yúnyáo smiled faintly, "It should be our collective effort that won us this first place. I alone was not enough."
These words warmed everyone's hearts, and they couldn't help but smile.
Kē Yúnyáo looked at everyone intently, "Victory belongs to all of us, and it was achieved through our joint efforts!"
Everyone else nodded heavily. That's right!
In the next second, everyone looked at each other and smiled.
Before the patrol teachers came to pick them up, Yán Cíxī and the others discussed the weapons with Kē Yúnyáo.
"Yúnyáo, can I buy this weapon?"
Although this was just an opening school exam, this weapon was something they had truly held in their hands.
Yán Cíxī and the others looked at Kē Yúnyáo with expectant eyes.
Kē Yúnyáo tilted her head back slightly, "Yes, you can buy it at market price!"
Yán Cíxī and the others were instantly delighted. Duàn Yáng said impatiently, "Then let's add each other on our optical computers first. I'll transfer the star currency to you immediately!"
"Okay!" Kē Yúnyáo's eyes lit up. There was such a good thing?
She thought the weapons were already considered theirs by default, but she didn't expect to be able to earn star currency. Hee hee, she was happy!
Kē Yúnyáo added her optical computer to everyone's, and finally, when it was Mèng Línglíng's turn, she treated her no differently.
Actually, Mèng Línglíng was a bit nervous, afraid Kē Yúnyáo wouldn't be willing to add her optical computer.
Kē Yúnyáo: You're overthinking it!