Chapter 117: A Growth Period? (An extra chapter for the Golden Alliance leader

The focus of the entire room returned once again to Li Hao, the team's Sniper. But everyone knew that the Sniper position was not essential; in many combat environments, a Sniper was not needed, as long as one was equipped with sufficient laser firepower. Like the Sniper and Heavy Armor, they were more often substitute choices here in the USE, unless one reached S-rank.

"Working hard to improve," Li Hao said.

Lu Er Deng looked at Li Hao earnestly, "I hope you aren't just blowing hot air. As a Team Leader, you must possess comprehensive combat capabilities to handle all kinds of situations. Everyone knows the recent situation at Tianjing; you and your team bear a heavy responsibility. I have just received the criteria for this year's Mid-Season Training: the top twenty are directly selected, while the academies behind them must engage in two rounds of matches. Those ranked thirtieth to fiftieth only need to win one match to be selected, but we must win all our matches to qualify for the Mid-Season Training."

The whole room was in an uproar. Everyone knew the weight of the Mid-Season Training; it could be called the mini-World Cup within the USE. If they couldn't even get into this, Tianjing would truly be falling.

"Professor Lu Er Deng, I will work hard," Li Hao said earnestly. In terms of attitude, Team Leader Li had always been upright.

"I hope so. Our opponents are the 45th-ranked Galileo Academy and the 31st-ranked Udier Academy. I hope your confidence matches your strength." Lu Er Deng signaled for Li Hao to sit down. In truth, a considerable number of people in the school still did not understand Long Danni's approach.

At this moment, the large public lecture hall exploded, "Professor, how were these opponents selected? It's too unfair!"

"Are you crazy? We're ranked 51st, and you've arranged two such high-ranking opponents, plus the 31st-ranked Udier???"

"Which idiot came up with this? It's clearly bullying our Tianjing!"

Lu Er Deng tapped the table, "The opponents were randomly drawn. To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. We cannot choose our opponents, but we can make ourselves stronger."

The words sounded nice, but these were words only the Ten Great Academies were qualified to say. Even the people of Tianjing knew that the current Tianjing Team really couldn't compare to its peak in the past. Moreover, the team had just undergone a major overhaul. Frankly, some students were in favor of it—you have to break to build—but no matter what, they should have been given a chance to develop. Who would have thought they would run right into a reform?

Furthermore, many people felt that no matter what, Gao Yunfeng had been baptized by major competitions and was very strong in both experience and strength. One couldn't completely negate him because of one match. Besides, even if he wasn't the Team Leader, he was more than qualified to be a core member. Why wasn't he even a substitute? It was impossible for there to be no controversy in the academy.

The sharp drop in ranking this time was largely due to this. Only Wuzang was worth looking forward to, but a Supernova wasn't something worth being proud of. All the top academies had Supernovas; this didn't count as anything at all.

Although Lu Er Deng spoke plainly, he was also somewhat questioning Li Hao, especially since he was attending class with several beauties. What kind of behavior was this?

Riding high on success?

Freedom of love was a given, but as the Team Leader of the Tianjing Team, shouldn't honor and responsibility come first?

"Our Team Leader is living too comfortably."

"He's surrounded by beauties from the Arts Department and the Journalism Department; does he even have the heart to train?"

"I heard their training matches were a total thrashing; they were almost depressed from losing, yet he still has this kind of leisure?"

"It's over. How were these opponents assigned? Why are both of our opponents high-ranked? Is someone trying to sabotage Tianjing?"

"People are different, and goods are different. Have you heard? Chao Qinglong even broke up with his girlfriend just to clear his mind and prepare for the S Tournament with all his might to wash away the shame for the USE. He's already the head of the Six Dragons, and he's still working that hard. Look at us..."

"Brother, what are you saying? Find someone comparable, will you? One is in the sky and the other is on the ground. What's there to talk about? The strong get stronger, the weak get weaker. I really feel he's not even as good as Gao Yunfeng."

Not to mention the team members present, even A Youyou felt a bit awkward. She wanted to accompany Li Hao and learn more about life in the USE, but it seemed to have had a bad effect.

"Senior, I'm sorry..." A Youyou felt that sitting in on the class had caused trouble for Li Hao.

Li Hao chuckled, looked at A Youyou, and whispered with his head down, "Aiyouyou, when did you become so timid? I'm not someone who cares about other people's opinions."

A Youyou looked at Li Hao and realized he truly didn't mean to blame her. She hurriedly lowered her head and whispered, "I think everyone has some misunderstandings about you."

Li Hao glanced at A Youyou, "Actually, it's not really a misunderstanding."

A Youyou didn't react for a moment, then a blush suddenly appeared on her face. She gave Li Hao a reproachful look. He was usually so wooden, why was he being so clever now? "Are you sure? It sounds like those two teams are ranked much higher than Tianjing."

"Soldiers come, generals block; water comes, earth covers. Just fight normally. Wuzang and the others are all very capable."

"Not them, you're the Team Leader! The teacher even pointed you out!" A Youyou couldn't help but say.

"Aiyouyou, are you questioning your senior? I'm definitely the most powerful. Once I make a move, they'll be finished!" Li Hao laughed.

"That Armor Leopard, do you know it? It seems like everyone is practicing it lately. My cousin is in a top-tier NUP team, and now they are all researching and practicing the Armor Leopard. They say it's some kind of super assassin?" At this moment, A Youyou wasn't afraid of being a little spy.

"I'm definitely the strongest," Li Hao said casually.

"Brag, all you do is brag, hmph." A Youyou wrinkled her little nose.

Li Hao smiled and didn't mind, but feeling the surrounding gazes, he stopped chatting.

Even Ma Long lowered his head and pretended to be a good boy. He, the "connected person," had also been exposed. Although he was doing well in the Starship Department, could he be better than Gao Yunfeng?

The class finished in a strange atmosphere, and Ma Long and the others slipped out impatiently. Of course, there were those who didn't care, like Huo Ying. This guy was looking around with a flourish, completely unable to sense everyone's questioning and dissatisfaction. Everyone is paying so much attention to me, it must be because I'm handsome!

However, before everyone had left, a teacher from the school administration office arrived. The Principal wanted to see them.

The six of them arrived at the Principal's office. Regarding this sudden change, Long Danni felt the targeting. If one said such opponents were a coincidence, even she wouldn't believe it. But overall, it was within the rules, and she couldn't pick any faults. Except for the top twenty military academies that were guaranteed entry—also known as the first-tier—the others were second and third-tier. The organizers of the Mid-Season Training said the opponents were randomly drawn, so questioning it was useless. What needed to be done now was how to defeat these two opponents to qualify for the Mid-Season Training.

For the current Tianjing, Long Danni had never doubted their potential, but they urgently needed time and a stage. Experience was also the Achilles' heel of this team, and the Mid-Season Training was crucial. At the same time, it would allow them to come into contact with the current top-tier level of the USE and broaden the team members' horizons. As someone who had been through it, Long Danni understood this very well. Some team members who hadn't seen the big stage would even experience dizzy spells from nervousness at the S Tournament; this was absolutely no joke.

Looking at the six pieces of material before her, Long Danni still had a bit of a headache. Li Hao, Wuzang, and Zhou Naiyi were qualified; Zuo Xiaotang was an X-factor. This little fatty had a knack for the Arc Shot, but that was just a move; once someone was prepared, it didn't actually have much of a deterrent effect. Ma Long and Huo Ying... what on earth were these two?

Li Hao liked finding teammates from people he knew too much; it wasn't an exaggeration to say he was practicing nepotism. Could it be that the vast Tianjing Martial Arts didn't have anyone else? As far as she knew, there were several people in the Mecha Department with unique traits who weren't even in Gao Yunfeng's team.

All six stood straight. The Principal remained silent, and the pressure felt immense. Even Huo Ying kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his mouth, being extremely well-behaved.

"Li Hao, you should know about your opponents. Next Monday, the Galileo Battle Team will come to our academy for a decisive battle; we can wait for them in comfort. The Monday after that, we will head to Udier Academy to challenge them. There isn't much time left for you. What are your plans?" Long Danni stared at Li Hao. This former Youth Class genius—she didn't care about his personality or whether he followed the rules. As long as he didn't cross the bottom line, all she wanted was victory.

"Yes, Principal. We have been training hard and actively preparing for the battle. No matter who the opponent is, we will give it our all!" Li Hao held his head high and chest out, his attitude absolutely upright.

Long Danni smiled, not knowing if she was angry or what. This little brat wasn't very old, but he could spout empty words very smoothly, yet there was no substance at all. But since she had chosen him, she had to give him trust. As a Team Leader, prestige was crucial; otherwise, the team couldn't be led.

"Have you considered expanding the substitute lineup? The Mid-Season Tournament is for six people, but there are no restrictions on substitutes during selection. Currently, there is only Ma Long. Is that enough?" Long Danni said. Regardless of anything else, they had to find a way to enter the Mid-Season Training first.

"Report, Principal. I believe Ma Long alone is enough. This guy has no problems other than being lazy," Li Hao said loudly.

Beside him, Ma Long's mouth twitched. You jerk, are you praising me or scolding me?

"Report, Principal. Ever since I joined the team, I have been working very hard!" Ma Long wasn't a fool; the person in front of him held the power of life and death over them.

Long Danni smiled, "Our Tianjing Martial Arts school hunk, quite handsome, not bad. I heard the team's administrative staff are all top-tier beauties from our school?"

Ma Long's face darkened, but with his emotional intelligence, he knew he absolutely couldn't back down, "Principal, I believe being handsome is not my fault. This is discrimination. As a Warrior, we should be judged by our performance on the battlefield!"

Bang...

Long Danni tapped the table, "Very good. Remember what you said today. You represent Tianjing Martial Arts now. Li Hao, I don't care about your way of leading the team, but what I want is victory. No matter who the opponent is, do you understand?"

"Yes, Principal! Our goal at Tianjing Martial Arts is only the championship!" Li Hao said with soaring momentum. Zhou Naiyi and the others subconsciously distanced themselves from Li Hao a little.

Long Danni couldn't help but frown, but she didn't want to discourage them. After all, whether it was the military academies or the students participating in the S Tournament, they really only had the championship in mind; this was an attitude.

What everyone craved was that position and glory at the peak.

"Go. I look forward to your performance."

Use people without suspicion, suspect people without using them. In some respects, she felt that Li Hao's style of doing things was what she liked, but perhaps being a bit more cautious would be better. After all, the current Tianjing Martial Arts couldn't afford to be tossed around anymore.

The six left. Ma Long let out a long breath, "Damn it, I almost suffocated. Who did I offend? Why am I being targeted like this? It seems if I don't show some performance, this is going to be life-threatening."

At the beginning, Ma Long joined with the intention of playing around and showing off, but now there is no room for that at all; it is not just him, every position on the team is a focal point, and possessing a treasure is a crime. In this position, since one enjoys the treatment and honor, one must shoulder the responsibility. Gao Yunfeng was the same back then; people only saw the thief eating meat, but did not see the thief getting beaten.

"Should I talk to Sheng Man and the others so we can keep a low profile recently?"

(Thanks to the Golden Alliance leader "I Want to Become Zhao Gao Step by Step" for the support, mighty and majestic, dominating the Solar System! The monthly ticket event during the double period is 20% away from being achieved; once completed, I will add five more chapters on top of the original basis. I admit, it is a bit rash, the bottom of the stock manuscript pot has been polished bright. Working twelve hours a day during the National Day, it's a small matter, I can hold on!!!)

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Providing you with "Mecha Storm" by the great master Kulu Jingling