Chapter 210: Farewell

In Tianjing City on Earth, inside the Tianjing Mecha training grounds.

A crowd was listening to the gossip with great interest; they had been truly angered a few days ago. This Pading had been constantly playing mind games, challenging others—if they were weak, he would fight, but if there was a risk, he wouldn't. He specifically targeted Puppet and Aofei, but Aofei ignored him entirely. In the blink of an eye, he was wiped out by his own people; this feeling was exceptionally satisfying.

"Have you guys noticed? It's like the Three Wolves know Puppet," Ma Long said while eating. "I really have that feeling, and I even sensed a trace of reverence. I watched the video of their interview; Romero and Duanwu didn't mention Puppet's name from start to finish, as if they were avoiding something."

"Ma Long, are you talking nonsense?" Alzi laughed. "Romero is the number one ruthless man on Mars. You haven't met him, so you don't know how fierce he is."

"Are you talking nonsense?"

"We can't be as mindless as the Martians. Puppet is very strong, but at most, he's at the level of the Three Wolves—that's already the highest praise. Lone Wolf is a top-tier expert who has achieved excellent results in two consecutive S Tournaments; anyone facing him is at best a fifty-fifty split."

"I also don't know where Puppet went. It's already come to this, is he still not going to fight?" Mier Sannan couldn't help but say.

He respected Li Hao very much, but that was because of Luo Bi; he didn't know the inside story.

Mo Yu and Chen Ang buried their heads in their food, suppressing smiles at the corners of their mouths. They knew, but they couldn't say. In fact, they only had a partial understanding of many things, and there wasn't much they could have experienced; after all, their seniority back in Tianqi was very low.

"It's not about being arrogant, just think about it—what kind of people are the Martians? How ruthless and foul is Romero's mouth? When have you ever seen him talk to anyone properly?" Ma Long said. "Of course, I also think it's very strange, but analyzing it from a logical perspective, only Puppet accepting the challenge will work. I still favor Puppet. Mo Yu, Chen Ang, what secret whispers are you two having?"

"I also think Puppet God will definitely win!"

"That's for sure, God is invincible!"

"Damn, why are you guys on the same wavelength as Zhuang Zhou? You know Zhuang Zhou, right? From our school, Puppet's earliest fan. Damn, he's incredible now, a big streamer, popular as hell." Ma Laoshi was a bit emotional; his own followers didn't even amount to a fraction of Zhuang Zhou's. The juniors nowadays are truly fierce. Come to think of it, Ma Long really felt there was a problem. Martians really aren't this 'righteous'; the so-called reasoning doesn't apply to them at all. Describing them as profit-seeking grass-on-the-wall is not an exaggeration. But there is one point: it might be related to the rise of the Martians—they particularly admire the strong, and specifically those who can beat them into submission.

But... Ma Long felt he was overthinking it. Perhaps it was just the internal strife of the Martians.

After finishing her meal, Dita also knew that many things had happened recently. She and her team had stayed on Earth for a bit too long, and the school had also requested them to return quickly. The Mid-Season Tournament was about to begin, and they also had to make final preparations. The recent noise from Mars had also attracted the public opinion surrounding Dita away. Everyone was waiting for Puppet's decision regarding the challenge from the Alliance-level top expert, Romero.

This wasn't Pading's crazy biting anymore; the man was very serious. And at Romero's level, Aofei wasn't qualified to step out to accept the challenge. At most, the two were on the same level; in fact, in everyone's current view, Romero was even stronger.

Although he didn't get a response from Puppet immediately, Romero didn't urge him at all, nor did he make any statements. Actually, this didn't fit Lone Wolf's habits, because he was actually very sharp-tongued.

Ever since Puppet burst onto the scene, many things had happened. During his winning streak, he had encountered quite a few S Tournament players from all the major alliances. But strangely, it seemed some people actually knew him. Even more strangely, these people weren't limited to Earth; they were from all the major federations, and yet, these people all denied it.

Who exactly is Puppet?

No matter who he is, he is someone who can make the Three Wolves give him face. If Romero and Duanwu spoke up, it might be because of the competition between the three major Martian academies, but Basta directly wiping out his own top general was inexplicable. Of course, some people wanted to pry information out of Basta, but it all fell on deaf ears.

All eyes in the Alliance's mecha world were drawn to Mars.

Dita dialed Li Hao's Skycom. It was rare; this was the first time it went through in these past few days. Li Hao on the other end yawned, feeling like he had just woken up.

"Dita, are you going to treat me to a meal?"

"Hehe, your mouth is poisonous. You think quite highly of yourself. We are returning to the Moon this weekend; shouldn't you show your face?"

"Ah, so early? Stay a few more days. You being like this makes me feel a bit guilty."

"I don't feel that at all!" Dita was so angry her teeth itched. It was better to go back early; she couldn't beat him, and she just got angry for nothing.

Li Hao had just finished his business. He had run away from the cave last time, but he had also startled the Giant Insect. Never mind going to that place, the entire cavern was on high alert. High-level Giant Insects were out of the question; it was hard to control the situation without the element of surprise. The randomness of last time was huge, and he finally found a gap to catch a Lurker to get the thing out. Then, bringing the Ocean Heart back was the most difficult part. It took three days and three nights, but he finally got it back. Now, his whole body felt drained.

"Tomorrow night, then. Let's meet up tomorrow night. By the way, the Dean asked me to thank you, but don't go to any more trouble." Li Hao said this, but he had no intention of refusing at all, and even felt the more the better.

"Fine, just the two of us. I also have something to tell you."

After finishing the Skycom call with Dita, Li Hao fell back and went to sleep. This time, he was truly sleeping.

Ma Long and the others were used to it; it had been like this since their freshman year. They used to think it was narcolepsy, but looking at it now, it should be some eccentric habit of an expert.

Originally, Ma Long and Wuzang wanted to discuss Romero, but seeing Li Hao sleeping soundly, the three of them cleaned up quietly and entered their dreams.

With Luo Bi's guidance, Ma Long was also advancing by leaps and bounds. After all, everything Ma Long knew, Luo Bi knew; everything Ma Long had experienced or hadn't yet experienced, Luo Bi had already gone through. And there were some things between teammates that were hard to say, but Luo Bi had no such scruples. Ma Laoshi's mindset had changed now, and he could listen to advice. Of course, Mad Lion had the qualifications for that.

Zuo Xiaotang... his training was very serious, and he fought very fiercely, more proactively than before. It was just that his record had some ups and downs. Not to mention that Zuoge was a quiet person, this incident had stirred up the rebellious consciousness in his bones, and his style had also changed to a certain extent. As a Warrior, one had to be more ruthless, and the training also allowed Zuo Xiaotang's emotions to gradually vent in battle. More importantly, his relationship with Lu Ying was only a bit ambiguous and hadn't gone deep, so the timing for pulling out was relatively good.

As for Lu Ying, it was said that she had a huge argument in the dormitory, berated everyone, and then moved out. Anyway, she wasn't lacking for men.

Li Hao slept until the evening of the next day before waking up. Seeing the time, he rushed to his appointment with Dita.

When he arrived at the cafe, Dita had already been waiting for a while. They took a booth by the window where they could quietly watch the night view of Tianjing Mecha. The surroundings were mostly private spaces for couples, and pleasant laughter could be heard from time to time.

"I thought you had overslept again." Dita didn't blame him; she saw Li Hao's hair was a mess, feeling like he had rushed over in a hurry.

"Sorry, it's been too hectic these past few days." Just as he finished speaking, his stomach roared without giving him any face.

Dita couldn't help but burst into laughter. "You did that on purpose, didn't you? Making me treat you again."

"That, it wasn't on purpose. But it would be even better if you let me eat something."

Dita called the waiter and ordered a pile of food. Li Hao didn't stand on ceremony, shoveling it in mouthful by mouthful, eating and drinking. Dita propped her chin on one side and watched quietly. How could one person eat so deliciously?

"That, do you want to eat something too?" Li Hao felt a bit embarrassed, though not actually that embarrassed; he knew Dita was a rich woman.

"I've already eaten." Dita politely declined. This person was so fake even when being polite, without a shred of sincerity.

"I originally wanted to stay a few more days, but the school notified us, and we are going back tomorrow."

"Ah, so fast!" Li Hao stopped eating, feeling a bit reluctant.

Dita smiled slightly; at least at this moment, she felt Li Hao was sincere.

"Before I leave, I have a request: let's have a match. I can't learn the Drawing Sword Technique, but I want to try to see if I can break it."

During this time, Dita hadn't been idle. Being close to Li Hao could greatly stimulate her fighting spirit, and with Aofei and Luo Bi around, her state was excellent. Learning the Drawing Sword Technique didn't mean she had to master it, but rather that she could realize things useful to herself from it.

"Alright, I'll accompany you in a bit. We can fight as many times as you want, I'm free today!" Li Hao said.

After the two finished eating, they didn't go to the training grounds but went straight to the EMP Building.

In the Arena, Li Hao chose the Black Night Saber, yawning several times; his eyes were a bit hard to keep open, and he felt he would have to sleep again in a while. Dita, with a serious face, chose the Yaoying Athena. Two cool-looking Mobile Suits descended into the Arena.

In her sparring with Aofei, Dita's spirit and energy were also climbing toward their peak. She could feel that Aofei had likely reached the Burning Will state, and she would definitely reach it too. There was enough time before the S Tournament; she didn't need to rush, but rather proceed steadily. This process of realization was more important.

The Oath Sword popped out, held horizontally across her chest. "Li Hao, no need to go easy on me, use your full strength!"

The Black Night Saber's engine roared, its center of gravity lowered, and its right hand rested on the Blood Moon Battle Blade. Neither Mobile Suit moved, their momentum constantly climbing. Dita had already entered the Red Eye State, her Mental Power constantly rising. Under the powerful pressure of the Black Night Saber, this Mental Power was still strengthening, having already increased to her peak state. Several faint trajectories appeared, and gradually, the trajectories became one, and it was clear.

Dita's red pupils emitted a strong light. The Yaoying Athena held the sword in one hand, perfectly integrated; at this moment, person and mecha were completely fused into one.

She had predicted the opponent's attack route, but how to defend?!

Ever since she was defeated, this scene had appeared in Dita's dreams more times than she could count. That white light was like a Nightmare.

This was the moment she had been waiting for!

Boom...