Chapter 261: Internal Competition

The two teams that started out performed a bit poorly; in truth, it wasn't entirely a matter of strength, but rather being caught off guard by the new training mode.

The first stage was evasion. Round Table Knights Academy sent out Vanguard Chen Ang, while Dome Royal Military Academy sent out Vanguard Brennan, both standouts among the Supernova. The reason Dome Royal is honored as the head of the New Five Tigers is because they also have a dual-roster, all of Supernova level, selected through intense elimination after mimicking the North Caro tournament to form such a team.

Pang Peila is not a Substitute, but a Vanguard. Not only is he strong, but he has a flexible mind and is not rigid in his techniques, which is what Curtis appreciates most. To achieve victory, the mind comes first; use the minimum cost to obtain the maximum result—the process is not important. Unexpectedly, he suffered an unfavorable start and was sneakily killed by Li Hao.

Chen Ang and Brennan stood before the wall, both having entered the Golden Zone. In an instant, ten silver metal balls each shot out like lightning. Both were fully focused, and having had the previous experience, they reacted immediately. Chen Ang and Brennan performed evasion maneuvers simultaneously. Brennan moved directly and significantly to the side to dodge the attack zone, while Chen Ang stayed in place, his body performing high-frequency oscillations, resisting by a hair's breadth. Both of their speeds were very fast, and their evasion movements were very precise. The second wave of attacks arrived; the trajectories of the metal balls suddenly formed a complex formation. Still ten silver balls, but they formed a large matrix. Brennan immediately lay down flat against the ground—a bit of a shortcut, but it was still a very good choice. Chen Ang did not dodge; instead, he leaped into the air, twisting his body in mid-air and moving his limbs to fit the gaps in the silver balls' attack, the silver balls grazing past the gaps in his body.

Just as the two were making their moves, a silver ball shot out from each side; this time, it was a targeted attack.

Chen Ang in mid-air and Brennan on the ground were both in a difficult spot. Chen Ang's red pupils shone brightly, and he performed a second twist in mid-air, his tough muscle control and body flexibility allowing the silver ball to shoot out while grazing the tip of his nose. Brennan performed a one-finger handstand, narrowly dodging the attack.

The third wave of silver balls arrived, twenty silver balls of varying speeds roaring toward the two. The range and layering were both more numerous and complex than before. The two gritted their teeth and pushed forward, both giving their utmost in high-speed evasion, their bodies leaving behind trails of afterimages, but there was no longer any room to dodge.

Both made every effort to evade. It was clear that the Golden Zone had brought them an increase in speed, but it could not change the result. Chen Ang was hit in the leg while tumbling, while Brennan was struck on the forehead, instantly swelling into a large blood-filled lump.

"Failure!"

Although the tone was cold, Lu Donglei's expression was much more relaxed than before. Having preparation really made for good adaptability, and the strength of these two was also clearly much better.

Returning to the team, Chen Ang was somewhat annoyed and hammered his thigh hard. He really wanted to secure a win for Li Ge; this ball was simply impossible to dodge. His body still had strength, but the space had reached its limit.

"How could anyone possibly pass this test!" the other, Brennan, also said indignantly.

"Some people have already passed these tests, and many at that, you frogs in a well," Lu Donglei said. "Next."

On the Round Table Knights side, Prussian stepped up, while for the Dome Royal Team, it was Hunterlam. Both were sturdy figures over two meters twenty, with bodies full of explosive muscle. They looked at each other and stepped up simultaneously.

With a roar, their pupils turned blood-red as they entered the Golden Zone. Prussian certainly knew the importance of this battle, his muscles bulging all over. On the other side, Hunterlam was not to be outdone; both were long-term top-five Heavy Armor users, old rivals.

Silver pillars shot out from the wall. Neither dodged; this time they were fully prepared, their legs exerting force and their muscles tensed.

Boom—

Both were baring their teeth and roaring, forcefully enduring the impact. Their bodies trembled violently, but they did not retreat.

The pillars retracted, and neither dared to have any slack; the second strike would only be heavier.

However, both thought wrong; the second strike was not just heavier, it was super heavy.

The pillars were ejected at high speed like pile drivers. Prussian saw it too, and with a roar, he didn't retreat but advanced, bringing his arms together to smash into them head-on.

Boom...

A mouthful of blood sprayed out, and he was sent flying back by the sheer force. Hunterlam on the other side didn't fare any better, but he tilted his shoulder to resist, rolling as he was blasted away.

This wasn't just outside the circle; they had both flown away.

"Failure."

The Heavy Armor users present were silent; was this training or a death trap???

"Third stage!"

By comparison, it felt much happier to be a Sniper; at most, it was just embarrassing.

On the Round Table Knights side, Mo Yu stepped up, and for Dome Royal, it was Banzhuo. Both were highly anticipated Snipers. If they couldn't hit the targets, then everyone else could basically give up.

The two were quite calm and immediately checked the Huwei M2 in their hands; the feel was very comfortable. They firmly put on their goggles, and a soldier even waved his hand to check.

The flying discs shot out, and this time the two did not hesitate. The M2s in their hands fired at full power, bang bang bang bang bang—

Mo Yu seemed unaffected at all, the M2 in his hand hitting one with every shot, extremely dashing, his pace also very orderly and elegant. On the other side, Banzhuo was about the same. Clearly, both of their mental tactile senses could keep up in time, but there was a difference; Mo Yu's shots were faster and had more leeway, while Banzhuo was clearly a bit slower. Although both hit their targets, the last one was a bit precarious.

The second round of ten flying discs came out, faster and scattering more erratically in all directions. Mo Yu fired instantly, precise point-shooting, his hand steady as a rock, fully demonstrating the powerful coordination between Mental Power and body. This was definitely something he had practiced.

On the other side, Banzhuo was clearly flustered. He had been a bit strained in the first round, and facing the more complex flying discs in the second round, after hitting two shots, the third shot missed, followed by three consecutive misses. It was over.

Mo Yu took the round!

The crowd immediately gave enthusiastic applause, not just for the confrontation itself, but as praise for Mo Yu. It really felt damn good to vent; the taste of being looked down upon by Lu Donglei was not pleasant.

Aofei, Luo Bi, and the others didn't pay special attention; it was within expectations, because this type of project had existed in the Apocalypse. Mo Yu was already very excellent back then, and Mo Yu, having awakened the Golden Zone, clearly had training in this area. This was preparation.

The Round Table Knights are, after all, a military academy that has been in the top three for years, and their strength has not waned. From their foundation to their techniques, they cannot be compared to the upstart Dome Royal.

Returning to the team, Mo Yu high-fived his teammates to cheer them on. Regardless, Mo Yu had taken the first point of the match, but this point could not affect the result of the set. The battle between Aofei and Curtis was about to begin, and the outcome would very likely determine who was the second strongest in the USE.

Next were Aofei and Curtis. Before the Mid-Season Tournament began, the two had already been comprehensively compared by military magazines. In terms of historical records, Aofei was certainly better than Curtis, but Curtis's upward momentum was more favorable. Coupled with the Dome Royal Military Academy's investment in Supernova and the support from North Caro, they also possessed more resources, while Aofei... everyone's expectations were mainly dashed, and they began to be disappointed.

Of course, for Dome Royal to replace the Round Table Knights' position, and for Curtis to replace Aofei, it still depended on actual performance. This Mid-Season Tournament was the opportunity.

It's just that Curtis hadn't expected this battle to take shape so hastily. Of course, regarding Aofei, no one had studied her more than he had. Honestly, he was very, very interested in this woman—cold as frost, with a face like an elf from mythology, her beauty off the charts. It was said that the colder the exterior, the more passionate the interior. Conquering such a woman was clearly the greatest pleasure for a man; this was the ambition hidden deep in his heart. The first step was to defeat her!

The two arrived in the middle of the Arena. Curtis chose a heavy sword; as soon as his Mental Power was injected, he could feel the eagerness of the K23 inside. Aofei chose the rapier she was most proficient with.

The two stood firm, shing...

Aofei's rapier was held upright, her red pupils as dazzling as rubies. The feeling of the Blood Rose emerged. On the other side, Curtis pointed the tip of his heavy sword toward the ground, his eyes instantly turning crimson. The Mental Power of the two instantly filled the entire training ground.

The game of chess began.

The mental fields of both sides crazily confronted and climbed alternately, wanting to fight for the initiative. This was also a form of probing to see whose Zone possessed more dominance.

Aofei's mouth revealed a strange smile. Bang, his figure disappeared, and he slashed toward Aofei with his sword. Aofei did not meet the attack head-on; her figure shifted, and she thrust her sword out. Curtis flicked his wrist, and the seemingly clumsy heavy sword performed a very nimble flick. At this level, the weight of the weapon didn't have immense significance; it was more about the feel and attack habits.

Bang.

Accompanied by a crisp clashing sound, Curtis's heavy sword attacked Aofei with broad, sweeping strokes. Aofei's body was incomparably light and agile, constantly dodging within the sword shadows. Curtis's sword became faster and faster, and Aofei's figure also became faster and faster.

Shing...

Aofei's rapier suddenly killed its way out from the curtain of swords, thrusting straight at Curtis's throat. The Blood Rose's attacks always aimed for the vitals; the Round Table Knights Academy had deep experience with this. Although it wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe Aofei as beautiful as a celestial being, really no one dared to pursue her, and it seemed no one had heard of it either—mainly because, basically, their "boyfriend strength" was insufficient; they couldn't withstand a single sword strike.

Curtis was startled and his figure exploded backward. Aofei performed a second-stage lunge, her rapier thrusting in a continuous chain. Curtis, who was dragging his sword and turning his back, performed a back-facing defense, blocking the tip of Aofei's sword. A huge force arrived, and he backhanded the greatsword, bringing forth a piercing sound of breaking air.

Slash!

Accompanied by a shockwave, Aofei was blasted back three steps, a tear appearing in the clothes on her body.

Curtis admired Aofei. This physique, this appearance, this pure spiritual energy radiating from her entire body—it was a great tonic for a powerful man.

With the heavy sword in hand, he held it high, controlling the center, his extremely aggressive gaze fixed firmly on Aofei.

Aofei raised her rapier. Curtis's strength was clearly stronger, and his speed was not weak, but this was not absolute speed.

Bang~!

With a crisp explosion, Aofei disappeared, and a lightning-fast sword thrust toward Curtis. Curtis's blood-red pupils contracted violently; he actually hadn't captured Aofei's trail. Let alone him, even Perkins, who excelled in speed, was left blind.

Originally intending to counterattack, he could only switch to defense; he held his heavy sword horizontally, blocking the thrust of the rapier by a hair's breadth.

Clang...

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang...

Like a violent storm, the rapid-fire stabs swept madly; Curtis defended with all his might, his heavy sword dancing so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through, while he retreated continuously, attempting to evade Aofei's attacks.

At this moment, the members of the Round Table Knights clenched their fists, cheering for their Team Leader, while the Tianjing side was sweating nervously; they naturally hoped Aofei would win, she had to win, as this was a crucial match.

Curtis was continuously pushed back, nearly reaching the wall, yet Aofei's attacks showed no sign of weakening, and Curtis's defense was on the verge of collapse; it was too fast, this was Aofei's famous Lightning Sword, which by its type countered Curtis, and although his strength was greater, he would be useless if he could not find an opportunity to counterattack.

Zing...

With a sword strike that sparked a trail of fire, Curtis's speed finally failed to keep up; his heavy sword was carried into the wall, and Aofei backhanded a thrust toward him, leaving Curtis no time to react.

Clang...

The sword pierced his chest, yet it did not penetrate.

A curve appeared at the corner of Curtis's mouth, and he grabbed Aofei's right hand, "Fell for it!"

Boom, boom, boom...

Discarding his heavy sword, Curtis grabbed Aofei and landed three consecutive heavy punches, all of which slammed into her; Aofei's expression changed, she suddenly twisted her right hand, flipped over, and kicked Curtis in the head, but Curtis did not dodge or evade, instead headbutting her, yet Aofei suddenly swung her leg to hook Curtis's head, flipped abruptly to grab his arm, and transitioned into a stranglehold; Curtis instinctively let go, but Aofei flipped again, nimbly stepped on Curtis's head, and stomped down heavily, yet it emitted the sound of metal striking stone; she vaulted into the air and thrust her rapier downward.

Clang~~~~

The rapier struck as if hitting steel; Curtis lunged suddenly, and Aofei flipped to the ground, quickly widening the distance.

The onlookers were dumbfounded; is this even Human?

What kind of physical strength did Curtis gain after awakening the Golden Zone?

Curtis wiped his head, damn it, it was still bleeding; the hair and scalp in the middle had been shaved off, forming a center-parted river trench.

He pulled out his greatsword, his temper rising; he had been hit on purpose, acting for a long time, but he hadn't expected this bitch Aofei to be so damn ruthless; that strike had been at full power, and had she held back even a little, it wouldn't have just been like this—he could have killed her.

A smirk played on the corner of Aofei's mouth.

Anyone who had come out of the Apocalypse would not make such low-level mistakes, but Curtis's steel-like resilience ability was indeed very special; it wasn't that it was completely impossible to break, but it was very difficult, and this defensive ability was truly a bit disgusting.

Curtis swung his greatsword, "Aofei, stop with this nonsense, let's get serious; I want to see how you, being so thin, can break my perfect defense."

Boom...

Mental Power exploded, red light spreading from his eyes to his entire body, his whole frame overflowing with over ten centimeters of red light flames; holding his greatsword, Curtis looked like a War God of the Qiongdong, "My ability is an Absolute Defense that no one can break!"

Aofei's cold, icy face remained calm, "That is the coldest joke I have heard this year."

She swung the rapier in her hand, a red glow flashed, and in an instant, her entire body was overflowing with red light flames, the extent of which was even slightly stronger than Curtis's.

Golden Zone—Burning Will!

Aofei and Curtis's level of mastery was clearly stronger than Perkins's; Perkins's duration and proficiency were still quite limited, while the two of them were already in a state of pure mastery.