Translator: ryuxenji Editor: H2dH2mr Qiao Ting took a deep breath and cast a meaningful glance at Ling Lan in the arena. He said in a low voice, "You're not dreaming. That technique …" It should count, right? Qiao Ting did not say it out loud. He was afraid that if he did, he would not be able to maintain his composure.
Naming a technique after a person's name was something all mecha operators dreamed of. However, how many people were actually able to obtain this honour? Throughout human history, there were no more than 50 or 60 techniques that had been named after a person, and most of these techniques had come from the early days of mecha development …
Excluding those few people, in the past thousand years, only a mere 11 or 12 people had succeeded … how fortunate was Ling Lan? She had done something countless people could not do. Even if that technique could not be widely promoted, having a technique that was exclusive to herself was still enough to make others envious! A trace of bitterness rose uncontrollably in Qiao Ting's heart. This era had originally belonged to him, but Ling Lan's performance today was enough to be mentioned in the same breath as his own. He felt a sense of regret — since Yu was born, why was Liang born?
Meanwhile, in the arena, the referee's expression changed when he saw the Tongli mecha destroyed by Ling Lan's shot. He abruptly waved the red flag, indicating that the match had been paused. Following that, he operated his mecha to pounce over to check the Tongli mecha's condition.
Ling Lan put down the gun in her hands in shock. If she had not instinctively raised the muzzle of her gun a few inches higher in the instant she fired, this shot of hers would definitely have hit the opponent's cockpit. The shooting path she had seen was not just an effective path to hit the opponent — it was also a terrifying path that could have killed the opponent in one shot.
Ling Lan was instantly overcome with fear. Her back was drenched in cold sweat. If she had not suddenly realized something and made some adjustments in the instant she fired, perhaps her opponent would have been killed by this shot of hers.
"The innate talent of Profound Insight is one of the top innate talents in the Mandora star system. It is the best innate talent for operating mecha. You must cherish and use it well." Instructor Number One's words from back then once again rang out beside Ling Lan's ears.
"Instructor Number One, I'm afraid I've disappointed you in the past!" Ling Lan smiled bitterly in her heart. She had never paid much attention to this innate talent of hers. She thought that it would only increase the accuracy of her prediction by a little bit. Her uncaring attitude made her neglect the innate talent of Profound Insight, which wasted a lot of time … Ling Lan was only upset for a moment. She quickly pulled herself together. "Fortunately, it's not too late. I will definitely master all the abilities of Profound Insight.
Ling Lan had a feeling that perhaps, this innate talent of Profound Insight was the true cheat for her transmigration. It was the foundation that allowed her to stand at the top of the world.
The referee came to the side of the Tongli mecha and found that the upper half of the mecha had already been directly damaged by the energy of the beam belt, becoming extremely damaged. However, the cockpit area was still completely undamaged. This meant that the situation had not become too bad, and his heart settled. The scene just now had caught everyone off guard. Even if they wanted to save him, it was too late.
The referee immediately contacted the mecha operator in the cockpit, and when he heard from the other that the mecha operator had only suffered some internal injuries and was otherwise fine, he instantly breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did he announce the end of this mecha match, with Ling Lan of the First Men's Military Academy obtaining victory. Putting aside the fact that the Tongli mecha was no longer able to fight, even if the mecha was undamaged, Ling Lan's shot alone would have been enough to reduce the opponent's points to zero.
After Ling Xiao's initial excitement, he calmed down, and confusion followed. That shot of Ling Lan's just now reflected something that did not match her actual age and experience. Logically speaking, Ling Lan should not have been able to make such an accurate prediction. That sure-kill trajectory should have been impossible for anyone below imperial level to discover at all …
Prediction was a skill that all mecha operators had to master, but to what extent was completely dependent on the mecha operator's own strength and experience. Keen intuition was also indispensable. Ling Xiao believed that his daughter's intuition was not weak. He had already known this when he had sparred with her in the past, but logically speaking, with Ling Lan's current strength and experience, she should not have been able to do this.
Ling Lan, how exactly had his precious daughter discovered it? Was it luck? Or had she really seen it? For some reason, Ling Xiao was certain that his daughter must have seen it. It looked like his daughter had secrets that he did not know …
A small smile appeared on Ling Xiao's lips, but he did not think to delve deeper. No matter what secrets his daughter had, he did not care, unless his daughter was willing to tell him herself. One of the taboos clearly stated in the parenting manual was to never dig up all of a child's secrets and try to control them. This would make the child very annoyed, dissatisfied, and angry, and might even develop resentment, affecting the relationship between father and son (father and daughter).
As an intelligent father, he would definitely not make such a low-level mistake! Ling Xiao thought proudly.
Ling Lan returned victorious. What welcomed her were the envious, jealous, and hateful gazes of the other four members of the First Men's Military Academy. Ling Lan smiled and walked down from the elevator platform.
Walking up to the four of them, Ling Lan looked at Qiao Ting and said calmly, "Mission complete. The rest is up to Senior Qiao."
Qiao Ting looked at her deeply and said with a double meaning, "I won't lose!" He walked past Ling Lan and came to the bottom of his ace mecha, stepped onto the elevator platform, and finally walked into his cockpit.
At this time, Qiao Ting already knew that whatever Lin Xiao or Jiang Shaoyu — these were not people he should be concerned about. His greatest opponent in this life was this still unknown, but in the future, Ling Lan who would become famous all over the world with her creative spear skills. Actually, from the very beginning, when he had overthrown Leiting, the two of them were destined to be lifelong rivals.
The moment Qiao Ting left, Mu Shaoyu smiled and gave him a thumbs-up, saying in a low voice, "Regiment Commander Ling, awesome!"
Mu Shaoyu's words made Han Yu huff coldly beside him and he turned to leave. Seeing this, Mu Shaoyu could not help but sneer and say, "Don't bother with him. That guy's pettiness is acting up again." As rivals, Mu Shaoyu knew Han Yu too well. Han Yu had always thought that his mecha piloting skills were better than Ling Lan's by a level, but reality had slapped him in the face. Out of the six people participating in the team battle, other than Zhang Jing-an, Han Yu was the weakest. This was hard for him to accept for the time being.
"It's fine. I just defeated an opponent in the top 32. It's not worth mentioning at all." Ling Lan replied nonchalantly. Ever since she had poached Li Lanfeng and Zhao Jun from Wuji, her relationship with Han Yu had not been friendly at all. If her clan members had also been poached by other regiment commanders, Ling Lan believed that she would not have the magnanimity to be on good terms with the other.
"Not worth mentioning?" Said Mu Shaoyu with a face full of surprise. "Regiment Commander Ling, you are the first person in over 50 years to create a mecha technique. I believe that from tomorrow onwards, no no, perhaps from now onwards, your great name will be known throughout all of human society."
"Create a technique? Known throughout all of human society? What does this have to do with me? " Ling Lan frowned and cast a cold glance at Zhao Jun, asking him if Mu Shaoyu's words were meant to mock her.
Seeing this, Zhao Jun quickly explained, "As long as a technique that has never been seen before appears, if it is created by an individual, the technique will be named after that individual. Boss Lan, that shot you fired at the opponent while flying just now would have been named after Boss …"
In the mindspace, Little Four heard this and slapped his own head. He seemed to have, seemed to have … forgotten to tell his boss about this.
As Zhao Jun explained, his face was full of envy and admiration. These cadets were at most fighting to be number one in the academy. Creating a new technique? That was something they did not even dare to think about. In their minds, this was really too far away and had nothing to do with them. They didn't expect their leader to be able to do it right in front of their eyes. Moreover, she did it so easily too.
"Ah, is that a new technique?" Zhao Jun's words surprised Ling Lan.
"Isn't it?" Zhao Jun was stunned. It was clearly a new technique — he had not seen wrongly, Qiao Ting had not seen wrongly, and everyone else had not seen wrongly.
"What do you think?" Ling Lan cast a cold glance at him. This Senior Zhao, could it be that he had not studied basic controls seriously? She had clearly used fixed-point shooting in basic controls — what did that have to do with a new technique?
"…" Zhao Jun was a little flustered by Ling Lan's forceful glance. Could it be that he had really made a mistake? He asked carefully, "That, Boss Lan, can I ask, what technique did you use just now?" In his apprehension, Zhao Jun actually used honorifics.
"Fixed-point shooting. You really couldn't tell?" Ling Lan was even more worried now, causing the cold air around her to grow colder. It looked like Senior Zhao Jun's basic controls were not very solid — she needed to find a way to help him fix it as soon as possible.
The higher Ling Lan's level, the more she understood the profound meaning behind her father's legacy of requiring one to have a good foundation in basic controls. This was because after entering ace level, the foundation was the key to advancing to the next level. Yet, after entering ace level, one's personal control style would gradually form. When one reached late ace level and wanted to advance to the next level, the mecha operator would find that this was the problem that was restricting them from advancing. At that time, it would be too late to go back and train basic controls. The controls that had already formed their own style would make it impossible for them to continue delving deeper into basic controls. Unless they changed their minds and forgot their own style, perhaps they would still have a chance.
Ling Lan had already made a decision in her heart. Before Senior Zhao Jun left the academy, she would use basic controls to fight a few good matches with him. She had to make sure that his foundation was a little more solid.
Zhao Jun had not expected that just asking a very simple question would cause him to be tormented by Ling Lan in the academy before he entered the division, tormenting him to the point where he almost did not have the confidence to board a plane and fight again …
Right then, Zhao Jun, who did not know that he would be in for a period of misery in the future, once again asked cautiously, "But fixed-point shooting can only be used in a stationary state. Is fixed-point shooting while moving still fixed-point shooting?"
"Isn't it the same in essence? I'm just using it flexibly, "replied Ling Lan calmly," It really isn't a new technique! "
When Instructor Number Three had taught her, he had said very clearly that there was no one level of technique that could not be changed. Only when a technique was integrated into actual combat would such a technique be truly useful. Meanwhile, she had only changed a fixed-point shooting technique from a stationary state to a moving state — there was no difference in essence.
If even this was considered a new technique, Ling Lan did not know how many new techniques she would have. Basically, with Instructor Number Three's guidance and help, she would be able to make some changes to every basic technique she knew.
Sensing that his boss was speaking the truth, showing such calmness and indifference towards the so-called naming of a new technique, Zhao Jun sighed inwardly in admiration, but at the same time, he stared speechlessly at the sky. The naming of such an exciting and glorious technique was actually unable to move Boss Lan at all. He really didn't know what else could successfully break Boss Lan's ice block face.
In truth, all the members of the team secretly hoped to see this. They had even made a bet with each other, betting on who would be the first to see Boss Lan's face change. Just now, he had thought he was going to win … but reality proved that he had still underestimated Boss Lan, rejoicing for nothing.
While Ling Lan and Zhao Jun were discussing whether or not it was a new technique, on the other side, Qiao Ting had already piloted his mecha onto the combat field under the guidance of a staff member.
Seeing this, Ling Lan and the others turned their attention to the combat field. As for whether or not Ling Lan's move counted as a new technique, there was actually no need to debate it. The final result would depend on the military's judgment. If the military thought it was, then it was; if they thought it wasn't, then it wasn't.
In truth, there were many extremely unique and dangerous mecha techniques circulating among the civilian population. These mecha techniques, due to all sorts of problems and flaws, or perhaps due to concerns about their safety, were ultimately unable to gain official recognition from the military, and thus became pseudo techniques.
Qiao Ting's opponent was the weakest of the Tongli mecha operators — the outcome of this match was clear even before it started. If not for the fact that losing without a fight would cause the military academy to lose face, the Tongli mecha operator might have chosen to raise his hands and surrender right from the start.
The match officially kicked off with a wave of the referee's green flag. Qiao Ting immediately operated his mecha to pull away from his opponent, his speed comparable to Ling Lan's, causing the audience to gasp in amazement. Only some top-class operators noticed that there was still some distance between the two of them.
Similarly, Qiao Ting himself had also noticed this. After pulling away, the corners of his lips twitched in disappointment. In the instant that his fingers had danced to operate his mecha, Qiao Ting knew that he was still a beat slower than Ling Lan. It was not that he did not want to hold down the flag and operate his mecha, but in that instant when he had made his move, his fingers had still uncontrollably slowed for a moment, and this pause had caused him to be 0.1 seconds slower than Ling Lan.
In mecha operation, a difference of 0.1 seconds could change the outcome of a battle, let alone him being 0.1 seconds slower than Ling Lan. This bit of time was enough for him to die more than 10 times.
At this moment, Qiao Ting was deeply impressed by the strength of Ling Lan's mental fortitude. Just how much guts did this person have to dare to do such a seamless hold of the flag? Was he not afraid of breaking the rules?
After Qiao Ting had pulled away, Qiao Ting's opponent did not rush to catch up. He stood where he was, calmly waiting for Qiao Ting to pull the distance to the optimal distance for him to use his long-range mecha, seemingly resigned to his fate.
No one cheered at his choice, because the audience knew very well that when faced with an ace operator several times stronger than him, even if he chased desperately, he would not be able to close the distance. At most, he would only be able to buy some time, but the result would not change. Since that was the case, he might as well deal with it calmly and use these few short seconds to carefully consider how to deal with the situation.
Once he had reached the distance he needed, Qiao Ting took out a long gun from his back. This long gun was not Qiao Ting's signature ballistic sniper rifle, but was a long-range beam gun similar to Ling Lan's, a standard long-range mecha long-range beam gun.
With a 'snap', the long gun swung in a half-circle and was accurately caught by the left hand of his mecha, which took aim at the opponent.
With a 'bang', a beam of light shot out from the gun's muzzle. From holding the long gun to aiming at the opponent and then pulling the trigger, this series of actions was completed in a short two seconds. Qiao Ting almost did not give the long gun any time to lock on …
At this time, the entire audience erupted into cheers. Compared to Ling Lan, Qiao Ting's movements were more adept and compact, his posture more elegant and natural, and the time he had used was so short that it was eye-catching.
With a 'boom', the beam accurately landed where the Tongli mecha had landed, instantly creating a shallow crater. Just like Ling Lan's first shot, the Tongli mecha operator accurately dodged it.
Seeing this, Zhao Jun's expression changed. He whispered to Ling Lan, "Boss Lan, Qiao Ting seems to be replicating your movements."
Right then, Ling Lan was standing before the large screen with her arms crossed, watching the match. Hearing Zhao Jun's words, she nodded calmly and said, "Yes, it's both fixed-point shooting. The time he used from aiming to shooting was at least one second less than mine. In terms of long-range, he is indeed stronger than me." Ling Lan was speaking the truth. If not for the fact that her innate talent Profound Insight was too heaven-defying, in terms of long-range, she still would not be able to compare with these monstrous prodigies with long-range innate talents.
Zhao Jun chuckled, somewhat unconvinced. In truth, Zhao Jun did not think that Ling Lan was much worse than Qiao Ting. Being fast did not mean anything — hitting the target was what mattered the most.
The Tongli mecha operator who had dodged this shot did not act like his teammate, trying to close the distance between the two of them by flying forwards. He cautiously stopped where he was, waiting for Qiao Ting's next attack.
He knew very well that no matter how bad Qiao Ting's close-combat skills were, the difference between the two mecha meant that he had no chance of winning. Since that was the case, he might as well keep his distance and carefully deal with the other's long-range attacks. Perhaps he could still hold out for a while.
Qiao Ting immediately understood the Tongli mecha operator's thoughts. His brow furrowed, and the muzzle of his gun trembled. Bang! Bang! Three gunshots rang out.
Qiao Ting's three consecutive shots landed on different spots in sequence. The first shot was at the spot where the Tongli mecha operator had been standing at the start, and the following two shots were at the landing spot of the Tongli mecha operator after he had dodged.
The Tongli mecha operator could only dodge and dodge. His figure flashed three times in quick succession, but he had unwittingly dodged forwards.
Some of the top-class mecha operators had already seen the true purpose of Qiao Ting's three shots. They could not help but laugh at Qiao Ting's youthful vigor, and some of them even shook their heads silently, thinking to themselves that he was still a little too young in the end, somewhat unable to keep his cool.
On the rostrum, Ling Xiao saw this and raised an eyebrow. Was this the meaning of not being convinced by his daughter? He looked at Qiao Ting's mecha with interest, wondering how this Qiao Ting who was called his second would perform.
After dodging those three shots, the Tongli mecha operator did not even have the chance to stop and catch his breath when Qiao Ting followed up with another three shots, forcing the Tongli mecha operator to dodge again.
Qiao Ting's three shots still did not hit the opponent, but because of these three shots, the Tongli mecha operator was once again sent flying forwards. Unknowingly, he had already advanced close to 300 metres.
Having once again safely dodged three shots, the Tongli mecha operator could already sense the difference between the six shots Qiao Ting had fired and the first shot.
The purpose of the first shot had been very clear — it had been to hit the opponent. Thus, in terms of speed and accuracy, it had been outstanding. However, the six shots that followed were not aimed at hitting the opponent, but rather to force the opponent to go where he wanted the opponent to go. The Tongli mecha operator was not stupid — how could he not understand the meaning of Qiao Ting's six shots?
A strong sense of humiliation surged through his heart. The Tongli mecha operator was infuriated beyond compare, but at the same time, he was also very aggrieved. The difference in strength meant that he had no choice but to act according to the other's wishes …
Fine, since you want to do this, then let me see if you, Qiao Ting, can also do the same kind of attack as your teammate. The Tongli mecha operator did not want to be forced by Qiao Ting any longer. He threw caution to the wind, and as Qiao Ting wished, he operated his mecha furiously to fly forwards. Perhaps the rage in his heart had reached its limit, for the anger-fueled operation did not reduce his speed at all, even increasing it by a notch.
Seeing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Qiao Ting's lips — this was exactly what he wanted.
Yes, Qiao Ting wanted to recreate the move Ling Lan had used to defeat her opponent. He wanted to tell Ling Lan that whatever the other could do, he could do too.
Just as the opponent was about to enter close range, the last range of long-range fixed-point shooting, Qiao Ting finally fired the shot he had long prepared.
With a 'boom', a bright beam of light shot towards the opponent. The Tongli mecha dodged with all its might, but the beam still managed to reach him … However, the opponent very quickly broke free. The mecha's beam shield had expended quite a bit of energy, appearing dim and lightless.
"As expected, Qiao Ting wants to completely replicate your attack style. Next up should be that running fixed-point shooting of yours, Boss Lan. I wonder if he can succeed." Zhao Jun's expression was rather grim. Regardless of whether Qiao Ting's running shot was successful or not, his actions could be considered provocative.
"Qiao Ting's attack … he held back." What Ling Lan saw was different from the others. Her eyes told her that Qiao Ting had not used his full strength. Perhaps Qiao Ting did not want to end the match like this. Just as Zhao Jun had said, he wanted to try out that running fixed-point shooting of hers.
After saying this, Ling Lan focused on the large screen. Zhao Jun did not dare to say anything else, afraid that he would disturb Ling Lan. Zhao Jun did not know that although Ling Lan looked very focused, her mind was actually analysing the things she had just seen. Had it been given to her by her innate talent of Profound Insight?
After Qiao Ting's shot ended, just like Ling Lan, he turned around and piloted his mecha to fly forward quickly. This obvious movement let all the audience know what Qiao Ting wanted to do. Even as they were in an uproar, they were also looking forward to whether this number one of the military academies would be able to replicate his teammate's attack.
Was it coming? The Tongli mecha operator saw the opponent turn around and fly forward. He gritted his teeth and slowed down his speed. Even though he was furious, he still remembered what his teammate had said afterwards — he had only been hit by that shot because he had been flying too fast. By the time he had noticed that he had rushed into the range of the beam, there was already no time for him to change his movements. If he had been just a little slower, perhaps the outcome would have been different.
He had learned from his teammate's lesson. Since the opponent wanted to use that move, he might as well slow down his speed. He also wanted to know if Qiao Ting would still be able to hit him after he slowed down.
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