Chapter 86 The Last Hope

The third day of the Round of 16 also featured a match that was almost forgotten: tAs's last hope, the Howling Squad, versus the Supernova Squad. Their individual matches ended 3-2, with the Howling Squad taking a one-point lead into the team battle. Yin Tai Dumeira demonstrated an incredible ability, directly attacking the pilots. He defeated Peglosa, one of the Seven Big Dippers, in the individual match, and then repeated his tactic in the team battle, once again subduing Peglosa. Despite Peglosa's best efforts, he was helpless. In this way, Yin Tai Dumeira achieved a one-versus-three victory, leading the Howling Squad into the Round of 8 and preserving a spark for tAs.

After the match, everyone realized that Dumeira's esper ability was particularly well-suited for this type of battle, allowing him to directly and effectively attack the pilots and restrict their movements. If it couldn't be countered, Yin Tai was invincible.

At the same time, the Round of 16 had forced many pilots to reveal their trump cards, making the battles more intense than ever.

The third day concluded perfectly, breaking many records. The final day would feature equally significant決戰, with the North Carolina Rose and Hailong Squads taking the stage. Their opponents, Lang Sha and the Van Luo, wouldn't be easy to overcome.

That evening, even the strict class monitor relaxed. The competition would end tomorrow, followed by the drawing ceremony that night and four days of rest. Tonight was naturally a free night. While some on the team were relaxed, others were tense. However, today's great victory made Zhou Naiyi want to unwind as well, so the four girls were definitely going out.

Cheng Konghai and Huo Ying were playing games at the base; they had no interest in shopping. Wu Zang… was training, saying he needed to maintain muscle activity; he was itching for a fight after a day without combat.

President Li had already disappeared; he was finally going on a date with A Youyou.

Ma Long, on the other hand, took Zuo Xiaotang out on the town. Going out with a girlfriend and going out with a brother were two completely different experiences. Ma-laoshi's eyes were constantly scanning the surroundings, having a blast. It had to be said that the moon's density was high, with so much to see. The photography master could certainly showcase his skills.

Zuo Xiaotang kept looking at his Skylink, and Ma Long noticed. "Waiting for someone?"

"Ah, no, just the kids."

Ma Long smiled knowingly, as if to say, "Why does Brother Zuo take me for a fool?"

Zuo Xiaotang blushed and scratched his head, embarrassed. "Ma Long, how… how do you pursue girls?"

Ma Long was stunned. "What? You've got a target???"

Zuo Xiaotang nodded. Ma Long laughed. "Brother, you've come to the right person. Not to brag, but in this area, my status is similar to Brother Hao's in Apocalypse."

"No, it's not at that stage yet, and we don't interact much. I just want to leave a good impression." Zuo Xiaotang was going all out, humbly seeking advice. It was clear that victory had brought him unprecedented courage.

"First, unconditional confidence. Remember, never show a girl that you think you're not good enough for her. The moment you show any weakness or timidity – and remember, the key is the *feeling* – she'll filter you out immediately. You have no mystery, and she has no desire for a challenge. This is especially true for more outstanding girls!"

“…Um, my conditions…” Zuo Xiaotang said softly.

"Brother, remember, conditions are only one aspect. Even if you're strong and have good conditions, if you reveal your inner neediness, she'll manipulate you. There are plenty of straight men; straight women are rare animals," Ma-laoshi said enthusiastically. "Besides, with your status as the main sniper of Tianjing Mech Academy, things are different now. Be assertive, be bold, give her a feel that's different from everyone else. You are you, unique. Dare to challenge!"

Encouraged by Ma Long's words, Zuo Xiaotang's eyes shone.

"After all this talk, who is she?" Ma Long asked curiously.

"That… Anlita, Hailong's Anlita," Zuo Xiaotang said, summoning his courage. In battle, he admired Li Hao; in matters of the heart, he believed in Ma Long. "Hey? Ma-laoshi, Ma-ge, where are you going? Teach me!"

"Brother, I told you to challenge, not to make wishes…"

On the other side, Li Hao was also feeling helpless. He wanted to go on a date with A Youyou, but instead, he had a huge lightbulb. Tita linked arms with A Youyou. "Why do you look so unwilling? You promised to treat me to dinner; have you forgotten already?"

"No, it's a small thing. The problem is, Tita, as the captain of Tianxing Mech Academy, shouldn't you be going back to analyze the match?"

"Hehe, and you're the captain of Tianjing; aren't you out on a date right after the fight?"

Li Hao wanted to hit someone, but Tita was his biggest financial backer; he couldn't afford to offend her.

A Youyou gently tugged at Li Hao's hand, but Tita separated them. "No, no, no, no touching. Auntie said I'm authorized to supervise!"

Tita, armed with this imperial decree, was incredibly smug. Li Hao gritted his teeth. "Tita, do you know how many ways I can make you not know what's happening?"

"Oh my god, A Youyou, look! He's revealing his true nature! I heard people in Apocalypse call you the Great Demon King, and I didn't believe it. So evil is your true nature!" Tita said dramatically. "Sounds exciting! Come on!"

Li Hao shivered. "Who came up with such a chuuni and embarrassing nickname? It's just a rumor; I was just saying!"

"There are no outsiders here. I'm really curious. How did you beat them up before? Did you torture and abuse them? What were Maxis and Leica like before?" Tita was like an inquisitive child.

Finally, A Youyou pulled Tita away. "Cousin, please, this is my boyfriend!"

"You're so stingy! We grew up together; what's the harm in using him for a bit!"

…

On the last day of the Round of 16, the pride of Earth, North Carolina Rose, took the stage against the Fan Luo Squad led by Zhu Hongye, who was sixth in the mid-season rankings. No one dared to underestimate the caliber of the lunar teams. On paper, North Carolina Rose was stronger, but anything could happen if the match dragged on into the team battle.

The two teams were quite familiar with each other, and the Van Luo Squad had certainly done thorough research on North Carolina Rose before the match. However, this year's variable was the Golden Zone.

Another popular match was also taking place: the Hailong Squad versus the Martian Wolf Fiends Squad. Would the moon secure another spot, or would the Wolf Fiends salvage their honor? Sha Po Lang Duanwu was definitely giving it his all. With Romero eliminated, if he could make it to the Round of 8, it would greatly enhance his personal status and the status of the Wolf Fiends Squad, especially since there was currently only one Martian spot in the Round of 8, and a hero was needed.

Before the match, the Martians were relatively optimistic. After all, the Wolf Fiends were one of ROM's signatures, and Hailong's major reshuffle would inevitably cause problems in tough battles. When does a team undergo a major reshuffle?

When they feel they've lost hope. Although they defeated Abyss in the previous round, the Martians never felt that tAs's teams had any quality.

The two teams went into battle amidst the deafening cheers of their supporters. North Carolina Rose's supernova, Ye Tong, took the field for the vanguard battle. It was definitely a bold choice for a newcomer. Facing Fan Luo's vanguard, Ross Sarson, Ye Tong chose Night Saber, displaying absolute dominance. The training from the Nangong and Ye families gave her an absolute advantage on the battlefield, and with her excellent Flame esper ability at the Liuxin Martial level, she effortlessly won the vanguard battle, giving North Carolina Rose an early lead. She showed no stage fright or lack of experience, beating Ross Sarson with little resistance.

Ye Tong's strong start signaled North Carolina Rose's victory. The second to take the stage was Vice-Captain Victoria, known as the number one sniper in the USE region. Even before the Golden Zone, she wasn't afraid of close combat, maximizing her shooting skills. Victoria also used her stealth esper ability to directly snipe her opponent.

In the third match, Zhu Hongye couldn't help but take the stage, hoping to turn the tide. However, he faced not Chao Qinglong, but North Carolina Rose's heavy armor warrior, Lü Gang, captain of Hunter Squad Five.

Thunder Guard against Thunderfire Fighter. This was clearly not a tactical game, but North Carolina Rose was demonstrating their overwhelming strength. Last year, they missed the championship due to bad luck. After a year of pent-up frustration, all the team members were incredibly eager to win the championship. Zhu Hongye had a Flame esper ability at the Liuxin Martial level, but he ran into an Ice esper ability at the Liuxin Martial level. Lü Gang's Thunder Guard displayed a skill with the Ice Meteor Hammer, relentlessly hammering his opponent's Thunderfire Fighter to pieces at a distance. The Flame esper ability was completely countered by the Ice esper ability.

North Carolina Rose forcefully extinguished Van Luo Squad's pre-match hopes, demonstrating their powerful championship-winning strength. In the final match, North Carolina Rose's substitute, Alfonso, took the stage. Facing the demoralized Van Luo, Alfonso also won easily. North Carolina Rose once again ignited the confidence and passion of Earthlings.

"You can always trust Chao Qinglong" became the most popular saying of the day.

Another battlefield also saw a one-sided result, but it wasn't in favor of the Wolf Fiends. Vanguard warrior Li Xiangshan directly took the stage and caught Wolf Fiends' Duanwu.

Others didn't know Hailong's level, but Duanwu, who came from Apocalypse, certainly did. He didn't care much about what happened back then, and he didn't know how much strength these wet nurses had recovered, but for safety's sake, Duanwu decided to go all out. He would take the field in the vanguard battle and seize the initiative, ensuring they could enter the team battle.

But then he ran into Li Xiangshan.

This battle was the most tightly contested in the entire competition. Duanwu revealed his Heavenly Wolf Soul, merging with Blood Sacrifice Genesis, displaying the strongest beast-type mech performance in this year's S-tournament. The gale and ice esper abilities accelerated himself while slowing down his opponent, which was insane. His deadly Hell Spiral nearly broke through Li Xiangshan's defense. Li Xiangshan, worthy of being the moon's last heavy armor, Tianfa Eanus, fought steadily and firmly, also revealing the Liuxin Martial level of the Shanhu Soul, displaying the most excellent defense. Facing Duanwu's desperate gamble, he used Tianfa's mech to launch a Godly Might Sky-Piercing Cannon that spanned over fifty meters, blasting the Blood Sacrifice mech into pieces with the support of lightning esper ability. It took thirty-eight minutes, and Li Xiangshan put on his most majestic performance in this year's S-tournament.

Duanwu's defeat also meant GG for Sha Po Lang. Next, Anlita, Klein, and Davaris all made appearances and easily won their matches. Klein's second match had some resistance, but under Klein's bizarre high-speed attacks, it ended in minutes. What followed was a complete rout. Hilliard clearly had no intention of showing his face and simply took the victory.

External commentators and experts agreed that Hailong had pulled out all the stops in facing a strong team like the Wolf Fiends. Li Xiangshan remained the mainstay of Hailong, and their tactics were very precise, boldly sending Li Xiangshan into the vanguard battle to catch Duanwu. As old rivals, Duanwu had completely failed this time, not only suffering a major personal defeat but also causing the Wolf Fiends' morale to plummet. The matches that followed weren't particularly exciting, as the team members seemed to have no desire to fight, and their skills and abilities were stifled by Hailong's members.

This also elevated Li Xiangshan's prestige to a very high level. Many moon people had thought that Li Xiangshan was going to retire this year, and with Hailong's big changes, they thought he was being marginalized. Unexpectedly, Hailong played a tricky hand, feigning weakness, which had a very good effect in the Round of 16.