Elite level mecha masters, especially those with absolute strength like Lu Bu, could often discern an opponent's offensive strategy from a single move.
Moreover, both sides had revealed their capabilities before the battle, not wanting to engage in an unrestrained defensive counterattack.
Therefore, during the initial exchange of basic mecha movements, both sides had tacitly left openings for each other to score points.
However, this was limited to scoring equal points; neither side intended to gain any advantage.
This way, they would not be judged for malicious point manipulation and the battle time would be reduced.
Four hundred and fifty points, allowing for the use of three ultimate skills, was sufficient for elite mecha masters.
"I'm looking forward to it. What ultimate skill will you use? Heh heh," Lu Bu said with a faint smile.
Since the opponent was confident and willing to try Gu Ya's strongest ultimate skill, Gu Ya saw no reason to be stubborn. It was better to end the battle early.
However, on this basis, Gu Ya made a small, unexpected change.
With all skills activated, Gu Ya's consciousness speed could surpass human limits, even rivaling Bai Ying's consciousness acceleration.
Lu Bu showed no intention of using an ultimate skill! Where did his confidence come from?
He was either a madman or possessed the absolute strength to withstand Gu Ya's full-power attack.
Or...
Gu Ya suddenly thought of something that chilled him to the bone.
The opponent might be a human being parasitized by a consciousness lifeform, just like Bai Ying.
However,
Even if Lu Bu were a consciousness lifeform host like Bai Ying, capable of perfectly utilizing consciousness acceleration to manipulate his mecha within extremely short time intervals, Gu Ya was confident he could contend with him.
"Do you still need to charge up? I have plenty of time, I can wait for you," Lu Bu said again.
Gu Ya sighed coldly, "No need. Watch carefully! Ultimate skill! [Dual Shadow Burst Slash]!"
But in Gu Ya's heart, he shouted, "All skills activated!"
This was Gu Ya's little trick. How could he foolishly tell his opponent that his strongest ultimate skill was one that surpassed human cognition?
Everything in front of him abruptly stopped. The sky was exceptionally clear, fine sand particles whipped up by the wind hung suspended in mid-air, the Blazing Rabbit was frozen in place, utterly still. Even the flow of air had solidified, a suffocating sensation pressing down instantly, as if his nose and mouth were blocked.
Gu Ya quickly piloted the Moon Oriole to charge forward, aiming his twin swords at the unsuspecting Blazing Rabbit, and swung his blade.
Suddenly, the Blazing Rabbit actually moved!
"Mmm-hmm," Lu Bu said happily. "No wonder, no wonder. You are strong, and I am very happy."
As expected!
Gu Ya knew in his heart that Lu Bu was a consciousness lifeform host, just like Bai Ying!
But Gu Ya could not stop. His "all skills activated" state was only for an instant; it did not allow for infinite consciousness activities within infinitesimally small time intervals like a consciousness lifeform.
In this brief moment, the Moon Oriole charged forward, its twin swords slashing ten times at rapid speed!
As expected, all of them were blocked by the Blazing Rabbit with the same speed.
But the skill effect was not over yet.
"You have two more chances..." Lu Bu said with a smile, his tone exceptionally relaxed.
Gu Ya's expression showed a hint of anger. Disregarding the Moon Oriole's system warnings, he piloted the mecha to charge forward rapidly!
The skill effect dissipated. The Moon Oriole and the Blazing Rabbit stood facing each other in an offensive and defensive posture, their swords locked, frozen in place.
For an ordinary person, in less than the blink of an eye, both sides would have instantly moved from hundreds of meters apart to converge.
Lu Bu said with ease, "Hmm~ It seems we are not of the same kind. You are just... simply strong."
Gu Ya panted, his mind gradually clearing. He had just experienced consciousness acceleration, which had damaged countless brain cells. Now, he longed to close his eyes and rest.
But time was of the essence; a formidable enemy was still before him, and he could not close his eyes!
"In my infinite journey, it is a great satisfaction to encounter a strong person like you," Lu Bu said slowly and easily.
Following this, the Blazing Rabbit shut down its engines, slowly lowered its head.
"What! Why?" Gu Ya exclaimed, panting, full of confusion.
His opponent had unexpectedly forfeited the match without any defense!
To be honest, Gu Ya was indeed surprised.
With his strength, he could have killed Gu Ya with a single blow! He was the true god of war worthy of heaven-defying strength!
What Gu Ya did not expect was what Lu Bu said next: "When you live long enough, you will discover that eternal life is a sin."
The combat system voice announced, "Lu Bu has voluntarily forfeited the match! Gu Ya wins!"
Listening to the jarring communication sound, Gu Ya's heart was filled with resentment. His opponent could clearly have defeated him! Why did he choose to forfeit? Wasn't winning the match and conquering oneself good?
"Young man, I feel from you a vast, unprecedented, never-before-seen willpower. And of course, the astonishing... god-given power you possess," Lu Bu said with a gentle smile.
Gu Ya felt he had more to say and waited quietly.
After a long pause, Lu Bu slowly spoke, "…It doesn't matter anymore."
The Blazing Rabbit slowly started its engines, spewing exhaust, lifting off the ground, and flying directly north.
He had won inexplicably, and he left ambiguously.
What was the purpose of this Lu Bu?
Gu Ya felt as if he had stumbled upon a great windfall, and a feeling of discontent arose within him.
This Lu Bu was not slow-witted; he had simply lived too long, and perhaps saw everything in a detached manner.
His participation in the God of War selection was merely for amusement.
However, who knew what such a creature's thoughts were?
This was the second consciousness lifeform he had encountered. Ordinary people would likely just see him as a strong individual.
Globally, only Gu Ya knew their true nature.
...
Three days later,
Gu Ya arrived on time for his new match notification.
Within these three days, another new God of War had been born, leaving only one final spot.
This time, the announcement of the match information was clear and direct, with only Gu Ya and one other candidate remaining.
As he was preparing to head to the combat arena, Dou Mei came to Gu Ya's room.
"This is a top-secret location. I don't even know where I am, and yet you found me?" Gu Ya asked calmly.
Dou Mei smiled gently, not answering, but instead asking, "Where do you plan to go after the match?"
"Back to Dongyong Gudian Academy for the midterm assessment, and then to Zhuoyuan City."
"Gu Ya..." Dou Mei walked beside him, looking at Gu Ya with affectionate eyes, and said, "Although I know the outcome, I still want to ask, would you be willing to..."
"No," Gu Ya said decisively, packing his luggage. "In this world, besides Ye Ying, I will not fall for anyone else."
Dou Mei asked softly, "Even if it's just for a few days? Even... during the time Ye Ying isn't by your side?"
"I... do you dislike me? Special Division Nine has technology to repair human organs, and my body can become perfect..." Dou Mei's voice grew quieter and quieter, even taking on a submissive tone. She was willing to do anything for Gu Ya, even if it were just for a few days.
Gu Ya slung his backpack over his shoulder, turned to face Dou Mei, and said earnestly, "Why torment yourself?"
With that, Gu Ya steadily walked towards the door.
Dou Mei hugged his waist tightly from behind, pressing her face against Gu Ya's back, and softly asked, "What am I in your heart?"
Her question suddenly reminded Gu Ya of a song lyric.
In Gu Ya's heart, this was a question he had hoped Ye Ying would ask.
If he had not met Ye Ying first, perhaps Gu Ya would truly have ended up with Dou Mei, embarking on a new life journey.
But even if he met Dou Mei first, would he not be moved when he encountered Ye Ying again?
Two people naturally attracted to each other, the feeling of a heart-fluttering crush at their first meeting, that sincere and profound love, could never be changed, no matter who was by their side.
At that time, how would Gu Ya, who never spoke of betrayal, make a choice?
Perhaps he would be tormented by pain for a lifetime.
Gu Ya said, "Friend, I will not betray your friend first."
With that, Gu Ya pulled away Dou Mei's hand and hurried out of the room.
When Gu Ya piloted the Moon Oriole and arrived at the new combat arena as scheduled.
To his surprise, there was not just one mecha standing on the arena,
But two!
One of them appeared particularly short, its coating almost completely worn off, revealing its rare silver-red hue, the natural color of its alloy material, mainly composed of stable metal mixed with a small amount of quasi-material.
Its body was only 11 meters tall, yet its limbs were not thick. The single beam sword hilt hung casually at its waist, and even the connector for the hilt was half-broken. The hilt practically dangled from its waist.
Even Gu Ya's assembled mecha looked better than it.
Compared to the tall and mighty heavy mecha beside it, it resembled an unkempt commoner.
It was hard to imagine which mecha master would pilot such a machine.
At this moment, the system voice announced, "Both candidates have arrived. The combat rules are now announced: the two contestants will team up and can use any mecha actions, including mecha ultimate skills, to defeat the number one ranked God of War in Xianxia!"