Peng Ran Xin Dong

Chapter 74 Night Talk

Gu Ya became slightly serious, controlling his mech's left arm to parry Wang Zhanpeng's sword-wielding hand. With his right hand, he seized the opponent's neck.

Simultaneously, the boosters on his back erupted, slamming Wang Zhanpeng into the ground. Gu Ya then stepped on Wang Zhanpeng's mech body and his sword-wielding hand with his other foot.

"This is the consequence of slandering me," Gu Ya stated calmly. He drew his beam sword with his left arm and plunged it fiercely into Wang Zhanpeng's mech's neck, slicing through it and severing the mechanical head.

The combat arena fell into a deathly silence.

Suddenly, a campus notification chime echoed from Gu Ya's mech: "Gu Ya team defeated Lu Bo team, earning 50 points and completing training with 120 points."

Outside the training ground, at the encampment, all students and teachers fell silent, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.

From the equilateral triangle formation earlier, many students, including Fan Mengtian, were already shocked.

Facing Wang Zhanpeng, Gu Ya had eliminated him effortlessly, cleanly, and without any wasted motion.

Gu Ya's combat was textbook-perfect!

Fighting three opponents at once was already incredibly difficult, yet Gu Ya had resolved the crisis and won the battle in less than ten minutes!

Shi Heping sighed in relief and sat up straight, saying, "Old Xie, you asked me to pay close attention to Gu Ya. Well, what do you have to say now?"

Xie Fangbin finally showed a hint of a smile, saying, "Brother Shi, it seems I misjudged this time."

Wang Can and Huang Bo were impressed by Gu Ya's exquisite skill and kept exclaiming, "Holy crap..."

Behind them, the students, especially Mei Shanli, who had always looked down on Gu Ya, lowered her head with a blush, but still muttered, "Hmph, so what if his mech piloting is strong? Let's see him compete in mech maintenance if he dares!"

Fan Mengtian chuckled softly and reminded her, "Shanli, Gu Ya could modify the giant snake. Can you?"

Mei Shanli lowered her head even further, her face flushed as she replied, "That's easy! Why are you always defending him?"

Xuan Lang felt a surge of displeasure seeing Gu Ya's actions, but he concealed it expertly, so no one could perceive his thoughts.

On the other hand, Wei Yongji, who was ahead, was caught by Xuan Lang staring at Jiang Tingyue several times.

Truly, everyone had their own agenda.

Xie Fangbin stood up and addressed the trainees, "The three-day jungle training concludes now. Xuan Lang's team and Gu Ya's team have passed this training."

"To other teams, please do not be discouraged. Strengthen your training and achieve good results in future exercises."

"Now, all trainees, please assemble at the encampment!"

Gu Ya slowly stood up and piloted the giant snake towards the encampment.

In the air, he spotted over a dozen miniature reconnaissance mechs. So, they had seen everything. Gu Ya thought, good, that saves me the trouble of explaining.

The last three team members, Wang Zhanpeng, Lu Bo, and Lu Yi, arrived at the encampment past nine in the evening.

Sixteen trainees stood in a line. Xie Fangbin stood before the students and cleared his throat, "In this training, some teams demonstrated good coordination, such as Fan Mengtian's team and Xuan Lang's team. However, some teams need to strengthen their training. For example, Lu Bo's team, your reaction to sudden situations was sluggish!"

"From now on, regardless of the mecha pilot profession you choose, timely response to unforeseen circumstances is a fundamental skill! Your team will have double intensive training next week!"

"Also, Wang Can's team and Yang Xiaotian's team, underestimating your opponents is a major taboo in mech combat! Wei Ping, you especially need to reflect on this!"

"Gu Ya, stay. The rest of the trainees will return to school by hovercar."

Finally, Xie Fangbin's tone softened, "Rest well."

With Teacher Xie's words, the dark cloud that had been hanging over the students' heads instantly dissipated. They quickly forgot their miserable defeat in the jungle, chuckling and chattering as they headed towards the hovercar.

After the hovercar departed, only Xie Fangbin, Shi Heping, and Gu Ya remained at the training ground encampment.

Xie Fangbin sat on a chair, yawning. He had not slept since arriving at the camp last night, having watched the holographic screen for a full day and night. His fatigue was evident.

Shi Heping remained energetic, smiled at Gu Ya, and said, "Sit down and let's chat."

Xie Fangbin massaged his temples and asked lazily, "Gu Ya, we must say, your performance has exceeded our expectations."

Shi Heping continued to smile and said, "In our opinion, your skills already far surpass those of other trainees, but do not become arrogant."

Gu Ya sat opposite the two teachers and nodded.

"Gu Ya, we've seen your profile and are surprised. You, a commoner, suddenly became... intelligent last year, going from the bottom of the class to an elite student. We're very curious how you achieved this?" Xie Fangbin asked.

Gu Ya thought for a moment and said earnestly, "Talent awakening."

Xie Fangbin almost choked with laughter. Was Gu Ya's brain malfunctioning? How could he say something as embarrassing as talent awakening without any shame?

Shi Heping burst into laughter, "Alright, alright, let's say it was your talent awakening."

Gu Ya felt helpless. He had indeed awakened his talent as a mech mechanic. Moreover, if he told them he wasn't originally from this world, they would surely think he was an idiot!

Xie Fangbin sighed and adjusted his demeanor, "The elite class has a very strange and interesting phenomenon every year: all students unconsciously look down on those of the lowest social status. The school has tried to regulate this for years but couldn't change it."

"So, we understand your feelings of being wronged when you heard Mei Shanli's words," Shi Heping added in agreement.

Gu Ya calmly replied, "I don't feel wronged. Being wronged is useless. I only feel angry and that it's unfair, so I will resist."

Both teachers nodded simultaneously. Shi Heping stared at Gu Ya, his brow gradually furrowing, and exclaimed, "Wait a minute!"

Gu Ya and Xie Fangbin both looked at him.

Shi Heping continued to stare at Gu Ya, his eyes widening in realization, "I see why you look familiar, but I just couldn't recall where I'd seen you before!"

"Teacher, what are you trying to say?" Gu Ya asked with a faint smile.

"Old Xie, it's him!" Shi Heping said, raising his communication bracelet and summoning a holographic screen to start searching.

Xie Fangbin was also puzzled and leaned closer.

Shi Heping found the news report about the Black Star invasion event from a few days prior. At the 5-minute and 24-second mark, he saw a scene of Gu Ya, Ye Ying, and Wu Chuyang conversing happily, along with the extremely conspicuous red title: [Shocking! These Two Young Mech Pilots Shot Down 15 Enemy Machines in Battle!]

The two teachers looked up at Gu Ya, then at the frozen image, and suddenly understood, their shock leaving them speechless.

Gu Ya shook his head and said, "Actually, the news report wasn't accurate. Ye Ying and I each destroyed ten enemy machines. The news didn't mention the other five."

Because it involved Xu Jie's massacre of civilians, the authorities had suppressed this incident to avoid causing public panic, treating it as a top-secret matter.

Xie Fangbin felt even more shocked by Gu Ya's nonchalant description. At the very least, one would need to graduate to reach the level required to engage Black Star Walkers.

Being able to shoot down ten enemy machines was clearly the combat capability of the Wuhe City Mech Guard.

Gu Ya possessed such strength at such a young age!

Seeing the two teachers standing dumbfounded, Gu Ya thought, why not add something more exciting? He said regretfully, "Also, the news didn't report on my duel with Hong Lian Zhi Wu. It's a pity I was outmatched, and she escaped."

Hong Lian Zhi Wu! What a terrifying figure! Xie Fangbin felt his brain was malfunctioning.

"Do the two teachers want to watch? I have the video recorded by my mech," Gu Ya said calmly. What was there to be embarrassed about? If they wanted to watch, he'd show them.

"Ahem, no need, we believe you," Shi Heping cleared his throat, suppressing his fear. After all, he was a teacher, an elder, and had experienced many storms. To behave so inappropriately in front of a youngster who hadn't even fully grown up would be undignified for a teacher, so he decided to just believe him.

"Of course," Gu Ya continued, "I have even more surprising achievements, but that's my secret, and I can't tell you."

Xie Fangbin quickly said, "Alright, alright, we understand." If Gu Ya were to reveal any more earth-shattering news, they wouldn't know how to handle the situation today.

"Teachers, I'm not trying to play the underdog to gain an advantage; it's just that my classmates bullied me excessively, belittled me, and spread rumors about me," Gu Ya stated.

Xie Fangbin nodded and said, "I will speak with the students. Helping students is my duty."

Shi Heping also calmed down and said, "Gu Ya, if you have the opportunity, you really should meet someone. You two would surely have a lot to talk about."

Gu Ya already knew the answer and said, "It's Wang Shangmeng, right? I heard about him from Brother Wu."

Xie Fangbin nodded and said, "We kept you here specifically to understand you better; there's no other reason."

"Before you leave, return the giant snake to us," Shi Heping also said to Gu Ya, a smile on his face.

Gu Ya looked at the two teachers and said, "No need."

Xie Fangbin immediately felt a bit annoyed and embarrassed. Was Gu Ya this rebellious? Now he wouldn't even listen to his teachers!

Gu Ya said faintly, "I can afford to buy it."

Xie Fangbin: "???"