The second round had a surprise for the participants. All 128 teams had been sent away on a military aircraft.
This was also a characteristic of the IG competition. They did not solely test the dueling abilities of the pilots. There was not much merit in this as pilots had to undergo a full range of tests in order to showcase their might. However, the fundamentals were also necessary to determine combat strength, hence the first round was designed as an entry-level test.
The Solar System team sat on the No. 6 transport plane. They were unaware of the destination and did not know what to expect. All of them had left without any form of preparation.
There were more than 1,000 participants amongst the 128 teams, and the No. 6 transport plane itself had more than 100 passengers. All of them were undoubtedly feeling a little proud of passing the first round.
The transport aircraft was not quiet and had quite a bit of chatter. It was clear that everyone was full of confidence for the second round.
One of them had a very loud voice, and soon people around him started listening.
“According to my past experience, the second round should involve actual combat. Hence, all of you should be prepared to risk your lives. Additionally, according to my sources, although Aslan and the rest of the countries were able to directly enter the main competition, even they have to participate in this second round. Hence, it is to our advantage that we are able to experience what they’re capable of first-hand.”
“I only know that the Atlanteans are indeed strong. As for the rest of humanity, who’s afraid of whom?”
“That’s true. We all have the same number of limbs as them! Who cares about their fame? When it comes down to the battlefield, it all depends on whose fists are stronger!”
“What Aslan? Even if it’s Atlantis, they will still be subdued by us!”
“Right! I, your father, came here just to crush them!”
The atmosphere of the entire No. 6 transport ship heated up, but the person who had initially started the conversation instead laughed and shook his head in exasperation. This was not his first time participating in the IG. When he first came, he too was ambitious and self-confident, but soon, he was taught a harsh lesson. There were some things that they would never learn if they hadn’t experienced it for themselves.
Aslan… Atlantis…. Indeed, they had the same number of limbs as us. But they were still monsters in human skin.
“Since everyone is on the same ship, it must be fate. Regardless of the future, if we become rivals, let’s first get to know each other. I am Max from the Clark Galaxy.”
At this point, someone had raised a suggestion. These youngsters preferred to be around crowds and to make friends. Crucially, all of them had passed the first round and were all secretly rather proud and confident.
“Haha, I’m the Flare Star’s captain, Irles. Fate is just like a friend. However, when we meet each other later on, we from the Flare Star will not show mercy. When it’s time to fight, we will. The Flare Star is the main capital for mecha, so we will definitely not profane the art of fighting. This is my teammate, Ptolemy…”
One by one, everybody introduced themselves, and it was the Solar System’s turn. Wang Zheng smiled and started the introductions. “I’m the team captain of the Solar System team, Wang Zheng. This is Zhang Shan, Zhang Runan…”
Everyone had a look of admiration when they saw Zhang Runan, a mighty woman and a reliable female teammate. This was a perfect example. However, the closer to the end of the competition, the less everyone would be concerned about looks. After all, strength was still more important.
When Meng Tian and Lie Xin were introduced, their eyes immediately blazed up. In comparison, Lear, Achilles, and the rest were all ignored.
“Meng Tian sure is pretty, but she’s a little too cold. Lie Xin’s much better. Did you see her looking at me?”
“She was obviously looking at me. Honestly, Lie Xin’s figure is totally my type. If I could spend a night with her, it would be worth it even if I die.”
“She’s a graduate from Academy X,” a boy who had contacts in Academy X plainly said.
“Are you serious? What’s her ranking?”
“I’m not sure. She doesn’t seem to be very famous, so probably above 100.”
“That’s still not bad. Who’s this Wang Zheng? Another one from Academy X?”
“Doesn’t seem like it. I’m not too sure.”
On one hand were the introductions, while on the other side the gossip had begun. Obviously, everyone was surprised that the Solar System team had actually passed the first round.
To make friends, it was also necessary to have certain classifications. Other than the beautiful female players, the other side of the Solar System was not very eye-catching. Not to mention the results of the first round of the Solar System team. They were not spectacular, as other than the first game, which they won 3 to 0, the next two games were 3 to 2 narrow victories. They were almost unable to enter the second round, and the last match even had a dispute?
Looking at the Clark Galaxy team and the Flare Star team, all three matches were three-zero record victories.
Finally, it was the turn for the first person to talk about his team.
“Ah, I’m called Le Gadamer…”
He had just stated his name, not even his origin, and someone had already exclaimed in surprise, “Are you serious? You’re the Quick Blade Le Gadamer? The Thunder Republic’s captain!”
“Damn, you’re my idol!”
“Ranked 33 in the last IG. Just a little more and you would have entered the top 32.”
“This is too cool! Last time’s matches were so fierce, then this time round…”
It was obvious that everyone was interested in the rankings, but Le Gadamer shook his head. “This rank does not mean anything. A team can only select one person to participate.”
Le Gadamer did not have the optimism of others. This ranking was merely to encourage and stimulate the youths. When he thought back about the monsters that were in his group, he was devoid of any joy.
In the cabin where Wang Zheng and the rest were staying in, there were about 60 of them seated, coincidentally equal to five teams in total. Rapidly, everyone had completed their introductions and started chatting with each other. After the introductions, the discussion topics became more diverse. However, on the Solar System’s side, most of them were only approaching Lie Xin for a chat.
A beauty from Mars? I’ve heard that it was an open place? Do you have a Skylink number? Let’s keep in touch!
If it was another occasion, Lie Xin would have ridiculed them. Only at this moment she was unfazed by such people as she was simply thinking about the second round and where they were heading to.
Lear and Achilles had the a rare moment of being ignored. Lear simply placidly kept himself calm, while Achilles’s faces still remained full of smiles.
The beauty just adjusted to the atmosphere, and although everyone clamored loudly, in fact, the real concern was the Thunder Republic. They were the strongest amongst the teams here!
“Since we are here, we have to attain glory for our country. The competition will be challenging, and it seems that there are a few strong ones on this ship,” Max from the Clark Star said, his heart full of ambition and his eyes filled with the glory of the championship title.
“Yeah, being able to enter the second round means you aren’t weaklings. Besides, Lady Luck may not always be on your side!” It was also the same for captain Irles, who had reignited his confidence after a short moment of surprise. If you were able to make it on to this boat, it more or less said a few things.
Le Gadamer smiled and said, “Not that I want to dampen everyone’s spirits, but the teams that entered the second round are split into three tiers. The first tier consists of Atlantis, Aslan and other superpowers, and probably only consists of ten or so teams. The second tier has the Maacah Republic, Collapsing Star, and a few others, with around forty teams. As for the third tier… we belong to the third tier.”
Everyone was surprised. They were actually divided into teams at the bottom?
“What conditions was it based on?” Lear, who had been remaining silent all this time, suddenly spoke up.”
“The previous round’s results and the overall performance of the first round. They are, of course, only as a reference. Everyone should not be too disappointed.”
Lear’s mouth had curled into a disdainful arc, showing off his natural mockery. Of course, it was unknown whether he was mocking the elite teams or IG themselves.
“The Solar System team did a good job this time,” said Le Gadamer, as if this was the first time the Solar System had entered the second round.
Others did not bother about the Solar System Federation. Other than the pretty lass, to tell the truth, there would always be weak teams able to surprisingly advance, so this was not a big deal.
“Captain Le Gadamer, you have participated IG before. In this second round, where will we be going?”
“The contents of each IG are different. However, according to past experience, the next stage is definitely real combat. But regarding the type of combat, I can’t say for sure.
Le Gadamer seemed to be extremely easy-going, perhaps even lacking a bit of passion. However, his attitude was truly friendly, and he seemingly had nothing to hide from them.
“What’s this shyness? Didn’t he participate in IG once? If I could participate once more, I would be more handsome than him.” Zhang Shan opened his mouth. Looking at him being so serious, having not spoken a word after his introduction, he was the world’s rarest Ability X user with warp and displacement abilities, yet everyone just ignored him? What had this world come to?
“You. People call this confidence, and not everyone has the opportunity to participate in the IG twice in a row,” Lie Xin said. “The title of ‘Quick Blade’ was one that he got in the last IG against Arbiter. Not many people know that in that match, he won Thunder’s only victory for the republic, and is also known as the IG’s potential new star.”
Although everyone was discussing his former glory, Le Gadamer had always been indifferent. He was not acting proud, he had just been through it all. There would always be a price to pay for the ambitions and passions of the youngsters.
Time flew past, and the military transport ship shuddered to a halt. The sealed bulkhead opened and a blue-green planet appeared before their eyes.
Whoosh……
The spacecraft sent out a beeping noise, then a majestic voice came out from the loudspeaker. “We have arrived at the destination, planet No. 9. Please follow the procedures provided by the Skylink. Please note that from now on, it is actual combat, not a simulation exercise. Thus, please follow the procedures strictly.”
Beep, a notification popped out on everyone’s Skylink: After entering the planet, an airdrop will take place. Please prepare for airborne maneuvers.
Under everyone’s seats were suits for the airdrop. Everyone immediately began putting them on. This was not a joke.
“Don’t be nervous. If I’m not mistaken, what follows will be a test of survival. Airdrops may encounter various types of enemies, and they may also allow each team to match against each other. We will pay more attention to the information later.” It was Le Gadamer who broke the tension.
Bang…
After a violent tremor, the military transport aircraft quickly passed through the atmosphere of the planet.