Qualifying Match Draw
After the elimination round, all mechas needed maintenance for the upcoming advancement matches.
Although there were changes in the new season's format, the overall schedule followed the old format, with the top 32 advancing after the elimination round, followed by the top 8 ranking matches. The time between each phase of the competition would not exceed half a month, leaving only 10 days for mecha repairs.
Currently, in the maintenance room, Grandpa Gu and Shen Xingtang were assisting with maintenance. Ying Chenlin spent most of his time training with KID in the training room. However, during his free time, he would visit the maintenance room.
Last time, Theo didn't participate in the competition, and S-class mecha data needed new weapon data input. During this time, Theo's mecha had been kept in the maintenance room.
Upon entering the maintenance room, Ying Chenlin could see Grandpa Gu busy with repairing the mecha's damage.
Without disturbing Grandpa Gu's work, Ying Chenlin looked at Theo.
The weapons prepared for the new season had been tested and installed, but considering that not all tactics had been implemented, adjustments were still needed. Among them, Theo's weapon had a relatively high difficulty level. While others had A-class mechas, Theo had an S-class mecha, and the adaptability of the weapon needed constant adjustments.
Ying Chenlin climbed into the cockpit, and as he entered, the entire cockpit lit up, and all functions inside were activated.
He paused slightly. "Theo?"
The cockpit lit up, as if the mecha was friendly, giving a greeting.
Ying Chenlin took a seat in the cockpit and began the inspection after adjusting the control console.
For him, entering the cockpit of an S-class mecha was a bit uncomfortable. The atmosphere inside was filled with traces of You Su. Every time he entered the cockpit, he felt as if You Su was standing around. He quickly adjusted the internal data of the mecha. Two new weapons were installed on Theo, and the values in the weapon box showed new changes.
"Chenlin, you've been very careful every time you check on me!" Theo looked at the maintenance worker, greeting another AI enthusiastically.
While staying in the maintenance room, Theo had heard Grandpa Gu and Shen Xingtang discussing, knowing that Ying Chenlin had his plans for repairing Theo. Even the ability crystal obtained from the mutant pollutant had been used as a weapon core and entered the design process.
That mutant's rapid regeneration ability was unique, and Theo wondered what kind of weapon Ying Chenlin had crafted from it.
During Theo's inspection, he continued chatting with Yuan.
Until Ying Chenlin left the cockpit, Yuan reluctantly bid farewell.
Exiting the cockpit, Ying Chenlin noticed the warmth of the key around his neck. He glanced at the adjacent, tall mecha. The originally white mecha even had a few red spray-painted lines.
It seemed that Theo and Yuan had a good relationship.
Since the relief of his mental strength, Yuan occasionally spoke a few words to Ying Chenlin. Ying Chenlin had been extremely cautious about modifying Yuan. This plan had been in design since his previous life, and now that it was about to enter the later stages of modification, he shouldn't slack off.
Ying Chenlin walked around the maintenance room, inspected everyone's mechas, and then returned to the elevated control platform.
He called up the weapon data of each mecha from the control platform, cross-checked everything, and then interfaced with the optical brain, exporting the half-designed draft.
KID had harvested quite a few ability crystals in the past two years, but the actual ability crystals suitable for Yuan were very few.
S-class mechas would react to different types of ability crystals based on the initial weapon attributes, just like Theo's preference for wind attribute ability crystals. S-class mechas were more strict in their weapon choices, and mecha pilots would focus on selecting ability crystals with preferred or proficient attributes.
When Ying Chenlin piloted single-man mechas, he particularly liked using fire attribute ability crystals.
In the initial stage, Yuan used the Flowing Fire Sword and Flame Cannon. Perhaps influenced by the interaction with Yuan, when selecting materials, Ying Chenlin preferred materials with fire attributes.
In the Koria pollution zone, due to the influence of the mutant pollutant, the Flame Cannon exhibited abnormally high-temperature reactions. Ying Chenlin initially thought it had been damaged, but in reality, the weapon core of the Flame Cannon hadn't been completely damaged. Both of Yuan's weapons were undamaged, which was good news, meaning that with appropriate modification, these two weapons could continue to be used by Yuan.
However, the reserve of such weapons was not sufficient.
Ying Chenlin hesitated for a moment before pouring out an ability crystal from the storage. A slightly dim-colored ability crystal was influenced by Ying Chenlin's spiritual power and floated up, revealing faint lightning inside.
"Its energy is very rich."
As Ying Chenlin manipulated the ability crystal, he suddenly heard Yuan's voice.
After a moment of pause, he replied, "But we don't know its ability."
This ability crystal was accidentally picked up by Ying Chenlin when he first arrived at Sirius. After testing it with the corresponding organization, it was determined to be an S-class dual-attribute attack-type ability crystal. However, no other information was obtained.
Ying Chenlin knew that Yuan could passively extract energy from this ability crystal. Judging by the speed at which S-class mechas extract energy, the energy of this ability crystal should have been consumed almost completely. However, over such a long period, apart from being dim, the S-class reaction on Yuan's body showed no sign of weakening.
This was the only remaining fire-attribute attack-type ability crystal in Ying Chenlin's hands. Unfortunately, he didn't know its ability, and he hadn't been able to craft it into a weapon.
Fire and thunder dual-attributes, such a combination was rare among attack-type ability crystals.
Moreover, there were two special S-class ability crystals that he inherited from his father's legacy, and he didn't know their abilities.
He had asked the pollution expert Qiu Lao about this. Qiu Lao was helping him investigate the origin of these two ability crystals from the legacy, but there was no information yet.
Ying Chenlin withdrew his spiritual power, and the ability crystal settled steadily back into his hand.
As he was about to put things away, he caught sight of the special letter placed with the items.
Ying Chenlin read the name on it, "Shi Xuejun."
"Something from your mother?"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind. Ying Chenlin paused slightly and turned to find You Su standing behind him.
Noticing Ying Chenlin's surprised look, You Su shrugged slightly. "I've been here for a while, sent you a message, but no response."
Ying Chenlin opened his optical brain and only then discovered that You Su had sent him a message 20 minutes ago, asking him to go to the conference room for a meeting. "I was busy and didn't notice."
He placed the optical brain on the table, hastily packed up the things on the control platform, and stored all the ability crystals he had taken out.
You Su stood by and observed. He recognized that storage device, which was often hung together with You Su's mecha key. His gaze lingered on the fire and thunder ability crystal for a moment, but quickly shifted away. Inadvertently, he noticed Ying Chenlin's optical brain on the control platform.
The optical brain's page was still open, and there were several unread messages inside.
His gaze stayed on the pinned position for a moment, until the person in front of him finished packing up, and only then did he avert his eyes.
"Is the work in the maintenance room done?" You Su asked.
Ying Chenlin nodded. "I've left the rest to Grandpa Gu."
---
When the two of them hurried to the conference room, it was already full of people.
On the table were not documents but nutrition supplements that Ji Qingfeng had just collected from the store.
"Isn't the original flavor good?" Jiang Simiao remembered that he had always been criticized when he bought nutrition supplements in the past. "I deliberately chose the best and most expensive ones. I've looked at the nutritional ratio chart, and it definitely meets your body's needs."
In contrast, the ones Ji Qingfeng bought looked like the kind of snack nutrition supplements that deceived children.
Ji Qingfeng: "Is the problem with nutrition supplements about taste? It's about taste!"
The nutrition supplements on Keze Floating Island were also purchased by Jiang Simiao. The six-member team had been eating original-flavored nutrition supplements in the pollution zone for nearly 30 days. Now, seeing the original flavor made them physiologically nauseous. Since they were about to enter the advancement matches, they couldn't let Jiang Simiao coordinate the procurement of supplies anymore.
Jiang Simiao ignored these people. He had specifically asked Dr. Eric about the nutrition supplements he bought. Mecha pilots couldn't eat junk food every day; there were still others in the base who were growing. "You can eat whatever you want; I won't care about you. There are still some original-flavored ones in the warehouse; I'll give them to Chenlin and Yao Bao."
Ying Chenlin was about to walk over to see the nutrition supplements when he heard this and stopped in his tracks.
Lin Yao had already stuck his head into the nutrition supplements, looking for flavors. When he heard Jiang Simiao say this, he immediately expressed dissatisfaction, "Ah? I don't want to eat the original flavor."
Shen Xingtang happened to walk in. "Then do you still want to grow taller?"
Lin Yao: "You said the same thing last time. Chenlin has grown 2 cm, and I haven't grown at all."
Ying Chenlin's gaze swept over the nutrition supplements pile, and he asked, "I've grown; can I eat something else?"
Jiang Simiao had just wanted to enlighten the team's short people about the importance of body growth, but the next second, he saw You Su picking a few tubes from the nutrition supplements and casually placing them in front of Ying Chenlin's seat.
You Su said, "Honey-flavored."
Ying Chenlin was taken aback. "Thank you, Brother You."
Jiang Simiao: "?"
He held back the words he was about to say, turned around, and saw Lin Yao, who wanted to get nutrition supplements. "Do you know how to say 'citizen body data survey' in the Star Alliance? It's difficult to grow taller after the age of 23! I'm talking about you, Lin Yao. You're almost 22, and you won't grow taller after another year!"
When Lin Yao heard this, he said, "Isn't there still one more year?"
"Don't listen to Sanshui's nonsense." Ji Qingfeng said, "Anyway, there's no rule that short people can't pilot mechas."
Huo Yan smiled and said, "They're all like this when they're young; let them eat whatever they want."
Ying Chenlin received the honey-flavored nutrition supplements and put them away first. He noticed Shen Xingtang sitting across from him, and hesitated, thinking that Shen Xingtang had something else to say. However, Shen Xingtang's gaze fell on You Su next to him.
Jiang Simiao didn't bother arguing with these mecha pilots who held strange theories. Instead, he brought up the virtual screen and entered the meeting topic: "I called you all here today to discuss the schedule for the upcoming matches. After the elimination round, there's the advancement round, and our opponents are going to be tough."
If the preparedness level among mecha teams is roughly the same in the elimination round, once they reach the top 32, they will face strong teams with fully equipped mechas. The current combat data on these strong teams is limited, and as expected, during the elimination round, they didn't bring out new weapons from their mecha reserves. Everyone was using their usual tactics in the matches.
"Let's not talk much about Gale." Jiang Simiao presented data on all the teams. "Zhao Lejie's new weapons didn't appear in the elimination round, so they've probably renovated all their weapons."
Gale has been the top-ranked base in the Dawn Galaxy for several years, and the weapon reserves of this base are unpredictable.
Below Gale are Black Crow and YDS, followed by the old top 8 teams. The strength of the teams in the top 16 can be estimated, but the most unpredictable ones are the old top 8 teams, especially the top 4.
Ji Qingfeng said, "Didn't we play against BZZL1 last year? Wasn't the top 4 at that level?"
Jiang Simiao immediately poured cold water on him. "BZZL1 has improved this year. If you replicate last year's tactics against BZZL1, it won't work. Last year, there was a canyon explosion that led you to find someone. This year, in a match without anything exploding, let's see how you find their stealth."
The arrangement for the advancement round is done by drawing lots, and given the current situation, it's impossible to predict who the opponents will be.
However, the advancement round won't be like the elimination round, where there's only one slot available. After the top 32, there's the top 16, and after that, the top 8 qualification matches.
The qualification matches are not a concern for them now; KID's concern is how to secure a spot in the top 8.
Displayed on the virtual screen are the data of various bases. Jiang Simiao cleared his throat and said, "After Chenlin was exposed in the elimination round, other bases in the Dawn will definitely study our weapon reserves in detail. Chenlin's attack-medic and Lao Huo's control-type tank will likely be targeted."
This is also a difficulty; attack-medic is too easy to target.
Ying Chenlin said, "We can change weapons based on the opponent."
Although he hasn't fully designed the weapons for the medic mechas, he still has a relatively abundant arsenal of weapons. Jianheng provided them with an A-class mecha weapons arsenal. Without considering the effects of advanced ability crystals, ordinary weapons can still be used.
The worry is that the weapon reserves of other teams may be too luxurious. The higher the stage of the competition, the greater the impact of ability crystal weapons.
Shen Xingtang said, "We have a set of weapons prepared, but it's not enough. During this time, based on the tactics you trained before, I've also been searching for various styles of ability crystals in major auctions and market channels, trying to fill our weapon reserves within one cycle."
Jiang Simiao said, "Our weapons won't be hidden until the end of the galaxy tournament. Considering the difficulties of teams like Gale, all our cards will have to be laid out after the advancement round."
They have to lay their cards out; the question is how to do it appropriately.
Jiang Simiao's purpose in calling the meeting is this—they must formulate strategies based on the characteristics of each team.
Ying Chenlin knows Jiang Simiao's considerations. While the others are talking about the characteristics of each team, he has also finished reading the hundred-page data board. From KID's current situation, if they want to secure a spot in the top 8, the opponents they need to be most vigilant about are the top 4 teams.
They had crossed paths with BZZL1 in the previous season, and the characteristics of the mecha pilots in this team are known to Huo Yan and the others.
They had also collaborated with Gale and YDS, possessing a certain level of familiarity. Ying Chenlin knows about Qi Sicheng and Ke Lin's commanding abilities, and their ranks are higher than BZZL1. Against opponents like that, they may not have an advantage in weapons. To win, they need to not only bring out a complete set of weapon reserves but also formulate tactics.
The most difficult-to-predict team is Black Crow.
KID's collaboration with Black Crow is not deep. In the Koria pollution zone, although they claimed to have collaborated with Black Crow, the two planets are separated by a great distance. After the mission, when they reviewed the relevant data related to Black Crow, it was very limited. From this perspective, they are behind Black Crow in terms of intelligence.
What makes Black Crow special is the combat system of their mecha pilots. If Ying Chenlin's attack-medic is considered a niche system, then Chi Lizi's long-range stealth in Black Crow is also one of the niche systems.
According to the usual situation, Chi Lizi's long-range stealth system is one of the cores of Black Crow. But it's not just the core; Black Crow has a similarity to KID—they also have three core systems. If they use the same tactics in the elimination round, deploying three long-range mechas as core systems against Black Crow, it can only be said that they are bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Chi Lizi's popularity on the Star Network is not without reason. Ying Chenlin had once had a virtual battlefield match with him. The mecha pilot's reaction speed is not inferior to Ji Qingfeng and Lin Yao. He can quickly identify the situation and make adjustments, showing high maneuverability.
Having such a mecha pilot as a teammate is comfortable, but as an opponent, it is extremely challenging.
Ying Chenlin thought of this and looked into more information about Black Crow, where he found details about Black Crow's artillery mecha and control mecha.
Normally, each team's combat system revolves around a core, such as YDS with Ke Lin as the core or Gale with a comprehensive development system. Black Crow's system, on the other hand, features dual cores—one is the long-range stealth mecha Chi Lizi, and the other is the high-damage artillery mecha Wen Yi.
"Are you looking at Black Crow's data?" Huo Yan noticed Ying Chenlin's focus.
Lu Xi, upon hearing Black Crow's name, said, "This team is quite challenging; we've been beaten by them before."
"Black Crow is a typical dual-core team with Chi Lizi and Wen Yi. They specialize in niche systems, making many tactics not very effective against them." Jiang Simiao pulled up the data and clarified, "Chi Lizi and Wen Yi, both specializing in long-range, have consistently positioned themselves at the back of the team, taking advantage of the front-line teammates' efforts to build momentum."
"When fighting against Black Crow, the most fearsome thing is not being able to find their stealth and artillery." Huo Yan continued, "Their tank is an agile type, and the control mecha pilot also carries dual long-range control artillery mechas. From the elimination round, their support and medic mechas also serve as both tank and control."
Ji Qingfeng felt a bit overwhelmed. "So, this team is both tanky and controlling? Agile in the backline too?"
Jiang Simiao explained, "In simple terms, yes. They grab opponents in the front line and kill them in the back. Plus, with high agility, often the opposing teams haven't even found them in a skirmish before being eliminated."
Shen Xingtang added, "Aren't you familiar with their tactics? Three long-range systems, Chi Lizi's playstyle is similar to Chenlin's. And their medic mecha seems to be equipped with long-range weapons too..."
Lin Yao exclaimed, "Ah! Doesn't that make it a four-long-range system?"
Black Crow is a team that excels in using long-range mechas, unlike KID, whose historical strengths lie in front-line mechas.
Ji Qingfeng is a traditional stealth pilot, Lin Yao is a guard who doesn't even use cannons, and Huo Yan is a more versatile tank mecha.
So, facing the Black Crow team is undoubtedly a formidable obstacle for KID.
Jiang Simiao reassured, "It's okay. There are 16 slots for the top 32, even if we encounter them in the same match. As long as we don't face Black Crow head-on, it'll be fine."
KID doesn't want to meet Black Crow; they would suffer in such a matchup.
While teammates discussed, Ying Chenlin, on the data board, drew the outline of a four-long-range system. After completing the outline, he suddenly thought of something and looked towards Lin Yao.
Lin Yao asked, "What's wrong, Chenlin?"
Ying Chenlin replied, "Nothing."
The advancement round uses the Star Network drawing lots. When it was their turn to draw, everyone unanimously let Ying Chenlin do the drawing.
The elimination round is a fierce competition, and as they enter the top 32 advancement round, the requirements for the strength of each team are higher. Divided into four groups—ABCD—each group has four advancement slots. When the drawing results came out, it could only be said that KID's luck was exceptionally good. In the top 32 match, they happened to be in the D group, which didn't have many strong teams.
Once this result came out, many netizens who thought the beginning of the competition would be tough were left stunned.
[Does KID always have such good luck?]
[This grouping is like winning the lottery.]
Before the drawing, Jiang Simiao had even been arranging tactical lineups for dealing with strong teams. However, upon seeing the grouping, he put away half of the weapons he had taken out. Others who wanted to study KID's mecha team were speechless. With such grouping, couldn't KID hide another strategy?
In the D group, there were no strong teams that KID was most worried about. Most of them were old top 32 or dark horses that came up from the elimination round.
For KID, the competitive pressure was not great. After entering the pollution zone, they quickly stabilized their performance in the top four, won the D group competition at the last moment, and securely secured a spot in the top 16.
After a wave of victories in the Black Hole, the Dawn Mecha League gained a considerable amount. Since the elimination round, the prize money given each time has been very generous. For strong teams, it's just ordinary prize money, but for KID, it has become usable liquid funds, filling all the vacancies in the repair room at once.
Shen Xingtang's grasp of money is much better than some mecha pilots in KID. With money at her disposal, she immediately organized everything in the base, providing more guarantees for the KID mecha pilots. She even renovated several virtual warehouses in the training room that had been used for several years.
"Should I draw again?" Ying Chenlin was once again pushed to the drawing page.
Ji Qingfeng said, "Draw another retirement group, and we can easily make it to the top 8."
However, the result of this draw was not ideal when all the group results came out.
KID was placed in Group A, and the teams appearing in Group A were BZZL1 and Black Crow.
Among the old top four teams in the Dawn Season, both were in Group A!
And one of them was Black Crow, which KID least wanted to encounter.
Ying Chenlin, seeing the result, was slightly surprised and looked at others, "Seems like it's still manageable?"
You Su said, "Very good at drawing."
Other members of KID: "..."
Jiang Simiao said, "It's over; we have to reveal our cards."
______________
Author's note:
I'm late; the top 32 is over.
Mainly writing about the upcoming top 16 matches, where the opponents are BZZL1 and Black Crow!