Chapter 480: Crazy Training II
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Shen Ruxue watched the students at the opposite training ground, doing their crazy routines, and reflected to herself that Group 25's instructor was indeed not an ordinary man. She did not harbor any complicated designs for Ye Chong, as Shang had suggested, but she was a touch curious of him, so she tested him. As expected, the widely mocked instructor of Group 25 was stronger than commonly believed. However, she could not tell exactly how good he was.
She found out from a few female students of Group 25 that their serious looking instructor was very good at combat, and though his mech piloting skills were still indiscernible, he would not be too shabby in it.
Shen Ruxue gave up on further plans of probing him. It was clear from Group 25's training routine that their instructor was no kind person, but a ruthless character. She did not want to be involved with someone like that.
Ye Chong subtly nodded as he watched the students crashed fearlessly into the obstacles. The students were so used to long range attacking that they would often widen the distance with their enemies unconsciously. They would afraid of getting close to their enemies, a psychological barrier that almost every long range mech pilot would have.
Ye Chong believed that if they could not endure this training, then that they would never become competent close range mech pilots. To overcome this psychological barrier, Ye Chong had prepared these seemingly violent exercises for them.
Now, the exercises seemed to do the trick. At least the students were now all immune to this instinctive fear, though whether the training itself would leave an emotional scar was another matter that Ye Chong did not consider.
His students were mostly trained in combat, and even some of the female students could qualify as half of an expert. After completing these two exercises, his students discussed mech combat among themselves. Ye Chong did not interfere. He felt that it was way easier for them to fight in their own ways before making his observations on them.
However, he was surprised to see that the students fought almost like they were in a serious battle. A few of them must have acted more boldly after overcoming their psychological barriers.
These students were good! Especially the one called Xi Qing. He could always keep his calm, even when in a dire situation, and would often be able to win despite the odds against him.
"Well, I should pay more attention to him," Ye Chong thought to himself.
Ye Chong's life became more routine-like. Everyday, he would spend most of his time training his students, and the rest of the day would be dedicated to training with Muscle Man or entering the virtual world. Shang, however, seemed to have disappeared, doing who knew what.
The hottest news in the virtual world were about sightings of red-tailed beasts, casualties and body counts etc, during this time. Some people were able to deduce that the red-tailed beasts must have found a way into Gray Valley. One of the most shocking media out there was a holographic recording of a red-tailed beast swallowing a large amount of energy cells, and then evolving.
This holographic recording sent a message to the people - these creatures could absorb pure energy. Ye Chong was not surprised when he saw the recording. It was just a proof of Fei Si's hypothesis.
The infiltration of the red-tailed beasts into Gray Valley ignited a riot. In just the blink of an eye, Gray Valley was plunged into mayhem. Public safety was compromised, and news of battles between humans and red-tailed beasts became common.
When the red-tailed beasts entered the atmosphere, their physical advantages were amplified. Humans often had to pay a high price to kill them. The frontline was no longer the only place in need of close range mech pilots - this specialized skill set was in high demand in every city.
Fortunately, the humans were still successful in defending the center of Gray Valley. However, Ye Chong could see that there were more and more red-tailed beasts that entered Gray Valley.
On some planets, people no longer dared to wander far from the city, for fear of encountering red-tailed beasts in the rural areas. The cities were more like fortresses, protected by loads of armaments. Resident mech pilots volunteered to keep their homes safe, that's why the red-tailed beasts did not manage to breach the cities yet.
The situation would only get worse. Ye Chong looked at a chart that showed the frequency of incidents related to red-tailed beasts across time. The graph was climbing up steeply.
Crysound City's security measures were tightened. The streets were mostly empty, except for the occasional passerby. Fortunately, with Planet Henna nearby at the frontline, military presence was strong in the area, and it was still generally safe for the locals.
"Ye!" Shang finally came out of his lengthy hiding.
"Shang!" Ye Chong greeted in surprise.
"Hehe, I'll let you in on good news …" Shang sounded excited.
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Xi Qing dragged himself slowly towards the nutrition tank. He lifted the lid on the tank and slipped unceremoniously into it. The nutrition fluid in the tank would rapidly replenish whatever nutrients his body needed, so that he could physically recover as soon as possible.
Once upon a time, such a luxury would have been unattainable for him. He had long heard of its various benefits, and now that he had the chance, he had used the tank every single day. The nutrition tank was effective, but being submerged inside was very uncomfortable. It was like having millions of ants biting every muscle and bone in your body. For that reason, not many people actually used it.
Xi Qing gritted his teeth, looking tortured, but he was holding on. A few students walked past the nutrition tank room and saw Xi Qing submerged in the nutrition fluid. They looked impressed. This designated group leader of theirs was at least respected by his members.
The nutrition fluid reached up to his neck, spinning fast so as to encourage faster nutrition absorption and produce a massaging effect. Xi Qing thought of his instructor, and wondered if he had made the right choice.
He knew that his instructor was definitely stronger than what his performance during the test suggested. However, no one knew exactly how capable he was. So far, the man had not participated in mech combat practice with them. They were also going through the most simplest and driest of trainings. Even so, the instructor had demanded very high standards in these trainings!
Nonetheless, he had completed them! Xi Qing's lips lifted into a faint smile. He was the first in his group to have completed their training according to their instructor's standards. At first, no one believed that anyone could have done it as their instructor wanted, Xi Qing included. To think that he had really achieved it! The joy of success made the pain in his body fade into the background.
The instructor had said, he remembered clearly, that he would personally teach combat to any student who completed the trainings. This was the part that he had been waiting for. He would be able to tell how strong his instructor really was, and whether or not his judgment had been wrong.
However, Xi Qing's happiness did not last long. He had always thought that, with the Research Consortium taking part in the war, it would be over very quickly. However, the war had progressed to its current state, one far more serious than he expected.
When will this war end? Xi Qing wondered, lost in thought.
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Arwa's expression was frozen. Bei Guang looked similarly aggrieved too, and did not say a word. No one dared to approach the Xiao Family's 1st and 2nd Platoon Commanders, not with the way they looked.
Arwa suddenly burst out in rage, "Those fools, are they suicidal? Didn't they know that is no different from killing ourselves? Who the f*ck suggested this idea, I'm going to end him -"
Arwa's outburst came from within the meeting room. The guards who stood outside kept their silence. They could not understand, just what kind of horrible thing that someone had done to make even their calm Platoon Commander Arwa explode in anger.
"The Alliance made the decision last night. Basically, 80 percent of the members agreed to this battle plan," Bei Guang said with a low voice.
"Are they nuts? 80 percent? This is crazy! We don't even know what's inside. It's insane to gamble all we have in this full on attack!" Arwa's face was one of disbelief. The Alliance had decided on a battle plan last night, one that would gather all their military forces and charge right into the purple gas cloud!
Bei Guang's face betrayed no emotion as he continued, "They all have their own men, and it is thanks to mediation by the Research Consortium that they had all joined in the war. With more and more red-tailed beasts infiltrating from the rear, they face a huge pressure and want to return to protect their own territories. You may not know this, but He Yue Galaxy is in chaos right now, perhaps even more so than us. The red-tailed beasts are spreading. Aside from Planet Yi Ju and its surroundings, where the collision army is, the other places are all in a state of unrest. These people are just afraid that we will end up the same at the rear."
Arwa remained silent for a long while before forcing out a question, "What about us?"
"The Young Miss has agreed to it," Bei Guang replied softly.
Arwa slumped into his sofa.
"Perhaps the situation is not as bad as you think. The attack will be led by the best and brightest of the entire Gray Valley! Even the Golden Army of the Research Consortium is participating," Bei Guang consoled Arwa.
Arwa was about to say something, but changed his mind and instead uttered, "I really hope so!"