C13 Tang Hao's Power

Gongsun Ce was unstoppable. He shoved Xia Yan's hand aside and delivered several vicious kicks to the Fox Woman's vulnerable spots. Watching Gongsun Ce's deeply aggrieved demeanor, Xia Yan's anger dissipated into thin air.

It must be acknowledged that Gongsun Ce's acting was spot-on, and he didn't hold back. He was the one who killed the Fox Woman, and to cover his tracks, he went all in. Unfortunately, while he could fool others, Zhuge Yao was not so easily deceived. A man of his experience could see right through such a petty ruse.

"She's already dead. Let's cool off; there's no point in fussing over a dead person," Xia Yan said, attempting to pacify him. He reached out and grabbed Gongsun Ce again, his suspicions easing.

The other two members of Battalion Three Class Ten also chimed in with support. The younger folks weren't as cunning and, seeing how Gongsun Ce dealt with the Devil Beast Man without flinching, they welcomed him into the fold.

"Guys, I heard there's a Mecha Competition coming up in a few days. Every class has to participate," Gongsun Ce said, feigning relief as he steered the conversation towards the event, shifting everyone's focus.

At the mention of Mecha, the rest perked up with interest and crowded around to inquire. They chatted with great enthusiasm, only slightly dampened by the nuisance of too many mosquitoes.

Their conversation hadn't lasted long when Xia Bing, accompanied by two female recruits, came running over. She had been intent on pursuing a Mecha, but upon spotting Xia Yan near the east wall, her focus shifted.

"Xia Yan, what are you up to here? You better not be behind this," Xia Bing confronted Xia Yan and the others with a chilling tone, her stare sharp enough to cut through steel.

Xia Yan and Gongsun Ce, in the midst of a lively chat, were startled by Xia Bing's sudden appearance, stumbling back a few paces. The other three fell silent, watching the sibling exchange with amused curiosity.

"Sis, I was out here catching a Devil Beast Man. Look for yourself," Xia Yan retorted confidently, pointing in a direction with a proud smile on his face.

Hearing Xia Yan's explanation, Xia Bing's anger subsided somewhat. She followed his pointing finger to gaze beneath the eastern wall. The corpse that was supposed to be there had vanished without a trace, leaving the grassy expanse eerily empty. A chill wind swept through, rustling a flurry of leaves and adding to the unsettling atmosphere.

"Kid, you think you're pretty clever, huh? Even trying to deceive your own sister?" Xia Bing said icily, reaching out to pinch Xia Yan's ear as a prelude to a scolding.

Just then, a Devil Beast emerged from the earth, its jaws gaping wide to bite at Xia Bing and Xia Yan. This creature was a Crypt Devil, resembling an ordinary pangolin but on a scale dozens of times larger. Among level 1 Devil Beasts, the Crypt Devil was formidable, boasting a Combat Strength Value of 450, along with the Special Abilities of petrifying skin and burrowing.

Caught off guard by the Devil Beast's sudden appearance, Xia Bing and Xia Yan were almost bitten. In the nick of time, an Assault No. 66 Mecha arrived, charging at breakneck speed to collide with the Crypt Devil. The beast let out a pained shriek as green blood oozed from its mouth. It staggered backward several steps before steadying itself. The Universal Level Assault No. 66 fared poorly as well; its right Machine Arm was badly twisted, and Zhuge Yao inside was left reeling from the impact.

Zhuge Yao had been pursuing in his Mecha when he chanced upon the Fox Woman rising from the grass, her distinct call summoning the concealed Devil Beasts. He intended to check on the ambush he had arranged, only to find, much to his dismay, that Xia Yan and company were nonchalantly exchanging gossip nearby.

Seeing Xia Bing in danger alongside Xia Yan, Zhuge Yao acted swiftly, piloting the Mecha into the fray. Afterward, surveying the still-smoldering control panel, he lamented the Mecha's irreparable state. Using a training Mecha to ram a Devil Beast, especially one as defensively robust as the Crypt Devil, had been as futile as an egg striking a stone.

"Boss, watch out! The Devil Beast is charging at you!" Xia Yan called out to Zhuge Yao inside Assault No. 66, alerting him to the imminent danger.

Zhuge Yao had easily evaded such an attack last time, thanks to Xia Yan's warning. But this time was different. He tried to maneuver the Mecha to avoid the beast, but the control system was malfunctioning. Even with the Small Yellow Man's assistance, repairs would take over ten seconds.

In the nick of time, a Universal Level Glory One Mecha burst forth, sending the Crypt Devil flying once again. Unaffected by the impact, the Glory One Mecha brandished its Laser Sword and advanced several steps to press the attack. The Glory One, a relic from the Dawn Empire's third industrial revolution, boasted a mere two hundred Combat Strength Value. To use such an outdated Mecha and still manage to repel the Crypt Devil without repercussion spoke volumes of the pilot's exceptional skill.

The Crypt Devil was beaten back, first losing several fangs, then an arm. The tide turned again when the Fox Woman reappeared, wielding a regenerative catalyst that she injected into the Crypt Devil. The severed arm grew back, even more robust than before.

"Kid, is your Mecha operational? I'll handle the Crypt Devil; you take out that Fox Woman," Tang Hao's voice and projection suddenly filled Zhuge Yao's cockpit.

"Boss! What are you doing here? I've got this under control," Zhuge Yao responded without hesitation, his repair speed significantly boosted by the Small Yellow Man.

Assault No. 66 sprang back into action. With his right arm out of commission, Zhuge Yao used his left to draw a Magnetic Oscillation Blade from behind. Keeping pace, his other hand unsheathed a Laser Sword, adopting a dual-blade fighting style. Together, the two Mechas launched a coordinated assault. Overwhelmed, the Fox Woman was pinned down by Assault No. 66, while the Crypt Devil was swiftly dismantled.

"Nicely done!" Xia Yan cheered, his excitement palpable. He embraced Xia Bing, a triumphant grin spreading across his face, giving the impression that he was the victor of the battle.

"Awesome!" The crowd caught Xia Yan's infectious excitement and began to cheer loudly.

The electrical system self-repaired, and the lights in the Female New Soldier Battalion flickered back on. Jubilant cheers thundered inside and outside the barracks, creating an atmosphere even more festive than a victorious battle.

Tang Hao and Zhuge Yao dismounted from their Mechas and were promptly hoisted into the air by the crowd. Xia Yan, in particular, looked at them with an almost ravenous gaze. The rest of the onlookers were equally impressed with the duo; for many of the new recruits, this was their first glimpse of Mecha Devil Slaying in action.

On the fringes of the lively crowd, Gongsun Ce's face was a mask of anger as he stealthily approached the Fox Woman and pulled a dagger from his cloak. His plan was straightforward: eliminate the witnesses. This was the second time today he had contemplated such a deed.

But before Gongsun Ce could act, Lei Xun materialized before him, thwarting his next move.

"Young Master Ce, how can you bear to harm such a captivating Devil Beast Man girl?" Lei Xun asked, his stern expression contrasting with his plain-spoken words.

Foiled, Gongsun Ce had no choice but to sheathe his weapon and dismiss Lei Xun's interrogation. He walked away, feigning indifference, yet internally he was seething with expletives. 'You, who spy and take liberties with girls, dare to judge me?' he thought bitterly, then paused. 'Why do I even care?'

It was only then that Liu Mei felt safe enough to emerge and assess the situation. Her face fell when she saw the Fox Woman had been apprehended. In her mind, she began to concoct a plan to save her skin and somehow turn the tables.