Chapter 383: Showdown with Su Yanyang
Before the next round of the competition officially began, the students had approximately three hours to rest and recover.
Che Yufei hadn’t sustained significant damage in the previous battle. After maintaining his Bionics and taking some medicinal pills, he checked the messages that had appeared in his Bionic Eyes.
Since posting about the competition on his social media, he had gradually started receiving comments.
Smiling, he opened the comments under his post, reading messages from high school and university classmates who were astonished by his breakthrough into the top ten.
Meanwhile, the internship applications he had sent out without any initial response had unexpectedly started receiving replies.
Meanwhile, Shi Yunxiang couldn’t wait to show off his top-ten finish in the competition.
He shared the news in various group chats, declaring his achievement.
To Shi Yunxiang, this was only natural.
“If I win a competition and don’t brag about it… what was the point of winning in the first place?”
“When you achieve something, you have to flaunt it mercilessly. Make sure everyone you know sees it. That’s the law of survival for university students.”
He was thrilled to receive a long-awaited message from his mentor and eagerly replied.
Among the monsterfolk students at Myriad Laws University, some reached out to inquire about his situation and whether he needed a loan from the Monsterfolk Student Aid Fund.
As Shi Yunxiang scrolled through the replies in his Bionic Eye, he once again marveled at the prestige of a top-ten finish in the Civil Engineering Competition.
Ying Clan Ancestral Hall Group
Ying Xin: “I got into the top ten of the Civil Engineering Competition!”
Ying Xin: “Screenshot of ranking.” [Image file]
Ying Xin’s ranking screenshot immediately resurrected several deceased members of the group.
First Generation Patriarch: “Well done! Achieving this as a second-year student shows great promise for your future.”
Fourth Generation Patriarch: “Ying Xin, did you get this ranking as an alternate?”
Second Generation Patriarch: “Excellent! You’ve latched onto a powerful patron. Make sure to hold on tight and never let go.”
Fifth Generation Patriarch: “Compared to that, rankings don’t matter much. You’ll understand when you’re older — rankings are important, but choosing the right faction is even more crucial, and your family’s connections are the ultimate key.”
First Generation Patriarch: “Did you send a gift? Use my ashes as a token of appreciation.”
Third Generation Patriarch: “Grandpa, you’ve forgotten — you’ve already given away most of your ashes. There’s hardly any left.”
Third Generation Patriarch: “Burn mine instead. There should still be plenty left.”
As Ying Xin read the responses from her father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and founding ancestor… she felt a warmth bloom in her heart. This was the support provided by her family’s heritage and the bonds of blood.
Meanwhile, Yu Xinghan lay beside the construction site, practicing his breathing technique while chatting through his Bionic.
In the Songyang Hometown Group:
Myriad Laws University Foundation Establishment Class No. 5, Civil Engineering Competition Top 10, Engineering Health Management Specialist Yu Xinghan: “Hahaha, @Song Hailong, this video you posted is hilarious!”
Immortal Armaments University Foundation Establishment Class No. 3 Song Hailong: “Didn’t I post that last week? Why are you replying now?”
Fengdu College Zhao Tianxing (Contact me for data refills): “Top 10?”
(Omitted) Yu Xinghan: “You mean the Civil Engineering Competition?”
Yu Xinghan: “Yeah, Zhang Yu and I participated in the Civil Engineering Department’s internal competition, defeated some senior students, and managed to snag a top 10 spot by sheer luck.”
Yu Xinghan: “It’s pretty rare for second-year students to achieve such a ranking. I guess Zhang Yu and I have truly surpassed the average level of previous Myriad Laws Civil Engineering Department students.”
Seeing the group’s awestruck responses, Yu Xinghan urged them to support his videos.
At that moment, Lian Tianji’s avatar began to flash.
Lian Tianji: “Brother Xinghan, my assistant forgot to forward your last message.”
Lian Tianji: “Which of your videos would you like me to recommend and share?”
Yu Xinghan’s spirits soared at Lian Tianji’s reply. He immediately engaged in conversation, eventually agreeing that when Yu Xinghan went to Joyful Union University for a project, they would collaborate on a video together.
“Joyful Union University…” Yu Xinghan’s gaze hardened. “I’m definitely going!”
Just then, Yu Xinghan saw Zhang Yu and Xiao Qingxuan returning. He hurried over to greet them, asking, “How is he?”
Xiao Qingxuan replied calmly, “His injuries were already stable. The doctor gave him a quick treatment and applied the wound medicine Director Gao sent. He should be fully recovered after resting for an hour.”
Everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Zhang Yu’s astonishing performance in the previous match against Ma Xuan had unconsciously established him as a key member of the team, indispensable for the upcoming competitions.
However, shortly after the next round’s schedule was announced, the team members’ expressions turned grave.
“The new round will pit the remaining top ten teams against each other in pairs.”
“The initial top ten rankings will be determined based on the completion rate of each team’s construction.”
“The winners of these head-to-head matches will have a chance to challenge a higher-ranked team in the next round. For example, if they successfully challenge the third-ranked team, they will take third place themselves…”
Zhang Yu mused thoughtfully, “So this round determines the initial top ten rankings, and the next round decides the final rankings.”
Che Yufei frowned. “We’re facing Su Yanyang’s team this round? This…”
He turned to Shi Huaiyu, who stood beside him. “You used to be on their team. How big is the gap between us?”
Shi Huaiyu rubbed her waist, her expression grim. “The gap is enormous.”
“Su Yanyang’s personal strength aside, his Iron Coffin alone contains nine sets of commonly used Bionics, covering every specialization. They perfectly complement his various cultivation arts, allowing him to unleash his full cultivation power.”
“Whether it’s direct combat, reconnaissance, terrain manipulation, formation deployment, or large-scale construction… his capabilities far surpass ours in every aspect. He has no weaknesses.”
“And the other members of his team are all students from the top forty All-Attribute Ranking.”
“Their Bionics, magical artifacts, and other equipment are all incredibly valuable.”
“Moreover, each of them is wealthy and won’t hesitate to expend resources during the competition, knowing they can afford the subsequent medical care and maintenance.”
Shi Huaiyu sighed. “I bet Su Yanyang received advance notice and assembled this team specifically to compete for the top seven spots.”
“Moreover, he’s extremely cautious, never underestimating any opponent, no matter how weak they seem…”
As Shi Huaiyu recounted Su Yanyang and his teammates’ formidable strengths, the surrounding team members gradually fell silent.
Che Yufei shook his head. “Well, we’ve already made it into the top ten. If the next match looks unfavorable, we should just forfeit early to avoid unnecessary losses.”
Xiao Qingxuan observed the subtle shifts in the group’s expressions, noticing a collective sense of complacency settling over their faces.
He understood perfectly: reaching the top ten had already exceeded most of the team’s expectations. Facing such a seemingly invincible opponent in the next round naturally led to thoughts of giving up.
A hint of resentment flickered across Shi Huaiyu’s face at Che Yufei’s words, but she didn’t refute him. She lacked the confidence to rally the others against Su Yanyang, given the immense risks and potential losses involved.
Xiao Qingxuan glanced at Zhang Yu, who seemed lost in thought. “The entire team has lost their fighting spirit. Do you still think we can win under these circumstances?”
As the break ended, the teams prepared to re-enter the arena.
Before the arena entrance, the two teams stood facing each other.
Su Yanyang leaned against the Iron Coffin floating behind him, looking at Shi Huaiyu and said, “Huaiyu, are you determined to fight to the end, or will you surrender early?”
“You must know the gap between us. Surrendering early would minimize losses for both sides. I think it’s a wise move.”
“We’re all students from the Civil Engineering Department. Why waste our energy fighting each other?”
“You know me, I hate unnecessary expenses.”
Shi Huaiyu gritted her teeth and replied, “Win first, then talk.”
Su Yanyang shook his head helplessly. “You’re still so impulsive, Huaiyu. The path of Immortal Cultivation forbids acting on emotion.”
He turned to Shi Huaiyu’s teammates, warning them, “Shi Huaiyu has some personal issues with me, so her decisions might be clouded by emotion. You should try to reason with her.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to save your resources for cultivation? Why waste them here? Don’t you think so?”
As Che Yufei, Shi Yunxiang, and the others exchanged uneasy glances, Zhang Yu suddenly stepped forward and confronted Su Yanyang. “Are you trying to divide us?”
“Oh?” Su Yanyang smiled. “What gives you that impression?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Zhang Yu retorted, meeting Su Yanyang’s gaze without flinching. “Resorting to trash talk and sowing discord before the battle? You must lack confidence.”
“Could it be you’re not as certain of victory as you claim?”
“Heh.” Su Yanyang’s smile widened. “An amusing Second-Year. It seems defeating Ma Xuan has inflated your ego.”
“Fine. I was going to offer some advice as your senior.”
“But now it seems you’ll only listen after you’ve been knocked flat.”
With a wave of his hand, Su Yanyang retreated. Simultaneously, the Iron Coffin beside him burst open, releasing several streams of light that shot toward him.
In an instant, his body transformed. His Bionic had switched to a new configuration.
Su Yanyang’s arms now consisted of crystalline structures crackling with electricity, radiating a terrifying energy.
His legs had also become crystalline, imbued with Anti-Gravity that levitated him into the air.
His chest and torso resembled a blue gemstone, while jagged crystal spikes protruded from his spine, giving him a menacing appearance.
As Zhang Yu and the others watched this spectacle, their gazes sharpened, and Shi Huaiyu’s introduction of Su Yanyang flashed through their Bionic Eyes.
Shi Huaiyu: “Su Yanyang’s Bionics are always complete sets, purchased as a whole system.”
Shi Huaiyu: “Not only do they enhance his cultivation, but they also synergize, enabling systematic strengthening and combat capabilities.”
Shi Huaiyu: “This set is the Earth Fiend God, crafted by the Myriad Paths Artisan Group, specifically designed to amplify control over Earthly Fiend Gravity.”
Shi Huaiyu: “When used to enhance the Seven Absolutes of Civil Engineering, it can greatly increase the power and casting range of the techniques.”
Listening to Shi Huaiyu’s explanation and watching Su Yanyang float in mid-air, Che Yufei and the others felt their fighting spirit dwindle further.
As the competition officially began, the participants entered the arena one by one, and a random draw determined the attack and defense order for each side.
Shi Huaiyu murmured, “We’re defending in the first half?”
Che Yufei gazed into the distance and asked, “Should we do what we did last time? Go out to meet them and repel the enemy beyond the construction site?”
To everyone’s surprise, unlike Ma Xuan who had launched a massive area-of-effect attack right from the start, Su Yanyang and his team didn’t initiate any offensive maneuvers.