Seeing Zhong Yun suddenly leave his center wide open, Chu Tiange, already deeply vexed, seized the opportunity, his fist launching toward Zhong Yun’s face with a rush of air.

"Stop—" Bai Yuwan, witnessing it clearly from the side, was too late to intervene, his face instantly paling to an extreme degree.

"Exactly three minutes," Chang Ran said with a faint smile.

Twenty-One and Zeng Xiaosan both wore expressions of deep annoyance, yet Wang Xiao'er remained remarkably composed.

Just as the fist was twenty centimeters from Zhong Yun's face, Zhong Yun roared, and a powerful violet light erupted from him. Chu Tiange’s body seemed to plunge into a viscous mire; the immense resistance halted his fist, preventing it from advancing even a fraction further.

Chu Tiange was inwardly horrified. One of Zhong Yun's hands brushed his chest, a mere touch, before being withdrawn.

Zhong Yun stepped back a few paces, and the inexplicable resistance gripping Chu Tiange vanished. He stood frozen for a long moment, then labored to utter a single sentence, "I yield."

Chu Tiange kept his head bowed, obscuring his expression. After saying those words, he turned and walked away without looking back.

The other five were utterly stunned by this sudden turn of events. Just as Zhong Yun seemed moments from injury and defeat, a flash of violet light inverted the situation entirely; Chu Tiange conceded and left, catching them flat-footed.

Twenty-One and the others blinked in surprise, then quickly chased after him.

"Ah, drive the mecha back," Bai Yuwan called out when he finally reacted, but the four were already long gone.

"Is it fine to leave it here?" Zhong Yun walked over.

"Zhong Yun. You are truly strong," Bai Yuwan praised him with genuine sincerity.

Zhong Yun smiled slightly. "Chu Tiange's unique ability is very strange. He suddenly gained so much power. Do you know what's going on?"

"Chu Tiange's is a special ability, very bizarre. That small ball of red energy can boost a person's strength in a short time," Bai Yuwan explained.

Zhong Yun marveled, "Such an ability is truly miraculous. Boosting one's own power—it's the first time I've seen anything like it. Can it affect others too?"

"His ability can be used on anyone, and the effect is the same," Bai Yuwan said, adding with a touch of regret, "It's a pity it can't enhance one's unique ability, only physical strength and speed."

"So, his ability is mostly supportive then," Zhong Yun thought, holding back the observation that it was somewhat redundant. Combat-type abilities possessed devastating destructive power, capable of projecting outward at Level Ten to become unstoppable, the very force that allowed them to challenge mechas.

But with Chu Tiange's ability, even if he reached Level Ten, could flesh and blood truly contend with metal mechas?

"These five are quite interesting. What's their background?" Zhong Yun recalled the five lively figures and couldn't help but feel amused.

"While they are eccentric, their talent is very high," Bai Yuwan said, a wry smile touching his lips when mentioning the five. "Actually, I've known them since I was very young."

"Oh?"

"We grew up in the same orphanage, and we were quite close as children. Later, I was chosen first as a mecha pilot candidate and came to this base for training. Within two years, they arrived too," Bai Yuwan recounted the past with a hint of wistfulness.

Zhong Yun laughed, "I didn't realize you shared such a connection."

"In fact, most of the members here are orphans from welfare institutions," Bai Yuwan explained. "All the orphanages we came from were funded by the same conglomerate. Our achievements today are all thanks to the Young Miss's sponsorship. Therefore, in our hearts, the Young Miss is the embodiment of an angel."

Observing the mix of reverence and admiration in Bai Yuwan's gaze, Zhong Yun sensed his feelings for Yu Daoqing were complex, likely extending beyond simple gratitude.

"You met the Young Miss when you were a child?" Zhong Yun asked, his eyes glinting.

Bai Yuwan searched his memory. "That was about ten years ago, during my first trial training, I met the Young Miss. I will never forget that day... Ten years, and she hasn't changed one bit."

Zhong Yun quickly calculated; it aligned closely with his own speculation. If Yu Daoqing was around twenty ten years ago, she should be nearly thirty now.

The next day, Chu Tiange and the others returned. However, this time they weren't looking for trouble with Zhong Yun. Because they had failed to return the mechas to the storage bay as required yesterday, the five were punished: forbidden from touching combat mechas for a month, restricted only to training units.

Initially, the five and Zhong Yun practiced separately, treating each other as strangers. After a few days, the relatively shy Wang Xiao'er took the initiative to approach Zhong Yun for a chat.

"You said you were first-time mecha user?" Wang Xiao'er was clearly less timid than he appeared. He showed surprise upon hearing Zhong Yun call himself a beginner.

"Xiao'er, what are you doing?" Zeng Xiaosan called from across the way.

"Why don't you all come over and sit for a while too," Zhong Yun gestured warmly toward them.

Chang Ran and the other two exchanged glances, finally looking toward Chu Tiange, who remained silent. Under the weight of their gazes, Chu Tiange rose and walked toward Zhong Yun, the three following closely behind.

"Tiange, you take the front, Xiao San and I take the sides. Be fast, be ruthless, aim to take him down in one move..." Twenty-One whispered behind him.

Chu Tiange reached Zhong Yun, and Twenty-One and Zeng Xiaosan secretly prepared to rush in for a group attack the moment Chu Tiange moved.

"You are strong," Chu Tiange said as he sat down, a statement that completely surprised his two companions. They exchanged glances and couldn't help but give wry smiles—all their scheming had been in vain.

Since Chu Tiange showed an inclination toward reconciliation, the three standing also sat down.

"You are strong too," Zhong Yun smiled. "I just caught you off guard. If we fought again right now, who would win is still uncertain."

Chu Tiange fell silent. Indeed, if Zhong Yun's move hadn't been so sudden and he hadn't been so careless, he wouldn't have suffered such an embarrassing defeat a few days prior.

"Your ability is very strange, is it a binding type?" Chu Tiange voiced the question that had been on his mind.

"It has that aspect, perhaps, but it's not entirely that," Zhong Yun mused, unsure of the primary characteristics of his own Yuan. The Po formula possessed formidable destructive power, while the Chan formula achieved a binding effect and could also be used for healing. It was truly versatile.

With five more people, the atmosphere immediately brightened. The five were not only odd in name and dress but also loved playing tricks; being with them made Zhong Yun feel relaxed.

"Pretty boy, what is your relationship with the Young Miss?" Once they were familiar, the five of them invariably started calling Zhong Yun "Pretty Boy." The one who asked was Zeng Xiaosan, while the other four, including Bai Yuwan, all perked up their ears.

"What relationship do you think I have with her?" Zhong Yun countered.

"Siblings?" Twenty-One licked his dry lips, guessing.

"No," Zhong Yun shook his head, adding quickly, "Well, not entirely."

"Family friends?" Zeng Xiaosan asked.

"That's a bit more plausible," Zhong Yun nodded.

"Good friends?" Chu Tiange offered.

"Lovers?" Wang Xiao'er blurted out, shocking everyone into silence. Wang Xiao'er had voiced the thought they all held but dared not speak. All six looked at Zhong Yun nervously, waiting for his reply.