With the right direction and guidance, Ziye’s mindset had corrected itself, leading her to train with fierce dedication. Aix and Spente took turns sparring with her to facilitate her combat practice.

When she finally crawled out of the cockpit after practice, she was utterly drenched, as if pulled straight from the water, her entire body soaked in sweat. Even Aix and Spente felt a pang of heartache seeing her condition.

—Previously, under Jun Lie’s demanding tutelage, they hadn’t pushed themselves this hard.

Ziye didn't feel particularly taxed. She felt that piloting a mech demanded the same expenditure of physical strength, intellect, and mental energy as building one. She had endured greater intensities before, so this was still within her tolerable limits.

Thus, she politely declined Aix and Spente’s offer to escort her back to the space station, opting to pilot her own shuttle. She returned to her apartment to shower and change, then headed to the Beautiful Flower House.

Aix and Spente had already arranged to meet Li Chunyu at the Beautiful Flower House.

Ziye thought she was moving quickly, but upon arrival, all three were already there.

Li Chunyu maintained his usual gentle demeanor; the refined Ling Si uniform seemed to complement him flawlessly.

Aix wore a sharp, double-breasted military tunic from the Action Point line; the white fabric studded with golden buttons gave him a distinctly upscale appearance. The two had uncharacteristically chosen different accessories: Aix wore a tie, while Spente sported a bow tie.

The three were seated in a transparent private booth in the Beautiful Flower House, radiating an aura that drew the glances of every female passing by. As Ziye approached the entrance, she saw one girl turn back three times before losing focus and stumbling headfirst into the lamp post outside the flower house!

Ziye looked up toward the booth and saw Aix seated directly facing her. His striking silver hair swept arrogantly along the side of his face, and his narrow, upturned eyes were impossible to meet directly.

Ziye waved to them, a smile spreading across her face. Had she not known them so well, she might have been completely captivated by their current presentation.

Of course, the moment she recalled the two brothers covered in foul sweat just half an hour ago, all illusion of perfection vanished.

Inside the booth, the three were engaged in lively conversation.

If the flower house had served alcohol, they likely would have already started drinking.

Ziye entered the booth and took the empty seat next to Li Chunyu, teasing, “What great tidings are you discussing? Do tell.”

Li Chunyu smiled gently, a warmth that felt like a spring breeze. “We were discussing the Mech Grand Prix. We were wondering if we should team up.”

Ziye looked surprised. “The Mech Grand Prix? The one you won the championship for last year?”

Li Chunyu shook his head. “Last year I participated in the Mech Design Competition. The Mech Grand Prix is a different matter—it happens once every two years, lasting for two years, run in teams. It requires self-design, self-production, and self-piloting, culminating in a grand exhibition where the best triumph.”

Self-design and production? Ziye grew excited. “I love this competition! I want to join!”

“Love it?” Aix chuckled dryly. “Do you know how difficult self-design and production are? I just read the requirements; it suggests that parts should ideally also be self-produced. If using parts from others is unavoidable, they cannot constitute more than 15% of the mech’s total components.”

Spente chimed in, “This competition is hosted by Kaga, open to all universities across the galaxy. Thousands of teams participate, but fewer than one hundred actually manage to build a viable mech.”

Ziye raised her hand and waved it in front of the three. “No worries, let’s form a team! Chunyu handles the design, you two handle the exhibition, and I’ll manage the rest.”

Li Chunyu couldn’t help but laugh. “Hold on, hold on. That’s for next semester. Your most important task right now is winning the duel.”

Ziye slumped back into her seat, deflated.

Aix and Spente comforted her simultaneously, speaking in unison: “If you win the duel, we’ll team up with you!”

—It must be noted that they were completely unaware Ziye could already self-produce and design robots; they assumed she was merely more diligent than the average girl.

For them, teaming up with her involved taking a considerable risk.

But because she was their friend, they readily agreed.

Ziye paid them no mind, secretly clenching her fist. She had to win the duel, just so she could compete with them next year!

The four ordered food and discussed the upcoming duel while eating—the venue, strategies, and school arrangements. Of course, the most crucial topic was their opponent: Mei Jing.

Aix and Spente weren't worried about Ziye losing and ate with gusto, but Li Chunyu was fraught with concern, unable to eat properly and nearly getting food up his nose.

Needless to say, the twins teased him relentlessly.

Once the meal was finally finished, Li Chunyu immediately pulled out the information he had gathered on Mei Jing and handed it to Ziye. “The instructor overseeing Mei Jing is Adonis, known at Kaga as the Devil Instructor. He excels at camouflage, always making his opponents believe he’s a reckless brute, but in reality, every step is precisely calculated. He can set a trap five moves in advance, waiting for you to step into it.”

Ziye took the file and flipped through it, feeling both astonished and deeply touched. “You went out of your way to look into this?”

Li Chunyu’s ears flushed slightly with embarrassment. “It was just by chance.”

—He would absolutely never tell Ziye that he had leveraged some of the Huaxia Legion’s resources at Kaga to conduct this discreet investigation, which had taken considerable effort.

Ziye said emotionally, “Regardless, you are a truly great person.”

Spente took the file from Ziye’s hand, skimmed it, and upon seeing one section, seemed to recall something, musing thoughtfully, “Perhaps we need to be extra cautious in this upcoming competition.”

The other three unanimously agreed.

Mei Jing was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.

Or perhaps, anyone who loudly declares a challenge in a room full of people is either a fool or a schemer. Mei Jing didn't quite fit the role of a schemer; it seemed someone was pushing him from behind.

The four reached a consensus: they would each head home, and meet the next day for joint training.

As they were about to leave, Li Chunyu remembered something and retrieved a spatial button from his bag, smiling faintly. “This is the spatial button from Platinum Rich. I said I’d bring it to you last year…”

Before he could finish speaking, Aix and Spente both reached for the spatial button simultaneously. Aix, being quicker and more cunning, reached with his right hand for the button while simultaneously grasping Spente’s hand with his left, successfully seizing the item. He gave Li Chunyu a hearty, masculine hug. “Niu Niu is too kind! I’m going to test the mech. How about you two?”

Spente looked at his older brother with a wronged expression, but they shared an understanding: they competed based on ability; if you couldn't grab it, you couldn't grab it, and it wouldn't damage their relationship.

Upon hearing Aix was immediately heading off to test the equipment, Spente instantly grew excited too. “Me too!”

Ziye had walked a few steps away, but upon hearing Li Chunyu’s words, she turned back. Seeing the spatial button in Aix’s hand, she immediately raised her own hand. “I want one too!” She desperately wished she could snatch that Platinum Rich button—because of the Platinum Rich pilot who had knocked her teeth out on the floor countless times!

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