Chapter 52: Bringing the Whole Family Along part 1
Yun Yingzhi entered the Star Brilliance Competition arena wearing his three-piece padded winter outfit.
After the qualifying rounds, another large batch of contestants had been weeded out. What remained unchanged was that he was still assigned to the First Arena, surrounded by students from the top ten military academies.
At this moment, their gazes were fixed intently on him.
Yun Yingzhi’s footsteps paused as he subconsciously checked if his mask was properly fitted. After the live appraisal of his water-element Source Weapon, even more people were eager to unmask his true identity.
From time to time, students would look at him and lower their voices, saying things like, “The Source Weapons made by this ‘Fighter Jet’ are getting more and more ferocious.”
One military student remarked, “That water-element Source Weapon he made before, which combined offense and defense, was truly incredible. If the exam topic for this round is a pure attack-type Source Weapon, I think even for someone like him, it would be difficult to create an attack stronger than the previous one, right?”
The student used “he,” but everyone knew he was referring to Yun Yingzhi.
As the discussion spread, more people looked at Yun Yingzhi with burning eyes.
“I think it’ll be hard. I’ve looked up a lot of data recently. Surpassing the output of that Source Weapon at the same level is almost impossible.”
“Even as the ‘Fighter Jet’ himself, he probably can’t do it.”
“If he can pull it off, then he’s the strongest among the Fighter Jets, bar none!”
The crowd voiced their deep agreement.
Listening to their conversation, the first thing that came to Yun Yingzhi’s mind was Elvis’s large-scale spatial cutting skill.
That was truly…
If nothing went wrong, the lethality of this Source Weapon would definitely surpass the water-element one he had made in the qualifying rounds.
In his envisioned design, it was an absolutely pure attack-type Source Weapon.
To guarantee its output, Yun Yingzhi didn’t even plan to add any other inscriptions to it, not even passive ones. It would be a pure slaughter machine.
Yun Yingzhi didn’t really want everyone to continue misunderstanding him, but reality was always full of coincidences. The misunderstanding was only growing heavier. This couldn’t continue; he seriously pondered if there was any way to clear up everyone’s unreasonable misconceptions about him.
He didn’t know if it was an illusion, but he suddenly felt even more eyes on him.
Yun Yingzhi: “…” Taking a single step forward was truly difficult.
At 8:50 AM, the invigilators entered the arena.
The number of invigilators for the semi-finals had been increased to two. One was Master Tang, and the other was another Source Weapon Grandmaster of high renown in the Empire.
The two Masters began explaining the rules, followed by the topic for this round of the examination.
Master Tang said, “The topic for this round is: Attack-type Source Weapons.”
Almost the instant Master Tang announced the topic, everyone in the arena—truly everyone—turned their gaze in unison toward Yun Yingzhi.
More subtly, it wasn’t just the contestants; even the two invigilators and several staff members in uniform shifted their gazes toward Yun Yingzhi.
The semi-finals hadn’t even started, yet Yun Yingzhi had already become the center of attention for the entire venue.
The following camera drones captured this scene perfectly, and the livestream chat instantly exploded.
[Hahahaha!]
[What a peerless Fighter Jet, always the shining focus.]
[Although Red Peony Brother is wearing a hat and mask and we can’t see his face, I can feel his internal bewilderment radiating outward! Hahaha!]
…
Yun Yingzhi: “…”
Yun Yingzhi felt deeply once again that his current persona basically had no characterization left. No, it was more accurate to say that a persona that had absolutely nothing to do with his actual self was exactly what this “smokescreen” persona had become.
He tugged his hat down further, avoiding the gazes of others.
Master Tang continued, “The only requirement for the semi-finals is a pure attack-type Source Weapon. Beyond that, contestants are free to use their creativity.”
Yun Yingzhi thought for a moment and raised his hand, indicating he had a question.
After the preliminary and qualifying rounds, Yun Yingzhi’s competition area was now very close to the invigilators. It could almost be said that he was right under the noses of the two Masters.
However, even so, the projection screens surrounding the arena gave Yun Yingzhi a massive close-up.
From the corner of his eye, Yun Yingzhi could see himself surrounding the entire venue.
Master Tang looked at Yun Yingzhi and inexplicably remembered the various questions Yun Yingzhi had asked during the preliminaries just to “pluck some wool.” It was already the semi-finals now; surely even he wouldn’t waste time in such an important competition just to milk some meaningless perks, right?
What Master Tang didn’t know was that the netizens watching via livestream were also reminiscing about that scene.
[It’s coming, it’s coming! The questions Red Peony Brother prepared just to milk the system!]
[We’re already at the semi-finals; surely Red Peony Brother won’t pluck wool again.]
[Is it just me, or do Master Tang, Master Ted, and the staff all have very subtle expressions?]
Master Tang looked at Yun Yingzhi with a gentle gaze. He appreciated all talented young prodigies. “Go ahead.” His eyelid twitched; he had a bad premonition.
He thought it must be an illusion.
Yun Yingzhi: “As long as I create an attack-type Source Weapon, there are no issues?”
Master Tang: “…Of course.”
Just to be safe, Yun Yingzhi asked again, “Is a Source Weapon with a somewhat… unique control method also okay?”
Master Tang’s eyelid twitched violently. He felt that Yun Yingzhi already had a concept in mind, but this concept might be very eccentric, pushing the boundaries of the rules. However, he couldn’t crack open Yun Yingzhi’s head to see what “bad water” was inside, so he could only emphasize: “According to the rules, as long as it is an attack-type Source Weapon, it is fine.”
Yun Yingzhi: “Meaning, a Source Weapon with a complete skill inscription, no matter how… er, unconventional its control method is…” He paused, then continued, “For example, if it requires multiple people to operate, but it is ultimately one set of Source Weapons… is that also okay?”
Master Tang thought seriously for a moment and felt there was nothing wrong with that. “…Of course you can.”
Yun Yingzhi nodded, indicating he understood.
Yun Yingzhi asked this question just in case.
The semi-finals lasted only fifteen days. Even though he had a general idea for researching a new Source Weapon, he couldn’t be certain if the time would be enough, let alone for manufacturing two pure attack-type Source Weapons.
If he couldn’t finish the second Source Weapon within the competition timeframe, he would have to submit this one to ensure he passed the semi-finals with absolute certainty.
At exactly 9:00 AM, the semi-finals began.
There were no resource limits in the semi-finals. No matter how much was consumed during the manufacturing process, materials could be exchanged at an ultra-low price.
Yun Yingzhi’s eyes were sparkling. It had been a very, very long time since he’d had the experience of being able to squander source materials so freely.
Aside from when he was very young and reckless before knowing the ways of the world, he always had to be as thrifty as possible during his research. But in truth, that method was very detrimental. Now, after so many years, he could finally act without restraint!
Yun Yingzhi’s speed was so fast he almost became a blur as he dashed straight for the material vending machines.
Witnessing this, the entire venue fell silent for a moment. The other contestants, who were about to start selecting materials or opening their terminals to design, looked at Yun Yingzhi in shock. Their jaws nearly hit the floor.
Never mind them; even the livestream chat froze.
After an unknown amount of time, a comment appeared.
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