Chapter 1067: Death by Flattery
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The area that the competitors were staying in was a cluster of villas. Each cluster was like a trap, laid out over mountain ranges. Many were low-rise constructions, arrayed before a majestic view. Each team had their own place, and the conditions were excellent. Aslan would never stint on such things, and would treat their guests like their own.
Within the villa, each member had their own spacious room. Each villa was equipped with a small training room. It was almost like they were on holiday, rather than to compete.
After cultivating the Primordial Regression Technique once through, Wang Zheng was already mostly recovered after their travels. This was the second time he was on Aslan. The first time, he had not managed to take the championship, and he would not pass on it a second time.
He definitely had a goal in mind. As the Greatest King of Elite Academy X, chasing first place was necessary. Only, this process would not be easy. The Asura battle team was still a worthy opponent, and some other unknown opponents might be even more dangerous. They had to do their homework in terms of intelligence.
Zhang Shan and the rest might not be worrying as much as their leader. Even Mu Zhen’s larger stature had found his room a suitable fit. There were facilities here that were especially prepared for those like him. Although the giants were big, they were not the only ones of the size – Caucans, for example.
Elite Academy X had arrived early. The other teams would arrive in the next three days. Of course, many teams from many nations had already arrived for the open category.
His Skylink rang. It was Old Butch. “Wang Zheng, have you arrived?”
Wang Zheng did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Old Butch, did you install a monitoring device to know where I am? I just arrived.”
“You think those things don’t cost money? Jiang Feng told me. Get a good rest today, and do a face mask. Tomorrow you go and meet her in glowing health, and leave a good impression,” Butcher nagged.
“Old Butch...”
Wang Zheng had just begun to protest, but Old Butch had already hung up. He had wanted to ask who the person was. Without even a name, how was he supposed to find them?
But he would just put up with it. This tournament was a great excuse. He would just claim that he could not afford to be distracted. Suddenly, Wang Zheng felt that things were falling into place.
The Skylink had already loaded information on the competing countries and teams. In all, more than 300 countries were participating. Of course, not all of them were top-tier, which was why it was normal to see a few military schools teaming up together. Such situations were common, but even so, more than 500 teams were participating. To many teams, results were not important. What mattered was participation. Perhaps their team strength was not the best, but their individual skills might be excellent. They could also stand out at such competitions. That was accepted as common. At this level of competition, it was a good chance to carve out one’s future.
Wang Zheng scanned it. There was an overall introduction to SIG and team introductions. This was basic. Based on a formula of past battle results and recent battle results, all the teams had been divided into three ranks. A-rank was the strongest, and were seed teams. Next was B-rank, and thirdly C-rank.
In the past, Wang Zheng’s teams had mostly been C-rank, while this time, the Saruman Snake battle team was unquestionably A-rank.
There was a total of 10 A-rank teams, and also the seeded teams for this iteration of SIG. They were dubbed the 10 kings.
In no order of merit, the data declared. Wang Zheng smiled. In truth, there was still a ranking.
1. Saruman Snake battle team
From Elite Academy X. Leader: Wang Zheng, Earthling, and formerly a runner-up at IG. Earth-rank Ability X user, and a man who creates miracles. Hailed as the greatest counter-attacker of this era, and also called the rebel against the old ways. A top-class leader complemented with excellent teammates, who also earned the Greatest King title at Elite Academy X.
Wang Zheng rubbed his nose. Was this a praise or a snub? Although he had taken first place, why did he feel so much unwillingness?
But the evaluation was still rather objective. But what some people did not understand was that a team’s strength lay in its synergy, and not an individual clash of strength. Of course, if you had five Earth-rank warriors, the battle was over as well. You would be invincible.
2. Sword Shield Rose Rider battle team
A team that Aslan’s Royal College sent out. Leader: Lin Feng, a member of the Aslan royal family, and considered as one of the closer bloodlines. Although Lin Feng was still in the Royal College, he was already a graduate student, simultaneously studying international relations and other subjects. He was also a leader in the Aslan Imperial Guard.
The Aslan Imperial Guard was a squad that was deemed capable of taking on 10,000. Among them, each person was a super-tier character in both strength and intellect. This was the classic borderline student. But there was no problem in terms of age limit. 28-year-old Lin Feng definitely fit the criteria.
There were not many “legends” concerning Lin Feng. The Aslan nobles were rather low profile in this regard. Only one thing was for certain: Lin Feng could hold this position not because of his bloodline. In Aslan, the nobler one’s birth was, the higher the standards. While they enjoyed a higher status and honor, they also contributed proportionally to their empire. This was the foundation of strength for the Aslan Empire.
Wang Zheng looked through a bunch of people. He recognized only one, which was Hocatolin... Within this uninspired team, his name was simply a reserve.
Wang Zheng was bothered. Suddenly, he felt like all of the critique was generous.
Wang Zheng had faced Hocatolin’s power before. He was clear of both his talent and his usefulness to a team. If such a person was just a reserve, then fufu, Aslan was really giving their all. No wonder Aslan was qualified to organize such a competition. They had put Saruman Snake on top not to elevate them, but to increase the heat they would face. This move was quite something.
3. Soulless battle team.
From Warrior Soul College, which was undoubtedly reputed in the Milky Way Alliance. It was rumored that within Arbiter, they were a powerhouse school which competed directly with Mars’ alma mater. Arbiter, no matter in what form, would never lack aggression.
Soulless battle team’s leader was recently hailed as the foremost runner in the younger generation of Arbiter, especially as the Van brothers continually failed to deliver. He was looking unstoppable. His reputation was also huge within Warrior Soul College.
4. Sea Queen battle team
Atlantis’ Sea Queen battle team: As the representative of the most ancient civilization on Earth, the Atlanteans could not allow themselves to be looked down upon. This time around, Atlantis had chosen experts from within the Temple Guard. Atlanteans did not have conventional schools to speak of. Their educational methods were quite different from humankind, but their age was well within the requirements of SIG. This team’s ability was rather enigmatic, but Atlantis was a well-known name, and no one would take them lightly.
Leader Dina Atlas, a member of the Atlantis imperial family, and the first time a royal participated in battle.
Seeing this, Wang Zheng was reminded of the little Atlantean prince, Howlin Atlas. The Atlanteans evolved faster than humans. That was clear from Heracles. Heracles’ Ability X was astounding, just that his physical technique was not on the same level. This was perhaps the only weakness of the Atlanteans. But a bunch of Atlanteans were still a headache.
Wang Zheng was starting to feel like this competition was not as fun. More accurately, it was a pain in the ass.
5. Child of Light battle team
The Mayans were similar to the Atlanteans in terms of manipulating energy in wondrous ways, although the Mayan team was rather mysterious as well. In the last five or six years, the Mayan Empire showed clear signs of recovery. They had started to move proactively in international affairs, actively seeking cooperation with superpower nations, and regional development. This allowed humanking to better understand the fearsome technological advances of Mayan energy manipulation. The Mayans were the closest to an eternal energy source, and at the same time had one of the best fleets in the Milky Way Alliance.
Leader: Matt Locatelli. Humans did not understand it well. The Mayans’ strength was displayed through the extent that their bodies converted energy. A sparkling exterior was one of the unique points of the Mayans, but energy conversion was usually at about 10%. The Mayan warriors would have a conversion of about 10% to 20%. This time around, the Mayan competitors were all over 20% in energy conversion.
In IG, Wang Zheng had experienced the Mayan fighting style. On the surface, the Mayan civilization was the counter to mecha civilizations, while the Atlantean civilization was effective against Mayan civilization. It was like a circle.
Only, who knew what kind of crystal armor soldiers the Mayans would use this time?
6. Golden Wheel battle team
One look at this name, and it had to be the Manalasuo battle team.
In recent years, Manalasuo’s national power had been growing voraciously. They needed to prove themselves in an influential international competition. Whether in terms of economy, military, or technological advancement, they had more than a decade of growth. It was time for Manalasuo to shine. The recent release of Mala technology was proof enough.
Leader: Jondi Lilick, the leader of Manalasuo Empire college. He was called the potential leader of Manalasuo to former glory. He was not only a strong show in the mecha stream, but it was rumored that he was extraordinarily talented in fleet tactics, finance, and mecha creation. He was known as a once-in-a-century super genius of Manalasuo.
Wang Zheng had heard Vincent mention this person before. He was rumored to be the perfect man. There was nothing impossible if he set his mind to it.
Since Vincent had said so, then Wang Zheng woud take it as that for now. After all, virtually everyone here was regarded as a genius. But Wang Zheng had to acknowledge that Manalasuo’s development and technology had come to harvest time. It was just a matter of time, and who knew if this SIG would be the time.
** battle team
Lya Sphinx’s team. In this era of interconnected empires, Lya Sphinx was a lone wolf. This was also why they were ignored by the Milky Way Alliance. Coalitions did not develop as rapidly as empires, and Lya Sphinx Coalition was still proceeding steadily.
This time round, Lya Sphinx had sent forth two teams. This ** battle team was the star of Lya Sphinx. It was rumored that Lya Sphinx had chosen 12 students from various colleges for special training, just for this SIG.
Leader: Qiqin Nacchai. The newest star that drew the most attention in Lya Sphinx’s military schools, and rumored to be in the top 200 in the X leaderboards. In terms of actual battle experience, he had more than enough
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