254: First battle at the Engineering Institute: The torrent of machinery versus skillful craftsmanship

Xinghai University, [Dome Arena].

This is a giant ring-shaped space floating above the campus, with a diameter of over five kilometers. Its interior utilizes top-tier space folding and rule simulation technology, capable of generating near-infinitely vast simulated battlefields according to need. The spectator stands surround the perimeter in a tiered fashion, and at this moment, they are already packed to capacity, with a deafening roar. Projections of various college flags flutter in the air, and the spirited battle songs mingle with the cheers, creating an atmosphere so intense it almost ignites the air.

The Academy Championship, as the most high-profile event at the beginning of the new academic year at Xinghai University, has attracted the attention of all teachers and students. Especially with this year's restructuring into team battles, it has added more suspense and spectacle.

At this moment, on the giant holographic screen in the center of the arena, the upcoming match information is being displayed:

[Round One, Match Three]

School of Literature and Law · Hundred Schools Squad vs. College of Science and Engineering · Heart of the Anvil Squad

Map: [Abandoned Mechanical Starport] (Medium-sized, 80% land, 20% water, large amount of abandoned mechanical structures and architectural debris)

Victory Conditions: 1. Completely destroy the opponent's divine domain core (simulated). 2. All members of the opposing team surrender. 3. Three-hour time limit expires; the side with the higher score wins.

Match Status: Preparation Phase (10-minute countdown)

"The School of Literature and Law? They actually formed a team to compete?"

"Hundred Schools Squad? That name... is a bit interesting. Who are the members?"

"Lin Zhou! That's the freshman who earned a first-class merit on the front lines over the summer!"

"And Zhao Hao, that tycoon from the dragon divine domain; Wang Meng, the Behemoth macho man; Li Mo... that freak who tinkers with inventions all day? And the last one... Qin Qing? Qin Qing from the Judgment Angel divine domain? Why did she end up in the School of Literature and Law's team?"

"This lineup... is a bit of a mix. Dragons, Behemoths, Judgment Angels, Mechanical Goblins, and Lin Zhou's supposedly strange Hundred Schools Divine Domain... can they coordinate?"

"The opponent is the College of Science and Engineering! Heart of the Anvil was in the top eight of last year's team simulation tournament! The captain, Raymond, is Level 205, Elementary Lesser Divinity, with the divine domain [Steel Torrent], known for a massive number of mechanical units and precise tactical coordination! When their mechanical legion advances, it's truly a Steel Torrent that crushes everything!"

"The School of Literature and Law is likely doomed; they probably won't last half an hour..."

There was much discussion in the spectator stands, with people generally pessimistic about the School of Literature and Law. After all, the College of Science and Engineering has a mature combat deity training System, and Heart of the Anvil is a long-standing powerhouse. Meanwhile, the School of Literature and Law is competing as a complete team for the first time, and their lineup feels somewhat like a "stitched-together monster."

Below the arena, in the exclusive team preparation room.

The five members of the Hundred Schools Squad sat around the tactical table with calm expressions, making their final tactical confirmations.

A detailed map of the [Abandoned Mechanical Starport] was projected on the tactical table. It was an area filled with rusted metal, collapsed warehouses, broken conveyor belts, and abandoned spaceship wreckage. The terrain was complex, with varying elevations and severely obstructed views, but it also meant there were plenty of covers and mechanical structures that could be utilized.

"The map is in our favor." Lin Zhou pointed at several key points. "The vast amount of metal debris and abandoned machinery provides excellent 'material' and a concealed environment for Li Mo's Mechanical Goblins. The complex terrain can slow down the frontal advance of the enemy's large-scale mechanical legion, creating conditions for our flank maneuvers and trap placement."

Li Mo pushed up his glasses, his eyes flashing with an excited stream of data. "I've analyzed the map data. Although most of these abandoned machines are damaged, parts of the core energy circuits and basic logic frameworks still remain. My Goblin Engineers can attempt 'limited activation' or 'directional detonation'." He quickly pulled up several preset plans. "Scheme A: In Zone C7, use three scrapped Cargo Mecha remains to set up a Chain Explosion Trap, estimated to deal a devastating blow to light mechanical units below Level 30. Scheme B: In the central control tower ruins of Zone E4, attempt to repair some defensive turrets (estimated success rate 40%) to provide regional fire support. Scheme C: My Micro-scout swarm is ready; it will be dispersed first after the battle starts to build a battlefield information network, focusing on monitoring the enemy's main force movements and energy reaction concentrations."

"Very good." Lin Zhou nodded. "Li Mo, your primary task is intelligence and engineering support. Prioritize trap placement on the flanks of our preset defensive area (the forward position centered around Wang Meng's Behemoths) and potential enemy advance paths. You can try repairing the turrets, but don't force it; stay safe. The Scout Swarm is key; share information in real-time."

"Understood!" Li Mo nodded vigorously, his fingers already flying across his control panel, starting to pre-load the action commands for the Goblin Engineers and the deployment coordinates for the swarm.

Lin Zhou looked at Wang Meng and Zhao Hao. "Wang Meng, your Behemoths and auxiliary units will be the core for drawing frontal fire. You need to establish a defensive line in this relatively open Abandoned Assembly Workshop area (marked as Zone A) in the central-east of the map. You don't need to hold it to the death; the goal is to 'stick' to the enemy's main mechanical force and keep their attention on you. Use the workshop's ruins to construct simple defenses; your Behemoth 'Giant Rock' has the [Son of the Earth] talent, so its defense will be boosted there."

Wang Meng grinned and patted his chest. "Leave it to me! I'll make sure those metal lumps can't take their eyes off us!" His Behemoths could indeed maximize their defensive and blocking advantages in the relatively narrow, sheltered workshop environment.

"Zhao Hao," Lin Zhou looked at the eager Zhao Hao. "Your Dragons are the key to breaking the stalemate. After the battle starts, don't expose your full strength yet. First, have Raging Flame (Red Dragon) and one Blue Dragon provide a deterrent and limited aerial strikes above Wang Meng's defensive line to draw the opponent's anti-air fire. Once Li Mo's Scout Swarm identifies a weak point on their flank or the location of their command core (usually a mobile fortress or giant mecha), I need you and the remaining Dragons, in coordination with Qin Qing, to perform a lethal 'surgical' strike."

"Understood! Aerial assassin, that's what I'm best at!" Zhao Hao licked his lips, his eyes full of Battle Intent.

Finally, Lin Zhou looked at Qin Qing. "Qin Qing, your Judgment Angels have high mobility and excellent Rule Suppression. After the battle starts, lead your angel squad to provide support above Wang Meng's defensive line. Use [Light of Purification] to dispel any potential negative effects (such as electromagnetic interference or corrosion) and use [Divine Judgment] to focus on any elite units or command nodes that appear. More importantly, hold onto the [Chains of Order] and wait for my signal. When the time is right, I need you to use the chains to briefly control the enemy's most critical unit—possibly Captain Raymond's vehicle or their core war machine—to create an opening for Zhao Hao's lethal strike."

Qin Qing's cold face showed no extra expression; she simply gave a slight nod. "I will seize the moment." The phantom of light wings behind her flickered slightly, as if she were already impatient to execute the judgment of Order.

Lin Zhou concluded, "Our core tactic: engage with the direct, win with the indirect. Wang Meng will 'engage' the enemy's main force frontally; Li Mo will provide crowd control and intelligence; Qin Qing will provide rule support and wait for control opportunities; Zhao Hao and I will look for openings and launch a 'surprise' flank attack to strike the vitals. Remember, our advantage lies in flexibility, rule diversity, and tactical coordination. Do not get bogged down in a head-to-head war of attrition, which they excel at."

Everyone nodded, a hint of unspoken understanding appearing between them. The effects of the high-intensity simulation room training over the past week were beginning to show.

The countdown hit zero.

A flash of light filled the preparation room, and the consciousnesses of the five were instantly transferred into the simulated battlefield—[Abandoned Mechanical Starport].

Consciousness descended.

Lin Zhou found himself floating above the projection of his own divine domain core. It was inside a relatively hidden, semi-underground abandoned energy hub with spacious areas and multiple exits, making it easy to defend and hard to attack. Around him was the familiar aura of the Hundred Schools Divine Kingdom. The Literary Heart Elves, Tiangong Dwarves, Law Fishmen, and Naturalized Orc units were already in position according to the plan. Hero units like Elia, Grum, Seth, and Grom stood solemnly on standby.

Through the team's mental link (a shallow link established after a week of integration for basic commands and alerts), he could vaguely sense his teammates' positions and general status.

Wang Meng and his Behemoth Legion were already in position within the Abandoned Assembly Workshop in Zone A. The low breathing of the Behemoths and the sound of Troll Headhunters checking their spears could be heard faintly. Zhao Hao's two Dragons (Raging Flame and Ice Scale) circled above the workshop, their dragon might permeating the air. Qin Qing's Judgment Angel squad was hidden in the shadows of the workshop's high beams. Li Mo's Mechanical Goblins... had already blended into the battlefield like drops of water into the ocean. The Micro-scout swarm, like a black tide, surged in all directions along the ground and walls.

"Scout Swarm deployed, starting to build the Elementary information network... Detecting a large number of metal signatures and energy fluctuations surging from the northwest... The quantity... is huge!" Li Mo's voice, tinged with a bit of nervousness but more excitement, rang out in the link.

Almost simultaneously, the ground began to vibrate with a rhythmic, dull tremor. It was the sound of thousands of metal feet or tracks moving in unison.

From the northwest passages and open ground, a silver-gray "wave" emerged.

It was a true mechanical torrent!

Leading the charge were hundreds of [Lv25 Standard Combat Robots]. They were humanoid in form, armed with rapid-fire energy rifles or rotary cannons, moving at medium speed in tight formations.

Following closely were dozens of [Lv30 Heavy Assault Mechas], about four meters tall, equipped with heavy metal armor and arm-mounted multi-barrel rocket launchers or large circular saws. Their heavy steps made them true Sharp Weapons for breaking formations.

Interspersed among them were special units: [Lv28 Repair Drones] flashing green lights, ready to repair damaged units; and [Lv28 Electronic Jamming Vehicles] emitting invisible ripples, attempting to disrupt communications and energy flow.

And at the rear of the torrent, a particularly conspicuous behemoth slowly advanced—a [Lv35 Command-type Heavy Mecha (Raymond's vehicle?)] over ten meters tall, like a mobile fortress. It had thick composite armor, multiple sets of observation equipment, several cannons of various sizes, and was surrounded by a faint energy shield. Though slow, its presence was imposing. A striking anvil insignia was emblazoned on the mecha's chest.

"It's indeed the Steel Torrent Tactics," Lin Zhou observed calmly. "Winning by volume, a frontal push combined with repairs and electronic jamming to fight a war of attrition and position. The command core is most likely that Heavy Mecha."

The mechanical torrent, without any fancy tricks, crushed directly toward Central Area A—the Abandoned Assembly Workshop where Wang Meng was stationed. Their logic was simple and direct: destroy all obstacles in the path forward.

"Wang Meng, engage as planned! Watch out for rockets and circular saws! Zhao Hao, Raging Flame, Ice Scale, carry out the first wave of aerial harassment, focus on attacking the back-row repair units and jammer vehicles! Li Mo, are your traps activated?" Lin Zhou quickly issued Orders.

"East passage of Area A, the Chain Explosion Trap is active! Decoy Mines on the west side are set!" Li Mo responded.

"Boom! Boom-boom!"

As the lead Battle Robots stepped into the east passage, the explosives buried within the wreckage of three scrapped Cargo Mecha were remotely detonated by Li Mo's goblins! Intense fire and shockwaves tore over a dozen robots apart, while more were knocked sideways, causing chaos in the formation. The mines on the west side also flipped several Heavy Mecha.

However, the mechanical torrent was too vast. This loss was negligible to them. Subsequent robots immediately filled the gaps, and Repair Drones began to quickly fix damaged but not completely destroyed units. The ripples from the Electronic Jamming Vehicles intensified, causing some (simulated) interference to Wang Meng's communication, but the Team Mental Link could still be maintained.

"Roar!!" Giant Rock let out a heaven-shaking roar, leading the Behemoths and Troll Headhunters to rely on the workshop's cover and collide fiercely with the incoming robot vanguard!

The Behemoths' giant palms swatted down, smashing robots like toys. The trolls' thrown spears whistled through the air, accurately piercing the robots' sensors or joints. The battle instantly reached a white-hot intensity.

In the air, Raging Flame's Blazing Dragon Breath and Ice Scale's Icy Breath fell in a crisscross pattern, plowing charred or frozen trails through the mechanical swarm; several Repair Drones and jammer vehicles were specifically targeted, falling while trailing black smoke.

Qin Qing's Judgment Angel also emerged from the shadows, casting [Light of Purification] to dispel some of the electronic interference, while her Holy Light Blade accurately slashed at robots trying to bypass the Behemoths and flank them.

The battle was exceptionally fierce from the start. Wang Meng's defense line was like a rock, enduring wave after wave of the mechanical torrent's impact. The Behemoths were thick-skinned and tough, but under dense Energy Bullets and the occasional rocket or circular saw that broke through, they began to sustain damage. The trolls and Ogres were constantly suffering casualties.

"Lin Zhou! The frontal pressure is immense! There are too many of these metal lumps! Smash one pile and another comes!" Wang Meng roared through the link, his voice carrying anger and a hint of anxiety. His Divine Power was being consumed rapidly to maintain the Behemoths' berserk state and heal his followers.

"Hold on! Li Mo, assessment of the guard forces around the enemy Command Mecha?" Lin Zhou asked in a deep voice.

"Analyzing... there are at least eight LV33 Elite Guard Mecha around the Command Mecha, with energy shield strength three times that of standard models, and a large number of Battle Robots surrounding them. A direct assault will be very difficult. However..." Li Mo's voice suddenly took on a hint of surprise, "My Scout Swarm discovered that the enemy's left flank (relative to the Command Mecha's position) is relatively weak, with only regular Battle Robots and a few Heavy Mecha, and... the energy circuit frequencies of those three Heavy Mecha are 80% similar to an old model I've cracked in my database! I'm confident I can try a 'Logic Hack'!"

"Logic Hack?" Lin Zhou's eyes lit up. "Success rate? Effect?"

"If the opponent doesn't have a specific firewall (simulated units for competition usually don't have complex custom defenses), the success rate is estimated at around 65%! Once successful, I can make those three mecha temporarily 'crash' or have 'friend-or-foe identification confusion' for about 15-20 seconds!" Li Mo spoke at a rapid-fire pace.

"That's enough!" Lin Zhou made a decisive call. "Qin Qing, prepare to coordinate with Zhao Hao for an assault! Zhao Hao, you and the remaining Dragons (Poison Wing, Dark Scale) immediately maneuver to the battlefield's left flank and hide your movements! Li Mo, prepare for the hack! Wang Meng, hold on for one more minute and prepare for a counter-charge to draw their attention!"

The Orders were quickly relayed.

On the left flank of the battlefield, three advancing [LV30 Heavy Assault Mechas] suddenly stiffened, the red light in their eyes flashing rapidly before turning chaotic. The rocket launchers they were originally aiming at the Dwarf Shield Formation ahead suddenly turned and fired wildly at the nearby clusters of allied Battle Robots! At the same time, their own movements became wobbly, even colliding with each other.

"Now! Qin Qing, Chains of Order, targets—those two elite guards in front of the Command Mecha! Zhao Hao, Poison Wing, Dark Scale, cover the Command Mecha with Dragon Breath! Raging Flame, Ice Scale, break away from the front and assist the assault!" Lin Zhou's voice was suddenly sharp.

Qin Qing, who had been waiting for a long time, saw the Holy Light surge in her eyes. Behind her, the Archangel Raphael raised his holy sword, and two silver chains composed purely of rules of Order, shimmering with runic light, instantly bound the two Elite Guard Mecha directly in front of the LV35 Command Mecha as if crossing through space!

[Chains of Order] in effect!

Forced Imprisonment! Rule Suppression! Energy Drain!

The movements of the two Elite Guard Mecha instantly froze, their surface energy shields flickering erratically, and their attack programs were interrupted.

"Roar!!!"

The Green Dragon Poison Wing and the Black Dragon Dark Scale, who had already circled to the flank, seized this fleeting opportunity and dove down from the sky! Poison Wing sprayed a large area of corrosive acid mist, enveloping the Command Mecha and its surrounding area, which not only caused continuous damage but also severely interfered with its sensors and energy Systems. Dark Scale exhaled a thick dark breath, further weakening the shields and vision.

At the same time, the Red Dragon Raging Flame and the Blue Dragon Ice Scale, who had been pinning down the front, also broke free and exhaled scorching Dragon Breath and frigid ice flows from another angle. These intertwined with the poison mist and dark breath, forming a terrifying Composite Elemental Bombardment Zone that completely submerged the Command Mecha!

"No! How is this possible?!" On the simulated battlefield, the voice of the College of Science and Engineering's captain, Raymond, rang out, filled with shock and anger. Under the concentrated fire of the four dragons and the suppression of the Chains of Order, his Command Mecha's shields instantly overloaded and shattered, its thick armor rapidly becoming riddled with holes under the acid corrosion, flames, freezing cold, and dark erosion!

Even more fatal was that due to the "rebellion" and infighting of the three Heavy Mecha on the left flank, as well as the distraction from the sudden counter-charge by Wang Meng's Behemoths at the front, a brief vacuum and chaos appeared in his surrounding defense System.

"Seth! Elia! Assault!" Lin Zhou himself moved. The Law Fishman hero Seth led the most elite Fishmen Enforcement Team, darting out from the shadows like ghosts and cutting into the chaotic enemy formation at high speed, heading straight for the already teetering Command Mecha! The Literary Heart Elves hero Elia led the Elf Priest Corps in a collective chant, turning [Subtle Influence] into an invisible mental shock, focusing on interfering with any pilot (simulated consciousness) or control System inside the Command Mecha.

"Judgment!" Qin Qing's cold voice rang out. Raphael's angelic sword, carrying the power of [Divine Judgment], turned into a brilliant pillar of light, arriving later but striking first as it pierced fiercely into the flickering Anvil Emblem on the Command Mecha's chest!

Internal and external troubles, Rule Suppression, elemental baptism, mental interference, and the final judgment strike!

Boom—!!!

A world-shaking explosion (simulated) rang out. The LV35 Command-type Heavy Mecha, under the gorgeous and lethal multiple attacks, finally disintegrated completely, turning into metal fragments flying through the air and scattered energy flows.

The command core was destroyed!

The remaining mechanical legion, though still large in number, instantly lost unified command and highest-priority instructions. Their behavior patterns immediately downgraded, becoming dull and chaotic; some continued to attack, some stayed in place, and some even began to wander aimlessly.

"We won!" Zhao Hao let out an excited dragon roar.

Wang Meng laughed loudly, commanding the Behemoths to start clearing the remnants. Li Mo's Goblin Engineers crawled out from various corners and began to happily "recycle" the mechanical wreckage that could still move (simulated recycling to increase points). Qin Qing withdrew her chains and angel, her expression remaining calm, but a faint, almost imperceptible light flashed in her eyes.

Lin Zhou hovered in the air, looking down at the battlefield where the fires of war were gradually subsiding, his heart not feeling much of a ripple.

First battle, victory.

The tactical Execution was basically successful. Wang Meng held the pressure at the front, Li Mo's "hack" played a key role in breaking the deadlock, Qin Qing's chain control was precise and lethal, Zhao Hao's dragon assault was thunderous, and his own command and timing were well-handled.

But this was only the first round. The Heart of the Anvil Squad from the College of Science and Engineering might be strong in frontal pushes and numbers, but their tactics seemed slightly rigid, and their ability to handle unexpected situations (like a Logic Hack) was insufficient. Stronger opponents were still to come.

In the arena stands, after a brief silence, thunderous gasps and clamor erupted!

"They won?! The School of Literature and Law won?!"

"So fast?! How did that Command Mecha just explode?!"

"I saw Qin Qing's chains! And the dragons' concentrated fire! But the most critical part was how those three Heavy Mecha suddenly started attacking their own people?"

"It's that Li Mo! His Mechanical Goblins seemed to have done something!"

"The Hundred Schools Squad... they have some skill! This coordination, this tactic!"

"An upset! This is definitely an upset!"

In the preparation room, the five people whose consciousness had returned looked at each other and smiled.

"Well done, everyone," Lin Zhou smiled. "Especially Li Mo, your 'hack' was a major contribution."

Li Mo scratched his head bashfully: "I got lucky, the model matched the database... however, the opponent didn't seem to have much defense against this kind of non-physical layer attack."

Zhao Hao put his arm around Li Mo's shoulder: "Who cares! A win is a win! Haha, let's see who still dares to look down on our School of Literature and Law!"

Wang Meng nodded vigorously: "Refreshing!"

Qin Qing adjusted the cuffs of her priest robe and said faintly: "The coordination was acceptable. But the timing of the judgment's descent could have been 0.3 seconds more precise."

Lin Zhou smiled and shook his head; Qin Qing was as rigorous as ever. However, this rigor was exactly what the team needed.

In their first battle, the Hundred Schools Squad showed their initial brilliance.