"Ah~ My dear Miss Liu, how can you blame us? We just wanted to help you level up faster!"
Ji Lin examined Liu Qingxue's figure and the mecha behind her with undisguised greed.
"Why waste words with her?" Wang Yan slashed Uncle Fu down in one strike, his mecha completely shattered.
The remaining combat energy from Uncle Fu surged into Wang Yan's body.
Even the last remnants of a peak second-tier Mecha Master's combat energy were substantial—especially for a third-tier like Wang Yan.
After absorbing Uncle Fu's combat energy, Wang Yan's combat level broke through to the fourth tier.
Noticing this, Ji Lin frowned. "You took the old man's combat energy. What about me?"
"Between brothers, must we split hairs? How about letting you take the first shot later?" Wang Yan chuckled awkwardly, knowing he'd gained the upper hand.
Ji Lin's expression softened at this. His gaze lingered on Liu Qingxue's alluring figure, stirring desire within him.
"Scum!" Even Liu Qingxue's composure finally snapped.
Ji Lin and Wang Yan had been orphans raised by the Liu family. That morning, awakening as fourth-tier Mecha Masters, they'd been prioritized for training—hence their inclusion in Liu Qingxue's team.
Originally, two peak third-tier Mecha Masters leading the team should have dominated County 0321.
Yet all these troubles along the way were undoubtedly their doing.
"Our Liu family treated you well! Why would you do this!?"
Liu Qingxue glared furiously at them while swiftly entering the Ice Empress's cockpit.
The Ice Empress seemed to sense her rage, emitting bone-chilling crystalline energy. The pressure from this high-grade mecha unsettled the two men.
"Hmph~ Blame your mecha for being too tempting. The Dark Sanctum offered Marrow Cleansing Crystals for it."
"And her body's just as tempting! Hahaha!!"
They leered at the Ice Empress as if appraising artwork.
"You're dead!"
The Ice Empress clasped her palms together before slowly parting them—revealing a crystalline spear formed between them.
"Attack together!"
All three mechas sprang into action, clashing in the blink of an eye.
Even against two opponents, Liu Qingxue remained confident of victory!
"My level surpasses Ji Lin's by one tier, Wang Yan just advanced to fourth-tier, and my mecha far outclasses theirs!"
"If I can't kill these two curs with such advantages, I'll write my name backwards!!"
Liu Qingxue's hand speed proved astonishing. The Ice Empress effortlessly deflected their attacks while her spear struck like a viper from impossible angles.
The two men retreated repeatedly under her assault.
"In all of Canglan City, only Zhou Luo could best me!!" Liu Qingxue's frosty expression matched her flying fingers across the Ice Empress's control panel.
She ranked second in Virtual Mech Company's first-tier Net Domain.
The Virtual Mech Battle Platform was developed by Starry Sky Mech Company, faithfully replicating one-on-one combat techniques against Exotic Beasts and monsters. Among the hundreds of millions in Canglan City, it ranked second in first-tier strength.
This was enough to demonstrate how formidable Liu Qingxue's simulated combat prowess was.
"Liu Qingxue's combat skills are this advanced? Why does it look somewhat familiar?" Zhou Luo watched Liu Qingxue's battle with confusion.
His mind suddenly recalled that person who once competed with him for the top spot.
That guy seemed to be called Cold Spear, though Zhou Luo wasn't entirely sure.
After all, Zhou Luo never made a habit of remembering the names of those he defeated.
Liu Qingxue's combat ability far surpassed Ji Lin and Wang Yan's. After just twenty exchanges, their mechas were already flickering with electric sparks.
"This woman is really fierce. Later, I'll make her sing submission beneath me!"
"Only then will the conquest feel satisfying."
"Die already!"
Liu Qingxue tapped several control buttons, and the Ice Empress's combat energy erupted wildly. Hard ice crystals spread around, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet abruptly.
"Not good! Liu Qingxue has unleashed her ultimate move—we can't withstand this!"
"Relax, let the bullets fly for a while."
Compared to Ji Lin's panic, Wang Yan remained much calmer.
Wang Yan glanced at the time on his wristband, silently calculating in his heart.
"Winter Storm!"
The Ice Empress swiftly brandished her spear, the sharp ice crystals swirling around the weapon transforming into razor-sharp blades that assailed the two mechas.
The pair strained to raise their energy barriers in defense.
"Time's up, Liu Qingxue. It's over." Wang Yan lifted his head slightly, his cold, penetrating gaze seeming to pierce through the Ice Empress and lock onto Liu Qingxue.
"What?!"
Before Liu Qingxue could react, a sudden wave of weakness spread through her limbs. Her combat energy was inexplicably blocked by an invisible force, rendering her unable to release it.
The Ice Empress faltered, giving the two an opening to strike.
"This is Spirit Dissolving Powder! You poisoned tonight's barbecue! You despicable, shameless cowards!"
Unable to channel her combat energy, Liu Qingxue lost her resonance with the Ice Empress, leaving the mecha uncontrollable.
Now, the Ice Empress had been reduced to nothing more than a cold, lifeless machine.
This was the inherent weakness of a Mecha Master.
Had it been Zhou Luo and Fire Thunder, even if the Spirit Dissolving Powder could restrict Zhou Luo, it wouldn't have stopped Fire Thunder from fighting autonomously.
"Keh keh keh~ Surrender now!"
"All our efforts won't be in vain."
Liu Qingxue furrowed her brows, her mind racing for an escape plan.
The effects of the Spirit Dissolving Powder continued to take hold. She was on the verge of unconsciousness, her fingers already immobile.
"Vroom—BOOM!!" Suddenly, the roar of a sports car engine echoed from the distance.
The sound was like the low growl of an awakened beast, declaring its readiness to unleash its power.
As the car accelerated, the engine's roar intensified, resembling a colossal creature fully rousing from slumber, its furious bellow growing deeper and more resonant.
The thunderous noise vibrated through the air, each pulse shaking the ground beneath them, deafeningly loud.
"Who's there?!" The two men turned their viper-like gazes toward the source.
A fiery red sports car streaked toward them like a blazing inferno.
"Vehicle Warrior! Transform!"
"Slash!!!"
Fire Thunder moved at an incredible speed, its two thick arms slamming against the ground as the fiery red sports car rapidly transformed mid-air.
The massive shadow of the Mecha loomed over the two men.
The Frost Moon Blade gleamed with a chilling light as it swept horizontally through the air.
"Bang!" Intense sparks erupted.
Inside Ji Lin and Wang Yan's control cabins, violent arcs of electricity surged, causing their Mecha to instantly lose control and collapse to the ground. A terrifying slash mark ran across the Mecha's waist—their Destined Mecha had nearly been cleaved in half.
"It's him!!" Liu Qingxue recognized the Mecha's silhouette—it was the same fiery red sports car from before.
(End of Chapter)