Mecha Era: Ascending to Godhood Alone

As Li Yi swiftly claimed three points from his first encounter, the Yaochi Qingguo AI simultaneously updated the tournament leaderboard.

Li Yi's ID and name now prominently occupied the top spot with three points.

"He got the first kill this fast?"

Luo Cheng, watching the live feed in the control room, frowned slightly, his discomfort apparent.

Ro Laogu couldn't resist a sarcastic quip.

"Wow, look at that. First kill from someone in your squad. Shouldn't you be happier about it?"

Luo Cheng shot back irritably.

"The better he performs, the more likely the Investigation Department will sniff around. Ro Laogu, stop wasting your breath on obvious points—it just makes you sound dumb."

"Since Lin Guotao said he'd handle it, why not stop worrying and enjoy the show? Quit sulking like you've lost your wife. It's depressing."

The two bickered heatedly, their tempers flaring in Lin Guotao's absence.

Meanwhile, other spectators in the room reviewed the data.

"Well, well. He stayed quiet for the first three minutes, then took down three opponents in mere seconds. That's a high-value first kill."

"Could it be that this impoverished recruit might actually make it to the top ten? That would be a record-breaker."

Elsewhere, in a lavishly appointed chamber, a man reclined in a medical pod, his head connected to the tournament data feed.

"A first kill involving a middle-tier Quanzu scion? Interesting. Who recruited this Li Yi?"

"Lin Guotao," answered an aide standing nearby.

"Lin Guotao? Still clinging to his Celestial Mecha Project, I see."

"I don't understand, sir. How does recruiting someone from the impoverished class tie into that project?"

"You wouldn't understand. Nor do you need to." The man chuckled faintly. "Just notify me if this impoverished recruit remains in the top ten by the end of the tournament. For now, I need rest."

Touching his increasingly withered face, he sighed deeply, lamenting the passage of time.

"Base 23's influence aboard the Yaochi shouldn't be significant. As long as I secure a top-ten spot and step into the spotlight, I should be safe," Li Yi thought, calculating his odds.

Though cautious, his goal of reaching the top ten meant he'd inevitably have to trample over certain individuals.

No need to overthink—just act.

He continued along the simulated rail, heading toward the virtual equivalent of Base 11.

Following the logic of the simulation's design, if Base 11 recruits were to have any advantage, the distribution of participants would likely center around that area.

Where there was proximity, there would be opponents.

Five minutes later, a towering 12-meter-high barricade loomed in the distance.

In front of it stood a massive electronic display board.

"A leaderboard and countdown?"

Li Yi squinted and quickly spotted his name and ID in third place.

First and second were occupied by Liang Shaocong and Lin Qin, with seven and five points respectively.

Fourth through eighth had two points each, while ninth through twenty-first had one point.

Beneath the display, two five-person teams faced off, tension thick in the air.

"It doesn't make sense to waste effort fighting each other now. If we kill the bystanders around us first, we can farm points and secure a safety net. How about it?"

"Sounds like a plan."

"It's not just a plan—it's the only plan."

Li Yi had just arrived in the vicinity when he overheard the two teams agreeing to form a temporary alliance.

Before he could decide if he was lucky or unlucky to stumble upon this, someone in one of the groups suddenly pointed at him.

"There! That's Li Yi—ranked third on the leaderboard. Kill him, and we'll get three points! Quick! First come, first served!"

What? How'd they recognize me?

Li Yi tensed, scanning for answers.

Though confident in his perfected combat skills and reflexes, being swarmed by ten unknown opponents carried risks. Who knew what Quanzu abilities might be unleashed?

Without hesitation, he turned and ran.

The two teams instantly abandoned their stand-off and gave chase.

As Li Yi sprinted, he glanced down at his chest and realized the issue.

A glowing string of numbers—his ID—was prominently displayed.

Seriously? Is this a leaderboard thing? Or does it only show for the top ten?

A quick glance back confirmed his suspicion. Among his pursuers, only one bore a glowing number: Shi Zijun, currently ranked seventh.

It seemed likely that only those in the top ten had their IDs illuminated.

After half a minute, the varying speeds of his pursuers caused them to spread out.

Seeing his chance, Li Yi abruptly halted.

He spun 180 degrees, digging his foot into the ground for explosive acceleration, and charged straight at the leading chaser—a burly man.

The man grinned viciously, unfazed. "Your three points are mine!"

Crack!

Li Yi was faster. Dodging the man's attack, he sidestepped and delivered a devastating kick to the opponent's kneecap.

The sound of bone shattering was sickening.

"AAARGH!"

The man screamed, collapsing in tears.

Li Yi wasted no time and moved on to the second-fastest chaser.

Shi Zijun, still further back, shouted desperately:

"Don't engage! You're no match for him! Stall him—I'll handle it!"

The second man, adrenaline pumping from the chase, ignored Shi Zijun's warning. Roaring, he attempted a slide tackle at Li Yi, his momentum like a missile.

Li Yi smirked, crouching low and driving his knee into the man's jaw with pinpoint precision, stunning him instantly.

With swift, practiced movements, Li Yi clasped his hands into a pointed formation and struck the man's temple like a spear.

Poof!

The second man dissolved into particles of light, eliminated from the simulation.

The remaining chasers froze in horror.

Ruthless.

Every strike targeted a vital area, leaving no room for error.

Shi Zijun, finally closing in, broke into a cold sweat.

Li Yi's brutal efficiency unnerved him.

This guy isn't normal. Is he some kind of infiltrator from a cult? Even if this is just a simulation, shouldn't he show at least a hint of hesitation?

As fear crept in, Shi Zijun hesitated.

Li Yi, noticing this, ignored him and lunged toward the slower pursuers.

By the time Shi Zijun turned to pursue, Li Yi had already eliminated two more, leaving their particles swirling like ethereal confetti.

The display of power

left Shi Zijun's eyes bloodshot with rage and despair.

"This guy… he's a monster."

He stopped dead in his tracks.

I can't do this. I have to run.