You said mechs were going to fight monsters, but instead you're destroying stars with your bare

Chapter 48 Mech Summoning Ceremony - Begins [Third update, please read on, recommend, and vote, thank you]

After undergoing a more complicated inspection, Li Zhe finally made it into the venue smoothly.

Perhaps because of the "incident" last week, different groups of people were separated during the security check to prevent certain conflicts.

Looking around, the ceremony venue was still set up in a semi-open-air space next to the East China Joint Defense Mech University...

No, it's already topped out.

The venue had become a huge indoor fortress.

Li Zhe noticed this before entering the venue.

Compared to a week ago, the construction of the campus has progressed considerably.

Several futuristic teaching buildings have sprung up, and the buildings are quite large.

The enormous mechs were methodically moving bricks and mortar in the building.

In this era of crisis, the infrastructure powerhouse, empowered by mechs, has demonstrated even more terrifying efficiency.

The atmosphere at the ceremony was clearly much more solemn and enthusiastic than the one last week.

The stands around the square were packed.

Not only were there newly recruited reserve mech pilots, but also many representatives from the United Government, the military, and major conglomerates who came to observe the ceremony.

The scene was filled with cameras and flashes.

It was clearly a grand ceremony to showcase strength and confidence to the outside world.

With the summoning data he had previously recorded and Xing's assistance, Li Zhe was preparing to stage a flawless "summoning" spectacle.

He stood in the corner of the designated waiting area, his expression indifferent, appearing quite ordinary.

Secretly, he had already taken in the energy flow, personnel distribution, and even every subtle electromagnetic signal in the air throughout the entire venue.

"Commander, the on-site security system has completed the scan." Xing's voice calmly reported in Li Zhe's mind, "Compared to your previous detection records, three new high-sensitivity abyssal energy detection matrices have been added, and the energy spectrum analysis range is wider."

"But rest assured, their detection logic is still at a rudimentary level and cannot recognize your armor or my presence."

"learn."

Li Zhe responded in his heart.

His gaze swept across the audience seats and soon landed on Zhu Xingtuan's serious face.

Today, Zhu Xingtuan changed into a smart mecha pilot uniform. The corporal epaulets on his shoulders gleamed under the lights, adding to his imposing and dignified aura.

He was talking intently with several military representatives, clearly placing high hopes on the ceremony.

The content of our conversation... was rather trivial.

I couldn't glean anything particularly valuable.

It seems there's a proposal to build a large artificial island next to the main island of the Pudong Islands?

Just as Li Zhe was observing his surroundings, a small commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance.

It wasn't like that hot-tempered monkey named Katsuki Okamoto from last week, with its violent and noisy antics.

Rather, it is an invisible "clearing" effect brought about by status and position.

The crowd spontaneously parted to the sides, making way for a passage.

The group entered the venue slowly with a highly ceremonial air, heading straight for the VIP seats at the front.

The leader was a young girl who looked to be about the same age as Li Zhe.

She had long purple hair, meticulously styled into gorgeous princess curls, adorned with delicate, shimmering crystal ornaments.

She wore a gothic-style dress custom-designed by a top designer, with delicate black lace interwoven with shimmering metallic silver threads.

He stood out from the crowd of people dressed in uniforms or casual clothes, as if he were a visitor from another dimension.

Her face, as delicate as a doll's, was adorned with heavy yet elegant makeup, and a faint, formulaic smile played at the corners of her lips.

His eyes revealed a coldness and aloofness that kept people at arm's length.

Behind her were four burly bodyguards dressed in black suits and wearing sunglasses.

Beside him was a middle-aged woman who looked like a secretary, holding a data tablet and following closely behind.

This extravagant display immediately drew sidelong glances and whispers from those around them.

"They're from Featherbeak Pharmaceutical Group..."

"That girl in the lead must be Hanekawa Reina, the eldest daughter of the Yu-beak family, right? I heard she got a special recommendation spot from the Sakura Kingdom."

"The Featherbeak Group has been making a lot of moves lately. Their current 'Abyss Walker' project claims to be able to mass-produce superhumans through gene optimization technology. Their ambitions are considerable." "More than just considerable ambitions! They've even extended their reach into the military industry..."

"I heard that the large artificial island in the Pudong Islands that is planned was originally awarded to a shipyard for the storage and transportation of auxiliary materials. Yuhu Pharmaceutical actually wants to get involved and plans to acquire one of the shipyard's docks at a low price."

"A biopharmaceutical company trying to steal business from a shipyard? That's unheard of."

"I heard that shipyard is called Jiangdong Shipbuilding Group, I think?"

"Jiangdong Shipbuilding Group? It seems they changed owners recently. The new owner looks very young, just a student who has just come of age. I wonder if he can withstand the pressure from a giant like Featherbeak..."

Li Zhe was silently sensing the whispers around him.

I never expected to get caught up in my own gossip.

Listening to these discussions, Li Zhe remained calm, but he already understood what was going on.

Before he could even enjoy the benefits of his newfound "shipyard owner," he was already caught in the vortex of business competition.

And what caused this vortex, I wonder if it has anything to do with this seemingly unapproachable young lady...

Li Zhe's gaze lingered on the young lady for a moment.

Name: Hanekawa Reina

【Combat strength: 0.203】

[Status: Stable vital signs; Emotional fluctuations: contempt, impatience]

[Note: Through the "Abyss Walker" program, he underwent basic genetic optimization, resulting in physical abilities far exceeding those of ordinary people, but there appears to be a certain risk of mental instability.]

With the assistance of the stars, the detection capability has been further enhanced.

Now we can also combine intelligence to analyze and summarize a brief report with notes.

Unexpectedly, this young lady personally took part in the "Abyss Walker" project.

This Yuhu Pharmaceuticals is very confident.

They actually had the audacity to apply their technology to their own people.

After taking her seat in the VIP section, Reina Hanekawa seemed to notice Li Zhe's gaze.

She turned her head slightly, and her violet eyes briefly met Li Zhe's gaze in the air.

Rena Hanekawa gave a flawless, aristocratic smile.

He nodded slightly as a greeting.

They have basic manners.

But a fleeting, cold glint flashed in the depths of his eyes, like the coldness of scrutinizing a commodity.

……

Everyone is in position.

The ceremony officially began with Zhu Xingtuan's solemn declaration.

"Mech summoning ritual, now begins!"

"First up, number AC010618-078, enter the arena!"

The mech summoning ritual appears to have undergone some adjustments.

Now, summons will be made according to random call numbers.

A candidate from the land of cherry blossoms nervously walked onto the matrix and, guided by the staff, completed the summoning process.

There was a flash of light.

A standard gray mech appeared.

Although it was ordinary, it still drew a round of encouraging applause.

The next few candidates also summoned mostly standard models of mechs.

Occasionally, a few outstanding performers will have their mechs adorned with unique paint schemes or insignia.

When it was Hanekawa Rena's turn, the atmosphere in the room became noticeably more serious.

Rena stood up gracefully, and her secretary took out a briefcase.

Put on gloves and carefully open the box.

He took out a medal that shimmered with an eerie purple light, seemingly having undergone special modifications, and handed it to Hanekawa Reina...

(End of this chapter)